History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa. Containing a history from the earliest settlement to the present time biographical sketches; portraits of some of the early settlers, prominent men, etc., Part 1

Author: Keatley, John H; O.L. Baskin & Co., pub
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Chicago, O. L. Baskin & co.
Number of Pages: 648


USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa. Containing a history from the earliest settlement to the present time biographical sketches; portraits of some of the early settlers, prominent men, etc. > Part 1


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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86



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POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY,


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IOWA. 670


Containing a History from the carliest settlement to the present time, embracing its topographical, geological, physical and climatic features ; its agricultural, railroad interests, etc .; giving an account of its aboriginal inhabitants, early settlement by the whites, pioneer incidents, its growth, its improvements, organization of the County, the judicial history, the business and industries, churches, schools, ctc .; Biographical Sketches ; Portraits of some of the Early Settlers, Prominent Men, etc.


ILLUSTRATED.


CHICAGO : O. L. BASKIN & CO., HISTORICAL PUBLISHERS, LAKESIDE BUILDING. 1883.


CHICAGO DUPLICATE 1884. Historical Society. 6203


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PREFACE.


A FTER several months of laborious research and persistent toil, the history of Pottawat- tamie County is complete, and it is our hope and belief that no subject of general importance or interest has been overlooked or omitted, and even minor facts, when of sufficient note to be worthy of record, have been faithfully chronicled. In short, where protracted investigation promised results commensurate with the undertaking, matters not only of undoubted record but legendary lore. have been brought into requisition. We are well aware of the fact that it is next to impossible to furnish a perfect history from the meager resources at the command of the historian under ordinary circumstances, but claim to have prepared a work fully up to the standard of our engagements. Through the courtesy and assistance generously afforded, we have been enabled to trace out and put into systematic shape the greater portions of the events that have transpired in the county up to the present time, and we feel assured that all thoughtful persons interested in the matter will recognize and appreciate the importance of the work and its permanent value. A dry statement of facts has been avoided, so far as it was possible to do so, and anecdote and incident have been interwoven with plain recital and statistics, thereby forming a narrative at once instructive and entertaining.


We are indebted to Col. John H. Keatley for furnishing us with the history of Council Bluffs and some of the township history ; also to Hon. D. C. Bloomer for the material assistance he rendered in the compilation of the work by the aid of his valuable and accurate notes in the " Annals of Iowa." published by the Historical Society of the State. And to the many resi- dents of Pottawattamie who furnished our historians, Messrs. W. T. Giles and Frank M. Wright. with the facts and data for their portion of the work, we acknowledge thanks.


JANUARY, 1SS3.


TIIE PUBLISHERS.


CONTENTS.


PART I. HISTORICAL.


PAGE.


CHAPTER I .- Introductory-Organization of the County- Early Life in Pottawattamie-Topography-Richness of the Soil-The Famous " Bluffs"-Origin of the Name- Indian Traders-Origin of some Indian Names-Lively Indian Scenes-The Pottawattamies-Early Indian Wars, etc Il


CHAPTER II .- Growth of the County-Early Settlers-Cath- olic Missionaries-The Old Block-House-Old Mill-De- parture of the Pottawattamies-Kanesville-Settlement of the Mormons-Their Organization and Influence- Their part in the Mexican War-Their Enterprise, etc .- Decline of their Supremacy and Departure for Utah- Early Politics-Organization of the County, etc .... 18


CHAPTER III .- Establishment of the Land Office-First En- tries, etc .- Ita Discontinuance- Water-courses of the County-Timber-Stone-Coal Prospects- Climate-Cat- tle. Raising-Great Productiveness of the Soil, etc ..... ...... 26


CHAPTER IV .- The Missouri River-Steamboating-Remin- iscences of Capt. La Barge-Interesting Details-A War- like Outrage-Floating Palaces-Railroads -- Sharp Con- test for Routes-Keokuk's Iadifference and Consequent Loss of a Great Road-The Great Trunk Lines to the " Bluffs," etc. 31


CHAPTER V .- Early and Present Religious Organizations and Societies - Secret and Benevolent Fraternities, Orders and Societies-Schools-The Press-Increase and Progress, etc. 37


CHAPTER VI .- Organization of the County-Organization ofand Division into Townships-Officers-Patriotism, etc. 4I


