USA > Iowa > Polk County > Centennial history of Polk County, Iowa > Part 21
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HORACE GREELEY'S VISIT.
On the 22d day of September, 1871, while Horace Greeley was delivering an agricultural address to 15,000 people on the Fair Grounds, an alarm of fire in the city created great consternation. It was soon discovered that Hoyt Sher- man's residence was in flames; and besides this, a large part of the block on Sixth street, between Locust and Wal- nut, was consumed by fire. That was the last visit of Mr. Greeley to the West.
SUNDRY HISTORIC ITEMS.
In 1849, Ben. Saylor erected a frame house, fronting on Third street, on the lot on which Sherman Block now stands.
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OF POLK COUNTY.
The first spike on the narrow Gauge Railroad, was driven by Gov. Carpenter, at 10 o'clock A. M., January 12, 1874, at the corner of Vine and Fourth streets, East Side, amid the screams of locomotives, the beating of drums, cheers and huzzas, and strains from the brass band. Speeches were made on the occasion by Ex-Gov. Merrill, Col. L. Q. Hog- gatt, President Welch, Senator Larabee, and Gov. Carpen- ter.
The Polk County Fair Grounds were covered, as late as 1851, with high prairie grass, and plum thickets. Near as they were to town, they were infested by wolves, and other denizens of untamed nature.
FLOOD OF 1851.
The memorable flood of 1851, lasted from the middle of May to the middle of July. The Des Moines river extended to the bluffs on the East Side; and immigrants were trans- ported in flat-boats from East Walnut street, to Van's Point, South of 'Coon. Jesse Dicks rafted along Second street, the logs with which he built his house. During this period, there was great scarcity of provisions; and J. M. Thrift, and J. M. Griffiths, the latter of whom was at that time a grocer on Second street, started in a skiff to St. Louis, to order the necessary stores. Their return was hailed with great rejoicing by the half famished citizens.
REMINISCENCES.
George Sneer, one of our City Aldermen, who came to Fort Des Moines with his step-father, Dr. F. C. Grimmel, October 15th, 1846, has furnished us with several remin- iscences of the olden time. He states that the first resi- dence of B. T. Hoxie was on Third street, immediately north of where Harbach's stone front building now stands. It was in the old log building of Mr. Hoxie, that the wed- ding of Thomas McMullen, and a sister of Mr. Sneer, took place.
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The frame building erected by Addison Michael, to which reference has been made, was located but a little distance east of where Skinner's plow shop stands. This, Mr. Sneer states, was the first frame house erected in town. The second one, built in 1847, was on the southeast corner of Market and Third streets. This is the building which Mr. Granger occupied for a time as an office; and afterwards it was converted into a grocery, or saloon, by Gotlieb Mun- zenmaier. Mr. M. made it for awhile his residence; and it is worthy of note here, that in this old historic building, Des Moines Lodge, No. 25, I. O. O. F., was organized. Right across Market street from this house, was afterward erected the old Busic Tavern, the name of which was changed to Ohio, or Buckeye House. In the immediate vicinity, just west of Munzenmair's saloon, was the old Tucker, or Collins House; and but a short distance east, was the American House, erected several years later.
The first brick house in town was the old Court House, which was recently merged into Central Block, one of the fine structures of the city. A double log cabin, built in very early times, occupied the site of T. E. Brown's fine residence; and a two-story log building, erected by Mr. Price, occupied the site of Kuhn's business block, on Court Avenue.
William Deford was the first citizen blacksmith in Fort Des Moines, his shop being immediately south and west of where Aullman's Brewery now stands.
The first brewery was built in 1856-7, by George and G. Hierb, on lots purchased from. Mr. Sneer, corner of Seventh and Center streets.
A NOTED CELEBRATION.
In 1863, the Polk County Fourth of July celebration was held at Polk City. Col. C. J. Clark was President; Major J. C. Bennett, Marshal; Hon. C. C. Nourse, Orator; E. D.
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Hawes read the Declaration of Independence, and J. W. Doughty, of Des Moines, with a class of Polk City sing- ers, furnished the occasion with appropriate vocal music. N. R. Kuntz was Captain of the Home Guards.
