USA > Iowa > Benton County > History of Benton County, Iowa. From materials in the public archives, the Iowa Historical society's collection, the newspapers, and data of personal interviews > Part 5
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The Indians at this agency became idle and listless in the absence of their natural and wonted excitements. and many of them plunged into dissipation. Keokuk himself became dissipated in the later years of his life, and it has been reported that he died of delirium tremens after his removal with his tribe to Kansas.
SACS AND FOXES LEAVE THE COUNTY.
In 1838 the exodus of the Saes and Foxes from Benton county had its beginning in the treaty with them which was ratified on February 21st of that year. the ceded tract embracing 1.250,000 acres directly west of the Black Hawk Purchase and of
1
32
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
the same length. The piece of land was twenty-five miles in the middle and ran off to a point at both ends, and in Benton county its west line crossed the Cedar river near the west line of Benton township and included what would be very nearly one tier of easternmost townships. Township 86. range 9, was included in the cession. and the earliest settlers in Benton county, of 1839-40. were very near the Indian line. Two years prior to this formal throwing open of Indian lands to white settlement in Benton county. the territory of Wisconsin had been organized and Iowa had been politically attached to it. until the latter was created on the 4th of July in the same year signalized by the withdrawal of the Sacs and Foxes from the eastern border of Benton county. The lowa territory of that day. however, embraced that part of old Wisconsin lying west of the Mississippi river and north of Missouri.
WHITES ON THE HEELS OF INDIANS.
The last treaty by which the Saes and Foxes relinquished all their lands west of the Mississippi (and therefore, in Benton county) was made at their agency (Agency City) October 11. 1842. and ratified March 23. 1843. By its terms they were to be removed from the country at the expiration of three years. and all who remained at that time were to depart at their own expense. Part of them were removed to their reservation in Kansas in the fall of 1845, and at that time were to depart at their own expense. In the meantime the white settlers had been streaming into the ceded territory, their entry into it at the earliest possible moment after the dawn of May 1. 1843. being attended by all the excitements and violence of an "Oklahoma rush."
These times have been- so well described by Judge Nourse in his centennial address that his language is here reproduced : "In obedience to our progressive and aggressive spirit. the Government of the United States made another treaty with the Sac and Fox Indians, on the 11th day of August. 1842. for the remaining portion of their land in Iowa. The treaty provided that the Indians should retain possession of all the lands thus ceded until May 1. 1843, and should ocenpy that portion of the ceded territory west of a line running north and south through Redrock, until October 11. 1845. These tribes, at this time. had their principal village at Ot-tinn-wa-no. now called Ottumwa.
33
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
As soon as it became known that the treaty had been concluded, there was a rush of immigration to lowa, and a great number of temporary settlements were made near the Indian boundary, wait- ing for the Ist day of May. As the day approached, hundreds of families encamped along the line, and their tents and wagons gave the scene the appearance of a military expedition. The country beyond had been thoroughly explored, but the United States military authorities had prevented any settlement or even the making ont of claims by any monuments whatever.
"To aid them in making out their claims when the hour should arrive, the settlers had placed piles of dry wood on the rising ground, at convenient distances. and a short time before twelve o'clock of the night of the 30th of April these were lighted, and when the midnight hour arrived, it was announced by the discharge of firearms. The night was dark, but this army of occupation pressed forward, torch in hand, with axe and hatchet, blazing lines with all manner of enrves and angles. When day- light came and revealed the confusion of these wonderful surveys, munerous disputes arose, settled generally by compromise, but sometimes by violence. Between midnight of the 30th of April and sundown of the Ist of May, over one thousand families had settled on their new purchase.
"While this scene was transpiring. the retreating Indians were enacting one more impressive and melancholy. The winter of 1842-43 was one of unusual severity. and the Indian prophet. who had disapproved of the treaty. attributed the severity of the winter to the anger of the Great Spirit, because they had sold their country. Many religions rites were performed to atone for the crime. When the time for leaving Ot-tum-wa-no arrived. a solemn silence pervaded the Indian camp, and the faces of their stontest men were bathed in tears; and when their cavalcade was put in motion, toward the setting sun. there was a spontaneons outburst of frantie grief from the entire procession.
"The Indians remained the appointed time beyond the line running north and south through Redrock. The government established a trading post and military encampment at the Rac- «con Fork of the Des Moines river. then and for many years known as Fort Des Moines. Here the red man lingered until the 11th of October. 1845. when the same scene that we have before described was re-enacted. and the wave of immigration swept over the remainder of the 'New Purchase.' The lands thus occupied Vol. 1-3
34
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
and claimed by the settlers still belonged in fee to the general government. The surveys were not completed until some time after the Indian title was extinguished. After their survey. the lands were publicly proclaimed or advertised for sale at public auction. Under the laws of the United States, a preemption or exclusive right to purchase public lands could not be acquired until after the lands had thus been publicly offered and not sold for want of bidders. Then, and not until then, an occupant making improvements in good faith might acquire a right over others to enter the land at the minimum price of $1.25 per acre. 'Claim laws' were unknown to the United States statutes. They originated in the 'eternal fitness of things,' and were enforced, probably. as belonging to that class of natural rights not enumer- ated in the constitution, and not impaired or disparaged by its enumeration.
