USA > Iowa > Polk County > Des Moines > Des Moines, the pioneer of municipal progress and reform of the middle West, together with the history of Polk County, Iowa, the largest, most populous and most prosperous county in the state of Iowa; Volume I > Part 92
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I4I
939
Implements
320
. .
Pantry and apiary
II8
1,640
Dairy
74
74
Horticulture
19
357
Floriculture
I3
245
Fine arts
216
2,917
Educational
IO6
650
Total
1,473
14,004
The growth of the fair during the last few years has been phenomenal. The attendance in 1910 was 231,233-which was greater by nearly 40,000 than that of any previous year. But this record-breaking attendance was surpassed by that of 1911 by nearly 40,000, the official report of Secretary Corey showing 270,682. The largest single-day attendance was 64,699-on Tuesday. The gate receipts in 1910 were $76,947.75. In 1911 the total gate receipts were $87,355 -a gain of more than $10,000.
CHAPTER XIV.
POLK COUNTY'S REPRESENTATION IN IOWA LEGISLATURE-1846-1912. .
Reviewing Polk county's representation in the Iowa legislature, the student of local history will find that though republics are traditionally ungrateful, one portion of the American republic has in the main been mindful of the services rendered by her representative citizens.
In the First General Assembly convened in 1846, the county of Polk, along with Marion, Dallas and Jasper, was represented in the Senate by Thomas Baker, a democrat of Polk, who at the organization was honored with the presidency of the Senate. During the fierce contest of '46 for the United States senatorship, he presided with such fairness that on adjournment, the Senate by unanimous vote commended him for his service. Mr. Baker removed to California in 1850, where he was signally honored in various ways. He died in 1872. In the House, at that session, the same counties were represented by John N. Kinsman and Simeon Reynolds.
In the Second General Assembly, 1848, the four counties of the district were represented in the Senate by Phineas M. Casady, of Polk, a man whose biogra- phy is so interwoven with the history of this county that it is impossible to separate one from the other. The district was at the same time represented in the lower house by Lysander W. Babbitt, and Manly Gifford, both democrats. To Mr. Babbitt, Des Moines is indebted for fathering the first measure for the removal of the Capitol from Iowa City to the Des Moines valley. Mr. Babbitt was one of the first men to see the strategic importance of the Raccoon Fork of the Des Moines. In 1842, while camping at the mouth of "the Coon," he in- dulged in the prediction that the future Capitol of the State would be located in that vicinity. In 1867, he returned to Des Moines as a representative from Pottawattamie county. He removed to Arkansas in '81 and died there in '85. In the Third General Assembly, in 1850, Senator Casady was a holdover; and Mr. Babbitt and Edwin R. Guiberson were the district's representatives. The district was by this time enlarged by the inclusion of Marshall, Story, Boone, Warren and Madison counties.
In the Fourth General Assembly, in 1852, the district was still further en- larged by the inclusion of Guthrie, Greene, Hardin, Pocahontas, Wright, Frank- lin, Cerro Gordo, Hancock, Kossuth, Palo Alto, Emmet, Winnebago and Worth counties-in fact, all northwestern Iowa, including several counties not on the map at the present time, namely : Risley, Yell, Fox, Humboldt and Bancroft. This enormous area of sparsely inhabited outlying counties, before unrepre- sented, was now represented in the Senate by Andrew Y. Hull. In the House the district was represented by J. F. Rice, Joseph C. Goodson and Benjamin Green.
In the Fifth General Assembly, convened in 1854, James C. Jordan of Polk, was the senator from the district-the second senator and the first whig senator elected from Polk county. Polk county was doubly represented in this legisla- ture; by Alfred M. Lyon as representative from the 36th district, the county of Polk, and by Ezra Vanfossen as representative of the 37th district, including Polk, Dallas, Guthrie, etc.1
1 Journal of H. of R., Fifth G. A., p. 5.
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CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY
Charles C. Nourse, of Polk, afterwards attorney-general of Iowa, was in '54 elected chief clerk of the House, and two years later was elected secretary of the Senate.
