USA > Iowa > Cedar County > A topical history of Cedar County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 7
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
into a burlesque parody. Judge Tuthill was not averse to assisting in the literary efforts of the time, and prepared a song for the Tipton minstrels, who tried to sing the county seat into permanency. Typical of early contests of the kind, it is now settled for all time, and no one recalls the past since it is far removed from most of those now concerned in the enterprises of these places. Other contests are now on, many of them more vital to the future good of the county than any county seat contest could ever have been. Then the diversion may have been agreeable, but now it would not be a question of far-away assemblies to adjust, being an entirely local matter.
It was in July, 1841, that John P. Cook was made the agent of the county commissioners to contract for the first court house to be erected in the square as set aside when the town was surveyed. He had specific instruction as to the requirements in the case. It was to be erected near the central part of the square and should not cost more than four thousand dollars. The commissioners were not to be bound to pay out any money from the treasury arising from the sale of town lots that would interfere with the payment of the jail contractor. But after the jail bill was paid he could use any other money arising from such sale. He had full power to supervise and construct the first court house in the county. It is rather out of the present order of things to find such a loan as is mentioned on page fifty, volume two, of the records in the office of the auditor.69 Here J. K. Snyder was authorized to borrow thirty-five dollars for the purchase of two locks for the jail and to pay for this money twenty per cent per annum. Owing to some delay the contractor was given one more year in which to complete the court house. The jail was accepted and bill paid in July, 1843. (This jail was sold at auction in 1856.) In February, 1845, the board of commissioners ordered the contractor on the new court house to cease operations and to give possession to the authori- ties, he having forfeited his right to proceed.
The clerk was instructed to advertise for bids and these bids to be in the price of town lots at their minimum, or in county warrants, the option to be with the board. After contract was made the time was once more extended to allow for suitable weather to plaster. The flues for the building were described in detail by the commissioners. There were to be three and they were to begin on the second floor and extend four feet above the roof, sixteen by twenty inches in size, with crocks for stove pipe in the several rooms. When this house was finished it was rented to many users besides furnishing the offices for the county work. The first floor was given to the district court, county commissioners, clerk and recorder. The northwest room on the second floor was rented to the Masonic lodge for twenty dollars for six months, payable quarterly. The southwest room on the same floor was apportioned to the treasurer, surveyor, sheriff, and to be used as a jury room when court was in session.
The court house square was once ordered fenced in a superior way. The contractor was required to use boards ten inches wide at the bottom, the next to be eight, the third six inches and the other two five each. There was a cap board six inches wide, and "good and sufficient posts," these to be not further than six feet apart; each post to be faced with a six-inch plank.
The old frame court house built in 1843 answered the purpose of court sessions and meetings of various sorts until the second one, or as some might say third,
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
if we count the old log jail first built, was contracted for in 1857 by Judge Spicer, then county judge. This old frame house stood in the center of the square, and was built of native timber, the frame, flooring and lath being of oak, the side and finishing lumber of walnut. Afterwards it was moved to the west side of the street, across from the square, and occupied by the post office and the Advertiser, besides other tenants.
Part of the present court house was completed in 1860, and cost about forty- five thousand dollars. The rear portion and tower as it now appears were built later, and will be noticed in the proper connection.
The jail contracted for in 1857 was built at an expense, according to record, of. $8,000.
Plans for addition to the court house begun in 1857 and completed in 1860 were agitated in the summer of 1889. Mr. M. A. Fulkerson was employed by the county supervisors to draw plans for the two-story addition and safety vaults, as the risk to county records was one of the chief reasons for reconstruction of the building.
