USA > Iowa > An illustrated history of the state of Iowa, being a complete civil, political, and military history of the state, from its first exploration down to 1875; > Part 32
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The settlers tell, with much interest, moving incidents " by flood and field " connected with the Indian war in the summer of 1854; but it is well under- stood that many of the best stories are unworthy of credence. Companies were raised to prosecute a campaign, but, with the exception of one Winne- bago hoy who was killed in a street quarrel, no blood was spilt in the long series of manœuvers. It is rumored that some of the warlike defenders of the soil were more frightened than hurt, but there can be no doubt that prodigies of valor would have been exhibited if there had been occasion. The speed with which some retrograde
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evolutions were effected cannot be too highly praised.
The county seat having been located at Cedar Falls gave great dissatifaction to the citizens of Waterloo, that place being much nearer the geographical ceuter of the district, and after much debating and a little fighting, it was resolved that the matter be referred to the vote of the people. Waterloo won the appeal in April, 1855, but in spite of that indication of the popular will, the relocation was resisted on various pretenses, legal and illegal, for many months, one of the judges belng sus- pected of personal bias in the final termination of the debate. The popu- lation of the county increased very slowly during the first seven years of its settlement, there being only about three hundred inhabitants in Black Hawk county in 1852. The present population has not been numbered, but in 1873 a census showed a grand total of 23,136.
Black Hawk county is well provided with railroads ; the Illinois Central runs nearly east and west through the county, and the Cedar Falls and Min- nesota company runs in a nothwest direction from a point only one mile east of Cedar Falls. The Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Minnesota also tra- verses the county, running northwest up the Cedar Valley on the west side of the river. Besides these accom- plished works, other enterprises have from time to time been projected, and it will be seen that there is no lack of competition to supply the wants of the community in matters of traffic and travel. The first line constructed com- menced to run in 1861, and the last named was built in 1870. The amount of business done already more than compensates the outlay, and the growth of the whole state augurs well for Black Hawk.
Schools have been establishad in every district, and well appointed buildings are already the rule, with staffs of trained and accomplished teachers equal to the demands of the most critical participants.
WATERLOO is quite a large city. The court house has been located somewhat inconveniently, away from the business quarter, but it occupies a pleasant site, and the growth of the city will soon render its position less objectionable. It was erected in 1856
at a cost of $30,000, and is a covenient two storied structure, equal to all de- mands for many years to come. The poor house is situated near the court house, and is well adapted for its pur- pose. Waterloo has also the offices of a very successful county agricultural association, which held its first elec- tion in 1856, and its first fair in the following year. The Cedar Valley Dis- trict Association, having similar ob- jects in view, was established about the same time, and continued until very recently to hold annual fairs. Some idea may be formed of the gen- eral prosperity of the agricultural class from these facts, added to the steady growth of cities in this county, and the value set upon the small rem- nant of wild lands, which range from $18 to as high as $60 per acre.
The city stands very near the geo- graphical center of the county, occu- pying both banks of the Cedar river, aud is very beautifully situated, with timber close at hand opening out into fine rolling prairie, which promises well for the future health, wealth and prosperity of the inhabitants. Busi- ness premises occupy one side of the river, and residences chiefly the other ; the lower lands being just above high water mark, gradually increasing in altitude as they recede from the water. The streets are well laid out, and the value of the buildings erected testifies to the common estimate set upon the assured future of Waterloo. The river is about nine hundred feet wide with a lime rock bottom, over which the water flows as clear as crystal. There are good water powers available uear the city ; some few have been improved, but the outlay of more capital will be amply rewarded, and the citizens knowing how entirely the value of their properties must, in the long run, depend upon manufactures, will very liberally respond to proposals for further improvements. The west con- tains hardly one town more enterpris- ing than the county seat of Black Hawk.
The first building in the town was erected in 1846, by a family coming from Illinois, and the town was laid . out in 1853, improved and enlarged plans being afterwards adopted to form the base of the present city. The place was originally named Prai- rie Rapids, and it cannot be easily de- ,
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termined why or by whom the ad- vancing township was named Water- loo. It is asserted that the name of the Belgian battle field was not in- tended in the secondary name, but only the altitude of the stream, which was indicated by the appellation Wa- terlow, since changed by use and wont to Waterloo. This theory is, however, strongly denied by some of the inhab- itants, and the question will probably remain undetermined to future gene- rations.
The first improvements on the river, with a view to mill purposes, were made in 1854, by constructing a rude, temporary dam for a saw mill. There had been a mill run by horse power for similar purposes, before that date. In 1856, a flouring mill was erected, and other improvements of various kinds have since that time been prose- cuted with such steady growth in number and value, as to forbid partic- ular mention in these pages.
