USA > Iowa > Polk County > Centennial history of Polk County, Iowa > Part 17
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July 6th, 1871, the Association passed resolutions deny- ing all affiliation with those leaders who teach that liberty is license, and who throw discredit on the sacred bond of marriage. May 6th, 1875, resolutions were passed, compli- mentary of Governor Carpenter, for his appointment of Mrs. Cattell to a responsible position, as one of the Com- mittee of Investigation in reference to the condition of the Reform School, and for his words of approval of the cause, in his last message. August, 1876, resolutions furnished by Mrs. Maria S. Orwig, demanding the ballot for woman, and declaring her right to emancipation from the prejudice and ignorance which keep her in a subordinate position, indus- trially, socially, and politically, were reaffirmed. At this meeting, Gen. Given was thanked for the eloquent speech
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he delivered in the House last winter, in favor of Woman Suffrage. Messrs. Mitchell, Tuttle, Kasson, Brandt, Mad- den, and Given, members of the General Assembly, during the past few years, were especially thanked for the interest they have taken on this subject.
This Society, which is in a prosperous condition, has never failed to hold its regular meetings, and has never failed, also, in its mission, to vindicate woman, and to eman- cipate her from the disabilities under which she is laboring.
The following officers were chosen in May last: Presi- dent, Mrs. E. H. Hunter; Vice Presidents, Mrs. D. Cattell, Mrs. L. M. Scott, and Mrs. C. A. Warner; Recording Sec- retary, Miss Martha Angle; Corresponding Secretary, Mrs. M. S. Orwig; Treasurer, Mrs. M. Gray Pitman; Executive Committee, Mrs. M. J. Coggeshall, Mrs. Mary A. Work, Mrs. Lydia G. Aldrich, Mrs. L. M. Davis, and Mrs. A. R. Ankeny.
The Legislature, in its election of officers, last winter, chose Miss Hallett and Miss Rayburn, as Enrolling and Engrossing Clerks; and Mrs. J. M. Dixon and Miss Annie Christy, Paper-Folders, all of the Senate; and Miss Evans and Mrs. Berry, Enrolling and Engrossing Clerks, and Misses Baker, Whedon, and Griffiths, Paper-Folders, all of the House. Misses Johnston and Smith were appointed Legislative Postmistresses.
JEWISH ORDER.
Lazarus Samich Lodge of the order of K. S. B. was or- ganized in this city, November 17, 1876, with the following officers: , President, M. Riegelman; Vice-President, M. Strauss; Treasurer, J. Mandelbaum; Secretary, L. M. Doctor; Monitor, H. Riegelman; Asst. M., H. Younkers; Achieser, M. Schloss; Aliezur, I. Riegelman; Guardian, H. Hiller; As- sistant, L. Ortlieb; L. Hirsch, Grand Saar, State of Iowa; Rev. F. Shaur, Lecturer.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY
TEMPERANCE.
The following very interesting account of the Independ- ent Order of Good Templars in Polk county, was compiled by W. H. Fleming, Private Secretary of Governor Kirk- wood:
The order of Good Templars, which was founded, as it at present exists, in the year 1852, in the State of New York, was introduced into Iowa in 1853; and on the 24th day of November, 1854, the Grand Lodge was organized at Iowa City; twelve representatives being present from eight lodges. Among those in attendance who have since become more or less prominent, are George D. Woodin, Isaac Whittan, of Cedar Rapids; and General N. P. Chipman. About the same time, Star Lodge was formed in Fort Des Moines. Among its leading members were Hon. William McKay. About a year later, Friendship Lodge was organized at Fort Des Moines. Shortly afterward, Saylorville Lodge was formed.