CHAPTER VII .- Towa; Origin of the Name-Her Future- Land Speculators and their Peculiar Methods of " Doing " Purchasers-Early Events-Financial Matters-Agricult- ural Association - Deaf and Dumb Asylum-Severe Winter-Early Settlers-An Exciting Election, etc ......... 55


CHAPTER VIII .- Council Bluffs-Its First Era-The Site Fifty Years Ago-American Fur Company and Trappers -La Salle's Exploration-Sacs and Foxes and Sioux Baads-Sale of Louisiana-Treaty of St. Ildefonso-Lewis and Clark's Explorations-Discovery of the Columbia River. 69


CHAPTER IX .- Council Bluffs-The Missionri Valley-Frank Guittar-The Pawnees, Otoea and Omabas-William Men- ary, the Canadian-The Pottawattamies-Iewa Indian Raids-Fight at Otter River-Col. Hardin as Indian Agent 72


PAGE.


CHAPTER X .- Council Bluffs-Oregon Route-Jehn Charles Fremont-Kit Carson-Survey of 1843-Richard and M. D. Hardia-Maj. English 76 CHAPTER XI .- Council Bluffs-Its Second Era-The Mor- mon Movement-Prophet Joseph Smith-Bishop Pratt -Sidney Rigdoo-Brigham Young-Driven from Mis- souri-Establishment of Nauvoo-The Legien-Death of the Prophet - Exodus to Salt Lake Valley-Stop at Council Bluffs -- The Mormon Battalion. 77


CHAPTER XII .- Council Bluffs-Its Third Era-Movement from Iowa City-Terrible Sufferings En Route-Kanea- ville-Sketch of Col. Kane-First Appearance of Council Bluffs-First Store-The first Gentile Inhabitant-First Voting-Danite Band-First Prohibition.


85


CHAPTER XIII .- Council Bluffs-First Probate Case-Gold in California -Character of the Emigranta -Joseph Tootle ann James A. Jackson - Gambling Hells-Drs. Shelly, Williams and McMahon-County Administra- tion - Fraudulent Practices - Stutaman and Powers' Loup Fork Ferry.


68


CHAPTER XIV .- Council Bluffs-Judge Sloan-First Term of Court-First Bar-First Case Tried-State against Robert and Margaret Keys-Humorous Scene in the Trial-Unique Charge to the Jury ..


92


CHAPTER XV .- Council Bluffs-Pawnee aud Omaha Indians -Trail to Fort Des Moines-A Ten Days' Journey-Post Office Established-Judge James and Contempt of Court -Ocean Wave Saloon-First Legislative Representative -First Newspaper-Thomas H. Benton, Jr .- First Gen- tile Preacher, Moses F. Shina 94


CHAPTER XVI .- Council Bluffs-First School-Francis A. Brown, First Teacher-James B. Rue-First Public Schools-Origin of Name of Council Bluffs-The City Incorporated-City Government Suspended-Bayliss Park Litigation-First Brick House-The Samuels Murder- Lynch Law-Fred Lord Murder 97


CHAPTER XVII .- Council Bluffa-Judge S. H. Riddle's Elec- tiea-No Lawyer, but a good Judge-Laud Office Opened -Street and Ballard appointed-Sketch of Ballard-Nom- inates Kirkwood-Dr. Enos Lowe and L. W. Babbitt-First Fire in 1853-Tom Neeley the Davy Crockett-Opening of the Pacific House-Judge Douglass-Lite and Char- acter 104


CHAPTER XVIII .- Council Bluffs-Gen. Curtis and J. D. Test -Sketch of Judge Frank Street-Patrick Murphy-Test, Johnson and Casady-A. V. Larimer's Sketch-Fort Cal- houn Claim Fight-Death of Sherman Goas-H. C. Purple Wounded-A. J. Poppleton of Omaha-Lost St. Mary's ... 108


vi


CONTENTS.


PAGE.


