USA > Iowa > Story County > A history of Story county, Iowa: Carefully compiled, from the earliest settlement to the present, March 1, 1887. > Part 6
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March 1, 1876, the lodge was incorporated and during the same month purchased lot 6, in block 2, Nevada, with sixty feet front, on Linn street, where, at no distant day, the order hopes to erect a building that will be both a credit to themselves and an ornament to the town.
The lodge (the only one in Story County), now numbers about sixty active members and is in a thriving condition. Financially for so young a lodge it makes an excellent showing, there being now about seven hundred dollars belonging to the widows and orphans fund alone.
The present officers are: James Hawthorn, N. G .; Daniel Mc- Kim, V. G .; C. P. Robinson, Secretary; S. S. Statler; Per Secre- tary; A. Dayton, Treasurer.
EARLY ROADS.
One of the first necessities of civilization in any country consists of practicable roads. We, of the present day, are apt to lose sight of many of the accidents and circumstances that go to make up the life of the pioneer. I well remember in traveling to Story City and to Defiance, in the early days, of following a furrow made by a breaking team. There were some miles on each road, in dull days, when the traveller was very liable to lose the way, and the furrow was a safe guide. In the season of tallest grass one might, even with fairly beaten track, lose the way by getting a few rods from it, as the tall grass would effectually conceal all trace of it until one should get within a few feet of it again.
To those who have seen the prairies only since they have been grazed, it may seem almost incredible that in many places a man on horseback would show but little above the grass, and yet it is true. Mrs. Geo. Childs, on a visit to a neighbor, tells of hurrying back very near the place where she now lives, when she got into grass so high that she could not see where she was going. This, too, in the streets of a country town.
For about ten years past there has been quite a sum, annually, 4
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
collected as a bridge tax, there have been heavy road taxes in money and labor collected during the same time, the roads have mostly been located on the section lines, the low places have been graded up, the sloughs and streams have been bridged, iron bridges are now in course of erection for the first time, so gradually have all those things been done that we scarcely note the change from time to time, and many of us have almost forgotten that for many years our county was a by-word and a reproach, as being in some seasons almost impassable. To have a team mired down from ten to thirty times in crossing the county, to pay a guide for piloting one across the notorious Skunk bottoms, covered with water from two to four feet in depth, for passengers to wade while the team struggled through, to drive a team for nearly a mile in deep water, in bitter weather, with men in advance breaking the ice, there are plenty of witnesses here to-day that all of these were not of very uncommon occurrences twenty or more years ago.
PUBLIC BUILDINGS.
The first office occupied by Judge Evans for the transaction of the county business, was in that noted pioneer establishment, Mr. Alderman's Store. The Judge says he kept his papers in a com- mon dry goods box, which had probably the special advantage said to arise from using a barrel for the same purpose, to-wit: that you always know where they are. The box was probably about as ac- cessible to every body else as it was to the Judge, in those free-and- easy days. As there was no money in the Treasury until some lots were sold, Judge Evans had to buy county books from his own purse, and no doubt that was often lean enough. The result was that the early record books are scarcely what our present county officials would consider sufficient for the purpose, and really would not comport with the style of the Court House now building.
But the Judge soon built a cabin in town for his family, after which he removed the county archives to his dwelling, where, ac- cording to J. C. Lovell, his regular files of papers were kept in the crack between the logs and chinking. That must have been be- fore the clay filling was put on; or probably the house was only mud-daubed on the out-side, thus leaving many places quite con- venient for the files of papers. The remembrance of those primi- tive modes of transacting the public business is more amusing to us than were the actual facts to the troubled and ill-paid officials. Many a trip to Des Moines at his own expense, and many a hard day's work did that honest and artless Judge perform for this county, over the bleak and unsettled prairie at all hours and sea- sons, paving the way for this period of comparative ease and lux- ury, with scarce a thought other than that it was the duty of the hour, and must be done. And whatever may be said of the incapacity or dishonesty of the early officials of many counties, the testimony of hundreds will bear out the statement that the early county officers of Story County were never paid as they should have been for their well-meant endeavors to do their duty to the public, and honestly sustain the trusts reposed in them.