On the 29th day of January, 1857, Demoine Lodge was instituted in East Des Moines; and it commenced a career of incalculable influence, which has been extended to the present time. In all this period, that lodge has never missed a meeting. During the same year, both lodges in Des Moines, (West Side) ceased working. J. M. Cree was the first representative to the Grand Lodge from Polk county. He represented both Des Moines and Saylorville lodges. In the fall of 1857, Polk City lodge was instituted, and was
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represented at the session of the Grand Lodge in 1859, by Dr. (afterward Major) J. C. Bennett. Rev. William Rems- burgh was delegate to the Grand Lodge from Des Moines lodge in 1858; and George E. Chambers and William H. Hoxie in 1859. Both Saylorville and Polk City lodges ceased working in 1858 or 1859. The sixth session of the Grand Lodge was held at Des Moines in 1859. About the same time, another lodge was organized in Des Moines, West side, known as Capital Lodge, No. 195. In 1860, Hon. Jonathan W. Cattell and Hon Elijah Sells, represent- ed Des Moines Lodge in the Grand Lodge at Independence. Just before this time, Peoria City Lodge, No. 53, was started, and Polk City revived. The former was short lived.
In 1861, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Cattell and Major Bennett represented the county in the Grand Lodge at Iowa City. In this year, (1861,) four new lodges were instituted in Polk county, viz: Mitchell, No. 250, at Mitchelltown; Elm Grove, No. 253, in Bloomfield township; Avon, No. 254; and Camp, No. 256, in Camp township; Saylorville was reorganized as No. 252. At the same time, the war drawing so heavily on its membership, Capital Lodge surrendered its charter.
The following year was one of great depression in the history of the order; and Polk City, Saylorville, and Elm Grove lodges, gave up their feeble hold on life. Of eight lodges reported by the Grand Secretary as organized during the year, one was in Des Moines, West side, where three lodges had previously gone down.
On the 7th day of May, 1862, Union lodge was instituted, as No. 263. Among its charter members were George A. Mc Vicker, Thomas S. Keeney, M. S. Dickerson, Alonzo W. Rollins, and others. At the session of the Grand Lodge, held at Dubuque, Isaac Brandt and Mrs. Remsburg repre- sented all the existing lodges in the county except Avon. Mr. Brandt was placed at the head of the order, and Mrs. Cattell, next.
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On the 31st day of January, 1863, Avon lodge was sus- pended. On the 5th of August, in the same year, Fidelity lodge, No. 7, was instituted at Rising Sun, by Rev. William Remsburgh. The Grand Lodge met at Des Moines in Sep- tember. Mr. and Mrs. Remsburgh, Hon. James Wright, and Mrs. Samuel Green, represented Des Moines lodge; Jonathan Blyler, Mitchell lodge; and John K. Lyon and Miss Mary Jones, Union lodge. Mr. Brandt was re elect. ed Grand Worthy Chief Templar. At this session, a report was made of the number of members of the several lodges, who were in the army. Des Moines Lodge reported sixty- eight more than any other in the State, except one at Keokuk, which had seventy; Union lodge had ten.
In 1864, Camp lodge ceased to work. George A. Mc- Vicker, and Miss Anna Raling, represented the three lodges at the Grand Lodge, held at Mt. Pleasant. At this session, Samuel A. Ayres was commissioned Deputy Grand Worthy Chief Templar for Des Moines lodge; Thomas Mitchell, for Mitchell lodge; George A. McVicker, for Union; and A. J. Barton, for Fidelity, Rising Sun.
The following year was one of great activity in the tem- perance cause. On the 17th of February, 1865, Mr. Barton instituted Adelphi Lodge, 156, and on the 10th of March, Mud Creek Lodge, No. 159; and on the last day of the same month, Rev. Wm. M. Calfee organized a new lodge at Say- lorville, Friendship, No. 167. Messrs. Brandt, McVicker, Ed. B. Stillman, Frank Mix, and Mrs. Cattell, represented the lodges of the county at Waterloo. The deputies ap- pointed were Samuel Green, for Des Moines; Frank Mix, for Union; L. B. Houston, for Saylorville; and Mr. Mitchell was re-appointed.