CHAPTER XIX .- Council Bluffs-Sketch of Judge James- His Ilandicraft-Wiuter of 1853-54-Death of James McMillan-Title of Lota Acquired-James W. Grimes- Curtis', Ramsay's and Grimes' Additions-Sketch of Gen. Samuel Ryan Curtis-His Death at Council Bluffs ........ 114


CHAPTER XX -Council Bluffs-Incipient Dnel - Marshall Turley - An Eccentric Character - The Underground Railway-Galesburg Addition-Philadelphia, Fort Wayne & Platte Valley Railway -The Air Line-John T. Bald- win's Fortune-Odd Fellows Organized-First Banking House-The Ferry Company Organized. 122


CHAPTER XXI .- Council Bluffs-Nebraska Territory Organ- ized-The Mob at Bellevue-Hadley Johnson, Territorial Delegate-Senator A. C. Dodge's Plan-Squatter Sover- eignty-"Chronotype " Established-Dr. Seth Craig's Ar- rival and Sketch-Council Bluffs Temperance-Indian Habits-Against Prohibition. 125


CHAPTER XXII .- Council Bluffs-Gen. G. M. Dodge-Sketch -His Birthplace-Father and Mother-Graduates-Mil- itary Training-Surveys the Mississippi & Missonri Road -Pacific Railway Explorations-Settles in Council Bluffs -Outbreak of the War-Pea Ridge-Atlanta ('ampaigu -Indian Hostilities. 128


CHAPTER XXIII .- Conncil Biutis-W. H. M. Pusey-Banker and Politician-Birthplace and Education-State Senator -Delegate to Charlest n Convention of 1860-Elected to Congress, 1882 143


CHAPTER XXIV .- Council Bluffs-Election of 1856-D. W. Price chosen member of the Constitutional Conventiou- Loan of $100,000-Missi-sippi & Missouri Celebration- Palmer14 Block-Benedict Haag-Charles Bock-West- ern Stage Company-H. P. Warren-Keokuk and Wa- pello - Anecdote of John C. Breckinridge - Charter Amended-Judge Baldwin ... 146


CHAPTER XXV .- Council Bluffs-Crescent City a Rival- Josepb E. Johnson-The "Clarion " and the " Press "- Bonds in Aid of Mississippi & Missouri Railroad-Pres- byterian Church Incorporated-Building Commenced- Episcopal Church-Real Estate Speculations-Concert Hall-Crash of 1857-Indian Creek Channel Changed ..... 152


CHAPTER XXVI .- Council Bluffs-St. Joseph Railroad Meet- ing-Company Organized-Elections of 1878-Curtis and Trimble for Congress-First County Fair-Babbitt's Cher- okee-Discovery of Gold in Colorado-" Noupariel" Ad- vertises it-Pike's Peak Emigration-Greeley and Rich- ardson-D. C. Bloomer-Dirthplace and Career-Free Public Library. 159


CHAPTER XXVII .- Council Bluffa-Election of 185 ?- Amount of Bonded Debt-Overflow of the Missouri- Judge Sherman Indicted and Convicted-Haskell, the Showman and Preacher-Abraham Lincoln's Visit in 1859-Makes an Address-Judge Cole and Henry Clay Dean-Ground Broken for St. Joe Railroad-Swamp Land Transfers. 165


CHAPTER XXVIII .- Council Bluffs-Kidnaping of Negroes -Escape of Prisoners-Hanging of McGuire-Miller, the Horsethief, Lynched-State Bank Organized-Iron Foundry Established-Little Giant and Wide-Awake Clubs-Boards of Supervisors-Turner's Defalcation- Latter-Day Saints-M. E. Coufereuce-Military Affairs ... IGS


PAGE.


CHAPTER XXIX .- Council Bluffs-Fourth Iowa Infantry- - Roll of Honor-Second Ivwa Battery-Vic Keller's Guur Wood Mortars-Col. W. H. Kinsman's Death-Death of Adjt. Tuttle-Fischer, the Fifer-Boy-Twenty-ninth Iowa-Maj. Lyman and Comrades-The Draft-Sixth Iowa Cavalry-An Ovation. 175


CHAPTER XXX .- Council Bluffs-Soldiers' Bounties-First School Building-Fairview Cemetery-George Francis Train-Cirena Calamity-William Marble killed by In- dians-Lincoln's Assassination-Presbyterian Church Building-Lynching of a Robber-Union Pacific Begun .. 1×1


