USA > Iowa > Jackson County > Annals of Jackson county, Iowa, Vol 1-6 > Part 30
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ing after the lynching of Grifford, the mob surrounded the house of Jar- rett, who had barricaded his house and could not be taken. John Sagers, who was a constable, was sent for by the mob and was requested by the leader to arrest Jarrett, Sagers told them if they would pledge themselves not to interfere with him while the prisoner was in his custody, he would make the arrest. The pledge was given and the constable arrested Jarrett and took him to Eleazser Mann, J. P., for hearing. During the hearing the mob amused themselves as best they could and it was claimed by some who were present, that in addition to the fire in in the front yard they had a big jug of whiskey and had a tree picked out near by on which they in- tended to hang the prisoner, when the trial was over, regardless of the ending of the court. But their plans were destined to miscarry. The squire's office and dwelling stood near a ravine and unknown to the vigi-
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lances, there was a back door covered by a blanket and through this door Constable Sagers and Ambrose Jones hurried the prisoner into the darkness of as dark a night as ever fell in that locality. They made all possible speed in the direction of Fulton, and when missed were pursued by the mob like a pack of blood hounds, they were overtaken at Casteel's ford, but the darkness saved them, and when the mob hurried away to the other ford, Mr. Casteel was roused up, and he set them across the river. They went to Bellevue, there they took a boat for Davenport, placing Jarrett in the Scott county jail. The mob followed as far as Keisterts' place, between Andrew and Bellevue, where they were told that Jarrett had been taken to Fort Madison, when Landis concluded that his crowd was not enough to march on Fort Madison and they gave up the hunt. Jarrett was living a few years ago in Minnesota.
1 There is an old tradition about the disappearance of a peddler in the vicinity of Iron Hills in 1856, and of a well on Jarrett's place, having been filled up in the night, and some of the old settlers still insist that if that old well was cleaned out, that the bones of the peddler would be found at the bottom. It was thought by some of the old residents, that John Ingles knew the fate of the peddler, and had threatened to divulge what he knew about that and other matters, and his life was taken to insure his silence. Grifford was a hot headed, violent tempered man and was generally dis- trused. On one occasion when out alone with Fielding Bowling, a mere boy and small for his age, he attacked the boy and beat and kicked him into insensibility, and he was found by his friends in that condition. In his last confession Grifford said there were four other persons whom he want- ed and intended to kill. The family of Ingles, the murdered man, was left entirely destitute and the children were taken by different presons to raise. One of them, Jerome, was taken by Captain Sheffield and went to school with the writer in the old Eaton school house in what is known now as the Hurstville district.
After the hanging of Alex Grifford the vigilance committee effected a close and complete organization each member signing an article of agree- ment binding themselves to see to the enforcement of the law, in regard to punishment of criminals and to stand together in case of any attempt at prosecution for any of their acts as a body.
On the 28th of May, 1857, the commitee, sixty-tive strong in wagons and on horse-back, made their way to DeWitt and with the aid of sledges weilded by Jim Green and others, soon found themselves inside the jail. Carroll made no resistance and was quietly led out and put in a wagon, but Barger called upon the sheriff for protection and refused to leave the cell; but when the powerful grasp of James Green fastened upon him he changed his mand and was hustled into a wagon, some resistance being offered by the sheriff. Having secured the two men the crowd headed for Andrew, the prisoners being hauled by a pair of mules, driven by Mart Keister. Such supper as could be had was partaken of at Goff's tavern two or three miles north of DeWitt and breakfast was eaten at old Weiton and Wrights corners. The procession passed through main street, Maquoketa, without any fear of hindrance. Jerry Jenkins who was Justice of the Peace at that time had
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threatened to take the prisoners from the mob. On hearing of this James Green coiled the rope around his shoulders and walked into Jenkin's office and said to him: "Yonder is Barger, do you want to take him" One glance at the grim visage of the executioner and his formidable following convinced Jerry that he hadn't lost any prisoners. Arriving at Andrew they proceeded to the same old crooked tree on which Grifford had been hanged a short time previous, and which seemed to have grown for that ex- press purpose. The end of the rope was adjusted around Barger's neck and William Bowling climbed the tree and passed the other end of the rope over the tree and down to the men below where willing hands grasped it. The