In 1850, a steamer of one hundred tons burthen was built by the citizens of Cedar Rapids, for the trade of the upper Cedar, and its launching was a great event for the whole district, but eventually the naval enterprise was abandoned, in consequence of the water being too low for the continu- ance of the flotilla upon the Cedar. At one time it was almost determined to destroy all the dams which impeded navigation, but fortunately before pro- ceeding to extremities, it was resolved that the captain of the boat should try to approach the first dam, in the course of obstacles, and his failure to do so caused the citizens to ahandon their predatory designs. Guns were fired, flags were hoisted, banquets were eaten, and many libations poured out to the success of the new venture, which, however, was unsuccessful.
The incorporation of the city, first agitated in 1854, was eventually deter- mined upon four years later, and com- pleted in July, 1858. Churches of al- most every denomination are repre- sented now within the city limits, the Arst having been established in 1852, by the Methodist Episcopal. Other institutions attest the wide awake mental condition of the people of Wa- terloo, but to give a detailed descrip- tion of their names and merits, would transcend our limits completely. The Illinois Central R. R. Co. located their
workshops in this city, in 1870, and an average of one hundred and forty men are employed the whole year round in that enterprise. The citi- zens were wise in giving the necessary lands to secure the establishment of the works in question, which result through various channels in an expen- diture in wages, of nearly $20,000 per month. Other extensive works which would deserve more extended notice, if space would permit, employ large numbers of hands, and contribute largely to the industrial and commer- cial success of the city. The press of Waterloo partakes in the general pros- perity.
CEDAR FALLS, at one time the coun- ty seat, is a little northwest of the center of the county. The city was at first known as Sturgis' Rapids, after an early settler. The Iowa division of the Illinois Central Railroad inter- sects the main line of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Minnesota road, at this point, and of course that combi- nation of facilities places Cedar Falls at a premium as a port of shipment. When the city was first located it stood in a beautiful grove, which has long since disappeared, except that the city park and a few minor inclosures, preserve some few traces of the um- brageous bounty of nature. The city stands on slightly undulating ground, well adapted for drainage, and excel- lently subserving the love of the beau- tiful which is manifested in the resi- dences of its wealthy citizens. The fertile country surrounding the city is occupied by au intelligent class of agriculturists, who know how to turn all modern improvements to account upon their farms. The country is in- tersected with streams, dotted with groves and enriched with orchards, which enable the occupants of the substantial farm buildings to enjoy many comforts, once supposed to be- long only to great cities. The falls which give their name to the city have become an enormous power in the hands of some capitalists, but there is still room for many additional locations.
The first cottage built upon the site of Cedar Falls was erected in 1845, and the town was laid out six years later, but it was not until 1853 that the platting was fully carried out. Schools have been conscientiously provided
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from the earliest days of the organiza- tion of Cedar Falls, which have gone on increasing in a manner commensu- rate with the demands of the younger populace. The system of graded schools, for which the city is now fa- mous, will bear favorable comparison with the best educational establish- ments in Iowa, and the organization contains within itself the promise of continuous expansion.
The log cabin grew into a sturdy hamlet, and the small trading station has become a commercial city, with possibilities second to none in the state, and it is satisfactory to note that intellectual culture has kept pace with material progress during the great march.
The village organization was effected in 1857, and in the following spring a bridge was erected over the river, the first ever erected in this part of the county. The work was carried out by means of an issue of scrip, against which many of the prominent men in the community made a protest, and the feud thence arising does not die out, although the value of the bridge is beyond cavil. The city incorpora- tion took place in 1865, and Cedar Falls is now recognized as a city of the second class.
This city contains "The Soldiers' Orphans' Home," a state institution, of which Iowa may well be proud. This home was first located, in 1865, in Cedar Falls, and over eight hundred persons have been provided for by that beneficent enterprise. The tem- porary building has given place to a handsome brick structure, within which is full provision for the educa- tion and religious culture of its resi- dents as well as for their domestic protection. The residence of the chil- dren of the brave defenders of their country is beautifully situated in en- closed, well-wooded grounds, and the influence exerted by this institution is felt in the schools and in mercan- tile establishments throughout the . state of Iowa. In no way can patriot- - ism be better stimulated, than by such wise provision for the offspring of those who fell in the path of duty, who are thus snatched up from the deleterious surroundings which too often destroy neglected little ones by converting them into pests, that in later days must be more expensively
combatted by the slow-moving hands of justice and repression.
LA PORTE CITY is a very pleasant village, on the south bank of Big Creek, near its confluence with the Cedar river, in the midst of a rich farming country which is bound to enrich the people identified with its improvement. The Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Minnesota Railroad has a station in this village, and its popula- tion of twelve hundred inhabitants will go on steadily increasing. The town was laid out in 1855, being called La Porte, after a place of that name in Indiana, from whence the founder of the village came to Iowa. The town organization was cffected in 1871, and the names of the first found- ers are still prominent in official cir- cles. There are good graded schools in La Porte City, well officered, and taught by most efficient men and wo- men who identify themselves with the mental progress and growth of their pupils.
