USA > Iowa > Mahaska County > The history of Mahaska County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics > Part 1
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1800
J
S
Class F627
Book
. MAH65
THE
HISTORY
OF
MAHASKA COUNTY,
IOWA,
CONTAINING
A History of the County, its Cities, Towns, &c.,
A Biographical Directory of its Citizens, War Record of its Volunteers in the late Re- bellion, General and Local Statistics, Portraits of Early Settlers and Prom- inent Men, History of the Northwest, History of Iowa, Map of Mahaska County, Constitution of the United States, Miscellan- eous Matters, &c.
ILLUSTRATED.
DES MOINES : UNION HISTORICAL COMPANY. 1878.
1627
I
Entered, according to Act of Congress in the year 1878, by
THE UNION HISTORICAL COMPANY, In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.
2380
MILLS & COMPANY, PRINTERS AND STEREOTYPERS, DES MOINES, IOWA.
PREFACE.
IN presenting this work to the people of Mahaska county, we have reason to believe that we are placing it in the hands of its friends. A friendly disposition was manifested toward our representatives during its compilation, and we trust the volume in its completed form may be in no sense a disappointment.
If we have accomplished nothing more, we have at least rescued much important matter from oblivion. Ten years more would have made the record of many facts and incidents which we present herewith an impossibility. The first settlers of Mahaska have passed the mountain tops of life. Memory is one of the first faculties of mind which shows signs of decay, and, even among those of the old guard still living, another decade would have found many a link rusted out from their chain of recollection.
In this history we have endeavored to present to the reader a picture of the past and pres- ent of Mahaska. We have labored to introduce him to the wigwams of its aborigines, to seat him by the hearth-stone of its pioneers, to trace the history of the county's organization, to compile a sketch of its leading institutions, and to represent the condition of the county while entering the last quarter of the nineteenth century. It is not so much the work of ourselves as of Mahaska's own citizens. We have compiled what these men have long known, and placed it in permanent form for the present generation, and for those to come. We have not the confidence to presume that the work will contain no mistakes. The falli- bility of memory produces a hundred conflicting statements. Dates are slippery things to handle. Names will get twisted. Some of these errors will belong to our informants, some to ourselves. A charitable public will not forget that "to err is human."
Only one-third of a century ago a strong argument for locating the county-seat in the southern part of the county was that there was no likelihood that the present century would see the northern prairies of the county populated. Ten years later, and the same argument was sincerely used in respect to the State of Iowa, by shrewd men, on the occasion of the removal of the State capital. Some of these same men have "lived to learn." This work will show the changes of thirty-six years in Central Iowa.
It is a source of regret to us that diligent search failed to discover any files of Mahaska county newspapers between the years 1859 and 1864. This very important period, including most of Mahaska's war history, is not so fully presented on these pages as we desired.
In our " War Record " we have endeavored to give, in epitomized form, the part taken by individual soldiers from Mahaska. The names of those drafted have been omitted, for the reason that we could not secure a satisfactory list.
The especial value of much we have presented, particularly in our biographical department, will be patent a generation hence. It will, we trust, be endeared to hundreds of firesides.
We wish thus publicly to express our appreciation of the kindness which has been shown us in this enterprise. To the several hundred citizens who have co-operated with our repre- sentatives in securing the information which made the accompanying work a possibility, we tender our hearty thanks-especially to the editors of the Oskaloosa Herald, The Standard, and the New Sharon Star for the use of files of papers, and general information; to Judge M. T. Williams, for many items of early history; to W. B. Street, Esq., for Indian history; to William T. Smith, Esq., for miscellaneous matter and valuable manuscript; to Henry R. Kendig, Esq., for Masonic history; to Judge Samuel Thompson, for assistance upon the geography of the county; to the various county and city officials, for access to records.
iv
PREFACE.
Among others to whom we are especially indebted for assistance, might be mentioned Captain A. J. Comstock, Hon. John N. Dixon, Mrs. E. Needham, Mrs. T. G. Phillips, J. E. Ogborne, Esq., Prof. H. H. Seerley, Lieut. W. H. Needham, Porte C. Welch, Esq., Judge J. A. L. Crookham, Dr. E. A. Boyer, Van B. Delashmutt, Esq., T. Baldwin, Esq., Mr. Ephraim Munsell, Prof. Woody, John A. Hoffman, Esq., Ben McCoy, Esq., Samuel McFall, Esq., James Winder, Esq., Henry P. Ninde, Esq., Captain C. P. Searle and Rev. Thos. Ballinger.