At the appointed time, a procession was formed in the village, which marched to an adjacent grove, led by a band of martial music. Rumors were in circulation, to the effect that the meeting would probably be disturbed by a supposed Anti-Union element in the vicinity. Captain I. W. Griffith, at that time Sheriff of the County, was in at- tendance, ready, if necessary, to preserve the peace; and it any trouble had been contemplated, it was prevented, in part at least, by his judicious management.
Only one little episode occurred during the exercises, to mar the festivities. While Judge Nourse was delivering his oration, it was rumored that an organized body of dis- unionists was coming to break up the meeting. The long roll of the military company-Home Guards-was heard, and Major Bennett mounted a seat, and shouted, "To arms! to arms! They'r coming! they'r coming!" Instantly, mul- titudes of those who were present, arose to their feet in wild alarm. At this moment, Judge Nourse, with a loud voice, called the attention of the crowd, and with his char- acteristic pleasantry and jocularity, said to them: "Friends, just be seated; there is no danger, I assure you; be seated, and all join in singing, Rally 'Round the Flag, Boys!" Sheriff Griffith, also, assured them that there was no dan- ger, and advised the Home Guards to disband and mingle with the assembly as citizens. Immediately, all were seated again, and a thousand voices joined with the Glee Club in the chorus of that grand old song.
POLK COUNTY AND AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.
The first session of the Legislature in Des Moines passed an act providing for a State Agricultural College. A pro-
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vision in the law invited donations of money or lands from counties desiring to secure its location. A number of en- terprising farmers of Camp township offered lands to the value of ten thousand dollars, to secure the location in that township, where an eligible site had been selected, over looking the Des Moines river. The county, also, by a vote of the people, pledged ten thousand dollars to secure its lo- cation in any part of the county. Samuel Reed, an enter prising and public spirited farmer of that township under- took to induce his brother farmers to donate lands, taking the lead in making a handsome donation himself. During his efforts for that purpose he called a meeting of the citi zens of that section on the proposed College site, at which about one hundred were present. The advantages of a practical agricultural education were fully discussed, and considerable enthusiasm was manifested. During the meet- ing an excellent and bountiful lunch, prepared by the la- dies, was greatly enjoyed; and it is to be regretted that the wishes of those people had not been complied with. This was the first meeting ever held in the State in behalf of a thorough agricultural education.
THE MORMONS.
In July, 1845, Orson Pratt, with three hundred Mormons, footsore and weary, encamped at Apple Grove, on their way to the Land of Promise. Under the most trying dis- couragements these wonderful people evinced a fortitude which was almost superhuman. The children, as well as the parents, would break out into hymns of thanksgiving and praise, despite the sufferings and privations which a long journey through a strange country produced.
SPIRIT LAKE MASSACRE.
The fearful massacre of settlers in the vicinity of Spirit Lake, occurred during the winter of 1856-7. The murder-
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ers were Sioux Indians. When intelligence of the massa" cre came to Des Moines, a meeting was immediately held, in the old brick Court-House. Addresses were made by Mayor McHenry and others. A military company was at once organized, of which Mr. McHenry was chosen Cap- tain.
On consultaton with citizens, Mayor McHenry decided to send messengers to the scene of the disaster, who were to make their report before any further action should be taken in regard to the matter. Samuel Noel, Scott, and B. D. Thomas, of this city, were the messengers. On their re- turn they reported that the Indians had left the State; and as there was no further use for the Company which had been organized, it was disbanded.
THE JOHNSON MURDER.
The body of John Johnson was discovered lying on Sec- ond street, Sunday morning, June 14th, 1874. He had evi- dently been murdered, as the wounds in his head indicated. A man named Nelson alias Howard, and three other per- sons, named Rickard, Jameson, and Mrs. Howard, were ar- rested on suspicion of complicity in the murder.
Howard came to trial in December, 1874, and was found guilty; and the last act of Judge Maxwell as Judge of the District Court, was to sentence him to imprisonment for life in the penitentiary, the exteme penalty of the law for mur der in the first degree. The sentence was pronounced on 14th day of December; and the following night, while the convict and his wife were together in the prison, the jail was invaded by a band of masked men, who forcibly took possession of the keys and effected an entrance into the cell. Howard was separated from his wife, and a noose having been thrown over his head, he was dragged violently out of the jail into the open air, and suspended to a lamp post at the northeastern extremity of the court-house
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yard. The Vigilantes then quietly dispersed ; and though indignation meetings were held, and a formal investigation was instituted, it has not transpired to this day who were the participants in this terrible deed of lawlessness. The other defendants were finally released because of an infor- mality in the indictment.