The question for the erection of an addition to the court house was submitted to a vote at the November election in 1887, the cost to be ten thousand dollars.70 This was submitted again in 1889 for the sum of twelve thousand dollars, and this time the measure carried. This may have been due to the long preamble of explanation given by the Board as to the necessity for the addition to the old building. Adler and Smith had the contract and it was completed in 1890, being accepted by the county, authorities in November of that year.71 The old jail built in the fifties had served its day as early as 1868, according to the records, for it was proposed then to make a new one.72
This change did not materialize until 1892. Perhaps this was due to the heavy expenses of the county for bridges and court house and the great number of demands for funds. At least, the contract was not let until the year above men- tioned, when plans were submitted in January.73 The new jail was completed in November of 1892 and accepted by the Board. There is no record on the books of the minutes on the page of acceptance as to the cost of the new jail.
It was ordered at this time to rent or sell the old jail.
It may be of interest in this connection to note that the original log jail was sold for fire wood, and one of the inducements for its purchase was the large amount of material in the structure-it being three logs thick. Wells Spicer let the contract for this old one, that is, the last but one, in 1856.74
The amount paid Chas. Swetland for the fence he erected or for which he fur- nished material about the square is given as $176.67.75
Shortly after the close of the war the question of a place to care for the poor of the county was under discussion. One of the reasons given then was the natural result of the war would be the increase in the necessity for alms. This question was submitted to a vote in 1870.76
Bonds were issued in the sum of ten thousand dollars to pay for the farm then voted. The first buildings were erected in 1871. In 1885 the Board of Supervisors adopted set rules for the governing of the inmates and employes of the poor farm.
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
Considerable difficulty has been experienced. in the county since the first large bridge building was undertaken. At the close of the war a bridge was urged to be constructed across the Wapsie since the trade between these districts east and west demanded it. A bridge commission was appointed in 1865 to make some investigations as to the feasibility of certain sites for bridging the Cedar River. A deal of rivalry was manifested in the location of the first bridge across the Cedar. The first commission was composed of Rigby, Carey, and Chase, from the townships of Red Oak, Inland, and Springdale, respectively. Gray's Ford and Cedar Bluffs, then Washington, or Gower's Ferry were rivals for this bridge and the proposals were first made to construct these partly by subscription and partly by county tax. The matter was put to a vote, the south side winning, but this did not result in a bridge, for the record shows that no bridge was built until the one at Cedar Bluffs was constructed in 1877. The story of this bridge and the events leading up to its completion were full of difficulties to the county Board of Supervisors, who had succeeded the county judge in authority in this county.
Robert Gower once petitioned for the privilege of erecting a toll bridge at the crossing of Gower's Ferry and the County Judge (1852) granted the prayer of the petition after it was shown that the company were able to maintain such a structure, and the rates of toll were fixed in the answer to the request for license. The right was extended to the company for ten years and they were in no way allowed to obstruct the navigation of the Cedar River.
The grant was never used as the ferry continued to run until the present, or 1877, bridge was built. Later, Robert Gower became a member of the Board and on one occasion introduced a resolution to carry out the idea expressed in the previous petition of building two toll bridges, one across the Wapsie and one across the Cedar, the county to pay one-half the cost.
The vote mentioned above was taken, resulting in the defeat of the Gower location, and this continued to be the verdict until both propositions for a bridge across the Cedar had been voted down by the ones to be accommodated or those who had the taxes to pay. This was in October, 1867, ten years before any bridge was built.
A new proposition came up in 1870, when a committee reported favorably on the site in the western part of the county. When the stock was selling, of which the county was to take half, the legal opinion was given that the county had no authority to do such things as carry stock in this way. Nothing more was done until 1874, when the Gray's Ford bridge was voted down.77
The first record of the county bridge building in a direct contract appears in 1848, when the board agreed to pay thirty dollars to the builder of a bridge across Rock Creek, near the house of Wm. Green, provided the work was done in an acceptable manner.
