USA > Iowa > Monroe County > An illustrated history of Monroe County, Iowa > Part 20
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
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
15-
226
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
mixed phonetic character, and the whole page was considered the hardest of any to spell in the book. When "chamois" would be "given out," the partisans of the respective sides would cheer, and listen with bated breath when the teacher got down to "daguerreotype," because this word was one of the hardest to spell of all. Finally all would go down except two, representing the rival schools. They would hold the floor sometimes for an hour, and sometimes it would result in a drawn battle, neither party missing a word.
Of late years a radical change in the method of teaching orthography has been adopted, and the dear old spelling- school of hallowed school-days memory has become an insti- tution of the past. Even to this day, the recollection of the spelling-school somewhat softens the harsh outlines of our otherwise austere disposition, as the vision arises of the freckle-nosed school-girl with whom we used to "choose up." Her flaxen hair was split at the ends, and stood ont behind her ears like a ram's horns, and yet we felt. when sitting by her side, a good deal like one is supposed to feel when sitting beside the throne of grace. She could not spell "putty," vet we always chose her first, so we could sit next to her and whisper to her how to spell her words. The spelling- school was one of the redeeming features of an otherwise im- perfect system of instruction, and since it has grown obso- lete. the general knowledge of correct spelling has suffered materially.
The popular school-games were "black-man" and "town- ball." "Black-man" was played by both girls and boys. Some one would be "black-man," bases would be planted a few rods apart, and the "black-man" would charge down on the school, who would make a run for the opposite base. If the "black-man" succeeded in catching anyone, the latter would become one of the "black-man's" imps, and would help catch the others, until all were caught but the big. rough, overgrown school-boy; to take him was a difficult task, as not more than one conld succeed in getting hold of him at one time. It was a delicious experience to have one's school-mate sweetheart catch him; then the youth would struggle, seemingly to free himself, but really to necessitate the girl putting her arms around him to hold him, an ex- pedient which she invariably found highly necessary. She, in turn. would seldom make much effort to escape her "black- man" beau. It was a great game for the promotion of
227
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
school-day courtship, or "puppy-love"-a malady with which we have all been afflicted at some time or other.
"Town-ball" was the antecedent of the modern popular play of "base-ball." "Two-cornered cat" was another game of ball, in which but four boys participated in a game.
The teacher in those days usually "boarded round," and it was the custom on the arrival of Christmas to bar out the teacher. On the day before Christmas the teacher would arrive at the school-house in the morning to find the door and windows barricaded. The big boys would be inside, and "terms of surrender" would be written on a piece of paper and slipped out to the teacher. This document usually speci- fied a treat of a bushel of apples, candy, or, in the ruder set- tlements, whisky. The teacher invariably demurred, and stormed and railed in sometimes real and sometimes affected rage, and if he did not supply the treat, or make a promise to do so, he was often seized by the crowd and carried bodily to some neighboring creek and threatened with a "ducking" through a hole cut in the ice. Sometimes the teacher climbed to the roof and placed a board over the chimney, forcing the smoke into the room filled with pupils. Then the boys would have to drown out the fire if they had water, and if not, their victory was lost.
In the year 1847 or 1848 a tall, lank Yankee came into a district in Urbana Township. He was from away down east, and was well dressed and "put on airs." His style of dress so astonished the peaceable denizens of Soap Creek that the new-comer not only became an object of curiosity, but of un- enviable criticism as well. One day he went to the local "swimmin'-hole" on Soap Creek to wash. Some mischievous boys stole his clothes and the young man was in a desperate strait. He crept through the forest, until he arrived near a dwelling, when he called for the men folks to bring him some clothing. The men were not at home, but four big hounds responded, and, seeing the fugitive naked, mistook him for some big game, and gave chase. The young man climbed a tree, and as the hounds bayed "treed." two young ladies heard the well-known notes of the hounds and hastened to ascertain what they had "treed." After discov- ering the game, they beat a hasty retreat and apprised the men folks of the situation, when the latter brought some clothing and released the young man, who soon left the country, overcome with mortification.
228
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Soap Creek Jurisprudence.