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
The next public buildings, or building used as such, was a frame office about 12x14 feet, that stood on the south-east corner of S. F. Balliet's lot, north of the old Court House. This was used as a county office until a Court House was built. It now stands on the lot north of Mrs. Kellogg's new residence, on the west side of the same block. The use of this building was quite an upward move- ment, as it was the first home for the County business, the first building used exclusively for that purpose.
After this came the first Court House, built at a cost of about $1,500, and when finished and accepted was found to be without flues, or any means of heating it. This was remedied by putting in the flues after the building was completed; and to that over- sight it is most likely may be imputed its destruction by fire on the night of December 31, 1863.
The County Jail was built in 1870, at a cost of about $5,000.
The Court House now in course of erection, at a cost of about $40,000, will, it is to be hoped, long stand as the Centennial work of Story County, and a monument of the pride and liberality of her citizens.
COUNTY SCHOOL TAX.
The amount raised by taxation for schools the first year after the organization of the county, as shown by the report of the School Fund Committee, $177.31, this being for the year 1854. The amount of School House Tax collected and paid out for the year 1875, was about $27,000. In addition to this the Independent Dis- trict of Nevada expended the proceeds of about $14,000 in bonds. The amount of Contingent Fund expended, was near $10,000; the Teacher's Fund was about $30,000; making a total expenditure for common schools for the year 1865 of about $80,000. In addi- tion to this the expenditures for all purposes in connection with the Agricultural College must be about the same, making a grand total of expenditure in the cause of education for that year, in Story County, of about $160,000. Let those who are ambitious to educate their children, note the advantages offered in that direction by this community.
AN EARLY MILL.
Mr. J. C. Smith's Mill had the capacity to crack corn at the rate of about two bushels per hour, "when in full blast," and was operated, when the stage of water offered power, from 1854 to 1863. The mill-stones were made from bowlder's picked up on the prairie and manufactured by Thomas Vest, who then lived near Ontario. (So says Jonah Griffith.)
AMES.
The town was laid out in the fall of 1865, being named for Oakes Ames, one of the proprietors of the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River Railroad. In October of that year Noah Webster erected the first house. It still stands on the corner northeast from the West House, and is still occupied by the builder. He was assisted in the
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
carpenter work by H. N. Tupper, and the lumber was on the ground before the lots were surveyed. The second house was that of Dr. Carr, immediately west of the other, and was occupied as a residence and office by the doctor, who was, of course, the first physician in the town.
The depot was built about this time, Deacon H. F. Kingsbury being the first station agent, and living in the depot until he could erect a house for himself, which he did on the site of the New York house. The Deacon was also first express agent, first post-master, first merchant and first in the hearts of his fellow cit- izens generally.
The Bosquent Drug store was the first building on that part of the street and was built by a Mr. Osborn. The Boyd Brothers' store was built about the same time by Mr. Miller, and opened as a hardware store and tin shop. These were the improvements made during the fall and winter of 1865-6.
The first grain warehouse was built by Irwin, Rainbold & Hog- gatt, who also opened the first lumber yard. J. Q. Leffingwell set up the first blacksmith shop, taking Mr. Duff in as partner to roof the same, and furnish other capital. The latter had settled on his farm north of town in 1863, and Mrs. Duff was land and business agent in several important early enterprises. It was mainly through her energy and tact that the first church was built, the Congregational, of which the Rev. John White was the first pastor. Rev. Isaiah Reid, as stated elsewhere, preached the first sermon in Ames, and it is narrated that, on one occasion, having been called to officiate at a funeral in the neighborhood, a passing locomotive was hailed for him, and kindly took him up near the present depot and carried him to Nevada. Wm. Hart opened the first wagon shop. Mr. Sherwood built the West House, and kept the first hotel there- in. The first Methodist preacher was Rev. James Hankins; after him came Rev. J. M. Dudley. The first Baptist Church was organized in 1868, the Rev. L. P. Day as pastor, when he was suc- ceeded in 1869 by Rev. H. A. Borden, and he, in 1870, by Rev. S. H. Mitchell. Ames was incorporated 1869, Wm. West being the first Mayor. The first Dry Goods Store, that carried a general assortment, was opened by Lucas & Eddy, since which time all branches of business have greatly increased.
CAMBRIDGE.
Josiah Chandler was the pioneer in this village, building a saw mill on Skunk River in 1853, which was the nucleus of this town.
