USA > Iowa > Shelby County > Biographical history of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa. Containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Harrison, with accompanying biographies of each; portraits and biographies of the governors of the state; engravings of prominent citizens in Shelby and Audubon counties, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families. A concise history of the counties, and the cities and townships > Part 69
USA > Iowa > Audubon County > Biographical history of Shelby and Audubon counties, Iowa. Containing portraits of all the presidents of the United States from Washington to Harrison, with accompanying biographies of each; portraits and biographies of the governors of the state; engravings of prominent citizens in Shelby and Audubon counties, with personal histories of many of the early settlers and leading families. A concise history of the counties, and the cities and townships > Part 69
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Up to 1870 Exira was one of seven stations on a cireuit, but from that date was alone. After the erection of the Congregational church in 1870-'71 the Methodists used it for their place of worship until 1873, when they erected a plain building 24 x 32 feet. It was erected on the stock-company plan at first. In 1881, however, a church of fine propor- tions and finish was built costing $3,100; the same was dedicated January 22, 1882, by Rev. W. T. Smith. The following have served as pastors, regularly or as supplies, in nbout the order in which they are here given: Rev. Mann, Rev. James Rand, Rev. Rust, Rev. Baker, Rev. D. B. Clary, Rev. Spooner, Rev. S. W. Milligan, Rev. Phillips, Rev. J. G. Gates, Rev. M. Sheets, Rev. William Abra- ham, Rev. Records, Rev. J. Levan, Rev. John G. Gates, Rev. G. W. Saint, Rev. George Conffer, Rev. B. L. Jackson, Rev. W. T. Reid, Rev. J. W. Ilardin, Rev. W. R. Douglass, Rev. C. II. McIntosh, Rev. D. C. Adams,
Rev. J. W. Bott, Rev. W. W. Danner, Rev. F. T. Stevenson, Rev. L. C. Burling, Rev. L. T. Leary.
INCORPORATION.
Exira became an incorporated town by an election held December 13, 1880, resulting in a vote of ninety for as against fifty-eight contrary to the measure.
The following gentlemen have served the incorporated town as mayor:
J. R. Rudge, 1881; R. W. Griggs, 1882- '83; J. B. Connrardy, 1884; A. B. Houston, 1885; J. E. Toft, 1886-'87-'88.
SOCIETIES.
Exira is not far behind her sister towns in supporting her civic societies, which now consist of the Masonic, Ancient Order of United Workmen, Good Templars and Knights of Pythias.
Exodus Lodge, No. 342, A. F. & A. M., held its first meeting (under dispensation) August 24, 1874, dispensation having been granted by J. Chapman, Grand Master, on August 6, 1874. There was a charter mem- bership of thirteen. The first officers were as follows:
W. J. Harris, Worshipful Master; Thomas Walker, Senior Warden; E. C. Wadsworth, Junior Warden; A. B. Houston, Treasurer; 1. L. Campbell, Secretary; II. Ransford, senior Deacon; J. P. Lair, Junior Deacon; George Calf, Tyler.
The officers at present date are: John Riley, Worshipful Master; I. L. Statzell, Senior Warden; George C. Jeffries, Junior Warden; E. Watson, Treasurer; V. P. Hell. yer, Secretary; S. C. Watson, Senior Deacon; T. II. Allen, Junior Deacon; W. II. Sevey, Senior Seribe; J. Rabson, Junior Scribe; John Dicus, Tyler.
The Ancient Order of United Workmen of Exira was instituted June 28, 1884, with
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HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.
fifteen charter members. The first officers werc: W. W. Danner, Past Master Work- man; George Hardenbrook, Master Work- man; B. F. Thomas, Foreman; George C. Jeffries, Overseer; T. G. Bryant, Recorder; W. W. Sickles, Finaneier; C. F. Willeutt, Receiver; Charles Howlett, Guide; T. II Allen, Inside Watchman; C. II. Howe, Out- side Watchman.
The present membership of the order is thirty-one. Its officers eleet for 1889 are:
C. F. Willentt, Past Master Workman; John Riley, Master Workman; George C. Jeffries, Foreman; M. G. Mitchell, Recorder; George Hardenbrook, Financier; A. G. Bru- ner, Receiver; Wesley Smith, Guide; S. D. May, Inside Watchman; I. L. Statzell, Out- side Watchman.