The sketches on the Northwest, and the articles, descriptive and historical, on Iowa, em- bracing the first two hundred and fifty-six pages of the work, were prepared by A. R. Fulton, of Des Moines, and we doubt not will prove highly interesting and instructive, as showing the steps by which, within the present century, a vast region, inhabited by savages, has de- veloped into mighty States.
We have also consulted the following works: "Pioneers of Marion County," "Iowa Colonels and Regiments," "Iowa in the Rebellion," and a number of State reports.
Whatever of satisfaction, instruction or enjoyment these pages may bring to their readers, will be a gratification to
THE PUBLISHERS.
-
CONTENTS.
-
HISTORICAL,
PAGE.
PAGE.
The Northwest Territory :
Early French Explorations in the Mississippi Valley,
7
Early Settlements in
the
Northwest,
..
..
14
The Northwestern Territory, 22
28
The Louisiana Purchase, : Indian Wars in the Northwest, Sketches of Black Hawk and other Chiefs, 42
Early Navigation of Western Rivers, . . .. .
56
A Mahask County Romance, 299
Archæology of the Northwest,
59
An Old Iowan,
302
Sketches of Western and Northwestern States, : 67
Expedition of
Lewis
and
Religious,
305
Clarke,
86
Incidents,
306
Sketch of Chicago,
..
96
History of Iowa:
Descriptive and Geographical Sketch, ..
105
Geology of Iowa, 117
Economic Geology, .. 125
How the Title to Iowa Lands is derived, 130 Early Settlements and Terri- torial Organization, .. 141
Territory of Iowa, 153
State Organization, . .
158
Educational, ..
162
Railroads.
172
Official Record, 174
The Judiciary,
..
176
Congressional Representa-
tion,
177
State Agricultural Society, 178
Centennial Awards, 191
History of Mahaska County : Geography-Descriptive and
Physical, 257 Masonry, 357
Indian Affairs, 260
Early Settlement, ..
265 Mahaska's Centennial, · 370
..
370
History of names Oskaloosa
and Mahaska, 269
Life of Mahaska, 269
Bowen Murder Case, 371
Union,
541
Commissioner's Court, :
276
Love, Desertion and Suicide, 373
Prairie,
542
First Court, ..
..
277
Shooting,
:
..
373
Richland,
.
546
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE.
Westward the Star of Empire
takes its Way, :
17
Illinois, ..
.. 72
The "Old Kinzie House," 1+3
An Indian Camp, : 33 Chicago in 1820, · 97 A Prairie Home, 129
Indians trying a Prisoner, 49
A Pioneer Winter, ..
65
Chicago, 1833, ..
..
.
97
LITHOGRAPHIC PORTRAITS.
PAGE.
PAGE
PAGE.
Ballinger, T.,
489
Lacey, John F.,
345
Rice, Sam'l A., 381
Baugh, Geo. H.,
507
Leighton, Henry C.,
327
Rice, E. W.,
417
Cooper, Cary,
363
McCullongh, James,
525
Seevers, W. H.,
309
Dela - hmutt, V. B.,
561
McMullin, J. W.,
399
Smith, Wm. T.,
291
Downing, F. I .. ,
435
Mc Neill, H. W.,
471
Tice, Hardin,
543
Gilmore, T. R.,
453
Picken Mathew,
579
Williams, M. T.,
273
Houtz, Christian
597
History of Mahaska County:
Mahaska County Court House, 284 County Jail, : 285
First School,
285
War History :
Probate Court,
286
Letters of 1846-7,
287
Townships,
288
Land Sales,
293
Club Law, 294
Fifteenth Infantry. :
404
Seventeenth Infantry, ..