CHAPTER XXX1 .- Council Bluffs-St. Joe Railroad Revived -Congressional Fight of 1880-New Court House-Rev. Clark Scandal-Narrow Escape at Burhop's Hall-M. E. Church Edifice-Completion of the Northwestern Jubilee -Sketch of the "Nonpareil " and the " Rugle " 18.5


CHAPTER XXXII .- Knox Township-First Settlers-First Marriage-First Wheat Sown-Missionary Work-Avoca -Origin of Name-Railroads-Churches-Societies-The Press-Business Interests, etc .... 240


CHAPTER XXXIII .- Layton Township-Organization-Natu- ral Advantages-Boundary-First Settlers-Rapid Im- provement of the Settlement-Roads and Bridges-Gov- ernment -Population-Mills -. Newspapers-Churches- Schools-Secret Societies. :52


CHAPTER XXXIV .- Pleasant Township-Boundaries-Or- ganization - Fine Soil~Timber-Fruit -Streams - Old Settlers-Schools-Township Officers-Murder, Suicide and Accidents. 256


CHAPTER XXXV .- Minden Town-hip-Origin of the Name -First Election -Svil - Boundary-Drainage-Minden Station - Roads - Timber Land -Schools -Churches- Business Industries-Incidents .. 260


CHAPTER XXXVI .- Neola Township-Introductory-Organi- zation - Drainage - Early Settlers - Roads - Bridges- First Railroad-Schools, Post Office-Grain Elevators- Business Industries-Secret Societies-Churches 267


CHAPTER XXXVII .- Boomer Township-Organization-Ori- gin of Name-Early Settlers-Adam Heageny's " Dng- Ont "-Au Early Trial, etc. 273


CHAPTER XXXVIII .- Rockford Township-One of the Orig- inal Three Townships of the County-First Mornion S-t- tlers-Otber Settlers-Organization of Public Schools- First Death-Two Murder Cases-Loveland and Honey Creek, etc 276


CHAPTER XXXIX .- Crescent Towuship-Origin of Name- The Indians-First Settlers-Organization-First Road -First Bridge-First Mill-Schools-First Post Office- Mutual Protection Society-Crescent City-The Press- Indian Incident-Early Justice. etc ... 285


CHAPTER XL .- Hazel Dell Township-Separation from Cres- cent Township-Schools-Organization and Officers. .....


292


CHAPTER XL1 .- Norwalk Township-Introductory-Natural Advantages - Boundaries - Drainage - Early Settlers- Mills-Roads and Bridges-Schools-Downsville-Under- wood. 293


CHAPTER XLII .- York Township-Description-First Set- tlers-Early Industries-First Schools and Teachers .... . 3'0


-


vii


CONTENTS.


PAGE.


CHAPTER XLIII .- James Township-Boundaries-Soil-Tim- ber-Early Settlers-Religious, etc .... 304


CHAPTER XLIV. - Valley Towoship -Organization - First Election-Old Settlers - Religions Matters - Societies-


Hancock-Its Business Interesta, Churches and Societies. 304 CHAPTER XLV .- Lincoln Township-First Election-Schools -Early Settlers 308


CHAPTER XLVI .- Wright Township-Organization-Lay of the Land-First House-First Death-First Marriage- Religious-Schools. etc 309


CHAPTER XLVII .- Center Township-Its Separation from


Knox-Earliest Settlers-First Justice of the Peace- Home Guards of 1861-First Mill-Fourth of July in 1857-Prospective Railroad. 311


CHAPTER XLVIII .- Belknap Township-The First Settler- First Marriage-First Death-First Birthi-First House -Vest Murder Case-Railroads-Oakland, and Its Busi- , ness and Other Interests-Big Grove, etc 317


CHAPTER XLIX -Washington Township-Organization- First Election-An Old Stage Station-Schools-Churches -A Tragedy. 323


CHAPTER L .- Hardin Township-Introductory-Drainage -- First Families-" Old Dick Hardin "-Roads and Bridges -Churches and Schools-Rapid locrease of Population- 324


CHAPTER L1 .- Garner Township-The Mormou Settlers- Carterville-The Old Indian Mill-Other Mills-Organi- zation of the Towoship-Origin of Its Name Timber, Streams, Surface-First Sale of Real Estate in the County -Early Schools-Railroads. 328


