USA > Iowa > Monroe County > An illustrated history of Monroe County, Iowa > Part 27
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The Knights of Pythias brought their organization from Kirksville, Iowa, and have been firmly established in Hite-
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
man ever since. Their organization is styled Richland Lodge, No. 151. They have 108 members.
The Odd Fellows organized in 1894. They have 79 mem- bers, and their lodge is known as the Hiteman Lodge, No 548. The present officers are: JJ. H. Nelson, N. G .; Ed. C. Moses, vice-grand; J. H. MeAuley, recording secretary; Peter N. Swanson, permanent secretary; and Wm. Wild, treasurer. The Odd Fellows have a large two-story frame building nearly completed. The lower floor will constitute an opera hall, and the upper one will be fitted up for a lodge room. The hall is 86x36 feet in dimensions.
The Hiteman Supply Company is by far the most ex- tensive mercantile firm in Monroe County. The concern was incorporated in 1890, and is in reality an auxiliary of the Wapello Coal Company. It is a corporate concern, with an authorized capital stock of $50,000, and has issued stock to the amount of $30,000. J. C. Peasley, president of the Wapello Coal Company, is president of the Hiteman Supply Company, H. L. Waterman is vice-president, S. A. Corey secretary and treasurer, J. P. Early manager, and O. L. Can- ning cashier. The following persons assist as salesmen: Chris .. Peterson, John Spar, Miss Henrietta Dinsmore, John Morgan. Thos. Barker, Ed. Early. W. S. Scott, and I. T. Wil- liams. The store building is 48x96 feet in dimensions, and the firm handles every line of goods from lumber to nutmegs.
The Wapello Coal Company was incorporated in 1880, with an authorized capital stock of $900,000, but only $730,000 has been issued: J. C. Peasly, of Chicago, is presi- dent, H. L. Waterman vice-president, and H. E. Jarvis, of Burlington, secretary. The company owns about 5.500 acres of coal land in the vicinity, which cost the company about $24 per acre on an average. The workable coal aver- ages 5 feet in thickness, and the company has removed about 10 per cent of its coal. The C .. B. & Q. Railway consumes the entire output of the plant. The company has paid to its employees during the present year $250,000, and the average net earnings of a miner is about $500 per year. The shaft is 160 feet in depth, and there are about 450 men employed in the mines.
Only one vein of coal is worked at fliteman. The daily capacity of the plant is 1,000 tons, and the daily output aver- ages about 800 tons. The company have a "tail-rope" system in the mines, and have two fans for ventilation purposes.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
The fans send down about 90,000 cubic feet of air per minute.
The following persons have charge of the mines: Phil Waterman and his father, Sen. H. L. Waterman, civil en- gineers; mechanical engineers, John Zentz and Thomas McGuire; hoisting engineer, L. S. Cousins; pit-boss, W. B. Powell; inside foremen, Wm. Barkwell and Owen Reese; top-boss, Mark Greeley; blacksmiths, R. D. Morgan and A. L. Hirst.
The company contemplates sinking another shaft this year, about a mile north of the present one, and similar to it in extent and plan.
Wherever there is a mining camp there is a large Welsh population. In a camp of say 1000 population there are about a half-dozen different families by the name of Thomas; then there are about an equal number of Jameses, Morgans, Lewises, Williamses, Reeses, Hugheses, Llewellyns, and Joneses; these are all names very common among the Welsh. On account of so many different families bearing the same name, it is customary in Wales, in writing a person's name .. to affix to his name the first name of his father, and to that of his father, the name of his father. For instance, in writing John Morgan's name the Welsh word "ap" follows it, "ap" meaning "son of"-thus, John Morgan ap Gomer ap Owen; Gomer and Owen being the father and grandfather, respect- ยท ively, of John Morgan.
Wherever these Welsh names are found in a community you may expect a musical neighborhood. The towns of Hiteman and Foster contain a large number of very fine singers, some of whom have been educated in some of the best musical schools in Europe. For several years the Hite- man Glee Club has maintained the reputation of being one of the best glee clubs in the State.
