USA > Iowa > Harrison County > History of Harrison County, Iowa, including a condensed history of the state, the early settlement of the county together with sketches of its pioneers > Part 1
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HARRISON COUNTY
+1888+
F 627 H4565
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Cornell University Library
Ithaca, Nem Work
BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE JACOB H. SCHIFF ENDOWMENT FOR THE PROMOTION OF STUDIES IN HUMAN CIVILIZATION 1918
5Kg 50 450
DATE DUE La 2 - 4
Cornell University Library F 627H4 S65 History of Harrison County, Iowa, includ
olin 3 1924 028 914 038
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OUN
865
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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/cu31924028914038
JOE H. SMITH.
HISTORY
OF
HARRISON COUNTY,
IOWA,
INCLUDING
A CONDENSED HISTORY OF THE STATE, THE EARLY SETTLEMENT OF THE COUNTY, ITS TOPOGRAPHY, AND NATURAL ADVANTAGES;
TOGETHER WITH
SKETCHES OF ITS PIONEERS, ORGANIZATION, REMINISCENCES OF EARLY TIMES, POLITICAL HISTORY, COURTS AND BAR, PULPIT AND PRESS, COMMERCIAL AND BUSINESS INTERESTS, ETC.
By JOE. H. SMITH.
DES MOINES: IOWA PRINTING COMPANY. 1888.
A680068
Entered, according to the act of Congress, in the year 1888, in the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C., BY JOE H. SMITH.
PREFACE.
Don't run! I shall not be long-winded. Just hold a minute, as I have but a few words to say, and I always despise long intro- ductions to books as well as to sermons. I will make this brief. My intent has been, on each subject called up, to strike oil in five or ten minutes, and in case there was a failure, then to with- draw my auger and quit "boring."
The following pages contain a brief, unvarnished narrative of many of those incidents which took place in the growth of this county, the greater part of which have been under my own im- mediate observation. Having tabernacled with the people of this county continuously for the past thirty-one years, recollec- tion unaided by records would enable me to bring out many of the past transactions, but in that set forth herein I have on every occasion verified by reference to records.
At my age in life, I have no enemies to punish, and if per- chance there be in the body of this volume some remark which may not be commendatory to individual or individuals, be assured of the existence of the fact that the record will bear out the assertion.
While much time has been spent in the preparation of this
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PREFACE.
book, it is the hope of the author that in some time in the future some one will call to mind the facts herein contained, that Har- rison county as it now is, is materially different from Harrison county as it was, and that in consequence of the privations of the early settlers, many of those now residing in splendid homes are reaping the reward of the toils and privations of the parents who have passed to the other shore.
I trust that this may meet with favor among the people with whom I have lived and mingled for nearly one-third of a century, - but should the powers rule otherwise, I will bow in humble sub- mission to the verdict of the people, believing in the maxim, Vox Populi, vox Dei.
Logan, Iowa, May 11, 1888.
JOE. H. SMITH.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
Harrison County formerly being part and parcel of the French possession- When the same was ceded by France to Spain-When purchased by the U. S .- Cost of the entire purchase-When purchase was made- When the purchase was approved by the U. S .- Its status until 1805- 1812-and 1819-Iowa a territorial orphan until 1834-When becoming a part of the territory of Michigan-When part of Wisconsin-When forming a part of the territory of Iowa-When admitted as a State- The number in the order of admission-Harrison county named-For whom named-Which General Assembly defined the boundaries -- The boundary-The names of the Commissioners appointed by the Legisla- ture to locate a "seat of justice "-When located-The name thereof, and by whom named-Contesting points-Number of acres of land in the county-The amount cultivated-Uncultivated-Number of acres of timber-Values of realty and personalty in 1885 -- The streams that drain the county-Origin of names-Size of well developed mosquitoes in '47 to '57-Source of the different rivers and streams-The fall in the Boyer from Dunlap to Missouri Valley-The quantum of water- power wasted by non-user-The difference in altitude between the Clinton bridge and Missouri Valley-Comparative altitudes of Wood- bine and New Jefferson-Where Allen and Steer creeks obtained names-Why the Soldier was named-The fall from Sioux City to Mondamin-Fall from Sioux City to Missouri Valley-Attempted description of the Boyer Valley-Average production-Jackson township as seen from J. T. Coffman's-The Soldier Valley-Little Sioux-At- tempted description of Missouri Bottoms-Nature at work making farm land along the bluffs-The lakes of the county, viz .: Smith's, Round, Horseshoe, Noble's, etc .- Peculiarities of the soil-Different characters of deposits-Primary origin of the bluff material-Stone quarries in the
8
CONTENTS.
