F 627 M<93 M57 CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARY BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND GIVEN IN 1891 BY HENRY WILLIAMS SAGE Cornell University Library F 627M83 M57 olin 3 1924 028 914 277 Cornell University Library The original of this book is in the Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924028914277 A HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY IOWA W. W. MERRITT. A HISTORY OF THE County of Montgomery FROM THE EARLIEST DAYS TO 1906 >u r y> by W. W. MERRITT, Sr. PUBLISHES BT THE EXPRESS PUBLISHING COMPANY RED OAK, IOWA 1906 1; U i i ' 1 1 i.i i v i |; {, I '1 Y COPYRIGHT 1906 BY THOS. D. MURPHY <*?. ffVoSS- TO THE PIONEERS "WHO BLAZED THE WAY, BRAVED THE ELEMENTS, FORDED STREAMS AND REARED CABINS ON THE STORM SWEPT PRAIRD3S; THE SPACIOUS LANDSCAPE THEIR ONLY SCENE BY DAY; THE TINKLING COW BELL IN THE DISTANT DORRAL AND HOWLING WOLVES THE ONLY SOUNDS BY NIGHT; BUT WHO, WITH BRAVE HEARTS AND WILLING HANDS, DEFD3D THE WILDERNESS AND IN AFTER YEARS TRANSFORMED IT INTO FRUITFUL FD3LDS AND CAUSED IT TO BLOSSOM LIKE THE ROSE, THIS BOOK IS GRATE- FULLY DEDICATED. AUTHOR'S PREFACE. ■* I 'HE difficulty of reducing the great amount of material ac- cumulated in the county records and newspaper files, to- gether with the personal recollections of old settlers, to the limits of a single book, cannot be realized by any one till he under- takes a similar task. The author has been solicited by the curator of the State Historical Society, Hon. Charles Aldrich, and others, to make a permanent record of the history of the county. Notwithstanding he has witnessed every step in her progress since the spring of 1857, yet this does not necessarily qualify one for such a task. He, however, consented to undertake it, but with many misgiv- ings, knowing full well that he could not reach his own ideal of what it should be, viz: that it should cover the entire period from the organization of the county up to the date of its publica- tion; that it ought to be elaborate and complete and the past brought side by side with the present. The limits prescribed makes this impossible. The problem in assorting, arranging and philosophising upon the importance and significance of recorded and unrecorded events, consists of what to admit and what to exclude. At some future time the facts recorded herein may form the basis for the historian whose field is of wider scope, and who will add largely to the sum total of the State's, and even to the Nation's history. Montgomery County is the garden spot of the world and if her history is a promise and a prophecy of the future, great things are in store for her, and the preservation of her annals should be classed among things demanding more than a passing notice. Another reason why this record should be preserved is that it furnishes to posterity examples of manhood and womanhood worthy of imitation. The pioneers were imbued with faith and courage. They lived the simple and contented life and trans- mitted to their descendants their physical and moral vigor, as well as their material accumulations, obtained without the taint of dishonor. The facts gleaned from the voluminous county records and the newspapers may be relied upon. A brief mention is made of noticeable events of the several years of the county history, chronologically ranged, from 1 849 to 1 905 and some of them are referred to and enlarged upon in other chapters. Acknowledgement should be made to several contributors who assisted the author in this work. The chapter on "Early Life in the Forks" was written by Mr. W. H. Moore, who was an actual participant in the scenes he describes, being one of our early school teachers. The chapter on medicine was contributed by Dr. W. B. Lawrence ; and Mr. Webster Eaton, the first editor of The Express, wrote what is given relating to the founding of that paper in Chapter XXIX. The chapter on the Spanish-American War was contributed by Mr. E. J. Barklow, who also wrote "The History of Red Oak" and "Other Towns in the County." The four chapters of early experiences and early incidents were compiled from various sources, the experiences of old settlers given in Chapter XX being taken from the special edition of the Red Oak Independ- ent several years ago. In inserting portraits, the author was governed by the rule of admitting only those of people who came to the county prior to 1865, though there are a few obvious exceptions. In the portraits of public men, the plan was to give only those who had held higher than county offices. The author recognizes that following this plan there were necessarily many omissions, but he spared no effort to get portraits of all the early settlers that he possibly could and several requests for these were pub- lished in the Red Oak Express. PUBLISHER'S FOREWORD. ^EVERAL years ago, when the writer was editing the Red Oak Express, he recognized the great desirability of com- piling and publishing an adequate history of Montgomery County. It was clear that the longer this was deferred the more important material, especially concerning early days, would be lost forever. I saw that in case such a history were written soon, there were many men in the county whose lives had cov- ered almost its entire history and whose reminiscences would constitute a much more interesting and in some cases more reliable source of history than anything that has been published or made of record. The greatest difficulty in carrying out this plan was to find the man who was qualified to write the history. In giving the matter a little consideration, it occurred to me that one man of all others was best qualified from almost every point of view to do this work, and he was our well known fellow citizen, Hon. W. W. Merritt. He has been closely identified with the history of the county almost from its inception and he moreover possesses the philosophical turn of mind and the literary ability that is necessary for a successful historian. I approached him several times on the subject, but owing to his business affairs and general disinclination to undertake such a difficult and neces- sarily laborious task, the matter was deferred from time to time. Finally, however, he consented, but the work necessarily pro- ceeded very slowly, and nearly four years elapsed after it was undertaken until the book was ready for publication. I believe that it marks an era in the publication of county histories in Iowa; that it sets a much higher standard for these works than they have heretofore attained. Mr. Merritt has not attempted to write a history of the universe and tack a few pages of local interest on as an appendix, the usual plan that has been followed in county histories. He passes over the gen- eral history of the western country leading up to the organiza- tion of the county very rapidly, and the history is what it purports to be — a history of Montgomery County. It not only is meritorious from an historical point of view, but is valuable as a literary work. It contains not only bare historical fact that might be expected in a history, but it is full of incidents and reminiscences, often amusing, that make it far more readable than a mere recital of historical data could possibly have been. In order that the facts be not neglected in any way, Mr. Merritt has compiled from official sources and from newspaper files a complete chronology of the county by years from its first white settler up to date. This will be of interest to those who desire the facts in a concise form. The mechanical excellence of the book is well in keeping with its contents. It has been printed in the very best style of the art from entirely new and very handsome type. The illus- trations are all printed on plate paper inserts and numerous enough to be a very important feature of the book. While a moderately large edition has been printed, it is none too large and since no re-issue will probably be made, it behooves every citizen of the county to secure one or more copies of the book when the opportunity is offered to him. THOS. D. MURPHY. TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER I. ABSTRACT OF TITLE TO MONTGOMERY COUNTY. An outline of the history of the state from the earliest days up to 1850 — Early government of Iowa — Boundaries of state finally fixed CHAPTER II. ORGANIZATION, NAMING AND SURVEYING OP THE COUNTY. Sketch of Richard Montgomery, after whom the county was named — Description of the methods of the early sur- veyors 15 CHAPTER III. THE PRAIRIES AND THE RIVERS WITH THEIR WATER MILLS. Description of the unbroken prairies — Ravages of prairie fires — The rivers of the county and their characteristics — The pioneer water mills 24 CHAPTER IV. THE INDIANS. Theories of their origin — Recollections of early Montgomery County settlers — Chief Mahaska killed in Washington Township — Fierce warfare between the Pottawattamies* and the Iowas 30 CHAPTER V. THE PIONEERS. Manner of living of the pioneers — Something about early agri- culture — Hospitality in log cabins — Tribute to the pioneer women 37 xii TABLE OP CONTENTS. CHAPTER VI. OBSOLETE TOWNS OP THE COUNTY. Frankfort, the pioneer county seat, its business and society — Flora, a town on paper — Arlington on the Nodaway — Rossville — Bristol 45 CHAPTER VII. WARTIME ORGANIZATIONS AND INCIDENTS. Union League of America — Knights of the Golden Circle — Meet- ing of Southern sympathizers at Ross Grove — Resolutions adopted and reply of Clarinda Herald 56 CHAPTER VIII. RAILROADS. Building of the C. B. & Q. Railroad through the County — The North and South Branches — Some railroad statistics 64 CHAPTER IX. THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD. Montgomery County and the slavery agitation — Underground Railroad through the County — Some experiences of the writer - 72 CHAPTER X. JOHN BROWN Some of his operations in Southwestern Iowa — A frequent Mont- gomery County visitor — His influence in bringing about the war 77 CHAPTER XI. BEN. A true story of slavery in Montgomery County, and how it was impossible to emancipate the slave — Death solves the problem 83 TABLE OF CONTENTS. xili CHAPTER XII. WAR OP THE REBELLION. Dark days — More enlistments in Montgomery County in propor- tion to its population than any other county in state — Prominent Montgomery County soldiers — List of all citi- zens in County who enlisted — Their regiment and company. .90 CHAPTER XIII. THREE PROMINENT PIONEERS. Sketches of Alfred Hebard, Justus Clark and R. M. G. Pat- terson 108 CHAPTER XIV. JASON B. PACKARD. An early Montgomery County philosopher — Treasurer many years — Newspaper Correspondent — Letter from Abraham Lincoln to Mr. Packard 115 CHAPTER XV. EARLY LIFE IN THE FORKS. A sketch of pioneer life on present site of Villisca — Business, customs and amusements — Founding of Villisca 122 CHAPTER XVI. NOTED MURDER TRIALS OF THE COUNTY. Murder of Dr. Hatton and trial of murderer — Cross murder trial, transferred from Council Bluffs to Red Oak — Thiele murder in Villisca — Murder of John Stipe in 1856 137 CHAPTER XVII. COMMON SCHOOLS OF THE COUNTY. Iowa's high educational rank — Pioneer schools in Montgomery County — Some early schoolteachers and methods 147 CHAPTER XVIII. COUNTY COURT HOUSES, PAST AND PRESENT. Something about the present structure — The early court house in Frankfort and its transfer to Red Oak — How it was lost on the prairies — Something about early county judges. .153 xiv TABLE OF CONTENTS. chapter xix. memorial, services of lincoln, garfield, grant and Mckinley. Account of services held in Montgomery County 161 CHAPTER XX. SOME EARLY EXPERIENCES. Experiences related by Mr. H. C. Binns — Mr. Thos. Weidman's recollections — Court in the County forty-four years ago — Youthful Age of Montgomery County 167 CHAPTER XXI. A CHAPTER OF EARLY INCIDENTS, GRAVE AND GAY. A case of false imprisonment — A Frankfort society man — Other amusing and interesting early occurrences 176. CHAPTER XXII. ANOTHER CHAPTER OF EARLY INCIDENTS. A cold winter in 1866 as described by Mr. E. P. Milner — A political incident of 1860 — A vision of dry bones — Pioneer saw and flour mills — Republican convention of 1860 — First tax list and other items of interest 184 CHAPTER XXIII. MEDICAL FRATERNITY IN THE COUNTY. The importance of medical science — Early Montgomery County physicians — A roster of present practitioners in the County. 195 CHAPTER XXIV. THE MONTOMERY COUNTY BAR. Data concerning early lawyers — Short sketches of present mem- bers of Montgomery County bar — Sketch of Judge Horace E. Deemer — Sketch of Judge Smith McPherson 203; TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXV. AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE. "Wonderful productiveness of Montgomery County — Evolution of agricultural methods — Excellence of Montgomery County orchards 214 CHAPTER XXVI. THE COUNTY FAIR. First fair held in Frankfort in 1859 — Organization of Fair As- sociation in Red Oak and history followed up to date 220 CHAPTER XXVII. THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR. Declaration of war — Local excitement — Sketch of Company M — Preparing for war — Camp at San Francisco — Across the Pacific — Guard duty — Campaigning in the tropics — Home- ward bound — Deaths in camp — Darwin R. Merritt 228 CHAPTER XXVIII. RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COUNTY. Difficulty of securing data — Foundation of the Methodist Church in county with history of church to date — Sketches of other churches and religious organizations in the county. . . .251 CHAPTER XXIX. A CHAPTER OF MISCELLANIES. Foundation of the first newspaper, described by Mr. Webster Eaton, first editor of The Express — President McKinley's visit to Red Oak — Sketches of long-lived people of county Mrs. Thos. Wheeler, a centenarian — Gen. Grant's visit to Red Oak — Other miscellaneous items 263 CHAPTER XXX. HISTORY OF RED OAK. Founding of town and early history — Arrival of railroad — City officials up to date — Some important fires — Fire Depart- ment — City water works — Public utilities — Street railway — Paving — Business and society — Banks — Hotels — Indus- tries — Art Calendars — Schools — Civic societies — News- papers 277 xvi TABLE OF CONTENTS. CHAPTER XXXI. OTHER TOWNS OP THE COUNTY. Vlllisca — Founding of the town — List of officials — The Public Schools — Newspapers — Banks — Fire Company — Elliott — — The foreign element, Stanton, Wales — The Welsh Col- ony — The town of Milf ord 310 APPENDIX A. A chronology of Montgomery County from the earliest day up to 1904 321 APPENDIX B. A complete roster of Companies B and M, Fifty-First I. N. G. . .341 APPENDIX C. A list of Senators and Representatives of Montgomery County. . .344 OLD HISTORIC RESIDENCE OF J. B. PACKARD IN SHERMAN TOWNSHIP. THE TEFT CABIN NEAR STENNETT— The only one extant in the western half of county, vival of the fittest and exceptional because constructed of hewn logs. CHAPTER I. ABSTRACT OF TITLE OF MONTGOMERY COUN- TY. OUTLINE OF HISTORY OF THE STATE OF IOWA UP TO 1850. Arbitrary political divisions, large or small, do not necessarily determine ownership or establish a clear title. In tracing the title to our county, we find it cloudy at the further end. A complete abstract, meeting all the requirements of a sensitive conscience and fulfilling exact justice, can not be made and no court of record can possibly grant it. Like tracing many a fam- ily name, prudence would dictate not to trace it too far lest the final discovery might be embarassing. Originally there was no right of title or ownership other than the flimsy and absurd "right of discovery"— the real occupants and owners not being taken into consideration—a custom adopted by European nations in accordance with an understanding among them that the dis- coverer could hold possession by establishing colonies. The country west of the Mississippi River, of which our county is a small integral part, was discovered by the Spaniards and held by them for a time, but they never perfected the title, such as it was. Subsequently it was visited and occupied by the French for near- ly one hundred years and was then, in the course of European affairs, ceded back to Spain, which afterwards made some effort to colonize and govern the great tract later known as Louisiana. The Spaniards had control of three hundred miles of the Miss- issippi River and established military posts at different points on the east bank from New Orleans northward to the mouth of the Ohio River, exacting heavy duties on all imports by way of the river to the Ohio regions. 2 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY Every boat ascending or descending the river was forced to submit to the most arbitrary exactions of the Spanish authorities. This the American citizen considered a clear case of "hold-up, and resolved to endure it no longer than measures could be taken to suppress such highway robbery. It was a live question of im- mediate and personal concern to the western population of the United States. The pressure which was bought to bear from this section led our government to demand the free navigation of the river~not as a favor, but as an absolute right. Public senti- ment was unanimous on this question and President Jefferson, re- sponding to the demands of the people, sought to solve this vex- atious problem through the peaceable methods of diplomacy. Congress authorized him to send commissioners to the courts of Spain and France, and vested him with large discretionary power to make the best possible terms. Fortunate, indeed, for our republic was the treaty made between the two powers men- tioned, on March 1st, 1801, by which France again obtained possession and control of the vast territory of Louisiana. Our commissioners were chosen, given due authority and hastened on their journey. Arriving at Paris, they laid before the French government the object of their visit. In conversation with Tally- rand, Napoleon's prime minister, it was learned that France was well disposed and a satisfactory arrangement could easily be made; it was even hinted that possibly she would sell outright her possessions in the New World. The commissioners were advis- ed by the French statesman "to think it over" during the night. The next day Napoleon himself told Mr. Livingston, one of the commission, that he would "give them a splendid bargain for a mere trifle," and thus an undertaking which originally contemp- lated merely the establishing of trade relations, opened up the question of the purchase of a vast empire. No doubt Napoleon was influenced in this matter by his comparative helplessness to defend this great territory against the English, with whom war was inevitable. The price which he finally named was $ 1 5,- ABSTRACT OF TITLE 3 000,000, and after considerable parley, this was agreed to by the commission and the transfer was duly made. The price agreed upon seemed to many at that time a fabulous sum — "enough to pay all expenses of the government for eighteen months." The timid Yankees of that early day were alarmed on account of the enormous debt which this sum in bonds would represent, which demonstrates how limited is the foresight of even the wisest in any generation of men. This transaction was the most important event of our history since the formation of the National Union accomplished through the patriotism, courage and devotion of the founders of our gov- ernment after having endured eight years of the stress of war. Soon afterwards, our flag was unfurled in triumph over the city of New Orleans, typifying our National sovereignty in the newly acquired possessions. From that time our nation has steadily ex- panded, extending its domain west of the Mississippi to the Pacific Ocean and north from the Gulf of Mexico to British America. We sought merely an outlet to the Gulf and obtained by peace- able methods,— by barter and sale,— an empire of unparalleled rich- ness and extent. The transfer of this imperial domain from Europe to America was one of those transactions which render the period of their accomplishment memorable for all time. "Our Revolutionary Fathers," says Lowell, "were men with empires in their brains," men of prophetic foresight, and the actual results of their labors far surpassed the ulterior dreams of the wisest of them. The vast territory acquired was greater in extent than France, Germany, Great Britain, Italy, Spain and Portugal combined and is now occupied by fourteen great states of the American Union, whose taxable wealth exceeds $7,000,000,000, and whose pop- ulation is over 1 6,000,000. It is true that in any event the ac- quisition of this territory by the United States could hardly have been long delayed, although had it passed into the hands of Eng- land, our history might have been far different. It was well, 4 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY however, that it came into our possession so early. The spmt or the age, under the guidance of that Providence which directs the great movements of human society, conspired to accomplish this event so fraught with blessings to mankind, and this in spite of the ambitions and conflicting characteristics of the distinguished actors by whom the deal was made. On one hand was Napo- leon, who dreamed of establishing a Latin empire reaching from the Gulf to the Pacific Ocean, assuring in future ages the glory and power of France, and he of all the sovereigns of Europe seemed least likely to yield up so glorious a project. On the other hand was Jefferson, who was wedded to the doctrine of strict construction of the American constitution and doubted that it permitted the acquisition of this territory by purchase. He was wisely guided, however, "by the spirit that giveth life and not by the letter that killeth," and he stands vindicated in history. No human influence could have controlled either of these men and it seemed as if they obeyed the mandate of fate which was, in the case of each, the mandate of enlightened patriotism. France, having divested herself of this encumbrance, was better fitted for the supreme gladiatorial effort which awaited her and Jefferson gained immortal fame by preferring an immense benefit to his country rather than consistency in the narrow construction of the written law. The first year after the acquisition of this territory, it was plac- ed under the jurisdiction of the judges and governor of Indiana. Two years later it was designated as the Territory of Louisiana and after about eight years more, was included in the Territory of Missouri. Nine years afterward, in 1 82 1 , that portion of the "purchase" which includes Iowa was forever dedicated to freedom by a com- promise with the forces of slavery and for fourteen years our present state was a political orphan without governmental parent- age. For the purpose of temporary government, it was attached to the Territory of Michigan. The Capitol was in the eastern ABSTRACT OF TITLE 5 part of the territory, at Belmont, Iowa County, (now Lafayette County) Wisconsin, where the first session of the Territorial Leg- islature was held in 1 836. Gov. Mason, in his message of Sept., 1 , 1 834, referred to the inhabitants of the Iowa country as "an in- telligent, industrious and enterprising people who depended alone on their own virtue, intelligence and good sense as a guarantee of their mutual and undivided rights," and he urged the immediate organization for them of one or two counties with one or two townships in each county. This suggestion was acted upon in "An act to lay off and organize counties west of the Mississippi River" which was passed and approved. The counties of Des Moines and Dubuque were subsequently formed. This act pro- vided that each county should constitute a township, and provided also for an election of township officers on the first Monday in November, 1 834. It appears that the offices of the newly ac- quired counties—each of these large enough to make a respect- able state—were filled by the Governor of the Territory of Michi- gan, by and with the consent of the Legislative Council. The people were impatient because of existing conditions, there being no courts of civil or criminal jurisdiction, and, impelled by the sentiment of American liberty with a desire to govern themselves, held a delegate convention in November, 1 837. Here the at- tention of Congress was called to this subject of vital importance to the people west of the Mississippi. The people of the west- ern part of what had been the Territory of Michigan had fram- ed and adopted a slate constitution as early as 1835, and had elected state officers, but on account of a dispute with Ohio as to boundaries, Congress was in no hurry to recognize the new state. The territorial epoch of our history dates from the 4th of July, 1 836, when Wisconsin was constituted a separate territory for the purpose of temporary government, and our first code of law was an act to establish the territorial government of Wiscon- sin. We must remember that at that time Iowa was a constitu- ent part and not an adjunct of Wisconsin and that the area west 6 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY with indefinite borders, was largely in excess of the area east or the Mississippi River. After one session of the territorial legis- lature, the seat of government was transferred from Belmont to Burlington. In the year 1 838 the name "Iowa" was given to that portion west of the river, known as the "Black Hawk Pur- chase," which was a strip of land along the eastern border of Iowa, beginning fifty miles north of the border of Missouri and extending to the mouth of the upper Iowa River, containing per- haps six million acres. The western line of the territory was parallel with the Mississippi River. After this organization was effected, the people at once became interested and eager for the formation of a new territory separate from Wisconsin. Meet- ings were held and a general campaign of education inaugurated among the people throughout the proposed state. The people of Des Moines County were the first to make a move in this direction owing probably to the fact that Burlington, the capital, was locat- ed in its borders, and would give them a commanding influence in the movement. A spontaneous outpouring of the people in this little town of six or eight hundred inhabitants occurred Sept. 1 6, 1 837, and in the spirit of our democratic institutions it was resolved that "while we have the utmost confidence in the abil- ity, integrity and patriotism of those who control the destinies of our present territorial government and of our delegates in the Congress of the United States, we do nevertheless look to a div- ision of the territory and the organization of a separate territorial government by Congress, west of the Mississippi River, as the only means of immediately and fully securing to the citizens there- of the benefits and immunities of a government of laws." In less than two months afterwards, delegates from seven organized counties formulated and sent a memorial to Congress relating to pre-emption, the northern boundary of Missouri and a division of the territory. The meeting was well timed, coming during a ses- sion of the Legislative Assembly. The members of its body were observers of the earnestness and impressed with the justice of ABSTRACT OF TITLE 7 the claim and joined with the people of the proposed new state of Iowa in their movement for statehood, issuing a lengthy recommendation to Congress that their request be granted. Congress accordingly took the matter under consideration and favorable action was taken by both House and Senate, which received on June 12, 1838, the approval of President Van Buren. There was, however, persistent hostility to this act from south- ern members of Congress who were jealous of the growing pow- er and influence of the North, which they considered a menace to their peculiar institution of slavery. To preserve the balance of power between the two sections, they insisted they would oppose the admission of free states so long as the fanatical North poured into the House memorials against the annexation of Texas. Mr. Shepard of North Carolina found other reasons. He contended that the object of the measure was really to open up fresh fields for land sharks and speculators and to find places for political favorites. In the course of his remarks he stated that he had no sympathy with the settlers, whom he styled "squat- ters," "who have left their own homes and seized upon the pub- lic lands, cut down the timber, built houses and cultivated the soil as if it were their own property." "These are they who re- quire a governor and council, judges and marshals, when every act of their lives is contrary to justice and every petition which they make is an evidence of their guilt and violence. We, who are insulted, whose authority is trampled under foot, are asked for new privileges and favors. The guardians of the law are approached by its open contemners and begged to establish for these modest gentlemen a dignified government." He was very emphatically in favor of putting them off at the point of the bay- onet if they did not behave more peaceably. He declared that if the Territory of Iowa be now established it would soon be- come a state "and if we cross the Mississippi under the power- ful patronage of this government, the cupidity and enterprise of 8 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY our people will carry the system still further, and before long the Rocky Mountains will be scaled and the valley of the Columbia River included in our domain." He declared that it was high time to call a halt. The policy had been deeply injurious to the South. "If all the people bom in North Carolina had remained in its limits, our swamps and low grounds would have rivaled the valley of the Nile in production and our pine barrens would have been flourishing with the vine, the olive and the mulberry. Others may act as it pleases them, but I will never sustain a pol- icy so fraught with disaster to the people with whom I am con- nected. If these remarks be unavailing, the patriot should fear for the republic." Senator Ewing declared that he would not ob- ject to giving each rascal who crossed the river one thousand dol- lars in order to get rid of him. They were otherwise referred to as a lawless and undesirable rabble. These and similar utter- ances were inspired by prejudice, jealousy and ignorance, ignoring the real purpose of the so-called "squatters." Notwithstanding all this, the well organized opposition came to naught. Iowa became a territory and her territorial government began in 1 836 and closed in 1 846. General Henry Dodge was the first territorial governor. His successor was Robt. Lucas, venerable in years and of wide po- litical influence. He was born in Virginia, was governor of Ohio two terms and had served in the legislature in that state in 1 832, when he was named as the chairman of the first National Con- vention of the Democratic party. Armed with the authority of a commission from President Van Buren, he arrived in Burling- ton in August, 1 838. His administration was noted for free use of the veto power and he often clashed with the Territorial Leg- islature when their views did not coincide with his own. It was early in the session of the Council that it was resolved "that when an act was presented to the governor for approval he shall within reasonable time make known to the House in which said act shall have originated, his approval thereof; or if not approved, ABSTRACT OF TITLE 9 the act shall be returned with his objection thereto." Some time after the Governor said officially, "I see no place in the or- ganic law that vests the Council and House of Representatives with the right to dictate to the Executive in the discharge of his official duties." The Council then took steps towards the regu- lation by statue of all official intercourse between the legislative and executive departments of the territorial government. The Governor vetoed this bill, closing his official objection with the statement that "any act will be retained under advisement or re- turned to the Legislative Assembly with my objections at such time and in such way and manner as I may for the time being deem to be most advisable." The House and Council by resolution asked the Governor to respond with his approval or rejection, immediately after the act should be presented to him. The Governor respectfully declined to agree to this. James W. Grimes, a member, reported that the Governor's executive veto was uncalled for and unwarranted. Other members proposed that the people should be heard by those who represented them; that their wishes should be regarded in preference to the authority of the Federal Government or a Federal officer; that as free men they could not acquiesce in such high handed proceedings. An- other resolution was passed, stating that Robert Lucas was unfit to be governor of a free people and asking the President to re- call him immediately. In this both houses joined, declaring that he who dares not defend their rights in the hour of peril, "stand as a sentinel to guard them, would be unworthy of the name of freeman." The Governor's faults were all paraded before the President, who took no action in the matter. The Legislature met again in 1 839, when the Governor, without alluding to the tempest through which he had passed, closed his message as follows: "It is with heartfelt gratitude to Almighty God that I am through His special providence permitted to address this Legis- lative Assembly." In this message the Governor presented strong reasons in favor of creating a state and called attention to 10 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY the fact that the states of Ohio, Michigan, Indiana and Illinois had made rapid strides after they emerged from territorial to state government. Again in 1840 he renewed his recommendation and the mat- ter was submitted to the people to provide for a State Constitu- tional Convention. The official returns showed a signal defeat of the proposed measure, there being 937 votes for and 2907 against. The three years of office of Governor Lucas had ex- pired without seeing his hopes realized and he could hardly be expected, to be re-appointed as the Whigs had elected William Henry Harrison to the presidency. John Chambers of Ken- tucky, who was appointed to the governorship, proved a fortu- nate selection. A man of experience and sound judgment, Gov- ernor Chambers believed that the population had so increased that statehood was fully warranted. The "Distribution Act," which provided that Iowa, along with twenty-six other states, should participate in the pro rata distribution of the vast proceeds from the sale of public lands, and the fact that five hundred thou- sand acres of land for internal improvements should be granted to each new state, were reasons still further warranting admission to the Union. This, he insisted, would overcome the objections of the voters to the expense of state government, as the revenue would amply provide for this, and taxation, therefore, be no heavier than in territorial form, where the expense was borne by the general government. Like his predecessor, he importuned the third Legislature to pass an act providing for an expression of opinion on the part of the people at the polls, which was immed- iately put into effect and approved on Feb. 1 6, 1 842. A "viva voce" vote on "convention" or "no convention" resulted as before, in a declaration against statehood, after the most notable and ex- citing compaign in territorial history. The struggle had now largely been transferred to politics and it became a strife for party supremacy. There were ambitious and aspiring patriots who would be willing to serve the people in positions of honor and ABSTRACT OF TITLE 1 1 trust—for a consideration. Both the Democrats, who were in the majority, and the Whigs, who hoped to gain ascendency by seiz- ing upon some issue that would capture the voters, entered the campaign with the spirit so characteristic of blind party zeal. The election of August 1 842 was disappointing to the advocates of statehood, the returns showing every county against it. The Whigs were elated and the Democrats chagrined. Another year passed on and Governor Chambers again declared that as there were 75,000 people in the territory, it should certainly be admitted as a state, and again recommended that the wishes of the people be ascertained by a vote. He advised the Assembly further "to apply to Congress to fix and establish during the pres- ent session a boundary for the proposed state and to sanction the calling of a convention to make provision for our reception into the Union as soon as we shall be prepared to demand it." He said: "The establishment of a boundary for us by Congress will prevent the intervention of any difficulty or delay in our admission into the Union which might result should we assume limits which that body might not be disposed to concede us." The viva voce vote was taken at the township election in 1 844. The cam- paign was very similar to the preceding one—parties divi ded a before—but there had been a reversal of public sentiment and the proposition for "convention" carried by a majority larger than that by which it had been defeated two years before. Accord- ingly, at the August election of the same year, seventy-five dele- gates were elected, the Democrats winning a great victory over their opponents and electing more than two-thirds of their mem- bers. The convention met at Iowa City, adopted a constitution and fixed boundaries that did not meet with the approval of Con- gress, the reason being given that they embraced too wide a ter- ritory. By an act approved March 3, 1 845, the House adopted the following boundary by a vote of ninety for and forty against: "Beginning at the mouth of the Des Moines River, thence by the 12 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY middle channel of the Mississippi to a parallel of latitude passing through the mouth of the Mankato or Blue Earth River; thence west along said parallel of latitude to a point where it is inter- sected by the meridian line 1 7 degrees 30 minutes west of the meridian of Washington City; thence due south to the northern boundary line of the state of Missouri; thence eastward following that boundary to a point at which the same intersects with the Des Moines River; thence by the middle channel of that river to the place of beginning." Had this boundary line been accepted, the line of our state would have been forty-two miles north of the present one and would have included eleven counties of the state of Minnesota. The state would have been about 1 80 miles wide from east to west and about 250 miles long from north to south and would have lost the Missouri slope. The western boundary would have been on a line beginning from Green and Carroll counties to a point a short distance west of the town of Prescott in Adams county. The proposed boundaries were considered by the people of the territory as an outrage and, rather than submit, they determined to patiently wait, believing that in all probability the natural geographical boundary— the Missouri River—would in time be conceded. The eagerness for statehood came near throwing Montgomery county beyond the border of Iowa. So doubtful the proposition seemed that even the representative in Congress, Hon. A. C. Dodge, advised the people to ratify the constitution and accept the proposed boundaries, stating that he knew "the country along the Missouri was fertile, but the divid- ing ridge of the waters running into the Mississippi and Missouri rivers, which had been called 'the hills of the prairie,' is barren and sterile." He also said that he "believed it would be im- possible under the circumstances to obtain a single square mile more." The people, however, rejected the proposition by a majority of 996, the result being a surprise to all. They were not so much interested in the national policies as they were in creat- ABSTRACT OF TITLE 13 ing a grand and compact state between the two rivers. One member of Congress declared that it was simply an outrage for the people to endeavor to carve out a state to suit themselves; that they might even become so whimsical as to extend the boundary line westward to the Columbia River. Stephen A. Douglas, of the Committee on Territories, acting in harmony with his idea, which afterwards became the estab- lished principle of this eminent statesman—the doctrine of "Squat- ter Sovereignty" (allowing the people to settle their local affairs in their own way)— reported in favor of the present boundaries of our state. What was known as the "Lucas Boundary" was supplanted by the "Duncan Amendment," but it was only by a sharp contest both in Iowa and Washington, and consequently, much delay, that both branches of Congress agreed upon the Lu- cas Boundary, by which the western limits of our state were fixed by the Missouri River on the west and the middle channel of the Big Sioux River until it is intersected by the parallel of 43 de- grees and 30 minutes, then east until said parallel intersects the middle channel of the Mississippi. The boundary question from the first was of absorbing interest. It wrecked the constitution of 1 844 and narrowly escaped defeat in 1 846, when it carried by a majority of 456 out of a total of 1 8,528 votes. At the first state election, Ansel Briggs, Democrat, was elected by a majority of 61 votes. The same party also elected a ma- jority of the members of the General Assembly. Gathered in the old stone Capitol at Iowa City, in the pres- ence of the General Assembly, Judge Charles Mason, Chief Jus- tice of the Supreme Court, administered the oath to the first gov- ernor of Iowa. Sixteen days later the constitution received the signature of President Polk, it having been in the meantime sub- mitted to Congress and approved. Therefore from the 28th day of December, 1 846, Iowa has been on equal footing with the other commonwealths of the American Union. In the evolution of human society, the making of a state fol- 14 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY lows the law of progress plainly indicated by Nature. The glory of the state is not in the fertility of its soil, the beauty of its scenery or desirable water courses, but rather in the character, intelligence, enterprise and patriotism of its citizens. In tracing the history of our territorial epoch, it becomes a matter of wonder that the people of the formative period should have had the wisdom to lay the governmental foundations so securely and to insist on what appears -to us now to be the natural as well as most logical boundary lines, and to frame a constitution that has so well met the needs of our commonwealth with little or no important alter- ation. The most eminent judges and lawyers of the present day declare the first code of Iowa to have been a monument of legal wisdom and a model for succeeding legislation. The main actors at this stage of our history "were the politi- cal pathfinders in our political history; the real makers of our fundamental laws." They were typical Americans—the western Yankees, if you please— men of spirit, of nerve, of broad and lib- eral views, of tolerance of opinions; in fact, the typical man whose spirit still today dominates this great state of ours. They were farmers, lawyers, merchants, preachers and teachers. They were for the most part men of the best ancestry, who traced their origin to the Pilgrim Fathers rather than to the slave hold- ing population of the south. They were welded together by the law of attraction for a common purpose and a common end. Until statutory enactment their natural reverence for right and justice was their only law. In another place in this book it will be the pleasure of the writer to make special men- tion of three men who assisted in creating our state, who were members of the territorial and early state legislatures, and whose names will be forever associated with the historic record of Iowa and Montgomery County. CHAPTER II. THE ORGANIZATION, NAMING AND SURVEY- ING OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. It was not until four years after the admission of Iowa to the Union that steps were taken for the organization of the south- western counties. A bill was passed by the Legislature of 1 850, organizing several counties in Southern Iowa, and the act was appoved by the governor on Jan. 1 5, 1 85 1 . A survey of this section was also ordered and took place during the same year. At this time there were not over half a dozen families within the present bounds of the county, and no political organization was attempted until later on. The next legislative act referring to the county was approved Jan. 1 2, 1 853, when it was included with Adams county for revenue and judicial purposes, and the population at this time probably did not include over fifty or seventy-five people at the outside. The details of this early history, in order, are given in the chronology at the end of the book. The first appearance of the name of the county was in the act authorizing its organization, and it is not positively known at whose suggestion the name of Montgomery was adopted. It is known, however, that it was given in honor of the distinguished young patriot who lost his life in the early years of the Revolution- ary War, while leading a forlorn expedition against the British in Canada. Biographical data concerning him are not readily ac- cessible and a short sketch of the life of one of the purest and most earnest of the Revolutionary patriots certainly can not be out of place in this history, even aside from the fact that his name has been given to our county. 16 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY Richard Montgomery was born near Feltrim, Ireland, on the 2d of December, 1 736. He came of a good family and was educated in Trinity College, Dublin. At an early age he enter- ed the British army and the first record he made as a soldier was in the siege of Louisburg, Canada, by the British forces, the 8th of June, 1 758. Of his services here, Bancroft says: "At that landing, none was more gallant than Richard Montgomery, just one and twenty, Irish by birth and an officer in Wolfe's Bri- gade. His commander honored him with well deserved praise and promotion to a lieutenancy." In 1 762 he was still further promoted, being advanced to the rank of captain. Ten years later he gave up his commission in the British army and settled in New York City where, in 1 773, he married the daughter of Judge Robt. R. Livingston, who later became distinguished in Revolutionary times. When the Revolutionary War broke out he was at once selected by Congress as one of the most avail- able leaders. Just after the Battle of Bunker Hill had destroyed all hopes of peaceable settlement with the mother country, eight brigadiers were elected from New England, and Montgomery was second on the list. In connection with this distinction, the historian Bancroft adds that he was well informed as a statesman, faultless in private life and a patriot from the heart. His career from this time onward may well be told in the words of the dis- tinguished historian whom we have already quoted: "We have seen Richard Montgomery, who had served in the army from the age of fifteen, gain distinction in the seven years' war. Failing after the peace in his pursuit of the promotion to which his good services gave him right to aspire, he sold his com- mission and emigrated to New York. Here in 1 773, he renew- ed his acquaintance with the family of Robert R. Livingston, and married his eldest daughter. Never intending to draw his sword again, studious in his habits, he wished for a country life at Rhinebeck; and his wife, whose affections he entirely possess- ed, willingly conformed to his tastes. The father of his wife CARL K. SNYDER — A Montgomery county boy who has attained high rank in litera- ture. His book, "New Conceptions of Science," has run through several editions and has been translated into German. ORGANIZATION AND NAMING 1 7 used to say that, ' if American liberty should not be maintained, he would carry his family to Switzerland, as the only free country in the world. ' Her grandfather, the aged Robert Livingston, was the staunchest patriot of them all. In 1 773, in his eighty- fourth year, he foretold the conflict with England; at the news of the retreat of the British from Concord, he confidently announced American independence. After the battle of Bunker Hill, as he lay calmly on his death-bed, his last words were: ' What news from Boston? n "The County of Dutchess, in April 1 775, selected Mont- gomery as a delegate to the first provincial convention in New York, where he distinguished himself by modesty, decision, and sound judgment. Accepting his appointment as brigadier-gener- al, he reluctantly bade adieu to his ' quiet scheme of life, per- haps, ' he said, ' forever; but the will of an oppressed people, compelled to choose between liberty and slavery, must be obey- ed.' "On the sixth of August, from Albany, he advised that Tryon should be conducted out of the way of mischief to Hartford. He reasoned in favor of the occupation of Canada, as the means of guarding against Indian hostilities, and displaying to the world the strength of the confederated colonies; it was enlarging the sphere of operations, but a failure would not impair the means of keeping the command of Lake Champlain. Summoned by Schuyler to Ticonderoga, he was attended as far as Saratoga by his wife, whose gloomy forebodings he soothed by cheerfulness and good humor. His last words to her at parting were: ' You will never have cause to blush for your Montgomery. ' " Passing over the hardships which he and his troops endured in reaching the city of Quebec, we will again adopt the words of this historian in his vivid description of the fatal attack by the Americans on the almost impregnable fortress which guarded the city: "The night of the twenty-sixth of December was clear, and so 18 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY cold that no man could handle his arms or scale a wall. The evening of the twenty-seventh was hazy, and the troops were put in motion; but, as the sky soon cleared up, the general, who was tender of their lives, called them back, choosing to wait for the shelter of clouds and darkness. " For the next three days the air was serene, and a mild wes- terly wind brightened the sky. On the thirtieth a snowstorm from the northeast set in. But a few hours more of the old year remained, and with it the engagement of many of his troops would expire. Orders were therefore given for the troops to be ready at two o'clock of the following morning; and, that they might recognize one another, each soldier wore in his cap a piece of white paper, on which some of them wrote: n Liberty or Death." "Colonel James Livingston, with less than two hundred Canadians was to attract attention by appearing before St. John's gate, on the southwest; while a company of Americans under Brown were to feign a movement on Cape Diamond, where the wall faces south by west, and from that high ground, at the proper time were to fire rockets, as the signal for beginning the attacks on the lower town, under Arnold from the west and north, under Montgomery from the south and east. If success- ful, both would meet in Mountain street, near Prescott gate. n The general, who reserved for his own party less than three hundred Yorkers, led them in Indian file from headquarters at Holland House to Wolfe's Cove, and then about two miles far- ther along the shore. In several places they were obliged to scramble up slant rocks covered with two feet of snow, and then, with a precipice on their right, to slide down fifteen or twenty feet. The wind, which was at east by north, blew furiously in their faces with cutting hail, which the eye could not endure; their constant step wore the frozen snow into little lumps of ice, so that the men were fatigued by struggles not to fall, and could not keep their arms dry. ORGANIZATION AND NAMING 19 "The signal from Cape Diamond being given more than half an hour too soon, the general, with his aides-de-camp, Macpher- son and Burr, pushed on with the front, composed of Chees- man's company and Mott's; and more than half an hour be- fore day they arrived at the first barrier, with the guides and carpenters. The rest of the party lagged behind; and the lad- ders were not within half a mile. Montgomery and Cheesman were the first that entered the undefended barrier, passing on between the rock and the pickets which the carpenters began to saw and wrench away. While a message was sent back to hurry up the troops, Montgomery went forward to observe the path before him. It was a very narrow defile, falling away to the river precipitously on the one side, and shut in by the scarp- ed rock and overhanging cliff on the other, so that not more than five or six persons could walk abreast; a house, built of logs and extending on the south nearly to the river, with loopholes of musketry and a battery of two three-pounders, intercepted the passage. It was held by a party consisting of thirty Canadians and eight British militiamen under John Coffin with nine sea- men and cannoneers under Bamsfare, the master of a transport. The general listened and heard no sound; but lights from lan- terns on the Plains of Abraham, as well as the signal rockets had given the alarm; and in the morning twilight, through the storm his troops were seen in full march from Wolfe's Cove. At their approach to the barrier where Coffin commanded, the sailors stood at their guns with lighted linstocks. " Montgomery waited until about sixty men had joined him in- side of the row of pickets; then exclaiming, ' Men of New York, you will not fear to follow where your general leads; push on, brave boys! Quebec is ours! ' He pressed forward at a double quick time to carry the battery. As he appeared on a little ris- ing in the ground at a distance of fifty yards or less from the mouths of the cannon which were loaded with grape shot, Barnsfare discharged them with deadly aim. Aaron Burr, who s 20 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY howed personal bravery and good conduct, escaped unhurt; Montgomery, his aid Macpherson, the young and gallant Chees- man, and ten others fell dead, Montgomery from three wounds. With him the soul of the expedition fled. Donald Campbell, who assumed the command of the Yorkers, seeing no chance of success, ordered an immediate retreat, which was effected with- out further loss. " The fate of the gallant young officer was mourned by even his enemies, and his bravery was praised in the English Parlia- ment by Edmund Burke and Lord North. He and his lieuten- ants who fell with him were buried in the city of Quebec, but in 1818, with the consent of the British goverment, his remains were removed to New York City, in accordance with special act of the state legislature. There was a great demonstration in various cities and towns along the line of travel and the body of Montgomery was finally solemnly interred in old St. Paul's Church, where it now rests. It is said that his widow, who had remained true to his memory for the forty-three years after his death, sat in front of the old Livingston homestead on the banks of the Hudson and saw the funeral boat, bearing her husband's remains, pass down the river. We might also remember in con- nection with Montgomery that Judge Livingston, the father of Montgomery's wife, was one of the commission sent by Jefferson to negotiate the Louisiana Purchase, which made Montgomery county a part of the country for which the gallant soldier gave his life.. And, furthermore, we might record the remarkable and prophetic words of the distinguished patriot, after signing the treaty with France: "We have lived long, but this is the no- blest work of our whole lives. * * The instruments which we have just signed will cause no tears to be shed; they prepare ages of happiness for innumerable generations of human creatures. The Mississippi and Missouri will see them succeed one another and multiply, truly worthy of the regard and care of Providence in the bosom of equality, under just laws, freed from the errors of superstition and the scourges of bad government." ORGANIZATION AND NAMING 21 An interesting fact connected with Montgomery and the county which bears his name is that at the time of the publication of this history there are at least three of his direct lineal descend- ants residing in the county,--Mrs. Smith McPherson, Mrs. Ella B. Young and Mrs. A. C. Hinchman, all of Red Oak. SURVEYING THE COUNTY. Fifty-four years ago, surveyors for the first time traversed the area, now Montgomery County, crossing streams and divides and running lines and establishing corners. They were the firs! white men who trod upon the virgin prairie and it may be of in- terest to look into the details of their work. Surveying was of the firs! importance to the pioneers; the boundaries of the land must be defined by the government before the settler could be given a legal claim to his farm or home. Hence the survey al- ways preceded or closely followed the firsT: immigrant. The surveyor and his assistants, properly equipped with com- pass or transit, chain and camp equipage, and supplied with food for perhaps months, began their work. He first located the starting point which had been determined for him in advance; otherwise he must start at a point near the mouth of the Arkansas River where an imaginary line, known as the "baseline," had been es- tablished by the national government, and he must also locate an- other imaginary line crossing it at right angles, extending north and south. This latter line is called the "meridian line," and in locating for Montgomery County the surveyor would have to fol- low the line known as the 5th Principal Meridian. Beginning where the two lines intersect and extending east and west, north and south, are lines marked by spaces six miles apart, marked 1 , 2, 3, etc. Six miles north of the base line on the meridian line Township No. 1 is marked and the township adjoining it on the west would be described as Township 1 , Range 2, west; and so on, num- bering until Township 7 1 is reached, this being the south line of 22 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY Montgomery County. He would find, by measurement, that thirty-five townships had been established west of the 5th Princi- pal Meridian and that it was 210 miles from that meridian to the south-east comer of Jackson Township; that township being numbered 71 north of Range 36 west of the 5th Principal Meridian. Scott Township would be No. 37, and Grant Town- ship No. 38, west, of the same meridian. The meridian lines are astronomical lines and certain calculations have to be made owing to the curvature of the earth, to preserve exactness in the guide lines. The government survey of the public lands, in the nature of things can not be exact; consequently there are fractional pieces of land on the north and west sides of the townships, and in des- cribing lands the words "more or less according to government survey" are inserted. It often occurs that the townships are a trifle short or a little in excess of the six miles square. Beginning is made "at the northeast corner section of the township, and the sections are numbered from one to thirty-six, by counting from west to east, alternately. Thus Section 6 is the northwest corner section while Section 7 adjoins it on the south, and Section 1 2 would be next south of Section 1 ; Section 1 3, likewise would be the second section south of Section 1 , and so on until 36 is reached. Montgomery County is in the second tier of counties from the southern line of the state and the tenth county in the tier from the Mississippi River. All of the counties in this tier west of Henry County have but twelve congressional townships; each having four townships east and west and three north and south. Mont- gomery County has four townships less than Cass County on the north and of Page County on the south. The state constitution provides that twelve congressional townships shall be the minimum number constituting a county. Contracts were made between the government and the survey- or for a stipulated price per mile; all lines counted by running measure. The lines around the sections were not always straight SURVEYING THE COUNTY 23 lines, which may be easily seen in traveling the public highways. On the prairie, marks were made by cutting out a square of the tough sod with a spade and forming a slight elevation. These mounds were eight links of the surveyor's chain from the pit that had been made by removing the soil from the mound, so that there could be no mistake, as both mound and pit were in evi- dence. Into these mounds, at the corners of the square mile or sections and midway between them, were posts, called half mile posts. These were square stakes driven into the ground with the number of the section cut thereon. The pits were south of the stakes at the comers of the sections and east at the half mile posts. In the timber a growing tree would be marked and the distance and the direction of the posts noted in the surveyor's field notes. It was not many years after the survey was com- pleted until the small stakes rotted or were burned by the annual prairie fires, and it often became a very difficult and perplexing affair to re-locate them. The mounds everywhere thrown up by gophers could not always be distinguished from those made with the spade. The work of the county surveyor was simple when the marks or original posts could be found. In subdividing a section into one-fourths a line was drawn from one half mile post to the one on the opposite side, which would intersect another, drawn in a similar manner from the other sides, at the middle of the section. The point of intersection would be the corner from which, by a like process, the one-fourth of a section could be divided into forty acre tracts or smaller if desirable. The smaller area to be surveyed, the more labor required to locate it. CHAPTER III. THE PRAIRIE, AND THE RIVERS WITH THEIR WATER-MILLS. To one familiar with Nature in her bold and rugged forms only, her rock ribbed and wooded hills, her majestic mountains and roaring cataracts, the first view of a prairie was a scene of strange and surpassing loveliness. Before it was upturned by the plow and dotted here and there with artificial groves and human habitations, its appearance, when swept by the fresh sum- mer breezes, was not unlike the ocean when billow after billow is seen in every direction, bounded only by the horizon. Well has the poet described it: "These, the gardens of the deserts—these The unshorn fields, boundless and beautiful, Lo! They stretch In airy undulations, far away, As though the ocean, in the gentlest swell, Stood still, with all his rounded billows fixed, And motionless forever." This similarity might have been noticed still further as one lis- tened to the gentle sounds always heard when there was nothing distracting, not unlike the murmuring sea, and caused by the constant breeze passing over the bending grasses. The onward march of eager enterprise and progress drowns Nature's voice and dulls the ear to her whisperings. It was on the prairie that Providence bestowed in fullest measure what- ever charms inhere in solitude. The succession of the seasons brought changes to the entrancing view. The green of Spring and Summer merged into the brown of Autumn and then into THE PRAIRIE, RIVERS AND WATERMILLS 25 the white of Winter, when the grasses were hidden away in the embrace of the snow, awaiting the sunshine and rain to be quickened into life again. When Springtime returned, the vel- vet grasses covered the landscape with a carpet of green as even and beautiful as a new mown lawn, and the succession of the seasons began anew. And who shall tell of the beauty of the prairie wild flowers—how they fairly flamed in the glory of the summer months,~the purple phlox, the graceful lily and a thous- and others now rare indeed. It seemed almost a sacrilege to mar such a picture. We of the present day can hardly realize that prior to the year 1 865 the uplands of Montgomery County had never been scarred by the plow. Had there been an elevated look from the center of each of the twelve townships of this county, one could not have seen any part that was under cultivation. There was nothing to ob- struct the view or to hinder the ravages of the fierce fires that swept yearly over the prairies, and whose dull red glow against the horizon became the terror of the pioneer. Few, indeed, were so incautious as to make no preparation against them. The method of protection generally employed was to plow a few fur- rows around the habitation and to build "back fires," starting from some trodden path or road and burning the grass slowly against the wind, thus placing a burned strip between the pioneer's home and the oncoming flame. These fires were al- most continuous during the entire dry season and the flames could often be seen at night at a great distance, reflected on the sky. They left in their blackened path, ashes which were taken up and hurled in clouds by the high winds which generally pre- vailed in connection with fires. This often continued for many days after great areas had been denuded of grass in this and sur- rounding counties. The smoke and dust at such times were of such density as to partially obscure the sun for many days. Con- stant tilling of the soil and timber culture have no doubt brought 26 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY about some climatic changes, and different weather conditions prevail at the present day. Generally, the sky, bending over the prairies, was clear, but when the clouds gathered, they cast their shadows in great, fantastic shapes which chased one another over hill and valley, strong in contrast of light and shade and not un- pleasing to behold. These prairies had been sunkissed and storm swept for thousands of years and through the mighty agencies of fire, earthquake, flood and electricity, had been pre- pared for the abode, first of primitive, then of civilized man, and we were distinguished indeed who were permitted by Provi- dence to be the first occupants, the pioneers who turned into fields of golden grain the splendid wastes of this virgin soil. And the love of freedom was deep indeed in the hearts of the pioneers, for a broad, new land is the best home for liberty. The atmos- phere was ever the freshest on the prairies. Every movement of humanity has taught greater freedom. Untrammeled people, pos- sessing unlimited room, never have taken kindly to arbitrary rules. The wide expanse of earth and sky expands the mind and heart, and broadens the whole man. Stephen A. Douglas, though a native of Vermont, said, after a visit to the prairies, "I found my mind liberalized and my opinions enlarged when I got out on these broad prairies with only the heavens to bound my vision instead of having it circumscribed by the narrow ridges that sur- round the valleys where I was born." It had a tendency to free men from traditions and to make them plain, common, unpreten- tious and genuine. Freedom from old restraints gave zest to life, and the pioneers were ready to carve out their career in their own way, guided by morality, truth and duty. Through the fertile valleys of the prairies, the principal streams of our county flowed sluggishly, often impeded by the rank water grasses and their borders fringed by willows and cottonwoods. Only one stream in the county was navigable in any degree and that with row boats only, but all were fordable in many places. In dry weather, even the largest of the streams dwindled to a THE PRAIRIE, RIVERS AND WATERMILLS 27 rivulet, but swollen by the spring and summer rains, they often became raging torrents a mile or more in width. Years ago, before the iron and stone piers which now support our bridges were in use, these streams were forded. The Indian, true to his instinct, had found the shallow crossing places and they were appropriated and used by the white man afterwards. The Nish- nabotna and the Nodaway, like their distinguished relative, the great Missouri, into which they flow, were muddy, sullen and treacherous, offering a fording place to the unwary settler one day and drowning both him and his team at the same crossing the next. They were full of "step off s n and shifting sands and it was no uncommon thing to find the water varying fifteen feet in depth in the short distance of a rod or two. While no game fish are found in these waters, they abound with such members of the finny tribe as channel-cat, buffalo and carp, and afford at least an excuse for a day's recreation to the enthusiastic angler. It must not be thought by the non-resident reader that these streams are devoid of beauty, for their banks are garnished with tall elms and carpeted with velvety blue grass. Farther back are green pastures and fertile fields. One would indeed be hard to please who could find nothing beauti- ful almost any May day along the rivers of Montgomery County. Beds of violets, springing up from a carpet of green, stately trees, struggling in the grasp of twining vines; chattering squirrels and merry birds help to make up a scene that is not outrivaled for lovliness by any gorge where the Colorado wends its way. Both are picturesque and only different in the style of beauty. Here and there along these waters may be seen moss covered piles of stone, relics of the old time mill dams. At other places the industrious beaver has at one time plied his trade until inter- rupted in his work by the greed of some trapper. Again, a huge rock, which geologists tell us came from the stormy North in the long ago, will be seen rearing its head in the middle of a channel as if inviting battle but only serving as a loafing place for sleepy turtles. 28 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY The resourceful and inventive white man harnessed these waters to mill wheels and for years the lumber and flour mills were operated by this power. There was something about the old mill,--its clattering water wheel, its dam, with the calm stretch of waters above and the whirling torrent below it; the pleasant nooks for the fishermen in its vicinity, the moments passed in gossip among the country people who gathered there,-- that made life seem brighter than in the modern way of trading a quantity of wheat for a quantity of flour. Romance no longer lingers about a mill where power is supplied by steam or elec- tricity and where the transaction is purely one of business. It is the difference between the morning rays of the sun and the yellow gleam of a kerosene lamp; the difference between a Christmas dinner at the farm and one purchased at a fashionable cafe. No prospectus was ever complete, thirty or forty years ago, which did not have a picture near the title page of a small boy riding his horse to mill, with the grist thrown across the horse's shoulders and the miller standing in the door, waiting to assist the youthful farmer. Milling was the principal manufacturing industry in the county at that early time and the people then took as much pride in the old mills as they did when the railroad later brought strange engines with pulleys and belts to do the work. Of all the pioneer industries, the old mill has been the last to give up to inventive genius. The old harrow, made of a felled tree, has given way to one made of steel with sharp teeth set at any angle desired, and upon the new machine, the farmer may ride if he chooses. The old democrat wagon, for years the Sunday vehicle of the family, has been supplanted by the four-wheeled, rubber-tired carriage. The stone churn is re- placed by one propelled by a sniffing gasoline engine. Water is pumped by the same power, and the whole farm may be opera- ted from a central telephone station. But the old watermill still remains and can be found doing business in at least three places in the county. THE PRAIRIE, RIVERS AND WATERMILLS 29 Mills located on the Nishnabotna River were: Stover's Mill, (not now in use) a mile south of Red Oak; the old Wheeler Mill, (originally built in 1 859 and recently burned to the ground, but at this writing being rebuilt,) two miles north of Red Oak; the Keys Mill, near Stennett, swept away by a flood July 4, 1 858, and never rebuilt; and the Watson Mill, a short distance north of that place. Upon the Nodaway there was a mill near the old town of Arlington; one at Morton's Mill, farther north, and the old Smith Mill, at Milford or Grant. There was only one mill on Walnut Creek, located at Climax, and one at Red Oak, located near Eighth and Market streets on Red Oak Creek. This list does not include the earliest mills propelled by steam power, like the Hendrie Mill at Red Oak and a portable saw mill which is operated at Sciola. CHAPTER IV. THE INDIANS. All that is known of this strange people has been learned since the discovery of America by the Europeans. Theories, plausible and otherwise, have been advanced relative to their origin. At a very remote period of time there existed in parts of Iowa, human beings with some degree of intelligence and con- structive skill, as shown by the mute testimony of the ancient mounds and their contents; such as rude engravings on stone showing images of elephants and of other animals not now na- tive of this country. It is idle to speculate as to the time when and the purpose for which these mounds were built or who were the successors of the mound builders. The white man and the untutored Indian are equally in the dark. The ancestors of the American Indian may or may not have been the mound builders. We are content to write, not of his origin, but of his modem history, and in brief and fragmentary manner, to discuss his oc- cupancy of Iowa and Montgomery county. The great question why God made some races inferior in intellectual or moral en- dowments to others, why He has ordained that all races begin their history as savages, — or why the whole history of mankind is one of evolution from the chaos and anarchy of barbarism to the orderly arrangements of an organized civil society, in which the power of the oppressor is limited by the power of the peo- ple, is foreign to the purpose of this chapter. There were two great families, or divisions, of the American Indians — Algonquins and the Sioux. The former occupied the territory along the New England coast — the latter the region of the Rocky mountains. The Norsemen found the Algonquins THE INDIANS 31 in possession of the New England country when they landed at Cape Cod in the year of our Lord 1 000, and they were still there after the lapse of five hundred years when John and Sebastian Cabot landed on the same coast. Their star of Empire, like that of their white brother, moved westward. The water of the St. Lawrence and the great lakes was the route by which in the process of time they gained access to the north Mississippi valley. They were identified by their language, which was radically different from the eight "tongues" spoken by the other Indians of this continent. Here they met that other great family—the Sioux — who had in a similar manner followed the waterways from the Rocky Mountains, down the great Missouri and its branches, into the Mississippi valley. It was here the two great forces met and contended in a bloody strife for supremacy — the usual method pursued by civilized people. Caught between these fierce com- batants, it is possible the mound builders were crushed as be- tween the upper and nether mill stones. It is known that bitter- ness and hatred has always existed between the Algonquins and the Sioux. "The Sioux, civil and bold, the Algonquins (Sacs and Foxes) crafty and brave." The former played the most conspicuous part in Indian history on Iowa territory. Especial- ly was this true in the south half of the state. The "Iowas," though a tribe of the Sioux or Dakotas, were not on friendly terms with them owing to the treacherous murder of their chief on the Iowa river. The "Iowas" were at onetime indentified with the Sioux, but later became a separate tribe and were in possession of the southern part of the state when it was penetrated by white men. They were brave and intelligent and had villages in many of he eastern counties; one at Iowaville in the northeastern comer of Van Buren county, and still others in Davis, Wapello and Mahaska counties. But race prejudice, the bane of civilized as well as savage 32 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY men, existed; and without apparent or sufficient reason, Black Hawk, the chief of the Sacs, with a large force completely surprised them a short distance from their village (Iowaville) and practical- ly exterminated them. At the time the Iowas were engaged in sports and, unaware of the near appearance of their enemies, were without weapons and had left the old men, women and children, at the camp unprotected. The Sacs fired one general volley upon these defenseless men, mowing them down in indis- criminate slaughter, and completing their destructive onslaught with tomahawk and scalping knife. The wives and children who had been spared were prisoners and their arms in the hands of the victors. The disaster was so appalling and complete that they never rallied their shattered forces. Their spirits were broken and they became helpless wanderers. This massacre took place in 1823. About twelve years thereafter, according to Judge A. R. Ful- ton, an Indian antiquarian, in his history of the Northwest, (page 53) says; that Mahaska (White Cloud) a chief of the Iowas, was treacherously slain on the banks of the West Nodaway, north of Villisca, somewhere in Washington township, and that after his death "all his surviving wives" went into mourning and poverty, according to the custom of the tribe, except one named Mis-so- rah tar-a-haw (female deer that bounds over the prairie) who re- fused to be comforted even to the end of her life, and so died in sorrow because "her lord was a great brave and was killed by a little dog." Mahaska county was named after this chief. Some two years before this incident, a tribe of the Algonquin family — the Pottawattamies — were removed from the shores of lake Michigan to the southwestern part of Iowa, of which Mont- gomery county is a part, and for fifteen years this was their reserva- tion, where they roamed at will, hunting the wild turkey, elk, deer, antelope and buffalo. Game fwas then plentiful. Places were pointed out near the timber, under the shade, where the prairie THE INDIANS 33 sod was tramped out by the sharp hoofs of the bison — called buffalo wallows. The removal of this tribe occurred eighteen years before the government survey of Montgomery county. On the fifth day of June A. D. 1 846, the year Iowa was ad- mitted into the Union, the lands of the Pottawattamies were exchanged for a reservation thirty miles square in Kansas, although large numbers of them returned annually for ten consecutive years to visit the graves of the dead and to hunt — all kinds of game being still abundant. White men appropriated the hunting grounds and by menace and sometimes by force caused them to yield to their intimidating request to return no more. Their favorite camping places were near Arlington and Grant, on the Nodaway river, and at Coe's grove between Stennett and Elliott. Mr. Allison Becknell relates that he has seen five hun- dred in camp at the latter place, with their tents and ponies constituting a veritable Indian village. The young Indians would be engaged in athletic sports, sometimes being joined by white boys who considered it great sport to shoot with them at a mark with bow and arrow. On one occasion an Indian came riding into camp with a deer thrown across his pony. Upon throwing it down the squaws immediately commenced to take off the skin and prepare the carcass for cooking. At the same time other squaws would be dragging up brush to make a fire—such work being beneath the dignity of the braves. These camps were maintained for months during the hunting season. The pathways, or trails, leading to them, made by the Indians and their ponies going in single file, marked the line of travel along divides and to river fords. These trails were some- times used as guides by the first white settlers until vehicles came into use. Mrs. Charles Stennett (whose father, A. G. Lowe, was the first County Judge of this county and made the first land entry at the government land office in Council Bluffs, locat- ing it three miles north-east of Villisca) though a girl of ten years of age, distinctly remembers seeing Indians singly and in bands. 