USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > Historical and reminiscences of Chickasaw County, Iowa > Part 3
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1882-3. E. P. Sheffield. . 1740
1881-5. Arther MeCarteu .. .1327
1886-7. Arther MeCarten. .1511
1888-9. J. A MeChurg ... .1558
1800-1. J. A. McClurg. .1705
(No opposition.)
54
HISTORICAL AND REMINISCENCES OF
John Frazee ... . 639
( G. A. Hamilton. 787
? William Parker ..
235
Milo L. Sherman . . . 1157
Lee Chapman
1021
(No opposition.)
Thomas Johnson. 1256
John Tooley . .1417
G. W. Blinn ..
1272
SURVEYOR.
Elected. Votes.
1854-5.
Oscar Cooley ...
1856.
C. M. Webster.
164
1857-8.
C. M. Webster ..
.
430
1858-9.
A. W. Billings.
4.47
1860-1.
IS. W. Davis ..
411
1862-3.
Charles Fitch.
196
1864-5.
S. HI. Young.
87
1866-7.
S. 11. Young
676
1868-9.
HI. H. Potter.
.1002
1870-1.
HI. II. Potter
. 880
1872-3.
C. Seeber.
.1009
1874-5.
W. R. Geeting ..
.1131
1876 7.
W. R. Gecting ..
.1077
1878-9.
W. A. Eastman
.1908
1880-1.
A. E. Quaife .
1167
1882-3.
G. W. Cotant ..
.1741
1881-5.
G. W. Cotant.
.2717
1886-7. G. W. Cotant .. .1587
1838-9. G. W. Cotant ..
.2128
1800-1. IL. A Scales ..
.158.1
Opposing Candidate. Votes.
(No record.)
II. IL. Shaffer.
.
139
II. H. Shaffer ..
9.19
373
Charles Fitch ..
.
II. HI. Shaffer ..
.
330
Henry Shaffer. .
195
(No opposition.)
R Baldwin . .
2.19
L. II. Weller.
1
II. A. Scales. 385
II. II. Potter
658
C. Seeber. .
703
II. A. Scales.
.. 789
(No opposition.)
C. Seeber ..
.10.19
(No opposition.)
(No opposition.)
C. Scober ..
1300
(No opposition.)
G. W. Cotant ...
.1538
CHICKASAW COUNTY, IOWA.
56
HISTORICAL AND REMINISCENCES OF
SCHOOL FUND COMMISSIONER.
At the organization of the county John Bird was elected, but no record was made of his election.
The records in the office show that he acted continuously until October 20, 1556. at which time he made a contract with J. A. J. Bird for the sale of Northwest quarter of the Northwest quarter of section Sixteen, Township Ninety-four North of Range Four- teen West of the Fifth Principal Meridian.
William F. Wright was elected at the spring election of 1856, but no record made of the same. We find that he was acting on the 31st of July, 1856, when he received a school fund mortgage which was executed on that day to him as School Fund Com- missioner. It would be impossible, and probably unwise, to reconcile the acting of two School Fund Commissioners at the same time.
In 1S5S, at the April election, C. A. Orvis received 470 votes for the office of School Fund Commissioner, and R. Baldwin 275. As the office was abolished Orvis never acted.
DRAINAGE COMMISSIONER.
Legend says that William Tueker was elected Swamp Land Commissioner at the organiza- tion of the county, and that he held the office until the October, 1857, election, when we find the first record.
Elected. Votes.
Opposing Candidate. Votes.
1858-9. William Tucker.
408
1860-1. A. E. Bigelow ..
407
1862-3. Edwin Cudworth
479
1864-5. Edwin Cudworth.
. 372
William Everingham. 258
1866-7. J. A. Green ..
. 679
R. B. Schoonover. 2.40)
1868-9. J. II. Powers .. . 956
Scattering. 4
Leonard Kingsley .. 243
O. I. P. Searles . . 337
B. Tierney .. 219
CHICKASAW COUNTY, IOWA.