county-Timber-Names of groves-Artificial groves-Agriculture in 1847 to 157, and 158, '59 to '60-Values of corn, wheat and pork for first seventeen years-First kinds of machinery-Corn is King of the Slope -How manufactured into lard, tallow and muscle-Difference in times of ripening-The hog crop of the county in 1886 and '87-Railroads get $57,500 for carting the same to market-The sales and shipments of the different stations in the county-Cattlemen, who are-The horse- men, giving names-Fruit growing in the county and the present status -Number of bushel apples grown in 1887-Quantity of cherries, grapes, plums, etc-Rain-fall and temperature of the county, year by year, for twenty-five years, from 1861 (no place west of Des Moines has this.)
CHAPTER II.
Settlement-Who built the many artificial mounds-Mounds, where located and description-Stone sledges, hatchets, darts, tomahawks, stone or flint knives, and where found-Stone troughs and stone axes-Old bricks, 8 inches by 2 inches, found on the Locklin farm -- None such ever seen in the West -- Harrison county disputed territory as between the Sioux and Omahas and Pottawattamies-Battle between the Siouxs and Pottawattamies at Smith's Lake -- Disappearance of the Indians- The condition under Indian ownership as compared with the possession of the dominant race-Indian graves-Indian mode of burial-Surface, tree and scaffold burial-Omaha tradition as to fording the Missouri river-Winnebago tradition as to Evil Spirit at Smith's Lake-Shaky foundation on which tradition rests-Indian trails in the county-Manner of Indian transportation.
CHAPTER III.
Indian villages-Squatters-Who was the first in the county-When the government townshipized the county - When the townships were sectionized - Definition of Squatter, and who were such - Squatters or Regulators, and how titles were supported-What was done to claim-jumpers-Jim Bates on the war-path-Who were the the Regulators, giving names-the first Mormon settlement, and when -The cheapness of Squatter Claims when the Mormon was leaving for the promised land-Description of the Mormon immigration days- Women drawing in harness like cattle in the yoke-Biography of Dan- iel Brown of Calhoun-Of Mr. John A. Parkin-Brown's quarrel with Brigham-Parkins' teams and cane mill-Names of settlers from 1847
9
CONTENTS.
year by year, until 1856. Attempted description of the men of these times-When land office first opened at Council Bluffs-Time when entries could first be made of Harrison county lands-The Shy- locks of the times-Early industries-Early Courts-Funny trials, rulings and practice in J. P. Courts-Dog case before L. D. Pate, a J. P .- Defendant found guilty of "dog slaughter "-Joke of Norman Hardy and G. R. Brainard on a newly married juror-Judge James Hardy's first marriage ceremony-John Rogers' court enters judgment against the " Youngest Wilson on the Pigeon "-Bolter and Mickel at trial on prairie court, and Mickel states that the Savior was murdered on Christmas day-Post roads and routes-Woodbine named by a woman-How soon the old stage coach vanished when the railroad came-The time the first railroad entered the county- Names of post- offices in county-Prairie life-Engine of the prairie schooner-The first corn cracker in the county-The statements of Grandmother Sally Young-Abundance of game-The last bear killed in the county -The last buffalo-The beaver-numbers-their work-dams etc -- Hard winter of 1856 and 1857-The big fish caught in Sioux and Mis- souri rivers-James Henderson loses his taste for catfish-Chas, Gil- more's hunting stories-Saving the life of his wife-Pioneer customs- Country dance-shooting matches.