409
Eighteenth Infantry, 410
Thirty-third Infantry, 412
Thirty-Sixth Infantry,
429
Mahaska in 1850-52, 303
Thirty-seventh Infantry,
429
Flood of '51,
304
Thirty-eighth Infantry,
431
Fortieth Infantry,
431
Forty-seventh Infantry,
438
Third Cavalry, 440
Fourth Cavalry, · 440
County Finances, 308 Seventh Cavalry, 443
Bridges,
311
Poor House,
List of County Officers, 313
318
Educational, 323
The Press, 331
Temperance, 338
Political, 340
Oskaloosa, 455
New Sharon, 501
..
Beacon,
512
Rose Hill,
515
Fremont,
..
517
Muchakinock, ..
519
Hog Raising,
.
352
Townships : Cedar 522
Harrison, 5:24
Des Moines,
Jefferson,
..
529
White Oak, 530
Oskaloosa,
..
531
Scott,
532
Society of Friends, 366
Monroe,
..
534
Adams,
535
Madison, .
536
Black Oak,
537
The Cause of Science on the Border, . . : 371
Pleasant Grove,
..
540
528
Mahaska County Bible Society, 356 County Sunday School Associ- ation, 356
352
Mahaska County Medical So-
ciety,
.
. .
356
344
Ninth Cavalry,
.
444
Light Artillery. ..
445
Miscellaneous Enlistments, : 446
Soldiers' Reunion,
448
The Rice Monument,
.
450
Sherman's March to the Sea, 451
Cities and Towns :
Statistics, 343
Official Votes,
Railroads,
..
344
Mahaska County Agricultural
Society, 350
Horticultural, ..
PAGE.
PAGE.
Lincoln Monument, Springfield,
Old Fort Dearborn, 1830, 103
Present Site Lake Street Bridge,
Breaking Prairie 145
:
History of Mahaska County :
Local Troubles During the
:
War,
:
: 373
Mahaska County War Record, 383
Third Infantry,
386
397
Seventh Infantry,
391
Eighth Infantry,
..
34
Early Climate, etc.,
298
An Early Hunt, : 298
Mississippi and Missouri R.
R. Loan, 307
311
Illustrious Dead,
State Institutions,
169
County Seat Contest, 267
Casualties, : ..
PAGE.
vi
CONTENTS.
1
BIOGRAPHICAL TOWNSHIP DIRECTORY.
PAGE.
PAGE.
Adams,
692
Jefferson,
..
638 | Prairie,
: 631
Black Oak,
: 677
Madison,
: 685
Richland,
712
Cedar,
657
Monroe,
698 | Scott,
670
Des Moines,
: 643 New Sharon (Prairie Twp.),
624
Union,
706
East Oskaloosa,
617 Oskaloosa City (Oskaloosa
West Oskaloosa,
: 608
Eddyville (Harrison Twp.),
720 Township),
: 553
White Oak,
663
Harrison,
: 647
Pleasant Grove,
703
ABSTRACT OF IOWA STATE LAWS.
PAGE.
PAGE.
Adoption of Children,
Confession of Judgment,
208 Jurors, - 199
Bills of Exchange and Promis-
Lease,
214
Landlord and Tenant, 206
sory Notes
195
Mortgages,
212, 213
Limitation of Actions, 199
Capital Punishment 199
Notice to Quit,
210
Married Women,
200
Commercial Terms
208
Notes, 207,215
Marka and Brands,
201
Damages from Trespass,
201
Orders, 207
Mechanics' Liens,
204
Descent,
195
Quit-Claim Deed,
216
Estrays.
201
Receipts,
208
Exemptions from Executions,
200
Wills and Codicils, 211, 212
216
Surveyors and Surveys, 204
Support of Poor, 205
Article of Agreement,
209
Birds and Quadrupeds, 217
. Bills of Sale,
Bond for Deed,
217
Interest,
195
Weights and Measures, 207
Bills of Purchase,
207
Jurisdiction of Courts,
198
Wolf Scalps,
201
Chattel Mortgage,
215
MISCELLANEOUS.
PAGE.
PAGE. -
PAGE.
Map of Mahaska County, : Front. Statistics, ..
,183
Practical Rules for every-day
Biography of General Elliott W. Rice, : ..
: 548
Iowa, :
..
: 220
Population of Iowa Cities, : 255
The Pioneer,
256
Constitution of the State of
use, : :
.. 252
Taxes, 197
210 Fish and Fish Ways, 218
Wills and Estates.