The town supports a very fine cornet band. Following is a list of the members: Jas. Amsbury, leader; Wm. Phil- lips, cornet; P. C. Williams, clarionet; Hugh Williams, alto; Geo. Darby, alto; Henry Longacre, trombone; John Neighbor, trombone; Frank Laundeen, 2d cornet; Jack Cooper, tuba; Jack O'Holland, bass drum; Lincoln Hirst, 2d cornet; Thos. Williams, snare drum; Andrew Johnson, tuba; Jas. Wild, baritone; Wm. Morrissey, B bass.
In 1892 the School Board of Hiteman built a nice frame school-house. The main building is 30x60 feet, with a wing 26x36 feet.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Hiteman contains six church organizations-viz., the Baptist, Congregational, Swedish Lutheran, Swedish Meth- odist, Welsh Baptist, and Colored Baptist.
The Baptists organized and built a church structure in 1894. The building is 28x60 feet. Rev. MeDowell organized the congregation.
The Congregational Church was organized by Rev. Wm. Thomas, and a church edifice erected in 1892. The church is made up largely of Welsh, and the present membership is about forty. Rev. Owen Thomas, the present pastor, has been preaching for the class for two years.
The Swedish Lutheran Church was organized in 1893. They have a small church edifice. Rev. B. M. Glyn is the present pastor. He also conducts a day school, teaching the Swedish language.
The Swedish Methodists were organized by Rev. Eries- son in 1892. He has charge of the congregation at present. This organization has about 30 members. They own a church building. 18x28 feet.
The Welsh Baptists built a church in 1892. 16x20 feet in dimensions. Their organization contains twenty-five members. Rev. D. R. Morgan is their pastor.
The Colored Baptists organized in 1890. They consist of about 15 members.
But the one institution of the town which inspires the citizens of Hiteman with intense pride is the Hiteman Base- ball Nine. It swathes the town in a flood of glory, and the first thing the citizen speaks about, in welcoming a visitor to the place, is the immortal nine. He will tell you that the elnb have lost but two games in two years. The roster of this glorious band is as follows: Dr. MeFall, manager; Wmn. Everett, captain; Wes Bladgett, pitcher; Henry Dins- more, right field: Jas. L. Baxter, center field: Edmund Thomas, left field: Roo Torrence, first base: Wm. Tiley. second base ; and Win. Stephenson, third base.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
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CHAPTER XVIII.
Some Battles with the "Hairy Nation."
The next dearest thing to the heart of the citizen of the "Hairy Nation," after a drink of whisky at Harrow's, was a free-for-all fight. Every man of them was a warrior. They did not fight so much through provocation or on account of any desire to avenge any imagined grievance, but they fought merely for recreation. They loved it. It was a race peculiarity.
They did not all inhabit the eastern portion of the county, for there were a few in the northern part. The Goodwins and Gladsons lived in Bluff Creek Township, but they were not loyal to the Mantua crowd. They did not belong to the "Nation."
At that time, Soap Creek had not yet come to the front as a fighting nation. The Kinser clan, however, were "good men," and whenever they felt inclined to take a little recre- ation, they came to Albia to fight with the Gladson-Goodwin crowd against the Tyrrell-Judson gang. They were allies of the Goodwin gang.
In 1851 Geo. Cramer was clerking for A. C. Wilson. The North and South met and united their forces against the "Hairy Nation." When the braves began to assemble, Geo. Cramer instinctively barricaded the store door, by running a heavy bar across the entrance. At length an assailing party came round to the store, found it locked, and then they tried to break in the door. In vain they threw their weighty bodies against it to break it in. Old Billy Kinser, father of W. D. Kinser, of Moravia, was among those inside the store, and probably induced Cramer to open the door to hasten on the "festivities." At any rate, young Cramer, who was about 18 years of age, raised the portcullis, and the besieging party rushed in. There was a barrel of ax-handles in the room, and each party seized one. The crowd was fighting mainly among themselves, probably just to keep in good fighting trim whenever the Northern band put in an appearance. Bill Kinser got an ax-handle, and used it in a free-and-easy manner among the crowd, knocking one of the Judsons flat on the floor. Cramer mounted the
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
counter with an ax-handle, and whenever a member of the crowd of combatants circled within reach of his ax-handle, the handle came down without stint on the hirsute cranium of the Mantuan.