Knights of Pythias, Exira Lodge, No. 181, was instituted September, 1887, by nineteen charter members. The following were the first officers:
II. F. Andrews, Chancellor Commander; Erwin Watson, Vice-Chancellor; Charles H. Andrews, Keeper of Records and Seals; F. A. Shaw, Prelate; G. W. Gurnsey, M. A .; William E. Coleman, M. F .; John Hunter, M. E .; William Carpenter, Inside Guard; A. C. Andrews, Ontside Guard.
Their present membership is about fifty. The past chancellors are: F. J. Shrouger, H. F. Andrews, Erwin Watson.
The present (1889) officers are:
E. Watson, Chancellor Commander; Charles H. Andrews, Vice-Chancellor; Otto Withauer, Keeper of Records and Seals; W. M. Cole- inan, Prelate; J. M. Thomas, M. A .; G. H. Henshaw, M. F .; W. M. Carpenter, M. E .; G. W. Conklin, Inside Guard; I. N. Seibert, Outside Gnard.
They have a well fitted hall which they occupy exclusively, and are now the strongest secret order at Exira.
Good Templars Lodge, No. 243, was or- ganized by thirty-two elarter members, Au- gust 9, 1886. The first officers were:
D. Repass, Worthy Chief Templar; Mrs. John D. Shaw, Vice-Templar; Mrs. L. B. Mills, Secretary; W. H. E. Fulton, Chaplain; F. A. Shaw, Past Worthy Chief Templar; Alice Gates, Financial Secretary; M. A. Mills, Treasurer; C. L. Pattison, Marshal; Ida Repass, D. M .; Lena Hardenbrook, Gnide; S. J. CInre, Sentinel; Amelia Cisney, R. II. S .; E. M. Statzell, L. II. S .; A. S. Cisney, Deputy.
The present membership is about seventy, and the lodge is in a fine condition, being a great lever in handling the local temperance matters in and about Exira. The officers elect for 1888 were:
Charles Marble, Worthy Chief Templar; Alice Gates, Worthy Vice; W. R. Copeland, Secretary; T. R. Leary, Chaplain; N. H. Bowman, Past Worthy Chief Templar; J. T. Carmichael, Financial Secretary; Mrs. Will- iam Fulton, Treasurer; Oliver Craig, Mar- shal; Belle Kelsey, D. M .; Lena Hardenbrook, Inside Guard; Eaton Seavy, Ontside Guard; Mrs. Genette Roseman, Superintendent of Juvenile Work; J. G. Gates, Deputy.
BUSINESS INTERESTS OF 1888.
Attorney, I. L. Statzell; agricultural im- plements, D. E. Shrauger & Co .; bank, Bank of Exira, E. Watson, Cashier; barber, Will- iam E. Coleman; blacksmiths, E. D. Wood- ward, J. B. Danner; drugs, Shaw & Patterson George Hardenbrook; dray lines, Ed. Clure, Wesley Smith; general merchandise, Cotton & Hash, Henshaw, Thomas & Co .; grain dealers, C. E. Myers & Co., II. Andrews & Co .; furniture, J. W. Patterson; harness shops, George C. Jeffries, Joseph Clure; hotels, A. Herrick, H. Sibert; hardware, Lair & Co., A. C. Smith; jewelry, O. L. Pat-
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HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.
terson, S. J. Clure; livery, Fulton Bro., A. Cooper; lumber, Otto Withauer, Green Bay Lumber Co .; millinery, Mrs. Hannah Camp- bell, Miss Flo Wilds; meat market, I. Hunt; mills, Gransberry Bro .; newspaper, Journal, - Guernsey, editor and proprietor; physi- cians, C. II. Andrews, John Riley; shoe- makers, John Stager, George C. Jeffries, D. Workman.
During the year 1888 what is known as the "Exira Coal Mining Company " was or- ganized at Exira, by some leading citizens, who represented a capital stoek of $100,000. The president of the company was Lewis Born, and the secretary G. W. Guernsey. They at once engaged experts to go down by means of boring; this was continued until cold weather set in. Many indications were obtained of a paying bed of soft coal under- lying the surface from 100 to 300 feet. A forty-inch strata of coal was found at a depth of 204 feet. It remains to be seen whether the enterprise will prove one of financial value to Exira; all depends on amount of coal and its depth from the surface.