196
Fences
202
Warranty Deed,
Forms:
Game Laws:
Purchasing Books by Subscrip- tion. 219
Roads and Bridges, 204
Constitution of the United States, 240
Addenda (Biographical), : 722
V
1
PAGE.
PAGE. 203
A
MAP OF MAHASKA COUNTY,
IOWA.
English Ri
GRANVILLE
AGRICOLA
BethelCamp Wendy Gr
12
NEW SHARON
16
18
E
IOWA
PLEASANT GROVE
PEORIA
DAUMON MILLS
Flint 10
26
30
28
25
30
36
31
32
3500
?
:34
Mulare
31
32
25
3.5
G
G
5
3
1
6
y?
LACEY
INDIANAPOLIO
Buckhorn P.O
16
70
1.9
15
17
-
19
21
23
24
Pi
1Q
MunchchukPO
BLACK
0
D
M
Rums
Farmersgure no,
1
DES
37 6 26
.30
2.9
Hopewell PO.
31
.32
33
36
31
ERLEIGHTON
3
Garfield
Funk
ROSE HILL
MJOLIVET
11
OSKALOOSA
OSKALOOSA IOWAUNINY
1.32
77
15
15
14
13
OSKALOOSA
9H
19
19
FWute QakP.O.
BELLE FOUNTAINEN,
AuburnBQ
30
ROCHESTER,
2
33
St Joe's
Ferry PO ..
DES MOINES
7
GIVENSTA
and: Grove PO.
17
S
dar Q
21
13
24
30
28
26
25
28
27
26
3.2
33
37
ADDYVILLE
1
6
.5
7
FREMONT
E
MOINES
33
31
CENTRAL-
ROLLEG.
WILLBRANCA COLLEGE
ENTERPRISE
.34
36
3.5
D
31
م مص
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
EARLY FRENCH EXPLORATIONS IN THE MISSISSIPPI VALLEY.
De Soto -- Le Caron-Samuel de Champlain-French Adventurers-James Marquette-Louis Joliet-Embarkation to Explore New Countries-Lake Michigan and Green Bay-The "Quisconsin "-Indian Accounts of the Country-Discovering the Great River-Indian Name of the River-Joy of the Explorers-Interview with Indians on Iowa Soil-Feast- Speech of an Indian Chief-The Des Moines River-" Muddy Water "-The Arkansas- Return-Indian Nations-Marquette's Record-His Subsequent Voyage-La Vantum- Marquette's Death-Removal of His Remains-Joliet's Subsequent Explorations-Robert La Salle-Louis Hennepin-Chevalier de Tonti-De La Motte-Fort Crevecœur-Henne- pin's Voyage-Falls of St. Anthony-Seur de Luth-Hennepin's Claims as an Explorer- Colonization of Louisiana-Dissensions-Murder of La Salle.
THE three great colonizing powers of the Old World first to raise the standard of civilization within the limits of North America were France, England, and Spain. The French made their earliest settlements in the cold and inhospitable regions of Quebec; the English at Jamestown, Vir- ginia, and at Plymouth, Massachusetts; and the Spaniards on the barren sands of Florida. To the French belongs the honor of discovering and colo- nizing that portion of our country known as the Valley of the Mississippi, including all that magnificent region watered by the tributaries of the Great River. It is true that more than one hundred years earlier (1538-41) the Spanish explorer, De Soto, had landed on the coast of Florida, penetrated the everglades and unbroken forests of the south, finally reaching the banks of the Great River, probably near where the city of Memphis now stands. Crossing the river, he and his companions pursued their journey for some distance along the west bank, thence to the Ozark Mountains and the Hot Springs of Arkansas, and returning to the place of his death on the banks of the Mississippi. It was a perilous expedition indeed, characterized by all the splendor, romance and valor which usually attended Spanish adventurers of that age. De Soto and his companions were the first Europeans to behold the waters of the Mississippi, but the expedition was a failure so far as related to colonization. The requiem chanted by his companions as his remains were committed to the waters of the great river he had discovered, died away with the solemn murmurs of the stream, and the white man's voice was not heard again in the valley for more than a hundred years. De Soto had landed at Tampa Bay, on the coast of Florida, with a fleet of nine ves- sels and seven hundred men. More than half of them died, and the remainder made their way to Cuba, and finally back to Spain.
