USA > Iowa > Story County > A history of Story county, Iowa: Carefully compiled, from the earliest settlement to the present, March 1, 1887. > Part 3
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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
The next number was issued March 4th, after a wintry sleep of five weeks, on thin wrapping paper, of a brown color, and apolo- gized for its non-appearance "on account of the failure of paper ar- rangements." This wrinkled faded, and mouse-eaten half-sheet in- forms us that the first house in Nevada was raised on the eighth of September, 1853, by T. E. Alderman, on lot 5, in block 17, and that
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
Mr. A. moved into it on October 11th, of the same year. The next comer was John H. McLain, who moved in August 7, 1854, and that Geo. Childs, T. J. Adamson, Isaac Romane, J. C. Harris and A. P. Fitch came in during the fall and winter following. It is here stated that the first District Court held at the county town was August 14, 1854, his honor, C. J. McFarland, presiding, and that it met in a log house that stood on the N. E. corner of North Square, which house had been removed. There being no house for the juries they went out on the prairie, probably where the Presbyterian church now stands, and sat on the grass, as well as the jury.
In the same number is a call for a meeting on March 21st, to for- ward measures for a County Fair next fall, as well as other mat- ters; and also in the advertising columns a modest announcement from E. Armstrong that he is desirous of making a small fortune while his neighbors are making large ones, and that he will sell goods for cash cheaper than any other store in the city, of same date there is also announced the opening of a New Furniture store on South Square, by Frazier & Cessna.
Whether "the failure of paper arrangements" above mentioned was caused by lack of funds or by impassable roads is not stated, but most likely to be the latter, as all our citizens were very proud of our new Advocate, and were liberal in sustaining it.
The next number at hand is dated June 17th, being No. 20th, and contains the articles of incorporation of the Waterloo and Des Moines Railroad Company. The capital stock is to consist of $3,000,000 which may be increased if necessary, but the indebted- ness shall not exceed $2,000,000. The names of the corporators are published, but the mice have taken that of the signer from Nevada.
This number contains a call from Rev. B. F. Stuart for a meet- ing on Wednesday evening, July 1st, to "learn the names of all that will unite in building up the cause of Christ after the manner of Presbyterianism, and in organizing a church, if thought best."
A simple incident may serve to illustrate the kind of milk fur- nished the babes of that period by this simple-hearted brother. The writer remembers hearing one of his discourses on the evi- dences of a Supreme Power, in which he endeavors to show a sup- posed condition of affairs in the words following: "And now, dear friends, supposing God should happen to die!" This original idea he elaborated at considerable length, very much to the edification of his audience.
June 24th, we are advised that Joshua Cooper had a fine cream col- ored . horse stolen; and that a lodge of I. O. O. F. was institu- ted on the previous Saturday night. Also that Robbins & Down- ing succeed to the chances of E. Armstrong for that little fortune he meant to make, also that certain liquors were seized as being kept for sale contrary to the peace and dignity of the State. Un- der date of July 1st, we learn that these liquors were claimed by a Mr. See, and that after the defendant had taken a change of venue
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
from Jonathan Statler to W. H. Richardson, the jury, of which W. G. Allen was foreman, found that the liquors were kept with intent to be sold' in violation of the law. It appears further on that they were destroyed; in the minds of many an unpardonable waste of a good thing. About this time Sheriff's Sales and Mort- gage Sales begin to be advertised, and Mr. Alderman states by ad- vertisement that he wants debtors to "either pay him the money by the first of August or give him a bankable note at not over sixty days, including forty per cent interest for the term of his in- debtedness." H. Russell also notifies the public that he will take ambrotypes of all sizes, in any kind of weather, at his room oppo- site the Court House; and C. G. Smith and S. C. Harrison ask the public to call at Nevada Boot and Shoe Store, at No. 3 Union Block, east of the Public Square.
July 15th, the public was informed that the Story County delega- tion to the R. R. meeting at Waterloo had returned, much pleased with the prospects of the road, and John J. Bell and John Scott were elected Directors, and John Scott attorney of the company. The editor closes his notice by saying "it now only remains for the counties and citizens along the line to do their duty, and this im- portant road will be built." Of this date also appears a call for a meeting of the Story County Agricultural Society on the 25th, signed by John Scott as President. At the same time O. D. Rus- sell announces New Store and New Goods, and T. A. Walker of- fers $50 reward for the prosecution and conviction of any person who has committed or may commit depredations on his timber ad- joining the town. At this time, also, is advertised the fact that Smith & Westlake "are prepared to grind any quantity of shingles, on short notice, at their mill on Scott's addition to Nevada."