CAPTAIN JAMES ALLEN.
This gentleman, whose name has so often been employed in these annals, was an uncle of B. F. Allen, of Des Moines. At the breaking out of the Mexican war, he was authorized by his government to organize a body of Mormon troops, and conduct them to the seat of war. On his way down the Missouri river, in command of the troops, he was ta- ken sick. Through the intervention of J. B. Scott and other friends, he was induced to stop at Leavenworth, where he died shortly afterward. He was a bachelor; and the property, including an interest in Parmalee's Mill, which he had accumulated in this part of the country, was left to his nephew, B. F. Allen.
MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE.
G. B. Clark, who made a claim in Allen township in 1844, was a bachelor about thirty-five years of age. He erected two cabins on his claim, one of which was afterwards occu- pied by J. D. McGlothlen. In the Fall of 1846, after dis- posing of his property, Mr. Clark bought a half interest in the claim of Willam Lowry, another early settler. Mr. Clark boarded with his partner who had a family; and it was understood that the two men should jointly cultivate the claim.
Much work was done on the premises during the Fall and Winter; and in the Spring of 1847, the ground was placed in preparation for planting corn. At that time, the seed
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corn for the new settlements of Polk county, was obtained from the farm of William Lamb, on Agency Prairie.
One morning Mr. Clark started horseback with a sack for the residence of Mr. Lamb, intending to cross the Des Moines river at Newcomer's Point, four miles below Fort Des Moines. He did not return to his home, and much alarm was excited in the community. In a day or two after his disappearance, information was received that he had been seen in the vicinity of Parmalee's Mill on Middle river. After a spirited search, the horse was found on South river, with saddle, bridle, and corn sack still attached to him; but from that day to this, although nearly thirty years have passed away, not a word of tidings has been received in ref- erence to this man's fate. By some it was surmised that he had been murdered; but whether this was the case or not, will probably never be known until the revelations of eter- nity make it apparent.
MR. MITCHELL'S NARRATIVE.
Since writing the former portion of this work we have re- ceived some very valuable items of history from Hon. Thomas Mitchell, of Beaver township, who has been inti- mately associated with our growth and prosperity during the past thirty-two years. In his communication to us, he states that Henry Mitchell and himself commenced the set- tlement of Beaver township in 1844, the former erecting the first house, the site of which was near the present residence of Green Wheeler. At that time, the nearest settlers to these pioneers were living at Fort Des Moines, on the West, and Monroe, on the East. This state of seclusion from the busy world lasted two years.
Henry B. and Thomas Mitchell first came to the township in February, 1844; and in the following April, the latter brought his family, consisting of his wife and two children, from Jefferson county, Iowa, and established them in the
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new settlement. For three months after this removal, Mrs. Mitchell did not see a white woman except the girl who came with the family. The most accessible trading point at the time, was at Fairfield, a hundred miles distant. It is manifest, therefore, that Mrs. Mitchell did not have the shopping privileges which are conferred on the ladies in these times. Visiting was an infrequent luxury; and the style of dress was simple and inexpensive among the whites, albeit the native women, of whom there were many speci- mens, tricked themselves out in fantastic costume, embel- lished with flashy colors, the red predominating.
The Indians were removed in October, 1845, after which the county was open to settlement. In the Eastern part, a few families settled in the Autumn of that year; but Beaver township received no farther accessions until the Spring of 1846, when Lewis M. Burke, a native of Pennsylvania, came from Adams county, Illinois, and located near Mud Creek, where he now resides. He is seventy five years of age, en- joying good health and a large measure of honor and worldly prosperity.
In July, 1846, George Barlow, of Indiana, bought the claim and improvements of Mr. Mitchell, and in company with his brother, Blenford, settled on this purchase. George was accidentally shot and killed in 1847, while Blenford remained on the farm four or five years. In 1851, Green Wheeler located on the Barlow farm; and about the same time, William Sweeney and a Mr. Netterson pitched their tents in the vicinity of Apple Grove, the residence of Mr. Mitchell.