Four years before the pilgrims "moored their bark on the wild New Eng- land shore," a French Franciscan, named Le Caron, penetrated the region of
8
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
the great lakes of the north, then the home of the Iroquois and the Hurons, but a Freneli settlement had been established at Quebec by Samuel de Champlain in 1608. This was followed by the establishment of various colonies in Canada, and the hardy French adventurers penetrated the coun- try by the way of the St. Lawrence and the lakes. In 1625 a number of missionaries of the Society of Jesus arrived in Canada from France, and during the succeeding forty years extended their missions all along the shores of Lake Superior.
In 1637 a child was born at the little city of Laon, in France, whose destiny it was in the fullness of time to be instrumental in the hands of Providence in giving to the world a definite knowledge of the grandest and most fertile region ever opened up to civilization. That child was James Marquette, the descendant of a family of Celtic nobles. He entered the Society of Jesus when seventeen years of age, and soon conceived a desire to engage in the labors of a missionary among the Indians. He sailed for Quebec in 1666, and two years later founded the mission of Sault Ste. Marie at the Falls of St. Mary. The winter of 1669-70 he spent at Point St. Ignatius, where he established another mission. Here the old town of Michillimackinac, afterward called Mackinaw, was founded. It was from Indians of the different tribes who came to this mission that he received some vague intimations of the great river-the father of all the rivers. He at once conceived a desire to penetrate to the banks of the wonderful river, and carry his missionary work to the tribes which he had learned inhabited its borders. He applied to his Superior, Claude Dablon, for permission to "seek new nations toward the Southern sea." The authorities at Quebec were equally desirous of having new regions explored, and therefore appointed Joliet was a native of
Louis Joliet to embark upon a voyage of discovery. Quebec and had been educated in a Jesuit College. He had at the age of eighteen taken minor orders, but had abandoned all thoughts of the priest- hood and engaged in the fur trade. He was now twenty-seven years of age, with a mind ripe for adventure. He left Quebec, and arriving at Mackinaw, found Father Marquette highly delighted with the information that they were to be companions in a voyage which was to extend the domain of the King of France, as well as to carry the Gospel to new nations of people. The explorers, accompanied by five assistants, who were French Canadians, started on their journey, May 13, 1673. Marquette has himself recorded in the fol- lowing simple language their feelings on this occasion: "We were embark- ing on a voyage the character of which we could not foresee. Indian corn, with some dried meat, was our whole stock of provisions. With this we set out in two bark canoes, M. Joliet, myself and five men, firmly resolved to do all and suffer all for so glorious an enterprise." They coasted along the northern shore of Lake Michigan, entered Green Bay, and passed up the Fox river, carrying their canoes across the Portage to the "Onisconsin," now
called Wisconsin. At Lake Winnebago, before crossing the Portage, they stopped at an Indian village, which was the furthest outpost to which Dab- , lon and Allonez had extended their missionary work. Here they assembled the chiefs and old men of the village and told them of the objects of the voyage. Pointing to Joliet, Father Marquette said: "My friend is an envoy of France to discover new countries, and I am an ambassador from God to enlighten them with the truths of the Gospel." The Indians furnished two guides to conduct them to the Wisconsin river. It is related that a tribe of Indians endeavored to dissuade them from pursuing their perilous journey
-
9
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
by telling of desperate and savage tribes that they would meet; that the forests and the rivers were infested with frightful monsters; that there were great fish in the rivers that would swallow up men and canoes together, and of a demon who could be heard from a great distance, and who destroyed all who approached. Unmoved by these frightful stories, Marquette, Joliet, and their five brave assistants, launched their little canoes on the waters of the Wisconsin, and moved slowly down the current. After a lapse of seven days, June 17th, 1673, they reached the mouth of the Wisconsin and glided into the current of the Mississippi, a few miles below the place now known as Prairie du Chien. Here, and on this day, the eye of the white man for the first time looked upon the waters of the Upper Mississippi. Marquette called the river "The Broad River of the Conception." The Indian nanie is derived from the Algonquin language, one of the original tongues of the continent. It is a compound of the words Missi, signifying great, and Sepe, a river.