July 22d, it is stated that the first Presbyterian church of Nevada was organized, with eleven members, and Jonathan Myers was chosen and ordained Elder. Camp Meeting is announced for Au- gust 14th, near Iowa Center. In another column is a notice of the arrest of several parties for drunkenness and disorderly conduct and fines to the amount of seventy-five dollars assessed by Esq. Statler.
August 19th, notes that the wheat and oats have been gathered and the yield far exceeds the fondest anticipations of the most san- guine in our midst; also that fine flouring mills have been erected within the past year at Iowa Center and Cambridge, the latter of which will soon be in operation. The statement is also made that T. E. Alderman's block of stores is being raised and presents quite an imposing appearance.
September 23d, it is stated that the School Board have purchased two lots immediately east of the Court House, and the brick are be- ing delivered on the ground for a house 26x40, and two stories high. This building will be an ornament to our town, as well as useful to the rising generation. Of same date a review of the recently held District Court states that "the indictments found by the Grand
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
Jury were from several causes nearly all squashed." Can any of our lawyers tell in what condition that left them?
August 18, 1858 reports an almost entire failure of wheat and oats. During the previous winter the weather was mild and rainy, and the roads and streams impassable at times from mud and high water. The summer continued wet-and in June the streams in Central Iowa were higher than ever before known.
In September there was published the first news of gold in Col- orado, being an extract from a letter written by H. C. Nutt, of Council Bluffs, to B. F. Allen, of Des Moines, as follows:
"I open this to say that we have great gold excitement here. Two men came in from Pike's Peak with $40,000 in dust. It is five hundred miles west of here. One hundred men leave from here, Omaha and Pacific City. It is thought here to be a fact."
The excitement thus begun carried off quite a number of the citizens of Story County during the winter and the early spring of the following year.
On Friday, October 8, 1858, the first mail from Eldora arrived, carried in a hack.
About this time wooden rollers for grinding sorghum were put up, and the editor began to receive half-gallon measures of the pro- duct. He gives his opinion that nearly enough was made to sup- ply the home demand.
About this time the Advocate office was removed to the old Ab- ner Lewis house, just north of the National Hotel, near the spot where M. M. Ross now lives. The office had been in a small build- ing facing north, near the present residence of Mrs. T. C. Davis. The building was afterward removed to the lot north of where the cheese factory now stands, and is, I believe, part of the rear of Mr. Robinson's house. Mr. Thrall used it for a dwelling in that loca- tion. He paid for the apple trees on that lot in advertising nursery stock for James Smith, of Des Moines.
November 17, 1858, a call was published for a meeting at the Court House on Saturday the 27th, to consult in reference to the location of the College and Farm, by the Agricultural Board. At- tention had been called to this matter during the summer, and to its importance, and the necessity for action if we would secure the location.
On the evening of Saturday, December 9, 1858, the Nevada Brass Band gave a concert at the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. They played thirteen pieces; admission ten cents. Before this mention is made of the Iowa Center Brass Band.
March 1, 1859, three teams started for the gold diggings, with J. P. Robinson, Sr., J. M. Robinson, J. Heffler, Doc. Tichenor, C. D. Berry, B. P. Haman, Charles Lovell, A. F. Dinsmore and Bar Scott. The next week I. B. Compton, Wilson Daly and wife, Mallory Daly, wife and sister-in-law, J. D. Ferner and W. P. Staw followed.
March 29, John H. McLain, wife and two sons, R. M. McLain, F. A. McLain, Mrs. Laura A. Berry, Leroy Childs, Frank Hunt,
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
Geo. E. Brigham, Isaac Walker, Henry Sangler and Henry Tritts, with six wagons and fourteen yoke of cattle, went in the same direction. These were followed on the twenty-fifth of April by Webb, Geo. Childs, W. E. Aldredge, James Bales and John W. Johns.
In May Dr. L. Car and family, Wm. O. Miller, N. Jennings, R. W. Keigley, G. W. Grow, G. Smiley, P. Brown, Wm. B. Swaney, Wells Swaney, P. Bechtel and T. Baldus went also from the west part of the county.