doomed man was given a few minutes to say what ever he wished to say. He made an appeal to see his chilrden, which was denied him. The last words he said were: ' If you hang me it will be the meanest thing ever done in Jackson county." Landis gave orders for every man to get hold of the rope calling young Bowling from the tree for that puprose, a black cloth was put over Barger's face and at a word from the chief, the miserable old man was jerked into the air, where his body was whirled around and around by the twist of the rope and was held there until life was extinct. When the body was taken down the Irishman who had witnessed the tragedy was told to take the position beneath the tree, but he was so weak that he could not move. At this point Hon. P. B. Bradley appealed to Landis to go no further, that they had done enough bloody work for one day and prevailed upon him to submit the matter to a vote. Whether Carroll should be then hanged or turned over to the sheriff for a trial. as it was urged that he had not yet had a trial, a bare majority was in favor of letting the law take its course, turning the prisoner over to the authorities, the committee disband- ed and returned to their homes. The organization was kept up for some time, but they never had occasion to step in and enforce the law again in Jackson county.
Barger was buried near the scene of his death, during the night some heartless wretches, took him up, placed him in a sulky, put the body in an upright position and left the outfit in front of the old Cobb place. There in the early morning was discovered the grim form sitting bolt upright and holding in his hand a piece of paper calling for a drink. Let us remark here. that the vigilants have always been exonerated from this disgusting piece of work. That Barger was guilty of murder, cold-blooded and foul, there is no doubt but it was claimed by some who were in a position to know, that his provocation was very great, that his wife was not only faithless in her mar- riage vows, during his absecne, but subverted the menas sent her by him to her own individual use, by buying property in her own name and then refusing to share it with him. Nathan Said had secureud a judgement against Barger for $1,000 for damage, or defamation of character, and was in a fair way to get the farm in Brandon township. William Graham had secured a tax title to said farm and W. E. Lettingwell had several hundred dollars charged up to Barger for legal services rendered in the several trials, and it seemed improbable, after the demise of his client, that he would be able to collect any part of his bill. But Leffingwell was a man of resources;
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he induced Graham to let him have the tax title and so got him out of the way. He then knocked Said's claims out by establishing the fact that the farm belonged to Mrs. Barger. He afterwards got a decree to sell the proper- ty and got over $1,200 for it, $800 of this was for defending the rights of the children against Said's claims, but as his fees used up the estate the chil- · dren got nothing. If this was not a travesty on justice and a burlesque on law, we can find no other name to cover the transaction.
Levi Keck has an interesting reminiscence of the Grifford lynching. In 1857 he was clerking in a store in Andrew, he was fifty years younger than he is now and had only been in the county a few months. He says that on the afternoon of April 11th, 1857, he was in the store alone, when, without warning, the store was filled with armed men. He admits that he was badly frightened, and when some of the men called for some rope he was very prompt to respond to their requirements. He pointed out the different coils of rope and asked what they wanted and how much. One of the men took the end of a rope and went out into the street with it, while another showed him where to cut it off. A piece of black cloth was then called for which Levi furnished, and the crowd hurried away to the jail. Levi says he has never yet received pay for the goods delivered to those timber fellows on that memorable day. Mr. Keck has an old diary which contains the follow- in entries: "Alexander Grifford hanged April 11, 1857, at 4 p. m." "Wil- liam Barger hanged May 27, 1857 at 10 o'clock and ten minutes, by a mob."
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The First Vigilance Committee in Jackson County.
(Compiled by J. W. Ellis for Jackson County Historical Society.)
The following letter from an old pioneer of Jackson county explains it- self.