CHAPTER LII .- Lewis Township-Its Separation from Kane Township - Boundaries - Origin of Name-Railroads- Deaf and Dumb Institute-Plumer Settlement, etc ...... 336


CHAPTER LIII .- Keg Creek Township-Organization-First Officers-Origin of the Name-Early Settlers, etc ...... 338


CHAPTER LIV .- Silver Creek Towoship-First Settlement by the Mormons - First Settlers-Separation from Kaue Towaship - Township Officera-A Terrible Tragedy- Schools, Religious, etc 340


CHAPTER LV .- Macedonia Township-Organization - First Settler-Early Privatious-Mills-Old Macedonia-Car- son-New Macedonia-Churches -Schools -Societies- Business Interests-The Fire of ISS2-The Cyclone, etc. 343


CHIAPTER LV1 .- Grove Township-Introductory-Boundaries


-Drainage-" Old Mormon Trail "-First Settlers-Milla, Roads and Bridges-Schools and Churches-The Great Cycloue 348


CHAPTER LVIII .- Appendix-School Statistics of Pottawat- tamie Couuty for the Year 1882 362


PART II.


BICGRAPHICAL.


PAGE.


Council Bluffs 3


-


Belknap Township 62


Boomer Township. 76


Center Township. 83


Crescent Township 87


Garner Towoship 93


Grove Township 99


Hardio Township. 107


Hazel Dell Towaship. 115


James Towoship. 118


Keg Creek Towaship


126


Koox Township .. 132


Layton Township. 140


Lewis Township 145


Lincoln Township .. 149


Macedonia Township. 152


Miaden Township. 172


Neola Township. 183


Norwalk Township. 198


Pleasant Township.


207


Rockford Township 222


Silver Creek Township 230


Valley Township. 238


Washington Township


252


Waveland Township 254


Wright Township .. 260


York Township 265


PORTRAITS.


Bood, N. J 117


Bresee, F. F 171


Bryant, A. S 03


Casady, J. P. 45


Clayton, Eli 261


Clayton, B. F 99


Dodge, G. M. 27


Jackson, J. A. 135


Keller, John. 297


Knotts, Joseph 225


Macrae, D 153


Wright, George F


VIEW'S.


189


CHAPTER LVII .- Waveland Towoship-Organization-Town- ship Officers-Streams-Churches -Schoola-A Tragic "Nonpareil " Building .. Affair 359 Residence of William Clark 351


PAGE.


PART I.


HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.


CHAPTER 1.4


INTRODUCTORY-ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY-EARLY LIFE IN POTTAWATTAMIE-TOPOGRA- PHY-RICHNESS OF THE SOIL-THE FAMOUS " BLUFFS"-ORIGIN OF THE NAME-


INDIAN TRADERS-ORIGIN OF SOME INDIAN NAMES-LIVELY INDIAN SCENES-THE POTTAWATOMIES-EARLY INDIAN WARS, ETC


TN entering upon the work of writing up the history of a county of the vast, rich and now populous State of Iowa, a State that begins to take a front rank with the first States of the grandest nation on earth, we are fully im- pressed with the responsibility of the undertak- ing. Jowa is in the mouth of every one, and all are looking forward to her great future with anxiety, and it is important that Pottawatta- mie County, one of the largest, richest and most productive in the State, should have its plaee in history ; and to this end the work has been undertaken. The history of this county is of a varied character-religious, political and otherwise. It has passed through many . peculiar changes, and now presents a most prosperous condition.


This county was organized September 21, 1849, with A. II. Perkins, David D. Yearsley and George D. Coulter as the first County


Commissioners. These Commissioners held their first session at the house of Hiram Clark. in Kanesville. T. Burdiek acted as the Clerk for the Board at this meeting.


The writer hereof was for the first time in Conneil Bhiffs in the fall of 1854, just at the beginning of Omaha, Neb., and the new life given to this new city. At that date, Council Bluffs, the county seat of Pottawattamie, was not of any very extended size. and red men were scattered in and about the city in large numbers, and several Indian traders occupied tents and small trading-posts. As late as this day. the life in this section was very much like the life on the plains, or that of early Califor- nia. To trace the changes and to collect the historic facts transpiring here in these many years, is a vast job, one that will require time. labor and patience, and then we cannot expeet to satisfy every person. Our aim will be to give the most perfect history that extraordinary


*By W. T. Giles.