CHAPTER IV.
The organization of the County-When-By whom organized-First elec- tion-Competing points for "seat of justice"-Number of voting precincts -Oath of an election board-Who bore the returns and vote-Where canvassed-First County officers-Division of County into townships- Why named-Origin of name of Raglan township-Of Little Sioux- First division made by Brainard-When each to wnship was made and named-Washington township changed from west to east side of County, and why-Why name of Magnolia was given to " seat of jus- tice "-Hosier township named and name changed-Why Cincinnati was so named-Harrison township named, and by whom, and why-Dif- ferent kinds of land in County-Swamp land and number of acres-Six- teenth section and number of acres-500,000 grant and number of acres -What was done with swamp lands-Manner of pre-empting-The number of acres given to soldiers as bounties-What the county judge required of pre-emptor-Elasticity of conscience of witnesses-How the settler was benefited by sales-County judgeship-The board of super-
10
CONTENTS.
visors and who first elected-County debating society-The same abol- ished when-Resolution of the board giving county bounties to soldiers enlisting-The subject of giving all swamp lands in the County to the C. & N. W. R. R., if road located down the Boyer-Purchase of Poor Farm-The poorest farm in the County-Cost of Poor Farm-Present income from use of same-Geological survey of County by Fox, and the swindle, and who got the "swag"-Rodding court house-Present indebtedness of County-When bonded-How the county order business was manipulated-Early currency of the County-Wild Cat banks and Red Dog money-"Jakey" Pate trading with the boats-Why Sandy Point was named-Prosecuting attorneys-County judges-Treasurers -Clerks of courts-Arrest of, Capt. Hill and attempted trial and kid- naping-Recorders-Superintendents of schools-Auditors-Sheriffs- Representatives-Neely's statement what the population of his county was-Hon. Geo. Richardson slandered-State senators-Judges of courts -Railroads-Number of miles-When first railroad was within 1,000 miles of Harrison county-Price of produce before railroad and after- Effect of the location of Government cavalry at Sioux City on the price of corn-Old Cornelius Dunham preparing for the railroad-His trip to Chicago-His fat cattle in the market-His wanting a fine-tooth comb -How he got his stock so fat-Agricultural society for the past thirty years-Present location and buildings-Money received and paid out for premiums-Present officers-County buildings -- Cost of same-Crack- ing of county safe at the Magnolia, in 1868-Cracking of county jail- Prisoner escaping from Capt. Holmes-The Irishman which bid Jno. G. Downs good night-Growth of population-Residents of the county from the different states-Foreign population-Which county has the greater representation-Who will furnish the coming American citizen -Vote of the county from '54 to '87-Peculiar intermixture of Green- backers and Democrats-Prohibitory vote on constitutional amendment June 27, A. D. 1882, by townships-Judge Day beheaded-Prohibition vote in 1870-Vote on "hog law" in 1868-Vote on Magnolia high school in 1871-County seat wars from 1853 to 1887-Two and three cornered fights-Vote between Magnolia and Missouri Valley in 1870- Vote in 1875 and the majority for Logan-Joe H. Smith rises to explain -Farmers' Clubs-Harris Grove-When organized-Members-Object- Elk Grove club-When organized-Members-Mill Creek Club-When organized and names of members-Grasshoppers-When first appeared- - Dates of coming-Abundance and devastation of crops-Hatching and
11
CONTENTS.
destruction of crops-How captured-Time of winging and their depart- ure-Medical societies-Newspapers published in County-First news- paper-Where printed-Names and number at the present.
CHAPTER V.