The region drained by the classical Soap Creek was al- ways a fruitful locality for the lawyer. These barristers of bygone days were not as profound in legal lore as some of the expounders of Blackstone of to-day, but they were usually equal to any occasion on which their talent and oratory might be called into requisition.
Every time the stream itself would overflow its banks, a half-dozen law-suits would be among the evil results of the flood. One settler's fence-rails would be swept away and be lodged on the land of his neighbor farther down the stream. The latter would seize them and claim them as his own. If the dispute could not be settled by the amicable arbitrament of a big fight, a law-suit was the inevitable result. Innu- merable important rulings have been made from time to time by "his Honor," the justice of the peace, involving the rights of property, and the views taken by the various justices in summing up the evidence in the matter concerning the own- ership of the rails have been rather kaleidoscopic.
Our old friend, Samuel G. Finney, who resides near Blakesburg for some years past, has usually been retained in cases of a civil nature; and R. B. Arnold is usually on one side or the other, also.
If it is a criminal case, Bill Kinser is much sought for by the defense, and usually brings his client out unscathed. His manner before the magistrate or jury is vehement, and if his case is a hopeless one in which ordinary construction of the law would be unavailing, he usually succeeds in impress- ing the court by means of a superabundance of stupendous oratory. He would not hesitate to engage in a legal duel with the Chief Justice of the United States on a disputed legal point, and if before a court of his own vicinity, would carry off the prize.
Bill Knapp and Levi Wood are another strong brace of local attorneys. Knapp's legal success is somewhat ham- pered by conscientious scruples, as he is of a religious turn, and preaches occasionally. Wood's efforts in the legal pro- fession are unfettered by influences of a similar nature, and his opportunities have full swing.
Adam Hopkins settled on Soap Creek in about the year 1845. He could read and write, and served as justice of the peace for a number of years. His son Perry was usually elected constable. Uncle Adam knew very little about the
229
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
law, but he had one special merit: he carried out the in- terpretation of it to the letter. In one of his law-books-a sort of "Justice's Guide": was a blank form for rendering judgments, and, as an example, the costs were inserted in the proper space as $3.50. So whenever it became his duty to issue judgment, he always made the costs $3.50, as if this amount were a fixed sum prescribed by law, like a marriage license fee or a poll-tax. This was, of course, divided be- tween himself and son Perry. When witnesses demanded their fees. Hopkins informed them that $3.50 was the maxi- mum limit of costs allowed by law, and that if they expected fees, they would have to look to the party who had them subpænaed.
Hopkins always fined a man for fighting, but occasion- ally indulged in the same diversion himself. He and Eleven Dean got into a fight, and Dean was getting the better of him, when Hopkins' son Perry, by virtue of his official capae- ity as constable, rushed in and struck Dean a blow over the head with a billet of wood, at the same time exclaiming in a loud and official tone of voice: "I command the peace in the name of the State of Iowa." Hopkins regained his feet, and, seizing a club, dared Dean or any of his friends to "come on." Dr. Udell sewed up the opened scalps, and peace once more brooded over the temple of Justice.
In 1850, during the horse-thief period, Squire Harris was justice of the peace. One day a stranger rode up and swore out a warrant for a man who, he alleged, had stolen a horse. While Harris was issuing the warrant, another stranger rode up to the cabin and arrested the first man. The latter was riding a stolen horse, and was attempting to work a "blind," to shield himself.
Some Pioncer Episodes.
In early times, the forests, as we have stated already, swarmed with wild bees, and whenever the hunter found a "bee tree," he carved his initials on the tree, which evidence of ownership was universally recognized and respected.
Old Ben Ashbury, who ran a blacksmith shop in Urbana Township, accused Newt Vancleve of cutting a marked bee-tree, and, as it was looked upon as a most heinons of- fense, Newt very naturally resented the charge. Bad blood sprang up between the two, and as old Ben had the reputa- tion of being a "good man." and as young Vancleve had his
230
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
honor to vindicate, it was looked upon as an inevitable re- sult that the two would be bound to meet, and that when this inevitable result occurred, it would be as the meeting of two fierce tides-Greek would meet Greek, when the con- flict came. One day Vancleve was passing the blacksmith shop. Old Ben came to the .door, evidently spoiling for a fight. He accosted Newt with mock suavity. With an affected softness of manner, indicated by a courtly bow and swing of the hand, he addressed him: "How do you do, New- ton, and how are you prospering in this beautiful land of milk and honey?" The allusion to honey seemed to have a sting in it, and Newt told him it was none of his "d-d business." Then they went at it. Newt, like young David of old, car- ried a stone, and with it struck the Goliath-like Ben on the head, knocking him senseless. He thought he had killed him. He raised his head and wet his face with water from the slack-tub, and then, procuring some help, carried his victim into the house, where he attended him with the utmost care until he revived. When Ben returned to consciousness and found the young man attending him, it challenged his admiration and gratitude, and ever after they were warm friends.