57
SUPERVISORS.
The Eighth General Assembly superseded the County Judge as financial and controlling agent of the County by creating a Board of Supervisors of one from each township. The following is a list of the members of said board:
1861.
C. D. Johnson, Bradford. E. Perry, Fredericksburg. E. Darst, Dayton. J. 11. Vantassel, Washington.
C. D. Johnson, Bradford. E. Perry, Fredericksburg. Eli Darst, Dayton. J. II. Vantassel, Washington
I. S. Thomas, Bradford. E. Perry, Fredericksburg. M. B. Taylor, Dayton. Daniel Kepple, Washington.
G. W. Butterfield, Bradford. E. Perry, Fredericksburg. James Upham, Dayton. Daniel Kepple, Washington.
F. D. Bosworth, Richland. E. W. Davis, Stapleton. Wm. Tucker, Chickasaw. M. L. Palmer, Jacksonville. 1862.
Vinal Thayer, Dresden. Gideon Gardner, New Hampt'n A. Harris, Deerfield. D. R. Kirby, Utica.
Vinal Thayer, Dresden. D. A. Jackson, New Hampton. M. P. Choat, DeerSeld. D. R. Kirby, Utica.
Wm. B. Grant, Richland. T. G. Staples, Stapleton. Russel Baldwin, Chickasaw. M. L. Paliner, Jacksonville. 1863. Wm. B. Grant. Richland. T. G. Staples, Stapleton. R. Baldwin, Chickasaw. Thos. MeCarten, Jacksonville. Terance Commerford, Utica. 1864.
Martin Langdon, Dresden. D. A. Jackson. New Hampton. M. P. Choat, Deerfield.
ITiram Bailey, Richland. T. G. Staples, Stapleton. Wm. Tucker, Chickasaw. Thos. McCarten, Jacksonville. T. Commerford, Utica.
Martin Langdon, Dresden. J. K. Kroniger, New Hampton. W. II. Laribee, Deerfield.
5S
HISTORICAL AND REMINISCENCES OF
1865.
E. D. Woodbridge, Bradford. E. Perry, Fredericksburg. Wmn. Haslam, Dayton. Jonat'n Dickenson, Washingt'n. Wm. Palmer, Jacksonville. 1866. Robert Johnston, Richland.
Hiram Bailey, Richland. Michael Burns, Stapleton. Wm. Tucker, Chickasaw.
W. H. Langdon, Dresden. J. K. Kroniger, New Hampton. W. H. Laribee, Deerfield. James Goss, Utica.
E D. Woodbridge, Bradford. Buel Sherman, Fredericksburg. Michael Burns, Stapleton. Win. Haslam, Dayton. E. K. Morrill, Washington, 1
W. H. Linderman, Dresden. Gid. Gardner, New Hampton. B. R. Darrow, Deerfield. James Goss, Utica.
IS. 11. Hall, Bradford. Buel Sherman, Fredericksburg. Michael Burns, Stapleton. Geo. McCaughey, Dayton. E. K. Morrill, Washington.
B. G. Crofts, Dresden. Gid. Gardner, New Hampton.
JJas. Cunningham, Chickasaw. B. R. Darrow, Deerfield !. W. E. Beach, Jacksonville. E. Shepard, Utica. 1868.
HI. If. Blodgett, Richland. Patrick Mangan, Stapleton. C. P. Warner, Chickasaw. Francis Dane, Jacksonville. 1869.
1I. H. Blodgett, Richland. Patrick Mangan, Stapleton. C. P. Warner, Chickasaw. Francis Dane, Jacksonville.
B. G. Crofts, Dresden. D. A. Jackson, New Hampton. Frank Loveless, Deerfield. G. C. Cleghorn, Utica.
Bradford Thayer, Dresden. D. A. Jackson, New Hampton. Frank Loveless, Deerfield. T. Commerford, Utica.