34 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY Their usual method of making calls at the settlers' cabins was to approach silently, making their presence known by stand- ing by a window or in the doorway until noticed. "Well do I remember," relates Mrs. Stennett, "that my sister and I were playing back of our little shanty when we were startled by some- one saying, ' How, How. ' We turned quickly and saw six large Indians dismounting from their ponies. We ran to tell mother, who was at that time sick in bed, they following us in and greet- ing her in a friendly way. They then began to investigate the cause of mother's illness. They would shake themselves and say 1 Ugh'ugh, ' asking in that manner if it was the ague. One of them looked around the poor little shanty that served for a house, while we were building a better one, and pointing to the open cracks between the logs said, 'Poor wigwam, squaw heap sick. ' We had at that time our first cook stove. One of them took off his hat and put it on the stove. Mother said, ' No! no! too much skoto (fire.)' He snatched it off and laughed." The name Pottawattamie means "makers of fire," an allusion that they were a free and independent people and had their own council fires. The government agency for this tribe was at a place on the east shore of the Missouri river in Mills county, called Traders' Point, afterwards known as St. Marys, with a sub-agency at Council Bluffs. Their reservation in south- western Iowa embraced five million acres, and their agent, Davis Hardin, built a mill and opened up a farm and built a block house of logs above which he kept afloat the stars and stripes. Two companies of United States troops were quite sufficient to police the reservation containing three thousand Indians. Here dwelt one eighth as many as the historian Bancroft estimated were contained in the region now embraced in the states of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa, when America was discovered. Supposing these seven states were of the same size with the population equally dis- tributed, it would give Iowa thirty-five hundred and Montgomery county no more than thirty-five. THE INDIANS 35 One hundred and eighty years later this whole region was still sparsely occupied. At "Traders' Point" lived Peter A. Sarpy, from St. Louis, who sold to the Indians ammunition, blankets and tobacco. He was very popular with them and his popu- larity increased when he chose an Indian maiden for his wife. He was small of stature, swarthy, pock-marked and of wiry frame. On one occasion, having fallen ill a long distance from med- ical assistance, his faithful wife, no larger than himself, carried him on her back for many weary days to where needed help could be obtained. The writer had an interview with him at St. Marys in the spring of 1857 and much interesting data was obtained. One of the counties in eastern Nebraska was named in his honor. He was an acquaintance and friend of the late P. B. Tracy, of Red Oak, who was for many years before the advent of the railroad, the agent of the Western Stage Com- pany. It is not improbable that the roving bands of the Sioux, whose favorite resorts were on the head waters of the Des Moines and Iowa rivers and around the northern lakes, penetrated as far south as Montgomery county, as evidenced by the fact that the Sioux placed their dead in trees or on scaffolds. The first settlers saw bodies thus placed near Stennett in a receptacle made of bark from trees and suspended from the limb of an oak tree twenty feet from the ground. The Algonquins buried their dead, and their graves are in several places in this county; notably on the east side of the West Nodaway, near Morton's mill. Indian skeletons have also been found in the railroad cut and at the old stone school-house near Stennett. The Sacs and Foxes lingered long in Iowa after white settlement, and fortunately many of their musical names came naturally to be adopted. Indian names abound in the state in connection with counties, towns and rivers. The names of twenty counties in the state are of Indian origin and hundreds 36 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY of local names are derived from the same source; as an instance, the two principal rivers of this county, the Nodaway and Nish- nabotna, Nodaway meaning fordable, and Nishnabotna meaning not fordable or crossed with a canoe. These Indian names are our principal inheritance from the aborigines with which there is not associated a sense of greed or dishonor. J. Fenimore Coooper, in his romances, Long- fellow in his Hiawatha, and Helen Hunt Jackson in Ramona have done much to popularize them. The latter was, of all American writers, the greatest benefactor of the Red Man. CHAPTER V. THE PIONEERS. The conditions surrounding them, their habits, manner of liv- ing, language, food and clothing, habitations, modes of travel, social and business affairs, romances and realities, are in such marked contrast with present day practices that one can hardly realize the vast changes that have taken place. It is a matter of absorbing interest to their descendants to consider the life of the pioneers fifty years ago and to take note of the conditions which prevailed during the earliest history of the county —conditions of life that will never again exist. The memory of these times will become less and less distinct and, unless made of record, much will be forgotten and lost. It is to be hoped that this history will, in a measure, perserve in permanent form that which might otherwise be forever lost. No partition walls separated the pioneers. Though widely different in habits, intellect and moral culture, they met and min- gled together. All class distinctions were done away with and party lines in church and state obliterated. Good fellowship, good cheer, contentment and good order characterized the com- munity. "Live and Let Live," was their motto. There was nothing to encourage a secular spirit. Free from the tyranny of greed, ambition and fashion, there was httle to mar the sweet- ness and freshness of this free life of the prairies. Pioneer society was a true democracy, dominated by the spirit of brother- hood. And this condition was not without an adequate cause; it was not because the pioneers were of a higher and better type of manhood and womanhood or were possessed of superior moral qualities or intellectual attainments, but rather that their 38 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY social nature craved society and companionship and so few and far between were their neighbors that they could afford to neg- lect none of them. Isolation and loneliness drew them together in sympathy and fellowship and nothing human was indifferent to them. There was no caste nor aristocracy to separate man and man. The dark background, as in a picture, of everyday hard- ships brought out conspicuously their amiable qualities and they deservedly command our unlimited admiration. Yet much of. this was due to environment and if the people of this generation could possibly be similarly situated, society would doubtless ex- hibit like traits. Many of our modern luxuries and conveniences were utterly unknown and, being unknown, they could not be missed. Notwithstanding this, the pioneer had many bitter ex- periences which today would be considered almost intolerable. They were often in peril, cut off from communication with the outside world, unprotected and poorly sheltered. With coarse diet and rough habit, their lot was hard indeed. Yet out of these surroundings have emerged the strongest characters; men who would never have risen above mediocrity had not hardship and stern necessity awakened their slumbering powers. Men in our state, in our own county, have attained positions of influence from their training in this school of rigorous experience. Had there been no obstacle to overcome, no danger to brave, there would have been no self-reliance, courage or skill to combat and surmount the difficulties which everywhere beset the pioneer. They broke away from many of the traditions of the past. They marked the way of progress and became prophets and leaders. They built wisely and well, seeing clearly that the strength and support of free government lies in an educated peo- ple and strict observance of the law and of righteousness. Their first act, after providing a roof for a home, was invariably to erect a schoolhouse — a place serving the double purpose of instruction for the children and youth and for christian worship. They were moved by a common impulse, by the dictates of an enlightened THE PIONEERS 39 self interest, to secure and maintain the best possible conditions, despite hardship and unfavorable environment. They were from New England, New York, Pennsylvania and from the Middle West. Whole neighborhoods came from Illinois and a smaller number from the South, but they were animated by a single purpose. It was highly creditable to their wisdom, forethought and sense of justice that their first voluntary associations were based on equity and "it is noteworthy that the evolution of our civil government was from claim regulation to written constitutions." Scornful of social and class distinctions, rank, keen, indomitable and patriotic, with strong faith in the future of their country, religious and political differences were suppressed for the common good. Measured by present day standards, they were very much out of fashion, for there were no established rules for the cut of one's clothes or conduct in pub- lic assemblies, except that women invariably sat apart from the men. The first habitations were the covered wagons or the "prairie schooners," where the emigrant resided until a cabin could be built — parlor, kitchen, bedroom combined. Outside of the wagon cover was the great "withdrawing room." The furniture was a camp kettle and a few tin dishes on the inside; and the implements of husbandry on the outside were a breaking plow, axe, ox-yoke and chains. The overturned furrows contrasted strangely in its black lines with the prevailing color. The sturdy arm of the pioneer was nerved for service, for here he saw a field for action, occasion for effort, and the means of victory. He planned wisely. He executed his plans in hope. Another white wagon from the winding lanes of farther east trundles anon the "divide" and comes to a halt. Another cabin is erected two or more miles away and the pioneer wakes up some morn- ing and finds a neighbor and rejoices. Another, and still an- other comes, and they in due time get together and establish a school on the hill. 40 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY The early settlers of Iowa built solidly, which places her today in the front rank of all the states in educational facilities, and her progress has been exceptional and marked in all these inter- vening years. Justly has the saying of a distinguished citizen of the state be- come a classic: "Of all that is good Iowa affords the best. Have not her people the genuine western spirit of generosity and essential kindness; are they not broad-minded, tolerant, big of frame, big of mentality and big of heart, thoroughly and sincere- ly democratic? " This is the product — the outgrowth of the purpose and spirit of the pioneers who laid the foundation of our society so securely that it has grown like an oak tree, sending out great roots here and there, firmly buttressed below, broad branched above, able to withstand any shock of storm that may come against it — a type of our future national security. The ox team and the breaking plow were the two most potent factors of pioneer civilization. The plow was construct- ed as follows: The settler would remove the front wheels from his wagon and place them on a rudely constructed axle made from an oak sapling six or eight inches in diameter and about the length of an ordinary wagon axle. The plow, which had a very long moldboard and prodigious wooden beam, was partially suspended between the two wheels of the truck 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, and there was a series of auger holes in the upright frame, so that the depth of the furrow could be ■ regulated 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 so suitable for turning under wild sod, scrub oak 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, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Askey celebrated the 25th anniversary of their marriage and there were present a noted list of old-timers and their wives in Pilot Grove township, viz.: John Askey, Jacob Focht, J. A. Spicer, H. W. Mclntyre, John Pettit and others. OLD SETTLERS AT ANNUAL MEETING AT VILLISCA. THE PIONEERS 41 it would cleave its way through almost anything. When it en- countered a running oak it didn't "pass by on the other side like the Levite, n but it went through it and turned it under. The first permanent habitation of the early settler was built of round logs, the space between the logs being filled in with split sticks of wood called "chinks," then daubed over, both inside and out, with clay mortar. The floor was commonly made of puncheons or split logs with the smoothest side turned up- ward. The roof was made by gradually drawing in the top to the ridge pole and on cross pieces laying the clap-boards which, be- ing three or four feet in length, instead of being nailed were held in place by "weight" poles laid on them reaching the length of the cabin. The fireplace, about six feet in length, occupied one end of the single apartment and was situated in a projection like a modern bay window, — some of the logs being cut for that purpose. The chimney was built on the outside, of split sticks laid one on another like a child's cob-house; this was plas- tered inside and outside with clay mortar and was sometimes lined with stone a few feet above the hearth. The door space was made by cutting out the logs to make room for a door of con- venient size. The door itself was made of clap-boards secured by wooden pins to two cross-pieces. The settler would some- times take a log to some saw-mill and exchange for boards for this purpose. Robert Johnson hauled a log from the St. Clair place to near Lewis, Cass county, and made a door which was a departure from the ordinary method. The door would be hung on wooden hinges and the fasten- ing consisted of a wooden latch, catching on a wooden lock on the inside. A buckskin twang was attached to this latch and through a hole, made especially for that purpose, hung on the outside as a sign to the neighbor or stranger that he might enter and receive such hospitable treatment as the pioneer home af- forded. If the latch string was withdrawn it was also notice 42 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY that for some reason or other, which the occupant felt under no obligation to divulge, the stranger's presence was not desired. This was so unusual, however, that the customary manner or in- vitation from one settler to another was "the latch string always hangs out." The cabin usually consisted of one room which answered all purposes. Upon entering one would see suspended rings of dried pumpkin and a string of red peppers, while the ever present rifle and powder horn were in a convenient place ready for use. Sometimes a loom might be seen; the wife, or mother, busily engaged weaving cloth to be made into garments for family use. In well-to-do families the "loft" was in evidence, and if not used for the storage of "traps," took the place of the more modem spare room. This apartment was approached by a ladder se- cured to the wall. When prosperity overtook them a double log-cabin ,was erected or, as was more usually the case, another cabin was built beside the old one with a space or hall between them, the entrance to the new structure being from the hall. The articles in the kitchen corresponded with the room and were few and simple, a "dutch oven," a skillet, or long handled frying pan, an iron pot or kettle were the usual utensils. Later came a long iron crane so arranged that it could be swung out from the fireplace. Suspended from the crane was the "pot-hook" with which the kettle was carried to and from the fire at will. The style of cooking was as simple as the utensils used. Corn meal was the staple article of food and was made into "pone," "com dodger" or "hoe cake." The first two were baked in the dutch oven which had first been placed on a bed of glowing coals. The lid having also been heated, the prepared dough was put in the oven and the whole covered by smoking embers and hot ashes. For the "hoe cake" there was sometimes added to the dough stewed pumpkin to give additional flavor. The dough was moulded into suitable form and flattened by placing it upon a board or stone. It was THE PIONEERS 43 then placed at a suitable angle before the fire and when baked was ready for eating. Wild game and hominy were the other principal articles of food. The occupants of these rude homes were kind hearted, generous people, and it is among the pleas- antest recollections of the writer that he was privileged to enjoy their friendship and esteem, which was genuine, spontaneous — from the depths of the heart. The days of hardship and privation fled fast away. A few years sufficed to remove all semblance of pioneering. Wealth accumulated, comforts abounded, and now as a reward of indus- try and privation and years of patient waiting, from the raw material we see the finished but not perfect product. Today there are quiet, human, happy homes on hilltop and in our val- leys where once was wildness and apparent desolation. Happy childhood, youth with his ruddy cheek, manhood with his sin- ewy arm, and hoary-headed age rejoice alike in the gifts of a bounteous Providence poured out upon us with a liberal hand. For long years we were practically excluded from the outside world and a new and better day dawned when communication was established. The railroad gave impetus to every enterprise. New hopes were kindled, new enterprises undertaken, and new forms of vanity noticed, and what before were deemed luxuries soon became necessities. "Primitive man had no house, no tools, no government; not a breakfast laid up for tomorrow, no science, law, literature, cus- toms, habits, manners, or even language. Out of him was material nature, within him rude human nature." And now after ages he has become rich in material, intellectual and spiritual posses- sions. From lower to higher, from barbarism to civilization, from civilization to Christianity, is the upward flight of^man's ascent. Our pioneer had a house, but it was a rude log cabin of one room and a fireplace to cook his food. The primitive man had no tools. The pioneer had an ox-yoke and chain, a breaking plow and gun. Primitive man had no garments. The pioneer — well, 44 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY the tariff on them was not a burdensome tax. The pioneer had the advantage of the primitive man in this: He called to his aid Science to enable him to subsist; Law to secure and preserve his rights of person and of property; Literature yielding him ex- alted pleasures; Habits, Manners, and Language, enabling him to utilize, arrange, assort and communicate all that he received as an inheritance from the past. In all these things that distinguishes a civilized and enlightened man he could show quite an inventory of good qualities suitable for founding institutions of religion, education and charity, which has been faithfully done under his guiding hand. He has smoothed the pathway for us, and now after a lapse of years, we have better houses, better food, better tools; the sewing machine in the house and the self-binder in the field; better clothes; food provided for tomorrow; customs, habits, manners improved. And to all whom credit is due there are none entitled to more honor or esteem than the pioneer women of our country. What long days of loneliness and hunger for a sight of the old homestead with its restful shade to relieve the tired eyes from the monotony of the endless billowy landscape. "Men must work but women must wait," and the waiting is often harder to endure than the working. We lift our hats and pay homage to the pi- oneer women who by their helpfulness and patience have done their full part in bringing on the comfort and civilization now pre- vailing everywhere in our country. CHAPTER VI OBSOLETE TOWNS OF THE COUNTY. Of the obsolete towns in the county the most conspicuous and important was Frankfort, situated on Section seventeen, Township seventy-two, North of range thirty-seven, near the geographical center, but not the center of population, and the county seat from 1 854 until 1 865. Here the county business was transacted and the law administered. Its local, business, educational and religious affairs, brought the town into no little prominence. There was a peculiar charm about the small cluster of houses huddled together on a summit showing against the distant horizon. At first sight in approach- ing them from any point of the compass they had the appear- ance of a citadel. The picture dissolved and the actual was a row of four buildings fronting the east, and on the west side was what the town plat designated as the public square, in which stood a flag pole. The building on the north was the court house, beyond which was a stretch of prairie extending to Pilot Grove. Jason Strait occupied the next building south — an in- complete two-story, double, log structure built by R. W. Rogers, ex-county treasurer. Then comes a residence derisively called "Montgomery County Castle," a two story frame affair, beside which was a large building devoted to a general merchandise business conducted by the firm of "Strait & Stout," though curi- ously enough both were "strait" and both were "stout." There was another building of two floors facing northward toward the square. This was the only attempt at regularity in locating buildings, except those toward the south, on the west side of the street, where was Dr. Amasa Bond's residence, a treble log 46 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY house sometimes used for a hotel, and the houses of Doctors Davis, Glover and Adair, respectively. John Shafer lived near the west line of the town and Judge J. R. Horton on his farm just outside the town limits. There were a few smaller buildings such as a blacksmith shop, owned and operated by Noah Baer, stables, etc. The town itself, however, was then as conscious of its exist- ence as anything else that ever existed, or any town that now ex- ists. It has now glided off into the airy nothingness of all ma- rerial things; it sank out of sight on a limitless ocean of prairie when the fates decided that Red Oak should be the county seat. The wave that had carried Frankfort up receded and left that little village stranded. One by one the buildings were torn down or removed. Some of them converted into residences in Red Oak or remodeled into farmhouses. The first two buildings on the south side of Red Oak creek, on Grimes and Fourth streets, and a two story frame building on Coolbaugh street on the pres- ent location of the Red Oak Wholesale Grocery establishment, and the court house that stood on the northwest corner of the square, now occupied by the implement house of Stover Brothers (1 905) and which is now a part of their stables, were all removed from Frankfort. The house on Grimes street, occupied by the writer for fourteen years, was a part of the Strait & Stout build- ing at Frankfort and was purchased at $2,75 per running foot. Twenty eight feet were thus sold and separated from the re- maining portion by sawing it in two, commencing at the ridge pole. A part of "Montgomery County Castle" was removed to the farm of the late Edward Hall. The original owners of the land upon which Frankfort was located were Samuel Baer, Dr. Enos Lowe, a surgeon in the regular army and then stationed at Fort Omaha; and Isaac Bolt. The last building erected was an addition by Mr. Strait of a large two story front to his log house. One room was set apart for a harness shop where the late O. P. Whittier learned his trade, afterwards carrying on the same busi- OBSOLETE TOWNS OF THE COUNTY 47 ness in Red Oak in the building now occupied by David Arte* drug store. Mr. Baer was the only resident owner and occupied a hewn log house — built in 1 855 by one John Bumsides, who also dug the first well in Frankfort. Owing to the scarcity of lumber for a windlass and the want of a chain or rope, this well was de- scended and ascended by means of a ladder. Bumsides, who had the reputation for doing things original and uncommon, con- sidered it no hardship to grind his corn in a coffee mill to obtain meal for his bread. One of his accomplishments was said to consist of being able to manufacture a very good passable article of money. Isaac Binns was one day complaining of the want of money, and knowing Bumsides' reputation, asked him jokingly "if he would not make him some." Bumsides taking him aside replied, "Ike, I'll make you some if you really want me to." For- tunately this species of the genus homo of a type generally found hanging on the rough and ragged edges of border life soon sought other fields to display his peculiar talents. Previous to the winter of 1861 and 1862 there was very little money in the country and a very limited market for things produced except in furnishing an immense emigration that passed through after the Pike's Peak gold fever broke out in 1 859, fol- lowed by an exodus to Oregon, Idaho and Washington. Led by visions of gold and driven by the dread of draft, many turned their footsteps toward the Rocky Mountains and the farther west. Some of our people joined the procession, leaving their farms to grow up in weeds. At this time there was a ready market for everything eatable, such as bacon, butter and eggs, but there was a limited supply which was soon exhausted. The demand for supplies for the army was the first general market the farmers ever had for hogs. They were mostly produced along the valley of the Nodaway where they had developed good frames from free ranging and living on acoms and hazel nuts. A few weeks feeding them on corn fitted them for market. 48 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY The buyers freely paid ten cents per pound. This was the golden era for the farmers who had a surplus. This stock was driven to Council Bluffs, and Frankfort was but a way-station en route to market, having no financial interest in the movement of stock. The public square was an enclosure used nights to prevent the swine from straying away, and on stormy nights their shrill notes of discomfort rang out on the midnight air. The streets were not illumined at night, excepting at times when the flickering rays of a dipped or moulded tallow candle shone through a perforated tin lantern. This was used before electri- city or even kerosene for lighting purposes came into general use. The wire of the telephone lay coiled up in the brain of the in- ventor and the electrical current was not used as a means of conveying intelligence — at least not to the people of Frankfort. The only method of communication with the outside world was through the United States Mail Service, daily but irregular, con- veyed from eastern Iowa by "hack" and "buckboard," the greater part of the way by the latter, being drawn by one horse. On one occasion there was an attempt to deprive the town of this service. A bridge had been built across the Tarkio, near the present town of Stanton, shortening the route from Sci- ola to Red Oak and was used for a short time. Some enterpris- ing citizen of Frankfort sawed off the stringers or supports of that bridge, wrecking it, and that route was abandond as impracticable. The old route was resumed and continued until the advent of the railroad when there was no further need of it The indus- tries of the place had already been diverted so that the thump of the saddler's hammer, the ring of the blacksmith's anvil, and the monotonous rattle of the loom were heard no longer. There was but little rivalry. All told, society could not mus- ter four hundred souls and if any imagined themselves a part of the "elite" that fact was carefully kept secret, although once in a while it would break out in a mild form. Mary, a domestic in Mr. Stout's family, was emphatic in her declaration that "all them S. W. WHITE— Came to county in 1855. ^His wile, Sarah White, has been a resident of Iowa since 1855. AARON PATTERSON — In his 79th year. Came to Douglas township in 1854. Mrs. J. C. Patterson on the right, daughter of A. Patter- son, first girl born in Douglas township. JACOB STOVER— Was born in Pennsylvania, 1826. Has resided in the vicinity of Red Oak since 1864. On the right is his wife, formerly Miss Sarah A. Tucker, a native of Iowa. Z. M. P. SHANK AND WIFE, Deceased— He settled on what is now a part of Red Oak in 1856. JASON STRAIT, Deceased— Keeper of the and only hotel in Frankfort. WM.DUNN, Sr., Deceased— Born in Ohio, 1809, came to county 1855. As U. S. Surveyor, he sectionized five townships in this, three in Page and two in Taylor county, 1851. JAMES R. HORTON, Deceased— The second County ,*udge. SAMUEL C. DUNN, Deceased— Came to county 1852. The first Clerk of District Court. OBSOLETE TOWNS OF THE COUNTY 49 what's got manners boards at Stout's." There was a general desire to promote sociability. Dancing parties and sleigh rides were of frequent occurrence. Well do I remember a young gen- tleman, now a staid Presbyterian and lawyer of renown, making his first attempt at dancing. He was somewhat longer north and south than east and west and his dancing, if by any stretch of the imagination it could be called that,- -reminded one of an old fashioned Kentucky flax break in action. Sleigh rides were usually taken with ox teams — time not be- ing the essence of the contract with the driver. Upon one oc- casion a party of middle-aged people called on Silas Smith and family, then living on a farm two miles east of Red Oak, now owned by Mr. J. V. Pringle, the round trip taking well into the morning hours. The lyceum was the principal entertainment in which nearly every adult took an interest. One evening in each week, in the winter months, was devoted to the reading of the "Budget," a weekly paper prepared by the ladies. Editorials of fair ability were often read and the current hap- penings, social and otherwise, commented on by the different contributors. The women would bring their knitting and fancy work while the men engaged in a discussion of some subject previously selected. The whole social, religious, literary and political fields were levied upon to furnish suitable material for this purpose. Isolated from the great world and dependent on our own re- sources for everything necessary to our existence and enjoyment, we followed our own lead and looked not elsewhere for patterns. We instituted our own modes and used our own means. Originality marked all of our society and social proceedings; not always the best, but good enough under the circumstances, and remembered as affording greater enjoyment than modern social functions. Duties to ourselves and others were the animating motives. Mrs. Cornelia A. Packard, a woman of education 50 HISTORY OF MONTOGMERY COUNTY an d refinement, contributed not a little in transfiguring by word and pen these rugged and unclassified elements in a period or romantic realities in the history of Frankfort. She was not alone in attempting to make the most of existing conditions and in contributing to the social union so desirable and necessary. The prominent families at that time were the Bonds, Hortons, Straits, Stouts, Shafers, Sperrys and others, all offering something to re- lieve the prevailing prosy social conditions. The school house was built in 1 859 and was depended upon for all public gatherings including church services, political meet- ings and lyceums and was also used for a court room, as it was the largest room in town. Here took place the most memorable political debates that were ever held in this county, beginning with the joint discussion between Samuel J. Kirkwood and Gen. A. C. Dodge, the opposing candidates for governor in 1 860; afterwards came Gen. S. R. Curtis and C. C. Cole, the oppos- ing candidates for congress. John A. Kasson was there at two different times, once in debate with his opponent for congress, Henry, father of Judge Henry, and another year when F. W. Palmer was assisting him canvass through the district, and who also made a speech. Upon these occasions the entire voting population of the county would be present. Here also assem- bled from time to time, the officers of the district court and members of the bar from adjoining counties whose custom it was to accompany the judge from one county seat to another attend- ing to or looking for business in their line. Many a legal battle has been fought in that little school house out on the prairie. Among the attorneys were J. W. Russell and James M. Dews, of Glenwood, a democrat who was once a contestant for the position of district judge with E. H. Sears; Col. J. R. Morledge, Bowen, subsequently a senator in Colo- rado, and Napoleon Bonaparte Moore, of Clarinda, Robert Percival, L. Lengenfelter, Comish, Mitchell, Rector and J. A. Harvey, of Sidney. Mr. Harvey was at one time registrar OBSOLETE TOWNS OF THE COUNTY 51 of the state land office and was a noted temperance advocate. Members of the bar from Council Bluffs frequently were in attendance. The home attorneys were: W. L. Boydson, the late Allen Beeson, of Plattsmouth, Nebraska, D. Ellison, now of Kansas City, the late A. P. Morehouse, governor of Mis- souri, and Martin Van Buren Bennett, subsequently the editor of the "Copperhead," a paper published in Ottumwa, Iowa. The foregoing included a number of men able, honorable and influ- ential in their several communities — a credit to the learned profession of the law. This old school house was also the floral and agricultural hall of our county fair. Here were exhibited specimens of grasses, grains, vegetables, sorghum, syrup, jams and jellies made from crab apples and wild plums, pickles and soft soap. It could also boast of the first preliminary meeting of the Masonic lodge and of the first teachers' institute of the county. Giant cottonwoods now stand silent sentinels, guarding the spot where once stood the village of Frankfort. The memory of men and events of that time, for the most part, might be likened to a vessel disappearing at sea, or a fair landscape fading from view, and yet there are moments when one is living again the open, free-breathing life of the prairie; when the mind wanders back, and through the distance, one seems to hear the merry song of the pioneer mingled with the laughter of the children. Of the actors that crossed the stage in that far-off day, but few still live in the county of their early choice and some have wandered afar. Many of them lie sleeping in the old cemetery below the town, having crossed the river, and are resting in the shade of the trees, waiting for their comrades. All have passed the hey-day of life, yet the few remaining will ever remember the little hamlet on the plateau of Frankfort — its joys — its sorrows — "its sighs — its tears — its hope of future years." 52 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY FLORA. If Flora had been thought of a little sooner it would probably have proven one of those successful paper town speculations such as the west was full of prior to 1 857, and which were so effect- ually flattened out by the panic of that year. As the Flora idea did not develop, however, until 1 859, nobody was hurt. In consequence of the financial panic of 1857 no one had any money for any uncertain ventures or speculations. Especially had eastern men learned a lesson regarding investments in west- ern town lots, or lands either, for which there was no market at any price, and into which most of their surplus money had been scattered. The town of Flora, I think, never got farther than to get platted on paper — the plans drawn up, but the survey of the land into lots was never made, nor was the plat recorded. Therefore there was never any assessment of town lots in the town nor lots sold. In the hurry of pioneer life these were con- sidered insignificant details, which for the time being, might be omitted. This would in no way interfere with the stock exchange, the necessary accompaniment of all such towns in their infancy. Judge J. R. Horton has preserved as a relic an orig- inal certificate of stock. On the left is the impress of the beautiful seal, "Flora Town Co., Montgomery County, Iowa," and 1 00 shares on the upper right hand comer, 350 acres, No. 4, dated April 11,1 859, signed by the secretary and president. Certificate entitles the holder to an equal division of the lots and property of the town of Flora, subject to an equal division of the expenses, liabilities, etc. Flora was to be no small, second rate affair crowded into the narrow limits of 1 60 acres like Red Oak, with seven by nine lots and narrow streets. But it was thought that three hundred and fifty acres would be sufficient for a nucleus, a modest beginning, and as the town grew the streets could be indefinitely lengthened. The first preliminary survey of the railroad was made about 1857. This survey went through Red Oak, but somewhat OBSOLETE TOWNS OF THE COUNTY 53 north of the final location, and missed Frankfort entirely by some two or three miles. Flora was located on this survey and south of the head of Red Oak creek. The effect of this preliminary survey was to discourage or suspend any improvements in Frank- fort, though at the same time the people of Frankfort never for a moment entertained the thought of adopting Red Oak as their town. On the contrary, there was a certain degree of hostility or feeling of opposition existing between the two towns. During 1 859, Rev. D. N. Smith, (who was identified with a great many prospective great towns and business centers, such as Orepolis, Neb., Louden, Mills county, etc.,) on one of his trips through the country, stopped with us at Frankfort and opened up to our admiring gaze a beautifully drawn-up plat of the town of Flora, all drawn off on a large scale, not on ordinary paper, such as our eyes had been accustomed to, but on fine tracing linen. This hit us exactly as we wanted it. Here we had been having the blues because we could not be on the railroad, and to think of such a thing as going over to Red Oak was as the thought of going over to the Philistines; in fact, was so bad that such an idea had not up to this time occurred to anybody. Therefore, when we gazed on that beautiful parchment the way of our deliverance seemed to open up clearly and with distinctness. The year 1 859 was full of quietness, something like the lull before a storm, which came with the exciting presidential contest the following year, followed by the war. We at Frankfort, therefore, had few enough matters to take our attention. And so we had a good time building up the town of Flora in our minds and imagining what we should make of it. Most of Frankfort was much "enthused." J. B. Packard had a lot of ditching done and considerable other work to make a good crossing over the "Big Slough" for the road running east from Flora. I remember our Ike Binns, who was clerking in Stout's store at the time, greeting some friend who came in after quite an 54 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY absence from home, saying, "How are you John? Got back have you ? Say ! we have a new town down here, Flora. The time will come when we will run together, and be one city, — Flora— Frankfort and Red Oak." This is about all there is to be said about Flora. The war came and Flora was forgotten. ARLINGTON. The east side of the county has its quota of obsolete towns, being represented principally in "Arlington." The original idea of devoting a few acres to a townsite at this point, and platting a few blocks as a nucleus for future en- largement in case it became necessary, was not a bad one at the time it was done, which was along in 1 857. It was evident that a good town would be built up somewhere along the Noda- way valley. As the heaviest timbered lands of the county were along the Nodaway river, this portion of the county was thought to be the most desirable by the early settlers, who sought as eagerly for timber land as they did for farming land, and locat- ed their farms along the length of the valley adjoining the timber. Locations outside of such were looked upon as second choice, and between the small nucleus started at Frankfort (which was one of the second choice locations) and the Nodaway valley at Arlington, not an improvement of any kind had been started. Arlington, however, was doomed to future obscurity when the railroad, instead of making a straight line through the county east and west, followed the east Nodaway valley down, making a bend to the south that brought them into the west Nodaway valley at Villisca. When the railroad surveys were being made, a line was tried via Arlington to Red Oak, but the line via Villisca was adopted. If I could give an inside history of this survey I think it could be conclusively shown that the direct route of the G, B. & Q. railroad through Arlington was very much shorter and less OBSOLETE TOWNS OF THE COUNTY 55 expensive to build than the route taken, and had there been no such company as the Burlington Town Lot Co., composed of a few of the stockholders of the C, B.* & Q., who were on the ground and influential in its location to promote personal and selfish ends, the road would have been located there. To many it remains a mystery that the survey made by the late Col. A. Hebard was adopted in the main through the entire state by the company, and that the only essential variation was when they made the detour to nearly the southern line of the county and then back to the old line again. Possibly the company wished to run through their own lands, as Stanton was central to twenty-five sections, or so, of unsold land at that time. If the choice had fallen on the Arlington survey, our "tale of woe" would have applied to Villisca, and Arlington would have been the flourishing town of the Nodaway valley. Fortunately no extensive amounts of money were ever invested in buildings and improvements in the town; no modem "boom" ever inaug- urated for the purpose of getting people to part with their money for the sake of securing a foothold in the town before the lots got to be too valuable for the people to reach. The proprietors did not have modem enterprise enough to build brick blocks or opera houses on some lots to make the others more valuable — probably did not think of it. On the contrary, there were only three log houses ever built, and afterwards a frame school house. The stakes marking the boundaries of lots and blocks of a town plat, according to legendary history, were seen by the early settlers in Grant township, near Ramp creek, south of Red Oak. When and by whom it was so marked is not known and it was never given a name. One Herman Harlow laid out a town in Jackson township in April, 1 855, named Rossville in honor of a family of that name living in its vicinity. Encumbering the county record seems to be its principal history. These villages have been turned into fruitful fields excepting the dead town of Bristol, near the Chris- tian church in Washington township. Dead in a double sense, as the site is now used for a cemetery. CHAPTER VII WAR TIME ORGANIZATIONS AND INCIDENTS. The Union League of America and the Knights of the Gold- en Circle were organizations throughout the North, formed about two years after the breaking out of the war. The first society represented the adherents of the Union and the latter apologists for and abettors of secession. The former insisted on a continuance of war, regardless of sacrifice until the Rebel- lion was suppressed, while the cry of the latter was for peace at any price. Suspicion and enmity were engendered everywhere. Old time friendships were broken and neighbors were at bitter variance. Epithets were constantly bandied back and forth be- tween the opposing factions, such as "Abolitionist" and "Black Republican" on one side and "Rebel" and "Copperhead" on the other, a practice which often led to personal encounters more or less serious. This was only a natural consequence of a civil war, but the tolerance in the North permitted a freedom to sympathizers with the enemy which would have been promptly and arbitrarily crushed in the South, and this was not without its serious effect on the soldiers. It was only natural that men at the front should be greatly depressed and discouraged by the activity of traitors at home, and the loyal people of the North naturally felt that steps must be taken to nullify the efforts of south- ern sympathizers. They felt that the sons, husbands and fathers who were loyally at the front, fighting to preserve the Union and honor of the flag, would be sustained by knowledge of the fact that in the country they left behind the majority of the people were in strong sympathy with the cause they were giving their lives to promote, and that a substantial expression of such sym- Plli§§^ - LIS •f?t" m&to 4? "IT. L. OF .A.. FOR IOWA. *%: J0,e it f&nmvn, 0iL^^Jk/'' / '''^M^J^AM^jiiiiuc^i-i the fiairi-t in me rcjtrd /■<(. tin- ,(UanM>:fikmit.vi.t of ihe il. -I. •>[ 5\. for- Jfuw.a, -f heiehif. aft {mint \~.... *■. . . m»*/' Jfc V%ft ..„y&£^Z& ^» Wwntp o/o To JNO, VAN VALKENBURG. Esq., Grand Sec'y of the Grand Council of U. L. of A. for Iowa, H'OI,"l' >1Al)iWO.\. [OWA I -J A //,. /.,,„.r /.. .,„/„„///, /<.//,.,„;,„, .-?/(,/,,, /: \ NO. OF I'UST fiCPIUB. £/' VS/yJ-f, o/e^gg- ty/£ /€^^Z- \ Asa <**,? )(< a ,.. --feu.^. J/f ^ rfir~> ISO Total S<>. of Councils- j? ■ .--)/,.„<.„,/:, ,:„/.„/,,/■>■„.■■ „y /-,:/ >./..../.■ i Total Mnnber ^ll/Jt ./h>'t.':L. ,T. t . ( I .rr <&*, Deputy Grand President. A WARTIME DOCUMENT. THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD 73 milder term for the word "slave." The sentiment at that time was not so strongly in favor of the institution of slavery and if it had not been for the many other grievous problems confronting the framers of the new government, the question of slavery by gradual abolition might have been successfully solved. As it was, nothing was done and when on account of the invention of the cotton gin and the culture of cotton slave labor became of great value, the hope of any peaceable settlement of the ques- tion had well nigh perished. The slaveholders claimed the right under the constitution, to take their chattels, which of course included negroes, to any portion of the United States they might choose to go. This position was generally antagonized throughout the North and especially in the pioneer sections of the West. The men who had left the far East in the hope of a larger freedom, did not take kindly to involuntary servitude in their midst. The legislation, however, was all in favor of the slave holder and under the law every northern man was an enforced slave catcher. Any United States marshal could command any man to assist him in recovering runaway slaves. Very severe penalities were imposed on anyone who disobeyed this law. A fine of $ 1 ,000 and six months imprisonment was the penalty that might be inflicted on any person harboring a fugitive slave or in any way assisting in his escape. The fugi- tives were to be surrendered on demand without the benefit of any testimony or trial by jury. The validity of this law was passed upon by the supreme court of the United States in the celebrated "Dred Scott" case. This court decided that it had no jurisdiction because no slave or descendant of a slave could become a citizen of the United States and therefore had no rights of any kind before any legal tribunal. In connection with this decision the court gave as its decison that the Mis- souri Compromise was unconstitutional and that a slave did not cease to be one by being carried to territory where the Com- promise prohibited slavery. Such a decision, coming from the 74 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY highest court in the land, so glaringly and manifestly unjust, naturally infuriated every advocate of freedom throughout the North, and nowhere was it more bitterly denounced than by the people of the state of Iowa. The courts of this state refused to recognize the decision, even though it came from the supreme court of the nation. Instead of rendering assistance to slave catchers as required by law, the people of the state generally threw every obstacle possible in the way of any attempt to cap- ture the fugitive and not infrequently opposed them with a force of arms. This sentiment of freedom had begun very early in Iowa in 1839, and long before the state had been admitted to the Union, the Supreme Court of the territory had passed on a peculiar and rather important case. It was known as the case of "Ralph" who was a colored man who had been held as a slave in Missouri and had bought his freedom of his master for less than the price which negroes were then brnging in the mar- ket. His master permitted him to go to the lead mines of Du- buque to earn the purchase price of his freedom, and though there was a written contract between the slave and his master, the latter decided to cancel and disregard this because he alleged that the slave was not saving enough money to pay his indebted- ness. Finding it very difficult to secure the return of Ralph, the master contracted with slave catchers to kidnap him and re- turn him to Missouri. He was accordingly seized while at work, handcuffed, and taken to the steamboat landing. A farmer who witnessed the affair reported to the office to Thos. S. Wilson, one of the justices of the Supreme court, and de- manded a writ of habeas corpus, which was promtly granted and the case was transferred to the supreme court for trial. The three judges constituting the court, though all were democrats, decided that Ralph was a resident of that territory of Iowa and recognized no property in men, and furthermore declared that the laws of another state did not apply in this case. Freedom, THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD 75 they insisted, was a natural right, and slavery could not exist in Iowa. All honor to these pioneer judges for placing Iowa early on record as a staunch supporter of freedom. While the decision was in no way a legal precedent, except possibly for Iowa alone, and had no extra territorial effect, it showed that the territory of Iowa was well in advance of all other sections of the Union in opposing the institution of slavery. There were people in every part of the north, and particularly in the pioneer West, who, regardless of laws in favor of slaveholders, did all in their power to harbor, conceal and protect from pursuers the fugi- tives who frequently attempted to find freedom in Canada. A series of secret yet well defined routes were laid out through the free states and a number of these so-called "under- ground railroads" ran through the state of Iowa. The fugitives were concealed in some safe locality during the day-time and were hurried on their journey by night from one station to another. Naturally enough, these friends of the oppressed slave were held in the most bitter detestation by the people of the South. No terms of denunciation could be strong enough and no epithet vile enough to express the opprobrium of the slave holders. Even murderers were held in higher repute by the southern gentry than the detested "nigger stealers" of the North. Yet, as we look back on these times of bitterness and hatred, it is easy enough to see that among this detested class were the nob- lest and most Christian characters of the times. Montgomery county participated to some extent in the stirring scenes of the times. Many of her good people lent substantial assistance to the slaves and the writer of this book, though technically a lawbreaker, harbored and helped on their way many of those needing assistance. He was at that time living in a house on the east side of Tarkio Creek, about a mile east of the old town of Frankfort. At one time no less than seven fugitives were secreted in the "lean-to" addition of his residence, and they only ventured out when apprised that there was no danger of discovery. One of these was an intelligent young colored man who had escaped some months before from his master in Ken- 76 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY tucky, and, eluding his pursuers, had landed safely in Canada. After a short time he determined to return and assist his mother, four brothers and one sister to escape from bondage. It was an extremely hazardous undertaking, but they had succeeded, with the aid of sympathizing friends, in coming thus far on their journey. A Congregational minister whose home was in Amity, Page County, was their pilot. The writer did not learn of their safe arrival in Canada but in all probability they were not captured. Their pursuers thought the negroes were concealed in one of the small groves along the Tarkio. Four men, riding good horses and carrying a small arsenal of fire arms came up from the south in pursuit of the negroes but their prey had flown. The fugitives were taken by wagon from point to point. The stations were sometimes long distances apart and dark and stormy nights were preferably chosen for the trans- fer. If pursuit were close, the fugitives remained concealed during the day time. They were not infrequently conveyed in canvas covered wagons and when meeting anyone on the road would lie concealed in the bottom of the wagon bed. The pioneers did not take kindly to any inquisitiveness in such cases and a man had to be pretty sure of his right of search before he undertook it. The agents and stations of the underground railroad were unknown to the general public. Instructions sent in advance might have read something like this: "By tomorrow eve- ning's mail you will receive two volumes of "The Irrepressible Conflict," bound in black. After perusal, please forward, and oblige." The underground railroad did a strictly passen- ger business. Fares were never demanded and the only divi- dends secured was the consciousness of service for righteous- ness and human freedom. After President Lincoln's Procla- mation of Emancipation, the underground railroad passed into history and all that remains is a memory and hope that similar conditions may never arise in this land of the free. CHAPTER X. JOHN BROWN. It must not be forgotten, in connection with the exciting times that preceded the war, that Montgomery County was located not far from the scene of the earlier actions of John Brown and his followers. The history of this strange enthusiast, whose wild actions undoubtedly precipitated the Civil War, is well known, but it was of such vast importance that a short reference to his history may not be out of place in this book. John Brown was a New Yorker who went to Osawatomie, Kansas, to find a home, and it was not long after that the con- flict with slavery was precipitated, when Kansas sought admis- sion to the Union. Had the Kansans been left to themselves, there would have been no difficulty, for the sentiment of the people of the territory was all for freedom. The trouble came from interference of the wild and lawless slavery forces from the adjoining state of Missouri, and the history of the murders and cruelties perpetrated by these guerrillas is too well known to necessitate repeating. John Brown could not stand by and see injustice of this kind. He met force with force and very soon a state of war existed in Kansas. He recognized the slave ques- tion as being at the bottom of the whole difficulty and in a moment of fanaticism, he conceived the idea of endeavoring to wipe out this great wrong by resort to force. While he has generally been regarded as of unbalanced mind, the system and careful plannng which he showed in his undertaking would seem to indicate that he was more of a fierce enthusiast than a lunatic 78 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY It is not generally known that southwestern Iowa was the scene of his preparations for action. Rev. Dr. Hill of Atlantic, an old time resident of Tabor, is responsible for the statement: "John Brown was in Tabor most of his time for six months and, more or less, for a year or two preceding his incursion in Vir- ginia. Tabor, in fact, was his headquarters for his earlier oper- ations in Kansas. I saw him almost daily in public and in pri- vate." It seems, however, that the citizens of the town, while thoroughly in sympathy with Brown's attitude against slavery, were not in favor of the warlike methods which he was adopt- ing. A meeting appears to have been held to consider the ef- fect of these on the community and Dr. Hill goes on to say : "'The meeting in Tabor of which Brown complained was held while he was there with a company of his men, having with them a number of negroes whom they had brought from Mis- souri. Brown had taken the slaves, teams and other neces- saries for their journey by force. He claimed that slavery had no legal right; that it was a state of war, and the slaves were only prisoners of war, held by force and not by right, and there- fore they might be released from servitude by force. I took part in the public meeting held to consider the situation. Af- ter a warm debate, a resolution was adopted, declaring that while we held it right to assist the fleeing slaves in every way, and would do this, still, it was not expedient to invade the slave states by force, thus virtually making war and precipitating a serious disturbance. These are not the exact words of the reso- lution but the sentiment and force of them. Brown was a very logical man and very little influenced by difficulties in the appli- cation of his principles. A number of interesting events occurr- ed during his stay in Tabor." He proceeded with system and selected from his oldest asso- ciates a dozen or more of trusty companions, including his son, Owen, who had seen with him service in the Kansas border conflict. He employed Hugh Forbes, who had seen service JOHN BROWN 79 in Europe, to drill his men at Tabor for this military expedition. And, while, as we have seen, the town was full of sympathy with his cause, the measures which he adopted were scarcely approved. This school for military instruction was of short du- ration and would probably not have been tolerated at all in any other county, so strong, even in the north, was the sympathy with slavery in the south. Tabor, however, was made up of a colony from Oberlin, Ohio, and of people who were unusually radical for the time. It is said that when the conflict came, this town gave more men and treasures in behalf of freedom in proportion to its population than any other town in the United States. Brown and his small squad next appeared at Spring- dale, a small village in the southwestern corner of Cedar Coun- ty, Iowa. Their former drill master had been dismissed and Aaron Stevens of the U. S. Army was substituted. Stevens had been court martialed for assaulting Major Longstreet, Gen. Lee's Lieutenant-General in the War of the Rebellion. He had been ordered to be shot but the President commuted his sentence to three years imprisonment. He made his escape, changed his name to Whipple and became a colonel in the free state war in Kansas. On page 379, Vol. 1, of B. F. Gue's History of Iowa, is a description of John Brown's followers: "John Henri Kagi was an accomplished writer and steno- grapher, a correspondent of the New York Post and an elo- quent public speaker. Richard Realf was a young English- man of rare talents, a poet and orator, and had been a protege of Lady Byron. John E. Cook was a young man, brave and chivalrous, a fine writer and poet. His young wife was a sister of the wife of Governor Willard of Indiana. Such were some of the men enlisted in the Harper's Ferry plan for liberating the slaves." The old emancipator revealed to three or four citizens of Springdale the purpose he had in view in drilling his men. He 80 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY firmly believed that in a righteous cause, "One could chase a thousand and two would put ten thousand to flight," and that he would strike a blow that would ultimately overthrow slavery in this country. His strong and commanding personality in- fluenced several young men of Springdale and vicinity to enlist, among whom were George B. Gill, Edwin and Barclay Cop- poc and Steward Taylor. Dr. H. Gill, to whom Brown re- vealed his plan of liberation, even going into details, said to him, "You and your handfull of men cannot cope with the whole South " His reply was, "I tell you, Doctor, it will be the beginning of the end of slavery. "Brown was elected Comman- der in Chief. Secretaries of War, of State and of the Treasury were chosen. John Brown would not be dissuaded from his purpose. In the east, where he had gone, Gerrit Smith, F. B. Sanborn, Wendell Phillips and Theodore Parker remonstrated with him in vain. In April, 1859. he arrived in Springdale and ordered his men to move east. The enterprise for a time was delayed and his forces permitted to scatter to re-assemble when called. Brown went to Kansas, with Tidd, Kagi and two others, crossed into Missouri to liberate slaves who were to be sold and their families separated. They took twelve slaves, horses, wagons, cattle and other property, to which Brown claimed the slaves were entitled for years of unpaid labor. One slave holder resisted and was killed by Stevens. Large re- wards were offered by the Governor of Missouri for the arrest of Brown and his men and the recovery of the slaves. Early in January, Brown and several members of his party began the journey with the slaves in wagons, by way of Ne- braska and Iowa to Canada. They reached Tabor, Iowa, on the 5th day of February. 1 859, where they remained until the 1 1 th. The citizens of Tabor became alarmed at Brown's in- vasion of Missouri and forcible liberation of slaves, fearing re- taliation from the Missourians, as they were near the State line. "To relieve themselves from the charge of complicity with JOHN BROWN 81 Brown, the citizens held a public meeting and passed resolu- tions condemning the acts of him and his followers." On the 1 1 th, the slaves were conveyed on their journey along the line of the Underground Railroad. Their route was by way of White Cloud and up the Botna as far as the stone quarry at the mouth of Farm Creek and up that stream to Wheeler's Grove, thence to Lewis, where Oliver Mills was the chief agent. They arrived there on the 13th and from there on by Grove City, Dalmanuth, Redfield, Adel, Des Moines and Grinnell, thence to Canada. At Wheeler's Grove and Grove City there was talk of interfering with Mr. Brown's plans but his crowd was not an attractive one for such a program. John Brown made several trips through our county in travel- ing back and forth from Kansas to the east. He made the home of the Bond's, the parents of Jacob, Ellis and Amasa Bond and Mrs. A. Milner of this county, then living at Frank- fort, his stopping place, and it was there that the late J. B. Packard conversed with him. But little information was ob- tained concerning his business. He left the impression that he was reticent, non-communicative and not easily approached by strangers. He had the air of one deeply engrossed with his own thoughts ; silent, yet restlessly walking back and forth with measured steps and in deep meditation. If he could have read tlhe future and have foreseen the part he was to play in the great drama soon to be enacted in his country, it would have been to him an awe-inspiring scene. He doubtless would have calmly and heroically yielded up his life for freedom. He said in the presence of his executioners, "I do not reproach myself for my failures. I did what I could. I think I cannot better serve the cause I love so much than to die for it." On the day of his execution, Victor Hugo, then in exile, wrote these pro- phetic words: "John Brown, condemned to death, is to be hanged today. His hangman is not Governor Wise nor the little State of Vir- 82 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY ginia. His hangman (we shudder to think and say it) is the whole American Republic. Politically speaking, the murder of John Brown will be an irrevocable mistake. It will deal the Union a concealed wound which will finally sunder the States." This great apostle of liberty a few months later wrote : "Slavery in all its forms will disappear. What the South slew last De- cember was not John Brown, but slavery. The American Union must be considered dissolved. Between the North and the South, the gallows of Brown. Union is no longer possible. Such a crime can not be spared." Two years later the great army of the Potomac, of a hun- dred thousand men, marched through Virginia singing, "John Brown's body lies mouldering in the grave, but his soul goes marching on." Appomatox sealed the fate of slavery and re- united the disintegrated states into one glorious, inseparable Union. CHAPTER XL BEN No one who was not then an actual resident of Montgomery County can accurately describe the anti-slavery sentiment that existed about the time of the famous Dred Scott decision. Harriett Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin" was in every northern household and had been read and re-read by young and old. In the United States Senate, Daniel Webster was making speeches that will live for all time, while in the west, John Brown and Jim Lane were assisting negroes to escape into Iowa, where they were aided and abetted by friendly whites on their night journeys to Canada, the land of the free. Neigh- bors fought fist fights; brother conspired against brother. About this time, too, the Union League of America and the Knights of the Golden Circle flourished and both held meet- ings, secret or otherwise, in this country ; the one favoring a con- tinuance of the war, the other encouraging, if not actually aid- ing the South. There were reports of mysterious killings at- tributed to these organizations and everyone was ready to mis- understand, to misquote and to give credence to any rumor that might be set in motion against anyone whom suspicion named as having had anything to do with slavery or as being friendly to its extension into new territory. Into the settlement at X , there had moved a man whose ancestors, back in old Kentucky, had owned slaves ever since there had been slaves t© own. He was p'oor, wretchedly poor, and had removed to the new state, excited by rumors of fortunes to be made there. In going, he had cut loose from his 84 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNT\ relatives and associates — had asked and received nothing from them. So far as they were concerned, he did not exist, except that he had said, when leaving, that he was going to Iowa and expected to locate near a village called X , somewhere near the Missouri River. In some indiscreet moment, the Ken- tuckian had divulged his birth place and told that his people had owned slaves. From that time on, he was a target for insult and ridicule. Open threats were made against him; his nearest neighbors shunned him or passed him without greeting; even the small boys called him "Nigger Wilson" and shied a clod or snow-ball when he came for his mail. He was a man of medium height and with a weak, though kindly, counte- nance. A scraggy red beard partly concealed a retiring chin, and his whole general appearance was one of resignation. He was as timid and inoffensive as a rabbit and one who would as soon have opened the veins of his right arm as to engage in actual physical combat with anyone. One red-letter day the village postmaster received a let- ter for Wilson bearing the post mark of a town in Kentucky. As it was an event which had not heretofore occurred in the history if his office, he promptly told his wife. Upon one occasion, at a quilting bee, the postmaster's wife had offered to record a bet that Wilson "owned slaves, or had something to do with them, anyway," and this fact may have had something to do with the news leaking out. If she had read the contents of that letter, she might have seen therein, set out in a firm legal hand, the following : Clusterville, Ky., January 12th, 1860. James Wilson, Esq., X , Montgomery County, Iowa. Dear Sir: I have to inform you of the death of your uncle, Kirk Wilson, who has left to you by will, one black BEN 85 man called "Ben." Kindly advise me what disposition you wish made of the property. Respectfully, JOHN HEYWOOD, Clerk Probate Court, Benton County, Ky. You, who are secure in your homes, who at a moment's no- tice can call to your aid all the protection the law affords, pic- ture in your mind a half-starved settler, without a friend on earth, sitting on a grocer's good box, and by the light of a tallow dip, slowly spelling out the words of a letter which, if publish- ed, meant, as he firmly believed — and not without good cause — death at the end of a rope. He knew that there was but one thing to do, and that it must be done immediately. He would tell the people of X that he had never before owned a slave and that he would give this one, so suddenly thrust upon him, his liberty. But no — he now did own one, and, in any event, it was proof absolute that his relatives dealt in the trade. What if he did tell them he would set Ben free — what good would that do ? What mob ever stopped to consider motives or read a letter? It would simply be another case of hanging first. By two o'clock in the morning, he had sufficiently recovered from the shock to be able to indite a letter, on a soap wrapper, to John Heywood, Clerk of Benton County, that Ben should be set free — which he vaguely understood to mean that the negro should be turned out much as one would liberate a horse from a barn. His plan was to exhibit the present letter, together with the one which would be received announcing Ben's freedom, to the villagers, with the result that they would, of one accord, make restitution for the unjust suspicions they had entertained against him. They would say, he argued, that it would be much harder, and there- fore more commendable, for a poor man to give up a slave worth perhaps five hundred dollars, than it would be for one who had never owned a "nigger" to part with one. 86 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY Jim Wilson's ideas were not very definite as to the con- stitutional points involved, or whether it was right from a moral standpoint to own slaves. He had always referred to colored men as "niggers," a name which grated on the sensitive ear of X , he had always supposed, though he could give no other reason than that it had always been so, that it was per- fectly legitimate to own a slave, providing one had money enough to buy one. The remembrance of his having expressed these and similar sentiments in the hearing of the people of X , filled him with terror, and at the particular moment he was writing the clerk, a four foot prairie rattler would have been a more welcome visitor than his own thoughts. The let- ter, when finally completed, written in a cramped, nervous hand, read as follows: X , Montgomery County, Iowa. John Heywood, Clerk. Dear Sir: Your letter received. Ben is free. Yours, JIM WILSON. The postmaster's wife noticed that a light burned in Wilson's window late that night and mentally recorded the fact. The mails of the frontier were necessarily slow and often de- layed by floods and storms, so it was no unusual occurrence if a reply to a letter- — even if answered immediately — when com- ing from a distance, did not reach its destination for several months. In the meantime, Wilson was suffering from a severe attack of "high strikes." He had carefully buried under the floor of his cabin the letter from the clerk, but the feeling that he was all alone with his secret was so overwhelming, that the chances were against his keeping the matter concealed and at the same time preserving a well balanced mind. What if he talked in his sleep — a thing he knew he did, as he had often been awakened by his own cries. What if the clerk did not answer at once? What if the letter were intercepted or lost? BEN 87 Worst of all, the postmaster's wife had a habit of looking at him as if she knew. Time alone brings relief from all things, and one evening there was placed in Wilson's trembling fingers a letter which he instinctively knew to be from Heywood, the clerk. It in- formed Wilson that his simple statement that Ben was free, was not a compliance with Kentucky laws, and that before said intended act could be made of effect and legal, an affidavit, etc., properly drawn and accompanied by the necessary fee must be forthcoming. He took great pleasure in referring Wilson (who had not seen a dollar since he left Kentucky) to the law firm of Good & Wise, who, he said, could probably realize something from the sale of the chattel. This was all, but it was enough for poor Wilson, and for a time his mind refused to work. Somewhere the sun was shining; somewhere the birds were singing; but it was not in or about X . After a time it came to him just what must happen: there would be the rail, the tar and the feathers. Then, in his wavering mind, he pictured the lifeless body of a man swinging to and fro in the prairie breeze — and the man looked like Wilson. The postmaster's wife, true to her trust, again observed the tell-tale light, and the next morning told Mary, who worked at the hotel, that it was the second time she had seen the light, and that it always occurred after Wilson had received a letter from Kentucky. The letter that Wilson wrote that night was composed much in the same spirit as one might be if written by an innocent man just before the death warrant is read. He in- formed Heywood that he had no money, didn't want Ben, and that he couldn't hire lawyers. He again added that "Ben was free," a statement he had repeated to himself time and time again, and one he had resolved to make when the mob came with the tar and the rope. For some reason the clerk never answered this letter, or if he did, Wilson never received it, and 88 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY it was more than eighteen months before Wilson again heard from his property. During the interval, the man had grown suddenly old, and walked with a decided stoop. His every action was an evid- ence of guilt of some kind, for he would start at the slightest sound and would often stand for some moments in one place, gazing apparently at nothing. He had known Ben, and knew that he was too good a servant to run away, but still it was a satisfaction sometimes to think that he had done so. He was in this frame of mind when he received a letter from one of the county commissioners of Benton County, Kentucky: Clusterville, Ky., August 3d, 1861. James Wilson, Esq., X , Montgomery Co., Iowa. Dear Sir: I beg to inform you that "Ben," your col- ored man servant, died on the 30th of June, and was buried the 2d of July. There being no one to claim the body, he was buried at the expense of the county. We hope to hear from you soon and request that you enclose $80.00, the expense of burial. There were some personal effects, which will be forwarded you if you so desire. Respectfully, ROBERT GURNEY, Chairman County Commissioners, Benton Co., Ky. In sheer despair, Wilson replied to this communication. He wrote the commissioner that he had tried his best to free Ben; that he had no claim on him and that he could not pay the ex- pense. This done, he gave himself up for lost. He was con- fident that the commissioners would not be satisfied until they had written some one in X , to ascertain his financial condition. The war had been going on for some time and the hatred toward slavery had increased. Soldiers had returned to the county, some maimed for life and some in boxes, and BEN 89 Wilson was sure that the fact that he had tried to free Ben would not save him ; it would be considered only in connection with the manner of his death. Strange to say, the commissioners were never again heard from, and Wilson kept his secret carefully hidden, divulging it only after President Lincoln's proclamation. Through some awkward course of reasoning, he seemed to think this official act applied to the dead as well as to the living. Several things had happened to Wilson in the meantime: He had been defeated in two lawsuits — one involving the title to his home. His barn had been burned to the ground; his dog poisoned; his sanity questioned; his health nearly ruined; and he had been completely ostracized by the society of X and Montgomery County — which only proves that it is much easier to free a slave in a free state than it is to free a free slave in a slave state. Editor's Note — The story of the negro, "Ben," is substan- tially true. Ben was owned in Montgomery County and title had been acquired as has been herein stated — by will. He was a cook, and married, and "Ben" was his real name. Wil- son and other names are, of course, fictitious, as the real owner is still alive. The attempt to "free Ben" was made as de- scribed and only failed through indecision, fear and want of funds. CHAPTER XII. WAR OF THE REBELLION. The subject of our civil war naturally divides itself into two parts: how we became involved in the great conflict and how it was fought to a glorious conclusion. The elimination of millions of facts which seem important, and the presentation, in just proportions, of a few thousand which have a general and abiding interest, is not here attempted. "The momentous struggle was on such a gigantic scale, the events so many, its area so vast and its duration so considerable" as to give one thoughtful hesitation. The whole field has been surveyed from every point of view by conscientious historians, and their conclusions duly recorded. Some of them emphasize the importance of the declarations of the political leaders and platforms of the con- tending parties, and others place the emphasis upon military campaigns, sieges and decisive battles. During the continu- ance of the war, it occupied the center of the world's stage, and grave questions, as they arose from time to time, were dis- cussed by the newspaper press; for here, more vividly than elsewhere are all public questions fully debated. From this wide field, space forbids us to enter and glean facts and conclu- sions for the purpose of this chapter. From the earliest period of our national history, thoughtful people deplored the existence of human slavery. They recognized the incongruity of a gov- ernment, founded upon the principle of universal freedom from oppression, and at the same time holding the negro in bondage WAR OF THE REBELLION 91 and depriving him of his rights. The problem of the moral evil of slavery is not here discussed, but the institution existed in many of the colonies. In the formation of our American Constitution, slavery was a perplexing problem that was only solved, for the time being, by a mutual agreement to its recognition. The word slave was so obnoxious that its substitue, "persons held to service or labor," was employed in the wording of that instrument. From that early compromise measure, up to the beginning of the civil war, slavery was a constant source of irritation and contention between the slave holding and non-slave holding states of the American Union. The former, through the cohesive power of capital, had grown in power and influence. At the inception of the war, three hundred thousand slave holders consitituted an oligarchy so powerful that they had control of all the depart- ments of government and these arrogantly contended that as slaves were property, by terms of the Constitution, they had the right to take and hold them as such wherever they chose to go in the American Union. The moral sentiment of the North protested against this assumption, and would not consent that there should be one foot of slave territory beyond what the old thirteen states held at the formation of the Union. Kansas, free territory, became the battle ground between freedom and slavery. It was here that the opposing forces met. It was here that the war of ideas was fought to a finish, and the attempt to establish slavery upon free soil by force, fraud and intimidation, came to naught. The people, ulti- mately, in an orderly election, settled the controversy for all time. During what is known as the "Kansas War," the ex- citement of the entire country was at fever heat. The pulpit and the press, north and south, entered the controversy with vigor and determination. The publication of Harper's "Im- pending Crisis" and Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin;" the unequivocal utterances of William H. 92 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY Seward in the "Irrepressible Conflict;" the brutal assault upon Sumner in the United States Senate; the John Brown raid upon Harper's Ferry, and the utterance of Abraham Lincoln that the country could not permanently exist "half slave and half free," were some of the great events that occupied the public mind. The state of South Carolina seceded and led a revolt against the Union, hereby leading to the establishment of a rival gov- ernment. Once before, during the administration of President Jackson, South Carolina attempted to annul the laws of the United States — an act of disunion and against the letter and spirit of the Constitution. President Jackson, in unambiguous terms, summed up his objections to this act of "nullification," and coerced obedience to National authority. He said, "I consider the power to annul a law of the United States, as- sumed by one state, incompatible with the existance of the Union, contradicted expressly by the letter of the Constitution, unauthorized by its spirit, inconsistent with every principle on which it was founded, and destructive of the great object for which it was formed. To say that any state may, at pleasure, secede from the Union, is to say that the United States is not a nation, because it would be a solecism to contend that any part of a nation might dissolve its connection with the other parts, to their injury or ruin, without committing any offense. The right to make treaties, and to exercise judicial and legislative powers, are all functions of sovereign power," and, after stating that the Union was brought into being by mutual sacrifice of interests and opinions and that it was formed for the benefit of all, he concludes with an eloquent tribute to the people of South Carolina, in words of warning and entreaty that will live for- ever: "Contemplate the condition of that country of which you still form an important part; consider its government, uniting in one bond of common interest and general protection. So many different states, giving to all their inhabitants the proud title of WAR OF THE REBELLION 93 American Citizens, protecting their commerce, securing their literature, their arts, facilitating their inter-communication, de- fending their frontiers and making their name respected in the remotest parts of the earth. Consider the extent of its territory, its increasing and happy population, its advance in the arts which render life agreeable, and the sciences which elevate the mind. See education spreading the light of religion, humanity and gen- eral information into every college in this wide extent of our territories and states. Behold it as the asylum where the wretched and the oppressed find a refuge and support; look on this picture of happiness and say, 'We, too, are citizens of America. Carolina is one of these proud states; her arms have defended, her best blood has cemented this happy Union,' and then add, if you can, without horror and remorse, 'This picture of peace and prosperity we will deface ; this free intercourse we will interrupt; these fertile fields we will deluge with blood; the protection of that glorious flag we renounce. The very name of America we discard, and for what mistake?' Men! For what do you throw away these inestimable blessings? For what do you exchange your share in the advantages and honor of the Union? For the dream of a separate existence, a dream interrupted by bloody conflict with your neighbors and a vile dependence on foreign power." The people of the North generally held that the Government was something more than a contract to be made and violated without general consent, and something more than a "League," as claimed by Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy. Lincoln held that all the power confided to him would be used to "hold, occupy and possess the property and places belonging to the Government." This, he declared in his first inaugural address to Congress, would be his single purpose; distinctly dis- claiming any intention of interfering, directly or indirectly, with the institution of slavery in the states where it existed; that he 94 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY had no lawful right nor inclination to do so; and that the proper- ty, peace and security of no section would be endangered by the incoming administration. And, like his distinguished predeces- sor, Andrew Jackson, he made an earnest and pathetic plea to those who contemplated the destruction of the Nation, with all its memories, benefits and hopes. He implored them to "think calmly and well" before committing such wickedness and folly. Words of warning and entreaty, by patriotic statesmen in Congress and through the press were inadequate to prevent the irreparable harm to State and Nation, and all such appeals fell upon deaf ears. A reign of tyranny had been established in South Carolina and could not be overthrown except by resort to arms, as the sequel showed. Her attempt to be freed from what she counted vexatious restraints had long been contem- plated, but threats of disunion were considered by the great body of the people of the North so absurd as to receive but slight attention — yet one state after another followed her lead in seceding from the Union, justifying their acts upon the theory so completely exploded by Jackson, Webster and many others, that the states were "sovereign," and could retire at will. They repudiated the authority of Congress or any other national au- thority that should contravene their sovereign will. Reasonable and unreasonable concessions were made them. The peace conference, composed of representatives of all the northern states, was held at Washington upon the unanimous invitation of the Legislature of Virginia, and met there a month prior to the inauguration of Mr. Lincoln. Thirteen free states were represented (James Harlan was representative for Iowa) for the adjustment of the difficulties between the states, to the end that harmony might be restored and the Union preserved. Amendments to the Constitution were proposed and various projects were discussed by that able body of men, but it all availed nothing. Humiliating concessions were made, but to no purpose. There was undisguised exultation among the WAR OF THE REBELLION 95 secessionists upon the arrival of news that South Carolina had passed a secession ordinance. The event was hailed with instant and general exultation by the friends of disunion throughout the entire slave-holding states. There were parades, celebrations, music, cannon firing, and speeches. Celebrations were held in New Orleans, Mo- bile, and Memphis — where Senator Andrew Johnson was burned in effigy. At places where secessionists were few, like Wilmington, Dela., the event was honored by one hundred guns. When it was announced in the lower house, three or four southern members clapped their hands. Their orators were full of the joyous anticipations of success for their cause and the success of a confederation of states with slavery as the chief corner stone of its superstructure. Thoughtful, liberty-loving people were amazed at such a departure from the