In 1858 Geo. Cramer was deputy sheriff of Monroe County. Some of the Judsons had been "pulled" for getting too hilarious at Harrow's saloon. Henry Judson, when arrested, gave bond for his appearance in justice's court, but, on the day set for the trial, neglected to appear. Cramer went down to the "Nation" to arrest him. When he brought his prisoner through Cuba, a crowd of the "Hairy Nation" arose and rescued their fellow-chieftain from the officer. Captain Saunders happened to be at Cuba that day, and with his assistance Cramer rearrested his man, and while he held the crowd at bay with a brace of pistols, Saunders loaded the prisoner into the buggy and away they drove towards Albia, followed by a cavalcade of the mob, shouting and firing their pistols at every jump of their nags. The pursuers and pursued kept up a running fire until they reached Albia. While the prisoner was being conducted towards the office of Wm. Davis, the justice of the peace, an attempt was again made to rescue him.
There were the Tyrrells and Judsons and other braves of the "Nation" among the attacking party, and Mart Giltner, George Knight, Oliver Garrott. William Boals, Tom Tucker, and others among the crowd of "minute men." George Knight used a pitchfork. Geo. Cramer his fists and a revolver, Captain Saunders his fists, Tom Tucker an ax- handle, and others used clubs. One of the Judsons ripped open Wm. Boals' shirt-collar with a big knife, and while Tom Tucker was shoving Laurel Tyrrell into the jail door, the latter kicked backward, striking Tom on the chin and knocking out two of his teeth. Milt Smith hit one of the Tyrrells on the head with a brickbat, and the crowd thought the man was killed.
The "Hairy Nation" was finally whipped in the fight, and the prisoner was gotten to the justice's office, and prob- ably re-fined, and others of the party were lodged in jail.
At another time he was wanted for some slight offense. George Cramer went to bring him in. He located him in the woods, chopping away at a big tree. When the tree was about ready to fall, Cramer approached him from the rear. He did not see the officer until he was within a few
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
feet from him. Judson then, on discovering him, made a jump for his rifle, which leaned against a neighboring tree; but before he could cock it, Cramer had him covered with a revolver. Captain Saunders was also with Cramer, and the three started for Albia, going through a field. Judson wanted to go by way of Cuba, but was told that his captors had had a little experience with him not long before, and that they thought it best to leave the village on their route.
While going through the field, Judson inquired what they would do if he concluded to not go any further. 'Cramer told him they would simply make him go. Then he laid down, and would not move. Cramer had a rope on his horse; with this he tied Judson, and, attaching one end to the horn of the saddle, the procession proceeded a short distance, when the prisoner concluded to go along volun- tarily.
Old man Strickland was also a "good man." He lived a few miles north of Albia, and whenever he felt an inclina- tion to "clean out the town," his first warlike preparation was to pull off his shirt. One day he was out in the streets of Albia, preparing to engage the crowd in battle, but in removing his shirt he neglected to unbutton the wristbands. He got the garment over his head, but his hands would not come through the sleeves at the wristbands. His antagonist, seeing the advantage, opened the attack. Strickland, appreciating the necessity for prompt action, stooped and, placing one foot on each sleeve, pulled, like one skinning a squirrel, until the sleeves gave way and freed his hands. He then sailed into his foe, but was arrested and lodged in the old jail. At this period the old jail leaned considerably to one side, and when a guard was placed over him, he objected; he thought it was unnecessary to guard the side of the jail which leaned, as "any man would be a d-d fool to venture to escape from the side which leaned."