12


HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.


effort will enable us to do. Of course, we will refer to the notes of Hon. D. C. Bloomer, in the Annals of Iowa, and to old settlers and all records that can be obtained, for facts to make up this history, and in doing this, we will select only the important facts connected with the growth and prosperity of the county. Potta- wattamie is one of the very largest, as well as one of the most important, counties in the State of Iowa, and it should become the busi- ness and duty of every citizen to aid the writer in perpetuating her history. If errors shall appear in this history, they will, in the greatest measure, be chargeable to the sources from whence they will be collected, for in relation to dates and detailed statements we will rely strictly upon the records as made.


In 1854, this county was without a railroad -it was but very thinly settled-the red men made the city of Council Bluffs their home, but to-day this city numbers 20,000 inhabitants, railroads cover its surface, large hotels, stores, mills and machine-shops are found everywhere, and the changes have been indescribably great and grand. It would give us pleasure to here write a few pages upon the progress and beauty of Council Bluffs, but this will appear elsewhere in this work, and we will proceed to record some of the history of the county.


Pottawattamie is not only one of the largest, but it is one of the richest connties in the State of Iowa, being forty-four miles from east to west, and possessing a width of about twenty- four miles from north to south. The soil is generally a black, rich loam, and yields abun- dant crops of all kinds of grain. This county contains twenty-four full congressional town- ships, six miles square each, and seven frac- tional townships, containing 960 square miles, or 614,400 acres of land.


The Missouri River meanders along its west- ern border, only touching the bluffs at a single point in the county, leaving wide bottom lands on its eastern bank. The valley is from two to


ten miles in width, its narrowest point being near Council Bluffs, and the widest point near the northwest corner of the county. This val- ley cannot be excelled for grass or heavy crops of grain. The soil is very deep and almost in- exhaustible.


The far-famed bluffs skirt the valley, and rise to a height of from 50 to 300 feet, and are generally composed of elay and sand, with only a few exceptions, wliere stones are found. These bluffs are piled up in every conceivable shape, frequently giving a pleasant view to the eye, and are often compared to distinguished spots in other countries. Imagination points these to represent things living and dead, and often in the summer, when the green grass cov- ers their surface, the traveler is heard to ex- press joy at the " beauty of the bluffs." From their tops the wondering man can have a grand view of the valleys and farms for miles around. The country for a few miles on the east of the bluffs is very irregular and broken, after which it becomes beautifully rolling, having an excellent drainage, and being susceptible of easy cultivation. Numerous streams flow through these beautiful prairies, generally in a southwesterly direction, emptying into the grand old Missouri River. The soil of this sec- tion is very much like that of the other river valleys, and extensive crops are taken from it, while the climate is invigorating and healthful. The people who settled hiere years ago, and were compelled to remain because they could not sell, are now rejoicing over their large for- tunes, and enjoying beautiful homes, surrounded by every comfort that wealth and a rich soil can give to man.


The lands that but a few years ago were of- fered, and some sold, for $2.50 an acre, cannot now be bought for $50 or even $100 an acre in some cases. The settlement and advancement in Pottawattamie County have been constant and rapid, and still the progress goes right along. Even in our days, in this section, we


13


HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY.


have noticed wonderful changes, such as the most hopeful for this county could scarcely have anticipated. We find those who came here at an early day and got lands, and let them pass away at small prices, regretting how little they could see of the future, while others re- joice that they could not sell when they were anxious to do so. The recent fine crops and high prices have given great prosperity to the people of the West and this county.


It is not the intention of the writer to ex- tend his remarks in a description of the county, but he will proceed to note down some of the incidents and facts connected with the early history, which extend far back of any written memorials. Pottawattamie County, like other prairie counties, had been traveled over long before any arrivals from the Old World, by the natives or red men, who were found here by the earliest white settlers. These natives lived upon the wild game, fish, etc., which abounded here in abundance. It is not to be wondered at that the Indians became alarmed and discon- tented when the whites began to pour into their country, to kill and drive away their game, and to take up their lands. They could not under- stand why they should be disturbed, or tell by what authority any other people should be al- lowed to settle upon their undisputed territory.




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