On the night of the third of June 1859 there was a killing frost, that did considerable damage, especially in the low lands. During this month there was considerable excitement over the diversion of the Land Grant to the C., I. and N. Railroad Company. The roads were full of returning Pikes Peakers. Webb L. Childs, Geo. Childs, Hunt and Brigham, of this county came back "perfectly satisfied." The Robinsons, McLains and Mrs. Berry also returned, but few of them ever have reached the diggings.
During this month the final location of the Agricultural College was made and a picnic for the coming Fourth of July on the Col- lege grounds was at once arranged for by the delighted citizens of Story and Boone counties. This seems to have given an impetus to the farmers, and early in August a County Agricultural Society was organized and arrangements made for holding a Fair. T. C. McCall was elected president, and James Frazier, Secretary. The date fixed for the Fair was October 19 and 20, and the premium list was published in full in the Advocate. No cash premiums were offered.
Schools were opened in the new school house at Nevada on the fourteenth of November, 1858, Dr. Fuller and Miss May Moore as teachers.
During the year 1859 many changes in business firms occurred, some failed and left the country; new men started in and others changed their occupations. At the close of this year Hawthorne & Talbott and J. H. Sinclair had the lead as merchants in Nevada.
EDUCATION.
The first record in the office of the School Fund Commissioner is dated January 13, A. D. 1854, and relates to the formation of School District No. 1. It comprised sixteen square miles, being four miles square, the center being the section- corner of sections three, four, nine and ten of Indian Creek Township, not far from the present residence of N. Webb, to whom the necessary notice issued at that date. Although this was called "No. 1, in township 82, range 22," it contained four square miles in township 83, range 22.
"District No. 1 in township 82, range 24, was six miles from east to west, and four miles in width, the center of which was at the point where Grant, Union, Palestine and Washington townships
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
come together, having one-fourth of the district in each township, and issued notice of the same to George W. Thomas." This is dated January 18, 1854.
"District No. 3 in township 84, range 24," was three miles square, and its center was at the half mile stake on the north line of sec- tion 5, township 83, range 24. This dated January 23, 1854, and notice issued to John J. Zenor.
Of same date " District No. 4 in township 84, range 24," was formed, being four and one-half miles long and four miles wide, the center of which was in south half of section 26, township 84, range 23. Notice was issued to Evan C. Evans.
January 25, 1854, gave premature birth to a district which hap- pened to be all in one congressional township, to-wit: Township 83, range 22, being three miles square, and the center of which was at the center of section 23. Following this record is a statement in form following: "The above district was not complied with," and across the face of the record is written " of no effect."
The above items are. from what purports to be a " transcript of S. P. O'Brien's book, this July 18, 1854." There is no statement as to who transcribed it, or what became of the original.
Then follows a record of the " acts and doings of T. E. Alder- man as School Fund Commissioner in and for Story County, Iowa," of which the first entry shows the formation of a district in town- ship 82, range 22, south of District No. 1, dated July 3, A. D. 1854.
After this the record shows considerable business transacted be- tween January 26th and April 15th, all apparently done by T. E. Alderman, at which last date the record shows receipt of the books from O'Brien. The first entry after this shows an allowance to O'Brian, B. F. Thompson, Clerk, and M. Zenor, Sheriff, of $48.50, (without stating the amount to each or for what purpose), and noted as " paid out of the permanent fund by T. E. Alderman."
April 18th shows "loaned T. E. Alderman $2.36." About this time many of the section 16 lands were sold, mostly to the settlers, the prices ranging from $1.25 for wet prairie to $3 per acre for the best timber. Loan's were made, the record stating simply the name and amount, and relying upon the contract, which was recorded in full in another place, for the details. In one case the payment of "a note with interest thereon" is recorded, with no amount stated and no dates given except that of payment.
January 20, 1855, a district was formed in the north part of the county, and notice issued to Jonah Griffith.
May 5, 1855, a district was formed, five miles square, the center of which was in the center of section 7, on the south side of the town plat of Nevada. Notice issued to E. C. Evans.
Then follows the record of the formation of the Shelby Baker district, July 2, 1855, now known as the old Mullen district; the 'Squire M. Cory district, February 9, 1855, (the date anterior but the record subsequent to the other); the W. W. Utterback district had been reformed October 2, 1854, in place of the one that had failed to organize.