Beaver Township was, for the most part, backward in settlement, caused by the great preponderance of prairie over forest and grove. In 1854, the farm on which Mr. Mitchell had been living, was purchased and occupied by M. C. Keith, of Western New York, who, in 1856, transfer- red, by sale, this property to Lambert Sternburg. This
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purchase, as well as that of Mr. Keith, included the hotel, which, under the management of Mr. Mitchell and his wife, became exceedingly popular as a place of entertainment during the years of emigration. In 1854, William Duncan settled on Mud Creek, near the home of Mr. Burke. The year ensuing, Benjamin Pearson settled on the prairie be- tween Camp and Mud Creeks.
In 1851, James Rooker located near the upper end of Apple Grove, where he still resides. In 1852, Elijah Can- field, an old resident of Camp township, moved into Bea- ver. In 1855, Moses Barlow came; and in the same year, three brothers, William, Henry, and Frank Miller, settled on Mud Creek, and erected a saw-mill on that stream; but for the excellent reason that when there was a supply of water there were no logs, and vice versa, the enterprise was speedily abandoned. In 1855, Thomas Duncan settled near his brother William; and about the same time, H. O. Mc- Broom established himself on the prairie, as also did New- ton Rooker. Samuel Chambers, of the Society of Friends, from Belmont county, Ohio, and James Wingfield, from Virginia, came in 1856.
In 1844, Mr. Mitchell was compelled to travel more than a hundred miles to Bonaparte, to reach a mill. Ten years later, there were several mills in the county; and all the counties east of us were supplied with these desirable es- tablishments. In 1844, the nearest trading point on the east was Fairfield, as before stated; and in 1856, towns and stores had multiplied in a marvelous ratio over the entire State.
In 1849, Mr. Mitchell accompanied to Fairfield a corps of engineers, who, under the lead of Col. Samuel R. Curtis, were surveying the Des Moines river. In December, of that year, the party were blockaded by a fearful snow-storm, the snow lying two feet deep, on a level. On returning, Mr. Mitchell states that the road had to be broken for a
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hundred miles, and that the mail matter addressed to Fort Des Moines, which he brought with him, was delayed two weeks by stress of weather.
At the general election in April, 1846, to which reference is made elsewhere, the residence of Mr. Mitchell was chosen as the place of voting for that precinct. The number of votes cast was 42, some of the electors coming by mistake from Jasper county, as was afterwards learned when the question of boundaries was better understood. One vote, Mr. Thornton, came from what is now known as Douglas township. The post office at Apple Grove, of which Mr. · Mitchell was postmaster, was the only place, for several years, at which mail matter was received by the citizens of Beaver and the surrounding townships.
Eli Trullinger settled at the grove which bears his name in 1846, and he, together with Elijah Canfield, Thos. Black, and James M. Montgomery, the three last named of Camp township, were the nearest neighbors of Mr. Mitchell, and did their marketing with him. The entire produce of the surrounding country found for years a market at Apple Grove. 'Squire Burge, the first Justice of the Peace in Franklin township, settled there in 1846; and about the same time Ezekiel Jennings, Joseph Jones, Daniel Trullinger, Michael Lavish, John Fisher, and several of the Coreys, were pioneers in the new settlements. Most of these per- sons, as well as Mr. McCleary, who came in '48, have here- tefore been mentioned.
NARRATIVE OF A. D. JONES.
Elsewhere in this history, mention is made of A. D. Jones, who first surveyed the town site of Fort Des Moines, using, as tradition affirms, a rope instead of a chain, in the execution of his work. This gentleman was the first County Surveyor. In 1868, while residing at Omaha, and not being able to attend in person the meeting of the Early Settlers'
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OF POLK COUNTY.
Association of Polk County, which was called for that year, he addressed a letter of communication to that body, which has been forwarded to us through the kindness of Hon. Thomas Mitchell. This letter embraces so many events of a purely historic character, described in easy, familiar lan- guage, that we deem it proper to publish it in this place. Our readers are assured that its perusal will materially add to their information on the subjects of which it speaks, and they are assured, also, that many of the incidents related will be found to be rich, racy, and entertaining:
. OMAHA, NEB., AUGUST 17, 1868.