In 1868 the first bridge was placed across the Wapsipinicon at Massillon, which was built by the citizens and the county at an expense of some four thousand dollars. The record shows four other smaller bridges built in 1877 at an expense of from three hundred and seventy to one thousand four hundred dollars.78
In the centennial year, 1876, a petition signed by 621 voters from the region to be benefited was presented to the Board for an appropriation of fifteen thousand dollars to aid in the construction of a bridge at Cedar Bluffs. The Board at this
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
time took favorable action so far as to make the preliminary examination of the cost of such a bridge and the possibility of its construction. O. H. Helmer, C. P. Sheldon, and H. G. Coe were appointed a committee to examine the river at this point and to report. In June of this same year another move was made by those who favored the bridge at Gray's Ford, and double the number of names signed to the first petition was secured in its favor. To this the Board turned a deaf ear, as no record is made of action upon it and their attention to it was urged by good men, E. A. Gray, Thomas James, Elwood Macy, D. Morrison, and H. C. Gill, and others of the petitioners.
The committee appointed to report on the bridge site did so at the June meet- ing and their report was adopted, which recommended the Cedar Bluffs proposi- tion. Supervisor Coe then offered the following, and it is quoted verbatim since it is the first definite action binding the county to do something toward the actual construction :
Whereas, believing that two bridges over the Cedar River, in this county, will best serve the interests of the citizens, and also believing that a place called Cedar Bluffs, or Gower's Ferry, furnishes a suitable site for such bridge ; therefore
Resolved, that the Board of Supervisors, before the final adjournment of this session, take the necessary measures for the building of a bridge at the above named point ; provided, that there is sufficient guaranty given to the Board of Supervisors that the west abutment and the approaches to such bridge shall be built without expense to the county, and built according to the plans and specifica- tions approved by this Board.
On the call of the yeas and nays the vote stood three to two for the resolution, Hedges and Smith voting nay.
Robert Gower died about this time; he did not succeed during his life time in securing the object he so long sought for, but his son Sewall presented the needed guaranty and it was accepted. It agreed to pay twelve hundred dollars before the first of April, 1877, to cover the cost of the required portions of the bridge demanded in the resolutions of the Board. The signers of this agreement were Sewall Gower, S. E. Gunsolus, and Ed. Seitzinger.
The Auditor of the county was instructed to advertise for bids for one month e and the contract was let in July, 1876.79
The entire cost of this bridge was finally about twenty-one thousand dollars. It was tested by the Board in January, 1877, and accepted. About this time other projects were on foot to make the second bridge which was erected at Rochester. A diagram of the structure and each item in the requirements of the Cedar Bluffs bridge are posted in the minute book of the Board of Supervisors of 1877.80
Petitions were presented to the board for a bridge at Rochester in 1876. In the beginning seven hundred names were attached and later on in 1878 enough more were added to bring the total up to more than one thousand.81 These ques- tions were postponed from session to session of the board until a committee was finally appointed to make an inspection of the Ivanhoe bridge in Linn County to find out something of its cost. This was in October of 1878.82
At the June term of the Board in 1879 the clerk makes the following record : "The Cedar River bridge question was revived and then gently laid over until the September term." River soundings had been ordered and been reported before
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
this. Resolutions were proposed to build at Gray's Ford at a cost of twenty-five thousand dollars and when votes were counted they were lost. The same session the proposal was made for the same amount to build at Rochester and it carried. At the November term the contract was let for the bridge now crossing the river at that point.83 The Wrought Iron Bridge Co. of Canton, Ohio, secured the work. The citizens of the vicinity of Rochester had subscribed one thousand dollars for the bridge, and the subscription lists were ordered to be transferred to the company for collection and that without recourse.
The last license issued to anyone for a ferry at Rochester was given on the condition that the county might at any time construct a bridge. Before locating the bridge at Rochester the Board had visited the point for which petitions had been received, and a meeting was held at Rochester to discuss the matter. Further consideration was postponed until the time as noted.
A bridge committee to supervise the construction of all bridges was appointed in 1880 and first consisted of C. Orcutt, J. W. Bell, and J. Werling. The entire board visited the bridge then in process of erection and approved the substructure in April, 1880. It was paid for at the June session.
The board met at Rochester to test the new bridge in July, 1880, and on account of the absence of the engineer in charge it was not accepted and paid for until his report was made at a later date.