Murders and murder trials in the County-The first person murdered in the County after the first white settler located-Murder of one of La'Pon - teur's wives-Murder of Indian at Sandy Point by Wm. Brown-Old Yellow Smoke-Acting as county superintendent of schools-Murder of Yellow Smoke at Dunlap-Ike DePew's race and sweat when chasing and being chased by the old Indian-First petit jury-First grand jury -First trial-Trial of W. B. Thomson for the murder of Norwood -- Trial of Elias Shook for the shooting of a claim jumper-Trial of Jim Triplett for poisoning his wife-Bad conduct of jury and their dis- charge-Trial of James M. Long for shooting and killing Ad. Kuppy- Trial of Wes. Meecham for murdering Geo. Medford-Conviction of Henry Ackerman for bigamy-Triul of Lou Weirich for thrusting a butcher knife into the heart of Steve Ide-His pardon, and by whom- Trial of James A. Bonnell, alias " Big Jim," for rape-Attempted lynching of "Big Jim " and failure-His condition-Trial of Artemus Baker for murdering a young Mr. Crow, son of Stephen Crow, near Woodbine-Trial and incidents of the case of the State vs: Wm. Sloan-Conviction-Sentence-Reversal in Supreme Court -- Trial of S. A. Broadwell-The visit of the Governor. His ambition and fall-Trial of Alex'r Smith on charge of assault with intent to commit rape-The Case of Dunham vs. Hester & Dennis-Dunham's manner of training his witnesses-Robert Hall vs. James Mathers-the divorce case of Zuver vs. Zuver-Gillingham vs. Gillingham-Divorce case of Pate vs. Pate-an attorney's idea of "impotency "-Makepiece replevining a child and " Habeasing " a calf -- The poor boy, orphanized so that he had but one father in Dakota-James Butler's examination as applicant for license to practice law-His theory of "mixed property "-The attorneys of the county-Wyatt " drubs " Elder Guylee-W. W. Fuller Hon. Henry Ford-Hon. Alex. Brown-Capt. G. S. Bacon-Mickel- Tommy Brannan-Frank Griffin-Frank Wolfe-His disbarment-G. W. Thompson-Hon. L. R. Bolter-Major Chas. Mackenzie-Mr. J. W. 1 Barnhart-Mr. H. A. Roadifer-Mr. S. I. King-Mr. A. L. Harvey- Capt. W. M. Magden-Mr. J. A. Phillips-Mr. C. R. Bolter-Mr. C. A. Bolter-Mr. L. Brown-Mr. M. Holbrook-Mr. S. H. Cochran-Mr. C.
12
CONTENTS.
-
Arndt-Mr. J. A. Berry, Mr. Thos. Arthur-Mr. P. W. Cain-Col. F. W. Hart-Mr. L. Bassett-Mr. J. A. Traver, Mr. James Dewell and Mr. John McGavren-Mr. M. B. Bailey -- Mr. F. M. Dance, L. J. Birdsey, and Joe H. Smith.
CHAPTER VI.
The names of all the persons living in the county who were in the Mexican war -- Hamilton's defeat on the Willow River-Those in the fight- Shadley on the retreat-His misfortune-Holding prayer meeting- Shadley's prayer-Part of the whites run into canebrake-The retreat- Casualities of battle-Indians stealing horses-Amos Chase shooting the Injun-Red Man's run for Nebraska-Meeting at Council Bluffs-The Indian's mode of proving an alibi-Joe. Copeland drawing an old musket and shooting at venture-The fall of humanity and chickens- The Doctors at Logan extracting shot from a citizen-First thoughts of a people on hearing of the firing on Sumpter-First braves stay at home and make money-The scenes of the old recruiting days-Those who were Democrats and how some were converted-Those who first enlisted -The entire enlistments in the county-Scare in 1862 at Sioux City- Co. C organized-Roll thereof-Leaving for the South-Parting scenes -Knights of the Golden Circle-Where they met-when ?- Boys of Co. B, Fourth Iowa-Boys of the Second Iowa Battery-Boys of Co. A, Fifth Iowa Cavalry-Boys of First Nebraska Cavalry-Boys of Co. H, Fif- teenth Iowa Infantry-Boys of Co. K, Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry- Boys of Sixth Iowa Cavalry-Ninth Iowa Cavalry-North Border Brigade-The men drafted in Harrison county-When-Prices paid for substitutes-Joshua Lane, of Little Sioux taking an emetic to make " gick come "-Dan Shearer giving the scheme away-Who drew the names from the Box at Council Bluffs at time of draft in 1864-Examin- ation before County Board of Surgeons-The terrible sickness and deformity of the people-Hearing lost-Hernia and lung diseases so prevalent-Men running for Colorado -List of all soldiers in county- Their commands and present postoffice address.