Mr. J. W. Ellis,
Sir :- Reading your article on Early History of Jackson county and es- pecially of the happenings of the early fifties, many of which I was an eye witness too. I am reminded that there is one little episode that was quite interesting to the people of the locality that I never saw in print. About the year 1855, a man by the name. of Scurlock was keeping a grocery, as it was called in those days, but his stock in trade was principally whiskey, tobacco and cigars, in Dog Town, a village in Farmers Creek township, a little over one mile in a westerly direction from Fulton. Scurlock dispens- ed his beverages to all who came with the price, regardless of the fact that he had been warned time and again, not to sell to a certain old man over seventy years old, who on different occasions had staggered from the saloon . in an almost helpless condition from intoxication, and would have perished from cold only for the watchful care of kind neighbors.
Finding that Scurlock turned a deaf ear to all requests not to sell liquor to the old man and feeling that forbearance ceased to be a virtue, one young lady, Miss Amanda Breeden, now the wife of James P. Brown, of Maquoketa, concluded to try another remedy that occurred to her, and at once set out to raise a vigilance committee to try to break up the saloon, and succeeded in getting eight volunteers. A day was set and place for meeting at one Phillip Sarber's house, but the appointed time it was learn- ed that four of the volunteers had weakened and failed to show up at the rendezvous. However, the other four, Amanda Breeden, captain, Mrs. Jane Stalder, Mrs. Mary J. Breeden and Mrs. Calvin Breeden shouldered arms and marched to the scene of battle. Arrived at Scurlock's place they found the doors locked and barricaded, they demanded admittance but were
promptly refused. They at once attacked the door with axe and stone hammer with which they came provided and demolished the lock and began to push their way in. Scurlock threatened to knock down the first one that entered, but threats had no effect on the ladies and they crowded in and went after the liquid poison, of which they found two barrels in his place of business. When they undertook to demolish the barrels, Scurlock would catch them and pull them back to break the force of the blows of the axe. Finally two of the ladies clinched and held Scurlock, while the others plied the axe and soon had the barrels emptied. Just as they finised their work four old chaps came up with jugs, but had to take them away as empty as
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they came. This broke up Scurlock's business for a long time, and when he did open again he was careful who he sold to. Ex-Sheriff Watkins, who kept a store in Fulton at that time, presented each of the ladies, who par- ticipated in the mob with a nice dress pattern, a token of his appreciation of thier good work.
On the night of Feb. 12th, 1865, there were several men in the bar room of the Grant House in Bellevue, among whom were Charles Robinson, T. Clancy and John Collins. From the evidence before the coroner, Collins was quite drunk and Robinson and Clancy were drinking pretty heavily. Robinson had treated and Clancy had treated, and Robinson wanted Collins to treat to the oysters. Finally Robinson set out two cans of oysters and the crowd ate them, and then Robinson demanded of Collins that he pay two dollars for the two cans of oysters. Collins denied taht he had ordered the oysters or agreed to pay for them, and declined to pay the claim. Rob- inson choked Collins and slapped his face and finally threw him on a settee and left him for a time; later going back and insisting again that Collins pay for the oysters. Collins still maintained that he never ordered the oys- ters; Robinson beat, choked and slapped Collins, and was assisted by Clancy, who kicked the drunken man, who offered no resistance whatever, and who as soon as Robinson let go his hold fell over against the settee and died. The men who had been beating and abusing him tried to restore him, but their efforts were in vain. The coroner's jury found that Collin's death was caused by blows and kicks of Robinson and Clancy. The old docket of that year shows that Robinson and Clancy were indicted for the killing of Collins and the docket also shows that there was a continuance of the case to next term of court, and the entry at the next term of court shows further con- tinuance and that defendants had not been arrested. Collins probably had no friends to insist on the prosecution of the case and it was dropped from the records.
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PIONEERe GATHER Rev. Wm. Salter Offers Regrets.
Mr. J. W. Ellis,
Maquoketa, Iowa.
My dear Sir: I thank you for your favor of the 3rd inst. and for the invitation to the meeting of the Old Settlers on the 22nd, and am sorry that I must send my regrets that I shall be unable to attend. After now more than sixty years since I left Maquoketa, my mind still often reverts to the experiences of my life there with fond recollection. It gave me the greatest pleasure that I was permitted to be with you at the interesting ceremonies you had on the 4th of July, 1905, and especially that I then met again my venerable and beloved friends, Mrs. Goodenow and Mr. Anson HI. Wilson, and the children of others of the friends of my youth, and also en- joyed the great courtesy and kindness of so many enlightened and noble peo- ple who came a little later into the inheritance of your beautiful county.