From this time on the question of building bridges did not arouse so much interest, for the building of the Cedar Valley structure was done very moderately as ordinary business of the county. A committee was appointed in 1887 consisting of Wm. Dean, Aikens and Hall. The contract was let the same year.84
The system of governing a county by commissioners originated in Virginia. . The government of any state or territory comes from the previous custom of its population, and in the case of our own state we have the effects of two kinds of early training in the combination of county and township government. Commis- sioners governed this county from its beginning in 1838 to 1851. It would be very interesting and profitable to trace the population of this county to the point where we could determine the influences that preponderated in the county govern- ment. Judging from the first settlers who came from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New York in a large majority, we can see that they were more or less familiar with the town and county government. Those who came from Virginia or Ken- tucky had little knowledge of the township plan and one may see in certain por- tions of our state, where such persons came in larger numbers, the opposition to control by townships. In 1851 a county court was created.85 The act creating the court gave the county judge jurisdiction in probate affairs and gave him the powers formerly held by the county commissioners. It left nothing for commis- sioners to do. The term court in this sense seems to relate to the powers of a legislative body, which is the name used in such connection in New England, but it does not consist of one-man power.
On July 4, 1860, a law went into effect which provided for the election of one supervisor from each civil township. When assembled at the county seat for county business this body became known as the "Board of Supervisors." This was based upon the township system which had its origin in New England, com- mencing in 1635. The town meeting, which is called in the township each year,
MEMORIAL DAY, TIPTON
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
is the only remaining form of pure democratic government left us. This provided' for local government and the supervisors came to represent the township in the county board as then established. Thus we have represented in our permanent form of government the two types of organization-county and township com- bined. A law was passed in 1871 providing for a change in the number of super- visors, allowing but three instead of one from each township.86 From the time this law went into effect until the election of 1873 county officers were under the control of three supervisors with county auditor as clerk. The act creating three members of the county board provided that on petition of one-fourth of the electors the question of increasing the membership to five or seven should be submitted to the voters of the county. Such a vote was taken in 1873 and the result was in favor of increasing the number to five which number has not been disturbed by increase or decrease up to the present time.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.
The proceedings of the first agricultural society held in Cedar County are pub- lished in the Advertiser for November 12, 1853, the very first issue of that paper, under the heading of "The Cedar County News-Letter."
This meeting, the very first, was held on October II, 1853, and was called to order by the president, J. W. Cattell. The officers for the ensuing year elected at this meeting were: President, J. W. Cattell ; Vice President, T. James ; Secretary, H. C. Pratt; Treasurer, S. P. Daniels. Executive Committee: Iowa Township, G. P. Wood; Pioneer Township, Prior Scott ; Springdale Township, M. V. Butler ; Rochester Township, J. D. Walker ; Polk Township, Ezra Morton.
A Board of Directors was empowered "to purchase a lot of land, from five to ten acres, to be fenced and fitted up as a fair ground in order that the society; may have a permanent place for holding its fairs." S. S. Daniels was secretary of this meeting.
The premium list is interesting and somewhat out of the ordinary when com- pared to one of later date. It is stated that there was some apprehension as to the success of this undertaking since lack of competition would destroy interest. When the eventful days arrived the fears soon passed, for the farmer's wealth began to come in. The vegetable products are truly marvelous. It is said that the great squash weighing 148 pounds really "took the rag off the bush." In the manufacturing department several specimens of weaving are mentioned that would have done credit to a Paisley weaver-coverlets and carpets were there that would rival the imported article.
The premium list includes some names familiar to all the county from that time and before. On butter and cheese the awarding committee included Mr. Cattell, Mrs. James and Mrs. Biseley.
M. Bruder secured the premium for the best display of apples, S. S. Daniels for fowls.
The reputation of this county for horses seems established even at that early time. The names of W. W. Aldrich, Prior Scott, J. Stout, George Carl and H. C. Horn appear among premium winners. The best yoke of oxen came from the farm of John Huber, best three-year-old steers, Prior Scott. In domestic and manufactured articles we find the greatest interest.