BRAYTON.
This village is the second station on the railroad south of Audubon, and was platted December 16, 1878, by John S. and John T. Jenkins. Its geographical location is a thirty- aere tract of land along the south side of the northwest quarter of section 19, township 78, range 35, west, and in what is known as Oakfield Township. It is but a short distance from the old village of Oakfield, where noth- ing remains in a business sense, except the flouring mill. Upon the building of the rail- road the business of Oakfield was removed to Brayton, which has come to be a thriving village of between 100 and 200 people, with all the common branches of retail trade represented.
A POSTOFFICE
was established at this point in the spring of 1879. The first postmaster was John T. Jenkins, who was succeeded by O. F. Ide, October 1, 1886.
Brayton was made a money-order office in August, 1882. The first order was issued August 7, to L. S. Cotton for $2.05, payable to E. S. Phelps, Galesburg, Illinois. Up to January 1, 1889, this office had issued 2,200 money orders.
BUSINESS FIRMIS.
The first house erected in the place was the blacksmith shop now occupied by L. N. Beek. John Cooper was the first blacksmith to stand beside a glowing forge at this point. Mr. Beck runs a large shop, in which he makes buggies and wagons, and does general blacksmith work.
The first general store was opened by R. Crumling, early in 1879. The present gen- eral stores are conducted by Reynolds & Ide, and Hanson & Bloom.
The pioneer hardware dealer was J. Zim- mermau, who embarked in trade in 1881. Ile sold to I. P. IIalloek, who was shortly succeeded by John Anderson, and he sold to the present dealer, N. J. Nelson.
The first to handle drugs was Burtou & Kirkpatrick, who came in 1879. The drug trade is now in the hands of C. L. Bisom.
Grain was first handled by Stockdale & Day, in 1878. The present dealers are Worth- ing & Foote, C. E. Myers & Co.
The first lumber yard was owned by Will- iam Hoak, in 1878-'79. It is now controlled by the Green Bay Lumber Company.
Live-stock dealers at the present time are Messrs. Jenkins, Myers & Co.
The first hotel at Brayton was conducted by 1. H. Jenkins, who still entertains the weary traveler in a home-like and pleasing
681
HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.
style. The other hotel of the village is run by a Dane named Chris Hanson.
The first harness-maker was Daniel Car- penter, who came in 1886. It is now in the hands of Claus Paulson.
The first shoemaker was Chris Thompson, in 1887. He is still the only one represent- ing this branch.
The meat business has been in the hands of many; the first was run by a "cow-boy" froin the plains.
An offer was made by Mr. Jenkins, pro- prietor of the town, of $100 to any society who would build a church. The Congrega- tional people tried to avail themselves of such offer, but did not succeed. A building, however, was built by subscription, and for a time used for sneh purpose, as well as for a school in summer time. At present there is no church organization at Brayton, neither a regular school, except the district school out- side the plat.
PIONEER ODD FELLOWS LODGE.
" Audubon " Lodge of I. O. O. F., No. 217, is the oldest secret society in the county, having been organized at an early day at the now defunet village of Louisville. The date was soon after the Rebellion closed. The lodge was then moved to Oakfield, and from there to Brayton, where the order is in a flourish- ing condition, owning a good building 22 x 46 feet, costing $1,000. The upper part is used for their lodge-room, while they rent the first story for a temperance billiard hall.
The present officers are: I. N. Horton, N. G .; A. II. Early, V. G .; Peter F. Howell, Secretary; D. A. Wetherby, Treasurer.
The present membership is forty. More members were taken in upon one night than were-ever taken in by any other lodge in the district-six persons going in at one time.
Besides this order Brayton is represented
by the " Danish Brotherhood," a newly or- ganized society, now numbering only about 2,000 in the - United States. The lodge at Brayton (No. 31) was instituted October 20, 1888, by ten charter members. They have increased to seventeen. Their officers are: Jacob Bloom, President; Jacob Benedixen, Vice-President; Peter Jacobson, Secretary ; Chris Christianson, Treasurer; IIans Nyman, Inside Guard; N. L. Beck, Outside Guard; Hans Hanson, ex-President.