fundamental theory of the Republic. The thought seemed too absurd to be entertained. In the progress of events, the time had arrived when no heed was given to the discussion of abstract governmental principles. The blow had fallen. Fort Sumpter had been fired upon, and self preservation, that first law of nature, asserted itself. A task herculean in its nature, and requiring bravery, self sacri- fice and determination, confronted the Nation, which was ill prepared to meet a resourceful foe, strongly entrenched by well planned preparation. The defensive fortifications located within the seceded states were "thirty in number, mounting over three thousand guns, and having cost at least twenty million dollars." These were nearly all in the hands of the Confederates before Mr. Lincoln became President, his immediate predecessor, Buchan- an, having sanctioned the transfer of much of this property to the South. Fortress Monroe, Va., Fort Sumpter, S. C, Fort Pickings, Fla., and the fortresses at Key West, were in the possession of the National Government. The insurgents had 96 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY full possession of the government property in North Carolina and the costly and extensive Navy Yard at Pensacola. The South held within its borders the government arms, munitions, trains, arsenals, provisions, the Southern revenue cutters, mints, custom houses, and sub-treasuries, (over half a million of dol- lars in gold having been seized at New Orleans alone). It may safely be estimated that the Rebellion had possession, itself, of thirty millions' worth of Federal property before Mr. Buchanan left the White House. This was increased to forty millions by the seizure of Harper's Ferry arsenal and Norfolk Navy Yard, with its ships of war and two thousand cannon, before a single blow was struck on the side of the Union. Added to this was the fact that for many years no public opposition to the "peculiar institutions" of the South had been permitted. The journals, religious organizations, and the po- litical parties, were alike subservient to the slave power. The patronage of the Government, throughout the slave states, had been bestowed upon the adherents of Buchanan's administra- tion, making a cohesive, arrogant and defiant power, which in legislatures and conventions unanimously resolved against ex- clusion of slavery from the territories. The governors of the Southern States were heart and soul in this conspiracy. The Confederates were united. They had a positive creed, a definite purpose, and were thoroughly in earnest. Their ad- herents and sympathizers were the aristocrats, Tories! — the "hereditary masters and chief priests of the old world," and the downfall of the Republic would have been hailed by them with delight. The Confederate armies could be filled with the poor whites, using the labor of the slaves to feed and clothe them; there was a fair prospect that the maritime powers of Europe would need their staple crop, cotton, and would speed- ily recognize the independence of the Confederacy. The loyal North, though appalled in the presence of these difficulties, heroically determined to defend the Union. The WAR OF THE REBELLION 97 heart of the loyal millions, obeying the patriotic impulse, sur- mounted every obstacle, and those who survived the conflict were permitted to see the symbol of national authority and power wave in triumph, accepted and beloved by a free and reunited people. It was, indeed, "the new birth of freedom." This inestimable blessing is due to "the valor of our soldiers, the constancy of our ruling statesmen, the patriotic faith and courage of those citizens who, within a period of three years, loaned more than two billion of dollars to their Government, when it seemed to many just tottering on the brink of ruin" — yet more than all else to the favor and blessing of Almighty God. Horace Greeley, in his "American Conflict," (Page 759, Vol. II) states that the whole number of men from time to time called into the National service during the war was 2,688,523; that it is probable that not more than 1 ,500,000 effectively participated in surpressing the Rebellion. Of this number, 56,000 fell dead on the field, 35,000 more are re- corded as dying of wounds in hospitals, while 184,000 per- ished there by disease, and enough died after discharge, from causes traceable to the service, to make an aggregate loss by the war of 300,000. Mr. Greeley estimates that the total subtraction from the productive forces of our country, north and south, and reached the stupendous aggregate of one million men. It was a conflict unparalleled in the history of civilization. The Sanitary Commission and the Christian Commission dis- bursed about $5,000,000 in cash and $9,000,000 in supplies, and Mr. Greeley says it would be quite within the truth to estimate the aggregate of free will offerings in aid of the Na- tional cause at $500,000,000, or equal to one hundred dollars for each family inhabiting the loyal states of the Union. In the gigantic struggle for National Supremacy, the state of Iowa was among the foremost, if not the foremost. She did not falter nor hesitate to engage in the trying ordeal that awaited 98 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY her and the Nation. The first call of President Lincoln was for 75,000 troops, April 15th, 1861, "to maintain the honor, in- tegrity and existence of our National Union," and the perpet- uity of popular government. In this crisis, the state was fortunate in having a governor who was equal to the demands of the occasion; a leader and organizer without a peer — Samuel J. Kirkwood, a grand man, commanding the confidence of the people ; independent, honest, fearless and fully aroused to the importance and magnitude of the struggle upon which the Nation was entering. Party lines were forgotten and the people were actuated by a common patriotic purpose. Iowa, the first free state of the Missouri Compromise, had already made a record of loyalty by an act of the General Assembly as early as 1 85 1 , and by joint resolution declared that the state of Iowa was "bound to maintain the Union of these states by all the means in her power." The same year she furnished a block of marble for the Washington Monument at the National Capitol, by order of the General Assembly, with this inscription, "Iowa — her affections, like the rivers of her borders, flow to an inseparable Union." The time was fully ripe when these declarations were to be put to a practical test. Our citizens were not only ready and willing, but eager to respond, and within thirty days after the President's call for troops, the first Iowa regiment was mustered into the service of the United States and a second regiment was in camp awaiting orders. A special session of the Legislature was convened on the 1 5th day of May and every resource of man and means was duly pledged to the National cause. A loan of $800,000.00 was authorized to meet the new emerg- ency. Two additional regiments were raised and were eager to go to the front. In the month of May, one hundred and seventy companies had been tendered the Government. The first regiment and a part of the second were fitted out with such WAR OF THE REBELLION 99 clothing as could be obtained in the state, donated by individ- uals — mostly loyal women. A citizen of McGregor, Iowa, offered to provide clothing for three regiments, taking pay there- for in State Bonds at par. He ordered the goods from Boston, Mass., and they were delivered at Keokuk, Iowa, in exactly one month from the time he entered into the contract with the State. Unfortunately, the color of the uniforms was gray. Iowa was not alone in this respect, however, as other loyal states had selected this color before an official color was adopted. Henceforth, blue was the color of distinction and honor. A conservative estimate of the number of men in the state liable to render military service, was 150,000. From this number there were formed thirty-nine regiments of infantry, nine regiments of cavalry, and four companies of artillery, com- posed of "three year" men; one regiment composed of "three months" men, and four regiments and one battallion of infantry composed of "one hundred day" men. In no instance was Iowa, as a whole, found to be indebted to the general Govern- ment for men, on settlement of her quota accounts. Draft was enforced where sub-districts failed to respond to the call of the general Government for troops. As a state, Iowa did more than was required. Three regiments of infantry — the 1 7th, !8th and 37th — and four regiments of cavalry — the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th — were enrolled, not to meet the call, but volun- tarily, as they were in excess of all demands that could be law- fully made. The original enlistments in these various organizations, in- cluding 1,727 men raised by draft, numbered a little more than 69,000. The re-enlistments, including upwards of 7,000 vet- erans, numbered nearly 8,000 men. The enlistments in the Regular Army and Navy, and organizations of other states, will, if added, raise the total to upward of 80,000. In 1 862, under the authority of the General Assembly, the Northern and Southern Brigades were organized; the one for the protection 100 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY of the northwest part of the state from the invasion of dissatis- fied Indians, and the other against Guerilla bands along the entire southern border — a necessary precaution, the expense being borne by the state during the two years of their existence. The state contributed a large number of men and many officers to regiments in Missouri, Nebraska, Kansas, Illinois, Wisconsin and Minnesota, and out of 2,000 arms-bearing colored citizens, was raised nearly a whole regiment. There were a number of Iowa citizens in the Regular Army and in the different staff departments of the Volunteer Army in different states. The people of Montgomery County were fully alive to the issue involved. They realized that if the principle of secession should establish itself, they, with all other Iowans, would be isolated, and the principal artery of commerce, the Mississippi River, would be severed and fall into the hands of a foreign power ; that confusion and anarchy would exist among contend- ing petty sovereignties; that without a constitution and without courts to settle their disputes, the sword would be their only arbitrator. The county was sparsely settled, one township not having one man liable to military duty and several others not enough for a corporal's guard. Despite this fact, Montgomery County had a larger per cent of enlistments in the Union Army than any other county in the State, although it could not furnish a full company. Two of its volunteers had the distinction of being commissioned officers. One of these was Charles B. George, of Villisca, now a resident of Beaver City, Neb., who was Captain of Company F, Twenty-third Regiment of Iowa Infantry. This regiment was engaged at Vicksburg, Port Gib- son, Black River, Champion Hills, Mill's River Bend and Fort Blakely, and was mustered out in Texas in July 1865. Its Colonel was William Dewey of Fremont County, Iowa, and W. H. Kinsman of Council Bluffs, Iowa, was its Lieutenant Colonel. The other commissioned officer of the county was David Ellison, who was made Lieutenant of Company E, WAR OF THE REBELLION 101 Sixth Iowa Cavalry. About twenty men from different parts of the county became members of his company. The regiment including this company operated with Gen. Sully's command, going up the Missouri River as far as Fort Pierre and marching west as far as the Yellowstone. It had an engagement and severely punished a band of hostile Indians at White Stone Hil! (Ta-kaek-ootah) . Mr. Ellison served on the staff of Gen. Sully as Quartermaster, Adjutant, Judge Advocate and Ordi- nance Officer. While in command of his company, he was ordered up the Platte River as far as Julesburg, one hundred and fifty miles east of Denver. The regiment was mustered out of service at Fort Leavenworth late in the spring of 1 865. Mr. Ellison did not return to the county to practice his profes- sion, law, Kansas City, Mo., presenting a more attractive field than Frankfort, situated in a wilderness of prairie. The Adjutant General's report of enlistment (see report) shows that they were represented in companies raised in ad- joining counties and in other states. It is quite impossible to give an adequate account of the battles, sieges and marches participated in by those who were never permitted to join their families and witness the victories of peace. Daniel C. Powell, a courteous and accomplished gentleman, former Clerk of the District Court, fills a patriot's grave. James Rogers, a teacher, was slain on the plains of Dakota, his body pierced with Indian arrows. The young son of C. A. Gordon was killed in the taking of Arkansas Post ; James Bond fell at the battle of Black ' River Bridge, and Milton Bond at Chattanooga. Leonard Lott, a brother of H. S. Lott of Villiisca, was swept from a Government Transport in the Gulf of Mexico and drowned. The histories of the 4th and 20th regiments of Iowa Volunteer Infantry, containing many of the young men of Montgomery County, is found in the Adjutant General's Report, which, however, is meager and leaves unrecorded deeds of sacrifice 102 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY and heroism worthy of greater consideration than is here given, They were brave men and true patriots : SOUTHERN BORDER BRIGADE— FOURTH BATTALLION— COMPANY C. Conner Waldo, private, Oct. 15, 1862. Dunn, James, Sciola, private, Oct. 15, 1862. Dunn, Robert, Sciola, private, Oct. 15, 1862. Edenfield, Samuel, Ross Grove, private, Oct. 1 5, 1 862. Goble, Greenbury B., Sciola, private, Oct. 15,1 862. Gourley, John, Sciola, private, Oct. 1 5, 1 862. Gourley, Henry, Sciola, Oct. 15, 1862. Noble, Benj. F., Sciola, private, Oct. 15, 1862. Patterson, Jonathan T., Sciola, private, Oct. 15, 1862. Sager, Chauncy, Sciola, private, Oct. 15,1 862. Sager, Absalom M., Sciola, private, Oct. 15, 1862. Stewart, Andrew J., Sciola, private, Oct. 15, 1862. Taylor, Andrew C, Sciola, private, Oct. 15, 1862. Thomason, Wm. H., Sciola, private, Oct. 15, 1862. Whitney, Hirarr, Sciola, private, Oct. 15, 1862. Whitney, James, Sciola, private, Oct. 15, 1862. Yerger, John, Sciola, private, Oct. 15,1 862. FOURTH IOWA INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS- COMPANY H. Brewer, Jasper N., private, Ross Grove, August 15, 1861 ; died Dec. 8, 1861, of fever at Rolla, Miss. Darwin, Joseph Z., private, Ross Grove, August 15, 1861. Ellis, Jesse W., private, Ross Grove, August 15, 1861. Fraks, Abisha, private, Frankfort, August 15, 1861; dis- charged Oct. 1 6, 1 862, by reason of wounds received at Pea Ridge. Forsyth, Nelson M., private, Ross Grove, August 15, 1861 ; discharged Nov. 22, 1862. WAR OF THE REBELLION 103 McMillen, H. G., private, Ross Grove, August 15, 1861. Ross, George, Montgomery County, private, July 25, 1861. Wilson, David, Montgomery County, private, July 25, 1861 ; died of consumption Dec. 4, 1862. Smith, George W., Montgomery County, private, July 25, 1861. Archer, Patrick, Montgomery County, private, July 25, 1861 ; killed at Vicksburg. Archer, John, private, Montgomery County, August 25, 1861. Coon, Wm. J., private, Montgomery County, August 25, 1861. Lewis, Bailey, Red Oak, assistant surgeon, Fourth Iowa Infantry; resigned March 15, 1863. COMPANY K. Chenoweth, Wm., private, Red Oak, August 12, 1861. Chenoweth, Richard, private, Red Oak, August 27, 1861. Cook, H. W., private, Frankfort, August 15, 1861. ADDITIONAL ENLISTMENTS— COMPANY UNKNOWN. Lane, Thomas D., private, Red Oak, April 1 8, 1 864. McMillen, Thos. A., private, Frankfort, April 1 8, 1 864. Wilson, William, private, Frankfort, April 11,1 864. Powell, Daniel, private, Frankfort, February 18, 1864. FIFTH IOWA INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS. Flood, J. H., private, Red Oak, February 23, 1864; com- pany not known. Gilmore, Geo. W., private, Red Oak, March 26, 1864; company not known. NINTH INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS— DRAFTED. Maloney, Wm. H, private, Red Oak, November 5, 1864, for one year; company not known. 104 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY THIRTEENTH INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS. Shore, James, private, Jackson Township, November 5, 1 864, for one year ; company not known. FIFTEENTH IOWA INFANTRY VOLUNTEERS- COMPANY F. Hovey, George A., private, Frankfort, November 18, 1861, transferred to Seventeenth regiment, March 1 , 1 862. Stennett, Charles, private, Frankfort, November 18, 1861; discharged for disability March 1, 1862. Morris, Thomas J., private, Frankfort, January 19, 1862. Morris, Neal, private, Frankfort, January 1 9, 1 862 ; died of diarrhoea at St. Louis, May 1 7, 1 862. Sieford, Wm., private, Frankfort, January 19, 1862; wound- ed in head at Shiloh. COMPANY D, FIFTEENTH INFANTRY. William Redmon, Douglas Township, February 1 6, 1 864 ; mustered out for re-enlistment. TWENTY-THIRD IOWA INFANTRY- COMPANY F. Davis, Job, Jackson township, private, February 27, 1864. Thompson, Levi, Frankfort Township, private, February 26, 1864. Thayer, William F, Ross Grove, enlisted October 6, 1 862 ; promoted to fourth corporal. Benson, Milton, Ross Grove, private, enlisted August 2, 1862. Jack, William H., Red Oak, October 6, 1 862 ; from private to eighth corporal October 6, 1 862. Beasley, Isham, Sciola, private, August 1 9, 1 862. Brown, Albert, Ross Grove, private, August 19, 1862. Franks, Wm., Red Oak, private, August 29, 1 862. WAR OF THE REBELLION 105 George, Chas. G., Ross Grove, captain, September 19, 1861. Davis, Elihu, Ross Grove, fourth sergeant, August 29, 1 862. Harding, Thomas A., Red Oak, private, August 29, 1862. Lane, James R., Red Oak, private, August 29, 1862. Lott, Leonard, Sciola, private, August 29, 1 862. Martin, Preston, private, Red Oak, August 29, 1862. Meyerhoff, John H., Ross Grove, private, August 29, 1 862. Moritz, Peter M., Sciola, private, August 29, 1 862. Morris, John M., Ross Grove, private, August 29, 1862. Patterson, John L., Sciola, private, August 29, 1862. Patterson, Milton W., private, August 29, 1862. Proutz, Austin, Red Oak, private, August 29, 1 862. Russell, Thomas, Sciola, private, August 29, 1 862. Thomason, Geo. W., Sciola, private, August 29, 1862. COMPANY I, TWENTY-THIRD INFANTRY. James, St. Claire, Montgomery County, private, A.ugust 12, 1862. Bond, James W., Frankfort, private, August 28, 1862. Terry, Wm. R., Frankfort, private, July 27, 1862. Hindman, Stephen B., Red Oak, private, November 12, 1862. Miller, Hugh T., Red Oak, private, November 12, 1862. Ross, Joseph M., Red Oak, private, August 12, 1862. TWENTY-NINTH IOWA INFANTRY- COMPANY D. Bond, Ellis, Frankfort, private, February 25, 1 864. Burris, Henry H., Red Oak, private, February 9, 1864; died of rubeala, May 10, 1864, at Little Rock. . Sager, James H., Washington Township, private, February 8, 1864. Sager, Absalom M., Washington Township, private, Feb- ruary 8, 1864. 106 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY Wilson, Jasper, Washington Township, private, February 3, 1864. Wickhom, Marion, Washington Township, private, Feb- ruary 3, 1864. FIFTH IOWA VETERAN CAVALRY— CO. B. Bellows, Henry H., West Township, private, May 10, 1864. Dunbaugh, Edward, West Township, private, May 10, 1864. COMPANY C. Crandall, Theran W., Red Oak, private, February 1, 1864. SIXTH IOWA CAVALRY— COMPANY E. Ellison, David, Frankfort, second lieutenant, January 31, 1863. Rogers, James N., Frankfort, quarter-master sergeant, No- vember 1 4, 1 862 ; killed by Indians. Binogar, John, Frankfort, private, November 14, 1862. Dodd, John, Frankfort, private, November 14, 1862. Evans, John, Frankfort, private, November 14, 1862. Hobson, John T., Frankfort, private, November 14, 1862. McKeever, Solomon, Frankfort, private, November 14, 1862. Prather, Manliff C, Frankfort, private, November 14, 1862. Stanton, John M., Frankfort, private, December 17, 1862. Terry, James W., Frankfort, private, January 5, 1863. White, James L., Frankfort, private, October 1 8, 1 862. Strait, Henry J., Frankfort, private; rejected, weak lungs. Coon, H. M., Frankfort private; rejected, weak lungs. EIGHTH IOWA CAVALRY— COMPANY A. Chenoworth, Peter S., Red Oak, private, July 31, 1863. Weidman, Daniel W., Red Oak, private, July 31, 1863. WAR OF THE REBELLION 107 MONTGOMERY LIGHT HORSE. Patterson, Jonathan T., Red Oak, captain, March 20, 1 863. FIRST NEBRASKA CAVALRY— COMPANY F. Sharr, George, Red Oak, private, third corporal, promoted to second sergeant, veteranized January 1 , 1 864. Bolt, Ira W., Frankfort, private, January 24, 1861 ; re-en- listed November 18, 1863. Campbell, Samuel M., Frankfort, January 24, 1861; dis- charged June 20, 1 863. COMPANY F. Lyons, William, Red Oak, private, June 24, 1 86 1 ; trans- ferred to Company I, 8th Iowa Infantry, October 14, 1861. Mooney, W. H., Red Oak, private, June 24, 1861 ; vet- eranized January 1 , 1 864. Robins, John C, Red Oak, private, June 24, 1861; de- serted August 4, 1 862. Slutts, Joshua, Red Oak, private, June 24, 1 86 1 ; veter- anized January 1 , 1 864. Porter, Luther D., Red Oak, private, October 25, 1864. Watson, Cyrus H., Red Oak, private, August 1 , 1 864. Frank, William H, Red Oak, private, July 1, 1864. TWENTY-FIFTH MISSOURI INFANTRY— CO. K. Overman, Joseph, Montgomery County, private, February 20, 1862; discharged for disability at Keokuk, January 28, 1863. SEVENTY-THIRD ILLINOIS INFANTRY. Juber, Jasper J., Red Oak, private, August 21, 1862. ONE HUNDRED AND SIXTH PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY— COMPANY F. Focht, Jacob, private, Pilot Grove Township, September 12, 1861 ; mustered out September 10, 1864 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. CHAPTER XIII THREE PROMINENT PIONEERS. Alfred Hebard, Justus Clark and R. M. G. Patterson were three citizens of Montgomery County who deserve more than passing notice from the historian. All of them were members of territorial and early state legislatures and were factors in laying the broad and enduring foundation upon which was erected the magnificent structure of our state. They were men of strong mental and moral fibre, and in accord with the spirit of intelligence and progress of the Iowa pioneers. ALFRED HEBARD. Mr. Hebard served as a member of the 3d, 4th and 6th territorial legislatures, in the years of 1840, 1841 and 1843, participating in the proceedings of those memorable sessions. While not conspicious as a debater, he was among the most influential members, and was regarded by his associates as a man of sound judgment. His residence of twenty-eight years in Montgomery County impressed his strong and commanding personality upon all. He was a magnificent specimen of the dignified and perfectly bred man — a true gentleman of the old school. He was a prominent figure in society and in the state legislative halls, where he served as Senat or from the Mil ls- Montgomery District for eight consecutive years. He also represented the state as a United States Commissioner to the World's Fair at Paris in 1889 and also at the International Congress held at Stockholm, Sweden. He was true to the laws of his physical and intellectual nature. No bad habits he had, to undermine his strength or to shatter his nerves. His conduct was as ideal and as true as the THREE PROMINENT PIONEERS 109 lines traced by his unerring compass over the prairie. Thus was his vital machinery enabled to run smoothly and evenly for eighty-six years — a long, noble and complete life. His morals were inflexible. Of marked value was his contribution to the social, material and intellectual interests of Red Oak and Montgomery County. For years, as chairman of the School Board, he took an especial interest in everything pertaining to the efficiency of our schools. His last public appearance was >n an able and interesting address at the celebration of the quarterly centennial of our graded schools. He dwelt with special pleasure and delight upon the educational progress of the city. We owe him a debt of gratitude for the part taken by him in a wise and practical way, to promote this all im- portant interest. No greater honor can be enjoyed by anyone than to be one of the founders of a great state; to assist in bringing the rude and primitive fragments — the raw material of a state — into symmetrical form. Mr. Hebard's name is intimately associated with those of our pioneer governors, Chambers, Lucas, Briggs and Grimes, and he knew such men as Hall, Mason, Darwin and Parvin. He was on the staff of one of the territorial governors; hence his title with which we are familiar — "Col." Hebard. What an influx of young men came into Iowa in the '50s, some of whom became leaders in state, national and interna- tional affairs. They were not of the feeble order of mind or body, but were of granite strength and texture. Mr. Hebard was the peer of such contemporaries as Dodge, Curtis, Grinnell, Kirkwood and Allison. He was content to live in comparative obscurity after acquiring by just and honorable methods the competence that relieved him from anxiety and care in his declining years. Many with whom he had business dealings recall acts of kindness and forbearance in times of financial embarassment and perplexity. The young readers of this not 1 10 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY undeserved eulogy can scarcely realize the obstacles to be met and overcome by the young civil engineer, entrusted with the work of finding a path for the iron horse. The state was then a trackless prairie and the early civil engineer, running lines, taking levels, crossing streams, under scorching suns and in frequent storms, was sheltered at night, if at all, under the canvas covered wagon. When the party of railroad surveyors, of whom Mr. Hebard was chief, reached the valley of the east Nishna, where they camped for the night, they beheld a land- scape of unusual beauty, with a stream flowing through it. "Here will be a depot," said Col. Hebard, and his faith was so great that with David Remick and others in 1857, they purchased the land and surveyed and platted the town of Red Oak Junction, with the thought that the railroad yould be located where Railroad Street (now Washington Avenue) ran through the town. The headquarters of the surveying party were at a station kept by Joe Zuber near the present Catholic Cemetery north of Red Oak. During that year, Mr. Hebard crossed the state four times with his own conveyance. He marked the route that now binds together the two great rivers bordering the state. So painstaking and accurate was his work that of the three surveys made, his was the one selected, and few deviations were made from it. Many were the trials which this young man had to bear. Scraping a sustenance from the bare rocks of New England; teaching school in New Jersey; gathering together a few boys in the town of New London, Conn., and instructing them in the rudiments of edu- cation; preparing for college and finally graduating with honor from the oldest and most noted American college — Yale. In the class room, he was associated with Cassius M. Clay, Sen- ator Copperton of West Virginia and others who later gained national reputation. Exuberant with hope, he sought a fortune in Iowa — the then far west. He obtained land, erected a log cabin, and with his young wife established a cultured and THREE PROMINENT PIONEERS 1 1 1 happy home, where they dwelt for fifteen years, enduring the privations of pioneer life, rounding up a period of twenty years from the date of his graduation from college. After many years of quiet retirement in his Red Oak home, Mr. Hebard died, Sept. 26, 1896, while absent on a visit to his old home near New London, Conn. There his remains lie buried. A public memorial service was held in the Red Oak Congregational Church, at which tributes to his character were paid by Judge Deemer and others. In every station, in life, private or public, whether as hus- band, father, student, teacher, farmer, engineer or legislator, he exhibited qualities that dignify and adorn human nature. "His life was gentle and the elements So mixed in him, that Nature might stand up And say to all the world, "This was a man." JUSTUS CLARK. Justus Clark was a man of somewhat similar history who came to Montgomery County eight years subsequent to the time of Col. Hebard's arrival. Both men had been residents of Burlington, Vt, and vicinity, and at different times followed the same occupation as farmers, railroad men and legislators. They combined the characteristics of pioneer and Yankee. Mr. Clark's boyhood days were spent in Windom and Critten- den counties, Vermont. When a lad of sixteen years of age, he left the home of his father, an old historic place, once oc- cupied by Gov. Crittenden before the Revolution, and found employment as a dry goods clerk in Burlington, where he was entrusted with responsible duties. The spirit of adventure took possession of him and the great west had attractions which could not be resisted. The undiscovered possibilities of that region appealed to the young men of fifty or sixty years ago with irresistible force. They became path-finders in the wilder- ness but recently penetrated by white men. By a slow, cir- 1 1 2 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY cuitous route, young Clark transferred his home from Burling- ton, Vt, to Burlington, Iowa, where he arrived in the spring of 1839. In his mature manhood, when he had gained a competency in this world's goods, and had arisen to positions of honor and usefulness in that city and in the state, he dwelt with pleasure and pride upon his achievements. On one occasion, in company with the writer, he pointed out a little old brick building in Burlington, saying, "I worked for the man who owned that house for the first meal of victuals par- taken by me in Iowa." He soon found employment and re- mained there for four or five years. Then he opened up a farm in Pleasant Grove Township, Des Moines County, where he lived twenty-five years. He was an enterprising, public spirited citizen, and promoted the growth and development of his country. He was called upon to serve his community in minor offices ; was a member of the board of county supervisors and for six consecutive years in the first years of the state's existence, he was one of its legislators. He was a member when the sessions of 1851 and 1852 were held in the old Capitol building in Iowa City, of those held in Des Moines in 1858 and 1860, and of the special session in 1861. He was in the employ of the B. & M. R. R. Co., securing the right of way and continuing similar service three years for the Burlington and Southwestern Railway. In subsequent years, he devoted much of his attention to stock-raising and shipping. He owned an extensive ranch in New Mexico and was familiar by travel with the stock-raising industry in the great ranges of the west. He was also an extensive dealer in lumber, and was the first president of the Red Oak National Bank. In 1850 he made a trip from his home in eastern Iowa, with an ox-team, to California. He returned the next year by the way of the Isthmus of Panama, and travelled on foot the route now selected for the great international water-way, the Panama Canal. He was a close observer of men and events and visited ANDREW M. POWELL— Born July 25, Hancock county, Indiana. Came to county in October, 1855. SAMUEL M. SMITH— Born in New York, 1826. Founder of Grant in 1856 and has resided there since. An energetic business man and veteran of the war with Mexico. HENRY BARNES, SR.-One of the founders of the Vermont colony, known as the Yankee Settle- ment. Now postmaster at Elliott. JOHN M. BOLT — One of the first settlers in Washington township. A veteran of the war with Mexico. JASON B. PACKARD. COL. ALFRED HEBARD, Deceased—Born in Connecticut, May 10, 1810. HON. JUSTUS CLARK, Deceased. JUDGE L. VV. TUBBS, Deceased— A large land holder in this county. Founder of Emerson, near the western border of county. THREE PROMINENT PIONEERS 113 Europe to study the industrial conditions in England and on the Continent. He died in Los Angeles in 1895, and his body now rests in the Red Oak Cemetery. R. M. G. PATTERSON. Another man who contributed toward creating the political division known as the State of Iowa, was R. M. G. Patterson. He was one of the early settlers, locating in the valley of the Nodaway in 1853. Mr. Hebard and Mr. Clark were not pioneers in its strictest sense ; they came upon the scene later. At another time and place they had been of the true guild and had borne all the hardships of the struggle to subdue the prairie and the wilderness, and to make them subservient to the use of man. When they appeared in the county, they found many things made ready for them, crude and unattractive, but of real value in the inventory of things. They were better clothed, and better fed and had adopted the manners of polite society. They brought with them carriages, books, furniture, paintings, silverware and table linen for their dwellings. These things were in marked contrast to the earlier time when there was not a carriage nor a fashionable suit of clothes in the county and when gourds were used for drinking cups, goods-boxes for tables, stools for chairs, and jack-knives to carve the food. They were the vanguard of the immigration which soon fol- lowed. Mr. Patterson lived several years at Keokuk, Iowa, coming there soon after he emigrated from Ohio in 1 839, where he ar- rived, poor and destitute, having lost all of his goods when that ill-fated steamer, the "William Glasgow," was burned be- low Cape Girardeau, Missouri. He built a log cabin and lived at peace with the Indians who frequently came to his residence and greeted him with the usual friendly "How." Of his family, one daughter became the wife of the late Alvin Fulton of Keokuk, who was deputy United States Marshall 1 14 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY under D. B. Miller of Red Oak. Another daughter is the widow of the late James Dunn of this county. He was the father of John W., and Jonathan T. Patterson, once prominent citizens of Montgomery County. The elder Patterson is an interesting reminiscence, as he was one of the few left who formed the link between a generation long past and the present, having served in the war of 1812 under General Cass. His recollections of the early days at Keokuk were of historical value. He was one of the proprietors of Arlington, in which he put much faith that it would be a station on the line of the railroad, but of which nothing now remains. He now sleeps in the cemetery near that obsolete town, having died in April, 1854. CHAPTER XIV. JASON B. PACKARD. It would be impossible to write an accurate history of the earlier days of Montgomery County, without giving Jason B. Packard a conspicuous place. His life was interwoven with the financial, educational, political and social affairs of the com- munity. He came to Frankfort early in the history of that metropolis. His varied experience in professional and business life in Michigan, then a comparatively new state, qualified him for service among the Iowa pioneers. He utilized his experi- ence for the common good, and, when the occasion demanded, would quote precedents and established rules to justify the end he sought. He served the county as its treasurer ten years. During that time there had been no provision made for the safe keeping of money or valuable papers; consequently, Mr. Packard used the commodious pockets of his coat and vest as a safe depository for such public money and papers as he might have occasion to use from day to day. The office and officer were inseper- able and public business was transacted wherever and whenever it was most convenient to do so. During the early years while he held the office of County Treasurer, valuable papers and property were often placed in a tin box and buried, and when some important document was needed, it was resurrected from its place of interment. Obstacles he met and overcame always in a cheerful spirit. Measured by present standards and con- veniences, his methods were crude and unbusinesslike, yet the county suffered no loss, nor impaired credit, and all of the time its warrants were at par. 116 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY People unacquainted with him, who judged him by his outward demeanor or the cut of his clothes, and who could not see the man beneath his rustic garb, called him eccentric. Count Tolstoi detracted nothing from his real manhood by be- ing clothed like a Russian peasant, and this reformer was re- garded by Mr. Packard as the latter day prophet of the race. In fact, these men were not dissimilar. The trend of their thought was along similar lines; the difference between them was only in degree. Both were bom with a great dislike of the current customs, habits, laws and conventions of their time, believing that many of these were a hindrance rather than a help to progress. Mr. Packard was a great admirer of Henry D. Thoreau and sympathized with him in his effort to live the simple life. He especially endorsed the utterance, "As I preferred some things to others, and especially valued my freedom, as I could fare hard and yet succeed well, I did not wish to spend my time in earning rich carpets or fine furniture or delicate cookery or houses in the Grecian or Gothic style. If there are any to whom it is no interruption to acquire these things and who know how to use them when acquired, I relinquish to them the pursuit." Mr. Packard had notions of his own in regard to building, and insisted that the ordinary houses were constructed more for show than for comfort. This certainly did not apply to the log cabin in Frankfort, where he dwelt for a short time. He put his theory into practice and built his house on an original plan. He first excavated about twenty feet square on his land, sloping east toward the Tarkio, then placed oak boards one inch in thickness perpendicularly around for the outside wall. These boards were held in place by nailing them to pieces extending around the top on the inside, and a roof of boards was placed thereon, the eaves of the roof being near the ground on the upper side. The building consisted of JASON B. PACKARD 1 1 7 two rooms, one above the other. The only windows were on the east side of the lower room; entrance was by door on the south side. A furnace for heating the building was so made as to conduct heat underneath the floor through a shallow trench covered with sheet iron. In after years, he built on his farm near the old Watson Mill, north of Stennett, a stone house in the form of an octagon, the sides and angles being equal. The floor was of stone. The upper floor was sus- pended by wires stretched across from side to side, a space of about one foot being left at the outer edge of the floor to per- mit the heat to ascend to the upper room from a fireplace built into the wall. The house is still standing. Mr. Packard did not ask advice nor concern himself with the opinions or criticisms of others, and, like Walt Whitman, "heeded neither experience, cautions, majorities, nor ridicule." The greater part of the time that Mr. Packard held public office was spent in the house first described. It was here that this genial, hospitable, kind-hearted man lived — honored and respected by all. It was here, in the loving companionship of his wife, Cornelia, a refined, educated and accomplished woman, that they read and discussed the best literary pro- ductions of the world. They practiced economy that they might enjoy the exalted pleasure of the company of such auth- ors as Goethe, Carlyle, Swedenborg and Emerson. Mr. Pack- ard read, thought and wrote. For years he was the only newspaper correspondent living in the county. He contri- buted articles regularly to the Corning Sentinel. An article from his pen which appeared in the Burlington Hawkeye at- tracted much attention at the time. It referred to the cele- brated debate on slavery between the two intellectual giants, Lincoln and Douglas, in Illinois in 1858. Historical events were thickening. John Brown's martyrdom had occurred a year before and the presidential election was near at hand. The events in progress were of greatest interest. Mr. Packard 118 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY mailed the "Hawkeye" article to Lincoln with the remark "that it might be of some assistance to his friend, Stephen A. Douglas, in getting up his article on "Squatter Sovereignty," which he was then publishing in Harper's Magazine. An acknowledgment was received in Mr. Lincoln's hand-writing, which was highly prized by its recipient, and which is pub- lished fac simile in this volume. The orginal letter is now the property of Mr. Packard's son. Following is given in full the article which engaged the at- tention of the great Emancipator. It was published in the Burlington Hawkeye in 1859 and re-printed in the Omaha World Herald in 1893. "Does our government hold any national territory or domain for settlement of convicts? "This question crops out in many shapes, and has been dis- figured so by politicians, as hardly to be recognized among the questions of the day. There is much said about territorial settlement, and perhaps much that is intended to bear upon it that does not touch the point, which observation may also apply to the remarks here introduced. In the settlement of lands the initiatory steps are various. Under some govern- ments there are lands settled by convicts who are transported to those particular lands set apart for them. In other countries, such as ours, a portion of the population leave their state volun- tarily, on account of over-population or other causes, and make homes on new land and invite others to join them in their set- tlement. "A considerable portion of the population of some of the southern states are blacks, who are treated as a convict popula- tion, and are in charge of keepers. These keepers assume that they can transport them to new states and territories and settle them there, where another nest of these convicts can be pro- duced without transportation, as their children are all convicts also. JASON B. ' PACKARD 1 1 9 "We do not wish to settle in a land with black convicts sentenced for life. We object, and have the general reason of mankind in our favor, although these keepers think we are ever so unreasonable because we will prevent them from bringing their crew to settle in the same neighborhood with us. We do not stop to inquire the crime of these convicts. It is enough for us that their keepers know. "Our general government has appropriated no territory for the settlement of convicts, and holds no territory for that pur- pose ; has no Siberia or Botany Bay. The territories of Botany Bay and Siberia were each set apart by their respective gov- ernments for the settlement of English and Russian convicts. Our own government would protest against the English or Russian governments sending convicts into our territories, as it will against South Carolina or Alabama, or the emperor of Guinea doing the same thing; and should either of these powers insist upon forcing such settlement, and disregard the protest, it would be pronounced a hostility. Our fertile territories are valuable and can be settled without any such v aid as forced emigration into them. There are some things that will be reversed in the course of a year, and one of these things is the charge upon our countrymen of being "negro worshippers." Instead of this, we will be accused of excluding negroes from our new states and territories, and be charged perhaps, with being negro destroyers because we will not let them on the best lands of our country. We would recommend their keepers to let them recultivate the old lands they have worn down, but we could only recommend it; we have nothing to do about it. "But they insist on settling national territory with their con- vict population. "They charge us with being a disunion party. That charge will be reversed also. J. B. P. "Frankfort, Montgomery County, Iowa, October 20, 1 859." 120 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY Following is Mr. Lincoln's reply, written in his familiar hand on a sheet of common note paper : "Springfield, 111., Nov. 20, 1859.— (J. B. Packard, Esq.) — Dear Sir: Yours of the 1 1th with the article on territory for convicts is received. It presents a new idea, and I shall consider it. I fear you will not get Douglas to avail himself of your assistance. At all events your skirts are clear. Yours truly, A. LINCOLN." Mr. Packard was an investigator, and often left the beaten track in seach of untried things. He thought it possible that there might be things of value near at hand. Fuel being scarce and an absolute necessity, anything that gave a hint of a sup- ply attracted his attention. Having observed places in ravines and in sloughs where smouldering fires would continue for weeks at a time, he reasoned that such places must contain vegetable matter similar to the peat bogs of Ireland and of Hancock County in this state. Acting on this theory, he cut out with a spade a quantity of this material and piled it up to dry, but the wet weather soon disintegrated it. That heap of dirt on the east side of Tarkio was an object of wonder to passersby. The principal difficulty in his experiment in the preparaton of peat for fuel, was to get the brick firm enough to withstand the weather. In pursuing his investigations in another locality, an amusing incident may be mentioned. It came to his knowl- edge that a certain person whose name he did not remember was burning peat for fuel. He sought an interview with him and, nearing the place, inquired of an Irish woman for the place "where they burned peat." "Great Heavens!" she cried in amazement, "They haven't burned Pete, have they?" On the bank of a small ravine near his residence, he discovered the out crop of a layer of red clay that upon investigation proved to be a good article of paint. He pulverized several tons of this material with a rudely constructed mill — something like the feed grinders now used by the farmers — and placed it on n &S^C-<^/ C£j QS^^cA^-J ^O t/yl^ ' few t^j^&e; K^ p^C7" ^~~> c£*. '1 \%L^ fc — ^ - < x ; *£ . lew w|; r , ...i ^ i^>,. LETTER FROM ABRAHAM LINCOLN TO J. B. PACKA RD- — Photo in comer placed there by Mr. Packard's son. JASON B. PACKARD 121 sale at Des Moines, Omaha and Kansas City. This enterprise failed for want of capital and a lack of experience in placing such a commodity on the market. In his declining years, Mr. Packard emphasized his preceding peculiarities by providing his last resting place in the Red Oak Cemetery and marking it with a rough native boulder and mounds in rude imitation of natural scenery. His grave lies in the shadow of a native white oak tree. Upon the boulder is chiseled an incomplete epitah, partly in Latin. Enough can be deciphered to show that he had a good hope of immortality. The inscription runs that "once upon a time a man lived upon the earth" — here the writing and figures are indistinct, but enough can be seen to show that the number of years was given — "in a world of enchantment," but "enchantment has given place to reality;" adding, "now my fortune is made." This thought had been at one time elaborated upon in an ex- haustive address by Mr. Packard before the court and the bar of which he was chairman, upon the death of Judge J. W. Hewitt, his neighbor and friend. So passed Jason B. Packard, an eccentric man but a scholar and gentleman. His memory is deservedly revered by all who knew him. CHAPTER XV. EARLY LIFE IN "THE FORKS." History naturally divides itself into two classes — written or authentic and unwritten or legendary. The early history of the older nations was purely legendary, as at that time man had neither the ability nor the means for making records; and, neces- sarily, he had to depend upon memory for preserving the facts, and upon tradition for passing them on to succeeding genera- tions. While this is not true of modern times, yet there is much in the history of every community that must be recorded in memory, if retained at all, as it is considered of too little im- portance to form a part of the written history of its day, al- though it proves to be of no little interest to the people of a later period. The people of every community have a certain interest in the events and conditions that influenced the early growth of their town or city and in the domestic and social life of the early settlers, and as such material seldom forms a part of their records, they must depend upon memory or tradition for this information. In order that such facts may be reliable, they should come, so far as possible, from someone closely associated with the period of which he writes, and not from a source so far removed in time that much has been lost in transmission from generation to generation. And so this chapter of reminiscence is presented to the reader, with the hope that it may afford some interest to the people of today and tomorrow, and recall to the minds of such of the early settlers as still linger about the place, some of the events, pleasures and hardships of pioneer days in and around "The Forks." EARLY LIFE IN "THE FORKS" 123 In the early days of Montgomery County, when the little city of Villisca was only a promise on paper and a dream of the future, a little colony had started between the Middle and West Nodaways, which was known for miles around as "The Forks," a name given it on account of its location near the junction of the two streams and as a designation from other neighborhoods such as "Ross Grove," "The Valley," "The Ridge," "Hungry Hollow," etc., names that have long since become practically obsolete. Colonization in this locality be- gan early in the fifties and its progress was slow indeed until the coming of that period when the railroad, the harbinger of development, came in across the "Lime Kiln Ford," and brought with it new enterprise and a new people, and destroyed many of the old landmarks and customs of its earliest days. This chapter deals with the history, the social and domestic life, and the growth and development of this little community for the decade just prior to the incoming of the railroad — the decade from 1 859 to 1 869. Most of the people living in the community at that time had come via the "Prairie Schooner" line from Highland County, Ohio. In June of 1859, a little company of people, attracted from their homes in Ohio by the glowing accounts of the new coun- try in southwestern Iowa, arrived on the bank of the Nodaway, just south of where Villisca now stands. They unhitched their horses from the wagon, turned them loose to graze on the prairie, crossed the "river" on the big drift that for many years served as the connecting link between Ross Grove and The Forks, followed a foot path through the woods and hazel brush, and came out into a bit of open country that had just been selected for a new town. The Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Company had contemplated a line through the state and had sent its agent, D. N. Smith, ahead to locate the townsites, one of which was located between the Nodaways and named Villisca. The log cabin built by George West, the 124 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY original owner of the townsite, and a little frame house built by a man named Scott, were the only residences in the town, and they were occupied at that time by the families of Ander- son Moore and Aaron Penwell. There was a small frame building north of the square, used at that time for a store build- ing, in which Thomas Moore kept a small supply of such merchandise as the few settlers must necessarily have and for which they could raise funds to purchase. These three buildings were all that constituted the town of Villisca at that time except the red stakes that marked the corners of the lots and that had just been driven for that pur- pose. They were painted red as the result of a misinterpreta- tion of the letter of instructions to the men who were to make the stakes. The letter stated that they should be "nicely pointed," but it was read, "nicely painted," so the town stakes were all treated to a coat of .bright red paint, which made them look rather conspicuous in contrast to the green of summer and the white of winter, during the many years they did duty as sentinels on guard. This was the first time that the town was literally "painted red," but, as many of the older inhab- itants will remember, is was not the last, figuratively speaking. "Uncle Jimmy" Carlisle, "Aunt Marilla" Lightbody — the old people were uncle or aunt to everybody then — Anderson Moore, Ed Moore, Sr., Thomas Moore and their families, constituted the population of "The Forks" at that time, but there were other settlements down the Nodaway toward Clar- inda, over on East River, and up the West Nodaway. The Wests, Dunns, Gourleys, Meanses and Bakers were among the earliest settlers. Villisca — in one particular, at least — was like Rome: It was not built in a day. Red stakes did not make a town and the promises on paper were slow in realization. The great Civil War came on, and the "Western Fever" abated for a time. The young men of the Nation put on the blue uniform, shouldered the musket, and went to Dixie to EARLY LIFE IN "THE FORKS" 125 defend the Nation's honor instead of seeking homes in the West, so the broad acres of Nodaway prairie and the comer lots of Villisca were doomed to a period of waiting for pur- chasers. An occasional prairie schooner drifted in on its west- ern voyage, finding a safe harbor in some bend of the Nod- away, where it anchored and added one more family to the population. In the spring of 1861, Elijah Overman, Elizabeth Davis and Charles G. George, with their families, became a part of the society of The Forks and vicinity. In the fall and winter of 1 861-2, a steam sawmill was brought overland from Chariton, Iowa, and located in the southern part of Villisca. This marked a new era in the development of the country, and board fences and frame houses and barns began to appear. The old watermill on the Middle Nodaway, known from its successive owners first as the McMillen Mill and later as the Van Horn Mill, had been in operation for some time, but its old "up-and-down" saw was exceedingly slow as compared with the "chip-chip-chip" of the engine and the "z-e-e-e" of the bright circular saw, as it cut rapidly through the logs which were brought from miles around to be con- verted into boards, and we thought that we had made a remark- able stride in the progress and growth of a new country. Cot- tonwood, elm and linden were the principal kinds of timber used in those days, and many of the older farm houses still standing in the country are the monuments of this old mill. E. A. Munn, the man who brought the mill from Chariton, and who was its first architect, did not live to see it in operation. He was among the first to hear the call of "Old Abe" for help to save the nation; he went out in Company F, 23rd Iowa Infantry, and never returned. He sleeps in a grave in Dixie. A Mr. Taten bought the mill, put it into operation, and man- aged it for several years. It changed hands frequently, but continued to do duty until the pine lumber brought in by the 126 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY railroad took the place of the native lumber, when the old mill was obliged to "move on" and has long since disappeared. The close of the year 1865 found Villisca containing two stores, a blacksmith shop, a doctor, and four or five dwellings. Philip Spargur, known as "Uncle Doc," had built a shop near the southwest comer of the square, where for several years he had a monopoly on shoeing horses, sharpening plows, and mak- ing linch pins for the farmers. Dr. Huntsman was located at the southwest corner of the square, with residence and office combined, and was ready at all times to set broken bones or to prescribe quinine for the "fever and ager," the principal and fashionable diseases of the time. Morgan Thurman had a general store at the southeast corner of the square, and John Swingle kept drugs and groceries at the northwest comer. At about this time or a little later, Jasper Wallace engaged in the business of making shingles from native timber and had a mill in operation. It was run by a one horse power, but made re- markable speed as compared with the old drawing knife. In the spring of 1867, the railroad surveyors came through the county, locating the line and setting grade stakes. This pro- duced great excitement and people begin to think that the time for which they had waited so long was near at hand. Immigra- tion began at once and every few days saw some new building erected or some new business enterprise started. The work of grading the line and laying the track proceeded as rapidly as possible and in the fall of 1869, Villisca was no longer a dream, but a reality; trains were passing through the town; the click of the telegraph was music to the older settlers, and strangers had ceased to be a curiosity. We have reached the time limit of this chapter and must now return to the main purpose — the recollections of the life and society of those days. As we view the condition of the country today, and contrast it with that of its pioneer days, we marvel at the changes that can take place in a few years when EARLY LIFE IN "THE FORKS" 127 the enterprise of man is assisted by the energies of Nature. Most of the actors of the early days of this community have gone to their rest, but their children's children and the newer generations will find some interest in the story. Coming from a wooded country, the people who first settled along the Nodaway naturally dreaded the prairie, and, re- quiring the logs for their houses, settled along the streams. Here they built log cabins and began breaking the prairie bor- dering on the timber and transforming it into farms. Their homes at first were of a very rude and uncomfortable kind, with clapboard roof and floor of hewn instead of sawed lumber. A chimney corner broad and wide, A latch string hanging clear outside, The rifle and powder horn over the door, The old hound lying upon the floor To chase the wolves away; An ox yoke leaning against the shed, The pumpkin drying overhead, The spinning wheel, a reel and loom, Were what you'd see in every home Along the Nodaway. At first the farms were fenced with rails or poles cut from the woods along the streams, as lumber was scarce and barbed wire had not yet been thought of, and the stock grazed at will on the prairie during the summer months, as herd laws were not made until a much later period. Ox teams were considered a necessity in breaking the prairie sod, three or four yoke being considered a good team for the ordinary prairie plow. The sod was broken in the month of June and allowed to lie and rot until the next spring, when it was sown with spring wheat and considered duly subdued and in good condition for a crop of corn the next year. The great distance from the markets and the high prices of merchandise, due to war times, made it necessary for the 128 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY pioneer to rely upon his resources for the necessaries of life and to dispense with the luxuries. The little flock of sheep was necessary for clothing, and the hum of the spinning wheel, the crack of the reel, and the clang of the loom, gave the promise of warm mittens and stockings for all, jeans for the men and boys, linsey or flannel for the women and girls, and blankets for the beds. "Twas not what you'd call a stylish affair, Carried out by the strict rules of late etiquette, For the Goddess of Fashion, now queen everywhere, Had not made her throne on the Nodaway yet. But the boys in their jeans of a "Pusley Blue," Or a brown from the bark of the black walnut tree, And the girls in their "Linsey Woolseys" new Were the dudes and the belles of the corn husking bee." The sheep were sheared in the spring of the year; the wool was washed, the burrs picked out and it was ready for carding. This meant a trip of several miles to some carding mill or fac- tory, where the wool was worked up into little rolls ready for spinning. There was a woolen mill at Clarinda and one sev- eral miles up the Middle Nodaway. The music of the spin- ning wheel was not so classical or harmonious as that of the piano, but its necessity made it the music of every household, and the young lady who could spin her "twelve cuts" in a day was considered an expert. A "cut" consisted of sixty rounds of the reel, which was announced when it was done by a loud "crack" made by some internal attachment, and the reel so constructed was considered quite an improved machine for that day, as the operator did not have to count the threads. Next came the weaving, which was done by hand, a long and tedious process, two yards being a good day's work. Another necessity to the home^ was the sorghum patch and the cane mill. In most cases, the mill was a very rude affair, consisting of two large wooden rollers for pressing out the juice, EARLY LIFE IN "THE FORKS" 129 and large pans for boiling it down to molasses. The mill was turned by one horse, which went round and round a long sweep to which it was hitched, and whenever the mill was in operation, the announcement was always made by a very loud creaking noise. A patch of sorghum and the old cane mill That during its season never was still. I can hear the noise it used to make, Enough from their sleep the dead to wake On the Judgment Day. A patch of tobacco for winter's use — The "Lincoln Twist," so void of juice, For "Horseshoe Plug" or "Battle Ax" Were not yet subject to a tax Along the Nodaway. The molasses-making period was to the young people of The Forks what sugar-making time was to New England boys and girls, a period of hard work but many pleasures. The cane had to be stripped of its blades, beheaded, and carried away to the mill ; hard work indeed, but then there were days of "boiling down" and the "taffy pullings," with their fun and frolics. Tea and coffee were scarce and so high in price that they were out of the question. Parched corn, rye or burnt bread and molasses, furnished a substitute for coffe, and the leaves of the Red Root, so common on the prairies, were used in place of tea. All fruit came from Nature's own orchard and vine- yard. Wild plums grew in abundance along the stream; crab apples, wild grapes, strawberries, gooseberries, etc., could be obtained in their season and were often preserved in various ways for winter use. The principal source of income for the Nodawa pioneer was the hog, as it was about the 'bnly thing which he could market. Hogs were expected to make their own living during the sum- 130 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY mer time by foraging through the woods and living on roots and nuts, but as soon as the new corn had passed the "roasting ear," they were gathered together and fattened for the market, or for meat for the family use. The hogs for the market were driven to St. Joseph, Mo., the nearest railroad station for sev- eral years. All the farmers of the neighborhood combined their little herds into one large drove and as soon as the weather was cool enough, started on their trip to market. For several days they trudged along on foot, eight or ten miles a day, en- countering muddy roads or snow drifts, sleeping on the ground on pleasant nights or seeking refuge in some cabin in cold weather. They usually took with them one or two teams and wagons with which to haul the hogs that gave out along the way, and to furnish a conveyance for the return trip. With all these hardships, the trip to "St. Jo" was considered one of the pleasures of life in "The Forks," as it gave the men an opportunity to see something of the outside world, provided a kind of picnic of several days' duration, and enabled them to procure the necessities and some of the little luxuries of life for the families. The home-coming was also a happy event to the family. There were shoes for the children, a calico or delaine dress for the wife, a bit of ribbon for the sister, and some trinket for the sweetheart. Even the clouds of pioneer days had a silver lining. During these years, Uncle Sam did not forget his children in the wilderness, but sent his messenger once a week to Ross Grove, and delivered to them the news a week old and the letters from home that had been on the road for weeks. But they were living at a slow pace at that time and were glad for even old news. In the spring of 1861, he brought the news of a great struggle between the North and the South. The Nation was threatened, the South was about to lose one of its time honored institutions, slavery, and a bitter war was being waged. On political questions the people of "The Forks" EARLY LIFE IN "THE FORKS" 131 were not a unit. The predominating element were in sympathy with the South. The name, "Copperhead," was applied to and accepted by many of the old settlers, who retaliated by applying such terms as "Black Abolitionist," "Nigger Lover," etc., to their opposing neighbors. As children usually reflect the sentiments and characteristics of their parents, it was not an uncommon thing to hear them singing such songs as this : "Jeff Davis rides a white horse, Lincoln rides a mule, Jeff Davis is a wise man, Lincoln is a fool." Or resorting to such convincing pro-slavery arguments in their political discussions, as, "You think a nigger be as good as you be, do you?" While the community was divided on political lines, and there were times when it seemed that open hostilities would be the next resort, happily nothing more ser- ious than word battles or an occasional resort to fists was the result, and when the call for volunteers was heard echoing through the woods and over the hills, patriotic blood began to flow through the veins and a hearty response went up from "The Forks" and vicinity. Captain C. G. George enlisted a company of men from Montgomery, Page, Taylor and Adams counties, that went out as Company "F," Twenty- third Infantry, and did good service in the Army of the Missis- sippi. A farewell dinner was given to the company in the woods near Ross Grove. Here they bade "goodbye" to the boys, saw them load up into farm wagons and start away to where they were to be sworn in and drilled, thence to the camps and battlefields of the South. Many of these brave boys never returned to their homes, but fell victims of disease or Rebel bullets. The Fourth of July celebrations were generally of a very simple character, there being no orators to spread the eagle, no bands to discourse music and no fireworks to illuminate the 1 32 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY night. An occasional barbeque, the reading of the Declaration of Independence, and a platform dance, made up the general program of our Natal day. Little attention was given to mat- ters of religion at the time. There was no church, no lodge, no school, No religion, save the Golden Rule, And often there were times, of course, When the Golden Rule was not in force Along the Nodaway. The Sabbath was generally used for visiting purposes or for making excursions to some other neighborhood. There were no regular ministers in the immediate locality. Occasionally some travelling preacher would come along and hold a meet- ing in the grove on Sunday or at the home of someone near, at "early candle light." Educational matters received but little attention in "The Forks," for considerable time, not so much from lack of interest as on account of the difficulties that confronted the people. Suitable places for schools were not to be obtained, teachers were scarce, and the children too poorly equipped to face the storms and wade the snow-drifts in the winter, while in sum- mer they were needed on the farm. An occasional winter term in some unused cabin, where the big boys and girls could study the old "blue backed spelling book" and read a little from the scanty supply of "McGuffey's Reader," that had been brought from former homes; or a summer term at somebody's home, where the little ones learned the alphabet — these were about all the educational advantages afforded in that day. A log school house with clapboard roof That kept out sun but was not rain-proof, With windows small and an old fireplace That froze the back and scorched the face On a wintry day Rough board seats without any backs EARLY LIFE IN "THE FORKS" 1 33 A floor that was principally made of cracks, A bundle of rods, an old dunce stool, Were the common things of the pioneer school Along the Nodaway. In the summer of 1 859, an attempt was made to start educa- cational work, and for a few weeks during good weather a school was maintained in a school-house improvised from an unused corn crib which stood on the Thomas Moore farm just west of town. The teacher was Lydia Ann Lightbody, known later as Mrs. Joseph Carlisle, and, so far as memory serves us, this was the first school taught in "The Forks." Arza Ross taught a few winter terms in some unused cabin that could be made to answer the purpose of schoolhouse. In the summer of 1862, a man by the name of Nelson — nick- named "Shoestring" by some of the people — taught for a few months in the old store building previously referred to, at that time unused. In the summer of 1866, Mrs. Huntsman, the doctor's good wife, instructed the youth of the immediate neighborhood at her own home, which she converted into a schoolhouse for five or six hours each day. The breakfast being over and the housework done, some long boards were car- ried in and laid on boxes or blocks of wood to serve for seats, and she was ready for the school to assemble. At the ap- pointed hour, fifteen or twenty boys and girls from five to fifteen years of age, assembled and presented a rather variegated ap- pearance in home-spun dresses, bare feet and hats made of wheat straw braided and sewed at home. At four o'clock, or earlier if all had had a chance to "say their lessons," they were dismissed, the school furniture removed, and home duties again resumed. In the fall of 1866, the first real schoolhouse in the town was built and made ready for the winter term. It stood on a little knoll just east of the present High School site, sur- rounded by hazel brush and sumach. Home-made seats and desks were the best that could be afforded, but it contained a 134 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY real stove. Fuel was furnished by patrons in proportion to the number of children belonging , to the family, and the teacher, Tommy Spargur, boarded around, in the old-fashioned way. Spelling was the principal subject taught. They spelled "on the book" and "off the book" in the forenoon and in the after- noon. All varieties of books to be found in that day were used, each pupil having a different kind. If "variety is the spice of life," surely they were supplied with spice. Very few of the pupils aspired to anything so far advanced as "ciphering," and "parsing" was not even considered. They "spoke pieces" and "spelled down" every Friday afternoon, and were really pleased with the advancement made during the winter. Elihu Davis, Asbury Damewood and Sarah Means were among the teachers that ruled at later periods in the little frame school- house in "The Forks." This house served for school purposes until the demands of the district became too great, and the old brick, recently torn down, was built .to take its place, which, in turn, has given place to something more modern. This subject would be incomplete without a brief reference, at least, to matters purely social. Wherever society is found, there must be some kind of amusement. People must have something to turn the mind from the realities of life, and to afford it some real or imaginary rest. The Nodaway pioneer was hospitable to a fault. No home was too small, no supply of provisions too scant but that a neighbor or a stranger was a welcome guest. People visited each other a great deal, not merely to make a short call, but to stay all day and sometimes all night. Their talk was not of the prevailing fashions, nor the gossip of the neighborhood, but of the prospects of the crops, discussions of the political situation, and relating stories of the old home back east." The older ladies had their "wool pickings" during the summer, where they met to assist some neighbor in the irksome task of picking the burrs out of the last shearing — thus combining pleasure with profit. The girls EARLY LIFE IN "THE FORKS" 135 and young women had their quilting bees on the same plan and for the same purpose. The men and boys found sport in the shooting match during the fall and winter. In the fall they gathered together every Saturday afternoon and engaged in a match with rifles at forty yards off hand or sixty with a rest. The prize consisted of a fat beef divided into five parts — the four quarters and the hide and tallow. These matches were always carried on in the best spirit, and it very seldom happened that there was any bicker- ing or discontent over the proper settlement of the match. The corn husking bee during the autumn was a common occurrence. On an appointed day, the men and boys, with their teams, assembled at the home of some neighbor, and when the sun went down, the corn was in the crib and he was a happy man. When the day was done and the corn in the crib And the comfort or quilt was out of the frame, When supper was eaten and the "things cleared away," The best part of the day's festivities came. For every old settler knows very well If a Nodaway pioneer is he, That as sure as the night always follows the day, A dance always followed the corn-husking bee. In the winter, the young people found much pleasure in the steigh-rides and spelling schools. On Friday afternoon, the whole school would go to some neighboring school for a spelling match. The afternoon would be devoted to visiting the neigh- boring school, and speaking pieces, with perhaps some prelim- inary matches. Then they were entertained at the various homes for supper, after which all the people of the neighbor- hood, or all that could get into the little schoolhouse, assembled for the final "spell down." Here was where honors were won or lost — not physical contests, but real intellectual battles — not according to the rules of "diamond" or "gridiron," but ac- 136 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY cording to the rules of the immortal Noah Webster. But those days are the dreams of the past. They were iooked upon as pleasures because they were seen through eyes of youth, and they left impressions never to be forgotten. But with the coming of new people, customs changed. The young people were easily converted to new ideas and were soon ab- sorbed as a part of the new society, but the older people were not so easily changed. To them, this was not acceptable. They looked upon all this as an invasion, and the new-comers as invaders. It was hard for a people who had been the first in the country, and who had, to a great extent, subdued its wildness, and laid the foundations of a new community, to be supplanted by a new people and new customs. But such is fate; the inevitable was in time accepted, and the old civiliza- tion of "The Forks" gave way to the new, and Villisca became the queen of the land between the Nodaways. CHAPTER XVI. NOTED MURDER TRIALS OF THE COUNTY. If all of the murders known to have been committed in Mont- gomery County since its early days had been ferreted out and the murderers brought to justice, the list would not be an ap- palling one. The community has always been law-abiding, and even before an organized government was established, the high character and law-observing instincts of the pioneers left little ground for murderous quarrels. As it is, only one person has been indicted, tried, convicted and sentenced for murder in the county since its formation. There have been other cases which have been tried here or which have been of such interest to the residents of the county as to be worthy of brief mention in this history. A recent reliable authority states that of all the causes which lead to the taking of human life, quarrels rank first and drunk- enness next; and it may be added that the latter generally causes the former. It was a mixture of the two that lead to the death of Robert Lambert in Red Oak, Iowa, at the hands of Isaac E. Striker, June 6th, 1876. The trouble arose over a bet on a horse race. Lambert was undoubtedly under the influence of liquor and quarrelsome. He openly accused Striker of appropriating $10.00 of his money and called him names which read better in a court record than they would in this book. Striker denied having the money, and, realizing the man's condition, was disposed to laugh the matter off. Lam- bert then forced matters by clutching Striker by the throat. Striker retaliated by kicking Lambert until he had forced him off the sidewalk. Lambert picked up his hat, which had fallen off during the fight, and remarked that he had had 1 38 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY "enough," at the same time calling Striker an opprobrious name. Striker said, "I allow no man to call me that name," and struck Lambert a couple of times on the head as he was turning around. Lambert staggered to the door of Palmer & Whita- ker's barn, and, gradually sinking down, he breathed his last in a few minutes. If Robert Lambert had not been drunk; if his tongue had not been used to obscene language; if Ike Striker had not been a man of violence ; if, when Harve Milner attempted to separate them, Warren Dealing, a bystander, had not interfered, saying, "Hold on; let them fight it out;" if Striker had stopped when Lambert cried, "Enough;" the crim- inal records of the county might have read differently. As it was an indictment was filed, drawn by Attorney John W. Welpton, and signed and sworn to by C. H. Stennett, charging Striker with murder in the first degree. In the indict- ment, it is stated with more precision as to the law than to the spelling, "That the said defendant, Isaac Striker, did, at the town of Red Oak, and in the County of Montgomery and State of Iowa, on the 6th day of June, A. D., 1876, wilfully and malicously and with malice aforethought, kill and murder one Robert Lambert, by beating and striking him, the said Robert Lambert, on the head and on and about the body, with his fists and kicking him, the said Robert Lambert, in the stomach and other parts of the body with the towe and heal of his boots. All of which," etc. Striker fled the town the night of the murder and many men were soon scouring the country in search of him. Just below the old Weidman farm, a man on horseback was fired upon by one of the searching parties, who mistook him for Striker. None of the shots took effect, except that a stray bullet knocked out the horse's eye. It was supposed that this man had been sent by friends to advise Striker to return to the town and face the charge. Striker plead not guilty and a preliminary trial was held before H. C. French, Justice of the Peace. The NOTED MURDER TRIALS OF THE COUNTY 139 Justice bound the defendant over to await the action of the Grand Jury, and fixed his bond at $800.00. The Grand Jury returned an indictment Nov. 17, 1876, charging Striker with manslaughter. On Jan. 5, 1877, a jury composed of the following persons was impanelled to try the case: E. Loomis, P. Haymaker, I. W. Graves, R. J. Edmonds, Henry Mohler, J. W. Linton, John Overman, D. L. Brockway, D. S. Haas, Frank Gleason, George M. Shull and Pearl Crawford. This jury returned as its verdict: "We, the jury, find Isaac E. Striker guilty of a simple assault." The District Judge, Sam Forey, sentenced Striker to pay a fine of $75.00 and the costs of the case, assessed at something over $500.00. C. E. Richards represented the defendant and Smith McPherson, as District Attorney, the State. Isaac Striker at this writing is a resident of Oklahoma and is employed in some capacity by the United States government. The most brutal murder committed in the county was the act of Fred Mewhirter, who, without apparent excuse or justi- fication, and without giving the victim the slightest chance for his life, killed young Dr. Joseph W. Hatton near the Mewhirter home, in the northern part of the county. Dr. Hatton was a younger brother of Dr. J. B. Hatton, long a resident of Mont- gomery County and now practicing in Des Moines. Fred Mewhirter was a farmer about fifty-two years of age. He was married and had a family — some of his children being grown- up. About a year previous to the murder, Mewhirter had called Dr. Hatton to visit his wife. She did not recover as quickly as he expected and Mewhirter brought suit in Cass County to recover for injuries to the health of his wife, alleging unprofessional conduct and malpractice on the part of the doctor. A study of the trial records reveals the main facts of the shooting as follows: Dr. Hatton on the 18th of July, 1875, 140 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY went to visit a patient living about a mile from Mewhirter's place. He was accompanied by his father, a man about sev- enty-two years old. Mewhirter, who was at a near neighbor's at the time, learned that the doctor was in the vicinity, and at once left for his home, cursing Hatton and making threats against him. In returning from the visit, Dr. Hatton and his father passed near Mewhirter's house. The following from the trial records is an exact quotation of the incident of the murder as told on the witness stand by the elder Hatton: "After we got round the willows, we saw the defendant going through the fence, with his gun in his hand, just east of us. He might have been eighty or a hundred yards away. He came through the fence across the first track of road to second road and came in front of us. We were driving on a trot and Me- whirter came down the road with his gun, and, as he raised it, the doctor said, "Stop." This was all the doctor said when gun went off. I don't think it was a second after Mewhirter raised the gun until he shot. We had a two stepped buggy and my left foot was on the upper step. When the gun went off, the doctor fell out over my right thigh and it scared the team, which went on. I got out near Mewhirter's gate and looked back and saw defendant behind, standing in the path, with gun presented like he was going to shoot again. He did not, but looked back again and said, "O, , I have killed you." The shot took effect in the abdomen and the doctor lived about two weeks. After the killing, Mewhirter immediately saddled two horses and started for Council Bluffs, arriving there the next day. During the interval, when Dr. Hatton was hovering between life and death, Mewhirter stayed in Omaha, usually coming over to Council Bluffs in the evening. On the day that Hatton died, Mewhirter was arrested on one of these nocturnal visits. Judge Reed, of the District Court, presided at the preliminary examination, and at its conclusion NOTED MURDER TRIALS OF THE COUNTY 141 announced that he would give his decision at three o'clock that afternoon. It was later ascertained' that the warrant of com- mitment had been issued at the end of the trial and that the statement of the judge had been made to prevent lynching, of which there had been threats. Great influence was brought to bear upon the Grand Jury and for two or three weeks, they re- fused to bring in an indictment for murder in the first degree. Finally they were persuaded to vote upon the crime, leaving out for the moment, the question of the degree. Upon this they all voted "murder," but it has never been disputed that they differed upon the degree, and that the indictment returned did not represent the views of the Grand Jury as a whole. Some of the Grand Jurors made affidavits to this effect, but the trial judge held that they were not admissible in support of a motion to set the indictment aside. In this decision, he was later upheld by a decision of the Supreme Court of the State. J. F. Mcjunkin, Attorney General, John H. Keatley and C. E. Richards, of Red Oak, represented the state, and Montgom- ery and Scott of Council Bluffs, the defendant. The defense was emotional insanity. During the progress of the trial, a carload of people came up from Red Oak for the purpose of taking Mewhirter from jail, but when assured by Attorney C. E. Richards that there would in all probability be a conviction and that any interfer- ence at that time would be prejudicial to the interests of the prosecution, they returned home. Mewhirter was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment in the State Penitentiary at Fort Madison, where he died a few years ago. In justice to the memory of Mewhirter, it may be stated that the instructions of the trial judge on the question of insanity have been twice overruled by the Supreme Court of the state — the last time in the case of the State vs. Thiele, and had Mewhirter been tried under the law as it now stands in this state today, the result might have been different. 