59
CHICKASAW COUNTY, IOWA.
ES. II. Hall, Bradford. L. Nourse, Fredericksburg. Geo. MeCanghy, Dayton. E. K. Morrill, Washington.
L. H. Weller, Bradford. L. Nourse, Fredericksburg. Geo. McCaughy, Dayton. E. K. Morrill, Washington.
Jas. Cunningham, Chickasaw. W. E. Beach, Jacksonville. 1867. Robert Johnston, Richland.
SUPERVISORS-CONTINUED.
1870.
I .. S. McCrary, Bradford. J .. Nourse, Fredericksburg. Geo. McCanghey, Dayton.
E. K. Morrill, Washington.
J. J. Simmons, Richland. Michael Burns, Stapleton. C. P. Warner, Chickasaw. Francis Dane, Jacksonville.
B. G. Crofts, Dresden. Gideon Gardner, New Hampt'n R. A. Cornish, Deerfield.
T. Commerford, Utica.
In 1870 the township representation was superseded by a County Board of three, elected by the County at large. The following were the County Board of Supervisors under this law :
1871.
1872.
1873.
1871.
Win. B. Perrin.
Win. B. Perrin.
Win. B. Perrin.
J. A. Green.
J. A. Green.
J. A. Green. W. D. Stafford.
E. R. Dickerson.
1875.
E. R. Dickerson.
E. R. Dickerson. E. C. Abbott.
W. D. Stafford. E. C. Abbott.
Thomas Kenyon.
1879.
E. R. Dickerson. Thomas Kenyon. Jolm Hauser.
1877.
E. R. Dickerson. Thomas Kenyon. E. C. Abbott. 1880. Thomas Kenyon. John Hauser. C. P. Warner.
60
HISTORICAL AND REMINISCENCES OF
W. D. Stafford. E. C. Abbott.
D. B. Hanan. J. F. Babcock.
1876.
1878.
E. R. Dickerson. Thomas Kenyon. John Hauser.
The Board of Supervisors was increased to five in 1881 and the following members consti- tuted the Board: 1881. 1882. 1883.
188.1.
Thomas Kenyon,
Thomas Kenyon,
Charles Commerford, Charles Commerford,
C P. Warner,
C. P. Warner,
C. L. Gabrielson,
C. L. Gabrielson,
John Hauser, Hiram Bailey,
John Hauser,
Charles Commerford, T. S. Bradford,
1 .. Nonrse,
Charles Commerford
C. L. Gabrielson.
Leonard Nourse.
John Frazee.
1885.
1886.
1887.
1888.
T. S Bradford,
John Frazee, Charles Commerford,
II. J. Ditmas, Peter Maires,
II. A. Conklin,
Geo. MeCanghey, John Frazee,
II. J. Ditmas,
Francis Dane,
Francis Dane,
Charles Commerford.
l'eter Maires.
Il. II. Conklin.
II. II. Kenyon.
1889.
1890.
1891.
II. A. Conklin,
Peter Maires,
Peter Maires,
Francis Dane,
II. JJ. Ditmas,
II. J. Ditmas,
II. II. Kenyon,
II. II. Kenyon,
l'eter Maires,
Alf Oleson, E. Prudhon.
U. II. Kenyon, Alf Oleson, E. Prudhon.
11. J. Ditmas.
At the September term, 1865, C. R. Mapes was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Geo. McCaughey.
61
CHICKASAW COUNTY, IOWA.
Peter Maires,
1 .. Nonrse,
II. II. Kenyon,
II. II. Kenyon,
II. J. Ditmas,
John Hauser, T. S. Bradford,
SPECIAL QUESTIONS SUBMITTED TO THE ELECTORS OF THE COUNTY. 62
October 15th, 1856: " Whether Chickasaw County would take One Hundred Thousand Dollars of the stock of the MeGregor, St. Peter & Missouri River Railroad Company, said road to run by way of Bradford, and give bonds in payment thereof bearing interest at the rate of ten per cent per annum, the principal sum payable in twenty years, and that a tax be levied upon the taxable property of said county for the payment of principal and interest; said Railroad Company to pay the interest on said bonds until said road is in operation to the west line of the County?"