Jairus Chandler was the first resident on the town plat, building his house near the saw mill. Chandler & Grafton erected the steam grist mill soon after, it being finely and expensively furnished and finished.
J. C. Sladden opened a store in 1854.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATIONS.
At the first election held April 4, 1853, the people voted in two election precincts, the boundaries of which do not seem to have
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
been legally defined, but were designated as Indian and Story. The records are obscure and have probably been changed or amended at times, but subsequent to that time and before April, 1854, the fol- lowing seems to have been about the number and extent of the vari- ous townships:
1st. Indian Creek consisted of township 82, ranges 21 and 22.
2d. Union, township 82, ranges 23 and 24.
3d. Washington, township 83, and west half of range 23, and all of range 24.
4th. Franklin, township 84, west half of range 23, and all of range 24.
5th. LaFayette, township 85, and west half of range 23, and all of range 24.
6th. Nevada, which practically comprised all of the rest of the county, though the territory of the present townships of Lincoln and Warren were not formally recorded as part of the township till May 21, 1858.
In 1857 Collins was organized; and in 1858, Milford, Palestine, Howard and New Albany, some of them with boundaries some- what larger than at present, came into organized existence. In 1866 Lincoln received its name; and in 1867 Grant and Sherman were baptized. In 1872 Warren and Richland came in; and during the same year other boundaries were adjusted, and each congressional township became a civil township. In this condition they now (1876) remain, and with no desire it is presumed for any further change.
New Albany Township received its first settlers in 1855. These were John Lee, George Waltz and Al. Dalton. In 1856 Messrs. Griffin, John McBarnes and Joshua Cooper arrived, after which there was but little settlement for a number of years. About the close of the war there began to be considerable accessions, and now nearly all the land in the township is occupied. The first school house was built in 1865. Hon. J. L. Dana furnished the following notice of Colo: It was laid out and recorded as a village on the twenty-second day of May, 1865, by J. L. Dana. In July, the fol- lowing year, Blair's addition to Colo was laid out. From May, 1865, until the present time improvements have continued to be made, and many substantial residences and business houses have been erected. The first resident of the town was David Leonard, who was soon followed by J. H. Voorhies, S. L. Bailey, George H. Rich- ardson, J. W. Bishop, Isaac S. French and C. W. Gross.
There are two churches (1876) in this place; one erected in 1872, by the Church of God, and the Methodists erected the other church in 1873. Both are very neat structures, and seem to be well at- tended.
The first school in Colo was taught by Miss Huldah Bailey, in a school house which was built in 1866, and since removed into the country. In 1870 the people of Colo built their present substantial frame school house, having two large rooms, in which is taught a
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
good graded school. Colo was organized as an incorporated town in the spring of 1876, and on the thirteenth of May of that year the first election for town officers was held, at which election S. L. Bailey, was elected as mayor. and Riley French, P. W. Hopkins, C. W. Gross, R. M. Bailey and P. E. Granger were elected councilmen.
WARREN TOWNSHIP.
Township 85, range 22, was first settled by Mr. John A. Boston, who came from Whiteside County, Illinois, in the fall of 1868, to the farm on which he still resides (1876), being the northeast quar- ter of section 33. At that time, from his elevated situation, he could see only two houses, that of Isaac Romane, some three miles to the southeast, and C. Springer's house, a like distance to the west. At that time there was no track on the interior prairie around him save that made by himself, and where now (1876) three school houses and a great many dwellings may be counted, there was but a sea of grass. M. V. Durstine and C. E. Graves soon fol- lowed by others, and Warren is rapidly assuming the appearance of a settled county. Groves and orchards are taking their places, and the face of the country is rapidly changing.
LA FAYETTE TOWNSHIP.
One of the earliest settlements in the county was made on the east side of Skunk River in the northern part of the county, by James Smith and his sons, Robert Bracken and his sons, and Joseph Brouhard. These were soon followed by Jonah Griffith, the Bal- lards, the Boyes, and the Andersons, on the east side of the river, while the Lamberts, the Sowers, the Burhams, the Primes also set- tled on the east side, and J. F. Brown on the west side, some of them near the site of Story City (Fairview originally). James Smith built a mill on Long Dick Creek near the center line north and south of section 18, township 85, range 23, and only a few rods north of where said line crosses the creek. Smithfield (an old re- corded village, but now defunct) was a very short distance north of the mill. The mill, though small, was quite a convenience to the early settlers. Col. Scott's history of the mill is as follows: "It is said to have been constructed in a very primitive manner, the corner extending over the dam; the stones which were made of boulders, being set on the shaft over the wheel. J. S. Frazier (says the Col.) remembers to have visited the mill, and to have heard the old man express regret at its incompleteness, notwithstanding it had cost him nearly seventy-five dollars. It would probably grind two or three bushels per hour." (The writer hereof has been at said mill and thinks the above description a good one.)