142 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY On the 24th of September, 1883, at about 6:00 o'clock in the evening, Dr. E. B. Cross, taking a loaded revolver with him, left his home in Council Bluffs and proceeded rather slowly along the street where Dr. A. B. McKune usually walked at that hour. He had been compelled to testify before a Grand Jury in a criminal case which implicated Dr. McKune, and had been told that Dr. McKune was much incensed thereby; that he was a powerful, quick-tempered man and that Dr. Cross had better prepare himself against an attack from him. Whether, as a matter of fact, Dr. Cross had murder in his heart as he left his house that evening, will never be known. One jury has decided that he did ; one that he did not. Upon many grounds, the trial of the first case at Glenwood, Iowa, — Judge Loofbourow presiding — was held by the Supreme Court to have been irregular and the case was remanded for a new trial. Cross had been sentenced to death, and, pending the decision of the Supreme Court, was incarcerated in the penitentiary at Fort Madison. The prosecution on the first trial was conducted by Hon. A. B. Thornell, then District Attorney and now one of the judges of the 1 5 th Judicial Dis- trict. He was assisted by such able attorneys as D. B. Dailey, W. F. Sapp and N. M. Pusey of Council Bluffs, and Judge Williams of Glenwood. An equally brilliant array of legal talent took care of the interests of the defendant, whose lawyers were George F. Wright and John Baldwin of Council Bluffs, C. B. Hubbard and N. M. Hubbard of Cedar Rapids, and John Y. Stone of Glenwood. The second trial of Dr. Cross took place at Red Oak, Iowa ; the jury being impanelled June 24th, 1 887, and the trial lasting fourteen days. The attorneys in the case were those who took part in the Glenwood trial, with the added exception of local talent, consisting of C. E. Richards and R. W. Beeson for the prosecution; Smith McPherson and J. M. Junkin for the de- fense. The facts brought out in the second trial were about NOTED MURDER TRIALS OF THE COUNTY 143 the same as those presented during the trial at Glenwood, al- though some new evidence was let in by the Supreme Court decision. As has been stated, Dr. Cross and Dr. McKune were not friends and it is likely that both were of a quick, ner- vous temperament. Cross had undoubtedly made preparations for an attack and there was testimony to the effect that he intended to provoke a quarrel in which he would shoot Mc- Kune. At all events, on the evening referred to, he met Mc- Kune, — or, as some witnesses testified, McKune overtook him — at the corner of First Ave. and Pearl St. in the city of Coun- cil Bluffs, near where now stands the Grand Hotel. Whether McKune struck him first, does not appear, although one witness, whose testimony should not be taken seriously, states that he did. Others who saw the affair state that from four to eight blows were struck by both parties, and this statement was borne out by the condition of their faces after the fight. Dur- ing the trouble, Cross drew a revolver, a 38 caliber, and shot McKune in the breast, death ensuing almost immediately. Cross was also shot in the hand, and a bruise back of the ear was evidence that McKune came at him from behind. To offset this is the fact that Cross had previously armed himself. McKune was unarmed. To a witness who came running up, Cross exclaimed, "The scoundrel attacked me and I shot him to protect myself." Judge Horace E. Deemer released Cross upon the filing of a $20,000.00 bond. The bondsmen were all of Red Oak and vicinity, and all of them had been secured against loss in the sum of $50,000.00 by the father of Dr. Cross. The names of the jurymen who tried the case and who returned a verdict of "not guilty," are: Henry Marsden, Thomas Means, Eli Roth, G. W. Anderson, Robert Cook, Wm. McCue, Wm. Tindall, Joseph Robinson, Charles Quist, Wm. Buss, D. W. Seaman, George Mitchell. There is a well authenticated story to the effect that days before the trial Cross employed men who 144 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY might be termed "attorneys of the curb," and whose duty it Was to talk about the case wherever crowds were discussing it in order to create a sentiment in his favor. Whether this had anything to do with the outcome of the case, is not known, but something must have had influence, as there was, without doubt, a feeling in favor of acquittal. Cross made few friends during his sojourn in Red Oak. He was irritable and insulting and upon one or two occasions, came near having personal en- counters with Red Oak citizens. His wife never for a moment wavered in her allegiance to him or in her belief in his inno- cence. She was constantly by his side and many people of Red Oak remember her kind, cheerful face and were impelled, sometimes against their better reason, to say a good word for Dr. Cross, purely on account of his wife. She did much to turn the tide of sentiment in his favor. Gustave Thiele killed his wife in Villisca, Iowa, June 1 6th, 1901. He had gone there purposely to do the act and this fact alone did much to counteract the claim of insanity. Thiele had had trouble with his wife. She had not lived a blameless life and this fact preyed upon his mind until his intellect became disordered. He claimed that the Bible justified him in taking her life, and there can be little doubt that the unfortunate man considered it his duty to do so. This is shown by his remarks at the time of the killing, when he repeated over and over again in the German language that "she must die." Thiele stabbed his wife three times, one blow reaching her heart. Death was therefore almost instantaneous. Further than screaming, "I am killed," the poor woman said nothing. The murderer told the marshall of Villisca that he had intended to kill himself after killing his wife, but the crowd, running in, prevented him — or rather changed the course of his thoughts. He was quickly taken to Stanton overland and thence, on the next train, to Red Oak, where he was placed in jail. In a short time, he was NOTED MURDER TRIALS OF THE COUNTY 145 sleeping soundly in his cell. Attorneys coming to interview him, awoke him. When asked by Mr. C. E. Richards why he killed his wife, he said with much earnestness in broken Ger- man, "The book tell me — the book tell me." When asked if he loved his wife, he replied with broken sobs and a muttered "Yes." He had been hurt by a piece of iron striking his head some years before and there was much testimony that this injury affected his mind. There was also evidence that his actions, previous to the stabbing, were not those of a normal man. He had often been heard crying and talking to himself at night, and would walk the floor continually. Thiele was represented by the law firm of Richards & Rich- ards of Red Oak and the prosecution was conducted by F. P. Greenlee and R. W. Beeson of the same city. His trial was held Dec. 16, 1901, and continued for nine days when the jury returned a verdict of guilty of murder in the first degree, and fixed his sentence at life imprisonment. The jury was com- posed of the following persons: Edward Good, Alex Peter- son, William Perkins, Frank Wolfe, Robert Hensle, William King, S. Anderson, William Blackburn, E. C. Milner, J. F- Ault, H. E. Jameson and Thomas Smith. During his confinement in jail, an incident occurred which must have had some effect on the minds of the jury. Thiele's son, with the help of outside parties, attempted a jail delivery and was only prevented by a United States prisoner's advising the sheriff of their operations. For the offense, the son, a lad of sixteen years was given a short jail sentence. Thiele's case was carried to the Supreme Court and there reversed on Judge O. D. Wheeler's instruction as to the degree of proof where insanity is urged as a defense. The instructions of the trial judge were exactly the same as those given in the Mewhirter case, and serve to show the uncertainty of court decisions. Fred Mewhirter served a life sentence under an in- struction for insanity that gave Gustave Thiele another trial. 146 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY The case was sent back for trial, but the witnesses being scat- tered and the residence of some of them unknown, a plea of guilty of murder in the second degree was accepted, and Thiele is now in Fort Madison awaiting death or pardon to release him. That Thiele was more or less insane, there can be no doubt. When informed that his case was reversed and a new trial ordered, he immediately wrote his attorney, P. W- Rich- ards, that he need not subpoena witnesses, as the District Court had no jurisdiction. His was a case, he reasoned, that in- volved an international question, and could only be tried before the Hague Tribunal. So ends the record of murder cases in which the people of Montgomery County are most interested, and which resulted in jury trials — with the exception of the Millslagle case, tried in Clarinda in 1860. Andrew J. Millslagle killed John Stipe, one of the leaders of a mob, who attempted to drive Millslagle and a woman named Wilson from the country. Both were residents of the north-eastern portion of the county, in what is now known as Douglas Township. The affair occurred in 1 856, and is especially to be regretted for two reasons : it was the first mob that ever assembled within the county and the first murder ever committed within the county. A man named Abram Clark was wounded in the hand at the time, and Mill- slagle was shot through the ear. Millslagle was indicted for murder in the first degree and found guilty of murder in the second degree. He served a sentence of twelve years in the penitentiary at Fort Madison and his case cost the county over a thousand dollars. CHAPTER XVII. COMMON SCHOOLS OF THE COUNTY. Iowa's educational methods and influences place her in the first rank. One state alone — Massachusetts — shows a higher percentage of attendance of children in the public schools. 67.2 per cent of the total number of children between the ages of five and nine years, and 91 per cent of those between the ages of six and ten years, -attended school last year (1904). One-fifth of the population of the United States — a number equal to the total population of Spain — attends the public schools, and, according to the report of the Commissioner of Ed- ucation, June 30th, 1904, this cost $251,000,000.00 for the year. Of this vast number enrolled in the public schools, Iowa has 565,000 pupils, or nearly 88 per cent of her people of the proper school age. For their education there has been provided nearly 1 4,000 school buildings at a cost of almost $ 1 9,000,000.- 00 and a force of 30,000 teachers. That there is no wish to economize is shown by the fact that last year's expense exceeded by a large amount, those of any preceding year. Passing from Iowa to one of its sub-divisions, Montgomery County, we find a very creditable showing. Pupils in attend- ance in the public schools of the county number 5,318 — 2,730 males and 2,588 females — presided over by 165 teachers, of whom 140 are women. We have one teacher for every 32 pupils — the average in the state being one for every 2 1 pupils. There are 1 03 rural and 1 city school buildings in the county. Only 1 5 boys and 1 6 girls from seven to fourteen years of age, failed to attend school last year (1904). The amount paid out in the county from September, 1903, to September, 1904, was as follows: Teachers' salaries, $55,- 148 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY 319.76; contingent expenses, $19,778.55; general supplies, $1,194.25; other expenses, $1,957.17; making a grand total of $78,249.73. A schoolhouse is located upon the corner of every four sec- tions (or four square miles) , making nine of them in each of the twelve townships in the county. Besides these, the ten city school buildings, with their instructors and facilities, afford to the youth of the county the opportunity for at least an academic education. In our formative period as a county, the first act of the pioneers, after providing shelter for their families, was to build a schoolhouse and start a school. These schoolhouses were constructed like the dwellings of the settlers — usually of logs. A fireplace at one end served for heating the single room. The desks were arranged with rough boards extending around the sides of the room and across the end opposite the fireplace, and were supported by wooden pieces fastened to the logs. The seats were made of heavy slabs, sawed or split from logs, through which holes were bored with a two inch auger to re- ceive the supporting legs. The benches were all the same height from the floor, affording no resting place for the feet of the small pupil who occupied the front seat, his legs swinging like a pendulum a few inches from the floor. The backs of the older pupils were toward the teacher when they were writ- ing or carving rude images on the desks in front of them. The studies were made up principally of the three "R's," with pen- manship in addition. In the instruction of the latter, the copy- book, made by binding sheets of foolscap within a cover of coarse manilla, was considered a necessity. Usually the teach- er wrote on the head line of each page, some quotation or moral precept for the pupils to copy, so that while being instructed in the art of writing, his mind was filled with wholesome senti- ment. Shakespeare, Cervantes and Mother Goose were levied upon to furnish suitable sentences. COMMON SCHOOLS OF THE COUNTY 149 The first schoolhouse built in Montgomery County was erected by John Ross under a contract, for eighty dollars, and was of the true backwoods style. It was located a short dis- tance southeast of Villisca on Section 26, Jackson Township. The first schoolhouses were invariably used for religious ser- vices, and Rev. W. C. Means, a clergyman of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church, held the first service. The first teacher was Judge Samuel Baker, though there is no record of the num- ber of names of his pupils or of the salary he received. The Rev. James Rand, a Methodist circuit rider, also preached a few nights at this place at about the same time. James Ross, from Ohio, a young man with a well furnished mind, taught in this schoolhouse in the winter of 1 865. His compensation was $18.00 per month and he had about twenty-five pupils. The names of some of them were : A. J. Baker, H. G. McMillen, B. F. Means, Sarah M. Means, Lydia Martha Carlisle, Wm. Findley, Robert George, Susan and Celestus Harlow, John James, Joseph, Peter and Lydia Moore and Henry and James Penwell. Another schoolhouse was built on Section 9, Doug- las Township, about the same time, by Wm. Stipe and A. M. P. Whittier. This institution of learning cost $35.00 or $40.- 00; was built of logs and was 14x16 feet, with puncheon floor and clap-board roof. It was furnished and warmed the same as the other. Mrs. Henry Shank, now living in Red Oak, taught the first school in the county of which there is any record. This was in the summer of 1 856. The house was a log cabin once used for a residence and situated near Climax in West Township. Some years afterward, a small, unplastered, frame building was built by L. N. Harding, Z. M. P. Shank, G. A. Gordon and others, before public money was available for that purpose. This schoolhouse was located on First Street, near the present freight depot of Red Oak. Miss Pluma S. Johnson was one of the teachers of this school. As the population increased, 150 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY there was a demand for a larger room; consequently, a one- story brick building was erected on Corning street, near the present high school building. The following named teachers were employed at this school: Miss Morgan — subsequently Mrs. C. H. Lane — Phil Good, a Red Oak attorney, and George C. Clark, now a distinguished lawyer and ex-judge, of Webster City, Iowa. The schoolhouse was used for all public meetings such as religious services, Sunday schools, lectures, political meetings and celebrations. It became a residence when the present schoolhouse on East Coolbaugh street was built — the first graded school established in Red Oak. Prof. Wood of Clarinda was the first superintendent of this school and his able assistants were Mrs. L. Graybil, Miss Mary L. Mills — now Mrs. C. E. Richards — and Angie Cook, who be- came the wife of Gov. Lewelling of Kansas. The obsolete town of Frankfort contributed much to the early educational enterprise of Montgomery County. Miss Lawrence taught a subscription school of ten pupils there for a few months. W. H. M. Fishback opened a school there in the then new court house — a building with one room. He was followed by David Ellison, a young attorney from Des Moines and now a prominent citizen and attorney of Kansas City. On the 14th day of November, 1853, the writer commenced the first school in the first schoolhouse of Frankfort and taught there two winter terms for $33 1 -3 per month, his salary being paid out of the first public funds provided for that purpose. He was followed by Elihu Davis, a young man from Ohio, Mrs. Emily U. Barnard and others, until the county seat was re- moved to Red Oak. For a proper understanding of the educational affairs of that time, it is necessary to take into consideration its environments. We must view the situation in the light of time. Common wants and common interests tended to tone down the individual characteristics of the community and to weld them together in COMMON SCHOOLS OF THE COUNTY 151 fraternal bonds. Acquaintance softens prejudice. The peo- ple worked together for the common good; the process of as- similation was rapid and the heterogeneous became the homo- geneous. A school was provided for the children and youth of the town, a score or more of whom, living in remote parts of the county, availed themselves of this, the only opportunity for an education within their reach. Some of them enlisted in the army and never returned. Some removed farther west, while others still reside in the county and are among our most worthy citizens. That school situated out on the bleak prairie was an inspiration to many of the sixty pupils who assembled there for instruction. There were almost as many dialects spoken there as there were pupils. Some "guessed;" others "reckoned." Some, in the pronunciation of words, dropped the consonant "r," and others habitually used "heap" or "right smart" to express size or number. The school taught by the writer was without uniformity in text books, although McGuffey's Speller and Ray's Arithmetic predominated. As a general rule, there were as many different kinds of text books in the early schools as there were families to use them. School was opened daily according to the New York and New England form, by reading a few verses from the Bible. Then the real work of the school commenced by eclectic methods, combining the old with the new, the teacher utilizing his knowledge obtained in the State Normal School at Albany, N. Y. Wholesome discipline was enforced, though there were a large number of pupils confined within the walls of a small room. King Solomon's suggestion that sparing the rod would spoil the child was followed, though with a mental reservation that other and better methods would finally prevail as an anti- dote to the innate depravity of the unruly urchin. This method of curbing reckless spirits and of making an impression by leav- ing a mark, has now fallen into harmless disuse, never again to be revived. At the close of each school day, the advanced 152 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY pupils were arranged on each side of the room and then made to recite the multiplication table in concert or to spend a few minutes in spelling or defining Latin phrases. In stormy weath- er, some patron of the school would be ready at the schoolhouse door with ox-team and sled, to convey the smaller children to their homes. The winters were usually severe and long, with deep drifting snows. The children were poorly clad, but they were care-free and happy. There clusters around the early schools of the county much of interest, and it is gratifying to note the progress that has been made in our educational enterprises. In obedience to the un- iversal law of progress from lower to higher, the primitive hut is supplanted by comfortable frame buildings, well lighted and heated, and supplied with necessary furniture. In our cities and towns, the school buildings are often models of architecture, equipped with every apparatus beneficial to the bodily comfort and mental growth of the student. All the intervening years have been marked by progress, sometimes slow, but always forward — a promise and a prophecy of still greater progress in the future. CHAPTER XVIII. COUNTY COURT HOUSES, PAST AND PRESENT. The present Montgomery County Court House is a hand- some and commodious building of fire proof construction, built of Missouri limestone, red pressed brick and terra cotta. The roof is slate, while all frame work and supporting beams are of steel. The building is thus a safe and permanent depository for county property and records. The members of the county board at the time this important work was inaugurated were Messrs. C. L. Stratton, J. F. Moates and M. F. Dilly. Fortunately, the work was in safe hands and from start to finish, the county's interests were care- fully guarded ; nor was there ever the slightest breath of scandal connected with the building. The work was not without ser- ious hindrances and difficulties. The original contract was with Richards & Co., an Omaha firm, for the round sum of $69,000 — less money by far than the actual cost of the work, as was afterwards demonstrated. The contractors failed before the completion of the building, thus throwing the completion of the work on the county board and entailing long and expen- sive litigation later on. The contractors left a large number of unpaid bills, chiefly for steel and terra cotta used in building, and the firms furnishing these materials sued the county for the amount owed by Richards & Co. Not to enter into the de- tails of the matter, we may record that the supreme court de- cided that the county could not be held liable and many thou- sands of dollars worth of materials in the building may be said to have been supplied free. Considering this and the furnishing of the offices, the improvement of the real estate and other items, the actual cost value of the splendid building as it stands, 1 54 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY is well worth beyond one hundred thousand dollars. Despite the bitter fight made at the special election against the building, it is safe to say that what at first was regarded by some of our citizens as an extravagant and unnecessary expendi- ture of public money is now considered by all a public neces- sity, and that few if any people of the county would dispense with our fine court house to put the money back into the county treasury. The question of erecting a suitable court house had engaged public attention several times previously. In 1 883, the proposi- tion to build a fifty thousand dollar court house was submitted to the electors, but was overwhelmingly defeated, there being only 285 votes in its favor. While the county seat was at Frankfort, a vote was taken upon the proposition to build a court house there. It was at a time when the attention of the electors was directed toward another location. Red Oak Junction hav- ing become a hamlet of several houses, the people were full of faith that it would be the principal town in the county, being lo- cated near a stream of considerable size and on the line of the projected railroad. Frankfort was within one mile of the cen- ter of the county, but without either of the other advantages, and when the vote was taken, Red Oak had 1 1 5 votes and Frankfort 109. It was a close shave, but Red Oak had won by 6. Red Oak did not get the court house for some time afterward. The minutes of the October, 1 863, session, held a few days after the vote was taken, show that the county board started to canvass the vote and stopped with one township, that one Red Oak, the vote of which was Red Oak 46, Frankfort 1 . On the sec- ond day of the session, I. F. Hendrie moved that Red Oak be declared the county seat, and I. N. Applegate seconded the motion, but the chairman ruled the motion out of order. No other record appears until June 6, 1 864, when G. A. Gordon, Clerk of Red Oak township, presented an amended return of COUNTY COURT HOUSES, PAST AND PRESENT 1 55 that township's vote as required by a writ of mandamus from the district court. Mention is made of a similar writ requiring the county board to canvass the vote. Action was postponed till the next day, then till afternoon, then till the next day, but finally on June 8, 1 864, eight months after the election, the vote was canvassed and the figures announced as noted. It was or- dered that the records be moved by June, 1865, and the court house by January, 1 866, the citizens of Red Oak, as per agree- ment, to bear the expense of moving. The June session of the county board was held in what was then the Masonic hall in Red Oak, and the courthouse was moved in December of that year. The old courthouse build- ing which was moved from Frankfort is now one of the buildings fronting south in the Stover Feed Yard. One condition in the proposition for change of county seat location was that the citizens of Red Oak should bear the expense of moving the courthouse if the proposition carried. The storm created by this project was as a calm spring morning compared with the blizzard encountered by Wayne Stennett and his party when transferring that building from Frankfort to Red Oak. It took thirty yoke of oxen to draw the huge sleds upon which the build- ing was placed. They moved slowly northward from Frankfort around the dividing ridge between the waters of the little streams flowing into Red Oak Creek and those flowing into the Nish- nabotna River. When one-half of the route had been covered, the darkening clouds and the intense cold, coupled with the fact that the movers were off their course and going down a decline, compelled them to unhitch and abandon their charge. Not one of the party could definitely locate the Montgomery County Court House, and during the continuance of the storm, there was not a man in the county who could do so. It was lost on the prairie. It was afterward brought around by the old McLean homestead, two miles northeast of Red Oak, and thence to the county seat, intersecting with Railroad St. (now 156 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY Washington Ave.) and from there to the northwest corner of the public square. This building was 36 x 18 and of two stories. Its original cost as compared with the present structure is as one to one hundred. In other words, were the cost of our courthouse to be invested in buildings the value of that first one, and these buildings placed together without space between them, they would extend from the Methodist Church to the C. B. & Q. depot; or, standing at a distance of twenty-five rods apart, they would reach from Frankfort to Red Oak. The pioneer building was used for courthouse purposes for several years, it being supplemented by renting other rooms. In 1871, the county levied a tax of one mill for building and furnishing a court house, and kept it up for three years. The fund thus accumulated was finally transferred to other funds, mostly to the bridge fund. In June 1876, the county leased from Malnburg & Gassner the second story of their store room on the north side of the public square for the term of five years, at a rental of five hundred dollars a year. In April 1881, a similar contract was made with A. McConnell and H. Sweger for the second story of their building on Reed St., running for the same length of time, at a yearly rental of eight hundred and fifty dollars per year. Two years later, a proposition to build a fifty thousand dollar structure was defeated as before stated. Not until a proposition was submitted to the voters to build a first-class court house that would be a credit to the county, did the people take kindly to it, and, though there was strong oppo- sition, it carried by a small, though safe majority. The laying of the corner stone of the new court house, July 4, 1890, was an occasion long to be remembered. Governor Horace Boies, Judge Granger of the Supreme Court and other notable persons from abroad were in attendance. The officers cf the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, assisted by Hon. Smith McPherson, with plumb, square and level, pro- nounced it properly placed. It was then sprinkled with corn, COUNTY COURT HOUSES, PAST AND PRESENT 1 5 7 wine and oil, symbolizing nourishment, refreshment and joy. Appropriate exercises, including prayer and addresses, were held. The occasion was a notable one and drew large num- bers of people from all directions, and a conservative estimate would place the number of visitors as not fewer than ten thou- sand. When, upon completion of the building, the people as- sembled to assist in its formal opening or dedication, Judge Horace E. Deemer presided. Rev. E. C. Moulton offered an invocation, which was followed by speeches by parties selected for that purpose from home and abroad. The visiting lawyers were entertained by the Montgomery County Bar at a banquet at the Hotel Johnson. Hon. Smith McPherson, as toastmas- ter, in a short speech of cordial welcome, introduced C. S. Keenan of Shenandoah, who in a happy manner responded to "The Lawyer in Politics." L. T. Genung of Mills County followed in response to "Professional Jurors," while Frank Shinn of Carson, Iowa, told about 'Our Clients." "The En- forcement of the Criminal Law" was responded to by Chas. Harl of Council Bluffs. A number of letters of regret were also received from judges, lawyers and others who had been invited but were unable to be present. A few of these deserve inclusion in this book, es- pecially because of their bearing upon the earlier history of the county. Judge Carson, formerly of die District Court, wrote: "I congratulate you and all of you upon your entry into the tem- ple erected to the Goddess of Justice, and to be dedicated to her just balances ; and, in the language of Hooker, 'Of law no less can be acknowledged than that her seat is in the bosom of God, her language the voice of the world ; all things in heaven and on earth doing her homage, the very least feeling her care, and the greatest not exempt from her frown.' The Montgom- ery County Bar have always been esteemed for their uniforn kindness and courtesy during my term of service with them, and I regret that business matters prevent my presence at your fes- tivitites." 158 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY Judge James G. Day responded to the invitation as follows : "Nothing would afford me more real pleasure than to be with you upon that occasion, and meet my old friends of Montgom- ery County, of whom, notwithstanding the flight of nearly thirty years, I am satisfied many yet remain. Business engagements for next week, of an urgent and important nature, force me re- luctantly to deny myself the pleasure of accepting your invita- tion. The changes which time has wrought since I assumed the office of judge of your district are more wonderful than ever were attributed to the wand of a magician. Then, there was not a mile of railroad in the district, and, as I now remember, not a house between Frankfort and Red Oak." Allen Beeson, one of the old time members of the bar, wrote from Plattsmouth, Neb. : "I know of nothing that would give me so much pleasure as to be present on that occasion to renew old friendships and form new ones. The thought of it puts me in a reminiscent mood and brings up fresh in my mind the hard- ships and privations, as well as the pleasures of pioneer days, when we had only about three days of court per year in school houses. One time I now call to mind, there were sixteen cases on the docket and seventeen lawyers present. Of course, the lawyers were nearly all non-residents, who followed the court around the district seeking business. In looking back at those early days, many pleasant memories come up and I know of nothing that would give me greater pleasure than to be with you on that occasion and rejoice with you over the magnificent structure which will stand as a monument to the intelligence and thrift of the good people of Montgomery County." The first Judge of the District Court was Bradford. He was appointed to that position by Gov. James W. Grimes in 1855. He was a good natured man, fat and jolly, and took an optimistic view of the situation in the district over which he presided. He was full of "wise saws and modern instances," was a good lawyer and well suited to his judicial position. He COUNTY COURT HOUSES, PAST AND PRESENT 1 59 never held court in Montgomery County, although his jurisdic- tion extended over the territory of that county. The nearest court was held at Quincy, in Adams Co. His immediate suc- cessor was E. H. Sears of Sidney, Iowa, who was a conspicu- ous judge — a Calvinist in religion and a terror to evil doers. Then came James E. Day, a gentleman of the old school and abreast of the times. Judge Day was very popular with the people and served on the bench twelve years, holding his last term in Frankfort in 1870. Afterward he became Chief Jus- tice of the Iowa Supreme Court. The first term of the District Court held in the county con- vened at Frankfort on the 1 7th day of November, 1 856, E. H. Sears presiding. The place was the residence of Dr. Amasa Bond, who was clerk at that time. There was but little busi- ness to transact, though all of the officers of the court, together with the jury, were in attendance. The first clerk of the court was S. C. Dunn, an old and respected citizen now living in Villisca. His immediate successors were Dr. Amasa Bond, Dr. E. Adair, D. C. Powell and W. W. Merritt. The ac- commodations of that court were meager in the extreme. The people lacked the conveniences and accessories of modern life. A small room in a log house with only a table and a few chairs constituted the furniture of the first court room. The table, upon which the court records and papers were kept, was also used as a dining table for the family ; the records being removed to make room for the plates, and vice versa. After the jury had heard the evidence of the litigants and the charge of the court, they were ordered out upon the prairie to deliberate upon their verdict. The next session of court was held in the Frank- fort schoolhouse. Here pupils received instruction, the preach- er warmed the hearts of the people, and the judge administered justice. The first district attorney was the inimitable R. B Parrott, warm hearted and impetuous; a gifted man who was always 160 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY equal to the occasion. Then came C. E. Millard, followed by Lafayette McPherson, a dignified gentleman and an able law- yer, who took the office in 1871, and served until his death, which occurred the following December. The next district attorney was Col. D. B. Daily of Council Bluffs. His succes- sor was William McLaughlin of Mt. Ayr, who was followed by Smith McPherson, who later resigned to accept the office of Attorney General. A. G. Lowe is entitled to the distinction of being the first County Judge. He was a typical Kentucky gentleman, a man of many amiable qualities and generous to a fault. His suc- cessor was James R. Horton, an early settler, from Highland County, Ohio. He was a member of the society of "Friends" or Quakers, and discharged his trust with ability and fidelity. W. G. Ewing was County Judge until the State Legislature changed the system of county government by an act which took effect July 4, 1 866. Sheriffs of the early days served in the following order: L. C. Cook, deceased; Chas. Bolt, now a resident of Red Oak; John Shafer, deceased, and H. G. McMullen, now a resident of Chadron, Neb. While the procedure of the courts of the pioneer days was rough and lacking in the finish of our modern courts, their decisions were usually in accordance with justice, meeting the approval and reflecting the sentiment of the community. The salaries were small and often unpaid, so that invariably the "office sought the man," thus minimizing the temptations to "graft" — an argument in favor of the divorce of matters per- taining to our courts from politics. MRS. LUCY M. JOHNSON— Now in her 89th year. Has resided in Red Oak township since 1854. SOPHRONIA DEAN SHANK— Taught the first school in the county at Climax. MRS. PAMELA WORSLEY— Born October 21, 1809. A resident of Red Oak 38 years. MRS. ANNA HEBARD— Widow of Col. A. Hebard. MOSES CHANDLER, Do :eascd — An early settler and large land holder. President Farmers Nat'I Rank at Red Oak, at time of death. JOSEPH F. FISHER, Deceased— Born Oct. 14, 1828, came to Red Oak 1869. He took the leading part in building up Red Oak; built and operated the packing house. P. P. JOHNSON, Deceased— An early settler and one of the largest land holders in the county. Builder of Johnson House, Red Oak. He came to county in 1856. ELIJAH OVERMAN, Deceased— The first post- master of Villisca. CHAPTER XIX. MEMORIAL SERVICES OF LINCOLN, GARFIELD, GRANT AND McKINLEY. Among the most significant and impressive public assemblies in the history of Montgomery County were those when the people gathered to do honor to the memory of their dead pres- idents — Lincoln, Garfield, Grant and McKinley. Political and religious creeds were for the moment thrown aside and all united in paying their last earthly tribute to their illustrious dead. These services are worthy of record to the end that it may never be forgotten that, whatever their differences, there has always existed a bond of union and affection between the people and their most exalted servants. ABRAHAM LINCOLN In the lists of patriots and statesmen who have rendered ser- vice to their country, Abraham Lincoln stands foremost. That simple, truthful, noble soul, faithful to the trust imposed upon him, stood firmly against the forces of dis-union and for the perpetuity of our free institutions. "He wrestled ceaselessly through four black and dreadful purgatorial years wherein God was cleansing the sin of his people as by fire." Before the consummation so devoutly to be wished had been effected and the new birth of freedom announced, Abraham Lincoln was slain. At this date one can hardly realize the profound grief of the people, produced by the death of the president whom they had learned to love. His name was a household word. They had trod with him the way of darkness and dan- ger, and had seen him maintain through it all a moderation of spirit that all the heat of party could not inflame nor all the 1 62 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY jars and disturbance of his country shake out of place. An- imosities were covered up and a divided people bowed in grief in the presence of an irreparable calamity. Mr. Lincoln's memorial service in Red Oak was held in a little one-story and one-room schoolhouse on Corning street. People came from the Valley of the Nodaway and from other remote parts of the county. It was an informal meeting, with- out program, a brief address being made by the writer. The quietness and solemnity of this occasion was like unto that of a funeral with the dead body of a dear friend near by. The people divided into little groups and conversed in low tones. To each one it was a personal loss as well as a public calam- ity. They had a clear conception of his character as voiced by Mr. Henry Watterson, the celebrated editor of the Louisville Courier-Journal : "Born as lowly as the son of God, in a hovel; of what an- cestry we know not and care not; reared in penury and squalor, with no gleam of light or fair surroundings; without external graces, actual or acquired; without name or fame or official training, it was reserved for this strange being, late in life, to be snatched from obscurity, raised to supreme command at a supreme moment and entrusted with the destiny of a nation. "Where did Shakespeare get his genius? Where did Mo- zart get his music? Whose hand smote the lyre of the Scot- tish plowman and stayed the life of the German priest? God! God and God alone! And so surely as these were raised up by God, inspired by God, was Abraham Lincoln, and 1 ,000 years hence no story, no tragedy, no epic poem will be filled with greater wonder, to be followed by mankind with deeper feeling than that which tells of his life and death." JAMES A. GARFIELD. Our country was at rest after a spirited political campaign. The heart burning and the strife engendered by the contending parties had in a great measure subsided. The verdict of the MEMORIAL SERVICES 163 popular will was accepted in the spirit of our institutions, and James A. Garfield became President of the United States. Suddenly a dark shadow fell over the land. A cruel, preme- ditated, unprovoked, cowardly assault was made upon him, culminating in his death and leaving our country in mourning. For eighty weary days the people lived in the hope of his re- covery. There was tender solicitude and prayerful interest from every hamlet in the land. Our countrymen ceased to think of Mr. Garfield in his official position. The man, the friend and brother, rather than the office, was directly before them. Memorial services in his honor were held in different towns in the county. At Red Oak, great preparations had been made in the spacious new opera house of Bishop & Houghton — since destroyed by fire — located on the northeast corner of the public square, and a very large audience assembled, notwith- standing the fact that many did not care to be present at the first test of strength of the structure. The stage decorations were elaborate, representing a lawn studded with flowers, and showing flags draped in mourning. Addresses were made by Hon. Smith McPherson, Rev. O'Neal and W. W. Merritt. Structures erected by human hands fall into decay and ruin, but great characters abide through all time. James A. Gar- field is a silent monument standing in the midst of this great people, immovable and imperishable. ULYSSES S. GRANT. The brief paragraph telegraphed from Mt. McGregor, New York, that Gen. Grant was dead, reached every center of population in this great republic in a few hours and, ere the setting of the sun on that day, the news had spread to every capital of the civilized world. There is a pathetic interest in all that relates to that sad event. Months before, it was believed that death had marked him for a victim, and there was little hope of his recovery. He 164 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY was not old, and he had much to live for. His laurels were many; his reputation world-wide. The gratitude of a great and free people was unfeigned. But, while kings' palaces were open to him, the narrow house, appointed for all, awaited him. Medical skill and the invigorating mountain air were of no avail, and, with characteristic imperturbility of spirit, he calmly and heroically submitted to the inevitable. From obscurity to the command of armies larger than Na- poleon ever saw ; for eight years the chief magistrate of the great- est republic on earth or known to history, and, subsequently, on Mt. McGregor, an incurable invalid, the object of millions of prayers, is in briefest outline the career of one of the most re- markable men of modern times. What wonder that the people should meet to do honor to such a man. Several towns in the county held services to his memory, the one in Red Oak being unusually impressive — an occasion long to be remembered by the vast audience there assembled. It was a beautiful day, and from the pagoda in the public square, addresses were de- livered, setting forth the military and civil history of Gen. Grant. The G. A. R. attended in a body. Patriotic songs were ren- dered and addresses were made by Smith McPherson, Dr. J. P. Hatton, W. W. Merritt and others. Gen. Grant's body lies quietly sleeping beside that of his wife in a tomb overlooking the Hudson River in New York City. WILLIAM McKINLEY. It is impossible to portray the sincere sorrow as exhibited on the occasion of the memorial services of William McKinley. The people assembled at designated places throughout the country in honor of this illustrious American citizen, loved and honored by all. At Red Oak, responding to the proclamation of the Mayor, a meeting was held at the armory, where the audience feelingly participated in a service previously arranged by a committee of citizens. The armory could not hold all MEMORIAL SERVICES 165 who came. Suspended in front and above the stage was a por- trait of President McKinley, draped in mourning, with a large flag on either side, also draped in mourning. The speakers' stand, built out from the platform, was covered with black cloth. The G. A. R. and the Women's Relief Corps had seats in front. On the stage beside the chairman, the speakers and resident ministers, was a choir of twenty voices. Mr. John Hayes was made chairman of the meeting. The exercises be- gan with the hymn, "Nearer My God To Thee;" followed by Scripture reading by Rev. John Shaw of the Baptist Church ; Prayer by Rev. S. E. DuBois of the United Presbyterian Church; Quartet, "Lead Kindly Light," by Mrs. E. M. Woodard, Miss Nanna Ingersoll, Mrs. F. J. Brodby and Mrs. J. J. Shuey; Addresses by Dr. Cook of the Presbyterian Church, Judge S. McPherson, Judge H. E. Deemer, Senator J. M. Junkin and W. W. Merritt; Hymn, "America;" Ben- ediction by Rev. J. W. Walters of the Christian Church. The entire service was subdued and impressive in character. The attention given the speakers was intense; the occasion too solemn for applause. The Sunday previous, memorial services were held in nearly all of the churches. Bruce Commandery Knights Templar held a special conclave and took suitable action relative to the death of President McKinley. The Knights of Pythias also as a lodge passed resolutions of respect and tribute to the dead president. Services were held at the High School, and all business, in- cluding the County Fair, was suspended. Notwithstanding many eloquent and feeling tributes from editorials in metropolitan and country newspapers, from the cler- gy, members of the bar and associations of various kinds in this and other countries, our people participated in these ser- vices because of a love for him which came from the depths of their hearts. All thought of partisanship sank out of sight in the presence of such profound grief. 166 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY William McKinley ranked among the very foremost of our presidents. Questions intricate and difficult of solution were met with courage and wisdom. His entire life's record, pub- lic and private, was free from stain ; all men acknowledged the purity of his life. He died at the zenith of his popularity and his fame is secure. As a citizen, he was not better than many another who still lives and labors for the welfare of society, but as a chief executive of this great nation of freemen, there is not to be found a nobler or a more considerate man in the list of past or present rulers of this world. Abraham Lincoln died at Washington, D. C, April 15, 1 865 ; James Abraham Garfield died at Elberon, N. J. Sept. 1 9, 1 88 1 ; Gen. U. S. Grant died at Mt. McGregor, near Sar- atoga, N. Y., July 23, 1885; William McKinley Jr. died at Buffalo, N. Y., Sept. 14, 1901. CHAPTER XX. SOME EARLY EXPERIENCES. The following account of some of the experiences of the pioneers of Montgomery County, told in their own language, is quoted from various sources. One of the earliest settlers in this section was H. C. Binns, who located just across the line in Page County in 1854. He originally came from Pennsyl- vania. COULDN'T BUY A STAMP. "In those days," remarked Mr. Binns, "we didn't get many letters and when one did come it wasn't certain we could get it from the postoffice. I remember one time that a letter came for my brother with six and one-half cents postage due. In our family of eleven we couldn't scrape together enough to pay the postage, and what was worse, our neighbors couldn't help us out. Finally, Mrs. Nellie Stafford, who lived a number of miles away, and, by the way, she was the first white woman in the county, heard of our predicament and sent us the money. "How did I get here? Well, I walked from Glenwood. When I reached the 'Botna I could find no means of crossing, so I took off my clothes, tied them in a bundle and fastened them in the fork of a bough and put my money in my boots which I hung 'round my neck. Then I swam across the stream carry- ing my clothes before me, and was nearly eaten up by the mosquitoes. CROWDED QUARTERS. "During the winter of '56 and '57, our entire family of eleven, and one boarder, lived in a house 1 6x1 8. You remem- ber that was the year of the great storm, when so many people 168 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY suffered and hundreds of deer and other wild animals perished. Just before the storm came on we ran out of meal. All our neighbors were in the same boat, and for six weeks we ground corn in the coffee mill for the whole family, rather than go to mill, which would have required five days to go and come. The storm began December 1 , 1 856, and it snowed furiously for three days. After that it snowed at short intervals until it lay four feet deep in the timber, and on the 1 Oth of May follow- ing, some of the snow was still lying in sheltered places. A $40 PAIR OF BOOTS. "We were pretty homesick the next year," said Mr. Binns, "and I believe if we had had decent clothes we would have left the country. As it was, our clothing was patched so that the original garments could scarcely be recognized, and we all went barefoot regardless of rattlesnakes. Boots were not to be had for a song in those days. A brother of mine traded forty bushels of corn to C. H. Lane for a pair of coarse stogas. Lane made a good thing out of the deal, too, for the next year the war broke out and he sold the corn for one dollar per bushel, making the boots worth forty dollars. We used after- wards to speak of Robert's forty dollar boots. Tom Weidman helped haul the corn to the Missouri river." Mr. Binns tells of a trip he took to Council Bluffs to buy eighty acres of land : "We had saved just an even $100, and several of us started tc enter the land. We were supplied with horse feed and lunch enough to last the entire trip, for we had no money to buy meals. While camping out on the way to the "Bluffs," one of the boys carelessly put the lunch box where the horses could get at it, and when we were ready to start our lunch, what hadn't been eaten by the horses, was unfit for food. Throwing the fragments away, we proceeded, made our pur- chase and returned. For almost two days we went without eating, and finally, nearly famished, we stopped at a house SOME EARLY EXPERIENCES 169 where the people were better known for their filth than any- thing else. We were invited to dinner and concluded to shut our eyes and trust in Providence. Although the meat was kept on the floor under the bed, and everything else just as filthy, I don't think I ever ate a meal that tasted so good. PORK AT ONE-HALF CENT PER POUND. "Talk about hard times now! Why, we are living amid luxurious abundance to what the people had in those days. For years no land was sold for taxes. There wasn't anyone to buy." Mr. Binns said that for eighteen months his total cash on hand amounted to just thirty-five cents. "One time I needed some money very badly, so I loaded up a lot of pork and started out to sell it. I first went to Sidney, from there to Hamburg, and from there to Nebraska City, and then back to Hamburg. By this time my meat was in such a condition that it was liable to spoil on my hands. There was a small store at Hamburg, the principal stock of which was a quantity of liquor in the back room, the few articles on the shelves being a mere blind for the more profitable business of selling liquor. To the proprietor of this place I sold my pork for about fifty cents per hundred pounds and took it out in trade, and after I had all my purchases you could have bought the lot for five dollars. My brother Charles hired a man for one dollar a day to haul wheat to St. Joe, and when he got back the proceeds came within an even dollar of paying the hired man. A REVIVALIST CALLED DOWN BY HIS WIFE. "We didn't always have an opportunity to hear religious services, and when a meeting was announced, we weren't sure the sermon would be preached," said the same speaker. "Along in '59 or '60 arrangements were made to hold a protracted meeting at a schoolhouse near the edge of Montgomery County. The exhorter opened the services and got up to begin preaching. He fidgeted about for some time and finally said: 'I can't 170 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY preach today, my wife has lost my references.' And there is where he made his mistake. The lady referred to got up and called her husband a liar and the quarrel that followed broke up the meeting. AN EIGHT DAY JOURNEY TO MILL. "We enjoyed life in those days even if we did suffer priva- tion," said Mr. Binns, "but there was one time things looked very gloomy. I had been here about two years and had run out of money. Borrowed fifty dollars of Stephen Davis, pay- ing forty per cent interest. Went to Linden, forty miles away, and bought some com, paying one dollar and a half per bushel ; hauled it to Rockport, Mo., to get it ground, but the water was so low they couldn't grind. Went twenty miles farther and found a mill. Had to stay all night and left the meal in the mill. During the night a rain storm came up and my meal got wet and on my way home I found it was spoiled. I was gone eight days on this trip, but we lived somehow." Thos. Weidman came from Pennsylvania and walked to this county from St. Joe — secured a farm, married a wife, raised a family and accumulated a competence here. He has figured in politics, having represented the county in the State Legislature. He tells an amusing story of how he fell from grace — got into politics : "Squire Hewitt was a justice of the peace in Red Oak and he wanted a justice elected in another part of the township so there wouldn't be anyone to divide the business in the village with him. He got me elected to the office, but I wouldn't qualify. One day he said, 'Tom, if you will qualify as justice of the peace, I'll give you your choice out of that litter of pups.' W. W. Merritt also' insisted, and before I knew exactly what was being done I was a full-fledged J. P. I got the pup, though. But the whole thing turned out badly; I didn't get out of politics for years and that pup got into a woman's churn, drank her cream, and I always blamed her for tying the dog to a wagon and allowing him to be taken away." SOME EARLY EXPERIENCES 171 NO LAWYERS, DOCTORS OR MERCHANTS. Mr. Weidman got married on the 4th of July, 1 86 1 , and at that lime there wasn't a merchant, a doctor or lawyer in the county. C. H. Lane closed up his business after Mr. Weidman bought his household goods to set up housekeeping. The whole thing amounted to less than ten dollars. Every- body agreed that they got along splendidly without the doctor and lawyer, and they didn't need much store goods. What few groceries and the like they needed were brought from Council Bluffs, Glenwood and Sidney. Mr. Lane came back several years later and again opened a store in Red Oak. Mr. Weidman was greatly in need of a hat and when one of his cows died he took the hide to Lane's and traded it for a hat. His neighbor, Mr. A. Milner, wanted to know how he got it. Upon being told, he remarked that he would have a new hat also, the first time a cow died. Sure enough, he lost a cow shortly afterwards, and the hide furnished him with a hat. Another of Mr. Weidman's recollections, quoted from a communication addressed to the Red Oak Express a few years ago, told of one of the early courts where business was done quickly. He says: "Perhaps the readers of The Express would like to know how court ran in this county forty years ago. In the spring of 1 862 I was summoned to appear at the county seat, then Frank- fort, to serve as a grand juror. I walked from the southwest corner of Grant township on the divide, or ridge, over the prairie to Frankfort. Not a field or fence to cross — arrived and reported at the schoolhouse where the court was held. "W. W. Merritt was clerk of court, and in this case, the whole thing — for he called, 'Hear Ye! Hear Ye! The Hon- orable District Court of Montgomery County is now in session. Please come to order. The jurors will answer as their names are called. After answering please come forward and sign 1 72 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY the jury book.' Having all signed, the clerk calls, 'Hear Ye! Hear Ye! Hear Ye! There being no further business, the court is adjourned until next regular session.' ' THEODORE WHITNEY'S BOOTS. Some amusing stories were told about Theodore Whitney, one of the early settlers, who was noted for his great size, par- ticularly the size of his feet. It is said that Sol Stout once went to St. Joe to buy goods and saw an exaggerated pair of boots hanging up just for a sign. When he tried to buy them the merchant thought he was crazy, but he took them along just the same and sold them to Whitney, and they proved to be a perfect fit. Whitney used to get "roasted" a great deal about his feet and they came to be a tender subject with him. He was once made the victim of a vile practical joke. He always left his boots on the porch, and one night the boys stole them and raided a watermelon patch, after which they returned the boots to their place. The next morning the owner of the patch discovered that some of his melons were missing and at the same time found foot prints that could have been made by no other boot than Whitney's. When accused of the theft he of course indignantly denied the charge, but upon being con- fronted with his own tracks he was confounded. He scratched his head in a puzzled sort of way and finally said, "Yes, them's my tracks," and putting his hand into his pocket, "how much is the damage?" HOW THEY THRESHED THEIR GRAIN. Ephriam Milner owned the only machine in the county that year. He threshed for Joe Chenoweth, then moved to Adams county where he did a job for Judge Bennett; then went to Quincy, and from there to Jim Whitney's near Sciola. Jim had a machine of his own but it was up north in the next county. He then moved over to Page county and threshed for Major Cramer. In those days they charged eight cents per bushel for SOME EARLY EXPERIENCES 1 73 wheat and four for oats, though some charged as much as ten for wheat. Thomas Weidman used to thresh his wheat in the primitive way — treading it out with horses. THEIR NAMES WERE AGAINST THEM. Some odd situations arose on account of peculiar names. It is said that C. H. Lane one time had some trouble in getting a consignment of merchandise op account of the odd names of his teamsters. He sent three men, with teams, to Council Bluffs for goods. When the first one arrived at the warehouse the agent asked for his name and business. "I came for some goods for C. H. Lane, of Red Oak, and my name is Hawk," he replied. Number two came in just then and announced his business. "What is your name?" asked the agent. "Crow," was the reply. Number three appeared on the scene at this moment, and said he had come for a load of goods for Lane. When the agent learned that the last man's name was Buzzard, that settled it; he wouldn't let them have the goods at all, and they returned empty-handed. YOUTHFUL AGE OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY. Its romantic period must be slightly noticed by reproducing sketches picked up here and there, recalling persons and inci- dents of the former time, in the light and spirit of that time, in giving them an animus that bare recitals cannot give. Humor and exaggeration themselves, when undisguised, are suggestive, and convey no little information after the manner of pictures. The "Frankfort Lyceum Budget" furnishes the following: "This winter has been one of unusual gaiety to the fashion- able circles of Frankfort, Montgomery's capital, one gay party succeeding another in rapid succession. As there has been no notice of a delightful party at Mr. and Mrs. Shafer's in The Budget, I will say that everything went off in the most agreeable manner, in fact it has not been surpassed in brilliancy by any festive occasion of the season. All the elite of the city were there. 1 74 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTS It would have been a great disappointment, not to say morti- fication, not to have been among the invited guests. Indeed, the whole affair was an eminent success. "On Friday evening, February fourteenth, was not seen, as was expected, a sleigh load of people issuing forth towards Red Oak. The weather not being propitious it was concluded not to issue forth, well knowing it would be very much like sitting in a rocking chair at the northwest corner of the house with our feet immersed in a tub of cold water. Sleigh-riding in cold weather has been compared to that situation. "Well, as I was saying, the bon ton of Frankfort did not issue forth, but in lieu thereof they were invited to another de- lightful entertainment at the "Castle of Montgomery," the residence of Dr. and Mrs. Sperry. This, too, was another splendid affair. But I will not exhaust superlative terms in de- scribing it. I should not, however, do justice to the occasion if I did not mention the presence of St. Valentine. "Why he was called a saint I never could see, being very different from any saint that I have ever been acquainted with. The saints that I have known have been sedate, sober, devout people; whereas St. Valentine is very merry and funny, and, if I must tell the truth, I think him often quite a silly saint. But there is one thing in his favor, he seems to love everybody, and what makes him seem silly, is, he claims the right to tell them so upon his day. I suppose why it seems silly to us is, we are very apt to doubt the sincerity of that love that is too outspoken. The real genuine article is supposed to be shy and reserved. However, we will not find fault with St. Valentine, as he means well, and has contributed a little to our amusement. (Ficti- tious Signature.)" The writer was not neglected in this early journalism, and in a poetical effusion this couplet appears, alluding to the gen- eral mode of locomotion in the good old days: "Those thrilling tones, Oh, who can hear As you press on each lagging steer." SOME EARLY EXPERIENCES 1 75 As an example of the good humored sarcasm that enlivened the columns of the Budget, the following is worthy of inclusion in this book, even though the joke was on the author : "In the Valentine of William we have information or an intimation of the carriage outfit of our old-time friend and new-time friend, Mr. Merritt. He was the first among us to keep a carriage. I think the reason for it must be that he 'despised' walking on the slippery grass over the prairie. The cattle that he rode out with were the same that he hauled wood and plowed with, as he was too penurious to keep two teams. There's no doubt of it. Those who are acquainted with cat- tle know that they require considerable encouragement from the voice urging them on and keeping up their ambition, which makes travelling with them a rather lively and interesting bus- iness, accompanied with music. "As I was speaking about the penuriousness of a friend, I don't want to say anything against a friend without proving it. One winter he undertook to supply Frankfort with wood, as he had both the wood, and the cattle to haul it, and he had the face to take 75 cents a cord from those poor woodless people of Frankfort, nor could they get a stick from him for less than that rate. I think that proves that he must know something about getting up 'corners.' I think he tried to deceive us, too, by calling it 'prairie wood'. " The last is an unkind remark, for be it known that it was not uncommon to get wood where most convenient, and oblivious of the government survey. To the inquisitive inquiry, "Where did you get that wood?" the reply would be, "Oh, out on the prairie." CHAPTER XXI. A CHAPTER OF EARLY INCIDENTS— GRAVE AND GAY. FALSE IMPRISONMENT. There is no class of unfortunates more deserving of sympathy than those who have served sentences for crimes they did not commit. A noted prosecutor is authority for the statement that there are now in the criminal asylums of the state many prisoners who are there for crimes committed by others, roughly estimat- ing the number at one-third of all the convicts. It is not often that the real criminals confess, so that the number of innocent men who have been sentenced to prison cannot be known, but those familiar with criminal practice will agree that the estimate is not too high. Occasionally a man is hung for a crime he did not commit, as in a case in Nebraska several years ago and one in Pennsylvania recently. The state furnishes practically no defense for those charged with crime. Our statutes provide that when brought before a magistrate, the prisoner is to be informed of his right to coun- sel, etc. » and it seems that this bare right is all he has. There is no provision for paying the counsel, and unless some lawyer takes the case upon the theory that the man will afterwards be indicted and that he will secure the paltry ten dollars allowed in cases where the crime is punishable by imprisonment in the penitentiary, the prisoner gets nothing but the knowledge that the great State of Iowa has given him the privilege of being represented by an attorney — providing he has enough money to employ one. EARLY INCIDENTS 1 77 It is often an impossibility for a person without means to secure anything like a fair and impartial trial. Everything is against him. The prison officials are prejudiced by years of association with real criminals. They treat the suspect as they do the man serving time. His diet and privileges are the same. His associates may be men charged with every crime known to the criminal calendar, from simple assault to murder. The rich are not exempt, although they have the better chance, their chance being in proportion to their money. If the offense charged be murder, however, where usually the defendant is not admitted to bail, the rich man must take his place by the side of the poor man. Many men are in the penitentiary today who are there be- cause some slovenly witness has fixed on them a crime they did not commit. A notable instance of this kind occurred in this county twenty-five years ago. A man, afterwards proven in- nocent, was legally convicted by a Montgomery County jury of the crime of obtaining money under false pretenses, and the strangest part of it all is that the evidence upon which he was convicted apparently proved his guilt beyond any reasonable doubt. The record is clear. He received as good a defense as the money paid by the state will buy — which may not be saying much — and within seven days from the time of his in- dictment was wearing the striped suit of a felon, and sentenced to serve three years at hard labor in the penitentiary at Fort Madison, Iowa. His name was George Bennett, and the state which treated him so roughly has never yet had the decency to apologize, to say nothing of reimbursing him for his time, mental suffering and work. Bennett was arrested on the complaint of one A. Crittenden, a grain dealer, who swore that Bennett represented to him that he lived on a farm north of Red Oak and that he had one thousand bushels of corn for which he was willing to take twen- ty-five cents per bushel. A contract was drawn up and seven- 1 78 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY ty-five dollars paid down to clinch the bargain. Bennett did reside on Kennedy Packard's farm near Red Oak, but he had sold his corn to other parties. He answered the description given by Crittenden of the man and the transaction with the exception that in making the contract he had signed his name "Chas. Benit." There was evidence that the Bennett ar- rested was sometimes called Jack Bennett, and it was inferred from this that it would be as easy to change a name from "Chas." to "George" as from "George" to "Jack." Critten- den swore at the trial, "I have seen this man Bennett in jail and say that he is the same man" — meaning that he was the man who defrauded him in the corn deal. One J. T. Wicker- sham, also a grain dealer, testified that the man arrested had called at his place on the day the contract was drawn and wanted to contract to sell some corn. Another witness named Alexander swore that he was present when the contract was drawn and that the person in jail was the person who signed the contract. Something in the prisoner's looks and actions — possibly the dumb appeal in his eyes — had such an effect on the then newly elected sheriff, H. H. Palmer, that he immediately started an investigation which resulted in the arrest of a man in Scotland Co., Missouri, who promptly confessed the crime when told another man was imprisoned for it. Accompanied by his father, he returned to Red Oak and demanded trial. Critten- den still refused to admit he was the man, saying he was sure it was Bennett. This was done, likely, as a protection in case suit should be brought for malicious prosecution. However, the man told such a straight, detailed account of the crime that, in spite of Crittenden's denials, Bennett was released after serv- ing eleven months of his sentence. The strangest part of this case is that Bennett and the real criminal were as unlike as two men could be, the fomer having a protruding chin that amounted almost to a deformity, while the latter had regular features. Both were young men. EARLY INCIDENTS 179 No state as yet has passed legislation for the reimbursement of men who have been falsely imprisoned or put to the necessity of a defense when innocent, although within the past two years, in the state of New York, bills have been introduced along this line, the theory being that the injured person should be paid the actual cost of defense. J. C. Cooper, Bennett's attorney, tried to get a bill through the Iowa Legislature for Bennett's relief, but for want of influence, it failed. A FRANKFORT "SOCIETY MAN." During the winter of 1 859-60, a young man by the name of Frank Bates came to Frankfort for the ostensible purpose of clerking for Solomon Stout, a merchant. He was courteous and agreeable and, while he made himself conspicious in many ways, he was modest and unassuming. He was of medium stature, had a round face and rosy cheeks, blue eyes and auburn hair; he dressed neatly and was noted for his pleasant manners and general good conduct. He attended the school described in another place, and was always attentive, well-behaved and gracious. At all of the parties and neighborhood gatherings, he was always welcome, being a general favorite. Altogether, he was well calculated to charm the gentler sex ; would accom- pany them home and linger long at the doorway for a parting word as long as the climate or the individual would permit. He was actually engaged to be married, it is said, to one of the fair maidens of the town. His attentions were not confined to any one lady, however, and he caressed all who would permit, according to approved methods. One day he departed, as suddenly as he had come, and moved to Council Bluffs, the metropolis of the slope, where he exhibited all of the graces that had endeared him to the young society at Frankfort. There he had a wider field and better opportunities in which to ex- ercise his talents. After spending a season there, he again sud- denly disappeared, when the report became current that Frank, 180 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY "the dear young man," was in reality a woman. Indeed, this fact was soon afterward admitted by all. At that time there was no more communication between Frankfort and Council Bluffs than there now is between Red Oak and Nome, Alaska. She never returned to console the ladies or to apologize to the gentlemen whose acquaintance she had so rudely violated. . HOW THE "Q" RAILROAD EARNED $2.00. . (The following, copied from the Creston Gazette, is one of Major Wood's stories, and therefore a true one.) "About two weeks ago a Burlington freight train struck a horse near Stanton and the animal was killed as dead as a smelt. The engineer of the train promptly wired in a report of the acci- dent and the Burlington claim agent hastened to Stanton to square the matter. The agent learned that the horse had be- longed to an old Swede farmer named Peterson, and at once drove out to see him about it. 'Mr. Peterson,' remarked the claim agent, 'I've come out here to settle with you for the horse that was killed by one of our engines. I have learned that your horse was a very breechy animal and that it jumped the right- of-way fence and wandered upon our tracks. Now, Mr. Pe- terson, we could go into court and prove contributory neglig- ence, malicious trespass and breach of the peace on the part of your horse, but we do not care to have any litigation. We are willing to settle this matter out of court if possible.' "Ay tank we make settlement pretty quick,' said the old farmer, 'I ban wanton dat old hoss killed for yar. Ay tank you have pooty gude. Ay pay you two dollar.' The claim agent was thun- der struck. 'Pay us for killing your horse?' he exclaimed. *Ay tank you earned dat money.' 