Ashbury is said to have been a man of many good traits and good intelligence, but he had a violent temper and loved to fight. On another occasion he and a man named Meeks struck up a fight in Blakesburg over politics. Meeks was a Southern sympathizer, or, at least, a Buchanan Democrat. Ashbury was an abolitionist, and struck Meeks with a hand- saw, and came near cutting his throat. He then got Meeks down and pulled his hair.
On still another occasion some wild boys, in passing his house, annoyed him by calling out: "Hello, old Bogus! come out here!" (Bogus was a name the boys gave him.) Some days later, on meeting the boys, old Ben reproved a young Grimes for his conduct. Grimes denied having been one of the disturbing party, and Ben struck him with a carpenter's square, which came near killing him. Ashbury was arrested and taken before Squire Hiram Hough. Hough had just been elected justice, and was not familiar with the wording of an action for assault and battery; so, after making sev- eral efforts, he gave up the attempt with the excuse that he wished to go to mill. The case was then taken before Squire Thomas Hickenlooper. The aborted information drawn by
231
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Hongh showed that the defendant had been brought before him on a charge of "psalt and battery." It was a great day in Squire Hickenlooper's court. The whole country gath- ered in, and took both dinner and supper with the unfortu- nate justice and family, whose pantry stores were depleted thereby. The jury retired to the corn-crib to weigh the evi- dence and bring in a verdiet, and the crowd waited in the yard. Old Ben had a peculiar habit of thinking out loud. and while moving about in the throng, oblivious to all, he soliloquized on the shortcomings of some of the witnesses who had testified against him, to the great amusement of the listening crowd. "There's old 'Batterhead'; he always was a liar, and they say that back where he came from nobody believed him on oath. And the T-s ain't much better; old .Crane-neck' says that she can recollect when - used to go without soles to his shoes, back in Indiana. and his own mother says that he used to be accused of stealin' sheep."
Old Ben is still alive, and is 91 years of age. He lives at Tingley, Iowa, but is nearing his end rapidly.
Pioneer Fogyism.
While the world is full of superstition, even at the pres- ent day, much of the old-time rot and rubbish growing out of an intermingling of ignorance and superstition has been swept away by the advance of education and a higher plane of intelligence. While superstition itself may not find as ready lodgement in the mind at the present day, there are yet thousands who do not or cannot eradicate their vagar- isms and absurd fancies by philosophical inquiry or rational analysis.
Many farmers, even at the present day, will not plant potatoes or garden truck except during certain phases of the moon.
If he administers veterinary treatment to his pigs, calves, or other live stock, it must be when the "sign is right," or the animals will surely die. The "sign" which he consults is nothing more or less than the signs of the zodiac. For in- stance, if the sign is in the heart, the pig will surely die; at this fatal period the earth is passing through the constella- tion Leo. When the sign is in the neck, it is not quite so bad ; this is when the earth is in the constellation Taurus. When the sign is in the feet, it is still better, since the sign is "go- ing down," and the inflammation can with greater facility tako its departure at the ends of the toes.
232
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Another popular fallacy was that if a board were placed on the grass at a certain period of the moon's age, the grass would grow underneath it; but if placed there at another phase of the moon, the grass would not grow.
The housewife, when she saw a spider descending its web from the ceiling, knew that she would receive a visitor that day.
The young man or young lady who had warts rubbed them with an onion and then buried it beneath the window, and the warts were supposed to disappear.
The quack doctor and many of the old women of pioneer days incorporated these pernicious fancies in their medical practice. The midwife invariably recommended a rabbit- skin as a soothing application for the "weed." "Sheep-nan- nie tea" was good for measles.