CHAPTER VII.
Who entered the land on which the Towns of Logan, Woodbine, Dunlap'
Missouri Valley, Magnolia, Modale, Mondamin Little Sioux, River Sioux and Calhoun were located-When these town sites were laid out-The
13
CONTENTS.
growth of these places since hy decades-Description of each of these places-Their schools, churches, business men, secret societies, time of incorporation, character of city government. etc.
CHAPTER VIII.
Pioneer school-Who taught the first school in the county-The early teach- ers-How the schools were managed-What power had authority over the teachers-By whom examined-When County Superintendent's office was created-The early "threshing machines " in the schools- The comparative difference between schools of that period and the pres- ent-The "fuss " and " feathers " of the present-Dress parade at close of terms-Who taught the first common school in the county-Where- The growth of the common school system in the county-The cost of the different school buildings in the county-Missouri Valley at the head- Dunlap school building-Logan school building, when built and corps of teachers-Magnolia schools-Number of persons of school age in the county-Number of persons of school age who have been enrolled as scholars in the common schools-Total cost of school buildings in the county-Taxes paid by the taxpayers for the support of the schools- Tax equals one-half of all the tax paid-Names of the different Boards of Directors in the county for schools in incorporated towns-Missouri Valley and teachers-Dunlap and teachers-Logan and teachers- Little Sioux and teachers-Mondamin and teachers-Has the quantum of expenditure equalled the expectation of the taxpayer-Woodbine Nor- mal-Teachers Institutes-The years the same have been in active run- ning order-Who benefited, etc.
CHAPTER IX.
First church organization in the county-Methodists at Harris Grove-At Magnolia-At Woodbine-Dunlap-Little Sioux-Missouri Valley -- Logan-Value of church property in the county-Number of church buildings-Parsonages-Values-Number of membership-Number of charges-Number of Sunday-school scholars-First Congregational church organized in the county-Rev. Luddon-Rev. H. D. King-First church erected in the county Congregational-Number of Congrega- tional church buildings in the county-Congregational church at Olm- sted and then removed to Dunlap-Rise and growth of this church- First class at Olmsted-Names of members-Pastors from 1858 to 1888 - Who have passed away of this class in the past thirty years-Congre-
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CONTENTS.
gational church at Mondamin-At Soldier River-First Baptist church in Logan-When organized-When church building was completed- Constituent members-The growth of the church-Number of members -Number of Sunday-school scholars-When parsonage was built and cost-Value of church property-Pastors since organization of church -First Baptist church at Woodbine-Who constituent members -When first organized-When the church building was completed -Character of the church building-The liberality of certain person -Present Eldership of the church-Number of members-Pastors in charge since organization of class-Sunday-school-Number of schol- ars in Sunday-school-Sunday-school Superintendent-At the present -First Baptist church at Dunlap-Constituent members-Time the church building was completed-Value and cost of church building- Pastors from organization to the present-Number of members-First Baptist church at Missouri Valley-Constituent members-When organ- ized-First pastor-Growth of church-Present members-Sabbath- schools-Number of scholars at present in Sabbath-school-Present Superintendent of school-Value of church property-Presbyterians- When First Presbyterian Church was organized in Logan-Names of the organizing members-Who the first Minister-Time of building the church building-Cost of same-Number of members at present- Names of Elders-Thornton K. Hedges as a pioneer Minister-Minis- ters down to the present, etc .- Organization of the First Presbyterian Church at Woodbine-First members-Prosperity of the church- Names of pastors up to the present-When church building was_com- pleted-Cost of same-Number of members at present-Names of Elders-Sunday-school-Missouri Valley-Organization of church- Number of members at the time of organization-Different pastors from first up to the present-When church building was completed- Number of members at the present-Number of Sunday-school schol- ers-Cost of church edifice-Christians or Disciples-First organization in the county-The first minister in the county-Ministers in county- D. R. Dungan, D. D .- A boy of the times-His joke on John Berrill- What pluck and energy will accomplish-Dungan's ministry-Number of churches in county-Organization and lapse of part-Building of church at Woodbine-At Missouri Valley-At Modale-At Lo- gan-Number of members-First Pastors-A pioneer church- Value of church property-Organization at Modale-At Soldier- Preaching of Dungan the seed sown in good ground-Church of Jesus
15
CONTENTS.