For the railroad tax .. 352 votes.
Against the railroad tax. 176 votes.
April 6th, 1837: The question of " Loaning the eredit of the County or taking stock in the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska Railroad, Cedar Valley Branch, to the amount of One Hundred Thousand Dollars?"
For the stock .. 309 votes.
Against the stock. 216 votes.
August, 1857: Vote on the New Constitution.
For the New Constitution .. 389 votes.
Against the New Constitution. 296 votes. On the question of striking out the word " white," out of the Constitution.
For ... . ... 91 Against .. . 109
HISTORICAL AND REMINISCENCES OF
April 5th, 1858: " Whether the said County of Chickasaw shall rescind the vote taken on the 13th day of October, 1856, whereby said County of Chickasaw voted to loan her credit to the MeGregor, St. Peters and Missouri railroad, and also at the April election, 1837, whereby said county voted to loan her credit to the Cedar Valley Branch of the Chicago, lowa & Nebraska Railroad."
For rescinding. ... 402 Against rescinding .. .
362
On the question of the removal of the County Seat from New Hampton to Forest City, Forest City received 432 votes and New Hampton received 331 votes.
November 8th, 1864: On the resolution for the appropriation to build county buildings. For .. . 497 Against .. . 270
On the resolution for an appropriation to build a bridge at Nashan.
For ... 4.15 Against .... 336
October, 1866: "To devote Swamp Land Fund to the erection of bridges and public Improvements."
For. 707
Against. 46
October, 1868: First, Second and Third amendments to the Constitution.
For .. 873 Against. 551
For the Fourth and Fifth .. .... 871
Against. 531
October, 1866. "To raise special tax of two mills per annum to pay county indebtedness. For .. . 725 votes Against ... . 619 votes.
August, 1871: "For levying a special tax of two mills on the dollar valuation of the county for the purpose of purchasing and stocking a farm for the poor of the county."
For ... . . . 1003 votes . Against ... . . 435 votes.
CHICKASAW COUNTY, IOWA.
63
64
HISTORICAL AND REMINISCENCES OF
The following shows the yearly levy, in mills, of the State, County. County School, Insane, Bridge, County Poor, County Poor House, and County Bond Taxes, as levied from year to year : .
YEAR.
State.
County.
County
School.
Bridge.
Insane.
Poor.
Bond.
Poor
1855
1.5
6
1.5
1856.
1.2
4
1
1857
2
1.5
1955
1.5
5
1
1859.
1.5
4
1860
1.5
4.
1
...
..
.
1861
1
.5
1862
2
4
1
.5
1863
2
4
1
.5
1864
2
4
1
.5
1865
2
1
1
.5
1866
2.5
4
1
3
1867
3
4
1
1868
2.5
4
1
3
1862
2
6
1
3
1
1871
2
6
1
3
1
.
.
1872
2.5
6
1
1.5
1
2
1873
2
4
1
3
1
1
1
1874
2
6
1
3
1
1
1875.
2
6
1
3
1
1
1876.
2
6
1
3
1
1
.
1877
2
6
1
3
1
1873.
2
1
3
1
.
1879
2
6
1
3
1
ISSO
2
5
1
3
.5
1
.5
1881
2
1
3
1
2
1882
2.5
6
1
3
.5
1883
2.5
6
1
3
.5
1884
2 3
6
1
3
.5
2
.
1985.
2.5
6
1
2
1
..
....
18ST
2.5
6
1
2
1
2
..
1853.
3.5
0
1
3.5
2
1
1899.