I thank you my dear Mr. Ellis for sending me the two numbers of the Annals of Jackson County you have published. They are replete with in- formation. Your notice of Joseph McElroy has recalled to me my meeting with his father, Hugh McElroy, at Charleston (Sabula) in March, 1844. The old gentleman on learning that I was from New York, asked me if I knew Dr. Joseph McElroy, pastor of the Grand Street Presbyterian church in that city. I told him that I had heard him preach, and admired him for his eloquence and vigor of mind. He is my brother and I have not seen him for thirty years," said the old gentleman and I thought I saw a resemblance in their features. He told me that he lived in Clinton county, some nine miles from Charleston; had a large family of eight children; had lost a daughter the previous year. I put those things down in a diary I then kept of my ministry. I have just now been looking over that diary and may pos- sibly pick some extracts or reminiscence from it for Mr. Aldrich's Annals of Iowa.
With my best respects to all the officers and members of the Jackson County Historical Society. Very sincerely yours,
Burlington, Aug. 13th, 1906. WILLIAM SALTER.
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PIONEERS AND OLD SETTLERS GATHER cess of 1
Interesting and Enjobable Program on the Green- ward and in the Cool Shade of Second Ward Park. Big Picnic Dinner.
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Wednesday, Aug. 22nd the Pioneers and Old Settlers of Jackson county held their annual meeting in Second ward park Maquoketa. Notwithstand- ing the day was extremely warm there was a good attendance. A bountiful picnic dinner was spread on the long tables and a speaker's stand accom- modated the officers, distinguished visitors and those who participated in the fine program. There was plenty of good music by Lew Anderson's mar- tial band. The Sentinel reports all it was able to put in type before going to press on the day of the event. IIon. Geo. L. Mitchell presided at the meeting and Jas. W. Ellis acted as secretary.
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Program Old Settlers' Meeting Aug. 22nd, 1906.
From 10 to 12 o'clock m. entertainment by orchestra at grounds while registering.
12 M .- Dinner.
1:30-Called to order by President of the Day.
Overture Orchestra
Invocation Rev. Lockard
National Anthem Audience
Solo-Under the Old Oak Tree Clec Nickerson Orchestra-
Early Day Law Courts Hon. Wm. Graham
Duet-Piano
Nelia Collins and Trula Freeman
Bygone Days Mrs. Mary Goodenow-Anderson
Original Poem. Will Cundill Old Time Fiddling Lewis Anderson
The Old Swimming Hole (by request ) Dr. C. M. Collins Reminiscence. Chas. Weykoff Reading-Bridge Keeper's Daughter Laura Dahling
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Pioneering. J. O. Seeley Reading of letters from Old Settlers from a Distance. Secretary's Report. Election of Officers.
Song-Auld Lang Syne
Audience
Officers elected. - Anson H. Wilson, persident; Geo. L. Mitchell, vice- president; J. W. Ellis, secretary and treasurer.
A vote of thanks was given the officers for the excellent program and success of the meeting.
Chicago, Ill., Aug. 19th, 1906.
Mr. J. W. Ellis.
Dear Sir and Friend :- Your letter of a few days since received and in reply will say that I would dearly love to be present at the old settlers picnic and shake hands with so many dear old boys and girls whom I have not seen for many, many long years. I surely enjoy these meetings so much, there are so many I have not seen for some forty years or more. How the time flies; when I close my eyes and think back over the road which I have traveled and of the bumps I have withstood, I can hardly believe myself, but when I look in the glass and note the size of myself, 6 ft 12-inch tall and weight 250 pounds, I can say, well old boy I guess you took the bumps all right.
Now dear friend Ellis I will say that I regret very much that I can not be present with the dear old setters; I will try and be at the fair if I can get away for two or three days. I will send you something that one of my friends handed me the other day, I will show you what some people think of me in Chicago. Yo may say to the old folks that I will try to meet with them next year. With kind regards to all, I am, as ever your friend.