'Mr. Peterson,' said the claim agent in an awe-struck tone of voice, 'That is the first worthless horse the Burlington Railroad ever killed. It has always been our misfortune to kill Morgans, Hambletonians, Clydesdales and Percherons. With your permission I will have EARLY INCIDENTS 181 that horse's hide stuffed and placed in our museum of curiosities and we must have your photograph; and when you want to travel through any point reached by our lines, let me know and we will carry you free of charge and feel under obligation to you . WASHTUB A DEADLY WEAPON. According to an indictment in our District Court, this useful household utensil is so styled. Undoubtedly many a poor wo- man, in an effort to protect helpless ones under her care, and to keep soul and body together, pressed by necessity, has come to her death through exhausting labor at the washtub, but it is not generally classed as a deadly weapon. However, it was so designated by the District Attorney in a certain criminal prose- cution wherein a certain party was charged with an assault with intent to commit great bodily injury. The men had quarrelled and engaged in a personal encounter. The defendant was thrown, his head coming in contact with the edge of a tub, making an ugly wound. The indictment was something like the following: "The defendant did then and there wilfully, maliciously and with malice aforethought, assault with a certain deadly weapon, to-wit: a washtub." A TENDERFOOT. About 1858, a man by the name of Bowen, a tenderfoot, observing the lack of improvements and the forlorn appearance of the country, inquired of one of the settlers, John Bolt, the reason for the lack of enterprise and why everything seemed to be at a standstill. The answer was given without hesitation : "Stranger, there is something about this country that has a tendency to make a man lazy. This feeling will come on him in about two years, and in five years he will steal." He then referred to the universal custom of getting timber and wood from land owned by the railroad company and speculators with no expectation of paying for it excepting by indirectly enhancing 182 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY the value of their lands by building bridges and school houses and maintaining courts. The pioneers would respect the rights of each other, for they were bound together in the fellowship of common sympathy in what at the time was considered hard- ships. FEVER AND AGUE. One of the serious obstacles in the way of the early settlers in building their homes and making improvements, was the prevalence of the malady, chills and fever, or the shaking ague, rendering them unfit for hard labor. The cause of this condi- tion was due to the malaria that came from the rotting, over- turned prairie sod. Old and young were brought under its baneful influence and held in its grasp for weeks and months. The premonitory symptoms of fever and ague was a chilly sensation creeping along the spine, a warning of what was to follow. The next movement was to get into the sunshine or near artificial heat. But this was no help. The teeth would chatter, then the whole frame would be convulsed with an uncontrollable, spasmodic action so violent as to cause the pots, kettles and tinware to vibrate, if within the sphere of its influ- ence. This paroxysm would last for an hour or two, followed by joint-torturing pains and a fever which, for its intensity, is indescribable. The fever would, in time, gently and entirely subside to give time for the renewal of the first attack, which would occur periodically every twenty-four or forty-eight hours. During the summer and autumn seasons, the ague was more prevalent than in the spring and winter, but its baneful effects would last the entire year. Its only antidote in those days was quinine and whiskey. The former, a staple article of commerce, was a necessity in every family and was taken in heroic doses. Gradually the disease became less prevalent as the country became improved, so that today a real case of the old-time "shakes" is a rarity. EARLY INCIDENTS 183 EARLY ADMINISTRATION OF JUSTICE. R. S. Hanley, the first mayor of Red Oak, administered jus- tice in accordance with the demands of the period. An offen- der was brought before him who had lingered too long at the wine. The man's attorney claimed in defense that his client was not intoxicated but sick, which the client proceeded to prove by "feeding the fishes" in the mayor's presence. The mayor immediately ordered him to jail and the next morning fined him ten dollars for "puking on the court." Upon pay- ment, he was discharged. "SINGLE TAX" IN MONTGOMERY COUNTY. The Henry George theory of single land tax was put to a practice test in Montgomery County long before that noted man was known to fame. In proof of this, one has only to examine the assessor's books in the first decade of our history. He will there discover that it was the invariable custom to list all of the land belonging to resident or non-resident owners at the same price. They did not take into account the en- hanced value caused by the improvements made thereon. They reasoned that the labor and skill required to enhance its value, such as buildings, fences, trees, etc., should not, under existing circumstances, be taxed for the reason that such taxation was in the nature of a penalty upon industry and had a tendency to retard improvements, and that all their surplus energy should be spent in building bridges across streams and in erecting schoolhouses on the hilltops. While they were law-abiding citizens and had a wholesome respect for authority, they be- came judges in equity upon their own acts and justified them- selves on the ground that self preservation was the first law to obey and first to be obeyed — after that the laws of the state. The ideal was at last gradually merged into the actual. This rule of reform met the fate of every innovation upon long estab- lished custom, and the laws of the state as laid down in the "Blue Book," a cheap edition of the Iowa Statutes, were read and obeyed. CHAPTER XXII. ANOTHER CHAPTER OF EARLY INCIDENTS. A COLD WINTER IN 1866. "The winter of 1866-7 was the coldest I ever saw," said E. P. Milner of Sherman Township in a newspaper interview. "Early in December, 1 866, I killed a lot of hogs and with two teams, Aaron Milner driving one and myself the other, we hauled fresh pork, 8,800 pounds, to Denver. Very little money was made on the pork, but we came out even. "We were fifty-six days making the round trip, and when we left my house in Sherman Township, where I now live, there was about eight inches of snow on the ground. On our return the same wagon tracks in the snow were still to be seen. We drove right across the prairie, there being no road. "We were a whole week getting out of Iowa," he con- tinued. "There was no chance to cross at Plattsmouth, so we drove to Nebraska City. The ice was too thick to run the ferry boat and not strong enough to drive on. After waiting for some time we were able to get across by means of the ferry boat, but we were the last ones to cross. That very night the boat froze fast and I don't know how long it stayed so. "It was our intention to get in with a wagon train made up at Kearney, so as to have company and be freer from molesta- tion by Indians, but a blizzard delayed us a day and we had to drive fifteen miles one night after leaving Kearney to over- take them. "The cold was extreme. One night we slept in a sod house in which there was a fair fireplace. We had a good fire all ARMSTED MILNER— The first County Surveyor. Came to county in 1855. HON. THOMAS WEIDMAN— Was born in New York, 1838. Came to the county in 1856. Ex-State Senator. EPHRAM P. MILNER— An early settler. The principal factor in founding the Corn and Stock Judging School at Red Oak. MR. HENRY C. BINNS— Settled near Page county line in 1854. A large land holder and successful business man. See chapter on Early Experience." WM. COZAD, of Grant Township— Came to county in 1854 when a boy. WAYNE STENNETT— Founder of Stennett. Now in his 75th year. Resident of Sherman town- ship since 1S54. CHARLES STENNETT, county in 1854. of Villisca— Came to JOHN NORCROSS— A long time stockman of Douglas township. EARLY INCIDENTS 185 night, lying wrapped in our blankets in front of it on the dirt floor. In the morning the ice was two inches thick in a water bucket that stood not more than three feet from the fire. There was ice in a thirty-foot well and we had to drop an iron weight tied to a rope down into the well before we could draw water sufficient to water our mules. "While travelling near Julesbiirg, Colo., we saw one morn- ing two "sun dogs" that never disappeared during the entire day and at sundown the "dogs" formed a corona over the sun and made as perfect a rainbow as I ever saw. "At one point on the route we were overtaken by a band of Pawnee Indians. A terrific blizzard was blowing at the time. We were able to get shelter at a ranch, but the Indians slept out of doors in the snow, apparently not suffering a particle from the cold. "On our return trip we found the Missouri river frozen over so we could drive across at Nebraska City. It was nearly night when we got there, but for fear something might happen to break the ice up before morning we crossed at once and found a place to stay over night in Iowa. "After getting back into Montgomery County we had an experience in crossing Walnut creek, near the Wax place. The hill leading to the creek was very steep and a perfect glare of ice. Our mules had worn out their shoes, so it was impos- sible to get the wagons down with the mules hitched to them. "After some investigation we found that we could get our mules down one at a time, and afterwards went to work to let the wagons down by attaching a chain to them and making a rough lock. The first wagon went down all right. The next one was heavier, it being loaded with our effects and provisions. It went down so rapidly that when it struck the bridge it upset and fell bottom upwards into the creek. I jumped into the ice- cold water which was waist deep and succeeded in saving most of our stuff. There was no opportunity for three or four hours 186 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY to get to a place to put on dry clothing or to get warm, but I kept on moving and never felt any evil effects from the cold bath. "The eight weeks of travel in the extreme cold weather had hardened us until we were like the Indians. There were weeks at a time when we never got near to a fire, except what we had in a little tin stove with which we made coffee by the roadside." A POLITICAL INCIDENT OF 1860. W. W. Merritt was nominee of the Republican party for Clerk of the District Court, but declined the nomination for reasons given by his friend, J. B. Packard, at a subsequent time. D. C. Powell, a young gentleman of fine qualities, was elected and made a faithful and efficient officer. His death while in the army was greatly lamented. Following is the published article of J. B. Packard in referring to Mr. Merritt's nomination : "The attempts and experiments in 'Civil Service Reform' which have received some attention throughout the country of late, may have had their beginning in Montgomery county. This cannot be denied on account of the awkwardness of the attempts, for all beginnings as a rule are awkward. The com- mencement was upon Mr. Merritt. He was the nominated candidate for County Clerk, but upon examination made be- fore the day of election, it was found that his view of the Spirit- ual Government of the Universe, and of the existence, spiritual interests and destiny of mankind was incorrect, he being too near-sighted or cross-eyed to see it right, and was compelled to withdraw from the canvass on account of this obliquity of vision, which was discovered by some words that he had spoken. The mistake we made on the start came very near throwing the 'Civil Service Reform' off the track. The count- try changed, for we have elected Mr. Merritt several times since that, to the same office, although it is not perceptible that his vision has been reformed. Mr. Powell was thereupon elected to the office. J. B. P." EARLY INCIDENTS 187 A VISION OF DRY BONES. In the spring of the year 1857, the writer, a footman travel- ing from Topeka, Kansas, on what was known as the Jim Lane Emigrant Route to Nebraska City., Nebr., crossed what had been the great route of travel from the Missouri River at St. Joe to the far off Eldorado, California. Here, at this time of year, horses, oxen and mules could subsist on the native grasses — a fact which lessened to some extent the difficulties of traveling. One caravan was seen, averaging four teams abreast, hauling great wagons laden with provisions, tools and camp equipment. Necessarily, there was great hardship and much suffering and many beasts perished. Some men fell by the way and were buried by their companions in shallow and unmarked graves. The animals were left the prey of the scavangers of the prairies — the prairie wolves. A man, met by chance at the intersection of these routes, called attention to the blackened prairie, recently burned over, and to a lighter streak plainly marking the route to the west. He explained that the light color to be seen as far as the eye could reach was caused by the bleached bones of animals and men who per- ished by the way in that great hegira. The foregoing was not the only route traveled in that great rush for gold and during the subsequent discovery of this precious metal near Pike's Peak, Colorado. The main route through Southern Iowa was through the tier of counties north of Montgomery County, crossing the Missouri River at Coun- cil Bluffs and following up the Platte River. Some part of the travel, however, was diverted southward, passing through our county and crossing the Missouri River at Plattsmouth and Nebraska City, where a ferry boat was in operation. Fre- quently large herds of animals were forced into the water and compelled to swim. A daring cowboy with his bronco would plunge into the river and the herd would follow, the strong 188 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY current often carrying them down a long distance before they could make a landing on the opposite shore. At all times of the day, prairie schooners, as the canvas- covered wagons were called, could be seen trundling along on their circuitous way, following the divide, or ridges, from Sciola to Carr's Point on Walnut Creek, the usual camping places being near some stream. They traveled usually in groups and in the summer season, near the crossing of the Nodaway, Nishna and Walnut, it was no unusual sight to see men, young or mid- dle aged — seldom was a woman among them — gathering fuel, preparing food and caring for the animals, presenting a quaint and lively scene. The evening would be enlivened by the strains of violin or other musical instrument. In the morning after breakfast there would be a bustling time in preparing to start on or, to use the term generally employed, to "roll out" from two to four yokes of oxen hitched to stout wagons. On one occasion the writer remembers a procession over a mile long leaving camp on the Tarkio, the forward teams hav- ing passed Frankfort before the last ones left camp. They were a jolly set, free from care and with bright visions of the future. One of them was driving a long string of oxen hauling an immense load. He was flourishing a long lash at the end of what appeared to be a fish pole and merrily whistling the tune, "The Girl I Left Behind Me." Suddenly, and with a countenance as sober as a judge, he inquired, "Stranger, is this the road to California?" He was reminded that following the star of empire, surely westward was the way. The first white man known to have been buried on Iowa soil was a young soldier of the Lewis and Clark Expedition up the Missouri River in 1 804. His name is Charles Floyd and his grave is on a bluff near Sioux City which is now called Floyd Bluff. It was marked by Captan Clark .by planting a EARLY INCIDENTS 189 red cedar post. A monument one hundred feet high and cost- ing $20,000 now marks his resting place and a manuscript journal kept by Sergeant Floyd has recently been found. Lit- tle did his sorrowful companions realize that that cedar post would in a little more than a century grow into a monument of commanding proportions in his honor. The first grave of a white person in Montgomery County is at the corner of the four townships of Frankfort, Pilot Grove, Sherman and Red Oak. It was at this point that Mrs. Haeff- lick, the wife of a pioneer just arrived in the county from the East, was buried in June, 1 854. A roughly constructed coffin was made from a wagon box — the only boards obtainable for such a purpose. Her grave was made in what now is a public highway and is unknown and unmarked. There is scarcely a person in the county now living who was conversant with her sad history. PIONEER SAWMILLS. Henry and Wm. Shank built the first sawmill on Red Oak Creek in 1857 near where Seventh street crosses the same. The single sash saw was propelled by an old fashioned water wheel and the neighbors could get sawing done for 50 cents a hundred. This mill fulfilled its mission, notwithstanding the fact that at times it had to be thrown out of gear to get suffi- cient motion to work its way through the log. One of its patrons facetiously suggested that it could be easily changed into a hazelnut huller. It was a hardy pioneer in its chosen field and was put out of commission one day during a surging flood after about eight years' service. The reservoir was not large but it was deep and people on horseback crossed back and forth on the dam. On one oc- casion a townsman who had been vainly trying to catch his horse — his patience nearly exhausted in a fruitless attempt to capture the brute — took the horse at a decided disadvantage 190 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY and cornered him so that he could not escape from a narrow peninsula extending into the mill pond without either running over his master or indulging in a plunge bath. After an in- stant's reflection he chose the latter course, thinking — if a horse thinks — that since the place further down had been crossed so many times, he could cross anywhere with perfect safety. After one jump, he was lost to sight and bubbles rose to the surface to denote the place where he disappeared. When he emerged on the opposite bank and looked back, it was with such a look of astonishment and chagrin as is seldom seen in the countenance of that noble animal. Another sawmill, propelled by steam, was built by Isaac Hendrie in the fall of 1857, the machinery being shipped up the Missouri River. After four or five years, a grist mill was added and became a very useful improvement to the entire community. The patrons came for twenty-five miles or more to mill. The financial crash of 1857 crippled all improvements and things were at a standstill. There being but little money in circulation, the business was conducted almost entirely by exchange of products. In the millers' day book, found among resurrected records, are the following sample entries: Credit 87/ 2 lbs. Beef 3c per lb. 1 8 lbs. Buckwheat Flour 36c 80 ft. Plank in log 80c 6 Chickens 60c Paid Doctor Bill of R. D. Sperry by or- der on Mill. Cut one cord of wood 50c By 1 1-3 Cord of Wood $1.40 Bunnell & Bolt, one yoke of oxen $52.00 EARLY INCIDENTS 191 People purchased lumber, giving in payment a given quantity of lumber in a log which was sold for such things as the people had to spare, which in turn was paid to the helpers in the mill. It was a current saying that Cottonwood lumber in logs or sawed into lumber was a legal tender for all private debts. It was the custom of one Sam Campbell to find a tree "out on the bare prairie," meaning wherever he could find it, and sell the logs, without delivery, to the miller, who would employ another to haul them to the mill. On one occasion, this question became mixed up in local politics. One Col. Sharp, a man from Mills Co., was candi- date for the Legislature. Although blind in one eye and pock marked, he was of commanding presence, and called around him eight or ten voters of Red Oak and addressed them. Among other things, he said, "I am agent for the owner of this land (pointing to Red Oak Grove, now known as Hebard's Grove, then covered by many red oak trees) and I understand that much of the lumber that enters into the construction of these buildings — a few structures on the square — was taken from my principal's land. I did not come here to make you any trouble, but I think that under all of the circumstances, it would be a gracious act on your part to vote for me." I be- lieve they all forgave him for his unkind insinuations and rolled him as they would a stolen log, into a snug seat in the Legisla- ture. They were not theives, but were foragers by necessity. Non-residents did not receive the same consideration at their hands as residents who were compelled to endure all of the discomforts of life to enhance the value of their holdings while the non-residents were perhaps living a life of ease and indulg- ence elsewhere. The law of social obligation was suspended until all alike should have its benefits. It is not the province of the historian to decide questions of morals but rather to state facts. 192 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY REPUBLICAN STATE CONVENTION AT IOWA CITY 1860 AND AFFAIRS AT FRANKFORT. Wm. Dunn and the writer were selected as delegates to the Republican State Convention at Iowa City in 1860. It was customary for delegates in this and adjoining counties to meet at some convenient place to hold congressional and district con- ventions and journey by carriage to state convetions, consuming many days in the trip and usually meeting the same persons from year to year, and mingling at the convention with men of state-wide reputation — Kasson, Nourse, Kirkwood, O'Connor, Grinnell, Allison and others equally noted. Lincoln's nomina- tion for president was enthusiastically ratified in speeches by Stewart L. Woodford and Judge Porter of New York. The county was in a ferment. A letter was received from J. B. Packard concerning happenings at Frankfort. He said, "Things are wearing away here in their usual style. The folks all left the county yesterday for Pike's Peak. I expect they are getting alarmed for fear that the Southerners with their negroes are going to dam up the Mississippi and overflow the northern country again as it was in Noah's time. Anyway, they are streaking it up the mountains on some account." Then follows a list of them, adding, "We live in desolate borders and have to wait for the day of redemption." Mrs. Sophronia Dean Shank, widow of the late H. C. Shank, of Red Oak, taught the first school in the county in August 1 856. This was before the winter school in the same year in Jackson Township. The school was in a log cabin near Cli- max. The day of opening the school, there was absolutely no furniture whatever. A new sawmill had just commenced operation and the school had to wait until some slabs could be obtained for seats. These seats were made by boring holes through them to insert legs for support. All of the seats were of the same height and placed around the room. ELISHA N. TEFT, Deceased — Early settler of Sherman township. CHAS. E. RICHARDS, Deceased— A distin- guished member of the bar. Came to county in 1867. C. W. MERCER, Deceased, of Sherman township —A resident of the county from the earliest period of its history. REV. B. M. HALLAND, Deceased— Founder of Stanton. Came to county in 1869. DR. J. A. J, MARTIN — Came to Red Oak, 1869. Pioneer practicing physician of city. 3. A. HYSHAM — Early settler. Ex-Mayor of Red Oak and successful business man. R. M. ROBERTS— Came to the county in 1S66. Was elected Clerk of District Court in 1868. CHARLES BOLT— Came to the county in 1855. Was the second Sheriff of the county. EARLY INCIDENTS 193 The first regular train came into Red Oak on November 13 th, 1869, and on that train were Mrs. H. A. McFatrich, Mrs. T. H. Alexander, Mr. W. H. Evans, L. H. Tonner and S. A. Henry and wife. Mr. T. H. Alexander and Dr. H. A. McFatrich arrived in Red Oak in August previous, and erected the old store building on Coolbaugh street, which was first occupied by Alexander & Carr and S. A. Henry & Co., on Lot 2, Block 43. The building was erected by Geo. West, now of Los Angeles, Cal., and the lumber was hauled from Corning, costing nearly one cent a pound. 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 judge were Amos G. Lowe and James R. Horton. Before 1 85 1 , in the organized counties of the state, the county government was under the triumvirate of three officers known as the Board of County Commissioners. Their duties were identical with those of the Board of Supervis- ors of the present day. The political history of the county dates from the regular election of August, 1853. The names of the voters are as follows: John Ross, James Ross, R. W. Rogers, James Carlisle, G. D. Connally, J. G. Romine, Wm. Nelson, Wells Sager, A. G. Lowe, Wm. Hannaway, J. H. Sager, Chauncy Sager, Robert Dunn, Samuel C. Dunn, A. Dunn, George P. West, John Harris and J. T. Patterson. Twelve of them were Democrats and six Whigs. First tax list of Montgomery County, Iowa, being for the year 1854: 194 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY R. W. Rogers $ 4.15 Wm. Wilson 3.39 G. D. Connelly 10-47 I. N. Delaney 4.99 John W. Patterson 6.39 James Stafford 4.55 Wm. A. Shank 3.32 Wells Sager 2.55 Mark Reese 4.73 Ruth Chalfout 1.32 Wesley Hall 3.48 Amos G. Lowe 12.40 Thos. C. Means 3.75'/ 2 John Ross 10.59 Chauncey Sager 7.37 Thos. Carlisle 2.50 Elias Patterson 7. 1 7J/2 David Stipe 2.50 James Carlisle 6.60 James Ross 6.43 Wm. Findley 8.85 G. P. West 21.85 Elizabeth Means 1 .88 James Knox 5.67 James Shank 6.56 Sihon Reese 2.76 J. T. Patterson 4.73 John Harris 9.67^ Wm. Stipe 13.54 Wm. C. Means 19.73^ Samuel Dunn 23.85 John Gilmore 9.3 1 Layfayette Sager 3.32 Joseph Carlisle 2.50 Isaac Conner 2.05 I, Amos G. Lowe, County Judge of Montgomery County, Iowa, do hereby authorize John Gilmore collector of said county to collect the within tax list. AMOS G. LOWE, County Judge. CHAPTER XXIII THE MEDICAL FRATERNITY IN THE COUNTY. Medicine, next to religion, is, perhaps, the most exalted subject that can occupy the mind of man. By "medicine" is meant the science of disease and the art of healing. Next to a care for the soul, the preservation of the body is most import- ant and holds undisputed place in the economy of nature. The nobility of the healing art has been recognized and its superior dignity has been acknowledged from the most remote periods in the history of man. In the early morning of the world, when medicine as a science was utterly unknown, and consisted simply of a compilation of facts based upon experience, traditional and acquired, the offices of the priest and the physician were united, theology and med- icine being considered correlative subjects; and even so late as the history of the English speaking people of this country, the practice of medicine was largely in the hands of the clergy. Happily, now, however, the two professions are entirely separ- ate and distinct — the members of each recognizing that there is enough in their own chosen field of labor to claim their un- divided attention. Medicine, in common with all sciences depending for appre- ciation upon high intellectual development, has been raised from the condition of a mere pretension, resting upon a simple- collection of dogmatic aphorisms, to the honored place which it holds today. Up until the close of the eighteenth century,, the profession was, to a great extent, groping in the dark, with only here and there a gleam of light breaking through the thick mists of error and falsity in which it was enveloped. The dis- 196 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY coveries of Harvey and Jenner, standing out as beacon lights to the scientific workers and professional explorers in the won- derful realms of medicine and surgery, infused new zeal in the students of each, which has resulted in untold good for the world. Boerhave, the most celebrated physician of the eigh- teenth century, at his death bequeathed to the profession an elegant volume, on the title page of which it was affirmed that the book contained all the secrets pertaining to medical science. An inspection of the work disclosed the fact that all the pages except one were blank, and on that one was written, "Keep the head cool, the feet warm and the bowels open." This legend of Boerhave illustrates, not inaptly, the requirements of medical art a century ago. Slowly has the art of administering tested samples for relief, in accordance with experience in similar cases, advanced, step by step, through the maze of error and speculation, to the con- dition of a rational system of cure, founded upon an intimate knowledge of the animal machine in its normal state and its aberrations in disease. While the medicine of today rests its claims as a science upon fixed and immutable principles, it has not yet reached that degree of perfection or harmony of com- pleteness which it is destined to reach in the years that are com- ing on. Recent research has, perhaps, developed the import- ance of no branch of medicine more than that which relates to hygiene and the prevention of disease. The knowledge of the profession is constantly increasing and the application of this knowledge to the prevention as well as to the treatment of dis- ease, is becoming day by day more rational and more satis- factory. The aim of the true physician is not primarily the accumula- tion of wealth or personal aggrandizement, but the advancement of science, the perfection of his art and the emancipation of mankind from the bondage of disease. No one can afford to allow himself to be governed by self interest alone — least of MEDICAL FRATERNITY 197 all can the physician safely do so; and while his responsibilities are great, who has higher incentives to noble action or grander opportunities for doing good? His mission is to prolong human life and rescue it from the thraldom of disease and suffering; to increase life's pleasures and to diminish its pains; and to stay the onward march of death-dealing pestilence. In learning, ability and skill; in moral character, in willing- ness to accept responsibility, and in that self-sacrificing devotion to duty which should characterize all those whose lives are dedicated to "the noble art," the members of the medical frater- nity of Montgomery County, Iowa, past and present, will com- pare favorably with their fellow practitioners anywhere else in the state or country at large. From the best information obtainable, it seems that the first physician to practice in the county was Dr. Amasa Bond, who came from Hamilton County, Indiana, settled in Frankfort in 1 856, and died and was buried there the next year. Following him, although not in the order named, perhaps, Drs. Adair, Glover, and Childs settled at Frankfort. Among those living in Red Oak who first practiced in the county were Drs. Pur- cell, Jay, Schenck, Whitney, Wheelock, Holmes, Hanley and Rufus Sperry. The last named physician was born and re- ceived his education in the state of New York. In 1860 he came to Iowa and settled at Red Oak five years later. Dr. Sperry was Montgomery County's first coroner and he was also the first physician and surgeon to the County Poor Farm. Dr. H. A. McFatrich, a graduate of a Cincinnati College of Medicine (Eclectic) , was born in Pennsylvania in 1 825. After practicing several years in Monroe, Wis., and later at Mon- mouth, 111., he settled in Red Oak in 1869, where he con- tinued the practice of his profession until 1897, when he re- moved to Denver, Colo., to make his home with his daughter. He died May 27th, '1906, and was brought to Red Oak for burial. • 1 §ff 198 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY Dr. E. B. Young was born in Indiana in 1 850 and graduated from Rush Medical College in 1871. After practicing a few years at Knoxville, Iowa, he came to Red Oak in 1 878, where he followed the practice of his profession until his death, which occurred in 1 892. Dr. James W. Martin, born August 21, 1 83 1 in Alexandria, Ky., and a graduate of Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, came to Red Oak in 1870, where he soon had a large and lucrative practice. He had the reputation of being one of the best physicians — as Dr. Young had the reputation of being one of the best surgeons — in Southwestern Iowa. Joseph Binney, M. D., was born in Boston, Mass., July 19, 1 847. He came to this county in 1 874 ; in 1 878 he graduated from the Indiana College of Medicine, and, settling at Red Oak the same year, was for many years a well known practi- tioner there. J. B. Hatton, M. D., a native of Missouri, practiced medi- cine in the county about seventeen years. In 1 889 he removed to Des Moines and died there a few years ago. Dr. Hatton enjoyed a large practice in the county for many years and for a time after his removal to Des Moines, he occupied a chair in a medical college there. The following members of the profession are at present actively engaged in practice in the county : At Red Oak: Francis M. Hiett, M. D., born in Tippecanoe Co., Indiana, graduate of Rush Medical College, class of 1865, came to Red Oak May 12, 1875. Dr. Hiett was a contract surgeon in the army at New Albany, Ind., in 1 862-3. O. S. Reiley, M. D., also a native of Indiana, was born at Greensburg. Dr. Reiley 's medical education was received at Keokuk, Iowa, where he graduated March 2, 1 880. He ar- rived in Red Oak October 26 of the same year and has been in practice there ever since. MEDICAL FRATERNITY 199 Samuel Ransom Kreidler, M. D. (Homeopathic), is a native of Luzerne Co., Pennsylvania, and a graduate of Hahnemann Medical College of Chicago, class of 1873. He came to the county and settled in Red Oak in 1873. Hiram S. Rogers, M. D., also a native of Pennsylvania, was born in Fayette Co., Jan. 2, 1844. Dr. Rogers received his medical education at Keokuk, Iowa, Ann Arbor, Mich., and at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, Chicago. Dates of graduations, Keokuk, 1876; Chicago, 1886. He came to Red Oak April I, 1886. A. A. Ashby, M. D., is a graduate of Rush Medical Col- lege, 1883. He arrjved in the county in 1868 and has beeD practicing in Red Oak twenty-two years. Dr. Ashby was born in Carroll County, Illinois. Wm. S. Reiley, M. D., is a native of Indiana, born in 1871 at Greensburg. He first attended the Marion Sims College of Medicine, St. Louis, Mo., and later the Omaha Medical Col- lege, from which he graduated April 4, 1895. He has been in the county since 1 880, and has been practicing in Red Oak during the last ten years. Dr. Reiley was elected Mayor of Red Oak in 1903 and again in 1905. Frank W. Smith, M. D., was born at Marengo, Iowa. He graduated from the medical department of the Iowa State University, March 14, 1894, coming to Red Oak May 1, 1895, where he has since been engaged in the practice of his profession. Rebecca Hanna, M. D., was born in Lawrence County, Indiana, and graduated from the medical department of the Iowa State University March 4, 1 874. After graduation, Dr. Hanna first settled at Burlington, Iowa. She has practiced twenty-seven years in Montgomery Co. 200 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY Lester Olin Thompson, M. D., received his medical educa- tion at Cleveland Homeopathic College, taking his degree from that institution in 1882. He came to Red Oak November 16, 1898. T. R. Butchart, M. D., was born in Canada, graduated from the Hahnemann Medical College, Chicago, in 1 895, and came to Red Oak in 1899. Dr. Butchart's wife, Eugenia May Butchart, is associated with him in the practice of the healing art. John M. Seabloom, M. D., a native of Sweden, was born in 1873. He graduated from the College of Physicians & Sur- geons, St. Louis, Mo., Nov. 1, 1904, and settled in Red Oak in January of the next year. J. A. J. Martin, M. D., a graduate of Indiana Medical Col- lege 1 875 and of College of Physicians & Surgeons of Chicago, 1885, was born in Indiana, May 13, 1843. Coming to Red Oak in 1 869, he was associated with his brother, J. W., in the practice of medicine until 1877, when he went to Dakota. Returning eight years later, he has been engaged in the practice of his profession at Red Oak since that time. W. J. Martin, M. D., a son of James W., was born at Leb- anon, Ind., Sept. 26, 1869. In October, 1870, he came to Red Oak with his father and grew to manhood there. In 1 903 he graduated from the College of Physicians, St. Louis, com- ing to Red Oak in June 1 904. Louis A. Thomas, M. D., was born of English parents at Dunkirk, France, Jan. 3, 1862, and came to the United States twenty years later. His medical education was received at College of Comp. Med., Chicago, from which he graduated in 1 889, and in London, England, where he took a post grad- uate course in 1897. He was made a member of the Iowa State Board of Medical Examiners in 1893. After seven ■ W ^ " W~ ' w "^HH . EX-SENATOR J. M. JUNKIN— A leading member of the Bar of Southwestern Iowa. R. W. BEESON— A leading member of the Red Oak Bar and distinguished in his profession in Western Iowa. CHARLES H. LANE— Who commenced mercan tile business in Red Oak in 1856. W. MANFORD MOORE— An early educator, now County Superintendent in Mills county. Author of chapter in this book, "Early Life in the Forks." HON. J. S. BOISE— Ex-Legislator and for many years a prominent citizen of Villisca. DR. H. N. McNAUGHTON — Identified with the history of Villisca from an early date. AMOS P, WEST— An old time banker and an important factor in the business and social life of Villisca. W. H. THOMASON— Resident of Jackson town- ship since 1854. MEDICAL FRATERNITY 201 years of practice at Woodbury, Iowa, he came to Red Oak in 1898. In April 1899, he was elected Health Officer of the city of Red Oak. Dr. Thomas is also President of the Iowa Association of Health Officers. William B. Lawrence, M. D., a native of Pennsylvania, was born in Beaver County of that state, Dec. 28, 1 855. He at- tended the Medical College of Ohio at Cincinnati and the Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, graduating from the latter March 29, 1 884. After practicing at Winchester, Kan., five and one-half years, he removed to Red Oak Dec. 5, 1 889. Velura E. Powell, M. D., a native of Ohio, born 1874, is a graduate of Michigan University, medical department, class of 1 902. She came to Red Oak one year ago and is medical superintendent of the Powell Home for Backward Children. Practitioners whose homes are in Villisca are as follows : M. N. McNaughton, M. D., who was born in Caledonia, N. Y., April 1 , 1 849, graduated from the Buffalo Medical Uni- versity, Feb. 22, 1 868, and has been practicing thirty-six years in Montgomery Co. G. T. Rumbaugh, M. D., is a native of Iowa, his place of birth being Hawleyville. He came to the county in 1867, and is a graduate of the Kentucky School of Medicine, class of 1890. He has also taken post graduate courses at New York and Chicago. Willis A. Lomas, M. D., was born at Waukeegan, Wis., and received his medical education at the University of Pennsyl- vania and Rush Medical College, graduating from the latter May 1 896. He came to Montgomery County July 1 , 1 896, settling at Villisca. W. W. West, M. D., was born at Athens, Mo. He re- ceived his diploma from K. M. College in March 1898 and arrived in Montgomery County November 1901. 202 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY Jay Clark Cooper, M. D., was born at Quasqueton, Iowa; graduated from the University of Iowa April 1902, and came to the county in 1905. Frank S. Williams, M. D., was born near Villisca. He graduated from Rush Medical College, class of 1901 , and, after two years' practice in Kansas, settled in Villisca in the fall of 1903. At Elliott are the following : A. Carson, M. D., born in Ohio; graduate of Rush Medical College, class of 1 890 ; has been practicing in the county fifteen years. L. A. Baldwin, M. D., a native of West Virginia, graduated at Rush Medical College June 15, 1904, and settled at Elliott the following year. Dr. C. W. Manker, who practiced many years in the county, died at his home in Elliott a few months ago. At Stanton are Drs. Hines, Esbjorn and Price. Dr. Hines is a native of Ohio and came to the county in 1875. Dr. Trulson, who settled at Stanton about fifteen years ago, and who had a large clientele, died last year from malignant dip- theria contracted from a patient whom he was treating for that dread malady. At Milford are Drs. Montgomery and Scott* James W. Scott was born in Noble County, Ohio, and graduated from the Iowa State University in 1 873. He came to the county in 1 87 1 and has been practicing at his present location for twenty- six years. There is at present, and for several years there has been, a flourishing County Medical Society, of which a majority of the physicians in the county are members. This, in brief — and very brief — is a necessarily incomplete and manifestly imperfect history of the medical profession of the county; brief because of limited space; incomplete because of a dearth of reliable data; and imperfect because of the per- sonal limitations of the writer. CHAPTER XXIV THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY BAR. To adequately and fairly treat of the Montgomery County Bar from the beginning of its history to date is not here at- tempted, for adequate biography of its members would of itself fill a volume. Although the practice of law in the county has been connected with few noted cases, there have been among the - legal fraternity, men of ability and learning, men of commanding influence and of state-wide reputation — an honor to the profession and to the county. Brief mention has been made in this volume concerning non-resident lawyers whose custom it was to accompany the judge to the several places of holding court. Some of these lawyers have been men of influence in a wider field. The following lawyers for a shorter or longer time resided in Frankfort at the time when it was the county seat: M. V. B. Bennett, subsequently Editor of the "Copperhead" — a newspaper published at Ottumwa, Jowa, during the war. Finding that his newspaper enterprise was not a success, he entered the field as a temperance lecturer in Kansas and other states. A. P. Moorehouse, who opened up an office in Frankfort and commenced the practice of law, afterwards becoming gov- ernor of Missouri. W. S. Boydson and J. B. Packard were the first lawyers to settle in Frankfort. The former removed to Nebraska City, where he engaged in freighting for the U. S. Government Supply in the Western Forts. 204 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY David Ellison, a good lawyer and affable gentleman, was a former student in the office of Judge Gray of Des Moines. He joined the army and at the close of the war, with the rank of major, engaged in his profession at Kansas City, Mo. He is still living there with well earned honors. Wm. H. Fishback, who combined the practice of law with school teaching in the old court room, has been swallowed up somewhere in the great west. The late Allen Beeson became a resident of Frankfort not long before the removal of the county seat to Red Oak. He came to Red Oak, bringing his house with him, and he put it upon Grimes Street on Block 60. A law partnership was formed with B. E. A. Simonds, and this was continued for a brief period. For several years he was one of the leading law- yers of Red Oak. He finally formed a partnership with a prominent lawyer at Plattsmouth, Nebr. Mr. Beeson was an effective advocate and a particularly strong man before the jury. He had some of the characteristics of his brother, R. W. Beeson, a prominent attorney in Red Oak. These brothers, natives of Ohio, made for themselves a reputation for ability, integrity and loyalty to clients. Of lawyers living in Red Oak, there have been many. The first in point of time was the late Charles E. Richards, a young man from Central New York, a graduate of the Rochester, N. Y. University. He immediately took rank as a leading attor- ney in Southwestern Iowa. His college training and studious habits gave him an enviable reputation for close reasoning and logical conclusions. He had remarkable success with cases he carried to the higher court. In politics he was a life-long Democrat who refused to accept the honors his party would have thrust upon him. For a long time he was a partner of Judge J. W. Hewitt, constituting the strongest law firm in Red Oak and perhaps in Western Iowa. This partnership was dissolved only upon the death of Mr. Hewitt. At an earlier THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY BAR 205 date, Mr. Richards and P. H. Good were law partners for a short time. Captain Good died several years ago. The mantle of the father, who died this year (1906), rests upon his son, Paul W. Richards, a young man, with a well furnished mind and educational equipment. At an early period in the history of the county, B. E. A. Simonds came, the trusted agent of the B. & M. R. R. for the sale and transfer of their lands. He was painstaking, ac- curate and attentive to the interests of his clients. His home now is in California. He is remembered especially for his zeal in the cause of temperance, and those engaged in the un- lawful traffic of intoxicants, pronounced him an enthusiast and a meddler. And yet, withal, he was known as a conscientious follower of his convictions and a gentleman. Forty years ago, W. F. Carlton, a young man just from his studies at school, came to Red Oak and opened an office. He was employed in such work as there was to do in the different county offices, taking such cases as would naturally come to one without experience in the presence of sharp competition. For a short time he was a partner of Smith McPherson, a young man without experience like himself. Mr. Carlton finally lo- cated in Spirit Lake, going there when Dickinson County was in its primitive state and the town of Spirit Lake a mere hamlet. Time, opportunity and application to business has yielded him a suitable reward. He is one of the solid influential men of that community and has been entrusted with important interests. The name of J. C. Cooper appears on record in cases before the court. He was a man of good ability, but lacking the essential elements of success. Newton Hanna, a graduate of the law department of the Iowa State University, turned his attention to the real estate business after a brief period devoted to the profession of law. John R. Welpton, Hanley — first mayor of Red Oak — and Cannon — a man past the prime of life who appeared on 206 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY the scene for a few years — should be included in the list. AH of these last mentioned, with the possible exception of Hanley r are dead. J. M. Bartholemew was a strong lawyer and the firm of Bartholemew & Nutter were the leading members of the Bar in the county, at one time. Bartholemew removed to South Dakota and served with great ability on the Supreme Bench of that state. Mr. D. B. Miller gave up the practice of law to enter a more lucrative occupation in which he has had phenomenal success. The late W. S. Strawn ranked among the first lawyers of the county. He was a tireless worker and one who mastered every detail of his cases. His arguments before court and jury were models of English composition and were the finished product of an able though somewhat eccentric man. He made for himself a name both here and later on at Omaha, of which all were proud. Z. T. Fisher and J. B. Gregg have finished their course on earth, leaving behind them honorable records of faithful ser- vice in the line of their profession. The former served as mayor of the City of Red Oak and as a member of the State Legisla- ture. W. M. Wright left the county when a young man — an ed- ucated gentleman who has made for himself an honorable name in Northeastern Nebraska. The late F. E. Pomeroy was a young man of promise,, painstaking, conscientious, giving his clients faithful and honest service. He was a partner of R. W. Beeson. He was loved by all who knew him. Of the practicing attorneys now doing business who have not been heretofore mentioned are T. J. Hysham, a safe coun- sellor and attentative to important interests intrusted to him; THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY BAR 207 and Edward Mills, who for a few years was a practitioner in Elliott. Mr. Mills also served as County Attorney and now resides at Red Oak. Of the old attorneys who resided at Villisca and had the greater part of the law practice there, in contiguous territory and in the Valley of the Nodaway — viz. J. T. Patterson, A. M. Walters and Wm. Redmon — none remain. Patterson is dead after serving as County Attorney in a Western Nebraska county at Rexford where he was also editor of a newspaper. E. C. Gibbs, a former mayor of Villisca, has taken up their work and is carrying it on successfully. He is an indefatig- able worker and has a growing practice. He has the confid- ence of those who know him best and since the removal of F- P. Greenlee from that locality to Red Oak to assume the duties of county attorney, he has that field largely to himself, though Mr. Greenlee retains most of the practice that had come to him there by his years of service in the capacity of counsellor and attorney. Mr. Greenlee has been honored by the county in the capacity of a legislator for the customary length of time. As a maker of laws, he served on important committees in the legislature. W. W. Merritt, Jr., has had a few years' practice with good success. His mental equipment, aided by the discipline of the law department of the Michigan University, from which in- stitution he graduated, qualified him for good and efficient work in his profession. W. C. Ratcliff, a promising young attorney, recently be- came a partner of R. W. Beeson, an old practitioner. Ralph Pringle, another young man with a thoroughly dis- ciplined mind, of studious habits, and a graduate of old Yale College, is a partner of J. M. Junkin. Mr. Junkin, the senior member, was born at Fairfield, Iowa, in 1 854. His boyhood days were spent there, but for a brief period he lived at Melrose, Monroe Co., where his parents resided. From Melrose, when 208 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY a lad of nineteen years, he came to Red Oak, where he has since resided. He attended school at Fairfield, Red Oak and Iowa City, completing the law course and graduating from the law department of the State University in 1879, after which he entered upon the practice of law, winning his way to the front of his profession. In the same year he formed a law partnership with Horace E. Deemer. This partnership was dissolved in 1886, when Mr. Deemer was elected District Judge. Mr. Junkin continued his practice alone until recently, when he and Ralph Pringle formed a partnership. Mr. Junkin is Republican in politics and, being an effective public speaker, has been in demand as such in the county and state, especially in the heated campaign of 1 896. In 1 895 he was unanimously nominated for State Senator (Senatorial District of Montgom- ery and Mills Counties), was elected, and took special interest as a member of the Judiciary Committee in the revision of the code during that session. The convention called for 1899 accorded him the courtesy of naming the delegates. He was elected another term in the Senate, commencing January 1 900. He served in all five sessions, and was chairman of the Com- mittee of Ways and Means from 1900 to 1904. Horace E. Deemer came to Red Oak a young man, in- dustrious, ambitious and eager to succeed in his chosen profes- sion. He met an old classmate in the State University of Iowa City, J. M. Junkin, with whom he formed a partnership and entered upon the practice of law in Red Oak in the fall of 1 879. This partnership continued until his election as Dis- trict Judge in the year 1886. His business and professional success up to this time was all that could have been desired. His parentage and hard training in the school of experience fitted him to meet and surmount obstacles as they arose. He is of Holland descent. His great grandfather, with many of his people, removed to Western Pennsylvania, where he be- came identified with the Pennsylvania Dutch in our revolution- JUDGE HORACE E. DEEMER. THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY BAR 209 ary period in favor of freedom and independence. He be- longed to the liberty party and was an uncompromising foe to human slavery — would not compromise by voting with either of the dominant parties, and supported James G. Birney for President. Subsequently active with the Free Soil Party until the Republican Party came into existence, he removed, with other pioneers, to Fort Findly, Ohio. Horace Deemer's father was John A. Deemer, a lumber dealer who married Elizabeth Erwin of Columbiana County, Ohio. He also was a sworn foe to slavery and became a vol- unteer agent of what is known as the Underground Railroad. The Erwins were of the sturdy Scotch Irish stock that has given to our country so many who have played an important part in national affairs. The family came to Cedar County, Iowa, in 1866 and engaged in farming. Young Horace was a lad of eight years of age, having been born in Bourbon, Mar- shall County, Indiana, Sept. 24, 1 858. He attended the pub- lic schools in West Liberty and the collegiate department of the State University of Iowa, afterwards taking a course in the law department, from which he graduated in 1878, receiving the next year the degree of L. L. B. Like many other men, he earned his own way through college. For a time he assisted his father in the lumber business in West Liberty and, just before entering college, was engaged in the furniture business. After his admission to the bar, he entered the law office of Lamb, Billingsley & Lambertson in Lincoln, Nebr., remaining there practically a student of office methods with old practi- tioners. His nomination as District Judge in 1 886 and his renomina- tion and re-election by an increased majority followed in 1 890. While on the bench, many important cases were tried before him, notably, in our own county, the Cross murder case. The joint rate case, which was of general interest, was tried before him. Governor Frank D. Jackson in 1894, upon the urgent 210 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY recommendation of members of the bar in his district, appointed him Judge of the Supreme Court, the Legislature having in- creased the number from five to six. His work for the past twelve years fully justifies the expectations of those who have practiced before him, that he would prove to be an able jurist. Among the opinions of the court he has written may be men- tioned one on the constitutionality of the Mulct law, one on the constitutionality of the Party Wall Statue and of the Anti- Cigarette Law, and others of more or less importance. In 1 898 he served as Chief Justice. He became Judge of the Supreme Court at thirty-five years of age. He remains faithful to his trust and honors his profession and the state. Once he was urged to accept the chancellorship of the Law Department of the State University at an advanced salary, but decided to re- main on the bench. Before he was Judge of the District Court, he was Assistant Inspector General of the First Brigade of the Iowa National Guard, with the rank of major, arriving to that position from a private through the various grades. The Judge is a Knight Templar and a Knight of Pythias. He was mar- ried in 1882 to Miss Jeanette Gibson of Red Oak. As a citizen, the Judge has always taken a deep interest in things that tend to the well being of the community, whether of a business, educational or social nature. He was Secretary of the County Fair six years and Chairman of the Republican County Com- mittee during one campaign. The farmers of the county are especially indebted to him for his very great assistance in locat- ing an adjunct of the Agricultural College in the county, where- by they can avail themselves of the correct and scientific meth- ods of agriculture and allied subjects. Smith McPherson was born in Morgan County, Indiana, February 14, 1848. He came of sturdy Scotch ancestry that has furnished so many able men in all of the learned professions. His boyhood days were spent on his father's farm. At the time of his graduation from the Law Department of the State THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY BAR 211 University at Iowa City, when the name of Smith McPherson was called, there came forward a short, sturdy young man with a confident bearing and with characteristics in manner and method quite distinct from the others. The writer does not remember what he said, but his subject was "Torts." One of the regents of the University turned to the writer and asked which one of the class would be heard from in the future. The reply was, "That little fellow from Indiana" — now a fulfilled prophecy. To my astonishment, young McPherson soon after appeared in Red Oak in search of a suitable location to practice law. While in a reminiscent mood a short time ago, Mr. McPherson stated that the writer was the first man he became acquainted with in Montgomery County, more than a third of a century ago; that of the six regents of the university when he graduated from the law school in 1 870, only one is now liv- ing — James Wilson, now Secretary of Agriculture in President Roosevelt's cabinet. Of the Judges of the Supreme Court who admitted him to practice, Judge Chester C. Cole is the only one now living. Charles Linderman, now a banker of Clarinda, was clerk. Later on, Mr. McPherson was admitted to practice in the United States Courts, presided over by Samuel F. Miller, afterwards Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, John F. Dillon and James E. Dove. Dillon — the only one now living — is in New York City, the head of the bar of the United States and respected by the entire country. Mr. McPherson was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of the United Stales, when the court had as its prosecut- ing officer, Chief Justice Fuller. Judge McPherson's advance- ment to his present exalted position has been by "leaps and bounds." He took rank as a lawyer at the Montgomery County Bar from the very start and after less than four years' practice, he was elected, in 1 874, on the Republican Ticket as District Attorney for the Third District, after a vigorous con- test in which he was aided by those who were his personal 212 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY friends but political enemies. When once in position and hav- ing the advantages and the prestige of faithful and efficient ser- vice, he was re-elected, serving the District in all six years. The next round of the ladder upon which he was climbing was his election by a large majority to the office of Attorney General of the state. He served in that capacity four years, his logical reasoning and ability as a lawyer giving him prominence at once and he was generally recognized as one of the foremost lawyers in the state. From 1884 to 1898, he devoted his attention to his law practice. He was employed in nearly every case in Southwestern Iowa that required skill and profes- sional ability. He was a zealous advocate of the principles of the Republican party and discussed the political issues between the parties on the platform on suitable occasions. He was often demanded as a public speaker and readily yielded to reasonable requests to do so. For some years he was the general attorney for the C, B. & Q. Railroad. His generous nature, extensive acquaintance and party service conspired to secure his nomina- tion and election to a seat in Congress of the United States, representing the Ninth District, where as a new member, he had unusual influence. He resigned his office as Member of Congress to accept a higher position tendered him by the Presi- dent of the United States — that of United States Judge for the Southern District of Iowa, which position he now holds. The Montgomery County Bar, collectively considered, oc- cupies no second position to that in any of the counties similarly situated and containing no large cities; individually considered, it has members not out-ranked in Iowa. Of the state judges assigned to this county, we had many. There were four circuit judges: Robert Douglas of Council Bluffs, James W. Hewitt, previously mentioned, Daniel D. Gregory of Afton and John Chaney of Osceola. The court was abolished years ago. Our first district judge was James W. McDill. He was JUDGE SMITH McPHERSON. THE MONTGOMERY COUNTY BAR 213 patient, affable and a good lawyer. He was a congressman and a United States Senator by appointment. He was not brilliant, but was as true as the needle. He was followed by Captain Joseph R. Reed of Council Bluffs, who had gone through the war as captain of a battery of light artillery. Judge Reed is still in vigorous manhood, after serving as congressman and as an Iowa Supreme Judge; also, under appointment of President Harrison, as Chief Justice of the Court of Land Claims. He was followed by Samuel Forey of Leon, who is now totally blind, but living in contentment and happiness, without sorrow or complaint, awaiting the final summons to come up higher. Then came R. C. Henry of Mount Ayr, now County Attorney of Ringgold County, followed by Cap- tain John W. Harvey of Leon, a soldier for the Union, still in full practice. Then the district was changed, and our district was given four judges. The following are judges who have served since that time: C. F. Loofbourough of Atlantic, who recently died in Salt Lake City, where he had moved several years ago ; Judges Deemer and Smith McPherson of this county; A. B. Thornell, yet serving us; George Carson of Council Bluffs, an- other old soldier ; W. S. Lewis of Glenwood ; W. R. Green of Audubon, still serving; N. W. Macey, still on the bench; Walter I. Smith of Council Bluffs, now serving with credit as congressman; and O. D. Wheeler of Council Bluffs, yet on the bench. CHAPTER XXV. AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE. Iowa's primacy in agriculture is due to unparallelled richness of soil and favorable climate, together with the fact that its fertile acres have been settled by intelligent, progressive farmers. Its lands may not be superior to the best land of adjoining states, but it has the distinctive advantage of containing the least percentage of non-productive or waste land. Fully 95 per cent of its area is exceedingly rich in the ele- ments necessary to plant growth, and doubtless the remarkable increase in amount and value of agricultural products in the state and, relatively, in the county, is due to the fact that Mont- gomery County, lying in the heart of the corn belt, is not ex- celled by any county of equal area in the United States. The value of real estate in the county is approximately $23,000,000 and of personal property something like $2,500,000. Potta- watamie County, cornering with Montgomery on the north- west, a much larger county, has the distinction of producing the greatest amount of corn of any county in the United States and of being in a congressional district producing a greater amount of this cereal than any other district in the United States. Wheat, oats, hay and potatoes, are produced in large quantities in Montgomery County. There has been a gradual evolution from prairie grass to wheat, from wheat to clover, from clover to corn — and Corn is king, and his dominions are ever extending. "No human monarch ever ruled with such inexorable law and exact justice and brought to his subjects such riches and such development of all the virtues of industry, aspiration and providence, as King Corn, in his great empire of the Middle West." The yearly AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE 215 revenue to the county derived from this source is large. In recent years, there has been a marked increase in the annual production of corn by those who have adopted scientific meth- ods in its production. A school in charge of the professors of the State Agricultural College, who give instruction in the selection of seeds, the preparation of the soil and rotation of crops, promises to largely increase the annual yield. The preparatory crop of clover renders the soil as fertile as the decaying roots of the grass of the virgin prairie. Twenty- five years after the first settlement of the county, there was no apparent necessity for fertilizing the land and no attention was given it. First came the plowing, or, as it was called, the breaking of the prairie. This was always done in the growing season, that the roots of the grasses might more easily decay. If the roots had been allowed to harden before this work was performed, they would not have decayed for several years, and the land could not have produced the best results. Corn was often planted in the following manner: The tough sod was cut through with an axe and into the openings thus made, grains of corn were dropped and covered up by stamping the dirt with the foot. The corn thus planted was called- sod-corn and was not afterwards tilled. The next spring, the prairie soil would be torn apart with a heavy harrow, the desired dis- tances marked off with a sled-like marker and the seed covered with a hoe, the women and children usually assisting in this work. There arose a demand for some better and faster meth- od of dropping corn, and, under the spur of necessity, the corn planter was invented, which planted and covered two rows at a time. This was supplemented by a plow drawn by one horse, which followed along one side of the row to cultivate the grow- ing plants, and returned on the other side. Subsequently, a plow with two tongue-shaped shovels and drawn by one horse, rendered it necessary to go only once between the rows. Then, in obedience to the law of evolution from lower to higher, from 216 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY good to better, a cultivator was invented which was drawn by two horses and which did double the work of the former one. This was similar to the ordinary cultivator now in use, but it was, however, heavy and unwieldly, and without wheels to regulate the depth of the cultivator, and was in time thrown aside for the modern corn plow with wheels. This comprises a check-row, dropping evenly two rows at once, and covering the corn at the same time, and a walking or riding cultivator, some covering one, some two rows at a time. On the larger farms, in order to hasten the labor of planting, the lister is brought into requisition. This combination plow and planter drills and covers the seed of one row, enabling the workman to plow and plant from six to ten acres a day. After the corn plants have grown to the height of from four to six inches, corn cultivators plow out the elevations made by the lister in the first process. By the tools and improvements now in use, a saving of over 90 per cent of the physical labor is effected over those employed three decades ago. The old method of sowing, reaping and threshing small grain is now obsolete. The sickle made way for the cradle, which was followed by a man to rake and another to bind the sheaves. This in turn gave place to the reaper with a man standing on the platform, and, with a rake, removing each bundle, followed by from four to six men to do the binding. The bands made of straw were tied while walking from one bundle to another. After the binders, came two men who put the bundles together in shocks. Now all this labor is done away with by the self-binder, which not only simplifies the work, but saves the farmer and his wife the expense and care of so many men during harvest time, for this machine cuts, binds and drops the bundles into convenient piles, so that one man is able to do the shocking. The old process of threshing grain in the first settlement of this county is merely a memory. A threshing floor, say thirty SECTION OF CORN AND STOCK JUDGING SCHOOL— Held at Red Oak, December, 1904. H T AXE'S STORE — The first in Red Oak. On the corner occupied by the First Nat'l Bank. AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE 217 or forty feet in diameter, was prepared by removing the prairie grass and making the ground as smooth and hard as possible. The grain was placed upon this, and tramped out by horses or oxen, their sharp hoofs taking the place of the flail, and, from time to time, the straw was turned. In this manner the grain and straw were separated and nature did the winnowing, for it must be remembered that there was a constant breeze, un- impeded by grove or other obstruction, and by throwing up the chaff and the wheat, the former would be blown away. Now, with a threshing machine driven by steam, the band-cutting, feeding, threshing, winnowing, measuring the grain and stack- ing the straw, is one combined process, a steady stream pouring from its side many hundreds of bushels a day. Mr. John Hayes, Ex-President of the Iowa State Agricul- tural Fair, an old resident of the state and county, a man of large affairs, and of keen observation, well states in a news- paper article published some time ago the wonderful trans- formation that has taken place in the last century : "Fifty years ago the fertile acres of Iowa were largely a part of the National domain, the titles rapidly passing from the United States by pre-emption, by cash entry, by land warrant locations and by railroad land grants. "Forty years ago the better part of Iowa remained untitled and vast areas were still called inaccessible, no railroads having penetrated its western portion. "Thirty years ago Western Iowa was in the full flush of de- velopment. With the advent of the railroad in 1868, a new era came to "the slope," and during the ten succeeding years the almost limitless stretches of native sward were broken; the luxuriant grasses and beautiful flowers of the prairie disap- peared." HORTICULTURE. After the people of Montgomery County awoke to the fact that the county was adapted to fruit growing, they entered upon 218 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY this industry with enthusiasm. Orchards, vineyards and small fruit plantations came to be in evidence. All through South- western Iowa, thirty years ago, the belief was general that all that was necessary to make a success of fruit growing was to put seeds, plants and trees in the ground, and nature would do the rest. That any special knowledge or judgment was re- quired to insure success, was something which was not taken into consideration. Many successes but more failures were the outcome of this mistaken idea and real remunerative results did not come until careful, scientific methods were adopted. Of late years, much progress has been made, and this field is now generally occupied by legitimate horticulturists. The orchards of Montgomery County took first premiums at the World's Fair at New Orleans, but they were old or- chards and have now fallen into partial decay. Iowa had the honor of taking highest awards at the Centennial Exposition in 1 876, taking sweep stakes for the largest exhibit of apples. At the World's Fair at Chicago, she ranked high in competing with her sister states. In the past three years, Iowa has planted more acres of orchards and vineyards than any adjoining state with the exception of Missouri. Her people are progressive and believe in home making. One has only to pass over the county to see the many beautiful homes, surrounded by hedges and protected by trees, among which the evergreen is con- spicuous. In the very earliest period of the settlement of the country, it was the universal verdict that fruit could not be grown on our rich, deep and alluvial soil, and this opinion was entertained, notwithstanding the object lesson before them that along the water courses and nooks of ground protected from the annual prairie fires, grapes, plums and crab-apples grew in abundance. So rapidly did the public opinion on this subject change, that as early as 1 883, 1 884 and 1 885, it was no uncommon occur- rence to furnish eastern markets with carload lots of apples con- AGRICULTURE AND HORTICULTURE 219 signed to places which had previously been looked to for their supply. Perhaps there was no one thing that the people, who had left a fruit growing country, missed so much as apples. The scarcity of money and their high price rendered it almost impossible to obtain them. It became a common saying of those who had become discouraged of living out west that they were going back to their wife's relations, where they could raise fruit. But, as was discovered after a time, the county is well adapted to raising apples of excellent quality and of sufficient quantity to supply the home demand. CHAPTER XXVI THE COUNTY FAIR. The first fair held in Montgomery County was at the old town of Frankfort in 1859. It was held out on the prairie, with no fence or building of any kind excepting the school- house, which stood apart from the cluster of buildings com- posing the town. This building, without floral or other decora- tions and without any attempt at artistic arrangement, was called the "floral" hall. There were more flowers on the out- side than on the inside of the small one-story structure. The only articles displayed were a cheese — the first in the county — made by A. P. Whittier; some butter and a few tin cans con- taining sorghum syrup. These were placed on the desks and benches and a fee of twenty-five cents was charged adults for admission to the exhibit. The fair proper was enclosed with a rope supported on stakes. This was done to localize it. Within this enclosure was a reaper and mower — the old Kentucky harvester brought in wagons from St. Joe by J. H. Bean and A. P. Whittier, the latter the grandfather of Thad Whittier, now a resident of Red Oak. This was the first and only reaper in the county. John Bolt brought from the valley of the Nodaway two brood mares, and a few head of cattle. He took the premium on his horses. E. F. Murray had a span of work horses that took the premium. Mr. Whittier had six thoroughbred Durham (Shorthorn) cattle that he had just brought from Ross County, Ohio, the first fine stock brought to Montgomery County. Samuel M. Smith exhibited the only hogs at that fair. He hauled two from his home in Milford. In sport he said they were a mixture of Chester White and Suffolk, giving them a THE COUNTY FAIR 221 long pedigree. He did not take the trouble to unload them and place them inside of the enclosure. He also received a premium. Mrs. Whittier and Mrs. John Evans exhibited their skill in riding and managing their steeds. Mrs Whittier carried off the honors and received a prize. The contest was on the un- fenced prairie where there were no obstructions. Much merri- ment was caused by an improvised horse race. One of the horses was a thoroughbred which had carried an officer through the war with Mexico and had been given to Wm. Dunn at Keokuk. The other was a mustang owned by Mr. Packard. At the word "Go!" the war horse was off and soon came down the home stretch in good style, the rider holding him in, but the mustang, after much urging and with a gait that was a mixture of lope, trot and amble, arrived too late to receive the plaudits of the little group of onlookers. A man by the name of Montgomery wanted to bet that he had a horse that could beat the entire outfit. Bob Dunn took the bet, but as one of the parties insisted it should be a trotting and the other a pacing match, they came to no agreement and the affair was declared off. The fair was the first event that brought all of the people together. Their social nature craved the society of others like situated, and now for the first time they could be counted to see how many there were of them. The principal entertain- ment of the day was a picnic dinner that had been prepared by the good women of the community. It is probable that no similar occasion has afforded so much pleasure as the first county fair in Montgomery County. The collector and distributor of funds to pay the premiums was almost lost sight of. The only compensation for exhibitors was largely in the public recogni- tion of the superiority of their exhibits. A person approaching the little group from any direction might be reminded of shipwrecked and homeless people on a 222 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY barren island, for the scene was bounded only by the distant horizon. It must be remembered that there was no human habitation, other than in the little village of Frankfort, to be seen from that outlook; but instead of these people being home- less and forlorn, their cabin homes were hidden away in the timber beside the streams and they were living in contentment and had simply met together for the day to lay the foundation for better things. The war came on and the minds of the people were diverted into other channels. The fife and drum called the men to arms and the women to anxiety and tears, and a decade elapsed be- fore another attempt was made to organize a county fair. In the meantime, Frankfort had become a memory and Red Oak the metropolis of Montgomery County. And there a fair, quite similar to the first but more pretentious, was held in the public square in the fall of 1 869. Three years afterward the South- western Iowa Fair Association was organized. H. N. Moore was the principal mover in this enterprise; H. W. Otis was President, Richard Wadsworth, Treasurer, and E. Kretchmer, Secretary. In the fall of 1873, this society held a fair on the open prairie north of the forty acre tract subsequently used for fair grounds. This was surrounded by a rope, like the first one. No permanent improvements were made. A contro- versy arose concerning the place to be selected for a permanent location, and, selfish and personal interests conspiring to hinder the enterprise auspiciously begun, it died a natural death. Another decade passed without any substantial progress be- ing made in establishing a fair on a firm basis. But in July of 1879, a few enterprising citizens of Red Oak met to organize an agricultural society. The late Joseph F. Fisher, the father of M. E. Fisher of Red Oak, entered into this project with his characteristic enthusiasm, and he was made chairman of the meeting, W. H. Hunter acting as secretary. Articles of Incorporation were adopted and signed by the following named THE COUNTY FAIR 223 gentlemen: John Hayes, President; C. C. Platter, Vice Pres- ident; W. H. Hunter, Secretary; A. C. Hinchman, Treasurer; and the board of five directors — J. A. Hysham, Wayne Sten- nett, A. J. Roach, O. E. Whittaker and J. F. Fisher. They immediately purchased forty acres of ground on which to hold the exhibitions, viz., the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 29, Township 72, Range 38, lying west of the City of Red Oak at the north side of Coolbaugh street. The entire capital stock of this company was fixed at $6,000, divided into shares of $100.00 each. Forty shares, more or less, were purchased by the progressive farmers of the county. The first fair under the auspices of the Association was held early in October in 1 879. The grounds had just been put into first-rate condition and enclosed by a high board fence. Suit- able buildings were erected for the display of live stock and a good half-mile track was laid out. The exhibition was a com- plete success. The receipts were sufficient to pay for all of the premiums offered and for the improvements, leaving a sur- plus of about $266.57 to begin business the following year. The total receipts for the first year were $8,972.31 and the expenditures $8,705.74. The next year, the receipts of the society aggregated between* $5,000 and $6,000. The year following there was a change in some of the officers. Mr. Hayes continued as President and H. E. Deemer was elected Secre- tary. Premiums this year were $3,500; in the horse depart- ment alone, $ 1 ,300. In 1 880, the society was enrolled as a member of the "Na- tional Trotting Association." Several members of the Fair Association were patrons of the turf. The Red Oak branch comprised most of the members of the parent society and was officered by the same men. These meetings were known as the June Races. The June meeting and the. fall meeting were under the same management, the directors of both being J. F. Fisher, E. F. Leach, O. P. Whittier, A. P. Berryhill and O. E. 224 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY Whitaker. A jockey club bearing the name of the Red Oak Driving Park Association and composed of members of the Montgomery County Agricultural Society, was formed. The stock consisted of forty-eight shares at $100.00 per .share. H. H. Palmer was President, C. F. Clark, Vice President, L. F. Ross, Treasurer, H. E. Deemer, Secretary. The direc- tors were O. P. Whittier, W. C. Lockhart, A. J. Roach. Ken- nedy Packard and O. E. Whitaker. At the annual fairs there has always been a fine display of Clydesdale and Norman breeds of horses; of cattle, the estab- lished breeds such as Short Horns, Herefords, Polled Angus, Jerseys, etc. Competition has been open to all of the herds of Iowa and adjoining states, but exhibitors linving in Mont- gomery County have always carried off a fair share of the premiums. T. R. Westrope of Milford usually had a large exhibit of the very best quality of Durhams. Wayne Stennett, A. P. Berryhill, A. P. West, J. F. Moates, Thomas Wall, John Hayes, C. C. Platter and many other stock breeders were at different times exhibitors. All the different breeds of swine have been represented — the Berkshire, Poland China and Jer- seys always being in evidence. The agricultural exhibit was always creditable and the hall well filled with vegetables, grains and fruits. One drawback was lack of room for the display of the fancy department, the floral hall being filled to over- flowing by the ladies and their fancy work. The important position of secretary of the fair has at differ- ent times been filled by H. E. Deemer, S. A. Henry, O. J. Gibson, J. E. Whelan and T. H. Lee. This organization continued in business sixteen years, with the usual experience of financial enterprises of this character. It had its successes and failures — more of the latter than of the former — and when it voluntarily went out of business and the land, buildings and all other property sold, it was found that the stockholders had received about fifty per cent on their original investment. And THE COUNTY FAIR 225 yet, on the whole, it paid. It tended to promote the well being of the community. It paid in the increased interest in agriculture brought about by the interchange of ideas among the farmers concerning their business. It paid in the better quality of horses, cattle and hogs placed on the market by the farmers of Montgomery County, at prices greatly enhanced over what they would have been had not practical object les- sons of the yearly fair been presented. All that has been said applies with equal force to the fair held at Villisca by the people on the east side of the county, in the forks of the Nodaway and in contiguous territory. During the fairs and for several years after, Montgomery County became a noted market for the best specimens of live stock — especially horses. The demand has been so great and prices so good that a part of those unsold are not of such marked superiority of quality. The Agricultural Society had gone out of existence, but Morris J. Jones did not propose to let so inviting a situation remain unoccupied, and he proceeded at once to build up an institution devoted to raising and training horses. It took money to start an enterprise of such considerable proportions. A suitable place was selected and purchased adjoining the city of Red Oak on the north, and named Pactolus Park in honor of a celebrated trotter owned by Mr. Jones. A part of the land purchased was divided into town lots — one hun- dred in number — and taken by citizens who favored the en- terprise. Each of the lots were purchased at $ 1 00, the buyer agreeing to a selection by lot. The lots were all sold and in this way $10,000 was raised for the contemplated project. The other part was laid off and graded, and a regulation mile track, fully meeting the approval of the turfmen, was made. A spacious amphitheatre was built, also suitable barns, and three hundred box stalls made ready for occupancy. The raising and training of fast horses and roadsters is a legitimate business, 226 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY and Mr. Jones freed it as much as possible from the speculation feature. It is one of the principal sources of revenue, and the total value of these animals in the aggregate is very great. Mr. Jones invited attention to his park by offering premiums of $20,000, divided into seventeen racing events. Entries to these races were from eighteen different states — including Texas, California and New York — and Canada. The first day, Marcus Daly's Lady Wilton made the fastest time, 2:15. The purse for the fastest pacer was won by Keen Cutter, time 2:14. Packet by Pactolus went in 2:14. The two year old pacer owned by Denver parties made a mile in 2:16]/^. John R. Gentry broke all previous records. There was assembled a greater aggregation of these noble animals than had ever before been known — this is conceded by horsemen. There was Robert J., the then fastest pacer in the world; the little trotting queen Alix, the fastest trotter in the world, owned by Mr. Jones; Directum, the fastest trotting stallion; Fantasy, the fastest three and four year old mare ; Joe Patchen, Azote, Nigthingale, Fly- ing Jib, and three hundred other horses, not only good but the best in the world, and it is through no fault of Mr. Jones that the high class meeting he took so much pains to inaugurate was not continued. The day that the most notable events were to come off, there was present in Red Oak the largest number of people from surrounding cities and states ever assembled here at one time. A drenching rain the night before, however, threw a damper on competitors and deprived the promotor of many thousands of dollars that otherwise would have been gath- ered in. This fact, associated with other financial misfortunes, caused Mr. Jones to yield his park into other hands. The demise of the old fair association was hastened by promoting the horse breeding enterprise. It was thought that as Red Oak was an ideal location in the blue grass section for an extensive and lucrative business in that line, that it would, in part at least, secure the general results sought by the fair THE COUNTY FAIR 227 and be a general benefit to the agricultural people of the coun- try round about. In obedience to the universal law of progress, a new organiza- tion came into being. A few public spirited and competent gentlemen resolved to create a county fair association that would be a fair in spirit as well as in name. This was in 1 901 . The year previous, an experiment had been made in running a private fair. A prize was offered for every ticket sold, with a chance to get something for comparatively nothing. There was the usual display and a good attendance, and the financial results were said to have been satisfactory. The year 1901 marked a new era. G. M. Hull was made President and T. G. Haag Secretary. In 1 902 and 1 903 the important position of Secre- tary was filled by Dan Gunn, and E. M. Murphy was President for the same years, also for 1905. Dr. Schadel was Secretary for the^years 1904 and 1905. The present officers are: Henry Peterson, President; (Mr. Peterson has been director of this and the old fair fifteen years) Henry Ebert, Vice President; E. A. Larson, Secretary; W. S. Ellis, Treasurer. The board of directors: Henry Peterson, Henry Ebert, W. S. Ellis, F. S. Schadel, A. R. Tracy, E. M. Murphy, Wm. Thomas, G. M. Hull and George T. Cooper. CHAPTER XXVII THE SPANISH AMERICAN WAR. While the people of Montgomery County may not, perhaps, lay claim to greater patriotism than their brethren throughout the state, the fact remains that this county furnished many more than her quota of the soldiers who served during the Spanish- American War. One reason, doubtless, was that Red Oak and Villisca were each the home of a militia company belonging to the Iowa National Guard, one of which was reputed to be one of the best companies in the state. But there was another, and, in the early stage of the struggle, a greater reason for the intense interest which the people of the county manifested in the war. This was the fact that one of the two officers who lost their lives when the U. S. battleship Maine was blown up in Havana harbor — Engineer Darwin R Merritt — was a Montgomery County boy, and a son of one of her oldest and most respected citizens, Hon. W. W. Merritt, at that time postmaster at Red Oak. The events leading up to this terrible disaster had their be- ginning back in 1 895, when the Cubans rebelled against Spain. This was by no means their first attempt to secure their free- dom from Spanish rule, which was marked by revolting cruelty and injustice — at least according to the claims of the Cubans, and the American people pretty generally accepted their evid- ence. The last previous rebellion was known in history as the Ten Years' Insurrection, in which thousands of Cubans lost their lives in an unsuccessful effort to throw off the yoke of Spain. Beaten but undaunted, the brave islanders in 1895 made another and final attempt. Such strength did they display that THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 229 Spain was compelled to send corps after corps of her army across the Atlantic, but without succeeding in pacifying the island. Marshal Campos, the Governor General, was replaced by the fierce soldier, General Weyler, whose cruel reign be- came historical. As a means of overcoming the rebels, he devastated whole districts, driving the inhabitants into the vil- lages, where they suffered great hardships, many dying of starvation. As a rule, the people of the United States were ardent sym- pathizers of the Cubans, and a good many Americans found their way into the Cuban army. There is no doubt that the assistance received from their American friends was an import- ant factor in keeping up the unequal contest. After the insurrection had been in progress for several years, attempts were made to have Congress recognize the Cubans as belligerents, but they failed. The government did, however, make such remonstrance against the methods used by "Butcher" Weyler, as he was called, that he was finally recalled, being succeeded by General Blanco. The beginning of 1 898 found conditions there about as bad as they possibly could be and the feeling throughout the country was strong against Spain. So serious had the situation become that the government saw fit to send a warship to Havana to protect American interests should the exigency arise. This was in February 1 898. On the night of the 15 th of that month, while lying at anchor in the harbor, whither she had been conducted by a Spanish official, the splendid vessel was blown up and 259 of her crew, including two officers, were lost. This terrible disaster was the culminating event which led to the final breach between the United States and Spain. A feeling of intense rage swept over the country. There was a popular demand for war at once, but final judgment was with- held until a careful investigation was made into the cause of the explosion, there being, of course, a possibility that it was 230 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY internal and was not caused by a mine, as was generally be- lieved. On March 2 1 st, the inquiry commission announced its finding, which was to the effect that the ship had been destroyed by the explosion of a submarine mine. Immediately following the announcement of the finding, Con- gress made an appropriation of $50,000,000 for national de- fense and preparations were made for war. On April 18th, both houses of Congress passed resolutions demanding that the government of Spain relinquish its authority in the island of Cuba and withdraw its land and naval forces from the island. This resolution was signed by President McKinley on April 20th, and the government of Spain was given three days in which to reply. But on April 2 1 st, before our minister could present the ultimatum of the United States, he was given his passports. This was the signal for war to begin and formal declarations by both countries followed quickly. On April 23rd, President McKinley issued a call for 125,000 volunteers, and the governors of the various states at once ordered the Na- tional Guard to assemble at the State capitals. While all these events were transpiring, the local militia, Company M of Red Oak and Company B of Villisca, of the Third Regiment, Iowa National Guard, were making prepara- tions so that they would be ready for any emergency, though few really believed that war would come. Unfortunately, at the critical juncture, Company B was greatly handicapped by being without a captain, her late commander, Sterling P. Moore, having shortly before been elected to the office of Major of the Third Battalion of the Third Regiment. The company was further crippled by the absence of the First Lieutenant, T. J. Poston, an excellent military man, who left early in the spring for the Klondike country. This left the company in charge of the second lieutenant, A. D. Poston. THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 231 SKETCH OF COMPANY M. Company M, on the other hand, was in the pink of condition. The first warlike note served to arouse the military spirit and all through March many recruits were