2.5
G
1
1
.5
1899
2.5
1
3
.5| 1
.5
2
·
2
1850
2.5
1
1
3
1
1870 ..
. .
.
.
Hlouse.
65
CHICKASAW COUNTY, IOWA.
Reminiscence.
About 2 o'clock of the morning of the 10th day of May, 1857, the whistle sounded and the steamboat swung in toward "McGregor's Landing," and supposing that the shore had been reached I stepped over the edge of the boat and found myself in water. I was pulled on shore and thus found a helping hand on my return to Iowa. Went to the hotel and wrung out my clothes, and at the time of the starting of the stage at 8 o'clock, was enjoying a steam bath, but embarked on the stage for West Union, where I arrived in the evening, cold, hungry, and a little depressed. Went to my room early and proceeded to open up my wet clothes and hang them around the room to dry. Had just got to bed when I was dis- turbed by a rap on the door and, opening it, found that there was another guest who was expected to lodge with me. On looking in and observing the appearance of things he declined to come in and share my room with me, and as he left I heard him remark, " that d -- d fool has got his washing out."
5
60
HISTORICAL AND REMINISCENCES OF
Starting the next morning on foot, for the ample reason that I had no money with which to pay stage fare. at the hollow west of town, found a team stuck in the slough with a load of potatoes and stopped to give the men a lift, but as the stage came along and the passengers and driver refused to stop, concluded to pass on and let them help themselves. Passed the stage at the "Ver- mont House" and did not see it again until it reached Fredericksburg. My directions as to the road were: "Pass Potter's at the county line, follow the wagon trail leaving the twin trees to the right, and the first set- tlement will be the town."
My entrance into Chickasaw was on the 11th day of May, 1857. I arrived in Fred- ericksburg some time in the afternoon, just as it began to rain.
As I came up to the old log hotel Webster Pease greeted me and asked if I had seen the stage. I told him that I passed it at the "Vermont House." where it had stopped for dinner, as I judged from appearances. Thus Webster Pease was the first man to speak to me in the county. He was acting as hotel clerk, the house being kept by Lorenzo Carter.
As I passed into the house I was greeted
07
CHICKASAW COUNTY, IOWA.
by E. W. Davis, who was then acting as County Surveyor. For the first time, through his kindness, instructions were given me about Townships, Ranges, Sections, and the subdivisions of sections, and other things pertaining to the United States survey. Among those present were Abner Pease and Charles E. Zwick, and soon Fred Padden came in and I was introduced to him, and he was represented to be the leading spirit of the place. He presented the prospective growth of the town with such a breezy con- fidence, and so glowing was the prospect, that I felt that fortune had smiled upon me in leading me to a place where my fortune was so fully assured.
As it rained all the balance of the day I was obliged to stay all night. As I desired to see all that was going on I was escorted to an upper room where was the only faro table I have ever seen in the county. As I had walked from West Union, for the reason that I had no money with which to pay stage fare, I did not make much display bucking the tiger. On the morning of the twelfth I started for Forest City, a prospective town located on sections twelve and thirteen, township ninety-four, range thirteen, being
6S
HISTORICAL AND REMINISCENCES OF
, in what is now Richland township, and one mile west of the present Williamstown postoffice.
The first settlement on the road west of Fredericksburg was that of A. V. Allen, who kept hotel in a log house, situated on the northeast corner of section 13-94-12, he hav- ing a large straw-covered building for a horse barn. Opposite and further west was the log house of Vinal Thayer, about twenty rods from the road.
A little west of Vinal Thayers I called where a log shanty was being erected, and on accosting the workman, found it was E. W. Proctor, whom I had known in Ohio. Thus E. W. Proctor was the first acquaint- ance I met in the county. On the south- west corner of section seven was the log house of William W. Pike. Walking through the mud another mile, I came to the "city," where I found Hiram Bailey and · wife, and a number of acquaintances that I had known in Ohio.