How a Sixth Iowa Caralry Boy Got His Whisky.
Thomas Boyle. of Foster, who was a member of the Third Iowa Light Artillery, relates an anecdote on his friend John Gelson, an Irishman, who belonged to Company B. Sixth Iowa Cavalry. In 1863 and 1864 this regiment was in Sully's command, stationed in the Cheyenne country, near Ft. Pierre.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
It was on Christmas, and the boys wanted a little whisky, but did not have the money to buy it, and the sutler would not be "stood off" for the pay. Gelson got two jugs, filled one with water and the other was empty. Appearing before the sutler, he ordered the empty jug filled with whisky. The sutler filled it. Gelson, on receiving it, in- quired how much it was worth. The sutler informed him that it would cost five dollars. Gelson appeared disap- pointed, and objected to paying so much. The sutler was a heartless fellow, and told Gelson that if he thought it was 100 much. to hand the jug back. Gelson did so, but handed the jug that contained the water instead of the whisky. The sut- ler was none the wiser. and the boys celebrated Christmas on whisky that did not cost a cent.
The Oldest Citizen Born on Iowa Soil.
John Adams, of Mantua Township, claims to be the first white male person born on Iowa soil. He is 76 years of age, and was born in 1820 at a trading post on the Missouri River. where the city of Council Bluffs now stands. The city had not been platted at that time. nor in 1824, when a French trader named Hart built a cabin on the bluffs near the large spring known as "Myner's Spring." The employees of the American Fur Company called the locality "La Cote de Hart," or "Hart's Bluff."
It may be necessary, however, for Mr. Adams to defend his claims to the honor of being the first white child born within the State, against those of Julien Dubuque's band of miners who settled along the Mississippi River in 1788. Although Mr. Adams may have been the first white American born in lowa, it is quite certain that there were white chil- dren born in Iowa among the French traders prior to 1820.
Dr. Muir settled in Lee County in 1820. He was a sur- geon in the United States army, and some years later located in Galena, Ill., and practiced law, and then returned to Keokuk. He had an Indian wife when he located in Lee County, and was the father of four children, some of whom were born in Iowa, as early, at least, as 1820.
Mr. Adams came to Monroe County in the '50s. Then he located in Wapello County, and then returned to Monroe County in 1873. From Council Bluff's he emigrated to Ohio, and from thence to Black Hawk County, in 1850.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Yankee Pumpkins as Parlor Sets.
In early times chairs were a luxury which every pioneer family, however well regulated, could not always afford.
Nail-kegs, too, were scarce, but the settlers soon began to use a chair not made with hands. It was the big Yankee pumpkin.
In the early '50s Nat Williamson went "sparking" over the line in Wapello County. In those days it was customary for the young men to court their girls in droves. William- son, Tom Commons, and Joe Carwell went over in a gang to "set" Salina McFarland, Miss Way, and Miss Sutton. They did not have chairs, but the lovers sat on pumpkins. They were never popular with lovers, however, as a pumpkin would not support two without wabbling.
Old Documents.
"Territory of Iowa
Kiskekosh County
"to eny Cunstabal in said county greeting in the name of the united states of america you are hereby commanded to atach so much of the goods and chatchels money receipts of Simon Cochron except such as the law exempts as shall be sufficient to satisfy the claim of sixteen dollars and seven cents and cost of suite in hoosoever possession the same may be found in your county and presincte that the goods and chatchels so attached may be subject to ferthar Prosedings thare on as the law requires and also to summon the said Simon Cochron if to be found to apere before mee a Justice of the peace of the Mcintire precinct in said county at my office tharein on the 19 day of July 1845 at 12 oclock of said day to anser into H. M. Smith plantif and also that you summon all such pursens as garnisheez as may be derected by the said plaintif to apere before me at the time and place aforesed to anser such intirguations as may be pro- ponded to them and of this rit make legal servis and due returns given under my hand this 9 day of July A. D. 1845. "Archibald Dorothy "Justice of the peace"
On the back of this "rit " is found the following: "This rit came to hand July 9 at P. M. 9 oclock."