The explorers felt the most intense joy on beholding the scene presented to their enraptured vision. Here was the great river whose waters somewhere thousands of miles away flowed into a Southern sea, and whose broad valley was the fairest and richest in the world, but unknown to civilized man, save as an almost forgotten dream or a vague romance. They had solved one of the great mysteries of the age in which they lived. As they glided down the stream the bold bluffs reminded Marquette of the "castled shores of his own beautiful rivers in France." The far stretching prairies alternating with forests, on either side, were adorned in all the wild glories of June. Birds sang the same notes that they had sung for ages amid those "forests prime- val," while herds of buffalo, deer and elk were alarmed and fled to the dense retreats of the forest or the broad prairies bevond. Not until the 25th June did they discover any signs of human habitation. Then, about sixty leagues, as they thought, below the mouth of the Wisconsin, at a place where they landed on the west bank of the river, they found in the sand the foot-prints of man. Marquette and Joliet left their five companions in charge of the canoes and journeyed away from the river, knowing that they must be near the habitation of men. They followed a trail leading across a prairie clothed in the wild Inxuriance of summer for a distance of about six miles, when they beheld another river and on its banks an Indian village, with other vil- lages on higher land a mile and a half from the first. The Indians greeted the two white strangers, as far as their ability permitted, with a splendid ovation. They appointed four of their old men to meet the strangers in council. Marquette could speak their language. They informed him that they were "Illini " (meaning "we are men "), and presenting the calumet of peace, invited them to share the hospitalities of their village. Marquette told them of the object of their visit, and that they had been sent by the French, who were their friends. He told them of the great God that the white man worshiped who was the same Great Spirit that they adored. In answer, one of the chiefs addressed them as follows:
"I thank the Black Gown Chief (Marquette) and the Frenchman (Joliet) for taking so much pains to come and visit us; never has the earth been so beautiful, nor the sun so bright as now; never has the river been so calm, nor so free from rocks, which your canoes have removed as they passed; never has our tobacco had so fine a flavor, nor our corn appeared so beautiful as we behold it to-day. Ask the Great Spirit to give us life and health. and come ye and dwell with us."
After these ceremonies the strangers were invited to a feast, an account of
10
THE NORTHWEST TERRITORY.
which is given by Marquette. It consisted of four courses. First, there was a large wooden bowel filled with tagamity, or Indian meal, boiled in water and seasoned with oil. The master of ceremonies, with a wooden spoon, fed the tagamity to their guests as children are fed. The second course con- sisted of fish, which, after the bones were taken out, was presented to the mouths of the strangers as food may be fed to a bird. The third course was a preparation of dog meat, but learning that the strangers did not eat that it was at once removed. The fourth and final course was a piece of buffalo meat, the fattest portions of which were put into the mouths of the guests.
The stream on whose banks took place this first interview between the explorers and the untutored Indians, after parting with their guides, was the Des Moines river, and the place of their landing was probably about where the town of Montrose is now located, in Lee county, Iowa. One of our sweetest American poets has rendered Marquette's narrative in verse, as follows:
" Came a people From the distant land of Wabun; From the farthest realms of morning Came the Black Robe Chief, the Prophet, He the Priest of Prayer, the Pale-face, With his guides and his companions. And the noble Hiawatha,
With his hand aloft extended, Held aloft in sign of welcome, Cried aloud and spoke in this wise:
' Beautiful is the sun, O strangers, When you come so far to see us; All our town in peace awaits you; All our doors stand open for you; You shall enter all our wigwams; For the heart's right hand we give you.
Never bloomed the earth so gayly, Never shone the sun so brightly, As to-day they shine and blossom
When you came so far to see us.' And the Black Robe Chief made answer,
Stammered in his speech a little,
Speaking words yet unfamiliar:
' Peace be with you, Hiawatha,
Peace be with you and your people,
Peace of prayer, and peace of pardon, Peace of Christ, and joy of Mary!' Then the generous Hiawatha, Led the strangers to his wigwam, Seated them on skins of bison,
Seated them on skins of ermine,
Brought them food in bowls of bass-wood, Water brought in birchen dippers, And the calumet, the peace-pipe, Filled and lighted for their smoking. All the warriors of the nation, Came to bid the strangers welcome;
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