received, while tri-week- ly drills took the place of the usual weekly drill. The result was that when the call came for troops, Company M was one of the strongest companies in the Third Regiment. As this company figures prominently in the Philippine campaign and because it was in many respects an unusual body of men, a brief sketch of the organization will prove interesting. A temporary military company was organized in Red Oak in the fall of 1893 with Jesse W. Clark as Captain, W. H. French, First Lieutenant, and Harry F. Brown, Second Lieu- tenant, and steps were taken to secure the first vacancy in the Iowa National Guard. This opportunity came with the de- mise of Company M of the Third Regiment, and through the efforts of Major W. H. Evans of that regiment and his Sergeant Major, the newly elected Captain Clark, the Red Oak company fell heir to its name and place in the Guard. On Oct. 18th, 1893, the company was mustered into the service with twenty- nine men. In the election of officers which followed, Jesse W. Clark was chosen Captain, W. H. French, First Lieu- tenant, and Guy E. Logan, Second Lieutenant, and these offi- cers still held these positions at the breaking out of the war and at its close. In the years that followed the organization, the company grew in strength and importance. It drew its mem- bership from the best homes of the community and Company M "affairs" came to be looked upon as society events. But the members were something more than mere society men; they were athletes, and so faithfully did they train and drill that for three years they stood at the head of all the companies of the state. Their highest marking was received in 1896, when a record of 106.83 was made out of a possible 109. It was 232 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY during this year that the company, desirous of securing better quarters, organized an armory company and erected an armory building, 45x120 feet, of red brick, costing about $6,000. PREPARING FOR WAR. The President's call for volunteers had scarcely been an- nounced when Adjutant General Melvin H. Byers sent a call to the commanding officers of the various companies to hold their men in readiness to go to Des Moines on receipt of instructions by wire. There was great excitement in Red Oak and Vil- lisca that day. In Red Oak this excitement was accentuated by the unusually high personnel of the company. No fewer than thirty-seven members of the company were members or ex-members of the High School, Captain Clark was County Superintendent of Schools, and the company included two in- structors of the Red Oak High School, besides a number of young business and professional men. Before the company left for Des Moines, a number of new men enlisted, including the principal and one of the instructors in the Clarinda High School, E. Whitney Martin, afterwards a professor in Stanford University at Palo Alto, California, and C. E. Arnold, for- merly an instructor in the Red Oak High School. The first call to arms was received on Saturday, but it was not until Tuesday morning that the actual departure took place. The interval was a time of intense excitement and patriotic fervor. Meetings were held both in Red Oak and Villisca in honor of the departing troops. The Guard assembled at the State Fair Grounds at Des Moines, which became Camp McKinley, being in command of Gen. James Rush Lincoln, a popular officer, and recognized as one of the leading military authorities in the country. He was afterwards commissioned as a brigadier general. Col. John C. Loper of Des Moines was placed in command of the Third Regiment, the number of which was changed to the Fifty-First Iowa Infantry. The regiment remained in Des Moines until June 5th, when it left * m i 4 , , t (t»t' : #k-, ";" THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 233 for San Francisco, for transportation to the Philippines, the three other Iowa regiments being assigned to camps in the South and East for service in Cuba, should they be required. Com- pany M retained all its old officers, but Company B, having no captain or first lieutenant, and its second lieutenant failing to pass the examination, was compelled to put up with inex- perienced and — in the case of the captain, at least — inefficient officers. They made the mistake of electing as their captain, A. F. Burton, a former and not too popular superintendent of the Villisca Public Schools. In the service which followed, he failed to command the respect of either his brother officers or his men. The regiment was mustered into the United States Service on Decoration Day, May 30th, 1 898. On June 4th, official orders were received, sending the Fifty-First Iowa to San Fran- cisco for service in the Philippines, and on June 6th, the start was made. At Red Oak a great demonstration greeted the section carrying Company M. IN CAMP AT SAN FRANCISCO. The trip to San Francisco was uneventful. The regiment went into camp at once on the site of an old Chinese burying ground, on a dismal stretch of sand which was designated as Camp Merritt. Not only was the camp a dreary one, but after a time it became an unhealthy one. It is a notable fact that while the two Montgomery County companies lost a num- ber of men by death, all the losses occurred in camp and not a single one was lost in the year spent on the ocean and in a strenuous Campaign in the Philippines. At the time the regi- ment was ordered to San Francisco, instructions were issued to recruit the companies up to 106 men. Lieut. W. H. French was the recruiting officer sent to Red Oak, where he had little difficulty in securing the required number of men. After more or less ill health and a number of deaths among the men at Camp Merritt, the regiment was removed, the latter 234 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY part of July, to Camp Merriam at the Presidio, where sanitary conditions were better. While in camp at the Presidio, the Fifty-First was brigaded with Tennessee and Kansas Regi- ments, under the command of Gen. Charles King, the well known writer of military novels. The regiment remained in camp until Nov. 3d, when it sailed on the transport Pennsyl- vania, for the Philippines. During the last few weeks before sailing, the Iowa Regiment in general and Company M in particular won the honors of the camp. Company M participated in an exhibition drill at Mechanics' Pavilion, the largest public hall in San Francisco, afterwards destroyed by the great fire which followed the earth- quake of 1906. Later, the company won a silver loving cup in a competitive drill in the same hall. The Eighth California, the Twentieth Kansas and the Tennessee Regiments were en- tered for the event, along with Company M, but the Californ- ians and Kansans decided not to try conclusions with the Iowans, so the contest lay between Company F of Nashville, Tenn., the winner of many prize drills through the South, and Company M, the latter winning. Two other events which transpired just before sailing and were of great interest at the time, were the football games be- tween an Iowa team and the Stanford University and the Uni- versity of California teams. The former was won by Iowa with a score of 5 to 0, and the latter was a tie game. Captain Clark of Company M, coached the Iowa team, and Corporal Resolve P. Palmer, of the same company, at this writing an officer in the regular army, played full back, being the star of the team. ACROSS THE PACIFIC. The first stop of the Pennsylvania was made at Honolulu, after an uneventful run of a week, and a stop of three days was made. The football team had time to meet a native team from Punahou College, defeating the islanders by a score of 22 to 0. THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 235 A little less than a month was consumed in the remainder of the voyage to the Philippines, the Pennsylvania casting anchor in Manila Bay, Dec. 8th. But the regiment didn't land. There was trouble at Iloilo, one of the important cities of the islands and they were held in readiness to move on short notice. Christmas Day was spent in Manila Harbor, and, fortunately, the regiment received its Christmas boxes which had been sent from home, on Christmas Eve. The next day the Pennsylvania sailed for Iloilo, arriving there two days later. In the mean- time, the Spanish garrison which the regiment had been sent to help relieve, had evacuated, and the city was in the hands of the insurgents. Preparations were at once made for battle. The expedition included several transports with troops and the Cruiser Baltimore, the troops being under command of General Miller. But the fight didn't come off. The insurgents put up a good bluff and no attack was made, though the regiment remained before the city for a month. Finally, the latter part of January, the Pennsylvania headed for Manila, and on Feb. 2, 1 899, after three months spent on the water, the Fifty-First Iowa landed at Fort San Phillippi, Cavite, across the bay from Manila. Here the regiment went into camp, and for some time guarded the navy yard. GUARD DUTY. The war with Spain had long since come to a close and in the treaty of peace which followed, the United States had the unpleasant duty of pacifying the islands. The natives, under the leadership of Aguinaldo, a native patriot who had been in- terested in several Spanish uprisings, did not consider them- selves as requiring pacification, and organized resistance fol- lowed. The first clash of arms came on Feb. 4th, between the insurgents and the outposts of the Nebraska regiment in the suburbs of Manila. The battle raged for three days, the Iowa Regiment being passive spectators. On the 9th, however, they got into action in a small way. The natives occupying the 236 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY OUNTY village of San Roque adjoining Cavite, had shown considerable activity. Admiral Dewey ordered them to evacuate the vil- lage by 9 :00 o'clock on that day or the city would be shelled. The insurgent force was 5,000 infantry and 700 mounted cav- alry. The insurgents anticipated the action of the invaders by deserting their city and setting it on fire. The regiment pur- sued the retreating force through the burning city, the men suffering greatly from the heat. Beyond San Roque, the men spent their first night in camp on the field. A scouting ex- pedition next morning ended, for the time, the active military service of Company M, the next few weeks being devoted to guard duty, and, as the force was small, guard duty came every other day and night. This service was, for the most part, un- eventful. Practically all able bodied Filipinos were insurgent soldiers, including the natives employed about the government navy yards, and these fellows were ever ready to sneak up on the guard and stab him. One night while on guard Private Carl Cook of Company M, caught sight of a native crawling up on him from behind. The fellow refusing to stop at the word of command, Cook gave him two shots, one of which took effect. The body dropped over into the bay and was not found. While located at Cavite, Evan Evans, whose father was a mason, built a large bake oven for the cooking department which proved a welcome innovation. Private Robert Cook was delegated as engineer at the ice plant. Five men, Sergt. William Hiett, Privates Byers, Uvary, Robb and Olson, vol- unteered for service in the signal corps, all of them having some knowledge of line work. The last week in March, 1899, Company M, in company with Company C, was ordered to Manila, but not as the boys hoped, to go on the fighting line. Instead they were ordered to report for guard duty with the 23rd regulars. Among their duties was to see that none but English speaking people were THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 237 on the streets after 7:00 p. m., that all native stores were closed at that time, and that all saloons were closed at 10:00 o'clock; search suspicious looking people for weapons at any time, and stop gambling indulged in by the natives around the markets and native quarters. So anxious were the boys to participate in the real fighting that Privates Edwin Merritt, Ernest Dennis and Whitney Mar- tin joined a Kansas company and participated in three days hard fighting before Malolos. Private Charles E.i Arnold also participated in this engagement, spending three days on the firing line, but his object was to secure photographs of act- ual fighting on the battle fields for a company that was getting up a book, "Campaigning in the Philippines." The privates who absented themselves without leave, brought back with them a splendid report from the captain of the company in which they fought, which fact doubtless reduced their punish- ment for infraction of discipline to the minimum. CAMPAIGNING IN THE TROPICS, i After this the entire regiment did not have long to wait before being called into active service. On April 14th the second battalion of the 51st was relieved from guard duty in the city of Manila and proceeded by train to Malolos, the for- mer insurgent capitol, where they relieved the Pennsylvania regiment, they going to Cavite. Company M spent the first night in the field doing outpost duty in front of the firing line. Colonel Miller was in command on account of Col. Loper be- ing compelled to remain behind on Corrigedor Island under treatment for nervous prostration. Associated with the 51st Iowa in their first real military campaign were the 3rd Artillery, the 1 st Montana, the 20th Kansas, the Utah Artillery, the South Dakota and Nebraska regiments, under Generals Wheaton and Hale. This force was arranged to advance on Calumpit, the strongest fortified city in the hands of the insurgents. A scout- 238 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY ing expedition, consisting of a troop of cavalry under Major Bell, precipitated the conflict on Sunday, April 23rd. This force being attacked on three sides by a greatly superior force, Major Hume, with four companies of the Iowa regiment was sent to the rescue while Major Moore with companies D, K, and M were ordered to act as support. The first members of Company M to be engaged, were a scouting party composed of Captain Clark, Corporal Binns, Privates Hockett, Thomas, Smith, Evan Evans and Sergeant Hawkins, who were called out early in the day. Captain Clark and Sergeant Hawkins returned to bring out the com- pany and the others joined Company L when the firing com- menced, and in a few minutes were in the thick of it, and the sharpshooters were dropping bullets all around them. One of these struck Adrian Hockett, making a wound through the fleshy part of the leg. The boys tried to improvise a litter while waiting for the hospital corps. Private Bert Thomas ac- companied the Chinese litter bearers toward the rear as guard. The same sharpshooter kept busy with his Mauser, and Thomas was also struck, the bullet entering the leg near the thigh. Both of the wounded boys were taken on the afternoon train to Manila. The regiment was soon in action, and what was thought to be a little brush with the enemy turned out to be a general en- gagement, and the boys didn't get back for dinner. The town of Quinga was captured during the afternoon. It was at this battle that Colonel Stotsenberg of the Nebraska regiment lost his life. The boys lay down that night without any supper. At three o'clock they were up again and were ready for another day's work. Their breakfast rations consisted of one hard- tack, and a can of beef for every eight men. The advance continued during the day and Private John Behm, of Company M, was added to the list of wounded, a ball passing through THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 239 his left leg. Again the men went supperless to bed, or rather to rest, for their resting place was on the ground. However, the wagon train showed up about five o'clock in the morning so they had a good breakfast before the day's march began. The course of progress was over swampy country covered with dense vegetation and under a tropic sun, while the water was full of salt and alkali. About eleven o'clock the enemy was met near the Calumpit river and a fierce battle ensued. The only casualties of the day in Company M were two slight wounds caused by the bursting of a shrapnel shell in front of the com- pany. Samuel Tilden was struck in the side, making a slight flesh wound. Clarence Kneedy was also struck by a small piece which passed through the sleeve of his coat and grazed his wrist. Neither was sufficiently wounded to compel him to drop out. Private John Kernan, of Company B, was wounded in this engagement, a rifle bullet passing through his arm. A sharp battle ensued before Calumpit proper and it was here that Colonel Funston of the Kansas regiment performed one of his spectacular feats of bravery. A member of the Kansas regiment swam the river, carrying a rope across. This he tied to a tree. A raft containing Colonel Funston and a small party of men pulled the raft over, hand over hand. Reaching the opposite shore they charged the trenches, routing the enemy who retreated and were cut down with rapid fire guns. The Iowa and South Dakota regiments crossed the Calumpit River at low tide by wading. The men stripped, and carried their clothing and equipment across on their heads. The Iowa soldiers received much praise from their Dakota and Nebraska friends for their action in the three days' fight- ing. On the morning of May 2nd, South Dakota, the Fifty- First and three guns of the Utah Battery, headed by one troop of the Fourth Cavalry, left Calumpit presumably to join the left of Colonel Lawton's corps. They waded the Rio Grande 240 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY river, the Fifty-First following the cavalry which acted as ad- vance guard. The first halt was at the village of Pulilan, a distance of nine miles. A slight skirmish followed, after which the regiment went into camp for the night, which was spent in a deluge of rain. The next day they marched hack again to the Rio Grande river, and three miles beyond to Apalit. The morning of May 4th, the brigade was ready for the road at 4 :30 o'clock. The Fifty-First regiment led, with Com- pany M acting as advance guard. Both the railroad and wagon road to San Tomas had been made almost impassable, so that part of the distance they waded through the swamp, which was a muck of foul mud mixed with decayed vegetation. Added to their discomfort was the tropic sun overhead. They toiled on, resting at intervals, finally arriving at the city of San Tomas. The Iowa regiment camped at the edge of the woods, and at 10:30 that night were served some food, the first since 3:30 in the morning. This was said by the generals who participated in the march and fight, to be the hardest day's work done dur- ing the war. The Iowa regiment had only three men wounded none of whom were from Company M or Company B. Colonel Funston was among the wounded. The next morning, May 5th, the men were called at 5 :00 o'clock, and although short of ammunition, the two battalions of the Iowa regiment, accom- panied by a small Nebraska Hotchkiss gun, marched on San Fernando, the insurgent capitol, a town of 25,000 people. A wide detour was made and the force approached the city from the rear, much to the surprise of the insurgents who fled with scarcely a show of resistance. To give an idea of the terrible effect of campaigning under the conditions just described, it is sufficient to say that the Nebraska regiment had only 320 men when they marched into San Fernando, out of a thousand which they had a short time before, and of these, 1 73 were reported sick the morning of their arrival. THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 241 The month of May was spent in guard duty at San Fernando. There were occasional skirmishes, but until the 25th no im- portant engagement occurred. On the afternoon of this day the insurgents marched to the attack while Company M was on outpost duty. A sharp engagement followed, the insurg- ents being driven back with loss. At 1 :00 o'clock the next morning they renewed the attack, the battle continuing most of the day. In this engagement, Private Joseph I. Markey was severely wounded in the leg. He was carried back to San Fernando, a distance of four miles, in the burning sun. As none of the men had eaten since the night before, it was an exceedingly hard trip. From there he was taken to Manila, where he remained in the hospital until his recovery, when he was invalided home. The next engagement occurred on June 16th, when the in- surgents attacked the outposts just before daybreak. They were repulsed without trouble, quiet being restored by 8:00 o'clock. The Filipino loss was about 200 killed. During the latter part of June the old Springfield rifles with which the regiment had been provided were supplanted by Krag-Jorgen- sens. They had their first opportunity to use the new arms on the night of June 30th, when they were called out to re- pulse an attack at about 1 1 :00 o'clock. The rainy season was now on and guard duty was exceed- ingly uncomfortable, while the country around was practically submerged. On Wednesday, August 8th, a general advance was made against the insurgents. Company M acted as a re- serve for the Iowa regiment. Early in the advance, Private Brenholts, of Company M, was struck by a bullet between the knee and ankle, completely shattering both bones, causing an ugly wound. It was by far the worst wound any of the boys had yet received, and at first it was thought the limb would have to be amputated, but later it was found it was not neces- sary. The march was through wet marshy ground, part of it 242 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY newly worked. By noon the cane through which they were marching became thoroughly dry and crisp and the leaves cut their hands and faces shamefully. A halt was made along the road and the regiment went into camp, although they had none of their camping equipments with them. They remained here for several weeks, their only shelter being such as they erected out of the bamboo shacks scattered about, and the hard service and poor food sent a good many of them back to quarters at San Fernando. HOMEWARD BOUND. On Sept. 4th, 1899, the Iowa regiment was relieved from duty on the line and returned to San Fernando. The last few days on duty, the company averaged only about one-fifth of their total strength, due to malaria and exposure. However, there were no serious illnesses among the men. A day later the regiment was taken to Manila where they remained until Sept. 22nd, when they set sail for home on the transport steamer, the Senator. Company M did not lose a single man either in battle or by sickness, and Company B lost only one, Rodney K. Clark, who died in the hospital at Manila of typhoid fever, in August, 1898, during their service in the islands, and all but two returned with the regiment. Corporal Chas. L. Binns of Company M decided at the last moment to remain, having been offered a position as stenographer to the Judge Advocate in Lawton's division, and remained in the islands for a year or two, later on returning and afterwards going to Chicago where he is chief stenographer in the Cook County Criminal Court. Tim Erickson, of Company B, re-enlisted in the islands and remained. The regiment made two stops in Japan, one at Nagasaki and the other at Yokohama. A severe storm was encountered during the homeward journey during which two men were in- jured severely, one of them being Private Ed Stotler of Com- pany M. The ship, however, sustained no serious damage, al- THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 243 though a rumor gained credence to the effect that the Senator had probably been lost. A splendid welcome met the regi- ment when it landed at San Francisco, October 31st. On November 1st the regiment was discharged from service and the same day they started for home. A great reception was arranged for the entire regiment at Council Bluffs, but unfortu- nately, one section carrying Companies E of Shenandoah, C of Glenwood, L of Council Bluffs and M of Red Oak, did not reach Council Bluffs in time for the reception. Great recep- tions were held at Villisca for Company B and at Red Oak for Company M, especially the latter. Although the train car- rying this company did not reach Red Oak until 1 :30 and it was raining at the time there was a great crowd on hand to greet the returning soldiers. A line of march was formed which was led by the band and Garfield Post, G. A. R., acted as escort. A roman candle brigade made the line of march a glare of light. The boys were taken to the Armory where the first words of welcome were said. The affair was entirely in- form il. At one o'clock in the morning the company dispersed and went to their homes. A formal reception was held the following day which was participated in by the schools and civic societies and the fire department. Another reception was held at the Armory in the evening, and by six o'clock the people began to assemble in the Armory, although the doors were not to be open until 7 :30. Hon. J. M. Junkin presided as master of ceremonies and there were talks by a number of the boys, including Captain Clark, Morse Moulton, E. Whitney Martin and Edwin A. Merritt. A happy incident of the reception was the presentation by then Congressman Smith McPherson, now federal judge, of a jeweled sword to Lieutenant-Surgeon Don- ald Macrae of Council Bluffs on behalf of the private soldiers of all the companies of the Fifty-First Iowa. This ceremony was intended to have taken place during the reception of the regiment at Council Bluffs but had to be postponed because 244 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY Dr. Macrae was a passenger on the delayed section. Follow- ing the reception Company M enjoyed its last mess, a banquet being served in the Knights of Pythias hall. Twenty-five young ladies, sisters and relatives of the boys, acted as waiters. After the banquet the ladies retired and the last mess did not adjourn until 3 :00 a. m. Both companies were partially recruited from other counties, the rosters, which appear in the Appendix, giving the address of the members at the time of enlistment. At the end of the rosters is given the names of such other Montgomery County cit- izens as enlisted for service other than in Companies M or B. DEATHS IN CAMP. That the camp is more deadly than the battlefield was amply proven in the experience of Companies M and B. Each com- pany lost five men by death in camp and not one in the field. Company B had only two men wounded in action. In this respect Company M was more unfortunate, they having seven men wounded, besides a young man who was attached to the company but was not regularly a member of it, Fred E. Strong of Ottumwa, who was wounded at Polo, April, 1899. We were able to obtain the following information in regard to the deceased members of Company M : John E. Ritter was born in New York City, August 26th, 1 868, and was thirty years old at the time of his death. His mother died when he was quite young and his father settled in Mexico. John was brought west from a New York orphan asylum and was adopted by a family living near College Springs, Iowa, where he was brought up. For five years previous to his enlistment in Company M he had resided on a farm in Mont- gomery County near Stennett. He was a member of the Church of Latter Day Saints. Ritter was one of the recuits who joined the company after it had reached San Francisco. He died at the French hospital in San Francisco July 11,1 898, of sarcoma of the intestines, and was buried at the Preside THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 245 Lucian Ernest Rogers was born near Minburn, Dallas Coun- ty, Iowa, April 12th, 1873, and died at Camp Merritt, San Francisco, July 15, 1898, of acute appendicitis, age 25 years. His father was Daniel F. Rogers, who was born in New Hampshire, being the son of N. P. Rogers, lawyer, farmer, abolitionist, friend and co-worker with Phillips and Garrison, and co-editor of the Herald of Freedom. Lucian was brought up on the farm and as he grew up attended high school in a neighboring town. He taught school and later attended the Agricultural College at Ames, Iowa, where he made rapid progress. He was a member of the college football team in 1894-5. At the end of his junior year in 1896, he came to Red Oak to fill a position as teacher of science in the high school, a position which he filled for two years up to the time of his enlistment and had been re-elected for another year. He was a young man of great promise and his untimely death was deeply mourned, not only by his comrades, but by the citizens in general. Memorial services were held at the Methodist Church in Red Oak, Sunday, July 17th. The service was participated in by the other churches. Judge Horace E. Deemer presided over the meeting. The funeral was held at the country home of his father July 21st, his body being laid to rest in the shadow of the trees in a shady corner where he used to play as a boy. Verni R. Hysham, son of W. J. Hysham of Red Oak, died at St. Luke's hospital at San Francisco, August 20, 1 898, of typhoid pneumonia. He was one of the youngest members of the company, having been born on a farm in Grant township, July 30th, 1880. His parents moved to Red Oak when he was quite young and most of his short life was spent in that city. He was vivacious, full of life, and a general favorite with the company. His body was brought to Red Oak on Thursday, August 25th, the funeral being held on the same afternoon. 246 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY Shortly after the regimental camp was moved to the Presidio an epidemic of measles started. One of the victims was Ellery E. Mills of Cass County, a member of Company M. Unfor- tunately, while suffering with this disease he was taken with pneumonia and died, Sept. 1 4th. He was born in Cass Coun- ty Sept. 24th, 1874, being the son of Solomon B. Mills, a native of Indiana. His life was spent on a farm in Cass County, where he attended district school and later a business college at Atlantic. He was an active member of the Methodist Church. He came to Red Oak and enlisted under Lieutenant French after the Fifty-First had gone to San Francisco. He was mus- tered into service June 14th, being assigned to Company M. His body was brought home for burial and interment was made at Atlantic. Among the members of Company M left behind when the regiment sailed for the Philippines was Earl J. McCament, who was taken sick with typhoid fever a few days previous to the sailing. He grew worse and died at the Presidio hospital No- vember 24th. He was born November 1 8th, 1 867, at Bladen- burg, Ohio, being the son of Alexander McCament. The family moved to Red Oak in 1 879 residing on a farm most of the time. Later Earl went to Red Oak where he engaged in clerking and at one time was in partnership with Guy E. Logan in the restaurant business. He had been a member of the Red Oak Fire Department for several years. He enlisted on June 14th and was sent to San Francisco with the recruits, being assigned to Company M. The funeral was attended by the fire department in uniform, interment being in the Red Oak Cemetery. DARWIN R. MERRITT. As stated elsewhere in this chapter the people of Montgom- ery County had a special interest in the Spanish-American war, due to the fact that one of the two officers who lost their lives THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 247 on the ill-fated battleship Maine, when it was blown up in Havana harbor, was a native and resident of Montgomery County. Assistant Engineer Darwin R. Merritt was born in Red Oak, April 12th, 1872. The early part of his life was spent on his father's farm. He attended what was known as the Milner school, and afterwards, the city schools in Red Oak. He finished his civil education in the Western Normal college at Shenandoah. In 1 89 1 he was named as alternate candidate for a naval cadetship from the Ninth Congressional District to the academy at Annapolis. The regular appointee, a young man from Audubon, Iowa, failed to pass the examination, leav- ing the field open for Darwin. Although having made no special preparation for such an examination he spent the inter- vening time in study and received the appointment September 10, 1891. He graduated in 1895, ranking third in a class of eighty-four, of whom forty-one passed. He was a member of his class foot ball team in 1 894 and played center on the regular team in 1895, being a substitute in the famous game between West Point and Annapolis that year, in which the army was beaten by the navy. After finishing his regular course he spent two years cruising along the Atlantic coast on the Amphitrite and Indiana. He was coach for the Indiana foot ball team. He concluded his six years' course July 1st, 1897, and after several months' service at the Brooklyn navy yard, was as- signed to the berth of assistant engineer on the Maine. When the news came that the Maine had been blown up in Havana Harbor on the night of February 15, 1898, it was learned that Darwin was one of the two officers that were miss- ing. The report was a great shock to the community and es- pecially so to the young man's family. The following account of his death was given by David F. Boyd, a cadet of the Maine and the last person to see him alive : Boyd stated that he was sitting in the steerage of the Maine when the explosion oc- curred, with Assistant Engineer D. R. Merritt, both of whom 248 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY were reading. Suddenly the lights were extinguished and a tremendous shock, accompanied by flying splinters and the sound of crashing bulkheads, was heard. For an instant he was dazed and was then struck by a flying splinter in the back of the neck. When he collected his wits he grasped Engineer Merritt by the hand but the latter must have been struck and dazed for he had to be dragged out into the passage in the after torpedo room and the tremendous flow of water swept them apart. Boyd managed to grasp a steam heater pipe and worked his way on deck. The following were among the letters of condolence re- ceived by Mr. Merritt, father of the young man: U. S. S. Essex, Port Royal, S. C. February 18th, 1898. Hon. W. W. Merritt: The disaster on board the Maine has deprived the navy of a bright and promising young officer, you of a son, and me of a friend I knew young Merritt very well and we were as intimate as officers of our difference in age and rank get to be. As an officer, he was respected by all ; as a gentleman, he was liked by all. You have my most heartfelt sympathy — but you may rest assured that your son did not disgrace his friends, his profession or his family. Yours respectfully, JOHN W. STEWART, Lieut. U. S. Navy. 24 Porter Row, U. S. Naval Academy. Annapolis, Md., Feb. 18, 1898. My Dear Merritt: Though perhaps this is ill-timed, I feel that I must write you concerning your son. I have been greatly af- fected by the terrible news from Havana, and have hoped against faith that I would learn that after all your son had escaped and was at least among the wounded. I was, per- THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 249 haps, as well acquainted with him as anybody in the ser- vice, and can easily say that I loved him as a brother. He was in my company here at the academy as a cadet, sat at my table, and I was shipmate with him for fourteen months, so I feel that I knew him well. He was a favorite with his seniors, both because of his professional attain- ments, and because of his personal good fellowship and staunchness. An officer of high rank, with whom your son was at one time serving, once told me that he would rather have Merritt on board and in charge of his engines than all the rest of the engineer officers combined. Words fail me to express all I feel, but I want you to believe in my heartfelt sympathy and that I mourn deeply with you. I trust you will accept my sympathy for you and yours in this sad affliction, and believe me ready to be of any service you may find use of in one so feeble. With great respect, W. S. CROSLEY, Ensign U. S. N. Rev. and Dear Sir: It grieves me exceedingly to state that the bodies of Lieut. Jenkins and Engineer Merritt have not yet been recovered. The divers have been searching for them for the last week, but the work has been greatly obstructed by debris in the part of the ship where the bodies are supposed to be. However, they have cut this away and expect to recover the bodies in a day or two. When re- covered the body will be forwarded to you. We are pre- pared to send it. Your boy was a noble son. He cer- tainly showed your training in his quiet, respectful, rever- ential conduct. He was a great favorite with his fellow- officers. I can assure you that his conduct aboard ship was without reproach. I sympathize with you deeply in this terrible affliction, and pray that God will strengthen and comfort you in your great loss. Yours in prayers, JOHN P. CHIDWICK, Chaplain of the Maine. 250 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY The body was never recovered and probably rests in the junior officers' wardroom in the wreck of the Maine in Havana harbor. When all hope of recovering the body was given up, memorial services were held in the Armory at Red Oak Sunday afternoon, April 15th, the circumstances rendering it the most impressive public services held in Red Oak up to that time. The services were presided over by Mr. John Hayes, the speak- ers being Rev. E. C. Moulton, Judge H. E. Deemer, Hon. Smith McPherson and C. E. Richards. At the close of the latter's remarks he read the following resolutions of respect which were adopted: Resolved, That in the untimely death of Darwin R. Merritt while in discharge of his duties as a naval officer of the United States, which occurred by the blowing up of the battleship Maine in the Havana harbor on the 1 5th of February, 1 898, his relatives have sustained an irreparable loss, and the general government has lost a citizen and naval officer distinguished alike for uprightness, purity and unselfishness of character, for sim- plicity and courtesy of manner, for true loyalty to the govern- ment which educated him, and assigned him to that official position he so justly earned by the assiduous toil of a student's life. That his loss at the very threshold of an active and useful life in the naval service of his country falls grievously alike upon his relatives, this community and the nation. Though his body lies entombed in the mess-room of that wrecked battleship, or perchance buried in the turbid waters of Havana harbor, his noble traits of character sank not with him, but remain as a lasting monument which time can not efface. That sympathy for his immediate relatives in this, their griev- ous loss, is universally felt by this community. That a copy of these resolutions be sent to his family and a copy also to the naval academy at Annapolis to be filed in the archives of that institution from which he graduated, his alma mater. CHAPTER XXVIII RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS IN THE COUNTY. The history of the churches of the county is inadequate, owing to the difficulty of procuring data concerning them. The author sent notice to pastors that he was preparing this history and requested a reply, giving name of church, date of organiza- tion, list of pastors and any other information which might be of value. It is regrettable that some failed to respond. The clerk of the Methodist Church of Red Oak furnished the names of its pastors and time of service only. The accompany- ing comments are the author's. METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF RED OAK. Rev. Samuel Farlow, a Methodist circuit rider, whose home was in Clarinda, Iowa, preached the first sermon in the town of Red Oak. The meeting was held in a log cabin, the home of L. N. Harding, situated near a spring on what is now East Coolbaugh street. The congregation consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Harding, their two children, and Chris. Worthner and wife, neighbors of Mr. Harding. Rev. J. T. Hughes held meetings in the same place. He was the first Methodist clergyman whose appointments were in places within Mont- gomery County, being assigned to this field by the conference held at Muscatine, Iowa. He was a circuit rider without a .horse, and walked all of the way from that city, arriving, in due time, at the home of Mr. W. T. Reed, who lived in a cabin near the present town of Grant. Mr. Hughes is now 252 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY OUNTY living at Conway, Iowa, at a ripe old age, the ward of his church. He and one other were the only preachers in at- tendance upon the M. E. Conference held at Atlantic in 1 894 who were present at the conference held at Muscatine when he was assigned to this field. The only certain reliance for the support of that young man was in a missionary society in New York which engaged to send him forty dollars a year, to be paid quarterly. On the strength of this credit, he tried to negotiate with Joe Bean for a pair of boots. Mr. Bean said to him, "I presume you tell the truth, but New York is a long ways off, and as you are a stranger, I will keep the boots." Upon arriving at Frankfort, nearly barefooted, he met Mr. Solomon Stout and explained to him his mission and his lack of foot gear. Mr. Stout said, "I am not the most exemplary man in the world, but my mother, away back in Kentucky, was a good Methodist woman. I will trust you for a pair of boots." Mr. John Murray, learning of the incident, took up a collection among the officers at the court house and the boots were not only bought but paid for that same day — in answer to prayer, as Mr. Hughes declared afterwards. The first regular place for holding religious meetings in Red Oak was a small school house, built by subscription and sit- uated near the freight depot. The first Sunday School was organized by J. M. Hewitt, with sixteen pupils, Mr. Hewitt being the superintendent. The writer held religious services there July 10, 1859. Rev. Clerry, a Baptist preacher, was present. He proposed to administer an antidote for the poison of liberalism at his next meeting and announced his subject, "Hell and Its Duration." The records now extant of the pioneer preachers of the Methodist Church would show that J. S. Rand preached in this vicinity in the year 1 86 1 , at which time Red Oak was em- braced in the Frankfort Circuit. Rev. R. W. Thomburg and Rev. B. F. Coe were preachers in charge in the years RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS 253 1 863 and 1 864. Mr. Coe's wife was the sister of Ret Clark- son, a long time editor of the Des Moines Register. The church records show that the minister's salary was $500 per annum and the elders' portion from the circuit was $65 per annum. The next pastor was J. F. Hughes, who was in charge in 1864 to 1865. In 1865, W. F. Laidley became minister and the following year, in the month of April, the society was incorporated. The incorporators were J. M. He- witt, Leander Sickman, J. E. Gepford, H. H. Burris, M. J. Latimer and W. F. Laidley. Red Oak was made a station in 1 869. The first church, on the site of the present residence of Mrs. M. E. Crandall, corner Sixth and Hammond streets, was built in 1868, the contract price being $1,082.50. The second church, located across the street south from the first one, was built at a cost of $22,000.00. This served its pur- pose for about a quarter of a century when it was torn down to make room for the present structure, costing approximately $40,000.00. The following table shows the names of the preachers, time employed and length of service from 1863 to date: J. S. Rand, circuit, 1861 ; R. W. Thornburg, circuit, 1861 ; B. W. Coe, 1863-1864; J. T. Hughes, 1864-1865; W. F. Laidley, 1865-1867; A. J. Andrus, 1867-1869; P. St. Clair, 1869-1871; J. M. Holmes, 1871-1873; P. F. Bresee, 1873- 1876; C. H. Ryman, 1876-1878; H. H. O'Neal, 1878- 1881; L. Woodsworth, 1881-1882; J. W. Webb, 1882- 1884; J. C. Stephens, 1884-1887; D. Austin, 1887-1888; W. F. Bartholemew, 1888-1890; W. H. Shipman, 1890- 1893; A. B. Buckner, 1893-1896; J. S. Wright, 1896-1897; W. H. Cable, 1897-1898; A. M. Shea, 1898-1899; W. G. Hohanshelt, 1899-1902; E. M. Holmes, 1902-1904; E. W. McDade, 1904 . 254 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY THE FIRST METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF VILLISCA was organized in 1 866 by Rev. Wm. T. Reed, with a mem- bership of eight persons. The following named pastors have served the church : S. Mulligan, A. J. Andres, W. T. Smith,, T. P. Newland, Adam Burris, R. M. Smith, W. J. Beck, Benj. F. Durfee, W. A. Chambers, W S. Hooker, Wilbur F. Laidley, H. J. Everly, C. C. Mabee, A P. Hull, A. T. Jeffrey, Fred Harris, A. W. Armstrong, J. F. Campbell, J. F» Blanchard, W. B. Redburn, W. G. Hohanshelt, W. M. Dud- ley, C. J. English, Peter Van Dyke Vedder. The church has a membership of 505, and a Sunday School of 3.50 and an Epworth League of 1 25 members. Under the present pastor, there has been a brotherhood whose work is among men and boys, seeking to lead them into a religious life and up to good citizenship. The first church was built at a cost of $3,000.00; the present imposing building was erected at a cost of $15,- 000.00 and was dedicated by Bishop Jos. F. Berry December 27, 1896. THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH AT ELLIOTT was organized in 1 880. List of pastors and time of service is as follows: William Patterson, 1880-1883; E. E. Ilgenfritz, 1883-1886; T. G. Aten, 1886; J. G. Bourne, 1887; A. C. Rawls, 1888-1889; G. W. Maine, 1890-1891 ; J. W. Neely, 1 892 ; E. H. Curtis, 1 893 ; A. R. Miller, 1 894 ; AT. Andres, 1895-1896; S. E. Brown, 1897-1898; C. W. Brewer, 1899- 1900; G. Winterbourne, 1901 ; A. T. Coe, 1902-1903; F- T. Stevenson, 1904. The present pastor, F. T. Stevenson, reports that very few of the veterans of the church are left. THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF HOLMES' CHAPEL was dedicated the 1 8th day of August, 1 890. Rev. Fletcher Brown delivered the dedicatory sermon. The names of the RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS 255 clergymen who have served the church — though perhaps not given in the order of their service — were Revs. Palmer, Harvey, Vorhees, Mayne, Martin, Menohor, Trueblood, Bates, Cald- well and Duling. CHURCHES AT ARLINGTON. The METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH was de- dicated in 1905 and the PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH is held at Arlington Schoolhouse near the Arlington Mill. There is also a CHRISTIAN CHURCH a short distance north of Holmes' Chapel. THE FRANKFORT METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH was first organized and the house built in 1888. This was used until 1903, when a new structure was erected on the site of the old one at a cost of $3,000. Rev. W. G. Hohanshelt delivered the dedicatory sermon. The preachers were Revs. Harvey, Bourne, Trueblood, Buckner, Jackson, Caldwell, Johnson, Wright, McDade, and the present pastor, Rev. Mead. THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF GRANT reports that a new and commodious church building has re- cently been erected and dedicated this year — 1906. The first sermon within the confines of the present charge was preached some time during the winter of 1855 by Rev. James F. Rand. This sermon was preached at the Donoho home on the east side of the Nodaway river at the time of the marriage of Samuel McNeely and Martha Donoho. The society was organized during the winter of 1855-6. The original members were Mr. and Mrs. William Stipe, David Stipe, Allan Donoho and family, Samuel McNeely and family, Willian Reed and family, Reed Donoho and wife. This society was connected with the Frankfort charge and Rev. Farlow and Rev. Hobart at different times acted as pastor. 256 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY Subsequently the Red Oak charge was established, and this charge was added to it. At this time, all of Montgomery county and a large part of Cass county were in the same charge. Eventually Red Oak was made a separate charge and Grant and Villisca were spoken of as the center of a new charge. The society at Grant about this time was able to build a parsonage. The old log school house which was first regularly used as a place for holding the meetings is now being used by Mrs. A. C. Miller as a chicken house. The first quarterly conference of the Milford (Grant) circuit was held at Grant, Oct. 16, 1869. Rev. W. T. Smith was the pastor in charge and Rev. Holliday was the presiding elder. In 1874 a frame church was erected at a cost of $2,700. It was dedicated March 14, 1875, by Rev. A. J. Andrews. This church has served the society as a place of worship till the present time. In 1 880 the membership was approximately 80. Following will be found the names of the pastors of the charge with the year in which their service began, as nearly as possible to ascertain : Rand, 1855; Mulhollen, 1856; Farlow, 1857; Hobart, 1858; Andres, 1859; Williams, 1861; Thornberg, 1863; Reed, 1864; Donoho, 1864; Laidley, 1866; Smith, 1869; Newlon, 1870; Archer, 1872; Reed, 18 73; Sheets, 1873; Booth, 1875; Osborn, 1878; Plumb, 1879; Randolph, 1880; Bartley, 1882; Branston, 1883; Adair, 1884; Stevens, 1886; Harvey, 1887; Palmer, 1889; Voorhees, 1890; Mar- tin, 1891 ; Main, 1893; Maxon, 1895; Deitrich, 1896; Boume 1898; Menoher, 1889; Bates, 1901; Caldwell, 1902; True- blood, 1903; Duling, 1904. THE PILOT GROVE CENTER M. E. CHURCH. Before the erection of this church, meetings were held in the Pilot Grove Center Schoolhouse, at which place Revs. Frank- lin, Yockey, Armstrong, Evans and Gibson preached. About twenty years ago, a church building was erected and Revs. FIRST METHODIST CHURCH AT RED OAK, ABOUT 186S. RESIDENCE J. VV. WELPTON, RED OAK — Where first issues Montgomery County Express were issued in 1868. RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS 257 Aten, Neeley, Rawls, Ilginfritz, Maine, Miller, Bourne, Curtis, Andrews, Brown and Brenner have been the pastors. The church building was greatly improved fourteen years ago. The membership is about eighty. THE STRATTON M. E. CHURCH, SHERMAN TOWNSHIP was dedicated Aug. 1 7th, 1 900, T. M. Stewart preaching the dedicatory sermon. Value of church, $2,200. Subsequent pastors have been : A. C. Rawls, C. W. Main, J. W. Neeley, E. H. Curtis, A. R. Miller, B. M. Buckner, F. Holiday, H. C. Johnson, C. Hooker, F. M. Jackson, M. H. Rambo, J. W. Caldwell, N. Johnson, W. Wright, E. C. McDade, F. M. Mead. THE BINNS CHAPEL (METHODIST) was built about twenty-five years ago at Binns' Grove, Page County. It was used for meetings a few years and then re- moved to Grant Township about sixteen years ago. Three or four years ago it was torn down and the material was used in the construction of a Methodist parsonage at Stanton. THE M. E. CHURCH OF STANTON was built in 1 900. It has not a large membership, being over- shadowed by the other churches of the town. Rev. Calvert is the present pastor. THE FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF RED OAK. In 1 869, preliminary steps towards establishing a Congrega- tional Church in Red Oak were taken by Dr. John Todd of Tabor and Rev. O. W. Cooley. Previous to this, the Congre- gationalists had worshipped with the Presbyterians. In Aug- ust, 1870, a meeting was held in the Baptist Church of Red Oak to consider the matter of organization. Rev. G. C. Hicks was chairman and T. F. Willis secretary. A confession of faith, covenant and constitution were presented and adopted 258 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY at this meeting. Lyman Banks was instructed to procure a site for a church building. In 1 870 the organization was complete and officers were elected in 1871 as follows: Deacons, Lyman Banks and E. M. Carey; Trustees, V. D. Stoddard, Alfred Hebard and Isaac Hull. Pastors of the church have been as follows : G. C. Hicks, 1870. Following Rev. Hicks, Dr. R. B. Bement was employed for a few months, and irregular ser- vices were kept up during 1873. Rev. George Dodson, 1873; C. T. Melvin, 1874-1875; Rev. J. Allender, 1876- 1884; E. A. Leeper, 1884-1889; E. C. Moulton, 1890-1897; George LeGrand Smith, 1897-1902. The same year, the church called Rev. Chas. P. Boardman of Marshalltown, who is the present pastor. The membership of the church is 252, with a comfortable church building and a large parsonage. During the pastorate of Rev. Dodson, a church building was erected, and during the period intervening between Dr. Leep- er's resignation and the calling of Rev. Moulton, the church was practically rebuilt, at a cost of $4,000.00. THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH ONE MILE EAST OF WALES was built in 1876 at a cost of $2,000 and has a membership of one hundred. J. L. Thomas, now a citizen of Red Oak, donated one and one-half acres of land for the erection of the church and parsonage. Samuel Jones served the church as pastor four years. He was followed by Revs. T. D. Thomas, Samson, Evans, Robert Thomas and Davis. THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF RED OAK was organized June 13, 1869. First house of worship built in 1871. Present house built in 1894. The organizations of the church are the Sabbath School, Christian Endeavor So- cieties — Senior and Junior — Woman's Missionary Society and RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS 259 the Ladies' Social Circle. Session: A. L. Smith, Hugh Gunn, L. C. Thompson, M. D., David Artz, John Stocks- lager, J. C. Mickle. Membership 252. Dr. Silas Cook, Pastor. THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF PILOT GROVE was organized in the winter of 1 876 and officers selected. The committee in charge of the building of a church edifice con- sisted of Ex-Sheriff T. Martin, John Askey and J. H. McKib- ben. The present membership is estimated at fifty or sixty. The preachers who have been employed as supplies were Revs. T. H. Hunter, McAfee, Linn, Smith, Watt, McNinch and others. THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT VILLISCA was organized in 1871 with thirteen members. After about twenty-eight years, the old church was discarded and a new brick building was erected. It is a prosperous church and has had some very able preachers, including Rev. Brown, T. H. Hunter and the present preacher, Rev. Driver. THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF RED OAK was organized Oct. 31, 1 87 1 . Pastors who served the church : N. E. Wade, S. W. Lorimer, W. R. Cox, J. A. Wiley, J. D. Graham, S. E DuBois, and William Murchie, present pastor. THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF PLEASANT LAWN was organized Dec. 15, 1885. Pastors, in order of their ser- vice, were: W. R. Cox, J. A. Wiley, J. D. Graham, S. E. DuBois, D. M. Montgomery, N. A Whitehall. THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF INDIAN CREEK was organized June 1, 1882. Pastors: W, R. Cox, Robert Hood, G. F. Brochett, C. C. Potter, J. P. Griffin. 260 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY THE UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF CENTER RIDGE was organized June 1, 1887. Pastors: T. T. Miller, Robert Hood, G. F. Brochett, C. C. Potter and J. P. Griffin. THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF RED OAK was organized Aug. 31, 1856. Pastors as follows: James Renfrow, White, Lambert, James Morris, Nov. 1866-; R. R. Hanley, Dec. 1868-Aug. 1869; W. P. Patterson, Aug. 1869- Feb. 1872; J. R. Shanafelt, March 1874-April 1875; E. Al- ward, Dec. 1874-April 1876; W. P. Patterson, 1876-Oct. 1877; A. V. Bloodgood, Dec. 1877-Oct. 1879; E. P. Sav- age, Jan. 1880-Jan. 1882; H. B. Foskett, May 1882-Sept. 1885; A. W. Edson, April 1886-Oct. 1888; F. P. Haggard, Feb. 1889-Nov. 1891; F. P. Leech, Jan. 1892-June 1897; John Shaw, Dec. 1897-Feb. 1903; W. M. Martin, June 1903. Mr. Martin is the present pastor. The value of the church is about $8,000 and of the parsonage $4,000. THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF VILLISCA was constituted May 30, 1 869 by Rev. C. C. Baird, Mission- ary of ■the Southwestern Iowa Association in the year 1 870. Their house of worship was the first good church building of brick erected in Villisca. The congregation outgrew the frame building and it was sold and moved, now being used as an opera house. THE BAPTIST CHURCH AT SCIOLA has filled an important place in the religious, social and educa- tional life of the people of the Valley of the Nodaway. It has now fallen into partial disuse through removal or death of those who have been its strength and support. THE FIRST CHURCH OF CHRIST OF RED OAK was organized May 1871. The pastors were Elders Ander- son, Hover, Stanly, Black, Lockhart, Cotton, Hardman, Wei- RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS 261 mer, Morrison, Van Kirk, Bowers, Ingram, Price, Walters, Cies and Nichol, the last named being the present pastor. THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF VILLISCA was organized March 1894. The names of the pastors are as follows: H. N. Allen, M. G. E. Bennett, J. K. Hester, W. P. Shamhart and the present pastor, S. M. Perkins, who has been with the church nearly five years — the longest pastor- ate held by the congregation. The church holds a conspicious place in the religious life of Villisca and embraces in its mem- bership people of influence in socety. THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF ELLIOTT was the first church ever built in that town. It originally be- longed to the United Presbyterians and was bought by the Christian Church in 1883 at a valuation of $1,000. The present membership is about thirty. E. J. Stanley was pastor five years, and was followed by Ebert Dale, Gregg, Van Kirk, and perhaps others, with Rev. Ross as the present pastor. THE SWEDISH LUTHERAN CHURCH OF RED OAK was organized in 1872 by Rev. A. Skeppstedt, with fifteen charter members. He died in Sweden in 1880. The other pastors of the church, in the order of their pastorate, were: J. E. Rehnstrom, who died in Lockport, 111., in 1890; J. C. D. Osterholm, who died in Red Oak in 1 887 ; A. J. Rydin, A. B. Lilja, C. A. Ramstedt, who died in Illinois in 1895; E. J. Nordin and F- V. Hanson, B. D., the present pastor. A permanent place of worship was erected in 1874 at a cost of $1,400.00. Its first location was on the northeast corner of First Avenue and West Second Street and was removed to Reed Street in 1 886. This was replaced in 1 904 by an elegant structure costing $1 1,000.00. The church has a membership of 435. 262 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY THE SWEDISH EVANGELICAL MISSION CHURCH OF STANTON was organized in 1 878. They have a good building and par- sonage valued at $4,000. The first pastor was E. Noren, who served the church until 1902, when he removed to California. Their present pastor is C. Roslin. THE SWEDISH EVANGELICAL CHURCH OF RED OAK was organized in 1 884. The church was erected in 1 902, and, together with the parsonage, is valued at $13,000. The first pastor was Rev. G. N. Tegnell. Present pastor, Rev. C. V. Anderson. Membership, 125. THE LUND SWEDISH EVANGELICAL LUTHER- AN CONGREGATION was organized at the home of John Sillingson one mile south of Stanton, and the first church was erected the same year but was not finished and dedicated until 1875, Rev. Halland be- ing their first pastor. In 1884 the present church was built and is one of the finest churches in the state. The audience room is beautifully frescoed and painted. It has a pipe organ that cost over $2,000. The ehurch is 1 00x80 feet, with walls 22 feet high and with a steeple 168 feet high. A. J. Oslin succeeded Rev. Halland in 1 883 and remained in charge until 1895, when he was followed by J. E. Rydback. Rev. Ryd- back remained until 1903 when C. A. Randolph took charge of the flock and is now their pastor. There are about 800 communicants and 300 children. ST. MARY'S CATHOLIC CHURCH dedicated their second building in 1 902. This was erected at a cost of $7,000. Their present pastor is Father W. J. Quinn. THE CALVANISTIC METHODISTS built a church at Wales in 1877 and five or six years ago a new church was built. The membership is made up of Welsh people. Preachers: John Jones, Miles and Jones. CHAPTER XXIX A CHAPTER OF MISCELLANIES. FOUNDING OF THE FIRST NEWSPAPER. One of the historically important events in a pioneer com- munity is the foundation of its first newspaper. In the case of Montgomery County the man who founded and edited its first journal is still living and the author was able to secure Mr. Eaton's own account of the founding of The Red Oak Express. It is so well told and so full of interesting early inci- dents that it is included in this book practically as it was written. Mr. Eaton says: "As I recollect it now — I have no definite record — -the first number of The Express was issued March 21,1 868. A few of the first numbers of the paper were issued from the office of the Adams County Gazette, then located at Quincy, the county seat of Adams County. The first press and type arrived in April of the same year. It was an old-fashioned Foster hand press — a regular "man killer," one grade better than a cheese press, but with energy and hard work, good results could be ob- tained. I purchased this press from Hon. Mat Waldon, Ed- itor of the Centerville Citizen, afterwards Lieutenant Governor and Member of Congress. With the press, I purchased the entire old dress of the Citizen, and the entire outfit was brought overland in a wagon from Centerville, Appanoose County, to Red Oak. "The first compositors to set type on The Express were Wil- liam and Timothy Wilkins; the last named was familiarly called 264 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY "Doc" and will be remembered by old residents. The first "devil" was Roy Burris, and, like Mark Tapley, he was always jolly. He did not have much to do, however, those days; his work was to ink all forms with a roller, distribute the "pi," take care of the fires, open and sweep the office, carry the paper and do little things like that, and occasionally set the reprint. Sometimes, during the first year of the existence of The Ex- press, Aaron Burr Marshall took charge of the mechanical de- partment of the office, and at his request, his name was put in the paper as publisher and my name was carried as editor and proprietor. At that time I was also editor and proprietor of the Adams County Gazette. "I had a pair of ponies which I drove across the country, a distance of about twenty-five miles, once or twice a week. I did not move to Red Oak until the spring of 1 869. Mr. Mar- shall continued with the paper several months, till his death. He died suddenly at the old Exchange Hotel, located a little east and south of the then new schoolhouse. At that time the Exchange Hotel was on the very outskirts of the city. Mr. Marshall kept his own secrets, and at the time of his death, no one in town knew that he had a relative in the world. I had learned that he had at one time worked on the Ottumwa Courier and telegraphed that paper, and after poor Marshall had been buried in the graveyard south of town, word was re- ceived from his married sister living somewhere in Wapello County, and her husband came up and settled up his matters and erected a stone over his grave. Rev. Patterson, a Baptist clergyman, conducted the funeral services, and while not a relative or an acquaintance of more than a year was present, the mourners were not a few. "When the press and type arrived from Centerville, it was difficult to find room suitable for an office, and the only build- ing that could be had was a frame dwelling house, situated just across Red Oak creek on the south side of town, belonging MRS. DAVID ELLISON— Wife of the first lawyer in county at Frankfort. MRS. C. W. MERCER— Daughter of Wm. Stipe, one of the oldest residents of Douglas town- ship. H 4JF 1 t*vm** HHBr tStf~ Kyi HB^?flH I ^^^BS&fv *• IH9H TABITHA LOWE STENNETT— Wife of Chas. Stennett and daughter of A. G. Lowe, the first County Judge. Has resided in county since March, 1852. ENSIGN DARWIN ROBERT MERRITT, De- ceased — A victim of destruction of the battle- shipjMaine in Havana harbor. C. K. KENNEDY— For more than 25 years the editor of the Villisca Review. Now proprie- tor Atlantic Messenger. MAJ. C. W. SNYDER— Former editor of the Red Oak Express. (1883-1890) WEBSTER EATON— The founder of the Red Oak Express, March, 1868. Author of article on 'Founding the Express" in this book. DAVID ELLISON— The first permanently settled lawyer in the county, at Frankfort. Distin- guished as an officer in the Union army. MISCELLANIES 265 to B. E. A. Simons, Esq. (the residence of the late John Welpton) and he very kindly allowed us to occupy it until more central quarters could be had. From that house, the office was moved in a few weeks into the second story of a frame store building at the northeast corner of the square. The building at that time belonged to W. H. Kerrihard (Uncle Billy) who also owned a mill just west of town. The same building was afterwards purchased by Mr. Loomis of Ottumwa. "Within a year from the first issue of the Express, the paper was in a home of its own on the west side of the square, a two- story brick, the second story being occupied as its quarters, while the first floor was used as a drug store by Anderson & Martin. The building was the first brick business house erected in Red Oak, but it has long since been torn down to make room for a more substantial structure. I think it was about the end of the first year that the name of the paper was changed from Montgomery County Express to The Red Oak Express, and it was during the second year of its life that the old hand press was taken out to make room for a Campbell cylinder press. The old Foster subsequently found a home in the town of Harlan, Iowa, in the office of the Shelby County Record. The Campbell press was purchased of B. F. Mont- gomery of Council Bluffs and had been used in printing the Daily Democrat, a short lived paper that had departed this life several months before, the same press being the one origin- ally used by "Brick" Pomeroy in printing the La Crosse Dem- ocrat, and was removed to give place to a more rapid machine. "The brick building was sold about the year 1 870, and The Express then found a home in a two story frame building just south of the southwest corner of the square near Red Oak Creek, and there it continued to do business till I sold out to Simons & Fisher in 1 872. "The first job press brought into Montgomery County was an eighth medium Gordon. It was purchased of Marder, 266 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY Luse & Co., of Chicago, and was shipped to Villisca, coming in on about the first train that arrived at that place, and from there it was brought by wagon to Red Oak. It cost $250 and to say that we were proud of that machine does not ex- press it. We advertised loud and long that we were prepared, with all the latest kinds of machines, to do first-class job work, and if we failed to make our word good, it must have been be- cause we did not know how or because we did not have time, for we were crowded almost night and day for months. "When first issued, The Express was a six column folio, and later on it was published as a nine column folio. When the B. & M. Railroad reached Red Oak Junction, good times came also and the city grew fast. Business of all kinds was good and for more than a year, before the year 1 872, The Ex- press was published as a small daily. From the very first, the paper had the undivided support of all Republicans in the county and many of the Democrats were among its wannest friends. "The Express was the first paper printed in Montgomery County. It came early and has stayed late. It has seen a county of almost unbroken prairie transferred into one of the best producing sections of the world. It has been in Red Oak ready to welcome nearly all the good people who live there at this time. The few there now who preceded it, can almost be counted on the fingers of your two hands. It saw the first railroad train as it came over the hill from the east; it was young at that time, but it was vigorous. It was there when Red Oak was organized as a city and published the first laws of the municipality. It has published more notices of big ears of corn and big, long, round, sweet water melons, and told the truth, than any other paper of the same age. "Well do I remember the day when, in the summer of 1 867, I stepped from the conveyance (a buckboard) that carried all the passengers and mail that was transported between Glen- MISCELLANIES 267 wood and Chariton. Red Oak was very small then — five houses there, such as they were. The first man I saw was J. B. Packard. I think the stage driver pointed him out to me. I introduced myself to him and he introduced me to W. W. Merritt. From them I learned that the delinquent tax list of the county had just been sent to the Glenwood Opinion for publication, that being the principal source of revenue in such counties. "It was out of the question to think of starting a paper in a town of 200 people in a county of not more than 200 or 300 families, so in the morning I again mounted the buckboard of the Western Stage Co., and, after being closely scrutinized by a rough looking individual in buckskin clothes, we were allowed to depart, winding our way over the hill to the east. "We stopped. to water our horse at Frankfort and again at Sciola and arrived in Quincy before night. This being a county seat, I again made an investigation and found that the delinquent tax list was still on tap, and in a few weeks the Adams County Gazette was issued, tax list and all, but I still kept watch of Red Oak Junction. P. H. Goode, Esq., was at that time editing a column of Red Oak items in the Glenwood Opinion, but long before the next tax list was due, I had occupied the field. "As I write this article, I can see in my mind's eye the first subscription list as it was written down in the old book that I have handled over so many, many times. I can recall many of the names now. The list was not long at first, but it was made up of the names of good men and women. The very salt of the earth lived in Red Oak when the Express was started, but I am fearful that as I have been absent from the city for a quarter of a century, I would be acquainted with more names in the cemetery than on the streets. I am positive that our subscription list had over 1 50 names, good cash sub- scribers, before the end of the first month, and before the end of three months, it had been increased to 250, and we thought 268 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY we had a good list, too, because it included a majority of the families of the county. "W. W. Merritt was Clerk of the District Court at the time and did much to assist in establishing The Express, and, though he wandered from the fold, dating his estrangement from the Greeley Campaign, we must insist that he is all right, never- theless. Wayne Stennett, Treasurer, was the only Democratic officer in the the county, but he was not a bad Democrat by any manner of means. C. H. Lane was the solid man of the town and county and while he did not say much, what he did say went with all, I remember. Thomas Weidman was one of the early subscribers and a staunch friend of the Express. He was a member of the Board of Supervisors at the time. The paper was well established when Smith McPherson, a young briefless lawyer, fresh from the Iowa University, arrived in town, and was among the first to welcome him. Hon. Alfred Hebard, although with Gen. Remick was one of the founders of the town, did not take up his residence there until some time after The Express was established. "I presume I might go on in this way and write pages, but almost any old settler could do the same. And while I may not be entitled to much credit, I am proud to have it to say that I am the man who founded the Red Oak Express." THE OLD SETTLERS' ORGANIZATION. The Old Settlers' Association of Montgomery, Taylor, Page and Adams Counties, Iowa, may be styled the most important social organization in these counties. It was organized in Page County in 1883, its object being to preserve the historical in- cidents that occurred during the early settlement of the county and to keep a record of the development and progress of the schools, churches and social organizations as well as the biog- raphies of the pioneer settlers. A reunion of the members was held each year at Hawleyville until 1890, when the head- quarters of the association were moved to Villisca, where they MISCELLANIES 269 have continued to remain and where the reunions have since been held. William Jackson was elected President when first organ- ized and J. S. Boise Jr. was its first Secretary on coming to Villisca, but no records of the Association were kept until 1895. At the annual election of officers in that year, A. P. West was elected President and J. S. Boise, Secretary. Since that time, full records have been kept, and at that time articles of incor- poration, a constitution and by-laws were draw up and adopted. The members of the Association now number several hundred. Many of the prominent men of the state are among them, and the annual reunions have become a prominent feature, many thousands attending regularly, when governors, congressmen and judges mingle in social converse with the old pioneers and the early days are again lived over amid many interesting scenes. The Association was voted a membership in the State His- torical Society, and has since received all the publications of that institute. It takes a deep interest in all important events that occur within its territory and earnestly requests the co-oper- ation of all the people in the furtherance of the objects for which it was organized. It really is a Montgomery County institution, for while it was organized in Page County, it has been for twelve years wholly maintained by Montgomery County citizens, all its business being done and all its reunions held in Montgomery County. It is a charitable institution, all its funds being donated by its members. During the almost twenty- five years of its existence, it has come to be regarded, particularly by the pioneer members, with much solicitude and affection, the annual reunions being looked forward to with pleasant antic- ipations, when the old fashioned, homelike joys of boyhood days again return, when old friendships are renewed and life's path- way made brighter. The present officers of the Association are: A. P. West, President; J. M. Patton, Vice President; J. S. Boise, Secre- 270 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY tary; F. F. Jones, Treasurer. Trustees: J. M. Patton, M. Cowgill, F. M. Divine, Montgomery County; Adam Starr, Adams County; G. L. Dunn, Page County; J. T, Andrews, Taylor County. PRESIDENT McKINLEY'S VISIT TO RED OAK. President William McKinley, Jr., and several members of his cabinet were greeted in Red Oak by three thousand en- thusiastic citizens on Oct. 13, 1898. The special train con- veying the President and his party arrived about noon. The crowd whch spread over the car tracks and in the railroad yards, occupying points of vantage on the platform of the freight depot, was all expectancy and good nature. When the train came to a standstill, Secretary of Agriculture James Wilson, the Iowa member of the Cabinet, stepped out on the rear platform and, introducing Mr. McKinley, said, "This is the President." Everyone recognized him and he was heartily cheered. The President acknowledged the greeting and commenced speak- ing, so clearly and distinctly that nearly all of the large audience could hear and understand. His reference to the late Darwin R. Merritt localized his speech as nothing else could have done. He said : "It gives me great pleasure to look into your faces as I journey through your state. What nation of the world has more to be thankful for than ours? We have material wealth; we have rich and fertile lands; we have great shops and great factories that make everything ; we have skilled workmen ; we have genius for invention, and, in the last thirty years, we have achieved commercial triumphs that have been the wonder of the world. We have much to be thankful for that we have come out of the events of the last five months, glorious in our victories and more glorious in the results which are to follow them. You rejoice, I know, in the pride of our people and in the valor of our soldiers. We have been through a crisis in our history. MISCELLANIES 271 We were never more patriotic than from April 1 89ft down to the present hour, but our patriotism must be continued. We must not permit it to abate, but must stand together until every settlement of the recent contest shall be written in enduring form and shall record a triumph for civilization and humanity. I am glad to be at the home of that gallant young hero who went down in the harbor of Havana. I am glad to pay tribute to him who gave up his life for his country in the performance of his duty. His memory will be sacredly guarded by his neigh- bors and fellow citizens and will always be held in remembrance by a grateful people. Now, fellow citizens, it gives me great pleasure to introduce the Secretary of our Treasury, Lyman P. Gage, whom, I am sure, you will be glad to hear for a few moments." Mr. Gage said that the proudest title anyone could have was that of an American citizen and only second in importance was to be a citizen of this mighty growing west. He then spoke of the President whom his hearers had come to meet, of his respon- sibilities during the most trying time since the Civil War, and the confidence whch the people have had and continue to have in him. Mr. Gage in turn introduced Charles Emory Smith, Postmaster General, who spoke eloquently along a similar line and, while he was speaking, the train moved slowly on. Pres- ident McKinley again stepped upon the platform and bowed a smiling farewell, followed by hearty cheers. The President's train stopped at Villisca and at other towns along the G, B. & Q. Railroad, where addresses were made. SOME LONG LIVED PEOPLE OF THE COUNTY. The first settlement of Montgomery County was composed almost entirely of young people and now nearly all of them who are with us are on the down-hill side of life. The soldier who entered the Union army at the age of thirty years is now seventy-six years old. Many young men enlisted who were 272 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY between the ages of eighteen and thirty years. Soldiers and civilians of that period are beginning to be bowed down by the weight of years. Mention is here made of a group of aged people now living and of those who have recently died. Of the living, Mr. Joseph Junkin, the father of J. M. Junkin, was born in Pennsylvania in 1815 and is now in his ninety- second year. He cast his first vote for President in 1 836. Mrs. Pamela Worsley, mother of O. P. Worsley, was born in Massachusetts Oct. 21,1 809, and will be ninety-seven years old on the 2 1 st of October, 1 906. She has been a resident of Red Oak thirty-eight years. Her father was not old enough to enter the army of the Revolution, but his older brother was with Washington at Valley Forge. Mrs. Anna Hebard, the widow of the late Col. Alfred Hebard, is in the ninety-second year of her age — a remarkably well preserved woman. Mrs. Lucy M. Johnson was born in 1818 and is now in her eighty-ninth year. She is blind and partially deaf, but has full possession of her mental faculties and, though not the oldest of the group, has been a resident of the county since 1 854, emi- grating at that time from Ohio. Of those who have died recently, may be named: Mrs. Sarah Whitcombe, who was born in Massochusetts, October, 1814, and who died in the eighty-eighth year of her age. Her mother was Ruth Pierce, an aunt of Ex-President Franklin Pierce. She died peacefully in the home of her daughter, Mrs. Helen Merritt. Samuel B. Dunn of Jackson Township was born in 1822 and died March 6, 1905. He was one of the first white men in Montgomery County, coming here in 1851 in the employ of the government with his brother William as a surveyor. He survived all the others who came at that early period. S. V. Kelley, father of Mrs. Holmes Taylor of Red Oak, died at her home, at the age of ninety-six. %-i- (*>1 fc '-Wm mm , Jffl. ^>j W- 1 ; ^^P ^ m *^^^;. MRS. HARRIETT MURPHY— Mother of Super- visor E. M. Murphy. Died in 1906, aged 98 years. MRS. THOS. WHEELER— Born in Connecticut, July 24, 1800, and died at her home in Wash- ington township, aged 100 years, 7 months and 19 days. SALLY BOND, Deceased— Came to county in 1856. Wife of Dr. A. Bond, the first Clerk of District Court. SARAH FLETCHER WHITCOMB, deceased in the 8Sth year of her age. Cousin of Ex-Presi- dent Franklin Pierce. Mother of Mrs. W. W. Merritt. JOHN L. THOMAS— One of the founders of the Welsh colony in county, ex-member of board of supervisors and deputy sheriff. HENRY PETERSON — A leader of the Swedish citizens in county. Came to county in 1872. Born in Sweden, 1844. JOSEPH JUNKIN— Born in Pennsylvania in 1815. Now of Red Oak. JOEL SILKETT AND WIFE— Mr. Silkett has been a resident of county since 1856. MISCELLANIES 273 Mrs. Harriet Murphy was born near New London, Conn., Feb. 6, 1809, and died in Red Oak, aged ninety-seven years and seven months. She lived in New York State until 1887, when she came to live with her son, E. M. Murphy. She was one of a family of fourteen children. Her mother lived to the age of ninety-three years. For one so advanced in years, she had a remarkable mind. Her death came as peacefully as sleep to a tired child. Several years ago, an event of more than ordinary interest occurred at the home of Merritt Wheeler of Washington Town- ship. It was the celebration of the one hundredth birthday of his mother, Mrs. Thomas Wheeler, who was born in Water- town, Conn., July 24th, 1 800. She had the unique distinction of having lived in the 18th, 19th and 20th Centuries, and of having lived under every national administration except that of Washington. She was born seven months after the death of the first President of the United States and was twelve years old at the time of the Battle of New Orleans. She was seven years old when Robert Fulton propelled the first steamer up the Hudson and nine years old when Abraham Lincoln was born. Her father was a soldier of the Revolutionary War from 1 776 to 1 783 ; two of her brothers were soldiers in the War of 1812. Of her ten children, two of her sons were Union soldiers in the War of the Rebellion. One son was a member of Co. D., Twenty-ninth Wisconsin Regiment and was killed at the Siege of Vicksburg in 1863. The other is now living in the State of Washington. Mrs. Wheeler was married in 1820 and moved to Trumbull County, Ohio. In 1843 they re- moved to Wisconsin and in 1870 to this county. Her hus- band died in this county in 1 878, aged eighty-two years. Her hearing was slightly defective and she had lost the sight of one eye. Although slightly built, weighing only seventy pounds, her power of endurance was remarkable. She was an expert at the loom and, besides caring for the household, she in ten 274 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY months' time wove 980 yards of cloth. It is said that at the age of ninety she was at the loom early and late. She was vivacious and an interesting conversationalist. Upon the at- tainment of her one hundredth birthday, eight hundred people of the surrounding country assembled and spent the day in social enjoyment, with a program of speeches and music. Mrs. Wheeler entered heartily into the spirit of the occasion. GENERAL GRANT'S VISIT TO RED OAK. General Grant, in company with Gov. Gear of Iowa, arrived in Red Oak on Nov. 5, 1879. An informal greeting was given him at the station, some four or five thousand people being present. A formal welcome was extended to him on behalf of Red Oak by Col. Hebard, who made a very short address, as follows: "General Grant, a common motive and a strong one has called together this crowd