Story City, or rather Fairview, was founded about the year 1855, Geo. Prime being one of the principal proprietors. It was surveyed by Eli H. French. Jenness built the first dry goods store. In its infancy it was the site of a saw-mill, the inevitable pioneer, that was run by Noah Harding, George Prime and Henry McCarthy. In the olden time the place was called Fairview.
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
LINCOLN TOWNSHIP.
The first settler in township 85, range 21, was John Campbell, who made his home on section 12 in the year 1854. He was followed in 1855 by Jacob Miller, Mr. Buckdaw, Thos. Reagan, John Gilmore, Levi Norton, H. C. Wickham, and perhaps Mr. Jeffers. There was no addition to the population by immigration for five years, at which time W. H. Terwillager made his appearance. But as an evidence that the township was having accessions in another direction, it may be stated that the family of Mr. Wickham now (1876) consists of himself and wife, and five sons and eight daughters, all natives of Lincoln Township. The eldest is not quite seventeen years of age. It is quite remarkable that there has never been a physician called in Mr. Wickham's family. The township is now being well settled, and good school houses dot the prairie in all directions.
INDIAN CREEK TOWNSHIP, 1876.
T. C. Davis even yet grows enthusiastic over the early Indian Creek days, and recalls with great enjoyment the recollection of the fishing, 'coon hunting, deer killing, and elk chasing times. Prairie wolves gave music at nights, and grouse furnished the standard dish in their season. "Uncle Tommy " and Jerry Corey laid out Iowa Center in August, 1855, and engaged in trade, displaying their goods, wares and merchandise in the log cabin in which Jerry's family lived, and for the time it was store, parlor, bed-room, kitchen and hotel. (The compiler of this history now, 1886, ate dinner at this " Headquarters " in 1854, and found it very much as above de- scribed.) The salt, sugar and molasses were kept in a small out- house. It was Jerry's turn one day to draw molasses for Billy Wood. He started the faucet and set the jug, and then went out to entertain Billy while it filled. They struck up a hog-trade, for- got all about the running sweets, and when it was looked for the jug was buried in the escaped contents of the barrel. F. M. Bald- win, with the Young Bros., erected a frame building and began trade in 1855. M. M. & T. J. Ross opened a store in 1856; and the same year there were two steam saw and flouring mills erected. In 1857 the Baptists, aided by the community generally, built their brick church, said to be the first building in the county for church purposes. (There is some doubt about its being the first church building erected in the county. The Cumberland Presbyterian church was built about the same time in Nevada.)
HOMICIDES AND OTHER ITEMS.
About August, 1853, Barnabas Lowell lived in a cabin on East Indian Creek, north of the McDaniel saw-mill. He had quite a large family, and the older children slept in a rough addition to the cabin. One of the older boys was sent for the neighbors in the night with the story that his mother was sick, but when they arrived life was extinct. The children told some story about hear- ing disturbances between their parents, and though the body was buried before any investigation, it was afterwards exhumed and a
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
post-mortem examination was made. The result was that the cor- oner's jury charged the death upon the husband, and he was arrested. The story that the Justice of the Peace before whom he was examined sentenced him to be hanged was started in mischief, but he was held for trial and committed to the Polk County jail. Judge Mckay ordered a special term of the District Court, which was held in the cabin of E. C. Evans, then County Judge, which was about eighty rods west from where he now lives. There was great interest manifested in this trial. A grand jury, the first in the county, was impaneled and held its sessions in an unfinished log house, then in course of erection by Wm. D. Evans. The accused was indicted, the trial was called, and a change of venue was had, the case being sent to Polk County. There was a great crowd at this first term of court. It lasted two days, and the houses and fence-corners of the neighborhood afforded but scanty entertainment for the people. Of course, Judge McKay, ex-Judge Williamson, prospective Judge McFarland, D. O. Finch, the attor- ney for the defense, John A. Hull, "Old Timber," and such nota- bles stopped with Judge Evans, and slept in the court-house; others passed the night as best they could. Many people from the eastern settlements were there, and the track made by the numerous wagons on that occasion was used for several years as the main road across the county. Lowell was afterwards tried at Des Moines, and sentenced to the State's Prison, where he died. This trial cost the county over $600-no great sum in these days, but with the money in the county treasury then it was regarded as being a heavy blow financially.