The representative district at this session included only Polk, Dallas and Guthrie counties, and was represented by Ezra Vanfossen.
In the Sixth General Assembly, of 1856, the last to convene in Iowa City, Polk, Dallas and Guthrie were represented by Senator Jordan, a hold-over, and Polk, now a representative district by itself was represented by William P. Davis.
In the third Constitutional Convention, convened in Iowa City, January 27, 1857, Polk, Dallas and Guthrie were represented by Thomas Seeley.
In the Seventh General Assembly, that of 1858, the first legislature held under the new Constitution, and the first convened in Des Moines-William P. Davis represented the three counties above named in the Senate, and in the lower house Thomas Mitchell of Beaver township represented Polk.
In the Eighth General Assembly, of 1860, Polk county constituted a district by itself, with William P. Davis its representative in the Senate, and Stewart Goodrell, in the House.
In the Ninth, 1862, Josiah H. Hatch was the county's senator and John Mitchell, its representative.
In the Tenth, 1864, Polk was represented by Senator Hatch and Represen- tative Nicholas Baylies.
In the Eleventh, 1866, Jonathan W. Cattell, ex-auditor of State, was Polk county's senator, and Hoyt Sherman and G. L. Godfrey were the county's rep- resentatives.
In the Twelfth, 1868, Senator Cattell sat as a hold-over and John A. Kasson and ex-Senator Hatch were Polk county's representatives.
In the Thirteenth, 1870, appeared the pioneer merchant and banker of Des Moines ; B. F. Allen, as senator, and John A. Kasson and George W. Jones, as representatives.
In the Fourteenth, 1872, sat Senator Allen and Representatives John A. Kasson and James M. Tuttle, of Polk.
In the Fifteenth, 1874, ex-Representative Thomas Mitchell took his seat as Polk county's senator, and William G. Madden and Isaac Brandt were the county's representatives.
In the Sixteenth, 1876, sat Senator Mitchell and Representatives W. G. Mad- den and Josiah Given.
In the Seventeenth, 1878, Robert C. Webb was Polk's senator and Jerry B. Tiffin and Clarence S. Wilson were its representatives.
In the Eighteenth, 1880, along with Senator Webb, were Representatives Josiah A. Harvey and James C. Jordan, both experienced legislators.
In the Nineteenth, 1882, Hiram Y. Smith was Polk's senator, and Thomas W. Havens and Thomas E. Haines, were her representatives.
In the Twentieth, 1884, along with Senator Smith were Representatives James M. Tuttle and Charles L. Watrous.
In the Twenty-first, 1886, Col. C. H. Gatch was senator from Polk, and Wesley Redhead and James G. Berryhill were representatives.
In the Twenty-second, 1888, with Senator Gatch were Representatives James G. Berryhill and Albert B. Cummins.
In the Twenty-third, 1890, Colonel Gatch still sat as senator, and B. B. Lane and William J. Stewart were Polk's representatives.
In the Twenty-fourth, 1892, with Senator Gatch were Representatives N. E. Coffin and B. B. Lane.
In the Twenty-fifth, 1894, T. A. Cheshire took his seat as Polk's senator and O. E. Doubleday and Cassius C. Dowell as representatives.
In the Twenty-sixth, 1896, with Senator Cheshire were Representatives Doubleday and Dowell.
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CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY
In the Twenty-seventh, 1898, with Senator Cheshire were Representatives Charles W. Stewart and George H. Carr.
In the Twenty-eighth, 1900, with Senator Cheshire were Representatives Stewart and Carr.
In the Twenty-ninth, 1902, ex-Representative C. C. Dowell appeared as senator and Emory H. English, H. E. Teachout were representatives.
In the Thirtieth, 1904, and Thirty-first, 1906, sat Senator Dowell and Rep- resentatives English and Teachout.
In the Thirty-second, 1907, at the time of the change in the constitution, the membership was same as the Thirty-first.