today in order to extend a welcome and greeting. I will not reflect upon the intelligence of this community by a formal introduction of a man whose name is already familiar in every hamlet in the nation. "I do not wish to impose on the General or this people by any lengthy words. They would be out of place and distaste- ful to him and to you, but I should fail in duty if I did not ex- press to you the known high regard to him whose name is identified with the most brilliant career in the history of this country. I will not offend good taste by prophetic utterance, but I desire to express the belief, shared by thousands, that his fame is not finished and his usefulness not yet ended. And now, good people, three cheers for General Grant." When the applause and confusion had subsided, General Grant bowed his acknowledgements, and his reply is as follows: "I am very glad to see you all and would be pleased to take you all by the hand, but to make a speech is something you cannot expect of me. I am always glad to see the people of Iowa and to take them by the hand." MISCELLANIES 275 Mrs. Grant, who accompanied the party, was loudly called for and finally made her appearance, gracefully waving her handkerchief to the crowd as the train moved off. The party also made a short stop at Villisca, where the General shook hands with as many as he possibly could in the limited time. DEER IN THE EARLY DAYS. One Dick Chamberlain, living in what is now Grant Town- ship, killed seventy-eight deer in the winter of 1856 and 1857. The snow covered the ground to the depth of three feet and a crust was formed sufficiently strong to hold up a dog but not strong enough to hold up a deer, their sharp hoofs breaking through it. Large numbers of them were easily captured and slain in their vain efforts to escape. Wm. Cozad, when a lad of thirteen years, imprudently at- tacked and killed a buck with spike horns. Watching his op- portunity, he struck it with a club across its neck while a dog had hold of its nose. The same winter a herd of elk was exterminated, none having been seen since in the county. At a former period there must have been numerous herds roaming at will over the prairies of Iowa, as the antlers of deer and elk were often found by the pioneers. Mr. Cozad, now one of our county commissioners, came in 1854, when a boy, from Ohio with the late Stephen Davis of Mills County. He was eager to go to Iowa with Mr. Davis, his uncle, and was told that he could do so if he would walk all of the way. This he did, taking forty-seven days for the trip. WORTHY OF NOTE. In all the history of Montgomery County, there has never been a defalcation on the part of a county officer and never even a scandal of any kind. In one case there was a shortage caused by a mistake which was promptly made good, so so far as is known, there never was a loss to the people of the county through one of its officials. The County Board, which really 276 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY constitutes the legislative power of the county, for the last thirty- three years, with only three exceptions, has been made up of farmers. It is a credit to the good business sense and honesty of Montgomery County farmers that their representatives on the Board have such a clean, honorable and economical record. RULING PRICES FORTY-NINE YEARS AGO. A public sale of a small stock of goods at Frankfort, Dec. 1 5, 1 857, gives prices at that period as gleaned from an old account book. The auctioneer was Joe Zuber. I. Bolt bought a pair of stitched boots for $1.25. Isaac Hunt gave 15 cents for a snuff box and 35 cents for a Bible; D. Terry, 30 cents. for fiddle strings. A. Milner gave 7J/2 cents per lb. for nails and R. W. Rogers 9Yi cents per lb. for No. 6 nails ; Mrs. West, 1 cents for three tucking combs. There was no newspaper in the county in which to make known the fact of a sale and to record results. CHAPTER XXX HISTORY OF RED OAK. Red Oak is not an old town, even as age is reckoned in this young, western country of ours. Fifty years ago there was scarcely a habitation worthy of the name in the present city limits, and, even after it was located and given a name, its progress for many years was extremely slow. It was not until 1 869 that it was organized as a town, and it did not become a city of the second class until 1 876. The original settlers of Montgomery County — or rather, the original town site locaters — did not plan for Red Oak and, so far as they were concerned, Red Oak was an afterthought. At an early day, a small company known as the Town Lot Com- pany, composed of Messrs. Henn, Williams & Lowe, soon after the land in this part of the state was surveyed and laid off into counties, began establishing towns at points which they thought ought to make county seats. In this way they located the town of Quincy in Adams County and Frankfort in Montgomery County. As this same company was largely instrumental in laying out Omaha, Sioux City, Fort Dodge and other towns, it did not seem unreasonable to expect that their selections would be wise ones. But before long, another influence appeared, more potent than individual effort — an influence that made towns, moved towns and sometimes destroyed towns. The 278 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company, as they were approaching Iowa at the city of Burlington, sent forward in 1 853 surveying parties to ascertain the topographical features of the country, with a view of extending their line westward to the Missouri River. That line, as finally selected, crossed the Nishnabotna River at the present site of Red Oak, and, consequently, Frankfort was left out in the cold, its location on an elevated piece of land with deep adjacent valleys, being the decisive point against it. The town was indebted for its name io the little creek which passes through it and which was called Red Oak Creek — so called by the early settlers on account of the numerous oaks growing on its banks, which, in the late autmn, blazed with bright foliage. According to an early historian, the land on which Red Oak was afterwards built was first located by W. C. Matthews, afterwards for many years a resident of Page County. In 1 85 1 , Mr. Matthews was a member of a hunting party which came over from Silver Creek in Mills County and made their headquarters for about ten days in Red Oak Township at a point that has been popular ever since as a camping place and has been known for years as the North Mill, located several miles north of Red Oak. During the encampment they killed seventeen deer, five wild hogs, a number of coons, two wild- cats, one catamount and a good supply of wild turkeys. Dur- ing the hunt they found the carcasses of two large bucks with their enormous antlers inseparably interlocked, the supposition being that the bucks had been fighting and got their horns locked so that they could not get them apart and either died or were attacked by wolves while in that condition. These antlers afterwards found their way into a museum at Des Moines and are there preserved as historic relics of the early days of Iowa. This hunting party is said to have included Amos Cox, Wm. Redfield, Isaac Hough, W. C. Matthews, Sylvester Whitney, HISTORY OF RED OAK 279 Edwin Whitney, Dexter Stillman and an Englishman whose name the historian fails to record. It was during this expedition that Mr. Matthews staked out and made claim to the land where Red Oak now stands. However, as he never perfected his claim, he lost the opportunity of becoming known to fame as the founder of Red Oak. According to the same historian, a man by the name of Pleasant Jones squatted on a portion of the land now included within the limits of the City of Red Oak, before the govern- ment survey was completed, and held his claim. The first entry, however, was made by James Shank March 11,1 854, he having selected the north half of the southwest quarter of Section 28, Red Oak Township. A year later, Mr. Jones entered the south half of the northwest quarter of the same section, the two entries comprising the original plat of Red Oak Junction. The official plat of the original town site of Red Oak Junction was certified by Gen. David Remick and wife, July 22, 1857, before W. S. Groff, a Notary Public; and, on the 28th of July 1857, by James Shank, Wm. A. Shank, Mary A. Shank and Henry C. Shank, the latter being certified to before Z. M. P. Shank, Justice of the Peace. These two plats constituted the limits of the town site until 1869, when Shank's Addition was recorded. From then until the present time a considerable number of additions have been re- corded. The first postoffice to serve the citizens of Red Oak was located two miles north of the present city at what is now called the North Mill and was then named Oro. This postoffice was established in 1 855 and J. J. Zuber was the postmaster. There was only one east and west road through the county and it followed no definite track but wound over the prairie wherever a route could be found that would admit of being traveled to the best advantage. This road crossed the Nishnabotna at what was then Silkett's Mill. The postoffice was served by 280 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY Samuel Riggs, a mail contractor, who rode through the county on horseback once a week. A few months later the mail was changed from horseback to a hack so as to carry light parcels and passengers. Early in 1857 a ferry was established at the saw-mill and in July of the same year, a grist mill was added to the business. During the winter of 1857-8, a bridge was built across the river, being the first one in the county. The next July, the bridge was washed out and a few months later, Gen. Remick of Burlington, who had some landed interests in this region, bought the old ferry-boat and sent out a rope for it, whereupon the settlers moved the craft down to Red Oak, stretched their big rope across the river from tree to tree and established the crossing at this point. After this the main travel passed through Red Oak. On July 1 , 1 858, the West- ern Stage Co., started a daily hack line between Chariton and Plattsmouth by way of Red Oak and carried the mail. But the hack did not pay and they subsequently obtained the priv- ilege of serving this mail route by buckboard conveyance at such times as there was not other business enough to use the two- horse hack profitably. This company's option system contin- ued for about three years, with the option generally in favor of the buckboard. The postoffice was moved from Oro to Red Oak in March 1858 and the name was changed to Red Oak Junction. The word "Junction" was added, not because there was a junction here, but because, as Col. Hebard afterwards said, "Stupidity itself at that early day could not fail to see that a cross line would some time be built to accommodate the wealth that lay buried in the soil of this wonderful valley," and Red Oak was on the main line of the Burlington survey. After the post- office was moved to Red Oak, Mr. Zuber continued to be the postmaster, and is said to have built the first house on the new town site. HISTORY OF RED OAK 28 1 Up to 1 858 the most important building on the site of the present city of Red Oak was a small frame building used as a hotel. There were two or three other shacks, but they were little more than huts. Mr. L. N. Harding, who came here iirst in the year 1855, moved here in 1857 and pre-empted a cabin that someone had built near a spring in the east part of town and becoming discouraged, moved back to Missouri. Adding a room 8x16 feet, he lived there during 1857 and until he finished his own dwelling in 1858. Even in these small quarters he frequently accommodated travelers, in one instance sheltering a party of surveyors who had just room enough by lying side by side on the floor of the addition. The year 1858 saw a building boom in Red Oak. Mr. Harding erected a commodious dwelling and Mr. Chas. H. Lane, Red Oak's first merchant, erected a store building on the site of the present First National Bank building at the south- west corner of the square. Each did most of the work him- self and when either required help he called on the other and thus the first business house and the first real dwelling house were erected. The lumber used was principally oak and wal- nut and it was sawed at a small saw mill owned by H. C. Shank and located on Red Oak Creek within the present limits of the city. There was also a steam saw mill located down by the river and owned by the Town Site Company where the heaviest timbers were sawed. Part of the siding used in Mr. Harding's house was made from a tree which had been felled by Indians with tomahawks. In 1860, Mr. Harding's house was made the stage company's station and was so continued until the railroad was put through. When Mr. Lane opened for business he was made postmaster and continued to hold office until 1862 when he temporarily suspended business. Then Mr. Harding assumed the duties of postmaster and held the office for a number of years. He recalls that the receipts for his office for one quarter in 1 862 amounted to from $8.00 282 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY to $10.00. The old house, which was located only a block east of the public square, remained Mr. Harding's residence for nearly forty years and was in a good state of preservation when it was torn down. In the spring of 1860, a bridge was built across the Nish- nabotna River at Red Oak, but this bridge was washed out in the ice-flow during the spring of 1 864. To accommodate the greatly increased travel, J. P. Gepford started a ferry which served the increased business until the bridge was re-built the following fall. The necessary supplies for the settlers were secured principally from Council Bluffs, Iowa, and St. Joseph, Mo., the goods being hauled overland by freighting wagons drawn by horses or oxen. Later, when the Burlington & Mis- souri River Railroad was completed to Ottumwa, and the Des Moines Valley Railroad was completed from Keokuk to Eddy- ville, the freighting business for Montgomery County went largely in that direction. From 1855 to 1868, Red Oak made very little progress. Justus Clark, one of the early citizens of the town, stated that in 1 868 he stood on the top of the hill in the east part of town from which place he could see every house in town. He counted them and they numbered fifty, including buildings of all kinds. The breaking out of the war and the consequent cessation of railroad building, brought everything to a standstill that was dependent on the railroads for its prosperity. The pioneer merchant, C. H. Lane, gave up in 1862, and went back east. However, he returned the next spring and resumed business, but during his absence, there wasn't a merchant in the county. It is also said that for some time there was neither a doctor nor a lawyer in the county. It is not recorded that the absence of the representatives of the latter two professions incommoded the settlers to any great extent. As for groceries and the other few necessities required by the citizens, they were secured at Council Bluffs, Glenwood or Sidney. HISTORY OF RED OAK 283 The first deaths recorded in Red Oak were those of Mrs. Amanda Shank and five grand-children, all of whom died in 1 854 and were buried in the family burying ground southeast of Red Oak. The first girl born in Red Oak is said to have been Myrtle, daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Zuber. With the approach of the railroad in 1 869, Red Oak took on new activities. The first freight train arrived in the town Nov. 24, 1869. The increased population made it necessary for the inhabitants to organize a town. Heretofore the only government was the regular township government. In July of 1869, Red Oak Junction was incorporated as a town, with R. S. Hanley, Mayor; R. H. Haller, Treasurer; J. W. Small, Recorder; J. L. Ashby, Marshal; John Shafer, Deputy Mar- shal; W. F- Carlton, Assessor; W. P. Wiley, J. D. Bryan, J. L. Harding, J. R. Stratton and W. H. Kerrihard, Trustees. Mr. Harding resigned before the expiration of his term of office and E. L. Grubb was elected to fill the vacancy. It appears that a City Attorney was needed more in those days than at present, for we find that in 1870, when S. S. Purcell was elected Mayor, R. S. Hanley, the late Mayor, was elected Attorney. Mr. Purcell filled the office for two years, and we find that among the trustees for the year 1871 was A. C. Hinchman, then, as now, a druggist in the city of Red Oak. In March 1 872, Z. T. Fisher was elected Mayor and F. M. Byrkit — later one of the pioneer bankers, and for many years a leading citizen of Red Oak — was elected Recorder. The trustees of that year included the names of men who were prominent in years to come in the affairs of Red Oak. They were, A. Hebard, B. B. Clark, A. McConnell, S. A. Henry and Lyman Banks. C. M. Mills served as Mayor for the years 1873 and 1874. At the same time, A. C. Hinchman was elected Treasurer, an office which he held for six years. Smith McPherson, at the present time a judge of the Federal Court, was elected City Attorney in 1873. By the year 1875, Red 284 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY Oak had grown until it took on metropolitan airs, and decided that it was large enough to become a city. In the spring of that year, W. W. Merritt was elected Mayor, and during his term, final action necessary to incorporate as a city of the second class was taken. The Mayor was assigned the duty of numbering the wards, and he left the impress of his personality on the num- bering by putting himself in the First Ward. Red Oak became a city on the 20th day of March 1 876, and, while almost univer- sally designated as "Red Oak," the name "Red Oak Junction" continued to be its official name until June 13, 1901, when the then Mayor, Thos. Griffith, pursuant to an election previously held, proclaimed the name of the city changed to "Red Oak." The first officials of the new city were: Orrin Miller, Mayor; A. C. Hinchman, Treasurer; T. H. Lee, Clerk; O. G. Howard, Attorney; H. A. Thompson, Marshal; S. T. Gauf, Deputy Marshal; H. A. Thompson, Street Commissioner; G. M. West, Chief Fire Department; B. J. Austin, Assessor. The Councilmen were: First Ward, A. C. Clapp, T. S. Parker; Second Ward, W. C. Lockhart, O. W. Hutchinson; Third Ward, L. N. Harding, T. E. Brown. T S. Parker resigned before his term expired and H. Andrus was elected to fill the vacancy. The following persons have served as Mayor from 1878 until 1 906 : J. R. Stratton, 1 878- 1 88 1 ; E. A. Harris, 1881- 1885; J. L. Ashby, 1885-1886; J. A. Hysham, 1886-1889; A. W. Harding, 1889-1891; Thos. Griffith, 1891-1893; Dan B. Gunn, 1893-1898; J. Sanborn, Jr., 1898-1901 ; Thos. Griffith, 1901-1903; W. S. Reiley, 1903 to the present time. A. W. Harding was Treasurer from 1 884 to 1 889 ; R. M. Roberts succeeded him and held the office four years, since which time C. A. Hough has been Treasurer. The following persons have held the office of City Attorney : N. C. Cannon, J. M. Junkin, R. W. Beeson, J. C. Cooper, F. E. Pomeroy and Smith McPherson. The latter was City Solicitor in 1 893 HISTORY OF RED OAK 285 and 1894. Since that time, no local attorney could be found to accept the office and it has been vacant. The following persons have held the office of City Clerk: T. H. Lee, B. J. Austin, F. E. Loomis, W. H. Evans, O. P Worsley, H. C. French, G. Blackstone, R. O. Newell, O. E. Jackson, H. F. Brown, M. E. Moulton and C. M. Kelly. In the early days of the city and town, the office of City Marshal was of more importance than it has been in later years. Part of the time, the offices of City Marshal and Street Com- missioner were combined. The following persons have held the office of Marshal: J. L. Ashby, John Shafer, W. F. Davis, H. A. Thompson, T. H. Dearborn, P. S. Douglas, C. L. Burnett, J. S. Cook, George R. Logan, A. W. Watson, A. H. Lawshe, Norman Rogers, H. F. Locke, D. D. Jeffers. J. S. Cook has held the office longer than any other one man, though his service has not been consecutive. For several years past, the office has been held jointly by Cook and Logan. For a number of years the office was vacant, the services being rendered by an officer called a Deputy Marshal. J. S. Cook also served some time as Street Commissioner. The persons who served in this capacity were Elwood Cleaver, W. H. Kerrihard, I. W. Graves, P. S. Douglas, A. W. Harding, J. A. Shuey, John Shafer, George R. Logan, A W. Watson, C A. Dentler, A. Foster, J. C. Hendricks, George Hayes, S. S. Davis, O. E. Jackson, J. E. Ellwood, Jas. Seaman and J. B. Graves. SOME IMPORTANT FIRES. Red Oak has had her share of disastrous fires. The orig- inal town was built principally of wood, and in the early days, the only means of fighting a fire was the bucket brigade. If a blaze got a good start, it was reasonably sure to result in the total destruction of whatever caught fire. The first disastrous fire occurred Dec. 23, 1875, when practically the entire east 286 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY side of the square was burned, the only business house left standing being that of Dr. M. A. Wheelock's drug store at the northeast corner of the square where the Miller Block now stands. The fire is thought to have been of incendiary origin for the reason that it started in a vacant building which had been used that season by D. J. Ockerson as an agricultural ware- room. The fire was discovered at 1 :30 in the morning and it quickly spread to the adjoining buildings on the north and south. The building adjoining on the south was occupied by D. P. Lewis as a hardware store and by Mrs. Lewis with a millinery store. The corner building, next to Coolbaugh Street, was owned by J. F. Fisher and was occupied by Fisher & Son with a stock of groceries and meats, the son being M. E. Fisher, who had just started in business with his father. Across the alley, the first building was occupied by Whittier & Dearborn with a saddlery and harness store. This was on the site of the present Whittier building, occupied by D. Artz' drug store. Then came McLean's notion store, a restaurant that was con- ducted by J. Payne, popularly known as "Sir Isaac" Payne, and the last building to be destroyed was that of Thos. Go- hagan, a harness shop. This building was torn down to pre- vent the spread of the fire, saving Dr. Wheelock's drug store, though it was somewhat scorched. Immediately after the fire, J. F. Fisher began the erection of a substantial brick building on the corner, and it was com- pleted early the next spring and occupied as a grocery store and a retail meat store — not a butcher shop. Mr. Fisher at that time conducted a pork packing establishment, packing from two to three thousand hogs yearly. He disposed of a portion of his product from his store, and his son, M. E. Fisher, conducted the grocery department. Later on, he erected the building occupied by Bishop & Bridges at this time, and in partnership with J. B. Bishop opened a regular butcher shop, which was conducted by Mr. Bishop. Some time afterwards, HISTORY OF RED OAK 287 John Bryson, Sr., built the brick building which is now part of the Rynearson building, and the postoffice found its home there for many years. Mr. Whittier also erected a brick building not long after the fire, and gradually the entire east side was built up with substantial brick buildings. It was after this great fire that steps were taken to organize a fire department, reference to which is made elsewhere. On Sept. 18, 1876, less than a year after this fire, occured the next important conflagration. It was also of incendiary origin and resulted in cleaning out a number of frame buildings — none of any great value — located on both sides of Coolbaugh St. be- tween Second and Third, one block west of the square. The fire started in the Tremont Hotel, which was unoccupied at the time. A small building used as a saloon, next door, a two-story frame building occupied by W. D. Kennedy, and a boot and shoe store, all located on the south side of the street, were de- stroyed, and the fire leaped across the street and burned the grocery store occupied by F. O. Judkins. The fire spread to the Newton Bros, building, a building owned by W. H. Painter, and Dan Reifel's building in which he conducted a tailor shop. Altogether there were thirteen buildings burned, all frame, but with the exception of the hotel, none were of any great value, the total loss being estimated at $20,000.- 00. One of the results of the fire was the erection of a number of brick buildings on that block. The next important fire was the burning of the Houghton & Bishop opera house, which was located at the north-east corner of the square. The building was 45x1 12 feet, three stories high. The lower floor was occupied as a furniture store owned by H. C. Houghton, and the upper parts as an opera house. One night in September, 1882, after a performance had been held during the evening, fire was discovered in the building and it was entirely destroyed before the blaze could be extinguished. The loss was placed at about $25,000.00. 288 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY Mr. Houghton had sold out his interest in the building not long before the fire. Apparently no damage was done to the adjoining building and the fire wall between that building and the next one owned by R. H. Haller was left standing. Later on it fell in, covering the proprietor as well as customers with the debris. Luckily no one was seriously injured by the accident. Mr. Bishop is at present located at Ft. Worth, Texas. But all other fires pale into insignificance beside the great conflagration which visited Red Oak April 24th, 1902, when the entire south side of the square was destroyed, in addition to a splendid bank building on the block east. The actual cause of the fire will probably never be known. It was discovered at 3:15 o'clock Thursday morning, April 24th. The alarm was turned in promptly and although there was very light pressure of water, it was thought the flames, which had broken out in the basement in the rear of the Houghton Bank block at the south-east corner of the square, were under control. Suddenly, however, they burst out with greater violence and leaping across the street, ignited a livery barn. While most of the buildings on the south side of the square were substantial brick blocks, the fire spread to the rear of the buildings destroying all the frame structures, and in an incredibly short time the entire block was ablaze. The whole town turned out to assist in saving the stocks of merchandise, but only a small portion was saved. By 8:00 o'clock the fire had spent itself, being con- fined to the south side of the square, and was prevented from eating its way east through the splendid block of buildings on Coolbaugh between Fourth and Fifth streets. About 9:00 o'clock it was discovered that a valve in one of the principal mains was partially closed which accounted for the lack of water pressure. Undoubtedly this was the cause of a large part of the loss, as the fire could have been extinguished almost at the start but for the poor pressure. EARLY RED OAK.— I About 1865. )— Looking east on Reed street. Dr. Holmes' and J. B. Packard's houses in the distance. EARLY RED OAK. — Looking east on Coolbaugh street. Col. Hebard on horseback. Harding Hotel in center — the Masonic Hall to the left. HISTORY OF RED OAK 289 The loss was estimated at over $200,000.00. The fol- lowing were some of the principal losers: Buildings: Houghton Bank block; I. H. Nazarenus' store building; Griffith Brothers' livery barn; J. A. Hysham's brick block; J. A. Hysham's frame building; H. W. Otis' brick building; J. W. Rankin's brick building; Malony & Son's brick block; Mrs. H. C. Shank's brick building; Hastie Estate, brick building; S. Kahn's brick building; W. C. Lockart's frame barn ; J. L. Mohler, frame building. Stocks of goods which were either burned or partially de- stroyed: Ellingen & Barth, department store; Carmichael & Waldron, grocery; A. M. Rapp, Shoes; Cozad & Hunter, Clothing; Sundell & Newman, shoes; Sayers & Shepard, fur- nishing goods; W. F. Coonley, restaurant; M. H. Bauer, tailor; G. M. Piatt, drugs; Sol. Loeb, clothing; W. W. Armstrong, agricultural implements; Shancks & Carson, groceries. In ad- dition there were barber-shops, restaurants, cigar stores, law- yers' offices, doctors' offices, dentists' offices, etc., which were damaged or destroyed, occasioning considerable loss. For the credit of Red Oak's business men be it said that with- in a year or two the entire burnt district was rebuilt with bettel buildings than those that were destroyed. FIRE DEPARTMENT. After the fire of December 23rd, 1 875, immediate steps were taken to organize a fire department. The first regular meeting was held January 7th, 1 876, at which C. M. Mills presided, and B. B. Clark acted as secretary. As a result the Red Oak Fire Company was organized. Geo. M. West was elected foreman, T. H. Lee first assistant, B. E. A. Simons, second as- sistant, T. H. Alexander, secretary, and P. T. Noonan, treas- urer. The city council was asked to provide the necessary fire apparatus, and by March 24th it had arrived, consisting of a hook and ladder outfit and a velocipede engine. This neces- 290 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY sitated forming two companies. The first firemen's festival was held March 2nd, 1877, at which they cleared $181.05. Later a chemical engine with an 80 gallon cylinder was added to the equipment beside other chemical extinguishers. The fire department has continued to improve until it has become recog- nized as one of the very strongest in Southwestern Iowa. About 1 895, a hose house was erected, a two-story, substan- tial brick affair, at the corner of Fourth and Washington Ave. A small hose house was also erected in the east part of town, where a hose-cart is located for the use of the citizens in that vi- cinity. The following persons have held the office of Chief of the Fire Department: G. M. West, 1876-7; E. A. Harris, 1877- 1885; J. B. Bishop, 1885-1886; T. H. Lee, 1886-1888; J. B. Bishop, 1888-1890; J. J. Andrus, 1890-1892; P. C. Shipley, 1892-1893; F. S. McBurney, 1893-1894; J. S. Cook, 1894-1895; J. C. Curtis, 1895-1896; J. J. Andrus, 1896- 1897; R. H. Malony, 1897-1898; J. L. Jennings, 1898-1899; A. J. Seefeldt, 1899-1900; E. L. Breese, 1900-1901; J. H. Raftery, 1901-1902; J. S. Cook, 1902-1903; Lee Blue, 1903- 1 904 ; Inda Stevens, 1 904- 1 906 ; from 1 906 to the present time, George Millhollin. CITY WATER WORKS. With the increased growth of the city, a waterworks plant became a necessity. The subject was discussed by the lead- ing business men in 1 879 but took no definite shape until early in 1 880, one of the leading spirits in the movement being Mr. R. Wadsworth. The city council let the contract to B. P. Perkins, the total cost for plant and laying of mains to be thirty thousand dollars. It is said the entire issue of bonds for the waterworks was taken by the citizens of Red Oak. The waterworks plant consisted of a pumping station near the river in the west part of town and the water was pumped by direct pressure. In 1 895 a standpipe was erected in the east part of HISTORY OF RED OAK 291 town, which forced the water through the pipes by gravity. The supply of water, while of excellent quality, has not always been abundant in quantity, and new wells had to be sunk. During the year 1906, the city council prospected for water in the south-eastern part of town near what has been known for years as the "Sand Springs." Here a strong flow was struck and a large well sunk. The pumping station was transferred to the new site, and the City of Red Oak is now being supplied with an abundance of pure spring water. Some years ago, the city made a contract with the Electric Company to supply pow- er to pump the water; hence the city is not required to keep an engineer at the waterworks plant as was formerly done. PUBLIC UTILITIES. Red Oak is said to enjoy a higher average of comfort than most towns of its size. Its sewer system is an excellent one. This dates from 1 890, when the court house was erected. Since then the system has been extended to nearly all parts of town. The Red Oak Gas Co. was organized in 1882, when C. D. Jones and George Joslyn of Independence, Iowa, came here and secured a franchise. The plant was conducted by these people until 1 904, when it was sold to local capitalists, who now conduct it. F. A. Kidder has been manager for the past thir- teen years. In 1891, G. E. Claflin, A. M. Miller and W. H. Blood came to Red Oak and secured a franchise for an electric light plant. They were young men who were in the electrical bus- iness and chose Red Oak as the most promising place they could find for such an enterprise. The plant was put in operation the same year. It has since been greatly improved and en- larged until it has a combined light, heat and power service. The controlling interest passed into the hands of the late C. F. Clarke, who took great pride in the plant, and in 1899 a hot water heating system was put in which furnishes heat to the business houses around the square and to some others in the 292 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY immediate vicinity. The electric company also furnishes power for the principal manufactories, like the Replogle Mill and The Thos. D. Murphy Co. calendar factory, as well as power for the city waterworks. A day and night light circuit is one of the attractive features in the business district. The first telephone company was organized about 1881, in the early days of the telephone, and Mr. R. Wadsworth was the prime mover. This company was a small affair and had only a few subscribers. The service was extended, however, con- nection being made with the surrounding towns. Two years later, the Iowa Telephone Company, generally known as the Bell System, secured a franchise and put in a plant. In 1 902, this company had something over three hundred instruments in use. In that year an independent concern the Montgomery County Telephone Company, secured a franchise and erected a plant. As a result of the competition of the two companies, rates were reduced to $ 1 .00 per month for residences and $2.00 for business houses. Each company has at this time over six hundred subscribers. STREET RAILWAY. Along in the early eighties Red Oak had a number of public spirited citizens who had large ideas of the city's future de- velopment. Some time during 1881, a coterie of these citizens brought up the subject of a street railway, and on November 30th of that year the Red Oak Street Railway was incorpor- ated, with the following as incorporators: P. P. Johnson, W. C. Lockhart, A. C. Hinchman, H. C. Houghton, John Hayes, Geo. M. West, H. H. Palmer, O. E. Whitaker, F. M. Byrkit, J. F. Fisher, C. F Clarke, R. Wadsworth, M. Wads- worth. These public spirited citizens scarcely expected their invest- ment to prove a bonanza, their idea being that a street railway would tend to build up the town. P. P. Johnson, who was HISTORY OF RED OAK 293 one of the moving spirits in the affair, was made president of the company, and O. E. Whitaker, the first superintendent. The system was open for business April 1st, 1882, the com- pany having expended between $5,000 and $10,000 in track and equipment. Two cars were used, and they were pro- pelled by horse or mule power. The receipts for the first month amounted to $147.00. It does not appear that the company ever paid dividends, although they started in by running their cars on regular schedule, from Sixth and Prospect Streets to the passenger depot, every fifteen minutes. Finally, in Feb- ruary, 1886, Marcus Bonham acquired control, and after that he operated the line in his personal interest for the next fifteen years. For the greater part of this time he made no attempt to run on schedule, except that he regularly made the trains. Not only did he carry passengers on his street car, but baggage as well. The mule car system became more or less of a stand- ing joke among traveling men throughout the Western country. Mr. Bonham finally became interested in mining in Colorado, and about April, 1901, disposed of the railway to S. P. Wal- lace of Griswold. Wallace ran the line for a year or more until the city got ready to pave the square, when they tore up the tracks, and Red Oak's street railway system passed out of existence. This action on the part of the city was due to the fact that Mr. Wallace either did not have the funds to pay for the paving between the tracks, or showed no disposition to make the improvement. A number of damage and injunction suits against the city followed, winding up with a suit for heavy damages against the mayor and members of the council. None of the suits ever amounted to anything, and no damages were secured. PAVING. In the early days, one of the greatest drawbacks to Red Oak was its unpaved streets. Owing to the peculiar quality of Southwestern Iowa's soil, the streets became a sea of almost 294 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY bottomless mud at times of prolonged wet weather, or in the spring after an "open" winter. The question of paving was agitated for many years, but it was not until 1902, during the administration of Mayor Griffith, that any action was taken. The City Council finally decided to make a beginning and the first paving contract included paving the square and a block each way except toward the west, where two blocks were paved. Vitrified brick were used on a concrete base. The following year, the paving was extended into the residence districts on East Hill and to the freight and passenger stations. About this time an ordinance was passed compelling the building of permanent walks, and as a consequence, in the last few years the old board sidewalks of the city have practically all been replaced with cement walks. As this is being written, con- tractors are at work on a new paving contract, principally in the residence district in the east part of town. BUSINESS AND SOCIETY. In the early days, Red Oak had a pretty hard name. It was on one of the principal routes to the west, and in the course of time became known all over the country. While Red Oak had the reputation of being, next to Deadwood, the toughest town in the west, it really did not deserve all the bad things that were said of it. At no time was Red Oak filled with saloons and gambling houses as were many other frontier towns and in the early eighties the saloons disappeared when the Iowa prohibition law went into effect. Following the disappear- ance of the saloons, an awakened sentiment resulted in making the town puritanical, as least compared with the freedom and license of early days. So far did this movement go that for sev- eral years following 1 894, not even a billiard hall could secure a license. We find that in 1880, there were seven saloons in Red Oak. Since the days of prohibition, there have been no saloons, and there are none at this time. Even when the town's reputation was the worst, the better class of citizens HISTORY OF RED OAK 295 predominated, and for many years Red Oak has had a high class of citizenship. Red Oak is said to have more fine residences and comfortable homes than any other town of its size in the state. Its business houses are substantial in appearance and well kept; its merchants are progressive and up to date. BANKS. V. D. Stoddard was the first banker and he began business about 1868. Later, he had a partner, Gen. David Remick. About 1870, a second bank was started. It was called the Bank of Red Oak, and H. N. Moore was one of the prime movers. In June 1 873, steps were taken to organize the First National Bank of Red Oak. H. N. Moore was to be Pres- ident, H. H. Chamberlain, Cashier, and the directorship in- cluded A. Hebard, Wayne Stennett, P. P. Johnson, H. A. McFatrich, S. D. Rynearson, H. H. Chamberlain and H. N. Moore. The capital stock was to be $50,000. Shortly af- terwards, Mr. Chamberlain died and the project was aband- oned. It was taken up, however, by others shortly afterwards and on Sept. 24, 1873, the First National Bank was organized with C. H. Lane, President; F. M. Byrkit, Vice President; C. F. Clarke, Cashier; A. C. Hinchman, H. A. McFatrich, T. W. Crandall and P. W. Slagle, the latter of Fairfield, directors. The bank began business Dec. 1 st and has been under the same management ever since. The following January, the banking firm of H. N. Moore & Co., was organized to succeed the Bank of Red Oak, with H. N. Moore, Wayne Stennett and R. M. Roberts as owners, R. M. Roberts being cashier. The bank was succeeded by the Red Oak Savings Bank and, later, by H. C. Houghton's Private Bank, which is still being con- ducted. The Red Oak National Bank was organized August 30, 1883, with Justus Clark, President; B. B. Clark, Vice Presi- dent; P. P. Clark, Cashier; and D. B. Miller, A. Hebard, H. C. Binns, Humphrey Roberts, Wm. H. Hunter on the board 296 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY of directors. This bank has made rapid growth, and, under the same management, has become one of the leading country banks of the state, having deposits at this time of around a million dollars. The First National Bank is also one of the strong banks of this part of the state. The Farmers' National Bank was organized in 1901 and began business early in 1902. The officers were as follows: M. Chandler, President; George C. Boileau, Vice President; O. J. Gibson, Cashier. Directors: G. E. Anderson, J. F. Brown, E. M. Murphy, Levi Barnett, W. P. Marshall, Sven Pehrson, Benj. Davis and Charles Baldwin. HOTELS. There is scarcely an enterprise which redounds so much to the credit of a town as a good hotel. The old Central House and the Tremont House were two well known hostelries of the olden time, but they hardly measured up to what first class hotels should be, although they served their purpose well for the time being. The Tremont House was burned in 1 876 at which time it was unoccupied. The Judkins Bros., in 1880 erected what was then a pretentious hotel building, 36 feet wide by 80 feet deep, and three stories high, at a cost of $16,- 000. This hotel was located on Coolbaugh Street, opposite the present site of the court house. The Judkins House, as it was conducted by the proprietors, became more or less notor- ious to the traveling public- After several years it was acquired by P. P. Johnson, a public spirited citizen, and became known as the Johnson House. It was successfully managed by a number of people, and its reputation was much improved. About 1 900, Samuel Payne leased the hotel, and later acquired the property, as well as a lot adjoining on the east. He built a wing to the east, and refitted the hotel throughout making it a first-class establishment, The new Hotel Johnson is rated as one of the best hotels in Iowa. It is popular both with the citizens and with the traveling public. For several years past EARLY RED OAK. — Looking west on Coolbaugh street over the river valley. EARLY RED OAK.— Taken from the northeast corner town. M. E. church. Court house iust beyond church. Building in foreground First HISTORY OF RED OAK 297 it has been the custom of society people in the city to give their swell functions at the hotel. For many years up to the time when the new railroad was put through by the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Co., the Depot Hotel was conducted under the supervision of the railroad company. In 1903, when the new passenger depot was built, the old Depot Hotel was abandoned and was sold to Thos. Griffith who moved it to Second and Market streets, where it was remodeled, veneered with brick, and made into a modern hotel. It is called the Colonial and at the present time is under the same management as Hotel Johnson. INDUSTRIES. The first pottery in Red Oak was established by Webster Eaton and his brother while the former was publishing The Red Oak Express. After several years, it was leased to W. H. Close, who about 1874, established the Red Oak Pottery Works. Mr. Close conducted this business until his death, about 1896, when he was succeeded by J. C. Curtis, who operates the plant at present. In addition to the pottery, he also manufactures brick and tile. R. E. Cook and F. A. Wetherhead also have a brick and tile works in the southeastern part of town. They manufacture principally for local con- sumption. A considerable portion of the pottery manufactured at the pottery works is sold throughout Southwestern Iowa. In 1 870, a brewery was built in Red Oak which was con- ducted until state wide prohibition put it out of business. In the 70's, Joseph F. Fisher did an extensive local business in packing hogs. For many years George B. Brown conducted an iron foundry and machine shop and manufactured buggies. He later disposed of the foundry department and at the present time manufactures carriages and conducts a machine shop. At the present time, and for several years, The Kerrihard Co., of which E. W. Kerrihard is President, has conducted a foundry and machine shops and has a growing business. They 298 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY manufacture pumps, steel tanks, soil pipe and a number of articles of their own invention, and conduct a general plumbing and heating business. The Replogle Co. is the largest manufacturer of flour in Southwestern Iowa, and one of the largest in the state. The company was established in 1889 and made rapid progress. On June 15, 1892, the mill was burned to the ground, but with commendable pluck, it was rebuilt at once, more complete than ever, and by November of the same year, the new mill was ready for business. Since then, the mill has been im- proved constantly, and is now and for some years has been run by elecricity, the power being furnished by the Red Oak Elec- tric Co. Two large steel storage tanks were erected a few years ago, with a capacity of fifty thousand bushels of wheat. The product of the mill is sold in more than one hundred towns in Southern Iowa. The founders were J. M. Replogle and his sons, Samuel M., David A., and J. H. Replogle. The Red Oak Canning Company was organized in 1 902 by the following persons: B. B. Clark, W. N. Malony, Thos. Griffith, H. C. Houghton, M. E. Fisher, M. N. Spencer, Ira M. Needles and S. H. Kirk. Mr. Needles was made the superintendent, he being a practical canning man. The com- pany bought the old packing house plant, located near the river in the west part of town. A complete plant was put in and the concern has run successfully ever since. The principal products of the factory are canned sweet corn and peas. ART CALENDARS. The most important manufacturing institution in Red Oak, and one of the most important in the state, is the calendar works of The Thos. D. Murphy Co. This business, as it is known today, originated in Red Oak in 1889, when calendars were made on a small scale. The business began with the firm of Osborne & Murphy, the members being Edmund B. Osborne HISTORY OF RED OAK 299 and Thos. D. Murphy, two young men who had been college mates. In 1888, they were partners in the publication of the Red Oak Independent. When the plans for the new county court house had been perfected, they conceived the idea of using a picture of the proposed court house as the design for a calendar, printing the advertisement of Red Oak merchants around the picture. It proved quite a success and gave them the idea of reproducing pictures of old paintings by the half- tone process, using these pictures as calendar designs. A con- siderable business was built up by 1895, when Mr. Murphy retired from the company, which was continued by Mr. Osborne and his associates, the corporate name being changed to the Osborne Company. In 1899, the Osborne Co. moved its plant to Newark, N. J., and in 1900, Mr. Murphy organized The Thos. D. Murphy Co. This concern began business in a new building erected for it on Coolbaugh Street, just east of the square. The size of the building was 22 feet by 112, three stories high in front and one story in the rear. So rapidly did the business develop, that the following year, another build- ing was erected, full three stories high, with basement. Ever since then the business has developed rapidly, until in 1904 no fewer than seven buildings were used by the company. In that year, they secured an entire block of ground in the south- west part of the city on Second Street, and a factory 240 feet long by 66 feet wide and three stories high, was erected. This did not serve the purpose for any great length of time, for in 1906, they found it necessary to build an addition 66 feet wide by 1 06 feet long and three stories high. This factory is one of the most complete of its kind in the United States, and is considered a model factory building. It is a mill constructed building with an automatic sprinkler system. The building is heated by hot water furnished by the electric company which also furnishes the power. About three hundred persons are employed in the manufacture of calendars, which are sold al- 300 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY most all over the English speaking world. In 1904, a branch was established in London, and a force of thirty salesmen sell the product throughout the United Kingdom. At the present time the product of the factory is distributed throughout Canada, Great Britain, the United States and the Hawaiian Islands, and many orders go to South Africa and other foreign countries. SCHOOLS. The first schoolhouse in Red Oak was erected about 1 859. It was a small frame structure, made of native lumber, about 20x20 feet in size, and was located near where the pottery now stands. It was also used as a meeting house where "protracted** meetings were held in an early day. When it was succeeded by a more pretentious edifice it was moved south of town near the South Cemetery, where it was used a number of years as a schoolhouse. The first teacher was Thomas Petty, who* afterwards lived near Elliott. The second school building in Red Oak was a small brick structure erected in 1 863 out on the prairie north of the business portion of the town. It was really located on Corning Street near the present high school building and for many years it was oc- cupied as a dwelling. W. H. Kerrihard was the contractor and Charles Bolt did the mason work. When it was completed,, the district was so short of funds they couldn't pay for it and Mr. Kerrihard retained control of it for several years, during- which time it was used indiscriminately for school purposes,, church services and for occasional dances. The district finally raised the necessary funds and the dances were discontinued. Among the early teachers were Hamilton White, who after- wards became famous as the Col. Sellers of Red Oak. He it was who later projected the sanitarium scheme, which resulted in the erection of what is known as the Sanitarium, which is at present used as a school and hospital for feeble minded chil- dren, conducted by Mrs. F. M. Powell and her daughter, Dr. Velura Powell. HISTORY OF RED OAK 30 1 The Independent District of Red Oak was organized in Red Oak in 1870. At that time, the only school building "was the small brick referred to above, and two teachers were employed to manage it. Red Oak's first graded school was opened in the spring of 1871 in what is known as the Lincoln School, erected at a cost of $22,000. In the summer of 1 881 , the Bancroft School, located in the north part of the city, was erected at a cost of $8,000. In the same year, the first course of study was printed. In 1 882, the principal was given author- ity as Superintendent. The first principal of the high school was J. R. McKim. In the summer of 1889, a high school building was erected in the east part of the city, now known as the Webster School. In the same year,, the South Ward, af- terwards the Jefferson School, was erected. The two buildings cost $24,000, including the grounds. In 1 892, the Washing- ton School building was erected in the west part of the city, at an expense of $20,000. The present High School building was erected in 1 898 at an expense of about $ 1 7,000. The public schools of the city rank among the best in the state. CIVIC SOCIETIES. The first Masonic lodge, Red Oak Lodge, No. 1 62, A. F. & A. M., was organized Nov. 16, 1861. Its charter mem- bers were Wm. Focht, Chas. Bolt, J. Ivens, I. Davis, R. M. G. Patterson, and the following were the first officers: J. W. Patterson, W. M.; G. A. Gordon, S. W.; J. M. Hewitt, J. W. ; Wm. Dunn, Treasurer; W. W. Merritt, Secretary. Montgomery Chapter, No. 57, R. A. M., was organized July 1, 1870. The following were the first members and officers: E. L. Grubb, H. P.; G. M. West, E. K.; J. R. Stratton, E. S.; E. M. Mills, C. of R; P. St. Clair, P. S.; W. B. Kennedy, R. A. C; R. B. Temple, M. third vail; J. Julian, M. second vail; H. A. McFatrich, M. first vail; W. Stennett, Treasurer; H. Bennett, Secretary; J. Shover, Sentinel. 302 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY Bruce Commandery, No. 34, was organized in April, 1 878. The charter members were: C. G. Atwood, W. C. Davis, C. F. Hall, F. P. Wormley, H. A. Thompson, J. W. Chace. Charles Kelly, N. A. Gray, C. L. Mahrenholz, Wayne Sten- nett and A. B. Combs. The first Odd Fellows' Lodge was organized August 24, 1 869, by W. T. Biggs. The following were the first officers : W. G. Walker, N. G.; Isaac Fuller, V. G.; S. S. Purcell, R. S. ; J. L. Ashby, P. S. ; J. R. Cooley, Treasurer. Valley Encampment, No. 76, I. O. O. F., was organized April 21, 1875, the charter members being M. T. Anderson, E. Kretchmer, Hardin Pegram, W. H. Evans, Ira Pickett, H. C. French, D. B. Miller, Z. T. Fisher, A. McConnell and Smith McPherson. The Masonic Fraternity owns its own temple as do the Odd Fellows, the latter having also a club and reading room. One of the strongest lodges in the city is that of the Knights of Pythias, which has lodge and club rooms on the third floor of the Houghton Bank block. The club rooms are provided with billiard tables, reading room and bowling alley. The first post of the Grand Army of the Republic was or- ganized in Red Oak in 1867, about a year after the founding of the order. It was known as Post No. 1 17, G. A. R., and was organized August 3, 1867, by G. W. Burns. The char- ter members were E. A. Harris, John W. Campbell, P. H. Goode, T. H. Dearborn, W. P. Wiley, E. H. Burris, C. M. Bartlett, J. S. Cook, A. W. Harding, L. W. Cook. The first officers were: E. A. Harris, Post Commander; I. M. Binns, Senior Vice Commander; John W. Campbell, Junior Vice Commander; P. H. Goode, Post Adjutant; T. H. Dearborn, Post Quartermaster. The post grew until it had about thirty- three members, but in the course of two or three years it died out and gave up its charter. The second organization, known as Lyon Post, No. 9, G. A. R., was organized in May, 1 878. HISTORY OF RED OAK 303 The officers elected were John S. Stidger, Post Commander; H. H. Palmer, S. V. C. ; T. J. Edwards, J. V. C. ; T. H. Lee, Q. M.; S. A. Jones, Officer of the Day; H. G. McMillan, Officer of the Guard; E. S. Rogers, Chaplain, A. A. Clapp, Surgeon; A. W. Harding, Sergeant Major; D. S. Haas, Quartermaster Sergeant. However, this organization was not even as successful as its predecessor, for it did not last over six months. Three years later, September 19th, 1881, another post was organized. Just what the original name was, history does not say, but when the original members came down on the street after having effected their organization, they heard the news of President Garfield's death. They immediately turned about, went up to the lodge room where they reconsidered their first name and substituted for it the name of the martyred President. The post therefore became known as Garfield Post, No. 57, G. A. R. The following were the first officers and charter members: Joel Carey, Commander; H. H. Palmer, Senior Vice Commander; J. B. Bishop, Junior Vice Commander; T. C. Gaylord, Adjutant; J. W. Martin, Surgeon; Jesse Saut- bin, Quartermaster; P. S. Douglas, Quartermaster Sergeant. W. A. Hayes, Erial Stevens, J. W. McCoy, Wm. Cozad, J. D. Graham, R. McLaughlin, J. V. Bliss, J. W. Hiatt, E. T. Judd, D. J. Ockerson, G. W. Mohler, John Malnburg, J. H. Binney. There were a number of others besides those named above who were present at the first meeting but who did not sign the charter roll. C. C. Platter, at present postmaster at Red Oak, made the motion to change the name to Garfield Post. Garfield Post prospered and has had a continuous existence ever since. In 1 893 the work of the G. A. R. was supplemented by the organization of the Woman's Relief Corps under the name of Garfield Relief Corps, No. 264. There were twenty-five charter members, the first president being Mrs. W. A. Harding, 304 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY who held that office for three years. The other officers were: Treasurer, Mrs. T. H. Dearborn; Secretary, Mrs. Laura Pogue; Sr. Vice., Mrs. Francis Graybil; Jr. Vice., Mrs. Eliza- beth Sautbin; Chaplain, Mrs. Olive Hite; Conductor, Mrs. Ed Kretchmer; Guard, Mrs. Abbie Bliss. Mrs. Hite has served as chaplain continuously since the organization of the corps. The Relief Corps has done much to alleviate the suffering among the poor, especially among the families of old soldiers. For a number of years Red Oak has been recognized as one of the neatest, cleanest, best kept towns in the state, and much credit for this state of things is due to the women of Red Oak. Realizing the value of united effort, a number of the prominent women of Red Oak joined in organizing the Monday Club of Red Oak, the articles of incorporation being signed April 7, 1896. The first officers were: Mary A. Jones, President; Harriet E. Leach, First Vice President; Emily Taylor Fisher, Second Vice President; Olivette C. Junkin, Recording Secre- tary; Addie L. Clark, Corresponding Secretary; Maude C. Pomeroy, Treasurer. The board of directors for the first year was composed of the above named officers and the following persons: Rosa S. Clark, Sara C. Fisher, Ella-L. Houghton, Maria C. Kriedler, Ina C. Murphy, Jessie Graham Osborne, Emma R. Palmer and Leola S. Tilly. The club holds its reg- ular meetings in the Knights of Pythias hall once a month. Its work is divided into a number of different departments such as Music, History, Literature, Current Topics, Domestic Science and Village Improvement. In the departments of History, Literature and Music, regular courses of study are carried on. The Village Improvement society, particularly in its early days, did a great deal toward beautifying the city. Their first im- portant accomplishment after the organization of the club was the installing of the clock in the court house. The ladies con- ducted the campaign for the necessary funds and arranged to have the clock put in the tower. They also took charge of HISTORY OF RED OAK 305 College Park, put it in order and put down cement walks around and through it. In addition to these things the influence of the society has been toward building up an ideal city. At the present time the largest department of the club is the Current Topics department. So large has this department grown that its bi-weekly meetings are held at the Hotel Johnson, where subjects of current interest are discussed by the members. One reason for the large attendance doubtless is that the husbands of the members are admitted to the meetings of the Current Topics department. The Monday Club is a member of the Iowa Federated Woman's Club, and its members take an im- portant part in federation affairs. The first military company organized in Red Oak was Com- pany K. The enthusiasm aroused by a soldiers' reunion held at Clarinda, Page County, June 1, 1878, resulted in the or- ganization of a military company, H. G. McMillan, the county sheriff, taking the lead in the matter. The first meeting was held June 1 7th, and the organization was completed August 20, 1878, by the election of E. S. Rogers, Captain; W. P. Wiley, First Lieutenant; T. H. Dearborn, Second Lieutenant. There were fifty men enrolled. The company did not become a member of the guard, however, until in June, 1 879, when it was assigned as Company K of the 5th Regiment, and received state arms consisting of breech loading Springfield rifles. The first observance of Decoration Day at Red Oak was in 1880, the work of decoration being under the direction of members of Company K. At that time there were five soldiers' graves to be decorated. Company K flourished for a number of years, the captain for a time being W. H. Evans who has served continuously in the Iowa National Guard for more than thirty years, and is at present General Inspector of Small Arms practice with the rank of Colonel. Captain Evans was after- ward elected major and after a time the company was mustered out. A few years later, in 1893, Company M of the 3rd 306 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY regiment was organized, particulars of which will be found in the article on the Spanish American war. At the close of the war and after the Iowa Regiments had been mustered out, the National Guard was reorganized, Company M retaining its position in the guard, but the number of its regiment being changed to the 55th. Shortly after its re-organization, Captain J. W. Clark was elected Lieutenant Colonel, and he was suc- ceeded by the then First Lieutenant, Guy E. Logan, who, at the present time is Assistant Adjutant General, with the rank of Major. The officers at this time are: Captain, Ivan E. Ellwood; First Lieutenant, Earl Hessler; Second Lieutenant, G. Ray Logan. Company M has a membership of about fifty and ranks among the very best in the state both in drill and rifle practice. In May 1897, the Mayflower Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was organized with a membership of fifteen. The following named members were chosen as officers: Mrs. John Hayes, Regent; Mrs. B. B. Clark, Vice Regent; Mrs. H. C. Houghton, Secretary; Mrs. F. M. Byrkit, Treasurer. The board of management consisted of the two first named officers and Mrs. M. E. Fisher, Mrs. J. M. Junkin and Mrs. George Palmer. In addition to the societies and clubs named herein, there are a number of fraternal benefit societies with a healthy member- ship. There are also the usual church societies, all with a good membership, and accomplishing good work. A history of the churches will be found in another chapter. NEWSPAPERS. The first newspaper to be published in Red Oak was The Oak Express, the first number of which was issued March 28, 1868. An account of its early days, written by Webster Eaton, its first editor, will be found elsewhere in this book. According to the records, Mr. Eaton sold the paper Nov. 10, 1871, to B. E. A. Simons. The following February, Mr. HISTORY OF RED OAK 307 Simons sold a half interest to W. F. Eastman. Several months later, Mr. Simons sold his remaining interest to Z. T. Fisher, and the paper was conducted by the firm of Fisher & Eastman until Nov. 15, 1872, when they sold out to Joel and W. S. Mayne. Thereafter, J. Mayne was the real editor and pub- lisher of the paper until June 1, 1880, when S. C. Hunter came into control of the paper. Six months later, he sold out to John Killets, a young college-bred man from Ohio, who spent considerable money in enlarging the plant. Two years later he was succeeded by J. W. Chaffin, and that gentleman in the fall of 1883 sold it to C. W. Snyder, formerly of Cedar Falls. A year later, a third interest was disposed of to his nephew, C. P. Sheffer. The firm of C. W. Snyder & Co. continued the publication until January, 1886, when the Ex- press Printing Company was formed by consolidation with the Republican, published by Saylor & Danforth. C. W. Snyder acted as President and Manager of the new concern until January, 1 890, when he sold his stock to Mr. Sheffer and W. T. Hollowell. In the spring of 1895, Thos. D. Murphy purchased the stock of the paper and consolidated it with the Red Oak Independent. Mr. Murphy has owned a controlling interest in the paper ever since. With the exception of a period during 1872 and 1873, when The Express issued a daily, it has been published as a weekly. The Express is and always has been Republican in politics and for years has ranked as one of the leading country weeklies of the state. At present the plant is one of the most complete of the kind in the state, part of its equipment being a linotype typesetting machine. The Red Oak Record was established June 5, 1871, by John S. Stidger of Keosauqua, Van Buren Co. When the paper was first started, it was independent in politics, but in 1874 it came out in favor of Republicanism. In 1876, Cap- tain Stidger associated with him his son, C. W. Stidger, and in September, 1880, the firm became Stidger Bros., the father 308 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY retiring. On July, 1879, the first issue of the Daily Record was published. This was continued until 1885. Some time before this, one of the Stidgers sold his interest to A. J. Graham. In February, 1885, Graham & Fisher sold to W. W. Riner. About April, 1885, Riner sold to J. F. Saylor, former City Superintendent and, afterwards, County Superintendent of Schools. Mr. Saylor sold a half interest to T. C. Danforth a few weeks later and changed the name to The Republican. In January, 1 886, the Republican was consolidated with The Express. When Riner bought the business, he gave a mortgage on the plant held by A. J. Graham. When the Republican was consolidated with The Express, this mortgage was overlooked and Mr. Graham had to take the plant to protect the mortgage. He then started the Red Oak Independent early in 1 887, and associated with him, W. T. Hatswell. Mr. Graham died in the fall of 1887 and his son-in-law, Edmund B. Osborne, succeeded him. A few months later, Thos. D. Murphy pur- chased Mr. Hatswell's interest and the Independent was con- ducted by Osborne & Murphy until 1 895, when Mr. Murphy bought out Mr. Osborne's interest and, buying The Express at the same time, consolidated the two papers. The Red Oak Democrat was established by Wm. C. Stid- ger, a son of John S. Stidger, who founded the Record. The Democrat, as the name indicates, supported the Democratic party. On Sept. 3, 1 880, the Democrat was sold to Linehan & Esser. The field was evidently not a productive one for that sort of a paper and it gave up the struggle on Feb. 18, 1881. The first democratic paper in the county was the New Era, which was established at Red Oak in Febuary, 1876, by Captain H. M. Hall. In the fall of 1877, he sold it to G. Dennis, who established the People's Telephone Sept. 7, 1877, as a Greenback paper. In the spring of 1879, Mr. Dennis sold a half interest in the paper to H. M. Hall, the HISTORY OF RED OAK 309 publishers being Dennis & Hall. On Dec. 3, 1879, Dennis & Hall sold a half interest to N. W. Cook, the title of the firm being, N. W. Cook & Co., Mr. Dennis retiring from the management. On April 13, 1881, Dennis, Cook & Hall sold to Dr. R. D. Sperry, who took his son, Wm. Sperry, as partner, and the firm was R. D. Sperry & Son. On Aug. 27, 1884, the paper was sold to Messrs. Boll & Clark, who changed the name to The Red Oak Sun, and its politics be- came Democratic. Messrs. Boll & Clark have conducted the Sun successfully ever since. After the consolidation of The Express and Independent, Red Oak had only two newspapers, the Express and the Sun. In the fall of 1895, W. E. Cherry, of Creston, came to Red Oak and started the Saturday Evening Mail. It was started primarily as a society paper and created more or less comment, but did not prove a great success. The next year, W. W. Montgomery, who had just completed his term as County Sup- erintendent of Schools, purchased the plant and changed the name of the paper to The Republican. In 1 897, C. P. Shef- fer, who had been one of the editors of The Express, bought a half interest in The Republican and the paper was conducted for a number of years by Montgomery & Sheffer. It never proved a financial success, nor did it gain any considerable cir- culation. It led a precarious career until about 1904, Mr. Montgomery in the meantime having sold his interest. Mr. Sheffer was finally compelled to suspend publication and at the present time and for several years past, Red Oak has only two newspapers. CHAPTER XXXI OTHER TOWNS OF THE COUNTY VILLISCA. The city of Villisca is located between the branches of the Nodaway river, two miles north from their confluence. In the old days when the county was young, this neighborhood was called "The Forks." The name Villisca is said to be of In- dian origin, signifying "Pretty Place." The original plat of the city of Villisca was filed for record on May 20th, 1858, by David M. Smith, who represented the interests of the Bur- lington Railroad. At that time J. B. Packard was County Recorder, and the plat was certified to before Wm. Berkey, Clerk of the District court of Lucas County. The plat was surveyed by Frank M. Davis, who certified to his survey be- fore County Judge, J. R. Horton, on Febuary 16th, 1858. The basis of the town plat was the original Burlington Survey. When a final survey was made there was a slight change made in the course of the railroad, and as consequence, a supplemental plat was filed by the owners of the unsold lots, composed prin- cipally of parties representing the Burlington interests, among them being Geo. Loomis, E. D. Rand, Hans Thielson, and S. H. Mallory. This supplemental plat was filed November 8th, 1869, the County Recorder at that time being W. P. Wiley. While the town site was located in 1 858, Villisca re- mained principally a paper town until the Burlington railroad was completed in 1869. A town government was organized in 1 869 with Morgan S. Thurman as Mayor. The following OTHER TOWNS 311 is a complete list of mayors from the incorporation of the town until the present time: M. S. Thurman, 1869 to 1872; John Buckingham, 1872 to 1873; C. P. Ingman, 1873 to 1874; B. Burrows, 1874 to 1875; P. R. Bates, 1875 to 1876; C. M. Waterman, 1876 to 1877; P. R. Bates, 1877 to 1882; F. P. Greenlee, 1882 to 1883; P. R. Bates, 1883 to 1884; A. M. Walters, 1884 to 1885; P. R. Bates, 1885 to 1888; JL S. Jackson, 1888 to 1889; Peter R. Bates, 1889 to 1890; E. C. Gibbs, 1890 to 1892; C. J. West, March, 1892 to July, 1892; M. M. Stoddard, September and October, 1892; C. E. Gibbs, October, 1892 to March, 1894; F. P. Greenlee, 1894 to 1898; J. M. Howland, 1898 to 1900; E. C. Gibbs, 1900 to 1906; J. S. Jackson, 1906. Villisca was incorporated as a city of the second class in March 1892. The first public school was taught in Villisca when it was scarcely more than a name. This school and much of the early history of Villisca is described in the chapters on "Early Life in The Forks," which was written by one of the early settlers of Villisca. The first schoolhouse was erected in 1 868, private buildings having been used for school purposes up to that time. In 1874, the schools were organized under the grade system with C. G. George as superintendent. That year the first brick school house was built. It stood until 1 902, when the present fine Lincoln school building was erected. The first newspaper enterprise of any permanency was started by W. T. Sherman in the spring of 1 869, his paper be- ing called the Villisca Journal. It was Republican in poli- tics and survived about eighteen months. The next newspa- per venture was the Weekly Mercury, started by a company, July 14, 1871, with Thos. F. Kames as editor and manager. Wm. D. Loy bought the paper from the company, August 25, 1871. On March 7, 1872, the name was changed to the Villisca Review, and it was continued independent in politics. 312 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY From April, 1874, till September, 1875, H. G. Thurman was the editor, and he made it a Republican paper, to which party it has given allegiance ever since. Thurman sold out to C. K. Kennedy in September, 1 875. In November of 1 877, A. E. Powers bought a half interest and for a number of years the paper was conducted by the firm of Powers & Kennedy. A few years later Mr. Powers retired, and until about 1900 the Review was edited and published by Mr. Kennedy, with the exception of a short time when Ed E. Davis controlled the paper. B. C. Hullinger, a young man from Michigan, bought the Review from Mr. Kennedy and has been editor and pub- lisher ever since. He added materially to the equipment, and the Review ranks as one of the first class country papers in south- western Iowa. Mr. Kennedy is now publisher of a paper at At- lantic, Cass county. The Villisca, Montgomery County, Independent was found- ed by H. K Gregory in 1 879. It was an eight page, six column paper, Republican in politics. The Independent never took high rank as a country newspaper, and was succeeded in 1 888 by J. V. Hoeye, who rechristened it the Republican. The new name did not serve to make it more successful, and Mr. Hoeye left after three months, selling the plant and good will to the Gardner Bros., who changed the name to the Villisca Letter, and its politics to Democratic. They also bought a new out- fit, practically making a new paper of it. A few years later one of the Gardner Brothers sold his interest, and for a number of years it was conducted by E. O. Gardner who sold to the Wal- lace Brothers in 1900, who are very successfully conducting the paper at present. The first bank was started in 1871 by W. S. Alger & Co., private bankers. This bank was succeeded eventually by the First National Bank of Villisca which occupies a substantial brick building owned by the bank. It has deposits amounting to about a quarter of a million dollars. Mr. Alger is president Reading from the left — Oliver A. Milner, and in rotation, Mrs. John Oliver, Mr. and Mrs. A. Milncr, Harry, Mrs. Alice Stacy, Mrs. Ann Emery, Miss May, Mrs. John Vetter, Mrs. D. Lyon and Miss Sarah. JOHN G. JONES, one of the earliest Welsh settlers, and family. OTHER TOWNS 313 of the bank, and B. F. Fast is cashier. In 1876, A. W. Sweet organized a private bank, and this was recently succeeded by the Villisca National bank of which Amos P. West is pres- ident, and F. F. Jones, cashier. It is also in a prosperous con- dition and occupies its own building. Villisca's first fire company was organized November 18, 1876, by C. N. Stoddard and others. The first officers were John W. Allen, chief of fire department; J. W. Lucas, foreman; J. B. Cowgill, First Assistant Foreman ; C. K. Kennedy, Sec- ond Asst. Foreman; D. B. Prescott, Secy.; W. S. Alger, Treasurer. The department at the present time is well equiped for fighting fire and is backed up by an excellent waterworks system. Among the successful industries established in Villisca are a flour mill, a brick and tile factory, a cooper shop, a cultivator factory and cement bridge works. The electric plant furnishes power for several of the factories. A great deal of grain is marketed at Villisca. Villisca has been the home of a militia company for the last thirty years. A cursory account of the career of the company during the Spanish American war will be found in another chap- ter. Company B is the name of the Villisca military organiza- tion. It was founded April 24, 1876, through the efforts of Captain W. W. Ellis and F. P. Greenlee, the company clerk. The first enrollment contained twenty-three names, and they were mustered into service by Captain Ellis in May, 1876. The officers at that time were, W. W. Ellis, Captain; J. W. Lucas, First Lieutenant; Elihu Davis, Second Lieutenant. Lu- cas and Davis subsequently resigned, and P. Wymore was elec- ted First Lieutenant, and F. P. Greenlee, Second Lieutenant. In May, 1878, Captain Ellis was elected Colonel of the 5th regiment of which Company B was a part, and Lieutenant Wy- more was elected captain to fill the vacancy, F. P. Greenlee being elected First Lieutenant, and Eli Nirdlinger, Second 314 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY Lieutenant. Both lieutenants resigning soon afterwards, Elmer E. Vaughn was elected First Lieutenant, and Wm. Busch, Second Lieutenant. In 1880, the company built an armory 20 by 50 feet on Third Avenue at the cost of $300.00. This armory has been used for regular weekly meetings and drills. After the return of Company B from the Phillipines the company was re-organized and is now in a prosperous condition. The following appreciation of Villisca is furnished the author by a prominent citizen of Villisca : Villisca has a population of some 2500 people. Coming from various eastern states, but largely from Ohio, they brought with them the culture and habits of the older, more refined and discriminating east, and at once began the work of building a town with handsome landscape effects as well as business con- veniences, so that Villisca of today may be said to possess most of the sanitary, and some of the more aristocratic and exclusive embellishments of cities of a much larger growth. Being located on an undulating ridge between the two rivers, it slopes gently to the south, furnishing fine drainage facilities, while its pict- uresque views are delightful. There are four fine churches occupied by Methodist, Pres- byterian, Baptist and Christian denominations, besides a Free Methodist, a Catholic and a Christian Science church. These congregations number some thirteen hundred members with a Sunday school attendance of between ten hundred and eleven hundred. Villisca may well be called the "Village of Churches." Her schools are well organized and are conducted under the advanced methods of the Iowa School laws. The High School prepares its graduates for entrance to college. Her public buildings, stores and the better class of dwellings are large, imposing, built in a pleasing style of architecture with all modern sanitary conveniences, ranking well up to similar buildings in cities. Villisca has a good practical system of electric lights which OTHER TOWNS 315 accomodate the streets, public buildings and dwellings. It has also one of the best system of waterworks to be found any where, the supply coming from a soft water spring and well. The water is abundant, pure and tasteless. As yet the paving of streets exists only in theory; but it would be difficult to find a city of any size with better sidewalks. Built of concrete ce- ment and brick, they lie in front of every occupied lot in the town. The streets in the residence portion are arranged on the French boulevard system, with wide parking spaces on either side and a forty-five foot roadway in the middle, giving an as- pect of beauty, refinement and wealth seldom seen outside of large cities. Nearly all the fraternities are represented and are successful. Strangers, if worthy, are made welcome and are entertained in hospitable homes. No saloon has been allowed here for twenty years, and temperance laws are generally well enforced. Such, in brief, is Villisca. Her growth has been slow but constant. No fictitious boom was ever sought or desired. Her present attainments are a pleasure to contemplate, and for her future there are only pleasing anticipations. ELLIOTT The town of Elliott is situated in section 1 2 of Sherman town- ship on the east bank of the Nishnabotna river, and on the line of the Red Oak and Atlantic branch of the C. B. & Q. Rail- road. The town was surveyed by Anselmo B. Smith, and the original plat of the town was filed October 3 1 st, 1 879, by C. E. Perkins, representing the C. B. & Q. Railroad company. Prior to the location of the town of Elliott there had been a post office called Wilson on the I. H. Page farm in Pilot Grove township. Mr. Page had a small general stock of merchandise and was the postmaster. When Elliott was located he moved his stock of goods to that place, and also the post office, the name being changed to Elliott, and Mr. Page being continued as postmaster. Joseph Clure built the first business house in the 316 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY town and opened a drug store in January, 1880. In July of the same year he was appointed postmaster instead of Mr. Page. In the early days Elliott was a particularly good grain and cat- tle market, and a large quantity of those products still find their way to that place. Elliott is a substantial village of from 500 to 1 000 inhabitants with a good system of public schools, water works, and fire department. The town of Elliott was scarcely six months old when a newspaper was established. It was called the Elliott Enterprise. At first it was printed elsewhere and shipped to Elliott for dis- tribution. The paper under that name did not last long, being succeeded in 1881 by the Graphic, a Mr. Howard of Tabor being the promotor. The Graphic was not a particularly re- munerative proposition, especially in the early days, and it changed ownership frequently. W. W. Montgomery, after- wards County Superintendent, and later one of the publishers of the Red Oak Republican, was proprietor of the paper for a time. E. E. Kneedy, a Christain preacher, combined the pro- fessions of the ministry and journalism for several years. For the last few years the Graphic has prospered and ranks among the good country newspapers of the community. The present editor is E. C. McCarthy, who has gready improved both plant and paper. The Bank of Elliott was established in 1884 with H. E. Manker, Cashier, and J. J. Manker, President. The same in- stitution has been conducted ever since with Mr. H. E. Man- ker as the presiding genius. A few years ago it was changed to a national bank, and is now called the First National Bank of Elliott. It has had a prosperous career, and is rated as a conservative financial institution. THE FOREIGN ELEMENT— STANTON— WALES. The population of Montgomery County is made up prin- cipally of immigrants from older states in the east and from other sections of Iowa. The two principal exceptions to this OTHER TOWNS 317 rule are the Swedes and Welsh, though of course there are a few Germans, English and other nationalities scattered through- out the county. Both the Swedes and the Welsh are an intelligent class of citizens, industrious, and they are practically all in well-to-do circumstances, while some of them are quite wealthy. When the railroad was being built in 1869, the officials of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Company offered to Rev. B. M. Halland of Burlington, Iowa, his choice of loca- tion at any point along the line of their road for settlement of his countrymen as there was to be a vast amount of land opened up as soon as the road was completed. In April of that year Mr. Halland made a trip from Burlington to Council Bluffs in company with one of the officials, and he decided on Frank- fort, Scott and Grant Townships in Montgomery County and Douglas and Fremont Townships in Page County as being suit- able for his people. During the fall of the same year several excursions were made to these lands, but no sales were made until the spring of 1870. As the sole agency for the lands in these townships was placed with Mr. Halland, they were sold to Swedish buyers, and as a consequence, a large majority of the citizens, especially of Scott Township, are of his na- tionality. Scott Township was organized in 1 870, the original name being given Stanton. This, however, was afterward changed to Scott, and the name of the town was made Stanton. The original plat of the town of Stanton was filed October 24, 1 870, by Geo. F. Harris, land commissioner of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad. The first lot in ihe town was purchased by Malcom Holm, and by the Swedes the town was called Holmstad, being the name of Rev. Halland's native town in Sweden. The name was not popular with the railroad men, however, and it was therefore called Stanton. The first child born in Stanton was a son of Malcom Holm, and in honor of the town he was named Stanton. The first store was built and operated by Peterson 318 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY & Hogwall on the site of Wallin Bros, brick store. The build- ing was about 14x1 6 feet in size, and the stock was very limited. The postoffice found a home in this building, and the mail boxes consisted of two or three cigar boxes on one of the shelves. A school house was built the same year and was used until 1 883 when the present fine brick building took its place. The Stanton Call was established in 1882 by Kennedy & Thurman, but they sold shortly after to F. S. Lynch, who got along after a fashion until March 1886 when the delinquent subscribers and the thousand and one other worries proved too much for him and he was sent to the asylum at Clarinda. His successor was W. R. Roberts who was himself succeeded by J. E. Deffenbaugh, who remained in charge until 1893, when he sold to Wm. F. Stipe, a young man who had been farmer and school teacher in turn. Stipe improved his leisure time outside his duties by studying law, and afterwards disposed of his business and took up the profession of law and is now practicing in Clarinda. He was succeeded by James Johnston who conducted the paper for a number of years and sold the paper to A. C. Gustafson, who is the proprietor at the present time, though lately appointed private secretary to Hon. H. E. Deemer, of the state supreme bench. The Call has developed under its present management into a first class country paper, all home print. Mr. A. J. Albin is at present associated with Mr. Gustafson and has charge of the local work of the paper. Stanton was incorporated as a town in 1882, and E. E. Mercer was the first mayor. In 1888 the town met its first serious fire loss, the entire block on the east side being destroyed. The loss was a heavy one as there was but little insurance. The burned buildings were quickly replaced by substantial brick blocks. At the present time Stanton is a prosperous village. While Stanton and Scott Township is settled almost ex- clusively by Swedish people, they have not confined their efforts to any one township, consequently we find Swedish citizens,. OTHER TOWNS 319 or the descendants of Swedes, in every township in the county, and wherever they are found they are among the most prosper- ous people of the community. There are no paupers among the Swedes, and they take care of the fatherless. When the colonization scheme was carried out, the question of establishing an Orphans' Home in Iowa was brought up. Rev. Halland, with this idea in mind, had reserved a piece of land a mile and a half south of Stanton, and it was finally decided to establish the Orphans' Home on this land. A building was erected in 1881, and this has been added to from time to time as necessity required. Two hun- 'dred and forty acres of land is owned by the Association in connection with the buildings. During the twenty-five years of the the existence of the Home, 1 03 children, sixty-one boys and forty-two girls have been taken care of. There are at present forty-five children in the Home. J. T. Ringberg was chosen for the first manager, serving about two years. C. G. Lind was one of the managers, serving a number of years. The funds to carry on this charitable work have been con- tributed by the congregations of the conference within the state, and the produce of the farm helps pay the expenses. WELSH COLONY. The first Welshmen to come to Montgomery County, ac- cording to an early historian, were Benjamin Thomas and David and William Harris, who came here in the spring of 1 855 and purchased two sections of land from the government at $1.25 per acre. However, it was not till fifteen years later that there was any concerted movement of the Welsh toward Montgomery County. In 1870, John M. Davis, Richard P. Jones and John E. Wood settled in Lincoln township. They were fol- lowed the next year by Henry Thomas, John G. Jones, Wm. T. Edwards, Griff H. Jones, Griff Thomas and several others. A village grew up in this settlement called Wales. Two churches were built in 1876, the Congregational and Presby- 320 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY terian. The Welsh are a patriotic, law abiding people, and quickly imbibe the spirit of our institutions. Like the Swedes, the Welsh have become scattered in other places besides their original settlement in Lincoln Township, and wherever they live are rated among the prosperous, substantial citizens of the county. THE TOWN OF MILFORD. The early history of the town of Milford, in Douglas Town- ship, is coincident with the early history of Montgomery Coun- ty, for it was in this part of the county that many of the earliest settlements were made. A mill was built there in 1856 by Smith & Bell, the Smith being S. M. Smith who is still living at this writing, and has resided continuously at Milford ever since. This mill was built for the purpose of sawing lumber. The next year a set of burrs was put in to enable them to grind flour as well. The lumber for the flume was purchased in Adair county and Mr. Smith had to haul corn from Missouri the first winter to feed his family and stock, paying $1.00 per bushel for it. In 1873-4 a new mill was built at a cost of $15,000. The first house in Milford was built by Thos. Donaho in 1857, a year before the town was laid out. The town plat of Milford was laid out on June 29, 1 858, by Thos. Donaho, who afterwards sold the site to Sam'l M. Smith. In 1876 the Milford schoolhouse was built at a cost of $4,500. While the town is named Milford, the postoffice is named Grant. After the establishment of the town of Elliott, mail was de- livered from that town daily and when rural delivery came, the mail was carried by the rural carrier. A Masonic lodge was organized in 1 876, and a prosperous G. A. R. Post is also maintained as well as other civic societies. Milford has a bank and the usual complement of other business houses. AP PENDIX A. A CHRONOLOGICAL RECORD OF EVENTS, MORE OR LESS IM- PORTANT, IN THE HISTORY OP MONTGOMERY CO. FIRST DECADE, 1850-1860. In the year prior to 1850, only one white man lived within the borders of the county — John Ross, a native of Kentucky, who set- tled a short distance east of the present city of Villisca. He had left the home of his childhood and youth, and, with his wife as his only companion, had made his way northward, remaining a short time near St. Joseph, Mo.; then on, stopping two years in Page County; and finally locating in Montgomery County at the place now known as Ross' Grove. Here he subsisted principally upon the wild game with which the country abounded. He depended for food upon his trusty rifle — affectionately called "Old Betsey" — and in his log cabin there was no lack of wild turkey or venison. He was a large, broad-shouldered man, of powerful physique, and capable of great endurance. By those who came to the county subsequently, he was known as "Buffalo Ross," which name was probably applied to him because of the coat he wore, made from the hide of that animal, since the bison had already gone to the land of the Dakotas. 