On the 6th of March following, Peterson Lodge, No. 278, was organized in Delaware township; and on the 13th of April, Brandt Lodge, No. 295, was organized in Franklin Township. The same year witnessed the death of the two
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new lodges of the previous year, Adelphi and Mud Creek. The lodges were represented at the session of the Grand Lodge, held at Newton, by Mrs. Cattell, Mrs. Remsburgh, Mrs. H. N. Hemenway, Mrs. W. E. Peterson, and Messrs. W. S. Peterson, J. M. Dixon, N. Ball, F. F. Blyler, T. E. Bar- low, and J. A. Saylor. Rev. Wm. Remsburgh, of Des Moines Lodge; Jonathan Blyler, of Mitchell; A. J. Barton, of Fidelity, and Henry Owens, of Friendship, were respect- ively appointed deputies.
DES MOINES LODGE, I. O. G. T., NO. 133.
This Lodge was instituted in East Des Moines, January 29, 1857, by Hon. G. W. McCrary, with the following char- ter members: Samuel A. Ayres, J. C. Taylor, N. B. Coo- ley, Freeman Tisdale, J. H. Armstrong, William Riddle, Martha A. Cooley, Ann Tisdale, Rowena Foster, John Da- vis, Jos. C. Cooper, William Osborn, John B. Hardin, E. A. Snyder, E. E. Kimball.
The first officers were: J. C. Taylor, W. C. T .; Rowena Foster, W. V. T .; J. H. Armstrong, W. C .; N. B. Cooley, W. S .; W. Osborn, A. S .; F. Tisdale, W. F. S .; John Davis, W. F .; William Riddle, W. M .; E. E. Kimball, D. M .; John Hardin, I. G .; James Cooper, O. G .; Ann Tisdale, R. H. S .; and Nathan Cooley, L. H S.
The present officers are: P. B. Tolls, W. C. T .; Mary Miller, W. V. T .; Rev. Condo, W. C .; Samuel Henry, W. S .; Mrs. Samuel Henry, W. A. S .; Reese Gabriel, W. F.S .; Mrs. Samuel Green, W. T .; Harry Lefler, W. M .; Miss Ella Johnson, D. W .; Miss Laura Overman, W. G .; Edward Hartzell, W. S .; Prof. A. Condo, Organist. Membership, 140.
This Lodge has been in constant working order ever since its organization. Martin D. McHenry, Jr., delivered the 19th annual address, in January last.
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UNION LODGE.
Union Lodge, No. 263, I. O. G. T., was organized, May 7, 1862. The charter members were: Alonzo W. Rollins, M. S. Dickerson, D. D. Skinner, Ed. B. Stillman, George D. Ingersoll, Thomas S. Keeney, George A. Sells, George A. McVicker, W. H. M. Smith, W. A. Saylor, C. W. Rhoades, Mrs. C. E. Lanstrum, Mrs. Mary Smith, Mrs. Sue Rogg, Ed. C. Russell, Mrs. M. A. Peters, Mrs. R. Leyner, Mrs. Kate L. Turk, and Frank Mix.
The present officers are: Dr. Hinshaw, W. C. T .; Miss C. Compston, W. V. T .; J. D. Ogilvie, Sec .; Mrs. M. Gray Pitman, F. S .; Mrs. Oella Mc Vicker, Treas.
EUREKA TEMPLE.
Eureka Degree Temple, No. 4, I. O. G. T., was organized October 18, 1858. The charter members were: Isaac Brandt, William Remsburgh, M. E. Remsburgh, Sarah A. Remsburgh, George O. Chambers, T. W. Gill, J. H. Looby, Isabella Francis, and Jennie Owens [Green.]
JOCELYN TEMPLE.
Jocelyn Temple of Honor, No. 5, was organized, March 16, 1870, in Des Moines, with the following charter mem- bers: Nathan W. Hunt, George A. McVicker, W. H. Flem- ing, David D. Fleming, John B. Miller, William E. W. Johnson, Isaac Brandt, S. M. Good, Charles G. Lewis, H. Monroe, Thomas Maloney, Wm. Duane Wilson, John . W. Ealy, George H. Swan, Augustus Smith, George P. Mann, Henry Banks, William Mathews, Nathan E. Barnes, and Edward P. Parshall.