In the Thirty-third, 1908, Senator Dowell and Representatives John B. Sul- livan and Fred H. Hunter were the county's representatives.
In the Thirty-fourth, 1910, were John B. Sullivan, senator, and Wilbert S. Fraley and Frank S. Shankland, representatives.
CHAPTER XV.
POLK COUNTY'S PROMINENCE IN STATE AND CONGRESSIONAL POLITICS.
The first Polk county man to receive recognition from the State of Iowa was Lewis J. Whitten, who was appointed clerk of the Supreme court of Iowa, at the organization of the court in 1846.
The first formal identification of Polk county with State politics was in 1852. It came about through the nomination of Martin L. Morris, for the office of state treasurer on the democratic ticket. Mr. Morris was elected, and in 1854 was re-elected, and again in 1856,-this time on the republican ticket.
When, in '54, the democratic party placed at the head of its ticket Curtis Bates, there was great joy in and around "the forks," for, with a friend and neighbor once seated in the governor's chair, the county seat of Polk must soon become the Capital of the State and the center of a joint railroad and river- navigation system, all combining to make the upper Des Moines valley prosper- ous beyond the fondest dreams of the pioneers of the Forties! But destiny, in the person of the young whig orator and political prophet, James W. Grimes, decreed that Polk county must wait! The aggressive whig policy of internal improvements and the clear, ringing challenge of Grimes, overcame the small democratic majority in the State, and Judge Bates went back to his Polk county constituents a generous sharer in their disappointment.
On the whig ticket with Grimes was Andrew Jackson Stevens, of Polk, candidate for auditor of state. Mr. Stevens was elected, but in 1855 resigned. In 1855, Polk county was given a second chance in the "great game." At the head of the whig ticket for commissioner of the Des Moines River Improve- ment was the name of William McKay, of Polk. Judge Mckay defeated his opponent by a majority of 4,737, in a total vote of over forty-seven thousand.
The year 1856 was the birth-year of the republican party in Iowa. On the successful republican ticket was Martin L. Morris, of Polk.
In 1858, the democrats nominated James W. Elwood, of Polk, for the office of attorney general, but he was defeated.
In 1859, Chester C. Cole, of Polk, was nominated for the Supreme court on the democratic ticket, but was defeated by a small majority.
In 1860, the republicans nominated Charles C. Nourse, of Polk, for attorney general. Mr. Nourse was elected by the then unprecedented republican ma- jority of 13,661.
From 1860 to 1867, Thomas F. Withrow, of Polk, served as Supreme court reporter.
Polk county was fast acquiring the habit of expecting recognition on one or the other State ticket. In 1861, James M. Elwood of Polk, was nominated by the democrats for judge of the Supreme court, against Ralph P. Lowe, of Lee. Judge Lowe was elected by a large majority.
In 1862, John Browne, of Polk, ran on the democratic ticket for auditor of state, and was defeated by Jonathan W. Cattell, of Cedar. That same year, Attorney General Nourse, of Polk, was re-elected by a majority of 15,247.
In 1864, Chester C. Cole ran again, this time on the republican ticket, for the Supreme court judgeship, beating the running record of Polk county candi- dates with a majority of 40,759.
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CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY
In 1866, Capt. R. W. Cross, of Polk, was the democratic candidate for audi- tor of state, and Lewis Kinsey, of Polk, ran on the same ticket for Supreme court clerk; but they were both defeated, the first named by John A. Elliott, of Mitchell, who afterwards became a resident of Des Moines.
James S. Carter, of Polk, was elected state binder in 1866, and was re-elected. Frank M. Mills, of Polk, was appointed by the governor to the office of state printer, in March, 1869. His appointment was soon followed by his elec- tion to that office. He served one term, and in 1878 he was again elected.
Judge Cole was a candidate for renomination to the Supreme bench in 1870, beating his own record-breaking majority, in 1864, by 2,325 votes !-- also run- ning ahead of his ticket by more than a thousand votes.