1850 — The population of the county doubled during the next year, when "Buffalo's" brother, James, settled near him. The dis- tinction of being the third settler lies between Ezra Healy, an Indianian, and John Stafford, of Grant Township. The before men- tioned families were the pioneers of the pioneers of Montgomery County. In their isolated condition, they knew but little of what was transpiring in the outside world. They doubtless knew some- thing, however, of the immense emigration to California in the jears 1849-50-51-52, when great caravans crossed the state in search of gold. The motive power was furnished by oxen, hitched to wagons especially constructed for that purpose. Camp equip- ments, provisions, tools, and arms for defense against the Indians were an indispensible part of the outfit. It took three weeks to cross the state from the Mississippi to the Missouri River, and many months to reach their destination. Emigration was diverted from the rich and fertile lands to California. The great route of travel was through the tier of counties north and south of Montgomery County, and what few people there were here could reap no re- ward in furnishing them supplies for the very good reason that there were none to deliver. On the 15th day of May, 1850, the Whigs held their State Con- vention at Iowa City, and resolved in favor of free men, free ter- ritory, free states and the revision of the Constitution of the state. The election resulted in the following vote: Democrats 13,486, Whigs 11,403 and Free Soil 575 votes. It is doubtful whether political matters interested the settlers greatly at this time. The "irrepressible conflict" and the "Wilmot Proviso," excluding slavery from the territories, were live ques- tions at that time in other parts of the country, and two or three years later became of absorbing interest to the settlers. During the session of the Legislature of 1850, Montgomery and many other counties were established, but were not surveyed until the next year. 322 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY 1851-1852 — The name of J. F. Snider appears among the set- tlers during 1851 and the next year are recorded the names of eleven men, some with families, viz: A. G. Lowe, William Pinley, Henry Means, John Harris, Richard W. Rogers, Samuel C. Dunn, Robert Dunn, J. H. Sager, Chauncey Sager and William Wilson. William Dunn was a government surveyor and became well ac- quainted with the choice locations. With his brothers, S. C. and Robert, and the Pattersons — R. M. G. and sons, John W. and Jona- than T. — he settled in the valley of the West Nodaway River in Montgomery County, which was attached to Union and Adams Counties for civil purposes. The population at this time had so in- creased that there were eighteen votes in the county, and political interest was on the increase. 1853 — In April of this year an election was held at the house of A. G. Lowe (or where logs had been brought together for a house) and the returns were sent to Adams County. This election, which the writer believes was merely a caucus, was held in April. A regular election was held in August, 1853, at the home of John Harris, in the Dunn settlement, on the west side of the Nodaway River, a few miles north of Villisca. Eighteen votes were cast — twelve Democrat and six Whig. The political history of the county may be said to date from this meeting. During this year, Judge Baker, of Adams County, appointed Wells Sager Assessor of Montgomery County. September 13, a township election was held at the home of John Harris, to elect three township trustees and one clerk, the entire county being a single township. October 8. S. C. Dunn appointed Clerk of the District Court of Montgomery County, term to expire August 1855. October 14. John W. Patterson appointed Treasurer and Re- corder until August 1854. December 30. Warrant No. 1: Wells Sager allowed $5.50 for services as Assessor of Montgomery County for the year 1853. Warrant No. 2: Allowed A. G. Lowe $9.40 for part of salary for year 1853. 1854 — J. W. Patterson allowed $10.00 as part salary for Re- corder and Treasurer for the year 1853. Samuel Dunn, District Clerk, allowed $10.00 as part of salary for year 1853. The Treasurer and the Assessor, as a Board of Equalization of Assessment, made the following list of valuations for the guid- ance of the Assessor: Land, $1.50 to $2.50 per acre; horses, $20.00 to $75.00 per head; oxen, $50.00 to $100.00 per head; all other cat- tle, $10.00 to $40.00 per head. All other property as the Assessor may think reasonable and just. June 1854, G. D. Connally appointed Assessor, to fill vacancy of J. T. Patterson, resigned. July, 1854. Two townships designated Jackson and West. Election for West Township held at the house of James Shank on first Monday of August for election of Township officers. At this election there were eight voters, six Democrats and two Whigs, as follows: Daniel Stennett and son, Wayne Stennett; James Shank and son; G. A. Gordon, Joseph Zuber, Stephen Lane and one other — name not known. Wayne Stennett cast the only vote for the Maine liquor law — a measure restricting the sale of liquor. G. A. Gordon remarked when the result of the election was an- nounced that he did not think there was a man among them fool enough to cast such a vote. The election was held in a log cabin near the old railroad depot. CHRONOLOGY 323 Equalization board reported as follows: For State Tax One and one-fourth mills. For County Tax Six mills. For School Tax One and one-half mills. For Road Poll $2.00 "The commissioners appointed by the Judge of the 6th Judicial District for the purpose of locating the seat of justice of Montgom- ery County have this day filed their report and have located the said seat of justice on the Southwest Quarter of Section No. Sev- enteen in Township No. Seventy-two North of Range Thirty-seven West. Given under our hands this 22nd day of July, 1854. Com- missioners: Wm. S. Townsend, R. W. Stafford, R. B. Lockwood." Ordered that the above location be accepted and approved by the Court and that the said commissioners be allowed the sum of twelve dollars each for services rendered in locating said seat of justice. November 13. Ordered that the seat of justice of Montgomery County be called Frankfort. Ordered that A. G. Lowe be entitled to the sum of $40.60 for his services as County Judge for the year 1853 up to August 1854. At this time there were the following political parties: The "Know Nothing" party, the "Silver Grays," the "Seward Whigs," the "Hunkers" and the "Barn Burners." The Democratic party this year met its first defeat. G. D. Connally allowed $13.50 for services as Assessor for the year 1854. Wells Sager allowed $3.00 for services as Constable at April election, 1854. 1855 — First marriage license issued January 20th to Samuel McNaley and Martha Elizabeth Donoho. John Gilmore allowed $20.00 for services as Treasurer and Recorder. Samuel Dunn allowed $25.00 for services as Clerk of Court. Samuel Riggs allowed $2.50 for "transporting laws" for 'Montgomery County. George W. Thompson appointed Treasurer and Recorder of Montgomery County. R. M. G. Patterson settles with County Judge, the following being a copy of the record: "This day we have accounting to- gether as County. Judge, Clerk of District Court, and Treasurer and Recorder, and find we have received the following fees, to- wit: A. G. Lowe, County Judge, $3.50; Samuel Dunn, Clerk, $6.65; G. W. Thompson, Recorder, $3.10. Ordered that the above fees be retained to each as a part of our several salaries for the year 1855." Daniel Stennett appointed Assessor of West Township and G. D. Connally of Jackson Township. This year, for the first time, the tax list was made up for the entire county. For the last half of the year, record is found of payment to those who assisted in laying out the town of Frankfort, for the ordinary business of the County Judge, and for the purchase of blank books, as follows: Shull & Braden, $49.50; James P. Luce, $274.40; Extras, $67.21. 1856 — The business of 1856 is largely in excess of that of the preceding year, owing to the great increase in the population. G. D. Connally allowed $17.50 for assessing Jackson Township; John Ross, for care of insane persons, $46.00; Isaac Bolt, for as- sessing Washington Township, $30.00; R. M. G. Patterson, salary as Prosecuting Attorney, 1855 and 1856, $20.00; G. W. Thompson, assessing Jackson Township, $25.50; Samuel Dunn, services as Clerk of District Court of 1855 and 1856, $67.12; W. J. Boydson, 324 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY services as Prosecuting Attorney, $125.00. $70.00 allowed for building a bridge on county road at Wallingsford Steam Mill, on the Nodaway River. Recorder R. W. Rogers appointed to transcribe the record of deeds and mortgages. T. A. Petty appointed commissioner to sell county liquors. Township of Douglas created and first election held at the house of Benjamin Archer. All that portion of West Township east of Nishnabotna River to constitute Frankfort Township; first election held at the home of Amasa Bond. Formation of Republican party from disintegrating fragments of the Whig party and the Anti-Slavery Democrats. Democratic vote for James Buchanan, 58; Whig vote for John C. Fremont, 63; and for Millard Filmore, 17. License issued for marriage of George W. Anderson and Miss America Jane Finley. This year was noted for being dry until about the middle of August, when it became exceedingly wet and cold. About the 12th of August, there was a hard freeze, destroying the growing crops. What corn withstood the dry weather, reports C. H. Stennett, froze solid. 1857 — A. G. Lowe received $600.00 out of the County Lot Fund as part payment on contract for building court house. Solomon Stout borrowed $541.00 out of the Lot Fund, to be paid when needed on completion of court house. Total cost of court house, $1,141.50. L. C. Cook allowed $15.00 for salary as Sheriff. August 3, Solomon Stout elected Treasurer and Recorder. Sep- tember 5, Solomon Stout neglecting to qualify as Treasurer and Recorder and R. W. Rogers failing to give bond, J. B. Packard was appointed and gave bond of $10,000 as Treasurer and $2,000 as Recorder. A. Milner appointed Commissioner to locate a county road, be- ginning at the town site of Bristol in Douglas Township; thence esst, crossing the bridge near W. T. Reed's; thence east to the county line, intersecting the travel road from Quincy to Lewis. In October a contract was let to Hiram Atkinson to build a bridge (monthly payments) at Silkett's Mill. Contract price, $995.- 00. Vacancy in office of Clerk of District Court caused by death of Amasa Bond, and John A. Smith appointed to fill unexpired term. At the October election, 74 ballots were cast for Treasurer and Recorder, of which Armstead Milner received 69 and J. B. Packard 5. Sixty-five ballots were cast for Prosecuting Attorney, of which Thomas Davis had 55 and J. B. Packard 10. Seventy-one ballots were cast for County Surveyor, of which Wm. Dunn had 67 and Armstead Milner 4. For the office of Governor at same election, Ben M. Samuels (dem.) had 56 and Ralph P. Lowe had 69 votes. For Representative in State Legislature, J. M. Dews of Glenwood received 57 votes and Henry Brown 61. Bridge ordered built across the "Big Tarkio" on county road east of Frankfort. Charles Bolt received the contract, price being $225.00. S. C. Dunn allowed $75.00 for assessing Montgomery County. James Pollard allowed $137.80 for formulating transcript of original entries of Montgomery County. 1858 — At election held on May 3d, there were 149 votes cast for office of County Superintendent of Schools, of which Wm. C. Means (Dem.) received 85 and W. H. M. Fishback (Rep.) 64. Edwin Adair received 97 votes for office of Clerk of the District Court and A. J. Glover 47. For Sheriff, L. C. Cook received 68 votes, John M. Bolt 22 and R. W. Rogers 44. CHRONOLOGY 325 At the election held June 28th, there were 40 votes cast for State Bank and 15 against State Bank. For the General Banking Law there were 18 votes; against, 34 votes. At the October election, the parties were nearly evenly divided. For Auditor oi State, J. W. Cattell (Rep.) received 85 votes, and Theodore Parvin (Dem.) 82. For Representative in Congress, Sam- uel R. Curtice (Rep.) received 86, and Henry M. Trumble (Dem.) 82 votes. For Judge of the Third Judicial District, E. H. Sears (Rep.) received 81 and J. M. Dews (Dem.) 85 votes. For District Attorney, Samuel Forey (Rep.) received 83, and R. B. Parrott (Dem.) 84 votes. For Clerk of Court, Edwin Adair received 85 and J. N. Childs 79. During this year, J. R. Horton was appointed Deputy Clerk of the District Court. From the court record, the following is gleaned in reference to bounty paid for wildcats and prairie wolves: "Now comes John Hazelgrove and on his oath says: That he verily believes that he was the cause of the death of a prairie wolf, the scalp of which he has here presented, and that he caused the death of said wolf within ten days past, and that said scalp has not been presented to any other person or place for the purpose of obtaining a bounty and that said wolf was killed within this county." The form varied somewhat to correspond with the mode of death — whether by poison, gun or trap. The bounty paid was $1.50 and not a few citizens, including county officials, at odd times en- gaged in a hunt in order to increase their revenue. Samuel Riggs allowed $8.43 for locating state road through county. Sheriff L. C. Cook allowed $9.50 for six months' salary and one cord of wood furnished court house. August 20th of this year was noted for being very cold and dark. Mr. L. N. Harding remembers that men resorted to overcoats, mit- tens and boots to keep comfortable at their work. 1859 — Allowances made as follows: B. F. Runnells, for build- ing a bridge across Walnut Creek, $85.00, the county retaining that amount out of the bridge fund of West Township; Wm. Dunn, for services in selecting swamp land and for locating state and county roads, 117.00; Mr. Hills, for transcript of original entries in Mont- gomery County made in 1858, $15.00. L. Raguet, publisher "Corn- ing Sentinel," for printing poll books and proclamation of election, $8.00. Allowance made to David Ellison for surveying county road from Silkett's Mill, westwardly. Allowance made to H. S. Harlow for crying sale of lots in Frankfort. At the October election, S. J. Kirkwood (Rep.) received over A. C. Dodge (Dem.) a majority of 10; J. A. Harvey (Rep.) over W. English (Dem.) for State Senator by a majority of 13; Washington Darlin over J. C. Sharp by a majority of 12. For County Judge, J. R. Horton (Rep.) received 136 votes, and W. C. Means (Dem.) 99 votes. For Treasurer and Recorder, 3f. B. Packard (Rep.) re- ceived 143 votes and I. N. Applegate (Dem.) 93 votes. "Shall swine and sheep run at large?" carried by a majority of 69. For bridge tax, 46 votes; against bridge tax, 146 votes. SECOND DECADE — 1860-1870. I860 — January 17. Contract made with Chas. Bolt to build a bridge across the Nishnabotna at Red Oak for $1,298, of which amount the county paid $646 and the balance was contributed by February. Boundaries of Washington and Jackson Townships changed. 326 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY Allowances made as follows: D. Ellison, attorney fee for pro- secuting case of State vs. Millslagle, defendant charged with mur- der, $25.00; J. J. Barnard, jailor of Fremont County, for keeping Millslagle and Clark prisoners, $132.20; R. B. Parrott, District Attorney, for prosecuting Millslagle, $10.00; Western Stage Co., for transporting hox of books from Chariton to Frankfort, $3.00; L. Raguet, for printing tax list of 1860, $260.00; Wm. Focht, for assessing Douglas Township, $12.00; John Shafer, for assessing Frankfort Township, $10.00; E. Adair, for salary as Clerk to May 1860, $67.40. S. G. Snutte appointed to examine county records. Settlement made with R. W. Rogers, Ex-County Treasurer and Re- corder, who went out of office in August, 1857, "but," says the record, "who could not be induced by persuasion to settle until the 17th day of May, 1860." When settlement was finally made, it was discovered that he was short in his accounts $326.00, which amount he secured by note and mortgage. 1861 — At the first regular meeting of the County Board of Supervisors of Montgomery County, according to the statute of the Eighth General Assembly, the following townships were repre- sented: Daniel Stennett, Frankfort; S. S. Purcell, Ded Oak; Thos. Moore, Jackson; Isaac Conner, Washington; James M. Christopher, Douglas; Wm. A. Mahon, West. D. C. Powell, Clerk of the District Court, was also in attendance. Business transacted was as follows: The Board, drawing by lot for the terms of its members, selected a Chairman and approved Clerk's bond. There was found to be on hand about thirty notes due the county, ranging in amounts from $3.25 to $185.00; also eleven mortgages ranging from $50.00 to $250.00 for swamp lands sold by the county; also twenty-seven mort- gages given to secure county loans of the school fund; the books of the County Judge, a book containing a record of swamp lands, and a package of bonds and miscellaneous papers. Twelve citizens petitioned that Solomon Stout be granted license to sell spiritous liquors according to law. Board respectfully requests Clerk to cause to be collected the delinquent school fund and "to make as little distress as possible in so doing." Committee selected to settle with the Treasurer — Daniel Stennett and Isaac Conner. Al- lowance for assessing Frankfort Township, $40.00. Isaac Hunt and S. G. Smith allowed $30.00 each for assessing West and Red Oak Townships. "Revision of Code of 1860" purchased for each member of the Board. Boundaries of Frankfort changed and en- larged, and the county laid out into six civil townships for the pur- pose of draining swamp lands, with the usual tax levy. The follow- ing resolutions were adopted: "Resolved, that the question to be submitted to the electors of the county at the next regular election appropriating $800.00 to build a bridge across the Nishnabotna River at or near Silkett's Mill in Township 72 Range 38; also a sum not exceeding $3,000.00 to build a court house in Frankfort. All of the above appropriations to be paid out of the swamp land fund." Daniel Stennett authorized to improve or sell "Castle Mont- gomery" as his discretion. R. D. Sperry charged $3.00 rent for a part of the "Castle." 1862 — Wm. A. Mahon, failing to qualify as a member of the Board of Supervisors, was, upon recommendation of the trustees, duly appointed. April 2. Meeting of Board. I. N. Applegate, J. M. Christopher, Wm. Dunn, Perry Carr and S. S. Purcell met for the transaction of business. S. S. Purcell elected chairman. Treasurer reports taxes collected from September 1862. The Clerk, D. C. Powell, instructed to use diligence in collecting school fund interest and CHRONOLOGY 327 in renewal of notes to the school fund. Solomon Stout allowed $75.00 for removing a county pauper to New York. One dozen chairs purchased for use of court at next session. C. H. Lane al- lowed $10.00 or assessing Red Oak Township. P. P. Johnson ap- pointed member of Board in place of Daniel Stennett, resigned. Ordered that a vote be taken for and against swine running at large. D. C. Powell allowed $111.81 for services to Oct. 1, 1862. Monday, December 1, Board canvassed the vote of the volunteers in the army from the county, cast at October election, 1862. W. W. Merritt elected unanimously for Clerk of the District Court. Chas. Bolt elected or Sheriff, to succeed L. C. Cook. Appropriation made for necessities of Mrs. Wm. Cottell, the wife of a volunteer. 1863 — April 9th, in accordance with a written request, the Board of Supervisors convened to take action concerning the sale of the swamp lands of the county to the American Emigrant Co. Waldo Conner allowed $98.00 for fencing the public square of Frankfort. W. W. Merritt allowed the sum of $225.00, exclusive of fees, for salary. At this session, a petition was presented for the removal of the county seat. When the subject was under consideration, there was a well organized lobby and an exciting debate was indulged in by the members of the Board. At the June meeting, formal action was taken and an election was ordered, as more than one- half the electors had joined in a petition requesting the same. Red Oak Township cast 47 votes for and one vote against re-location of county seat. June 1. Report of committee appointed to settle with the Treasurer: Total amount of tax charged from 1857 to June 1, 1863 $43,856.36 Total amount collected $27,563.22 Delinquent 16,293.14 Paid out 23,512.05 Balance $ 4,051.17 Members of Board present: W. T. Reed, Douglas; L. C. Cook, Frankfort; I. N. Applegate, Jackson; Wm. Dunn, Washington; Isaac Hendrie, Red Oak; Stephen Glandon, West. W. W. Merritt, Clerk — also Surveyor by appointment. A killing frost occurred about August 20th and 21st. 1864 — At the February meeting, two resolutions were introduced, the first for the expulsion of a member who declared he was a notorious rebel. After mutual recriminations, this resolution was laid over. The second, which was adopted, was as follows: "Re- solved that from and after February 1st, 1864, a bounty of $5.00 per month be paid to the wife or widowed mother of the volunteers who have entered into the service of the United States as volun- teers prior to this time, and $5.00 to the recruit who may enlist to fill up the present call for volunteers, if said volunteer be a young man without anyone depending upon him or support. $5.00 per month to wife or mother who may be dependant upon him for sup- port and $1.00 per month for each child of recruit that is under twelve years of age, during the time said recruit or volunteer is in the United States' service. Said pay to commence at the time the recruit is sworn into the service of the United States. On mo- tion, the Clerk is empowered to draw warrants on the County Treas- urer to pay bounty allowed to soldiers and their families, and the 328 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY Treasurer is instructed to pay said warrants out of any county funds in his hands. Contract placed to build county bridge across the Nodaway on road from Quincy to Glen wood. 1864 — June 3. Board settles with J. B. Packard, Treasurer. Clerk given charge of the public square and authoized to pay $5.00 rent for use of same for year^ said square to be for the use of the public except turning in loose stock. Board of canvassers reported the vote cast on the 8th of Novem- ber, as follows: Republicans received 144 votes; Democratic, 91. For Clerk of District Court, W. W. Merritt received 144 votes; J. M. Harlan, 88. 1865— County records and county officers moved to Red Oak Junction. First meeting of Board held in Masonic Hall; members as follows: W. G. Ewing, Chairman; J. R. Horton, George Hob- son, I. F. Hendrie, W. C. Means, William Dunn. Following resolu- tions were adopted: "Resolved that the bounty paid volunteers from the county under a resolution passed by the Board of Super- visors at their June meeting, 1864, be stopped after the first of June, 1865, and from all the volunteers who entered the service prior to the passage of said resolution and that the bounty be paid only to the volunteers who volunteered after the passage of said resolution and are credited to this county." W. W. Merritt's salary increased to $450, exclusive of all fees. For $5.00 David Cook licensed to run a ferry across the river at Red Oak until a passable bridge could be built, and allowed to charge for a four horse team and wagon, 75c; a two horse team and wagon, 50c; one horse and man, 25c; one yoke of oxen and man, 25c; loose horses and cattle, 10c each; sheep and swine, 3c each; footman, 10c each. Contract to build bridge at same place was let to G. S. Swenson; price, $2,100. Bridges to be built at Harris Ford and Morton's Mill, across the West Nodaways, and at Silkett's Mill across the Nishnabotna, to be paid out of the swamp land fund when received. L. N. Harding appointed member of board in place of I. F. Hendrie, resigned. At general election in October, 241 votes cast on question: "Shall swine run at large," 155 for and 86 against measure. 1866 — Wayne Stennett appointed to superintend building of bridge across the Nishnabotna River at the Old Keys' Mill, near Stennett. Bridge ordered built at Sciola and at Carr's Point, across Walnut Creek. $250.00 appropriated towards building bridge at Milford and $500.00 for bridge on road west of Villisca. Frank Street allowed $15.00 for list of original entries of land in county. L. N. Harding employed to repair court house when it should arrive at Red Oak. It was moved from Frankfort in winter of this year. District Clerk rented a room in his residence on south side of Red Oak Creek for Clerk's office and for place of meeting of Board of Supervisors at $5.00 per month and for year 1866 allowed $500 salary. Office rent for Clerk increased from $5.00 to $8.50 per month from April 1st to July 1st. Final settlement with J. B. Packard, Treasurer, charged with $10,898.08; credit, $10,583.76; balance of $314.32 paid over. October 9th. At general election, Republicans gave Gen. G. M. Dodge 216 votes; Democrats gave Gen. J. M. Tuttle 149 votes. For Clerk, W. W. Merritt received 184 votes; D. N. Cook 152 votes. 1867 — At meeting of the Board, April 11th, there was a general change of boundaries of townships shown on pages 330 and 331 of the Supervisors' record. Members present: W. G. Ewing, West Township; W. Stennett, Frankfort; J. T. Martin, Douglas; F. J. Farlin, Washington; Charles Bolt, Red Oak. The Board, with their CHRONOLOGY 329 attorneys, Beeson and Simons and their clerk, proceeded to adjust matters in controversy. On motion it was ordered that the county be not required to pay the 5 per cent collection fee of the attorneys on the collection of the A. J. Wallingsford note to the school fund of Montgomery County. April 12th, shows the following additional record: "Now at this time the Board has under consideration the subject of the proper security of the school fund. The following was spread upon the record: Ordered that the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors be instructed to deliver to Beeson & Simons all the school notes and mortgages given by non-residents, and due and unpaid principal and interest excepting such cases where residents have interests in the same, and further that the said Beeson and Simons ascertain the amounts of the notes and mortgages due the school fund from the citizens of this county and that they have access to the notes and mortgages and notify them and give them until the September term of the Board to arrange the payments of said notes." The foregoing was in the nature of a compromise after a heated controversy with the Clerk, who refused to acede to the demands of the attorneys, well knowing that there was no money in the county with which to pay the notes and, further, that he and his bondsmen were responsible for their safe keeping. Every interested" party was at the meeting and naturally sustained the Clerk in his action. The above compromise was finally agreed upon. $400.00, balance of unappropriated swamp land fund, was ap- plied in payment of bridge at Keys' Mill, near the present village of Stennett, after having provided for bridge at Milford costing $550.00 and one costing $700.00 across the Middle Nodaway one- half mile south of Villisca. Paid $231.50 to the "Glenwood Opin- ion" for publishing the delinquent tax list. J. B. Packard ap- pointed by Board to confer with land holders in the county, to pro- cure, if possible, the right of way for the B. & M. R. R. Co. Board of Canvassers of the vote of the election of October 8th reported 261 votes for Samuel Merrill, Republican candidate for Governor, and 188 votes for Charles Mason, Democrat. For County Treasurer, T. J. Farlin received 199 votes and Wayne Stennett, Democrat, 237. For Representative in State Legislature, (District of Cass, Adair and Montgomery Counties) G. F. Kilburn of Adair County, (Rep.) received 255 votes and J. W. Brown of Cass, 199. E. H. Burris of Cass elected Superintendent of Schools. E. P. Milner elected County Surveyor. Wayne Stennett and W. G. Ewing appointed to assist in settlement with J. B. Packard, Treasurer. 1868 — Mar. 28. First issue of the Montgomery Co. "Express." Ordered that Section 16 of Frankfort and Red Oak Townships be divided and appraised according to law. New township named Grant set off from contigous territory. Lincoln and Sherman Town- ships formed and named. Ordered that the practice of using wood belonging to the county for any other purpose than the use of the county be condemned in strong terms. Just who this notice was intended for is not known and the record is silent. Board examined school fund notes and they were found correct. Settlement with County Treasurer approved. County officers required to get their job printing done at the office of the Montgomery County Express, providing it could be done at prices already paid. Stock act of April 8th, 1868, to be submitted to the electors at the ensuing election. Ordered that the'$l,356.00 bridge fund in the hands of County Treasurer be divided equally between the four bridges be- ing built and contemplated across the Nodaway. Wayne Stennett required to refund to J. B. Packard $1,000 overcharge by an error 330 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY in the January settlement of 1868. Ordered to cancel all taxes on lands donated to aid in the construction of the B. & M. R. R. Co. Good & Richards allowed $60.00 for making map of County. C. E. Richards allowed $25.00 for surveying the school lands of Frank- fort Township. At election, R. M. Roberts received 360 votes for Clerk of Court and A. B. Ross 221. W. P. Wiley elected Recorder. Allen Beeson appointed County Judge to succeed W. G. Ewing, resigned. 1869 — R. M. Roberts elected Clerk and Allen Beeson Auditor. Following persons were members of County Board during this year: G. A. Davis, Sherman Township; Chas. Hascall, West Town- ship; W. W. Merritt, Red Oak Township; J. H. Bowen, Grant Town- ship; S. C. Dunn, Washington Township; Joseph Carlile, Jackson Township; Jacob McCully, Douglas Township; John Bolt, Frankfort Township; P. P. Johnson, Lincoln Township. School sections divided into forty acre lots. Auditor instructed not to put the lands of the B. & M. R. R. Co. on tax list. $1,000 offered by the Board for the arrest and conviction of the murderer of James S. Duval, whose body was found southwest of Watson's Mill. Bounty of 10c each on gopher scalps. Board rescinded all previous action and ordered railroad lands to be listed for the years 18 67-1868. C. E. Richards ordered to look after the legal aspect of the business of collecting. R. M. Roberts, Clerk, allowed $300.00 in addition to all fees. Change made in boundaries of Washington and Jackson Townships. In the election for Governor, Samuel Morrell, Republican, re- ceived 345 votes and George Gillaspie received 291 votes. R. M. Roberts, for Clerk, received 401 votes and J. C. Cooper 284 votes. B. E. A. Simons elected County Superintendent of Schools. Wayne Stennett received 353 votes for County Treasurer and C. G. George 319. For the Stock Act, there were 191 votes; against, 187. According to the report of the County Auditor, the population of the county had increased from 1,256 in the year 1850 to 5,924 in the year 1870. THIRD DECADE — 1870-1880. 1870 — The County joined with the town of Red Oak in building a calaboose and a jail; same to be 16x32 feet, with a partition in jail and an -N;on cell in part owned by County. P. P. Johnson ap- pointed to purchase site and to attend to erection of building. Special session to settle with the B. & M. R. R. Co. in the matter of taxation. The Board resolved to settle on a basis of $3,000. A compromise was effected on a basis of $2,000 for the years 1867, 1868 and 1869, D. N. Smith acting as agent for the R. R. Co. By resolution, the territory comprising the present Township of Scott, was named Stanton, being formed from a portion of Grant and Jackson Townships. The name Stanton Township does not again appear. It was subsequently named Scott for Alexander Scott, who gave a schoolhouse site. $7,000 in bonds were issued for the indebtedness of the County, running five years and drawing 10 per cent interest. A special tax of two mills for the year 1870 was assessed, for the purpose of pay- ing interest on these bonds. The 13th General Assembly abolished the old system of township representation on the Board, because it was "unnecessary" and unwieldy, and the number of members fixed at three. Ordered that at the next annual tax sale, the county's interests in town lots at Frankfort be sold under the new law of selling all property that had been offered for sale for two years and had passed for want of bidders. CHRONOLOGY 331 At the election, 904 votes were cast — 616 Rep. and 288 Dem. For Congress, F. W. Palmer received 609 votes; B. F. Montgomery received 296 votes. J. W. McDill, candidate for Judge of Third Judicial District, elected without opposition. For District Attorney, Smith McPherson received 618 votes and W. W. Morseman 181. R. M. Roberts for Clerk, received 650 votes and had no opposition. 1871 — The names of J. F. Patterson, J. M. Hewitt and A. M. Powell appear as members of the Board, with J. M. Hewitt as Chair- man. Refusal of Board to convey any more swamp lands because of an unlawful contract heretofore entering into it. Allen Beeson, Lamb and Willis employed to defend the interests of the County. A. M. Wright appointed Supt. of Schools in place of B. E. A Simons, resigned. At June meeting of the Board, J. M. Hewitt was appointed "to lease ground on which to remove the court house from its present situation to such ground and to have the same repaired; and that the contract with H. H. Chamberlin for the use of 2nd story of the building he is now erecting on the N. W. corner of the public square in Red Oak, Iowa, for five years for clerk's office and court room." The result of the election shows that C. C. Carpenter, Rep., for Governor, received 781 votes and J. C. Knopp, Dem., 455. For State Senator, J. Y. Stone, received 517 votes and Wayne Stennett 680. For restraining stock from running at large the vote was 221 for and 745 against. Same in regard to swine, 682 for and 237 against. 1872 — J. M. Hewitt, A. M. Powell, and J. R. Horton, members of the Board. J. R. Stratton, Auditor, J. T. Martin, Sheriff, W. P. Wiley, Treasurer. T. B. Draper employed to prospect for coal, specimens having been presented from the Whipple Quarry. W. P. Wiley resigns as Recorder. J. M. Hewitt chairman of the Board, instructed to go to Des Moines in company with Frank Davis, an attorney, to make a personal demand upon the American Em- igrant Co. for the relinquishment of claims upon indemnity lands and to settle between the county and said company and to receive all money due the county. Allen Beeson and Z. T. Fisher employed to defend the county in suit of B. & M. Town Lot Co. Election of Nov. 5th, 1872: 1440 ballots cast, of which 987 were Republican and 453 Democratic. R. M. Roberts elected Clerk without opposition. 1873 — L. C. Cook, aged forty-four years, an old citizen and form- er sheriff of Montgomery County, died at his residence in Pilot Grove. At the annual election, 1,281 votes were cast of which 867 were Republican and 414 Democratic. Henry Howard elected Auditor, J. T. Martin, Sheriff, W. P. Patterson, Supt. of Schools. 1874 — G. P. Ingman of Villisca chosen member of Board in place of John Buckingham, resigned. Forest trees and orchards ordered exempt from taxation. H. H. Palmer elected Clerk Court; W. B. Kennedy, Recorder; G. W. Bennett, Surveyor. The restraining of stock from running at large finally carried. Jan. 18. — Dedication of Congregational Church. Number tak- en into church, sixteen. Rev. DeForest preached the sermon. June 29. Mrs. Sarah Patterson, wife of Chas. E. Patterson, killed at a railroad crossing. Updike & Ler contract to build a Catholic Church, 26 by 36 ft, to be frame and to cost $1500. 1875 — w. Stafford appears as member of Board. Contract for building an iron bridge across the Nodaway south of Villisca let 332 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY to Frary & Donnell for $1600. Old Court House sold to R. Wads- worth for $200. Early in June, grasshoppers appeared in clounds and did great damage to crops. They came on Sunday, literally covering the ground and consuming every green thing, and remained until Tuesday. September. — Mayne and McPherson appointed to sell swamp land heretofore certified to the county, being in Monona and Craw- ford Counties, and the counties interested in lands of whatsoever kinds. Alfred Hebard elected State Senator, giving him 669 majority over W. W. Morseman. T. C. Lunday elected Treas. A majority in favor of restraining stock from running at large. For buying a poor farm, 770 votes; against buying, 594. Mayne & McPherson in- structed to collect all claims due county excepting school fund notes. 1876. — Members of Board, W. Stafford, Samuel Bwing and F. G. Bean. Henry Howard, Auditor. Board recommended the en- forcement of the Vagrancy Act of the 16th General Assembly. Sept. 17. — Dedication of M. E. Church at Red Oak, Bishop Fos- ter officiating. Sept. 28. The Session of the Des Moines Confer- ence of the M. E. Church convened in Red Oak. 1877 — County officials same as in 1876. As per decision of the Supreme Court of Iowa, the Board orders sale of county swamp lands. Feb. 4. — Death of Thos. Rogers, a prominent lumber merchant of Red Oak, at Indianapolis. May 9. Death of W. W. Hines, an old settler. While he was riding a corn planter, his - team became frightened and threw him out, causing fatal injuries. He came to Montgomery Co. in 1854. P. H. Good, one of the oldest attorneys in the county, commits suicide. 2164 votes for Representative, George Ashby 1134, John W. Patterson 475, G. Dennis, 553. H. G. McMillen elected sheriff. 1878 — Supervisors F. G. Bean, Samuel Ewing and G. P. Ing- man. Public sale of swamp lands and school lands ordered; $854.- 00 transferred from swamp land fund to county fund. July 3. Sudden death of Spanish Consul to Hong Kong, China, Seignior Fernando, while on train near Glenwood. His remains were interred in the Red Oak Catholic Cemetery, and later were removed to Spain. Sept. 8. Death of Mrs. J. B. Packard, aged 62 years. She came to county in 1857. Nov. 13. Death of Clarence Stennett, Wayne Stennett's 16 year old son, who accidentally shot himself. 1879 — Jonas Heckert becomes member of Board. The Tele- phone, Record and Villisca Review awarded county printing. Amount of county bonded indebtedness $1700. New bonds issued at 7 per cent. June. District Conference of M. E. Church at Red Oak. July 4. Celebration in Red Oak. C. S. Ryman orator. Sept. 1. Red Oak Academy and Business College opened. Col. Hebard summoned to meet Jay Gould and Pres. Lewis of the St. Louis Short Line at Chicago, for conference. Election of directors of the Atlantic, Red Oak and St. Louis R. R. Those named for Red Oak were Alfred Hebard, Wayne Stennett and Edw. Mor- iarity. $5000 subscribed. Oct. 22. Three hundred guests celebrate the 25th anniver- sary of marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Fisher. Chaplain McCabe lectures on "The Bright Side of Life in Libby Prison." CHRONOLOGY 333 At election, John H. Gear received 1530 votes for Governor; Daniel Campbell 818 and H. H. Trimble 333. Z. T. Fisher elected Representative. R. J. Edmonds Sheriff. 1880 — Alfred Swanson appears as member of Board. O. A. Cramer appointed Deputy Auditor Board settles with Treasurer," J. V. Johnson. Allowance made by Board of $400 to prospect in coal at Villisca. June session: Report of Agricultural Society concerning dis- position of money furnished by the State Appropriation of $600 made from bridge fund to build road from Red Oak to County Pair grounds. Blwood Cleaver appointed Surveyor in place of Geo. W. Bennett, resigned. County rented rooms of A. McCon- nell for county offices for five years at $850 per year, with priv- ilege or renewal at $700 per year. October. C. C. Platter elected representative; O. P. Worsley, Auditor; Geo. M. West, Treas., Henry H. Palmer, Sheriff; John L. Thomas, Member of Board, B. Cleaver, Surveyor. 1881 — Allen Beeson, an attorney and old citizen of Red Oak, forms partnership with Hon. Sam Chapman of Plattsmouth, Nebr. N. W. Cook relinquishes control of "The People's Telephone," May. Death of Auditor W. B. Kennedy. July. 4. Col. W. P. Hepburn, orator. August. First issue daily "Record." Lecture by Leigh Hunt on "Struggle for Place." September. Committee appointed to raise funds for Michigan sufferers of forest fires, — E. M. Carey, Pres., J. M. Junkin, Secy.; other members Wm. Clark, C. C. Platter and W. W. Merritt. 1882 — O. P. Worsley appointed agent for sale of swamp and in- demnity lands, to collect amounts due. All indemnity swamp lands withdrawn from market. L. W. Williams takes charge of poor farm at $750 per year. W. S. Alger of Villisca appointed mem- ber of Board in place of Aired Swanson, deceased. T. H. Lee ap- pointed to collect delinquent personal tax. January. Meeting of Editorial Convention. Red Oak repre- sentatives, J. M. Killits, Express, George Stiger, Record and R. D. Sperry, Telephone. Febuary. Montgomery Co. transferred from the 8th to the 9th Cong. District. • & May. Gen. J. B. Weaver speaks in Red Oak on political issues. August. Death of O. P. Whittier, son of pioneer of county. Dr. J. B. Hatton nominated for Congress by People's Party. October. Hon. W. H. Pusey, Dem. candidate for Congress, spoke in Red Oak and Hon. James F. Wilson held a class meeting and Republican reunion. Murder of J. P. Bramhall by Bennett Hayden. At the general election, A. R. Anderson Rep. for Congress re- ceived 1202 votes. W. H. M. Pusey, Dem. received 674. J. B. Hatton, People's Party, 673 votes. W. E. Patterson chosen Clerk of Court. H. Pegram, Recorder. E. Kretchmer, member of Board. At special election in June, there were 1,832 votes for prohibition and 671 votes against. 1883 — Rev. Joseph Cook lectures in the M. E. Church on the "Seven Wonders of the World." May. Enthusiastic meeting of citizens of Red Oak to take measures in favor of new diagonal railroad. The lumber business of Justus Clark and Co. sold to National Co. of Chicago. June. Justus Clark nominated by Democrats for Lieutenant Governor. 334 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY July. Hon. L. G. Kinne, Democratic Candidate for Governor, spoke in public square of Red Oak. Gen. B. M. Prentice delivered his lecture on the "Battle of Shiloh" at court house, under the auspices of the G. A. R. of Red Oak. September. B. W. Stevens, of Red Oak, Independent candidate for Senator for Mills and Montgomery Counties. J. V. Johnson, Fusion Greenback and Dem. candidate for Representative elected over A. M. Waters, Rep. by 17 votes. O. P. Worsley elected over T. H. Lee (Dem.) by 11 votes. B. J. Austin, Treasurer; H. H. Palmer, Sheriff; J. A. McLean, Superintendent; C. M. Mills, Cor- oner; W. H. Parker, Member of Board. For Governor, B. R. Sher- man (Rep.) 1,695 votes; L. G. Kinne (Dem.) 911 votes, and J. B. Weaver (G. B.) 445 votes. For proposition to build court house, there were 285 votes; against, 2,201 votes. After the election, the Democrats and the Independents of Mongomery and Mills Counties held a jollification at Judkins House over their victory, banquet and speeches being the order of the evening. 1884 — January. Members of Board, B. Kretchmer, J. L. Thomas, and W. H. Parker; T. H. Lee, Auditor. June. Attorney Gen. Smith McPherson aids in organizing the Prisoners' Aid Association of Iowa, for purpose of assisting ex- prisoners of penitentiary in finding honorable employment. July. Celebrations at Red Oak, Villisca, Milford, Emerson and Climax. Lieut. Gov. Manning spoke at Villisca. G. A. R. Post organized at Elliott. W. E. Patterson announces candidacy for Clerk. August. J. S. Stidger retires after thirteen years' connection with the Red Oak Record. 1885 — Members of Board, B. Kretchmer, J. L. Thomas and W. H. Parker. T. H. Lee, Auditor; B. J. Austin, Treasurer. Numerous transfers of land Jo citizens purchasing swamp land in Monona Co. Bounty on wolf scalps increased to $5.00 for wolves over one year old and $2.00 for those under one year. Following question sub- mitted to vote: "Shall the number of Supervisors be increased from three to five?" For, 666 votes; against, 1,265 votes. January. At the World's Fair at New Orleans, Montgomery Co. took first premium on apples — Chas. Checkering for the best "Ro- man Beauties" and T. Ellett for best "Wagonor." Many cereals and vegetables, contributed for exhibition from about fifty counties of Iowa, were destroyed in a wreck on the way. May. 65th anniversary of Odd Fellowship celebrated in Red Oak. 1886 — J. F. Moates, J. L. Thomas and W. H. Parker members of the Board; E. S. Rogers, Auditor. J. Ellen Foster lectures in Red Oak under auspices of W. C. T. U. April. Hayes Bros, exhibit a map o£ the territory of Iowa, made in 1845, at the time this part of the state was occupied by Potta- wattamie Indfans. Dead body of Brewer Steinbrecher found hang- ing in brewery. He claimed prohibition law damaged him $3 2,000. May. Convention of school superintendents of ten southern counties in Red Oak. Address by State Superintendent Akers. Daniel Stennett, an early pioneer, dies at age of 82. He was a staunch democrat and, at one time, a member of the Board. June. S. W. Iowa Press Association met at Red Oak. C. W. Snyder of the Express elected Pres.; C. A. Lisle, Clarinda, Treas. and A. G. Lucas, Bedford, Sec. Death of Wm. Hall, an influential citizen, aged 71. July. H. E. Deemer nominated at Council Bluffs for Judge of District and Circuit Courts. Fourth celebrated at Villisca, Climax, Morton's Mill and Stanton. CHRONOLOGY 335 August. P. B. Tracy dies in Red Oak. He was a familiar figure on the stage route from Burlington to Council Bluffs, being Supt. of the Western Stage Co. He built a shed on his farm west of town to preserve the old coaches which had to give way to the railway. One of them is now preserved in the Iowa Historical Building in Des Moines. For years Mr. Tracy wore a coat made of buckskin to protect himself from the bleak winds to which he was exposed. From this he received the name of "Buckskin Tracy." This coat was obtained from an Indian trader, Peter Sarpy, and was donated to the Old Settlers' Ass'n of Sarpy Co., Neb., by H. W. Otis, the administrator of the Tracy estate. September. Dr. J. B. Hatton of Red Oak nominated for Con- gress by Greenback party. Shortly afterward he resigned his candi- dacy. First part of month smoke from the burning of prairie grass in Dakotas was so dense that nearby objects could hardly be seen. November 16. Death of J. F. Fisher, Red Oak's most enter- prising citizen, aged 56. He came to Red Oak in. 1870. The Vil- lisca Review said: "It seems hard to realize that the busy, bustling, cheerful, big hearted Joe Fisher is gone." 1887 — H. H. Palmer, Sheriff ; Dr. H. A. McFatrich, Co. Physician. January. Memorial meeting of Garfield Post, No. 57, at the M. E. Church to do honor to the memory of Gen. John A. Logan. Ad- dresses by B. S. Porter, Joel Carey, G. W. Holt, James B. Gregg, H. N. Moore, C. W. Snyder and Dr. J. B. Hatton. Organization of Farmers' Alliance in Lincoln Township. Henry Thomas, Pres.; Robt. McMullen, Vice Pres.; S. S. Davis, Sec; B. F. Owens, Treas. March. The Villisca Review presents a picture of what is thought to be the oldest house now standing in the county, and which it calls the Pioneer Palace. This was a log structure erected in 1854 on the old Robt. Dunn farm, north of Villisca. April. Swedish Lutheran pastor, O. J. B. Osterholm died. Porter's Cart and Buggy factory building and contents burned. May. Unique entertainment of grown-up people reproducing the old fashioned method of teaching school. July. T. H. Lee appointed Deputy U. S. Revenue Collector. New Baptist Church at Red Oak in process of construction. September. Miss Anna Morrell came to her death in a railroad accident near Afton. Dr. C. O. Hartman commits suicide by taking aconite. Death of Justus Clark. December. The Red Oak Bldg. & Sav. Ass'n organized, with F. H. Keyes, Pres.; G. Dennis, Vice Pres. and M. N. Spencer Sec. An- nual meeting of the Western Iowa Horticultural Society in Red Oak Dec. 20th. Banquet to society given by citizens at Johnson House. Intelligence from hospital at Chicago of death of T. H. Alexander, a prominent citizen of Red Oak. During the war he did good work in the U. S. Secret Service. 1888 — E. S. Rogers, Auditor. Contract let for building river bridge at Stover's Mill, south of town. Soldiers' Relief Commission, as provided by state law, organized with Capt. W. W. Ellis of Vil- lisca, H. E. Manker, Elliott, and Joel Carey, Red Oak, as ofi&cers. January. Baptist church dedicated; cost, $6,351. Rev. Bart- lett delivered sermon. Redwald, the celebrated trotting horse, purchased of estate of Thomas Potter by twenty business men and farmers for $5,000. July. Celebration of Fourth, with B. F. Clayton as orator. August. Loss by fire at Stanton, estimated at $40,000. September. Bruce Commandery Band, Red Oak Fire Department and Co. K banqueted by citizens, in honor of prizes taken at Ne- braska City August 30th. 336 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY 1889 — C. H. Wilson employed to superintend the building of county bridges at a salary of $1,000 per year. There were twenty- four iron bridges in the county at that time. Formal settlement made with F. M. Davis and Mayne & McPherson for services as agents and attorneys in swamp land case of Montgomery Co. vs, American Emigrant Co. J. F. Moates and R. W. Beeson, Co. Attor- ney, appointed a committee to confer with the Board of Pottawat- tamie Co. in reference to costs in the trial of State of Iowa vs. Dr. Cross. Sum of 1,131.82 received from State Treasurer on Swamp Lands indemnity account. Petition of 800 citizens that the propo- sition to build a court house be submitted to a vote. June 8th was set to determine the form of submission. Submitted amount, $75,- 000, and tax to be two mills on dollar. There was a spirited contest, some townships going against the proposition. 2,770 votes cast, 1,430 for and 1,340 against. W. W. Montgomery appointed Supt. of Schools, J. F. Saylor hav- ing resigned. Organization of Red Oak Board of Trade, with fol- lowing officers: John Hayes, Pres.; M. B. Fisher, Vice Pres. ; B. M. Carey, Second Vice Pres.; P. P. Clark, Treas.; O. P. Worsley, Sec. March. Project discussed of organizing six or eight Southwestern Iowa counties for purpose of calling attention of the country to the fact that Southwestern Iowa would rival the blue grass region of Kentucky as a stock raising country. Money was raised to en- courage immigration by excursions or otherwise. Hon. J. B. Harsh of Creston was elected Pres. and Gen. Ellis of Villisca Sec. By-laws were adopted and various committees appointed. June. Rev. E. M. Holmes, a former Red Oak boy, elected Pres. of Simpson College. August. The Iowa National Guard, composed of eight com- panies from different parts of Southern Iowa, comprising the Fifth Regiment, encamped in Red Oak f or^ a week and were reviewed by Gov. Larrabee. Proposition of the city of Red Oak to grant fran- chise for the purpose of furnishing electric light voted upon, carried. FOURTH DECADE — 1890-1900. 1890 — January. Members of Board, Stratton and Moates, mem- ber elect, M. F. Dilley. B. S. Rogers, Auditor. Contract for build- ing court house accorded to Richards & Co., of Omaha for $69,200. February. Annual meeting of the Red Oak Board of Trade. Address by Pres. John Hayes. New officers elected, B. B. Clark, Pres. and G. Blackstone, Sec. April. Annual meeting of the Council Bluffs Presbytery in Red Oak; 51 churches and 15 counties in the association. May. Union of Farmers' Alliances in the county and officers elected; R. N. Withrow, of West Township, Pres. The case of Newcomb vs. Montgomery Co. taken to Fremont Co. on change of venue. This was a case for personal injuries sus- tained by Mrs. Martha Newcomb by a defective approach to the bridge near Watson's Mill. Plaintiff awarded $3,000 damages. July. John Hayes gives reception In honor of Gov. Horace Boies, who was present at the laying of the corner stone of the court house July 4th. July 7th hottest day ever experienced, thermometer registering from 98 to 104 degrees in the shade. 1891. — J. F. Moates, C. L. Stratton and M. F. Dilley members of Board. J. C. Masteller appointed Deputy Recorder. October. Stevens Elevator destroyed by fire. Streets of Red Oak first lighted by electricity. 1892 — H. A. Embree becomes member of the Board. January. Agitation in favor of paving streets of Red Oak. CHRONOLOGY 337 March. Dedication of new court house. June. City Roller Mills consumed by fire. September. Organization of Young Peoples' Lecture Association at Red Oak. 1893 — Members of Board — Dilley, Stratton and Embrje. P. W. Peterson, Auditor. February. Death of A. G. Low, a resident of the county since 1852, at his home near Stennett. He was the first county Judge, and first political meeting held in county was held in his home. May. A delegate convention of the Church of Christ, embrac- ing Southwestern Iowa, held at Red Oak. July. Anniversary of the' establishment of Methodism In the county and in Red Oak. Revs. Samuel Farlow and J. T. Hughes pioneer circuit riders, delivered reminiscent addresses. September. Large gathering of Swedish people from this and ad- joining counties at Binns' Grove. Addresses made by Rev. B. M. Ealland, Prof. Olaf Oleson, Pres. Augustana College, and Gustave Sjastrom of Chicago. November. Henry Watterson of the Louisville Courier Journal, lectured in Red Oak. Topic, "Money and Morals." December. Standard Trotting Horse Co. of Muscatine transfer to Morris J. Jones of Red Oak ownership of world's champion trot- ter, "Alix." Banquet given Mr. Jones in honor of arrival of this celebrated trotting mare. 1894 — New members of Board, J. Beeson and George T. Cooper. April. Judge H. E. Deemer appointed by Governor sixth mem- ber of the Supreme Court. 1,400 of Kelley's Army (part of what was known as Coxey's Army) marched through the county. Red Oak refuses to feed them. To preserve the peace, Gov. Jackson tele- graphs Capt. Clark to take Co. M to Council Bluffs, and Col. Mount is given command of companies belonging to the National Guard from Creston, Corning, Villisca and Glenwood. 1895 — Members of Board, J. Beeson, G. T. Cooper and H. A. Em- bree. J. C. Mastellar appointed to fill vacancy caused by the death of P. W. Peterson, Auditor, and A. M. Lull appointed Deputy Re- corder at the June meeting of the Board. Seventy new structures erected in Red Oak in the year 1895 at a cost of $105,000.00. 1896 — Board same as last year, with J. S. Anderson, Auditor. January. $20,000.00 offered in purses for race meeting at Pacto- lus Park the coming June. April. The 25th anniversary of the Red Oak Public Sshools ob- served. Addresses by Col. Hebard, W. W. Merritt and Mrs. L. Grabll. July. Smith McPherson nominated for Congress. August. Annual encampment of the Iowa National Guard at Pactolus Park, with Col. Swalm of Oskaloosa and Lieut. Col. Loper of Des Moines. Regiment reviewed by Gov. Drake. September. Death of A. Hebard at his old home in New London, Conn. Memorial services held at Congregational church following Sunday. Gen. John M. Palmer and S. D. Buckner, Candidates for President and Vice President, stop at Red Oak and make speeches. William J. Bryan, Candidate for President, makes speech at Pactolus Park. December 24, Co. M's new armory dedicated. 1897 — January. Board same as previous year. Splendid show- ing of the Mutual Life of Iowa. Losses paid and dividends of 25 per cent placed to the credit of policy holders. April. Banquet of States enjoyed by three hundred guests. People from the various states seated at separate tables with an orator for each proclaiming the virtues of his native state. 338 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY June. Old log house, once, the residence of the author, at Frankfort, and afterwards removed to Red Oak on south side of Red Oak Creek near Fourth street, torn down. July. Great flood does damage in Red Oak. Streets like rivers. August. Account printed of thrilling experience of Mrs. C. E. Richards on wrecked steamer "Mexico" off the coast of Alaska. Twenty hours in open boat. December. Death at the Poor Farm of William T. Reid, a pioneer preacher and the first County Superintendent. The claim has been made. that Carl Means was the first Superintendent, but there is no record of his having filled the office. 1898 — Red Oak Express celebrates its thirtieth birthday, com- ing, out. as. a twenty-four page paper. Election ordered concerning the building of a jail; carried, and contract let to build jail and sheriff's residence to cost $11,870. February. Red Oak Fire Department occupies its new building. James Dunn, who came to this country in 1855 and settled in Washington Township, dies at his home. April 26. Four, or five thousand people assembled at the depot at 8:00 o'clock a. m. to bid farewell to Co. M. which left on a special, train. for Des Moines at the command of the War Department. Co. Bi of Villisca also ordered out, commanded by its Second Lieutenant. Capt. S. B. Moore promoted to position as Major of the Regiment. May. New Temple I. O. O. F. completed and interesting exercises held^ principal address being by C. W. Lewis of Ottumwa. June 5. Company M off for San Francisco. July. Fierce wind storm visits county. Two persons killed and many injured by cyclone in Garfield Township. October. Solid silver cup won by Co. M Oct. 25th, in competa- tive drill at San Francisco and forwarded to Red Oak for safekeeping. November 3. The "Pennsylvania" sails from San Francisco for Manila, with the Fifty-First Regiment on board. 1899 — Members of Board, Cooper, Pogue and Peterson. January. Contract let to enlarge house on poor farm at cost of $4,950. New High School erected at cost of $17,000. Dedicated Jan. 10. February. The Osborne Calendar Co. began removal to Newark. April. Congressman McPherson speaks on life of Gen. Grant before the Grant Club at Des Moines. June. Admiral Schley passed through Red Oak and made address. October. Gen. Byers and party, including Rev. E. C, Moulton, of Red Oak, leave for San Francisco to meet the 51st Regiment upon return- from campaign in Philippines. Meeting of the Grand Chapter of Royal Arch Masons at Red Oak. Large attendance of delegates and visitors. Escorted by Bruce Commandry K. T. Response to W, W. Merritt's address of welcome by Grand High Priest W. H. Cleveland of Harlan. Oct. 22 a telephone message was received from Des Moines announcing that the "Senator" with 51st Regi- ment on board had been sighted. Whistles and guns quickly an- nounced the glad tidings. Royal reception given Co. M upon their return to Red Oak. Ladies of the Monday Club entertained Mrs. Vietch of the Red Cross Society. November. Red Oak citizens give banquet to Company M at K. of P. hall. Nov. 20, death at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Samuel Davenport, in Frankfort, of Mrs. John H. Murray, a resid- ent of that place since 18 57. 1900 — Pogue, Peterson and Murphy members of Board. Com- mittee- of Board appointed to attend meeting of Directors of State Agricultural Society. CHRONOLOGY 339 February. Red Oak obtains light, heat and power from a cen- tral plant. April. Major Joseph Cramer, aged 87 years, a veteran of two wars, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. C. W. Hendricks. June. Judge and Mrs. H. E. Deemer give reception to old mem- bers of Co. M. July. Mrs. Thomas Wheeler dies, having lived in the 18th, 19th and 20th Centuries. August. The 51st Regiment, I. N. G. encamped at Pactolus Park beginning Aug. 1. Camp christened "Walter Wagnor." Total num- ber in camp. 5 80. Oldest house in Red Oak, the former home of L. N. Harding, torn down to make room for the Griffith Inn. September. Republican campaign opens in Red Oak. Speeches by Walter I. Smith and Senator J. P. Dolliver. Wooley, Metcalf, V. B. Cushing and other celebrated prohibitionists arrive at Red Oak on special train. Speeches made in public park. Special train from Red Oak to Plattsmouth to meet President Roosevelt. 1901 — March. Dr. Rufus D. Sperry, one of the first practicing physicians in county, dies at home of son in Omaha, aged 81 years. April. State Conference of charities and corrections meets in Red Oak. Many prominent people in attendance. May. 2,000 men and teams at work between Red Oak and Creston on new double track railroad. June. The election for greater Red Oak carried by a small margin. F. G. Thiele murdered his wife in yillisca. D. B. M!iller appointed as National Bank Examiner. August. Old settlers' reunion at Villisca. Postofflce in Red Oak moved to new quarters on Coolbaugh street. Ivan Ellwood ap- pointed Deputy County Auditor. Nov. A. B. Cummins received 1,898 votes for Governor, T. J. Phillips 776 and A. A. Coots 175. For Representative, C. L. Stratton (Rep.) received 1,959 votes and H. O. Bryson (Dem.) 806. R. M. Roberts elected Treasurer, Wm. Thomas Sheriff, Mabel G. Hanna County Superintendent, Henry Peterson, Member of Board, Ellwood Cleaver, Surveyor, Dr. S. R. Kriedler, Coroner. 1903 — January. Methodist Church of Red Oak decides to erect a new structure on site of present building, at a cost of $40,000. Question of paving streets of Red Oak under discussion. Red Oak Canning Factory organized. March. Memorial service held at Armory in honor of Thos. Zuber, the son of an old pioneer and himself a member of Co. M of 51st Iowa Regiment. Records in realty transactions broken, the aggregate amount being $500,000.00. Farmers' Institute organized. First contract for paving streets of Red Oak let to Magden and Sheeley of Des Moines. April 24. Red Oak visited by most disastrous fire in its history. May. Largest class in the history of Red Oak High School, nu- bering thirty, graduates. Street car service abandoned. June. New Swedish Mission Church dedicated. Death of Lean- der Sickman, a pioneer, at his home in Red Oak. Return of Will Mahaffy, ater three years' absence in military service in Philippines. August. Rev. B. M. Halland, founder of the Swedish Colony in Stanton and Scott Township, a clergyman of ability, died at his home in Stanton. September. Meeting of the 5th District Convention of the W. C. T. U. held in Red Oak. November. Ninth District Convention of Woman's Clubs at the I. O. O. F. temple. Visiting delegates royally entertained by the Monday Club. Death of Granville Dennis in his 8?rd year from 340 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY paralysis; lie had been a leader In public enterprises. Wm. Christie appointed county surveyor as successor of Ellwood Cleaver, resigned. Proposition to vote a tax of one-half mill on the dollar to build a soldiers' monument, failed. For tax, 1,013; against tax, 1,592. 1903 — January. Neighbors of L. N. Harding, one of the first settlers of Red Oak, celebrated his 80th birthday. $110,000 spent in erecting substantial business blocks in year 1902. March. Death of D. J. Ockerson, an old soldier and settler — at one time a candidate for Auditor of State. April. Examination of eleven candidates for Naval Academy by direction of Congressman Walter I. Smith. C. W. Allen of Atlantic appointed, with Robt. Dunn of Villisca as alternate. Ma- sonic lodge of Red Oak gives banquet in honor of Moses Chandler on the occasion of his 85 th birthday. Resolve Palmer, son of H. H. Palmer, passes successful examination for Lieut, in Regular Army. May. A large and enthusiastic meeting of Odd Fellows and • Rebeccas takes place at Elliott. Dr. F. M. Powell, Supt. of Glen- wood Institute for Feeble Minded, buys the Sanitarium, to take possession July 1st. Dedication of new St. Mary's Catholic Church. In the mass ceremonies, Father Bulger of Shenandoah acts as celebratant, Father J. T. Noonan of Lenox as Deacon, and Father Quinn of Red Oak Sub-Deacon. Dedicatory sermon preached by Father Noonan. July. Judge McPherson delivers an address before the State Bar Assiciation of Colorado which is favorably and widely commented upon. James Hunter, an old resident, dies at his home in Red Oak at age of 83 years. 500 people gather at site of new Methodist Church to witness laying of corner stone. Address made by Rev. T. C. Iliff of Colorado. November. Fifty blocks of pavement in Red Oak completed and two miles of cement sidewalk put down during the past summer. Dr. T. A. Trulson dies at his home in Stanton. December. $20,000.00 invested in Hotel Johnson for improve- ments, making it the finest hotel in Southwestern Iowa. 200 citizens of Red Oak present at its opening. J. V. Johnson, former resident of Montgomery Co., Ex-County Treasurer and Member of Legislature, dies at his home in Ord, Neb. D. D. Saunders, an old resident dies in Seattle, Wash., and is brought home for burial. Red Oak Sani- tarium, a private school for mentally backward children, opened. Members of Board, George W. Pogue, Henry Peterson and Wm. Cozad. Mr. Pogue appointed to take charge of the burial of needy old soldiers of Red Oak and vicinity. Cost of paving around court house square found to be $2,654.13. APPENDIX B. ROSTER OF COMPANY M, FIFTY-FIRST IOWA VOL. INFANTRY. SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 1898-1899. THOSE WHO RE- TURNED AT CLOSE OF PHILIPPINE CAMPAIGN. Officers. Commissioned and Non-Commissioned. All were of Red Oak unless otherwise noted: Capt. Jesse W. Clark, First Lieut. W. Harry French, Second Lieut. Guy E. Logan, First Sergt. Owen C. Hawkins, Quartermaster Sergt. Chas. B. Rose, Sergt. Wm. M. Hiett, Sergt. Henry A. Nordquist, Sergt. J. Edward Logan, Sergt. Resolve P. Palmer, Corp. Thomas F. Zuber, Corp. Clarence A. Lumb, Corp. Jas. H. Windsor, Corp. F. Corydon Ingram, Corp. Frank S. Smith, Corp. Everett E. Lane, Corp. Lloyd D. Ross, Corp. Ivan Ell- wood, Corp. J. Donald Enfield, Clarinda, Corp. Harry P. Brenholts, Mt. Pleasant, Corp. Omar Duncan, Clarinda, Corp. Wm. E. Nicoll, Musician Otis R. Tyson, Musician Clyde C. Hoober, Chillicothe, la., Artificer Edward O. Pace, Wagoner Michael S. Miller, Cook Ed M. Pitner. Privates — Chas. E. Arnold, Clarinda, Frank V. Arnold, Grinnell, Guy M. Briggs, Lee Blue, Lamonte Byers, John Behm, Clarinda, Harry J. Clark, Carl D. Cook, Robert S. Cook, Ernest Dennis, Chas. F. Dillon, Evan J. Evans, Wade Evans, Claude D. Elder, Allerton, John B. Enfield, Clarinda, Jesse C. Fisher, James R. Figg, Haw- thorne, Chas. M. Fulton, Clarinda, Roy D. Gassner, John D. Gill- more, C. H. Goldsberry, Harry M. Griffith, Mt. Ayr, A. L. Hockett, Jr., H. J. Hoffman, Atlantic, Thos. Hollowell, Atlantic, Will R. Kerrihard, C. M. Kneedy, Elliott, James M. Logan, Jesse F. Lyon, E. W. Martin, Clarinda, Edwin A. Merritt, Chas. H. Murphy, Morse E. Moulton, Wm. Morgan, Wales, Lewis E. Nelson, Clarinda, Chas. Olson, Stanton, Don Q. Rathborie, John J. Rapp, Atlantic, Ralph Robb, H. F. Smith, C. A. Stafford, Mt. Pleasant, Harry E. Stevens, Harry W. Stotler, Clarinda, Ed J. Stotler, Clarinda, Fred W. Sandell, Walter L. Shank, Frank W. Throw, Ralph W. Tidrick, Tingley, Samuel J. Tilden, Paul W. Uvary, Wm. Valentine, Shelbyville, C. W. Wheeler, Frank Wolfe. Previously Discharged — Officers — Second Sergt. Edwin M. Rose, Corp. Wm. J. Jeffers, Corp. Geo. L. Jones, Neosho Falls, Kas., Corp. Harry D. Cook, Musician J. Henry Kastman. Privates — Vin J. Applegate, Ernest C. Bond, Iowa Falls, H. L. Chamberlain, Clarinda, Ira Day, Atlantic, Edward Dolan, John B. Hallett, R. H. Hammond, John M. Halbert, Elliott, Chas. E. Lee, Atlantic, C. E. Longstreet, Joseph I. Markey, W. B. McPherrin, Clarinda, Ole M. Oleson, Atlantic, Chas. W. Ross, M. D. Stocksleger, John E. Throw, Jas. W. Trabert, Stanton, Lloyd Watson, Clarinda. Corporal Chas. L. Binns, Red Oak, remained to accept a position as stenographer to the Judge Advocate in Lawton's Division. He re- mained a year. Deaths from Disease — Wagoner Verni R. Hysham died Aug. 20, 1898, in St. Luke's Hospital, San Francisco. Earl McCament died Nov. 24, 1898, at Presidio Hospital. Ellery E. Mills died Sept. 14, 1898, at Presido Hospital. John E. Ritter died July 11, 1898, at the French Hospital, Camp Merritt. Lucien E. Rogers died July 15, 1898, at Lane Hospital, San Francisco. 342 HISTORY OF MONTGOMERY COUNTY Casualties — John Behm, of Clarinda, wounded at Pulilan, April 24, 1899. Harry P. Brenholtz, of Mt. Pleasant, wounded at Calulut, Aug. 9, 1899. Adrian C. Hockett, of Red Oak, wounded at Quingua, April 23, 1899. Bert Thomas, of Red Oak, wounded at Quingua, April 23, 1899. Joseph I. Markey, of Red Oak, wounded at San Fernando, May 26, 1899. Samuel J. Tilden, of Red Oak, wounded at Calumpit, April 25, 1899. Thomas Hollowell, of Atlantic, slight- ly wounded at San Fernando, June 22, 1899. Fred E. Strong, of Ottumwa, attached to Company M, but not enlisted, wounded at Polo, April 11, .1899. ROSTER OF COMPANY B, FIFTY-FIRST IOWA VOL. INFANTRY. SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR 1898-1899. THOSE WHO RE- TURNED AT CLOSE OF PHILIPPINE CAMPAIGN. Officers — Commissioned and Non-Commissioned. All of Villisca except as otherwise noted: Capt. Albert F. Burton, Wymore, Neb., First Lieut. James D. Baker, Second Lieut. Samuel B. Scholz, Jr., First Sergt. Frank Melton, Quartermaster Sergt. H. C. Elrick, Sergt. Perry Andrews, Sergt. Charles E. Jenkins, Sergt. James C. Cresswell, Sergt. Wilbur E. Moore, Des Moines, Corp. Harry A. Baker, Corp. Frank E. Gunn, Des Moines, Corp. Chas. O. Foster, Corp. Bert Chris- inger, Corp. Frank C. Humphrey, Greenfield, Corp. C. G. Williams, Walla Walla, Wash., Corp. Gilbert McCauley, Corp. Chas. M. Laird, Des Moines, Corp. Jerry Spargur, Corp. Herman Murray, Massena, Corp. John Pierce, Des Moines, Corp. Joe Benda, Iowa City, Musician Jos. A. Overman, Musician Geo. H. Pittman, Artificer William A. Kelly, Wagoner Chas. Parker, Cook John Garnett, Iowa City. Privates— Robert Admanson, Stuart, Bert B. Baker, Thos. ' J. Bolt, F. C. Chatterton, Robt. F. Cockerill, E. W. Dubell, Miltgrove, O., James A. Dunn, Frank Embree, Indianola, Wm. S. Fisher, Adair, Wm. Gieskieng, Blairtown, Jos. D. Hahn, Marion, Fred A. Hall, Van Wert, W. J. Haggett, Iowa City, C. C. Hopps, LaMoille, 111., F. W. Hostetler, Greenfield, A. G. Johnson, Ed Kempster, Adair, A. T. Lineroth, B. F. Mahana, Iowa City, C. O. McCartney, Emerson, R. V. Mills, Fenwick Moore, C. A. Myers, John McKinney, Stuart, George Neeley, C. H. Sanders, Grinnell, Wm. Smith, Iowa City, E. A. Sweet, Springfield, Mo., C. W. Victor, J. H. Wires, G. E. Whan, S. L. Wick- ersham, Guss, la., J. M. Yergey. Previously Discharged— First Sergt. A. A. Doggett, First Sergt. C. L. Gebauer, Burlington, Sergt. Theo. Dangerfield, Corp. T. T. Rutledge, Lenox, Corp. O. W. Jappy, Sweden, Wm. Arthur, Adair, W. F. Boo, Nodaway, F. E. Butler, Cedar Falls, W. M. Cissne, Green- field, Guy Clinton, John Cooper, Guy Evans, O. H. Eggleston, W. M. Glick, Terry, Okla., James Glaspbell, Davenport, Andrew Hanson, Forest City, J. S. Kanehl, Iowa City, Herman Lawson, Stanton, F. A. Middaugh, Clarinda, B. A. Melvy, Forest City, Oscar McDonald, Osceola, W. E. Merrill, Osceola, Ross Moore, D. O. Mason, Nodaway, Chas. Pittman, I. F. Powers, College Springs, Ed Parker, John Reed, Henry Rhode, LeVis, Robert Shepard, Ernest Stocksberger, Clear Lake, Chas. Smith, Iowa City, George Stivers, Burlington, Fred Tal- bert, George Towne, V. Van Houten, Lenox, John Wickersham, Guss, Alfred Yergey. Mustered out at Manila to re-enlist in service — Tim Erickson, Sciola, la. Transferred men — Sergt. S. C. Baker, Villisca to Co. K; Corp. Chas. F. Campbell, Nodaway, to Co. K; Jesse A. Ranous, Des Moines, to Co. A. Deaths from Disease — Corp. Patrick Ahern, of Des Moines, died Sept. 11, 1898, of typhoid fever, in the field Hospital at the Presidio San Francisco. Body taken to Des Moines for burial. CHRONOLOGY 343 Barton J. Brown, of G-uss, la., died Aug. 30, 1898, at San Fran- cisco, of measles complicated with 1 pneumonia. Buried at Guss, la. Rodney K. Clark, of Oxford, la., died- Aug. 8, 1898, at Manila, of tyhoid fever, complicated with pneumonia; buried in the Philip- pines, but several months later body was brought home for burial. Joseph Needles, of Arbor Hill, la., died Aug. 16, 1898, at San Francisco, of pneumonia following measles; buried in the Govern- ment, cemetery at the Presidio. Clifford Stillinger, of Villisca, died Nov. 10, 1898, at San Fran- cisco, of typhoid fever; buried at "Villisca. ' Casualties — Wounded — John D. Hahn of Marion, la., wounded in the leg below the knee by accidental discharge of revolver, Feb. 11, 1899, in camp at outpost, San Roque, P. I. John Kernan, of Nodaway, la., gunshot wound in right arm, April 11, 1899, at Calum- pit, P. I. Corporal Herman Murray, of Messena, la., wounded in left shoulder. at Malplos, April 19, 1899, while playing cards out in the open, a mile from the enemy. Other Montgomery County Soldiers — Major Sterling P. Moore, of Villisca, shortly before the Spanish-American war, being then Cap- tain of Company B, was elected Major of the Third Battalion of the Third Regiment. Major Moore was commissioned as Major of the Fifty-First Iowa, and served with credit during the campaign. Lieutenant Herbert C. Lane of Red Oak, was a charter member of Company M and was the company's first Quartermaster Sergeant. He was commissioned as Lieutenant at Camp McKinley and was as- signed as Battalion Adjutant of the Third Battalion, commanded by Major Moore. Later he was made regimental commissary officer, which position he held all through the regiment's service, making a splendid record for efficiency in a difficult position. Although not required to do so, he actively participated in nearly all the engege- ments of the campaign, being on the line most of the time with his old comrades of Company M. Sergeant Earl C. Hessler, Red Oak, served as First Sergeant Co. D, First Nebraska Volunteer Infantry, serving through the Phillip- pine campaign. Will Mahaffy, Red Oak, enlisted in Troop I, First Illinois Cavalry, remained at Camp George H. Thomas at Chickamaugua. When his regiment was mustered out at Chicago, he re-enlisted in the en- gineers' corps and was later transferred to Co. E, Sixteenth TJ. S. Infantry, and saw several years of active service in the Philippines. W: W. Merritt, Jr., of Red Oak, enlisted in Troop B, First U. S. Cavalry (Roosevelt's Rough Riders). First sent to Tampa, Fla., then to the camp at Montauk Point. Olaf B. Hanson enlisted in the Egnineers' Corps and was trans- ferred to Co. I, Twentieth U. S. Infantry; saw service in Philippines. Gus Woelhoff first enlisted in the Third Nebraska, William J. Bryan's regiment, and later enlisted in Co. B, Thirty-Ninth U. S. Infantry, and saw service in the Philippines. Win. W. Hardwick of Red Oak, served two years in Co. B. Thirty-Ninth U. S. Infantry and saw service in the Philippines. Phil Bliss, of Red Oak, enlisted at Salt Lake City, Utah, August 15, 1899, and was assigned to Company H, Thirty-Fifth U. S. Vol- unteer Infantry. He served in the Philippines, his regiment being stationed in Northern Luzon. He was mustered out at San Fran- cisco, May 6, 1901. APPENDIX C. MONTGOMERY COUNTY SENATORS AND REPRESENTATIVES. Fourth General Assembly — Senate, George W. Lucas; House, William C. Means. Fifth General Assembly — Senate, George W. Lucas; House, Rich- ard Tutt. Sixth General Assembly — Senate, Samuel Dale; House, Samuel H. Moer. Seventh General Assembly — Senate, Samuel Dale; House, James M. Dews. Eighth General Assembly — Senate, Harvey W. English; House, Washington Darling. Ninth General Assembly — Senate, J. C. Hagans; House, George A. Gordon. Tenth General Assembly — Senate, L. W. Hillyer; House, W. B. Davis. Eleventh General Assembly — Senate, L. W. Hillyer; House, A. K. Crawford. Twelfth General Assembly — Senate, N. B. Moore; House, Galen F. Killburn. Thirteenth General Assembly — Senate, Jefferson P. Cassady; House, William W. Merritt. Fourteenth General Assembly — Senate, John Y. Stone; House, Oliver Mills. Fifteenth General Assembly — Senate, John Y. Stone; House, Cornelius C. Platter. Sixteenth General Assembly — Senate, Alfred Hebard; House, George A Morse. Seventeenth General Assembly — Senate, Alfred Hebard; House, George T. Ashby. Eighteenth General Assembly — Senate, Alfred Hebard; House, Zelotes T. Fisher. Nineteenth General Assembly — Senate, Alfred Hebard; House, Cornelius C. Platter. Twentieth General Assembly — Senate, James S. Hendrie; House, John V. Johnson. Twenty-First General Assembly — Senate, James S. Hendrie; House, F. P. Greenlee. Twenty-Second General Assembly — Senate, Thomas Weidman; House, John W. Yergey. Twenty-Third General Assembly — Senate, Thomas Weidman; House, John W. Yergey. Twenty-Fourth General Assembly — Senate, A- J- Chantry; House, Joseph S. Boise, Sr. Twenty-Fifth General Assembly — Senate, A. J. Chantry; House, Filson Cooper. Twenty-Sixth General Assembly — Senate, J. M. Junkin; House, R. E. Cook. Twenty-Seventh General Assembly — Senate, J. M. Junkin; House, R. E. Cook. Twenty-Eighth General Assembly — Senate, J. M. Junkin; House, Cyrus L. Stratton. Twenty-Ninth General Assembly — Senate, J. M. Junkin; House, Cyrus L. Stratton. Thirtieth General Assembly — Senate, Shirley Gilliland; House, F. F. Jones.