"leved this 10 day of July, one thousand seven hundred and twenty rales bilt in fense tin achres braking two log
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
cabens three achres and a half of buckwheat whith all and singulare belonging to the with in cowhorn all the buv named property laying in township seventy one"
"garneshed Mr. Scot and A Trussle leved on by Flem- ming Tice July 10 1845"
"the demand $16.7 cents at the request and resque of the plaintif I impour Flemming Tice to execute this rit "Archibald Dorothy "Justice of the peace"
Here is another order for the delivery of certain "goods and chattels":
"Territory of lowa Kishkekosh County
Troy Township.
To any constable in said County greeting:
"In the name of the united states of America you are hereby commanded to cause to be delivered without delay to Henry B. Bones herein (if he gives the security required by law) the following goods and chattles to wit: ten hogs, one sow of a dirty white couler and her ear marks destroyed by dogs, three barrows marked with a crop off the left ear and an underbit in the right and a slit in the same; and five pigs conlered black and white and no ear marks, and sum- mon Andrew Galaspy defendant, to be and appear before me, a justice of the Peace in the above named county, at my office tharein, on the 15 day of January 1846, at 9 oclock A.M. of said day, to answer unto the said plaintiff, in a plea of replevin, and of this writ, make due service and return, given under my hand this Sth day of January, 1846. "Geo. Deay, "Justice of the Peace."
Some Early Milling Exploits.
In 1848 Newt Vancleve went to Bonaparte with a grist of milling. When he got down as far as Big Soap Creek, he found the stream out of its banks, caused by a recent heavy rain. There were no bridges; and as the family had scraped the bottom of the meal-barrel, there was no alter- native but to get to mill in some way. He found a big cottonwood log lying across the stream above the current. Over this he carried each sack of corn to the opposite bank ; then he took the wagon apart and carried it across, piece- meal. The wagon-bed he floated across by attaching a rope to it. He then swam the team across, and then went on
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
his way. It took him nine days to make the trip; on return- ing, he found the creek still out of its banks. He left the wagon and milling at Madison McIntyre's, and swam the team across the stream and got home. He and his father returned a week later for the wagon and grist.
Mr. Vancleve is still living in Urbana Township, and relates another incident. In 1850 Hamaker's mill was established on Cedar Creek, and here the settlers took their "grinding." One day, while en route to mill, he overtook Hon. Josiah T. Young with an ox-team, also on his way to mill. Mr. Young was in his bare feet and was reading a volume of Gibbon's "Rome" while en route.
Mr. Vancleve passed him, got his grist ground, and both started on their return home. Mr. Young stopped at Strickland's, a few miles north of Albia, to water his oxen. Old man Strickland was drunk, and got after Mr. Young's bare feet with a switch, making him hop around over the premises quite briskly.
In 1867 John Edwards made a proposition to the people of Monroe County to build a mill in Albia if the people would subscribe $600 towards the enterprise. The mill was erected, but the amount of bonus was never made up.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
CHAPTER XIX.
Educational.
Monroe County offers as good educational advantages as any county in the State.
The course of study pursued in the Albia High School is just as thorough as that taught in the colleges, and it requires twelve years to complete the course. Latin, how- ever, is the only foreign language taught. Prof. H. C. Hollingsworth is the present principal. He receives an annual salary of $1300.
There are six graded schools in Monroe County-viz., Albia, Avery, Foster, Hiteman, Lovilia, and Melrose. In 1895 there were enrolled in the schools: Albia, 701 pupils; Avery, 110; Foster, 139; Hiteman, 305; Lovilia, 97; and Melrose, 126.