This order meets twice each month, and bids fair to become a popular society among the Danes.
SORGHUM MANUFACTURING.
No locality in Iowa at present produces more sorghum than does Oakfield Township. There are several large concerns making this product. The soil and late seasons seem to make it a certain and profitable crop to raise. Cotton Brothers, at Oakfield, run a flonring- mill, and also have extensive sorghum works, both running by water-power. During the past year (1888) not less than 40,000 gallons have been made. It commands a higher price than ordinary syrups, and will be had at twice the cost, if possible.
GRAY.
Gray is a station on the Carroll branch of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, and is situated on section 12 of Lincoln Township, near the north line of the county. The land was formerly owned by George and Fannie Gray. The plat was filed for record August 10, 1881. However, the road did not come until early in 1882.
The first to engage in business was Will- iam Johnson, who started a general store. William Stotts also started in the same line of business that season.
The first to deal in hardware in the place was Theodore Myres.
682
HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.
The first hotel was built for L. C. Whipple in 1852; the same is now idle, the large building being owned by George Gray.
George Gray, proprietor of the village, built a large steam elevator of 33,000-bushel capacity; also a spacious office in which he transaets the business of his grain-house, be- sides that of his ranch of 1,500 acres close to the village plat. Upon this ranch are raised horses, cattle and hogs in large numbers. The residence on his ranch is very superior, as well as barns and shedding.
The first to handle drugs was Dr. Hins- dale.
The first harness-maker of the place was David Soar, who has the honor of starting the first harness-shop in each town and village within the county, but one.
The pioneer blacksmith was a man named De Good.
George Davis opened a restaurant in 1887. The first to deal in grain was George Gray.
A postoffice was established at Gray, which was named in honor of the proprietor of the village, in 1882. The first post- master was William Stotts, who was snc- ceeded by W. R. Johnson, and he, in 1886, by B. Lebeck. J. J. Jones and Seth Gifford had charge a short time.
The first school on the village plat was taught by Miss Libbie Johnson, in 1883. The school-house, which stood in an adjoin- ing county district, was moved into the vil- lage in 1887, and an addition built to it, making two departments, in 1888.
The Methodist Episcopal people formed a church and creeted a neat structure in 1886, which cost $1,500. The United Brethren also have a society in the neighborhood, and hold services every other week in the Meth- odist building. The Methodists have no reg- ular pastor, but are supplied from another charge.
SOCIETIES.
An Odd Fellows' Lodge, known as Utopia Lodge, No. 461, of Gray, was instituted April 20, 1888, with a charter membership of seven which at the present date (1889) numbers, twenty-eight.
The first elective officers were as follows: J. E. Freetley, N. G .; T. J. Spiker, V. G .; O. B. Francisco, Secretary; H. W. Lebeck, Treasurer.
Officers for 1889: J. S. Fisher, N. G .; William MeMullen, V. G .; C. M. Taylor, Secretary; Frank P. Reese, Treasurer.
The present condition of the lodge is ex- cellent; they have a finely furnished hall and are free from debt.
Hiawatha Lodge, No. 16, I. O. R. M., was formed October 19, 1888, by a charter membership of twenty-seven. The first off- cers were: Spark Baker, Sachem; A. L. Brooks, Keeper of Records; F. Reese, Keeper of Wampum; S. D. Seovil, Prophet; John Hench, Senior Sagamore; C. Woodland, Jun- ior Sagamore; O. F. Francisco, First Senti- nel; Eli Agnew, Second Sentinel; William Johnson, Inside Guard; Charles Wiley, Ont- side Guard.
The officers elected to serve in 1889 were: O. B. Francisco, Sachem; A. L. Brooks, I' eeper of Records; John Lancelot, Keeper of Wampum; Spark Baker, Prophet; Frank Reese, Senior Sagamore; Eli Agnew, Junior Sagamore.