Boone County contains five hun- dred and seventy-six square miles, aud is in the middle tier of counties in Iowa, a little west of the state's center. It is a compact county, twenty-four miles square, with the Des Moines river for its principal stream, dividing into two nearly equal parts the block of country which it waters and drains. The river has an equal width of about one hundred yards, almost throughout the county, having several tributaries, the largest of which are, Bluff Creek on the west and Honey Creek on the east. Squaw Creek rises in the north- east and the country is drained by that beautiful little stream in the re- gion through which it runs, and Bea- ver Creek, running from north to south, discharges the same beneficent functions for the country through which it flows. These manifold streams of various dimensions, aided by an endless supply of well water, which can be had wherever the earth is tapped, provides all that is required in the way of aqueous supply for stock-raising purposes, and very fino springs burst forth in many parts of the county.
The Des Moines river has given strength to a very fine belt of timber which follows its banks nearly across the county, the belt varying in width
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from four to five miles, and there are other valuable groves, of less extent, composed of very valuable timber, near the principal creeks which have been mentioned. To name the woods which flourish in Boone county would be mere surplusage; suffice it to say, that the forest wealth of the region now under review does not differ in any essential particular from that of the other counties already particular- ized. The peculiar advantage en- joyed by Boone is in the greater vol- umc of its wooded growths which fol- low its watercourses everywhere in rich profusion.
Along the Des Moines river the sur- face of the country is somewhat broken, but generally the surface un- dulates as though a smooth sea, heaved by a ground swell, had been transformed into fertile aoil ready for the farmer's skill. Mineral Ridge is a singular chain of hills which trav- erses this county, and the name was bestowed upon the range in question because the magnetic needle is arbi- trarily deflected and disturbed by its influence in a very eccentric manner. Probably the region will some day give wealth, by its mineral treasures, to some enterprising band of capital- ists. Pilot Mound is a prominent mound in the hill system of this county, and near its base great Indian battles are said to have been fought, that view being sustained by the fre- quent exhumation of human remains, as the farmer drives his plowshare through the soil. From the top of the mound a very extended view of the country can be obtained. Numerous mounds of lesser elevation were doubtless in early days the locale on which sacrificea were culminated and the dead buried with the relics of their forgotten past. Of these the largest, about fifteen feet high, is one of a chain of such heaps aituated near Honey Creek, and so far as there have been excavations made, the contents are found to be identical with those left by the Mound Builders in other localities. Some day, by careful ex- humation of men and things, and the wise collation of results, we may rise to a fair comprehension of the Mound Builders as a people.
The practical farmer, and the astute manufacturer of to-day will necessa- rily care more for the possibilities of
the future than for the relics of the past, and to them it will be of much greater interest to say that the soil of the country watered by the Des Moines is deep and rich, and where not cov- ered by heavy growths of timber, can be at once brought under cultivation, giving in return for moderate labor skillfully directed, good crops of corn, wheat, and other cereals. The prairie lands are also fertile although not so deep and lasting in that respect aa the river bottoms from which the streams have heen slowly deflected or narrowed by natural processes long ago.
Coal has been found in some few pla- ces in Boone county near the center, but not in such quantity up to date, as to warrant a large expenditure of capital; yet the geological strata of the country, and its relation to surrounding lands, where that desideratum of the manu- facturer is abundant, leads to the ex- pectation that Boone county will by and by give coal in large measures. Some banks have been worked near Boonsboro and elsewhere, the coal be- ing shipped to Council Bluffs and Omaha on the Chicago and North Western Railroad. Much coal has al- so been obtained from the same local- ities to supply demands for fuel nearer home. It is distinctly ascertained that there are two heds of coal, the lowest and best in quantity being four feet thick, the upper bed being about three feet in thickness, but equal in quality to the lower deposit. When shafts shall have been sunk in convenient places on the prairies to reach this source of wealth by the proper means and appliances of mining skill, Iowa is bound to take a very high place among manufacturing states, seeing that the intelligence of the people is of a high average, and that all the es- sentials to marked success are ready for their use.
Elk Rapids is already noted for its quarry of building stone, from which some of the best public buildings, and yet more substantial business houses and residences have been erected. Some other districts have been found rich in building materials but that is not the strong hold of Boone county. Enough can be procured to meet the requirements of the day, and with further realization of the supply in oth- er parts, no doubt the future will have all the stone that may be wanted with-
SIOUX INDIANS BURNING A PRISONER.
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out going beyond the bounds of Boone. Good lime can be made from almost all the samples of stone that have been tried, and first qualities of brick clay have been found in quantities practi- cally without limit. Iron ore has been found, and there are indications such as no scientist can overlook, that Min- eral Ridge is rich with that metal.