Here I took another lesson in western hopes and prospects, and learned how for- tunate I had been in escaping Fredericks- burg, and coming to so magnificent a place as Forest City was bound to be. Fredericks-
69
CHICKASAW COUNTY, IOWA.
burg was well enough as an outlying town, but was too far to one side to ever amount to much, or to become a leading town in the county.
Forest City was in the center of the county, east and west, and would always be on the main stage and railroad route, and there would never be any trouble from the inhos- pitable and bleak prairies of the north part of the county. My presence in the city was soon known, and its denizens came to call upon me, and among the number was William B. Grant, to whom I was introduced, and who was reported as being the moving element of the place, and engaged at that time in the erection of a saw mill, to which was to be added a grist mill in due time.
If Fred Padden was breezy, Grant had a towering confidence that left no doubt, at least in his own mind, of his ability, and while the leading spirit of the "Burg" was well enough in his place, yet he would never do to look after the interest of such a place as Forest City was bound to be. Both of these old pioneers have been canonized by having the post-offices of their respective towns named after their given names, although Williamstown has been moved one
70
HISTORICAL AND REMINISCENCES OF
mile east of the old cite of Forest City. In many things there was a striking likeness in the career of these old pioneers; both relying upon borrowed capital with which to carry on their work; both erecting saw mills; and while both did much to develop the country, both met disappointment in not realizing the full fruition of their hopes.
To be sure there has been a family com- pensation, for their respective brothers, "Low" and "Preck," have both been pros- pered and have each an abundance of this world's goods, thus again exemplifying that "one shall sow and another reap."
As I came through Fredericksburg, the ones that impressed me as being the leading spirits, were Fred Padden, Charles E. Zwick, D. B. Hanan and Lorenzo Carter. Padden showed symptoms of celtic origin, active, aggressive and ready for the main chance. Carter was more phlegmatic, and appeared to be ready to enter into a deal with any one who appeared to present good fallow ground for his speculative plow.
Charles E. Zwick was a slim, light haired, light complexioned, cadaverous and nervous appearing person, showing nervous zeal in whatever he engaged, and was subsequently
71
CHICKASAW COUNTY, IOWA.
appointed Deputy Sheriff under Padden and on Padden's resignation was appointed by the County Judge to fill the vacancy. He became a strong partizan, during the county seat fight, for the "south," and proved to have a wonderful memory, where there was an official act to be done in its interest, but where, in his judgment, delay was favorable, his memory was not so acute.
D. B. Hanan was, to all appearance, a representative of the " boys," and was inter- ested in a bowling gallery and its accom- paniment, talked horse and gun and played the fiddle.
The residents of Forest City were Hiram Bailey and wife, William B. Grant and wife, Joseph George, wife and two sons, Dr. Sam- uel B. Carpenter, who was living with his fifth wife and had come west to grow up with the country. Prescott Grant, Richard Elliott, Zelotes Bailey, Turner S. (commonly called "Tip ") Bailey, Amy Bailey and Henry H. Bailey.
Zelotes, Turner S. and Amy were minor wards of Hiram Bailey, he having been appointed guardian of his deceased brother's children.
Soon after my arrival I found an intense
72
HISTORICAL AND REMINISCENCES OF
. excitement, caused by a prospective meet- ing of a Legislative committee which was to locate the County Seat. There was great activity in circulating petitions to be used in influencing this committee, and it was with much regret that I could not sign, for I had not been in the county sixty days.
At Forest City, Dr. Carpenter and Hiram Bailey were living in unfinished frame houses, and the others were living in log shanties with shed roofs made with split shakes and in some instances these were covered with sod to make them warmer. Grant was building a frame house in town and Joseph George was building one half mile north.