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SONS OF TEMPERANCE.
A Division of the Sons of Temperance was organized, in Exchange Block, in the Winter of 1856 -- 7. Among the
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first officers were: Worthy Patriarch, Judge M. D. Mc- Henry; Associate, J. M. Dixon.
The Patron of the Sons of Temperance, in Central Iowa, was Judge McHenry, who brought a clearance card, in 1856, from Golden Rule Division, No. 81, Shelbyville, Ky. The same name and number, " Golden Rule, No. 81," were given to the first Division in Des Moines. Judge McHenry was frequently consulted by Legislative committees, in ref- erence to temperance legislation, and much that is good in our laws on this subject, is owing to the active interest he has taken, as well as his ability to give good counsel.
PEOPLE'S TEMPERANCE ASSOCIATION.
This body was organized, October 12th, 1871, with seven members. The first officers were: President, G. H. Tur- ner; Vice President, D. Donovan; Secretary, Seward Smith; Treasurer, James F. Kemp; Sergeant-at-Arms, W. A. Hunt. The Executive Committee were: G. H. Turner, E. J. Mc- Gorrisk, and S. B. Keffer. Book keeper, John R. Peed.
In November, 1871, the Association numbered 100 mem- bers.
POLK COUNTY GRANGES.
Capital Grange, No. 5, organized September 20, 1870. Charter officers, Isaac Brandt, Master; G. Sprague, Secre- tary. Present officers, A. R. Fulton, Master; Miss C. E. Raybourne, Secretary.
Bloomfield Grange, No. 15, organized February 1, 1871. Charter officers, M. L. Devin, Master; W. R. S. Clark, Sec- etary. Present officers, M. L. Devin, Master; E. Howell, Secretary.
Enterprise Grange, No. 16, organized February 5, 1871. Charter officers, A. S. Rice, Master; Isaac Case, Secretary. Present officers, Joseph R. Warwick, Master; W. F. Rice, Secretary.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY
Delaware Grange, No. 28, organized March 18, 1871. Charter officers, M. W. Miller, Master; A. E. Garrison, Sec- retary. Present officers, P. D. Ankeny, Master; N. F. Case, Secretary.
Walnut Grange, No. 56, organized July 1, 1871. Charter officers, H. S. Sovereign, Master; Nancy McDevitt, Secre- tary. Present officers, H. H. Robinson, Master; E. A. Tripp, Secretary.
Ridgedale Grange, No. 102, organized January 1, 1872. Charter officers, Walter Ogler, Master; Samuel D. Devery, Secretary. Present officers, John Lawson, Master; Wmn. Andrews, Secretary.
Ilighland Grange, No. 130, organized January 20, 1872. Charter officers, M. McCall, Master; A. L. McWhorten, Sec- retary. Present officers, M. McCall, Master; A. P. Bod- well, Secretary.
Elkhart Grange, No. 199, organized February 21, 1872. Charter officers, H. J. Williamson, Master; J. M Johnston, Secretary. Disbanded.
Altoona Grange, No. 216, organized March, 1872. Char- ter offiers, R. P. Shivers, Master; N. Henstreet, Secretary. Disbanded.
Ashewa Grange, No. 243, organized March 11, 1872. Charter officers, Jno. Youngerman, Master; L. D. Whit- marsh, Secretary. Present officers, J. Fisher, Master; W. Osborne, Secretary.
White Oak Grange, No. 321, organized April 5, 1872. Charter officers, Joseph Landon, Master; J. H. Shackelford, Secretary. Present officers, J. H. Woods, Master; Thos. Woods, Secretary.
Camp Center Grange, No, 888, organized May 17, 1872. Charter officers, M. E. Town, Master; A. Mckinney, Secre- tary. Present officers, J. D. Reese, Master; E. H. Brown, Secretary.
Douglass Grange, No. 457, organized June 26, 1872.
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Charter officers, A. J. Mathis, Master; O. E. Doubleday, Secretary. Present officers, A. J. Mathis, Master; O. E. Doubleday, Secretary.