In 1896 there were 102 school-houses in the county, and in 1896 there were 161 teachers enrolled in the office of the County Superintendent. Following is the list as taken from the County Superintendent's books:
Mrs. Della Angel, G. M. Abegglen, Mary Abegglen, Chas. Abegglen, W. T. Bussear, Mamie Bucher, Emmett Bay, A. H. Bain, W. H. Bates, D. W. Bates, Sadie Baldwin, Laura Burgason, Bessie Bradley, Alice Burgason, Ada Burgason, Amanda Burgason, Clara Barber, Mollie Barber, Fred Bowen, Mrs. Mary Baker, Clara Chisholm, Myrta Cox, J. J. Carr, Olla Cobb, Anna Castle, Alice Cromwell, Mrs. L. B. Carlisle, Stella Cobb, Maggie Canning, Mary Carmody, Ella Cady, Rose Clark, Cassie Craig, Josie Craig, Bert Court- ney. Mary Cummings, Fannie Dunleavy, Mary Drury, Libbie Davis. Nellie Delana, Laura Dashiell, A. E. Elder, Jennie Ewers, Albert Ewers, Mattie Emanuel, Clara Forest, M. C. Falvey, Mary Fuller, Mamie Follis. Ada Foster, Anna Fall, Chas. E. Fulton, Mattie Ferguson, Florence Ferguson, Win. Fallon, Emma Funk, Stella Fulton, Ora Fisher, Anna Fulton, Lillie Gillaspie, Ida Gillaspie, JJessie Gray, JJohn O. Hawk, Eva Harris, Alice Howk, Margaret Hawk, Mrs. H. G. Hickenlooper, Ruth Higgenbotham, Sol. Hickman, John Hickman, Cyrus Hickenlooper, Maggie Harlow, Myrta Har- low, Dora Haugh, Zulah Holtzelaugh, Mande Ireland. Ethic
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
Junkins, Nettie Junkins, Estella Johnson, L. E. Johnson. Lila Judson, Albert Johnson, Joseph Kelleher, Ella Kirby, E. G. Kussart, Rosa Leech, Lucy Lemaster, Ella McDonald, Maude Mullen, Ethel Mullen, Mary Miller, Allie Murray, Frankie McKissick, Rhoda McGilvery, Nettie McCoy, Anna Morrissey, Clara Noland, D. W. Nevins, Mary Neil, Lizzie O'Brien, Mrs. Mary O'Bryan, E. B. Piper, Mattie D. Peter- sen, J. W. Payne, Alice Quillan, Mary Quinn, Mrs. Hattie Robinson, May Rigdon, Maggie Ryan, Mary Ryan, Effie Robi- son, V. L. Ray, Pearl Riggs, Otto Runyan. Julia Riordan, D. H. Rouse, Chas. Richey, Orpha Rigdon, J. W. Robison, Addie Rogers, A. W. Richardson, Josie Sexton, Della Sinnott, J. M. Sterrett, Mary Shearer, Bid Sullivan, Stella Scott, Jen- nie Sinclair, Arthur Spencer, Daisy C. Sayles, Alice Stone, G. W. Stocker, G. Z. Stocker, Katie Sexton, Mary Simons, H. A. Stites, Minnie Sullivan, Thomas Stewart, Maggie Sin- nott, Ollie V. Smith, Geo. H. Shahan, Lottie Totman. Edith Tibbals, Ella Tubaugh, W. H. Tedrow, Hattie Thompson, Etta Thompson, Mabel Ury, Katie Whalen, Osie West, Katie Winslow, John Wycoff, Emma Way, Merlin Wilkin, Nora Wilkin, Alice White, Ruth Wirt, Mary Wiedman, Charles Young, Mrs. Jennie Thayer, Mrs. Jennie Warner.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY, IOWA.
CHAPTER XX.
The Mining Industry.
At the present time Monroe County ranks third in the list of coal-producing counties in the State; but it is safe to venture the prediction that within the next five years she will occupy a place at the head of the list.
Mahaska County is at present the largest coal-producing county in the State, producing, in 1895, 902,430 tons of coal, valued at the mines at $1,209,256.
Appanoose County came next, with her 350,000 tons, valued at the mines at $420,000.
Monroe County followed, with 313,354 tons, valued at the mines at $391,692.
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