Zelotes and "Tip" Bailey had burned a kiln of brick the fall before, being the first brick made in the county, and I went to work building a brick hen-house for Hiram Bailey, which was the first brick building erected in the county. I also built a chim- ney for Joseph George on his new house. As the town existed only on paper, I went to work, after finishing my brick work, survey- ing the town, according to the plat they had adopted. As it then stood it was covered with hazel brush, with the exception of the
1
73
CHICKASAW COUNTY, IOWA.
slough that run just south of the saw mill, and this was full of water.
On the Sunday following my arrival, I attended a Sunday School at the log house of Malachi Havelick, one mile north of town. This was followed by a temperance meeting, and among the speakers were Judge Bailey, Hiram Bailey, E. R. Gillett and M. Haverlick, and Mrs. E. R. Gillett read an essay, and here I made my first speech in the county. The singing was enthusiastic and did credit to the old song:
"Thrice welcome friends, and here we meet in friend- ship's circle bright,
Where nothing mars the pleasure sweet or dims the radiant light."
My next oratorical effort was made when the steam whistle sounded for the first time at the saw mill. This was looked upon as an event, and but the herald of the locomo- tive that would soon go screaming through and past the town. It was a good time to let the eagle soar and we let him fly. It was for a long time a disputed point as to which could be heard the farthest, the steam whistle, or Judge Bailey.
Judge Bailey was a character that could only exist in a new country, and could be developed and brought out nowhere else.
74
HISTORICAL AND REMINISCENCES OF
Born in a new and timbered country, of poor parents, his early life was spent at work and without the benefit of schools. At his majority he could hardly write his name, and the county records show that he never devel- oped the art of chirography to any great extent.
Reared in a rural and sparsely settled country, surrounded by a class of religion- ists that related their experience with more fervor than thought, his imagination was developed in volume and spirit character- istic of uncultured force. Of large square build, with a small, compact and round head -given to being bald-with an uncommonly large and projecting nose, and a stentorian voice, he sounded forth his convictions and experiences, and exhorted the unrepentant to flee from the wrath to come in tones that 'would put to shame the "Mad Bull of Bashan," and shook up Stones's Corners and Joppa, where he used to live, like an earth- quake. Of course this "Divine Affiatus" could not be enduring, and when relaxed his active mind sought other outlets, and, in his gropings, he became a firm believer in phre- nology, as taught by Fowler, and turned his attention to "bumpology," as he called it.
75
CHICKASAW COUNTY, IOWA.
About this time he fell in with a work on the theory of creation, known as "The Vestiges of Creation," and his lively imag- ination found new inspiration, and his intel- lect an inspiring thought, as he fancied he saw the creation of new worlds and systems, and saw evolved from the fiery mass of immensity the tangible forms of spheres and systems as developed under the author's theory. Hungering as he was for knowledge, absorbed as he was in the sublimity of the supposed discovery, pauperized by the want and knowledge of the use of words, and yet desiring to find expression and give vent to the sublime truths that he believed to be burning in his soul, he acquired an extrava- gant and hyperbolic enunciation, not always strictly accurate or scientific, but always forcible, if force comes from volume and manner. Without the experience or educa- tion to take up work systematically, and without preparation, he entered upon the duties of County Judge, who at that time was not inappropriately called "County King," for he had charge of everything in the county, including roads, bridges, poor, county buildings, and the levy of all taxes, except local school taxes, and the disburse- ment of all funds.
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HISTORICAL AND REMINESCENCES OF
Confiding to a fault, he was in the hands of his friends. George W. Reed had been elected County Clerk, and being wholly un- qualified to conduct the office, F. D. Bos- worth was appointed Deputy Clerk and did the business, and he proved himself wise beyond his years, and absolutely refused to draw or file a paper that in his judgment was not authorized by law and demanded for the public good, and the Judge yielded in most cases, and where he did not, the files show that the documents are in some other handwriting. In all premeditated cases the counsel of his brother Hiram was generally asked and usually followed with safety, unless overpowering personal motives biased his judgment.
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