JOHN H. KEELEY,
615 W. 63rd street, Chicago, Ill.
Dedicated to my friend Keeley this 18th day of August, A. D. 1906. Here's to Keeley the policeman Ever faithful-ever there
Watching ore us, gently guarding
Come or go, no matter where:
Rain or shine, wet or dry Hot or cold he's ever nigh
With his kindy words of welcome
He'll escort you safe and well
Out of harms way and will tell In his quiet, gentle manner What to do and how to do it, and As we watch him from our window. Watching feeble mother souls. With their burdens, heavy laden He will help them-strong and bold Caring naught of fear or favor,
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Rich and poor to him alike
He'll protect them from the track horse, or the auto, or the bike.
Many a year we've watched and noted
Many a time we've seen and quoted
Deeds of valor-in his praise;
Still who thinks of the policeman
Or who says he's good and true,
Or who thinks he needs protection
And who gives it-they or you;
1 Time will come when we shall miss him,
Miss his noble, manly form,
Miss his pleasant morning greeting,
Miss his pleasant hand shake meeting;
Who will guard his weary wanderings,
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Who will help him cross the street,
Who will tender him the hand shake,
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Who will guide his weary feet ;
Faithful servant, faithful Keeley,
You'll be favored, bet your life
For on record there is waiting
Rest and comfort free from strife.
Such is the belief of your friend
PROF. J. D. PARISII, 70 State Street.
Walker, Iowa, Aug. 20th, 1906.
My dear friend J. W. Ellis:
I have yours of a late date before me inviting me to meet with the pi- oneers and old settlers of Jackson county on the 22nd inst., though absent from your county for the past 23 years, I take it kindly to be remembered as one among you. Though not ranking among the very first settlers of the county, I had the pleasure of a personal acquaintance with many of them and enjoy reading the record of many as detailed in your annals of Jackson County. Other engagements here on the same day of your meeting pre- vent me from taking advantage of your invitation, yet permit me briefly and hurriedly to give you a few imperfect reminiscences of our early days in Iowa.
I first touched Iowa soil at Bellevue on May 16th, 1849, and with the exception of two years spent in Illinois in 1850-51 I have had my home and choice memories in beautiful and prosperous Iowa, thirty-two years of which was spent in Jackson county. You ask me to tell the people some- thing of the pioneers of Lamotte. I have to inform you that my memory is not as keen as it used to be in remembering the incidents and peculiari- ties of the early settlers who patiently breasted the difficulties of pioneer life and the hardships they had to endure. Let me modify that word hard- ships for many of the brightest and best days of my life, and now thought of with greatest pleasure, were those of the pioneer times. I have just been as full of gladness and thankfulness in driving to town or church behind our
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ox-team as in more recent days behind a spanking span of roadsters in a covered carriage. My song along the road going to and from the grist mill with a few sacks of flour or corn meal was just as vocal and hearty if not more so than now, when these food products are shipped to us by rail. I was blest by being a close neighbor to my brother, William, but counted it no hardship in going one or two miles to spend an hour or two in the com- . pany of friends and neighbors. I recall with pleasure the many visits we had with Mr. John Hawkins, one of Richland townships early settlers, of Campbell Smith, Jas. Dully, Deacon Cotton, Joseph Hunter, (Edward's father), the Wassons, and Parmelee of Cottonville. The pleasant meetings we used to have with the Campbell families, the grandfather and father of your popular postmaster at Bellevue. I recall too with pleasure the names of some of my old friends in Bellevue, Andy Reiling. Andy Wood, Wm. Tell Wynkoop, Eli Cole, Dr. J. D. Watkins, W. A. Warren and others. Let me here remark thatI suppose one of the first horticultural societies or- ganized in Iowa was here in Bellevue. At one of these meetings I think in the fall of 1854 a tine display of fruit was shown, consisting principally of apples and grapes. W. T. Wynkoop, I think, furnished the largest exhibit.
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