Good Templars' Lodge, No. 437, was or- ganized at Gray, December 8, 1888, by a membership of forty-six. The first to serve as officers were: D. O'Lary, C. T .; Miss Alta Crow, V. T .; Mrs. J. J. Kittell, Dep .; Mrs. W. J. Andis, S. J. T .; Mrs. C. M. Tay- lor, P. C. T .; Mrs. W. J. Lancelott, Chaplain; S. T. Thompson, Financial Secretary; Mrs. R. J. Reese, Treasurer; T. ()'Lary, Record- ing Secretary; Miss Clara Atkinson, Assist-
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HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.
ant Secretary ; Samnel Harris, Marshal; Miss Nora O'Lary, Deputy Marshal: May Clark, Sentinel; Thomas Watson, G .; R. II. Kamil- ton, D. G.
The present membership of this order is fifty-nine. They meet once a week at Odd Fellows' Hall.
BUSINESS INTERESTS OF 1888-'89.
General stores, Lancelott & Reese, HI. W. & B. Lebeek & Co., Horace Shelley; hard- ware, Audis Brothers; drugs, Dr. A. L. Brooks; hotel, "Cottage House," S. T. Thompson, proprietor; restaurant, Frank Da- vis; blacksmith shop, Hepp & Frese; wagon shop, Hepp & Frese; harness shop, Housman & Seovile; grain dealers, George Gray, Charles Stuart & Son; coal dealers, George Gray, Green Bay Lumber Company; Inmber, Green Bay Lumber Company; physicians, Dr. A. L. Brooks, Dr. L. A. Bears; livery stable, S. T. Thompson; meat market, Ben- son & Peterson.
A newspaper called the Western Blizzard was published here about a year by Frank D. Allen, who later on consolidated it with the Audubon Advocate. It is generally under- stood that S. T. Thompson, proprietor of the Cottage House, is about to start a local paper at Gray.
ROSS.
This is a station four miles north of Au- dubon, on the Carroll branch of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad. It was platted by the Western Town Lot Company, July 28, 1882; a station house was not built until in 1885. A postoffice was established at this point in 1883. The following have been postmasters: L. D. Thomas and John Wagner.
The first to engage in trade was Fox & Johnson. At present-1889-a general store is operated by J. L. Luse. There are no other commercial interests, aside from the
grain and coal trade, conducted by George Gray, W. H. Negley, Charles Stuart & Son.
KIMBALLTON.
This is the last village platted in Andubon County; it was recorded June 2, 1888. How- ever, it had been platted by its proprietor, Hans J. Jorgenson, in 1883. It is located on the northeast quarter of seetion 30, town- ship 79, range 36, west.
A postoffice was established in the fall of 1883, with Hans J. Jorgenson as first post- master. Ile was succeeded in July, 1888, by Hans Marquesen.
The first goods sold at this point were in the fall of 1883, by Louis Hansen.
In Jaruary, 1889, the following constituted the business interests of Kimballton :
Murquesen & Mehard, general store and postoffice; A. Bergreen, selling on com- mission for Russell & Son; Eveek & Gray, hardware and farming implements; Carl Johnson, blacksmith; L. C. Thompson, car- penter.
Goods are now usually hauled by teams from Audubon fifteen miles to the northeast.
DEFUNCT VILLAGES.
Among the defnnet villages whiel appear on the county plat book is DAYTON, which was the first platted village of the county. Its plat was recorded January 9, 1855. It was the location set apart as the county seat by the locating committee. Geographically, it was situated on the east half of the north- west quarter of section 22, township 78, range 35, west. There were never any busi- ness houses erected there, and only had a name in the plat book and as the place of holding county court, ete., when the county judge happened to reside there. About ninety lots were sold at prices from 50 eents to $9.00. No county buildings were ever erected, and when the county seat was removed by a
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HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.
vote of the people to Exira, in 1861, Dayton ended its history, and its ambition to become a place of note fell into forgetfulness!
AUDUBON CITY was the next village platted in the county. It was situated on the south- west quarter of section 35, township 78, range 35, west. Its plat was filed for record September 3, 1856, by Nathaniel Hamlin and Thomas Lewis. A few store buildings and shops were there erected and its proprie- tor hoped to have the county seat finally located at that point, but the county north and west settled rapidly, and when the question was canvassed the people did not kindly take to the seat of justice being established there, hence another would-be county-seat village lost its identity and soon was numbered among the dead. A corn-field was pointed out to the writer when he asked, " Where is Au- dubon City ?" However, its real location may be briefly described as being about the center of Exira Township.