In 1871, Alonzo Abernethy, formerly of Fayette, but at the time a resident of Polk, was the republican nominee for superintendent of public instruction, and was elected by over forty thousand majority. Two years later Colonel. Abernethy, then credited to Crawford county, was re-elected by a still larger . majority.
In 1873, Richard P. Clarkson, of Polk, was elected state printer, and later was twice re-elected to that office.
In 1874, John S. Runnells, of Polk, candidate for Supreme court reporter, was elected by a majority of over thirty thousand. Mr. Runnells retained the office until 1882.
In 1875, Colonel Abernethy, again registered as from Polk, was elected a third time for the state superintendency.
In 1901, a citizen of Polk county was chosen governor of the State. Albert B. Cummins, of Des Moines, was the republican nominee and Thomas J. Phillips, of Ottumwa, the democratic. The prohibitionists, the socialists and "the people," also had tickets in the field. Of the total vote of 390,591, Mr. Cummins re- ceived 226,902, a majority of 63,591 over all the votes cast for the other candi- dates. Two years later, Governor Cummins ran against Jerry B. Sullivan, a much stronger candidate than Phillips, receiving a majority of 59,689 over the four opposition candidates. In 1906, Governor Cummins, having served an additional year, in conformity with the provisions of the amended constitution, broke all records by an election for a third time. The precedent of two terms and the popularity of the democratic nominee, Claude R. Porter, ran his ma- jority of all the votes cast down to 1,585. His majority over Porter was however, 20,872.
Polk county has from the first been the chief factor in the politics of its congressional district. Its first direct representation in the house of representa- tives was in the thirty-eighth congress. Polk county was then in the fifth congressional district. In 1863, at the age of forty, John A. Kasson, already an experienced politician and publicist, was put forward by Polk county as its choice for the lower house of congress. Mr. Kasson was nominated and elected For two successive terms he served his district with consummate ability, laying broad and deep the foundations for his later fame as a statesman and diplomat. In 1867, Mr. Kasson was succeeded by Gen. Grenville M. Dodge, of Pottawat- tamie. In '68, Frank W. Palmer, of Polk, succeeded General Dodge. Mr. Palmer was reëlected in '70.
Polk county then became part of the seventh district. In 1872, Mr. Kasson was again presented as Polk county's candidate for congress, and was elected. Two years later he was re-elected.
In 1872, John A. T. Hull, a young editor from Bloomfield, who had seen and felt something of the war, was made secretary of the Iowa senate. He held this position for four terms. In '78, he became a candidate for secretary of state. This position he also held for three terms. In 1885 he was elected lieutenant-governor, and two years later he was re-elected. He next, in 1889, aspired to be governor, but was defeated for the nomination. He had long been recognized as a citizen of Des Moines, and in 1890 was elected to congress
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CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY
from the Des Moines district. He continued to serve the district without in- termission for twenty years, until, in 1910, he was defeated by Solomon F. Prouty. "Captain" Hull, as he is generally called, served the interests of Des Moines and the district with marked ability and success. The new postoffice building, and the army post of Fort Des Moines are the most conspicuous monu- ments to his effective service to the county that so long honored him by pre- senting him as her candidate for congress.
In 1876, Col. H. J. B. Cummings of Madison county, was sent to congress ; but in 1879 he was succeeded by Edward H. Gillette, of Polk, the greenback nominee for congress,-the first, and only candidate to break the record of republican ascendancy in the district.
In 1884, Hiram Y. Smith, of Polk, ex-district attorney for the fifth judicial district, and at the time Polk county's member of the Iowa senate, was elected to congress from the seventh district, to fill the vacancy caused by the resigna- tion of Kasson.
Solomon F. Prouty, present representative of the seventh district in congress, began his career of defeats, terminating in victory, in 1902. Four years later, he made the contest and was again defeated. The experience was repeated two years later, and his defeat was so close to victory that his friends conceded to him the right to try it again. In 1910, the tide turned toward the progressive faction of his party, and he was triumphantly elected, carrying every county in the district.