A friend of the writer, residing in Blakesburg, and who is himself a physician, relates an episode and vouches for its truthfulness. Dr. Prather was a quack doctor and a "Hard- shell" Baptist preacher combined; he assisted people in coming into the world, and also prepared them for their advent into the next. Brother Prather was called to the bedside of a Mrs. Jones, who was suffering intense pain; and. after making a thorough examination of the patient, he an- nounced: "Yes, I see what the trouble is; I have been trou- bled in the same way myself." One of the old women pres- ent, who knew more about the patient's condition than the doctor did, disputed with him, explaining that it was impos- sible for a person of his sex to be similarly afflicted. The doctor and the women finally agreed in a diagnosis of the case, and the physician stated that he must have the skin of a black cat to lay upon the patient's stomach. "It must be a very black one, and better send the boys out to hunt one while we pray." A crowd joined in the chase, and several black cats were brought in, including one polecat. The poor woman died during the night. Brother Prather said that if he had arrived a little sooner, he could have saved her; but when he preached her funeral sermon, he stated that "her time had come-the Lord had seen fit to take her to his own." The "Hardshell" Baptist believed more in the skin of a black cat than he did in foreordination and predestination, in the case of his patient, for he still insisted that he could have saved her if the cat-skin had been applied soon enough.
Our medical friend relates another story of Dr. Prather.
233
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
and if the reader doubts his veracity, further substantiation of the tale may be added by the fact that there are to this day many living descendants of the yellow dog in the case. Bob Martin broke a leg, and Prather was sent for. Prather prescribed the skin of a yellow dog in which to bind the fractured limb. One was killed, and the skin promptly ap. plied. The patient recovered, but the leg was crooked Prather explained that defect by saying that the dog had a few white spots on its belly, which had been overlooked. The fumes from burning chicken feathers were consid- ered a powerful remedy in alleviating the pains of childbirth.
The lack of intelligent and skilled medical practitioners in early days added most to the hardships of the early set- tlers. However, they were mostly of robust constitutions and were seldom sick.
They Killed the Family Pig.
In about the year 1850, Wareham G. Clark and James Traey started to Burlington with a load of wheat to have it ground into flour. While en route, a heavy snow fell and buried up the grass upon which the farmers were dependent for feed for their oxen. They were compelled to feed their oxen wheat along the road, and as they were five weeks mak- ing the trip, it took most of the wheat to feed the team. In their absence, their wives ran short of breadstuffs. The ladies were near neighbors, so they coneluded to butcher a hog. They called it up out of the woods. One seized it by the hind legs, and the other knocked it in the head with an ax. They then scalded and dressed it, and on hog and hominy they lived until the return of their lords.
234
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
THE MONROE COUNTY JAIL.
CHAPTER XIV.
The County Jail and County Finances.
At the June session of the Monroe County Board of Supervisors of 1891 a petition, signed by 227 citizens and tax- payers of the county, praying the submission of a proposition to build a county jail and jailer's residence in Albia at a cost of $12,000, was submitted to the Board for action, in the premises.
The proposition was voted upon at the general election, and carried by a vote of 1,412 in favor of, and 814 against, the measure.
Accordingly, at the June session of the Board of 1892 that body ordered that the county be bonded in the sum of $25,000, $12,000 of which was to apply to the building of the
235
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
jail and jailer's residence, and $13,000 to be applied in liquidation of the county's indebtedness, and to be known as the county bond fund. These bonds were issued in sums of one thousand dollars each. and bore 5 per cent interest, pay- able semi-annually. They were to mature in 1902; but the county reserved the right to redeem them before maturity in the following manner: those numbered from 1 to 12 to be paid any time before maturity, and those numbered from 13 to 25. both inclusive. to be paid any time after five years, and before maturity.
Prior to the $25,000 issue, there were $3,500 of old bonds outstanding, held by Cleveland (Ohio) parties. These our County Treasurer paid off May 25, 1896.
In the present year (1896) an additional bond levy of $20,000 was made to meet current indebtedness.
None of the principal of the $25,000 has been paid, so far; but at present there is on hands in the county treasury the following available funds: county funds, $4,290.46; jail funds, $4,719.87. This amount can be paid on the bonds at any time, towards liquidating the principal and meeting the semi-annual interest, which latter becomes dne in July.