Christ or Latter Day Saints-When first organized in the county-num- ber of branches-The presidents of the different branches-Number of membership-The different branches-From what this church takes its rise-The difference between this church and the Salt Lake Mormon- Polygamy wholly ignored-On what founded-Polygamy a doctrine not sanctioned by the Prophet Joseph Smith-The same an interpola- tion by bad men-The Latter Day Saints the bona fide church organ- ized by the Prophet Joseph Smith, Sen .- Number of members in the county-Number of churches-Value etc .- German Evangelical Asso- ciation at Magnolia-When organized -- Names of organizing members -When church building built-Leaders in church-Number of mem- bers at the present-Names of pastors since organization-Value of church property-Salary of pastor-German Lutheran-When first organized at Magnolia-Constituent members-Pastors from organiza- tion to present-When church building was completed at Mag- nolia-Cost of building-Number of members at present, etc., etc .- Roman Catholic-Magnolia the place where first church was built- When completed-First members of the church-Cost of church build- ing-Number of members, etc., etc .- At Missouri Valley-When first organized-First Priest saying mass-First members-When church building built -- Value of church building-Priests from organization to the present-Number of members, etc .- At Little Sioux-When first organized-Organizing members-First Priest officiating-when church building was built-Cost of same-Number of members-Priests since organizing church, etc .- At Dunlap-Organizing members -- First Priest -When first organized-When church was built-When rectory was built-Cost of church and rectory-Number of members-Priests since organization to the present-At Modale-When organization was affected-Organizing members-When church building was built-Cost of building-Number of members-Tunkers or Dunkards-When first organized-When-Number at the present-Names of members first belonging to the organization-Sabbath-schools in the county-First Sunday-school Missionary-Jewett, the person blazing out the way for Sabbath-schools-When dying-Prominent Sabbath-school workers in the county-Number of children in Sunday schools in the county-Com- parison between children of school age in county and those attending Sunday-school-Sunday-schoolmissionaries who have been in the county-Their salary-Prominent Sunday-school workers.
HISTORY OF HARRISON COUNTY.
CHAPTER I.
THE State of Iowa formerly constituted!a part of that terri- tory commonly called the " Louisiana Purchase." This territory was originally taken possession of by France. At the close of what is known in our history as the " old French, War," and in Europe as the " Seven Years War," in 1763, France ceded all the territory west of the Mississippi to Spain. On the 1st of October, A. D. 1800, Spain, by treaty of St. Idlefonso, retroceded this territory to France, and France, by treaty of April 30, A. D. 1803, ceded the same to the United States, the latter paying therefor, as con- sideration, the sum of $11,250,000, and the further sum of $3,750,000 in the extinguishment of certain claims which citi- zens of the United States held against the French government.
Thomas Jefferson, then being President of the United States, secured from the First Emperor of France, for the sum of $15,000,000, the wealth of a continent. For a sum scarcely equal to one-fifth of the private fortune of one of the American citizens of the present day, was surrendered to this government the most magnificent land ever bought with money or transmit- ted by inheritance.
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