Independent Grange, No. 519, organized August 7, 1872. Charter officers, J. M. Walker, Master; H. J. McDonald, Secretary. Disbanded.
Crocker Grange, No. 663, organized November 7, 1872. Charter officers, R. K. Miller, Master; N. J. Harris, Secre- tary. Present officers, N. J. Harris, Master; G. W. Black- man, Secretary.
Polk Grange, No. 735, organized December 7, 1872. Charter officers, Wm. Frazier, Master; N. Frazier, Secretary. Present officers, Wm. A. Polk, Master; Wm. Hedge, Secre- tary.
Mitchelville Grange, No. 770, organized January 4, 1873. Charter officers, Wm. Grimstead, Master; Chas. Seiberling, Secretary. Present officers, J. W. Grimstead, Master; James L. Hibbs, Secretary.
Franklin Grange, No. 815, organized January 20, 1873. Charter officers, S. H. Walker, Master; B. F. Prunty, Secre- tary. Present officers, S. H. Walker, Master; B. F. Prunty, Secretary.
Four Mile Grange, No. 821, organized January 25, 1873. Charter officers, W. S. Mills, Master; W. S. Hawkins, Sec- retary. Present officers, James A. Dunagan, Master; W. L. Hawkins, Secretary.
Excelsior Grange, No. 795, organized January 18, 1873. Charter officers, Elmira Rothrock, Master; Wm. H. Dailey, Secretary. Present officers, David Burget, Master; Henry Heald, Secretary.
Grant Township Grange, No. 861, organized February 13, 1873. Charter officers, C. Thornton, Master; James Lamb, Secretary. Present officers, James Lamb, Master, C. Thorn- ton, Secretary.
Salem Grange, No. 879, organized February 14, 1873. 32
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Charter officers, M. F. Norris, Master; T. J. Cowman, Sec- retary. Disbanded.
Union Grange, No. 892, organized February 12, 1873. Charter officers, A. McCracken, Master; R. S. Turner, Sec- retary. Present officers, O. Miller, Master; J. S. Foster, Secretary.
Valley Grange, No. 1036, organized March 11, 1873. Hharter officers, E. L. Burnham, Master; W. H. Myers, Sec- retary. Present officers, J. Y. Horning, Master; Mrs. M. L. Corning, Secretary.
Economy Grange, No. 1147, organized March 21, 1873. Charter officers, J. D. Davis, Master; E. P. Corbit, Secre- tary. Disbanded.
Woodland Grange, No. 1234, organized March 25, 1872. Charter officers, J. K. Taylor, Master; F. Bunker, Secretary. Present officers, J. T. Grimstead, Master; William Mills, Secretary.
Highland Grange, No, 1297, organized April 5, 1872. Charter officers, W. B. Turner, Master; R. S. Turner, Sec- retary. Present officers, A. Turner, Jr., Master; Mrs. F. Turner, Secretary.
Harmony Grange, No. 1466, organized April 24, 1873. Present officers, W. P. Delong, Master; Martin Hoxie, Sec- retary.
Valley View Grange, No. 1473, organized May 3, 1873. Charter officers, C. Packet, Master; William Pine, Secre- tary. Disbanded.
Elm Grove Grange, No. 1474, organized May 3, 1873. Charter officers, P. M. Van Slack, Master; E. Blackman, Secretary. Present officers, H. C. Hargis, Master; E. Blackman, Secretary.
LIST OF CHARTER MEMBERS OF CAPITAL GRANGE.
G. Sprague, A. R. Fulton, Isaac Brandt, Samuel E. Ran- kin, Ed Wright, A. L. F. Mower, L. J. Brown, Wesley Red-
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OF POLK COUNTY.
head, Samuel Merrill, John B. Miller, William Duane Wil- son, James Bernard Wilson, Mrs. G. Sprague, Mrs. A. R. Fulton, Mrs. Isaac Brandt, Miss Allie Brandt, Mrs. Ed Wright, Mrs. A. L. F. Mower, Celia Wright, Mrs. Wesley Redhead, Mrs. Samuel Merrill, Mrs. John B. Miller, Miss A. L. Libby, Ella Campbell, Elizabeth E. Wilson.
COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY.
In May, 1858, a primary meeting of physicians was held in Des Moines, of which Henry Courtney, M. D., was Char- man, Charles H. Rawson, M. D., Secretary. The object of the meeting was to adopt such measures as would facilitate the organization of a County Medical Society. The organ- ization was accomplished May 26th, 1858, with the follow- ing officers: President, H. L. Whitman, M. D .; Vice-Pres- idents, J. O. Skinner, M. D., and J B. O. Lancton, M. D .; Recording Secretary, C. H. Rawson, M. D .; Corresponding Secretary, Henry Courtney, M. D .; Treasurer, A. J. Fox, M. D .; Censors, H. Courtney, W. P. Davis, and H. L. Whit- man.
The present officers are: President, J. A. Blanchard, M. D .; Vice-Presidents, George F. Hubbard, M. D., and J. F. Kennedy, M. D .; Recording Secretary, I. Windle, M. D .; Corresponding Secretary, G. P. Hanawalt, M. D .; Treas- urer, Henry Cox, M. D .; Censors, A. G. Field, M. D .; J. Bowman, M. D. and C. H. Rawson, M. D.
No early citizen of Des Moines is better remembered than Dr. Courtney, one of the first officers of the Society. He was a gentleman of pleasing and popular address, and an accomplished physician. His death, which occurred several years ago, was universally lamented. We have re- ferred to Dr. W. P. Davis under another head. Dr. Lancton was a Canadian Frenchman ; his office was in a little frame building on Walnut street. He left Des Moines for the South before the war, since which time we have had no ti- dings in reference to him.
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POLK CITY LODGES.
The Polk City Lodge, No. 300, I. O. O. F., was instituted, November 10th, 1874, by Grand Representative of G. L. U. S., W. W. Moore, of Des Moines. The charter members were: John McLean, William Garton, L. N. Clingman, Joseph Shrader, Daniel Ingersoll, N. R. Harrington, Alfred Holcraft, and C. F. Wright.
The first officers were: Alfred Holcraft, N. G .; John McLean, V. G .; R. N. Harrington, Secretary; N. L. Cling- man, Treasurer; Daniel Ingersoll, W .; C. J. Clark, C .; C. F. Wright, O. G .; B. A. Little, I. G .; W. J. Wilson, R. S. to N. G .; George Drury, L. S. to N. G .; A. C. Truesdell, R. S. to V. G .; R. W. Stubbs, L. S. to V. G.
The present officers are: B. A. Little, N. G .; C. J. Clark, V. G .; W. J. Wilson, Recording Secretary; J. A. Kuntz, Secretary; William Garton, Treasurer; W. D. Ingersoll, Marshal; H. Eggleston, Conductor; Rev. J. R. Osborn, Chaplain; R. W. Stubbs and J. C. Lights, R. and L. Sup- porters to N. G .; H. Crabtree, O G .; H. B. Summerly, I. G .; H. Robinson and L. T. White, Sen. Supporters. Present number of members, 49.
The Masonic Lodge, at Polk City, of which we have a brief report from Col. C. J. Clark, was organized, October, 1871, with 11 members. It now numbers 58.
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TOWN AND CITY.
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ORIGINAL PLATS AND ADDITIONS.