The supremacy of Polk county in the congressional district is evident from the fact that since the admission of Iowa into the Union, in 1846, the so-called "Des Moines district" has had only ten representatives, six of whom were from Polk county. Of these six, one, Mr. Kasson, held the office for eleven years ; and another, Captain Hull, held it for twenty years.
THE NEW SIXTH AVENUE BRIDGE. DES MOINES
MILLNERS
WALNUT STREET AT NIGHT, LOOKING WEST
CHAPTER XVI.
THE EARLY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION OF POLK COUNTY-1868-19II.
"Be it remembered that on the twenty-fifth day of February, A.D., 1868, some of the 'old settlers' of Polk county in the State of Iowa, having a consul- tation in regard to the propriety of forming an old settlers' society, for the pur- pose of preserving of record the names of the first settlers, and some of the incidents connected with the early settlement of the city and county." Thus formally commences the record of one of the most interesting and mutually profitable associations ever formed in Polk county.
About twenty-five pioneers assembled in the old city council rooms in Des Moines on the day following this announcement, with Isaac Cooper chairman and Peter Myers secretary. A committee on constitution was named consisting of Demas Robinson, J. A. Nash, Joseph M. Griffiths, G. W. Cleveland and Hoyt Sherman. The recent death of Thomas K. Brooks was the first of the many pioneers to claim the homage of friendship from the association.
The name first chosen for the organization was "the Association of Early Settlers of Polk County." A pre-requisite of membership was a residence in Polk county prior to 1856, or marriage with one who had resided in the county prior to that year. The annual meeting was placed on the day and month of the extinction of the Indian title in Polk county, namely, October 12. The charter members of the association were: W. W. Williamson, Isaac Cooper, J. M. Grif- fifths, J. A. Nash, H. H. Griffiths, P. M. Casady, David Norris, Franklin Nagle, Thomas Boyd, J. S. Cook, John Hays, R. L. Tidrick, C. S. Spofford, S. F. Spofford, Madison Young, R. W. Sypher, Ezra Rathbun, William Baker, Thomas McMullin, W. A. Galbraith, G. W. Cleveland, William Deford, Hoyt Sherman, Mrs. M. K. Sypher, J. B. Bausman, P. Myers, H. H. Saylor, R. P. Peters, Mrs. S. F. Spofford, Thomas Mitchell, Thompson Bird and James C. Jordan. Its first officers were: president, Thomas Mitchell; vice-presidents, Isaac Cooper, John Hays, John D. McGlothlin, Peter Newcomer, James C. Jordan, Thompson Bird, Franklin Nagle, H. H. Saylor, Thomas McMullin and Benjamin F. Fred- erick; recording secretary, R. L. Tidrick; corresponding secretary, Hoyt Sher- man; treasurer, B. F. Allen. The following committee on deceased and re- moved old settlers was appointed: Saylor township, F. Nagle; Madison, George Beebe; Jefferson, John D. McLain; Valley, W. R. Close; Walnut, J. C. Jordan ; Des Moines, Ezra Rathbun; Bloomfield, James Smith; Allen, John D. McGloth- lin ; Camp, M. McCall; Beaver, Eli Trullinger; Four Mile, B. F. Frederick ; Delaware, S. M. Dyer; Douglas, William Justice ; Washington, J. K. Hobaugh ; Elkhart, J. H. Gray; Franklin, B. F. Burge; Lee, J. M. Griffiths.
. The first anniversary of the association was held in Capitol square, October 12, 1868. President Mitchell was in the chair. Rev. J. A. Nash delivered an address including reminiscences of the early settlement of the county. J. M. Thrift read a paper on the manner of taking possession of land before the organization of the county. Around the dinner table gathered about four hun- dren early settlers and their families and friends. The occasion marked the beginning of an era of good-fellowship among those who had much in common. The roll of membership was extended to include one hundred and fifty-six names.