The First National Bank of Albia holds all the bonds now outstanding, and took them at a liberal premium. The late $20,000 issue matures in 1906, but may be paid at any time prior to that date
For several years the county tax levy has been placed at the highest limit authorized by law; and yet the county. year after year, has been running behind in its current in- debtedness, and if some remedy is not soon interposed, em- barrassing results will ensue ere long. There is but one way to remedy the evil, and that is to require township assessors to assess property at its actual value. There are grave de- fects in the present system of levying county taxes, and the County Board ought to exercise closer and more judicions supervision in the matter than it has hitherto shown.
The consolidated tax levy for 1896 was 15 3-10 mills. and while the county levy was 6 mills-the maximum limit prescribed by law-the entire levy consolidated is not up to the maximum limit. The county bond tax is also placed at the highest limit.
The statutes authorize the Board of Supervisors to assess and levy each year on the taxable property of the county, in addition to the levy authorized for other purposes,
236
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
a sufficient sum to pay the interest on outstanding bonds accruing before the next annual levy, and any portion of the principal which, at the end of three years, the sum raised shall equal at least 20 per cent of the amount of the bonds issued; at the end of five years, at least 40 per cent of the amount; and at and before the date of maturity of the bonds shall be equal to the whole amount of the principal and in- terest. Such money arising from these levies constitutes the bond fund. This bond fund cannot be used for any other purpose.
Under the provisions of the code, the Board of Super- visors have the power to levy a tax of } mill on the dollar to pay off these bonds, if the annual levy is found insufficient, and this provision does not hinder the county from adopting a still higher levy; but the proposition has to be first sub- mitted to the people for approval.
The county tax of 6 mills can also be increased by special aet of the Legislature, but the proposition would also have to be submitted to the people for their approval, and they would vote it down. There is always a disposition on the part of the people to cry down any proposition to increase taxation, and, on the other hand, they call loudly for "lower taxes, lower taxes"; but in the midst of this popular cry there is a financial skeleton lurking in the county's closet-a "Banquo's ghost," continually rising and pointing with its finger to the accumulating indebtedness of the county.
The County Board has always used the utmost economy in making appropriations, and the building of the county jail was a wise and economic measure. Prior to its con- struction prisoners were taken to jails in adjoining counties, at considerable expense. For instance, if a prisoner had to be transferred to Chariton, twenty-five miles distant, the sheriff was allowed 10 cents per mile milage or $2.50; and 40 cents an hour for services, which made $5 or $6 more; then the prisoner's and officer's transportation should be added, and the amount is considerable. Monroe County has a splendid and amply secure jail, and it is well worth every cent of its cost.
237
HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
CHAPTER XV.
The Methodist Episcopal Church.
As has already been stated, the church is one of the trinity of the church, school-house, and printing-press, which inolds civilization and brings order out of chaos.
The organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Monroe County was about contemporaneous with that of the county itself. It did not wait for social organization to take form, being ever on the alert for new enterprises; but in the month of August, 1843, and within four months after the opening of the county for settlement, the Rock River Conference, then having charge of the work in Iowa, at its session in Dubuque, being the first annual conference ever held in Iowa, mapped out a district including the "New Purchase," and projected a mission west of the Des Moines River, to which it gave the name of Soap Creek Mission, after the name of the stream in Wapello and Monroe counties.
This Mission was designed to cover all of the "New Purchase" south and west of the Des Moines River and above Van Buren County; and Rev. Wm. Hulbert, a young man just admitted into the Conference, was sent to it as the pio- neer missionary of the church to this part of Iowa. Mr. Hulbert located at Agency, at that time about on the border of civilization. Some of those points within his charge at which he preached were Alexander May's, near where Attica now is; and another was at the cabin of James R. Boggs, a mile or two northeast of Albia. He preached only once at May's, and on that occasion his horse broke loose and re- turned to Agency, swimming the Des Moines River. Its owner, on returning, paddled down the river in a canoe from Eddyville to Ottumwa, and from thence walked home, car- rying his saddle on his back. Rev. Hulbert is still living, and resides at San Leandro, California.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.