Secretary O. S. Association, Polk County, Iowa:
Through the kindness of some unknown friend, I re- ceived a copy of the Register which contained a call for the assembling of all the Early Settlers of Polk County, whether residents at the present time of that county, or elsewhere. It would give me much pleasure to be with you on that interesting occasion, but my business may prevent me at that particular date. I will, therefore, endeavor to give you a few plain facts, without any efforts at display, which you may make use of as you deem proper in behalf of the Association.
You must excuse me if I should appear somewhat personal in reference to myself, as what I have to relate will of course pertain much to my own history, having been an ac- tive participant in much of what transpired while I resided on the ground of the old garrison of Fort Des Moines.
I arrived at old Father Meacham's, on the East side of the river, Des Moines, February 13th, 1846. Mr. Meacham at that time kept a tavern, and I think had some connection with a small store at the point. There I met Maj. McKay, February 23d. He was really much of a gentleman, always affable, and congenial. He was the first licensed attorney in the place, and it became my lot, as a common pettifog-
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ger, to meet him occasionally before the High Court of Justice of the Peace. In the first case he was in the right of it, but I succeeded in throwing his client into the costs, and obtained the release of my own employer. A gentle- man who had watched the progress of the case until its ter- mination, came and tapped me on the shoulder, and said: " See here, Mister, I have been waiting here to ascertain who would be the successful lawyer in this case; I therefore want you to come with me, as I have three cases now for you." I went, and succeeded in gaining my point of re- leasing the prisoners. These were my first cases before a Justice of the Peace.
On the 14th of February, being the next day after I en- tered the county, I went over to the Garrison ; attended a political mass meeting, in which I was called upon to act as Secretary; and by which I was also nominated as County Surveyor.
The question which then divided the people of the county, was Brooklyn vs. Des Moines for the County Seat. The Brooklyn party nominated a gentleman by the name of Woodward for County Surveyor, who beat me at the polls several votes. I contested the election, beat him, and re- ceived my certificate, and was sworn regularly into office.
During the election, it fell to my lot to attend the polls at Tom Mitchell's, who is, by the way, very much of a gen- tleman. Although I stood there all day, I believe I did not get one vote.
Another prominent old settler, by the name of Thomas McMullen, who afterwards married the daughter of Dr. F. C. Grimmel, was also at Mr. Meacham's when I came to the county.
Here let me mention a trick on the part of myself, and others who are residing there now, and they may connect themselves with the transaction if they deem proper:
Tom Baker was President of the Senate; Wall Clapp
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was a grocery keeper; Whitten was County Clerk, and Judge Casady was Postmaster. The question of Seat of Government was prominent before the Legislature, and Ft. Des Moines was very much interested in the relocation. Baker, being the Representative of Polk County, and I hav- ing a business connection with him, first as student in law, and afterwards as his partner in practice, it of course brought me in direct correspondence with him, in a friendly and personal way, more than many others. All were very anx- ious to know when the question was to be settled, that they might buy town lots on which to speculate.
Now for the trick: Tom and P. M. will well remember it. They daily insisted so strongly for me to inform them what Baker had to say on the subject, when I had nothing conclusive myself, that I determined on having some fun over the question!
I talked the matter up with several prominent persons of that day, and it was agreed that I should write a letter, drop it in the postoffice, directed to myself: and when the crowd were in waiting for their mail, I was to receive mine. I received a long letter, went into the corner and read it to myself of course. Many were anxious to learn its contents. To a few leading ones I apparently divulged the secret of the great probability that the Capital would be located at Fort Des Moines. I having surveyed the town, and Wall Clapp and others, as well as myself, being apparently anx- ious to make some money out of our information, we took the plat and started out very secretly to select lots.
Persons would come to us and enquire what we were doing, but we would give evasive and doubtful answers; but they could see that we were selecting lots and apparently endeav- oring to keep it secret. I being the prime mover in the matter, others came to the conclusion that I was in earnest and knew what I was doing. Anxiety took hold of Tom McMullen, and his father-in-law, and they commenced se-
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lecting also in dead earnest. They bought about all they could pay one-third down for, and left the field with the proud satisfaction that they at least had a good thing in their re- cent purchase.
Then the cat was let loose, and to their great chagrin they learned that my movements were all a ruse, and of course they were not well pleased at the deception.
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