Vol I-44
689
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CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY
January 6, 1869, the association was represented at the funeral of Rev. Thompson Bird.
The second annual festival, October 2, 1869, was far from being a failure despite the rain, the muddy roads, the impassable streams, both Court avenue and Walnut street bridges "gone out," and the river navigable by ferry boats only when hauled by a tug-boat. The pioneers from the East side met at the depot of the Rock Island road, and were hauled across the river where they joined in a delightful re-union, with after-dinner toasts and responses.
The annual meetings now well established, there were several in succession without report of any especial incident, and yet each accompanied by wider acquaintanceship and closer fellowship.
The death of Rev. Sanford T. Haines on the 12th of January, 1871, was formally recognized by the association.
Among the speakers at the 1871 annual, September 16, were Mrs. James C. Savery and Miss Pauline Given. Their responses "were very well received."
"One hundred and two in the shade" was the record on August 30, 1873; but the heat did not deter the early settlers from sitting down "as one family" to a substantial feast, over which "Tom" Mitchell presided.
The record here jumps from 1873 to 1880. The 1880 annual was celebrated September 22, at the home of "Uncle Davy" Norris, then two miles southwest of Des Moines. The occasion was the fiftieth anniversary of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Norris, and several anniversary presents were made. P. M. Casady succeeded to the presidency. L. H. Bush was elected secretary.
The annual re-union in 1881 was held August 24, at the home of Barlow Granger, about two miles south of the Capital. The occasion was a silver wed- ding anniversary. The association tendered Mr. and Mrs. Granger a handsome souvenir, and many individual presents were made. Judge Wright was the principal speaker, and Frank Posegate, of St. Joseph, formerly of Fort Des Moines, gave interesting reminiscences.
"Tom" and Mrs. Mitchell were the entertainers at the 1882 meeting, August 24. The beautiful country home of the Mitchells, near Mitchellville, swarmed with old and new friends. The presence of H. M. Hoxie, the railroad manager, added much to the interest of the occasion. "Hub" Hoxie when a boy had worked for "Uncle Tom," and still cherished a profound love for his old friend. Happy impromptu speeches were made by Judge McHenry, John A. Kasson and E. H. Gillette. Senator George G. Wright, on behalf of the association, presented the host a gold-headed cane and the hostess a pair of gold-framed spectacles. The guests then formed a great circle and, hand in hand, sang
"Auld Lang Syne." Barlow Granger was elected president of the association.
Brown's Park, Des Moines, was the scene of the festival of 1884. After dinner, the pioneers gave themselves up to reminiscences, music and impromptu speeches, by T. C. McCall, N. Baylies, Charles M. Sherman and others.
The next entry in the minutes is dated July 19, 1888, when the early settlers and their friends assembled about a half-mile southwest of Bondurant, in a beautiful grove near the residence of A. C. Bondurant, the president of the association. The attendance broke the records. It was estimated that about two thousand persons were present. A novel feature of the occasion was the reproduction of the old Mitchellville tavern, a 10x30 log cabin. A sign, nailed to a tree near by, read "18 miles to Tool's Point." An old-fashioned well-sweep and many other items of interest recalled the early days when Tom Mitchell's hospitable entertainment for man and beast was famous, from Tool's Point to Polk City and beyond.
Twelve Rock Island coaches arrived at Mitchellville on the 18th of Septem- ber, 1889. Wagons and carriages brought families across-country from all parts of the county, to participate in the annual picnic. Over two thousand were assembled in the city's beautiful park. Judge Casady made the principal address of the day. E. R. Clapp was elected president, Franklin Nagle vice
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CITY OF DES MOINES AND POLK COUNTY
president, L. H. Bush secretary and L. P. Sherman, treasurer. Tacitus Hussey entertained the audience with reminiscences, humorous and pathetic. Mrs. A. E. Thomas made a pleasing address and Judge Wright, who had become a feature of these annuals, responded to the usual demand for stories of old times.
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