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
The record also shows that the commissioner received of the County Treasurer February 15, 1854, the sum of $37.23 as county school tax collected for the previous year; that Jeremiah Marks, Secretary of his district, reported twenty-two names of persons over five and under twenty-one years old; F. Thompson reported fifteen names, and N. Webb forty-three. Upon this the commissioner portioned respectively to these districts $5.25, $3.75 and $10.75 reserving the sum of $17.47 for part of salary out of the amount received."
From an examination of the contracts it is seen that O'Brien contracted sales of lands as late as April 12, 1854, and that Alder- man made sales June 24, 1854, indicating that the office was trans- ferred about April 15th, the date of transfer of the books above noted.
From this time until the summer of 1857 the accommodations of the schools were of the most humble character. The citizens of the year 1856 will remember the various log school houses, situated mostly in the timber, of which one was in the North part of Nevada, one at the west end and one at the east end of Walnut Grove, one at McCartney's, near Utterbacks, one at New Phila- delphia, and one at Cameron's.
In the Advocate of October 20, 1857, John H. Keigley boasts of the finest school house in the county. It was a frame, 20x26 feet, and with a lobby of six feet, leaving a school room twenty feet square. In the same paper of date December 9, 1857, some one writes of the school house in the John P. Pool district, generally known as Murphy's school house, which was 20x30, or four feet longer than the other. S. E. Briggs taught the first school in the last named house.
About this time there were quite a number of very comfortable frame school houses built, some of which were seated with walnut desks, that being then considered a great advance.
After the completion of the first court house the Nevada district rented the court room for school purposes, which it mostly occu- pied until the erection of the two story brick recently demolished, and the material of which now lies ready for use in a dwelling pro- posed to be built on the same site. One or more terms were also taught in the second story of Alderman's block. William Marga- son taught the first school in the old Nevada log school house; Dr. Fuller and Miss Mary Moore the first in the old brick house, while Prof. Payne has principal charge of the first school taught in the school building erected in 1875, the cost of which completed and furnished approximated $16,000.
In this centennial year there were one hundred and twenty-two school buildings within the county, and others in course of con- struction, while the number of teachers employed is one hundred and thirty-three.
And this brings us naturally to a short account of the inception and location in Story County of the
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
As Story County contains the State Agricultural College and Model Farm, some of the incidents connected with its location may be noted. The act of the General Assembly by which a model farm was directed to be purchased, and on which a College was to be erected, was passed in the early part of 1858. The sum of ten thousand dollars was appropriated with which to carry out its pro- visions. This action interested many of the then citizens of Story County, and they determined to secure the location if possible. To this end appeals wer- made through the Advocate, meetings were called, and Mr. E. G. Day, who was made one of the College board, endeavored to excite the people to definite action. In the Advocate of November 17, 1858, there appears a call for a meeting on Satur- day, the 27th, but as no notice of such a meeting appears, it prob- ably was not held.
On November 30th, Mr. Day published a call for specimens of grains, seeds, minerals, stone for building, etc., probably to present to the board as an evidence of the fitness of the county for such a trust. On December 8th, there appeared another call for a public meeting, headed "Rouse Up," and making a strong appeal. Finally on December 15th, there was an urgent appeal, headed "Everybody turn out!" and appointing Christmas day as the time, and stating that it was proposed "to donate eight hundred or one thousand dol- lars," and if the location should be secured then ten thousand dol- lars would be expended in the county.
The result of that meeting is best told by its own minutes as follows:
Record of the meeting held December 25, 1853:
In pursuance of notice, a large number of the citizens of Story County met at the court house in Nevada, on Saturday, the 25th inst., for the purpose of taking the necessary steps towards secur- ing the location of the Agricultural Farm and College in said county.
On motion George M. Maxwell was elected chairman, and Charles D. Berry secretary.
The chairman stated the object of the meeting. On motion a committee consisting of one from each township was appointed to draft resolutions expressive of the sense of the meeting. The fol- lowing gentlemen were appointed:
Franklin, Amon Hipsher ; Lafayette, Jonah Griffith ; Nevada, John Scott; Milford, Jacob Hoover; Indian Creek, T. J. Ross; New Albany, Wm. H. Richardson; Washington, W. J. Graham; Union, W. H. Grafton; Collins, J. L. Hyde; Palestine, Wm. Templeton.