OAKFIELD was the name of a beautifully located plat, which was surveyed and recorded Jannary 4, 1858, by Erasmus Bradley and Alva B. Brown, on sections 19 and 20, of what is now the civil township of Exira. Like thic other carly villages, it failed to be- come a place of any considerable note, and upon the platting and final building of the village of Brayton, a short distance to the west, and a station on the Audubon & At-
lantic Railroad, Oakfield soon fell into the list of defunct villages.
Another one of Unele " Natty " Hamlin's town plats was recorded June 4, 1866, and was known as LOUISVILLE. It was located on the northwest quarter of the southwest quar- ter of section 16, township 78, range 35, west, and in what is now known as Exira Township. Here the first mill in the county was built, and at one time quite a pioneer vil- lage existed at this point. It also had county- seat aspirations, but, like so many other prospective county capitals, it soon went down with the upbuilding of more central locations.
HAMLIN was another county-seat venture projected by " Natty" IIamlin, Messrs. Bryan, Seevers, Donnell, Maxwell and Thompson, known as the "Hamlin Town Company," who offered great inducements to gain the county seat, in the way of erecting a court- house and other improvements, then 80 much needed by the county. This attempt at "locating" a county seat for a time met with public favor, as the town proprietors offered liberally and their location was nearly in the center of the county, it being platted on sections 1 and 2, township 79, range 35, in what is known now as Hamlin Township, the same being a short distance southeast of Andnbon, the present scat of justice. But the Exira people also made an equally liberal offer to the county and it was accepted.
HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.
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CHAPTER IX.
CRIME IN SHELBY AND AUDUBON COUNTIES.
HERE are but few, if any, portions of either the civilized or uncivilized world where the hand of crime has not at some period in the history of man left its crimson stain as an evidence that such loca- tion has been the scene of tragedy, aye! of deeds that were dark and damnable in their character, deeds that shock and horrify the refined senses of all rational beings who have been reared under the influence of Christian and civilized homes. For any one community to deny that crimes have been committed in their midst would be a useless piece of folly. Wherever man is found there more or less sin abonnds, and where sin abonnds to any great extent there the truthful chronicler of events must note the fact that crimes have been committed; but as to who have thus far forgotten the God who created them, and as to how men have been thus implicated in their dark deeds-this is an- other question, and one which for the good of all concerned, perhaps, may as well be for- ever unanswered. Suffice it to say that our own proud and much-boasted-of common- wealth-the State of Iowa-has a population at least as highly cultivated and refined as any one in the Union. She has a grand sisterhood of ninety-nine counties where may be found more school-houses and church buildings to her population than nearly any other State, and yet the court records of each
and all of these, nearly 100 counties,contain an account of both criminal and civil proceed- ings of which no good law-abiding citizen is in the least degree proud. We now come to speak more especially of the dark deeds which unfortunately have happened within Shelby and Andubon counties since the time the first white man ventured into these parts for the purpose of effecting a settlement.
Upon entering into a county the local his- torian's ears are burdened and his heart sad- dened by the recital of foul crimes which have been committed from time to time. The county records display them, the press contains graphic and too frequently one-sided' accounts of them; pioncers have them by heart, and nearly every citizen, whether of long or short residence, knows much, if not all, their history. The historian is not nn- frequently asked the question as to how he proposes to treat certain cases found in crime's crimson calender. And indeed, to all such it may be here stated that it is not the object of this Biographical and Historical Record to deal extensively on base crimes, or in any other manner to injure the feelings of any man or woman within these counties, or any of their relatives who may have been in any way connected with such crimes.
It may, however, be stated with propriety in this connection, that some crimes have been here committed the mere record of
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HISTORY OF AUDUBON COUNTY.
which can in no wise harm any one, whila they will be read as matters merely of his- tory by those who may come after ns, with some degree of interest, and serve to show the contrast of the days when laws were not as much respected as in the day in which we now live.
THIE JELLERSON MURDER AND SUBSEQUENT LYNCHING.
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