On the seventeenth of October, 1864, the body of an unknown man was found, partially buried near the mouth of the ravine north of Mr. Frazier's place, who was afterwards known to have been murdered. The perpetrator was caught, tried, and sentenced to the penitentiary for ten years. The murdered man's name was Town- send; the murderer's name was McMullen. They had traveled together from Pike's Peak, and had camped near where the body was found. It was a most brutal act.
On the fourteenth of June, 1870, on the railroad track, near Ames, George Stanley shot and killed Wm. Patterson. The mur- derer was convicted and sentenced to be hanged. It was while he was awaiting execution that the General Assembly, then in session, repealed the act authorizing capital punishment. Both the parties to this murder were citizens of another county.
On the ninth of May, 1875, George N. Kirkman, an old citizen living near the south line of the county, was taken from his bed, under cover of darkness, and killed. This, also, is supposed not to have been done by citizens of Story County, but the guilty parties have not been ascertained. (The writer hereof, W. G. Allen, was well and favorable acquainted with Mr. Kirkman. I have always found him honorable. While surveying for him and others in his vicinity I found it convenient to be at his house often, and consid-
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HISTORY OF STORY COUNTY, IOWA.
ered him a good citizen. The men who so cruelly murdered him may even yet be detected.)
We now copy some items from our Nevada papers. On the six- teenth of July, 1863, the Reveille, published weekly by George F. Schoonover, notes that the Western Stage Company had com- menced running a tri-weekly line of coaches from Marshalltown to Nevada, by way of French Grove. This was in addition to Parker's line, by way of Marietta, twice a week. A great advance on any- thing they ever before enjoyed. November 25, 1863, the Story County paper appeared under the name of The Ægis, and con- tained the salutatory of John M. Brainard. The same number announced the death of 116 Merino sheep in the pens of G. W. Sowers, near Story City, killed in a single night by dogs. This was regarded as a very noted slaughter of the innocents, probably the largest of any late occurrence.
December 30, 1863, an office of the American Express Company was opened at Nevada, in Rock's hardware store, two doors south of the post-office. This was in the "Union Block," east side of south square, which is now called "The Park." The Ægis of January 9, 1864 ( court-house burned December 31, 1863), notes the burning of the Story County Court-house on the night of December 31st. (This court-house was built in 1855 or 1856, and situated on block 25, Nevada, at northeast corner of said block.) The same number notes a storm that "beat the oldest inhabitant." Cattle and hogs frozen to death in their stables and pens; and extending from Green Bay and central Illinois. It was severe much further south. February 10, 1864, the postmaster has just informed the editor there will be a daily mail to and from the East after the 15th. February 24th, the mails that were due on the 14th have not yet arrived, caused by a snow blockade. March 9th, experienced miners are prospecting on West Indian Creek and san- guine of success in finding coal. April 20th, the Chicago daily papers sold on the streets for the first time. June 8th, the old steam saw-mill that stood near the creek northeast from Mr. Frazier's house was moved to Skunk river. June 21st, the construction train is visible less than two miles east of Nevada; a welcome sight. June 29th, a post-office established at Colo (the first railroad post- office in our county). The masons are laying the foundation of the new court-house. (This foundation was placed precisely where the old court-house stood that burned.) The depot building is going up rapidly. August 3d, the telegraph is completed to Nevada, and building to Des Moines. The contractors also broke ground for the Agricultural College building. October 19th, the railroad com- pany have determined to locate the next depot west of Nevada at a point between Skunk River and Squaw Fork, near Sheriff Hoggatt's farm; have not learned what name it will bear. November 16th, J. H. Sinclair removed his goods to his new rooms on the corner northeast from the northeast corner of the North Public or Court- house Square, the corner now occupied by Mr. I. A. Ringhem's . magnificent brick block. Several of our business men are about to
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