Boone county was first settled at "Peas Point" in 1846, a jutting of prairie land into the belt of timber on the east side of Des Moines river near the site of Boonsboro. The place of earliest settlement was named after its first holder, and the pioneers who loca- ted themselves in that region showed sound judgment in choosing their homes. The Pottawattomie Indians remained in the county until after the winter of 1846-7, but there are no re- cords of strife between them and their white neighbors. The Sioux were not quite so peaceably disposed, as when a family desirous to trade with them settled in their country now known as Webster county, his property was de- stroyed, his family left helpless and one member of the group died through exposure to inclement weather, when attempting to reach "Peas Point " to procure assistance against the red men. The savages limited their op- erations to the destruction of the prop- erty which they believed had no rights on their soil, which they were bound to respect. Out of that act of war, came two subsequent massacres, the first by the injured settler and his son upon a band of Sioux in Humboldt county, and the last more widely known as the Spirit lake massacre, in which the tribe already named led by the brother of the chief, murdered with his family at Humboldt, took summary vengeance in the year 1857.
when the first meeting was convened in the school house at Boonsboro. The county was then divided into school districts and it became manifest that it was not the intention of the people that the brains of children or adults should lie fallow. The labors of that early day have been well followed up in that respect, the school system of Boone county being very creditable to all concerned. The location of the county seat at Boonsboro was approved in January, 1851, a time ever since fam- ous as "the rainy season," many of the representatives of the people reach- ing the place of their first meeting at imminent peril of their lives in swim- ming the swollen streams which inter- sected the country between their re- spective homes and the center upon which they converged. The course of good government in the county since that date has been, however, worthy of all the troubles thus braved by the pioneers.
BOONSBORO is situated on the east of the Des Moines river, protected by considerable bodies of timber on the west, north and south. Coal as well as timber abounds in the locality, and the land permits of thorough drainage at a merely nominal expense. Good schools assist to make the town a de- sirable place of residence for families, and in many other respects there are signs of mental and spiritual progress in Boonsboro.
BOONE contains a population of about two thousand, five hundred per- sons, and is a town full of enterprise. Immediately east of Boonsboro, the county seat; it is on the line of the Chicago and Northwestern railroad, and is largely resorted to by farmers who desire an easily reached place of shipment for their produce. In course of time, it is inevitable that Boonsboro and Boone will grow into one large city. The first laying out of the town took place in 1865, but at that time the intention of the founders was, that the locality should be named Montana. The railroad company, already men- tioned, has constructed extensive work- shops in Boone, and many persons are steadily employed on their works.
Boone county was organized by the state legislature in 1846-7, being named after a nephew of the great Kentuck- ian, who served in the first regiment of the United States dragoons. That gentleman explored the country and ascertained its principal features be- fore the first effort at settlement. In August, 1849, an election was held and self government began to be exercised in the county. The arrangements con- MOINGONA is five miles southwest of Boone, on the west side of the river Des Moines. Its principal industry consists of coal mining; and large tinued to be of the most primitive or- der, successive meetings of the official body being called in the residences of the early settlers until the year 1851, I shipments are made from this center
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of industry to distant points east and west. The town was laid out in 1866. There is a good future for Moingona.
OGDEN is a shipping place for pro- duce, about five miles west of Moin- gona; the farmers and stock raisers of the surrounding country using Og- den because of its railroad facilities.
Bremer County is one of the small- est, territorially considered, in the state of Iowa, and is situated in the north- western part of that state. The surface of the county is generally open, rolling prairie. Its soil is an alluvial deposit, averaging about three feet, resting up- on clay of great but varylng depth. A rich dark loam, well appreciated by farmers, is the chief agricultural fea- ture of the country, subsoiled by gravel and clay. Limestone, which admits of an excellent and enduring polish, is of great value for building purposes, as well as in other respects. Sand and clay, admirably adapted for brick making, can be procured with very little labor; and there are corals, crys- tals, and petrifactions, among the geo- logical features sought for in this county. Many streams, various in di- mensions, mostly bearing toward the southward, intersect every township; and the county is as well watered as could be wished. The same formation of country, which secures the river system named, gives good drainage to Bremer, and assists very materially to sustain the favorable health-rate for which the county is remarkable. Ce- dar river, already mentioned in the brief history penned in these pages, flows through this county, crossing into Black Hawk, where we have al- ready traced its course and volume. The bed of the Cedar is limestone, and and its waters beautifulty clear. The banks of the river rise almost abruptly beyond the chance of inundation by freshets, and the bottom lands are ex- ceedingly fertile.
Any quantity of machinery can be driven by means of this valuable stream in the county now under de- scription; and even when the river is at its lowest, the power would suffice for any desirable purpose. The value of the Cedar river is greater now than it was when the wood growing upon its banks drew plunderers from the surrounding states; and it must con-
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