Committee, by John Scott, reported the following resolutions:
Resolved, That it is the sense of this meeting that Story County, in her cen- tral location, variety of soil and agricultural resources, has strong claims upon the State for the location of the Agricultural College within her limits.
Resolved, That we will use every effort to cause these interests to be properly represented before the locating board.
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
Resolved, That the County Judge be requested to order a special election, at which shall be submitted the question of appropriating twelve thousand acres (or the proceeds thereof), of the swamp lands belonging to this county, to be used for influencing the location aforesaid.
Mr. Queal moved to strike out so much as referred to swamp lands, and insert in lieu, " County bonds for the sum of ten thousand dol- lars." On this quite a spirited discussion took place, participated in by Messrs. Scott, Queal, Graham, Allen, Chairman and others, after which the resolutions thus amended were passed.
On motion said bonds were to be drawn for ten years; rate of in- terest to be paid annually.
On motion of W. G. Allen the chair appointed a committee of five to represent the interests of the county before the board of locating commissioners, to-wit: W. G. Allen, J. L. Dana, T. C. McCall, John Scott and E. C. Evans.
On motion Messrs. Maxwell, Graham and McGuire were instruc- ted to solicit funds to defray expenses of the committee.
C. D. BERRY, Secretary.
GEO. M. MAXWELL, Chairman.
In accordance with the request of this convention, Judge Kellogg, on the fourth day of January, 1859, issued proclamation for an elec- tion to be held on the seventh of February. Public meetings were in various parts of the country ; among those remembered was one at McCartney's school-house, and one at Iowa Center. The feel- ing was strongly in favor of the "Donation," and it carried by a very large majority-Nevada voting the bonds by 117 for, and 3 against. On Monday, January 10, 1859, the Board of Trustees held their first meeting, at which, on determining the terms by lot, E. G. Day drew for four years. There being some charge of fraud, or unfair action, made by an anonymous letter, on the next day there was another cast of lots, in which the member for Story county drew for two years. Propositions for the location were received from Marshall, Kossuth, Johnson, Story and Polk counties, and a committee of three, to-wit : Sherwin, Pattee and Gains, were ap- pointed to examine the several propositions.
The location was made by the Board on the twenty-first of June following and was celebrated by an Independence Day Picnic on the grounds of the farm; at which James Phelan, of Boone county, pre- sided; Paul A. Queal read the Declaration; John A. Hull of Boone, and John Scott of Story, delivered addresses.
Two long tables had been erected in the grove northwest of where the college building now stands, at which the historian says peas, potatoes, fruit, pies, beets, cheese, honey, ham, mutton, fish, turkey, chicken, roast pig, and other delicacies and substantials were in abundance and well cooked.
After the dinner came the regular toasts, to which responses were made by Hall, Gwynne, Ballinger, Brunning, and Foster of Boone, and by Queal, Frazier, Scott, Dana, and Day of Story.
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
It appears that on the first ballot for location, Marshall county had four ; Story, three; Hardin, one ; and Polk three votes. On the second ballot, Story had six, and Polk four votes. Further ac- tion was had to the effect that the location would not bind the Board until the propositions for donations of lands, money and bonds should be made good, and the lands selected, conveyed at the prices agreed upon. The executive committee was also authorized to have lumber and stone purchased for the erection of a house and barn, to procure plans for the same, and plans for a college building, to have one hundred and sixty acres of prairie broken, and to ar- range for fencing the same the following year. In short, it was the understanding that there should be at least twenty thousand dollars expended in the purchase and improvement of the farm. At that time an act had been passed through the lower House of Congress granting an endowment of lands for Agricultural Col- leges, and nations had obtained that an experimental farm would greatly aid the common farmer in learning the nature of soils, and how to till them; and the advantages of a college at which the farmer's son or daughter could pay his or her way by their own la- bor was fully appreciated. But the ideas that such stately build- ings as now adorn the farm, would soon appear; or that before the centennial year should have passed one hundred graduates, one-third being ladies, would have left these halls of learning; or that more than twelve hundred different pupils would by the same time have received instruction therein; or that mainly through the impetus thus given to that part of the county an interest would be fostered that would array itself against the proper developement of other positions of the country, were never entertained for a moment by those who so earnestly and cheerfully strove to advance its strug- gling fortunes.
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