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
Mrs. James, Mrs. Moffett and Mrs. Huber were the awarding committee. Best quilt, Mrs. Hay ; woolen yarn, Mrs. Goodrich ; shawl, Mrs. Paton ; rug, Mrs. Dr. Hall ; woolen knit socks, Mrs. Prior Scott ; best pair woolen sheets, Mrs. Hall ; roll stair carpeting, same ; twenty-five yards of rag carpet, Mrs. A. Holtslander.
In farm products not mentioned some surprising yields are mentioned: Best acre of corn (25 acres, one hundred eleven bushels per acre), H. C. Horn, (pre- mium three dollars) ; second best corn (30 acres, ninety-six bushels to the acre), T. James.
In February, 1854, the committee appointed to secure grounds for the society were urged by the president, Cattell, to set to work at once to secure subscriptions. In a column article he sets forth the reasons for this organization. He states, prophetically, that land will be increasing in value and success is impossible unless the ground is owned and kept in readiness. The mechanic is urged to compete especially in the articles used in agricultural pursuits.
The president continued the agitation in succeeding numbers of the paper urging the county to use all diligence in carrying out his recommendations. The premium list should be completed in June in order to give the farmers a good chance to compete. He says : "I never like to put my hand to a work and have it drag or fail, this is my excuse for so often urging this." 87
July 15, 1854, the regular premium list for the fair, October 10 and II, was published and is much more complete than in the previous year. This list in- cludes among manufactured articles such things as best farm wagon made within the county, as all articles must be that compete. The best buggy, pleasure carriage, breaking plow, double and single plow, shovel plow, roller, harrow, ox yoke, farm harness, saddle, shoe and boot making, cooperage, set of chairs, lot of brooms, best specimen of plowing, best soap, and candles. A special committee was ap- pointed to award premiums on all meritorious articles exhibited but not enumer- ated in the list. Tickets at ten cents each, admitting one person, may be procured at the stores of Friend & Culbertson, Shaw & Bagley, and Hammond & Co.
An editorial comment on this fair states that the exhibit was good but nothing more remarkable than the apples showing the adaptibility of Iowa soil to that product. The patent loom exhibited by Mr. Rathbun of Pioneer was an article worthy of all commendation, simple of construction and could be made at very small expense. It would weave twenty yards of plain cloth per day. Mr. Ham- mond, the tinner, had on exhibition the patent "Block Warrior" stove and took the premium.
In October, 1859, a county fair was held at Springdale. A complete premium list was published which compares favorably with those of the previous years. Exhibitors were present from distant parts of the county. At that time Lawrie Tatum was the secretary.
In September, 1860, the annual fair of the county was held at Springdale. The table for holding the fruit and vegetables was well protected by a shed 24x84 feet, which was covered with heavy muslin and enclosed by the same kind of material (a cloth building). Within this enclosure the managers made ample provision for seats. All the males, except the members and small boys, were re- quired to pay a fee of fifteen cents.
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HISTORY OF CEDAR COUNTY
There were 352 entries made of articles for exhibition. Cattle were well rep- resented by the Durhams and grades and a few Devons were on exhibition. A very good lot of hogs were shown, prominent among them being the Chester Whites and Magees. "Some of our citizens seem determined to have a better breed of hogs than the 'prairie wind splitters,' though there are enough of the. latter variety in the county yet to keep up the stock if any prefer them." 88
Sixty-four horses were entered for exhibition and a good sized lot enclosed with a rope was prepared for their accommodation.
Under the head of horticulture there were one hundred twenty-seven entries, G. P. Wood, the nurseryman at Springdale, showing twenty-nine varieties of apples. The potato exhibit was especially fine, the "Prince Albert" taking the first premium. There were sixty-five entries under the head of "Domestic Manu- factures," fifteen of which were for molasses. The quality of the latter product is mentioned as superior to the southern product in every sense. A fair specimen of dry sugar was shown by J. H. Painter. The process was explained and was practical enough if followed.
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