Fort Des Moines, as originally platted, July 8, 1846, was bounded on the east by Water street, on the west by Eighth, on the north by Locust, and on the south by Elm. Scott and Dean's Addition to Fort Des Moines, East Side, was made Nov. 19, 1849; East Fort Des Moines plat, filed June 9th, 1854; Stewart's Addition to City of Des Moines, Sep- tember 8th, 1857; H. Lyon's Addition to Town of Fort " Demoine," May 22d, 1856 ; Scott's Addition to Town of "Demoine," June 3d, 1856; Young's Addition, August 28th, 1856; Smith's Addition, September 1st, 1856; Holcomb's Addition, September 6th, 1856; Day's Addition, October 22d, 1856; West Fort Des Moines, west of original Town of Fort Des Moines, North of Fagan's Addition, April 10th, 1852; H. M. Hoxie's Addition to Town of Fort Des Moines, November 19th, 1856; Hall's Addition (West Side) Febru- ary 18th, 1856; South Fort Des Moines, August 25th, 1855; Van's Addition to South Des Moines, May 22d, 1866; Bird's Addition, August 19th, 1857; Grimmel's Addition June 7th, 1857; Lyon's Addition, December 3d, 1858 ; Sevastopol, Bloomfield Township, May 5th, 1862; Mumma and Jacob's Hydraulic Addition to Fort Des Moines, August 27th, 1855; Town of "Demoine," January 30th, 1856 ; and Cottage Grove Addition to City, May 3d, 1873.
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CENTENNIAL HISTORY
CEMETERIES.
We have followed up the plats and Additions to the Town and City as far as the requirements of history de- mand, and as far as our space would permit. We append here a brief history of the different Cemeteries of belong- ing to the city and organizations : Woodland Cemetery, embracing forty acres, was laid out November 1st, 1859 ; Odd Fellows', within the limits of Woodland, March 30th, 1858; Jewish, or Emanuel Cemetery, just outside of Wood- land, two acres, January 21st, 1871. The Association lay- ing it out was incorporated July 22d, 1870, and the deed to land dated August 6th, 1870. The first Catholic Cemetery, embracing ten acres, the deed of which was made to Father Loras, first Bishop of Iowa, was laid out two and a half miles South of the City, February 1st, 1858 ; it was aban- doned about ten years ago. The present Catholic Cemetery, purchased through Father Brazil, and deeded to him, em- bracing twelve acres, just outside of Woodland, was laid out July 23d, 1866. The bodies in the old burial place were exhumed, and taken to the new one.
FORT DES MOINES.
The original plat of Fort Des Moines was made under the direction of Benj. Saylor and Wm. H. Meacham, County Commissioners, July 8th, 1846. The Town was located on the West bank of the Des Moines river. Several years later, the Town of "Demoine" was laid out on the East side of the river. The reader will notice that the name Des Moines, as used by many of our early settlers, was spelled "Demoine." From the best authority, the river Des Moines means the river of the monks, resulting, mani- festly, from the fact that the agents of the Catholic Church had much to do in the realm of discovery, and in the es- tablishment of missions on the lower Des Moines.
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OF POLK COUNTY.
In the Summer of 1846, several lots in Fort Des Moines, which are now immensely valuable, sold for prices ranging from eighteen to thirty-five dollars! In another place we have described the contest which resulted, in 1846, in the permanent location of the County Seat at the Fort.
On the 22d day of September, 1851, an election occurred in Fort Des Moines, on the question of incorporating the town. In favor of incorporation forty-two votes were cast, and against, but one.
Notice of this election was given, September 6th, 1851, at which time C. C. Van, and Thomas McMullen were ap- pointed Judges, and L. P. Sherman, Clerk, of election. Another election was held, September 27th, 1851, at which the following gentlemen were selected to draft a charter for the town: P. M. Casady, L P. Sherman, and Rev. Thomp- son Bird. The vote stood as follows: Byron Rice received 5 ballots; R. W. Sypher, 4; C. Bates, 4; C. C. Van, 2; J. E. Jewett, 2; P. M. Casady, 16; L. P. Sberman, 9; and Rev. T. Bird, 6.
October 11th, 1851, the committee so elected made their report, at the same time designating three different bounda- ries for said incorporation. On the same day, it was or- dered that an election be held, October 18th, 1851, to de- cide which of the three boundaries suggested should be se- lected, and also to vote for or against the charter, as re- ported by said Commissioners. Of this last election, C. C. Van, W. T. Marvin, and J. M. Griffiths were appointed Judges, and Byron Rice and L. P. Sherman were chosen Clerks. The charter was adopted by a vote of 25 for, and none against.
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