"The settlers organized in every settlement prior to the public land sales, appointed officers, and adopted their own rules and regulations. Nach man's claim was duly ascertained and recorded by the secretary. It was the duty of all to attend the sales The secretary bid off the lands of each settler at $1.25 per acre. The others were there, to see, first, that he did his duty and bid in the land. and, secondly, to see that no one else bid. This, of course. sometimes led to trouble, but it saved the excite- ment of competition. and gave formality and degree of order and regularity to the proceedings they would not otherwise have at- tained. As far as practicable. the territorial legislature recognized the validity of these 'claims' upon the public lands, and in 1839 passed an act legalizing their sale and making their transfer a valid consideration to support a promise to pay for the same. The Supreme Territorial Court held this law to be valid. The opinion not only contains a decision of the question involved, but . also contains much valuable erudition upon that 'spirit of Anglo- Saxon liberty' which the Jowa settlers unquestionably inherited in a direct line of descent from the said Anglo-Saxons. But the early settler was not always able to pay even this dollar and twenty- five cents per acre for his land."
ROVING INDIAN BANDS. ,
Part of the nation of Saes and Foxes were removed to their reservation in Kansas during the fall of 1845, and most of the remainder followed in the succeeding spring. This was virtually
35
IHISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
the final chapter in the history of the Benton county Indians, although old settlers recall small roving bands as late as 1854. In this connection, the following (on the authority of a pioneer) is appropriate : "Although the Indians ceded a portion of the coun- ty to the United States in 1837 and the remainder in 1843 they roved over the country as late as 1854. They had a favorite camping place on the east side of the Cedar river, near Mr. Thomas Way's. The spot was chosen partly, perhaps. because 'Unele Tom' always had a good supply of firewater. They came here every year and spent several days in celebrating some of their mystic rites, religious danees, etc. Upon one occasion. James Rice gave them a fine puppy. which they sacrificed to the Great Spirit with much cere- mony. holding a war dance as a part of the exercises. The Indians were many times accused of committing depredations of which they were not guilty. They were very convenient scape- goats for horse thieves. Berry Way. Uncle Tom's renegade son, used to steal and run off their ponies during their annual eneamp- ment near his father's house. Stealing them during the night. Berry would always be at home the next morning, and when the Reds entered complaint. he was on hand to assist them in efforts to discover the missing animals, but always sent them on the wrong trail.
1755084
"Berry Way and another young man. well known thieves of Benton county, made a trip through Black Hawk county in March, 1846. stopping all night at a logging cabin, built by Cedar John- son a year or two before near Big Creek and then occupied by James Newell. The next morning they proceeded up the river to the vicinity of the Turkey Foot Forks; spent that night with Big Wave, a prominent Winnebago chief, and to requite his hospi- Iality, stole two valuable horses from him before daylight. About twenty of Big Wave's band pursued them, and found them at a singing school near Center Point. They threatened to shoot the trio, but the settlers interfered and persuaded the Indians it would be best to place the thieves under arrest and let the law take its course. The seoundrels were accordingly confined in jail at Marion. but soon after escaped."
BIRTH OF CIVIL GOVERNMENT.
The real conception of Iowa as a distinet political body oecur- red in September. 1834, when the territorial legislature of Michigan created two counties on the west side of the Mississippi river called
36
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
Dubuque and Des Moines and separated by a line drawn westward from the foot of Rock Island. These counties were partially or- ganized by the appointment of a chief justice and two associates for each division. On the first of October, 1835, General George W. Jones (long a citizen of Dubuque) was elected a delegate to congress from this section of Michigan territory, and in April, 1836, through his efforts the territory of Wisconsin was created. The census taken that year indicated that its counties of Dubuque and Des Moines had a population of 10,531. In the first terri- torial legislature of Wisconsin, which assembled at Belmont (pres- ent state of Wisconsin) October 25, 1836, each of the lowa coun- ties was represented by three members in the upper house, while Dubuque had five and Des Moines county, seven, in the lower body.
SUB-DIVISION OF COUNTIES.
At the first session, Des Moines county was divided into Des Moines, Lee, Van Buren, Henry, Muscatine and Cook (subse- quently changed to Scott), and at the second session the territory embraced in the original Dubuque county was divided into Dubu- que, Clayton, Fayette, Delaware, Buchanan,. Jackson, Jones, Linn, Clinton and Cedar. Most of these original counties were not or- ganized until the creation of the territorial government of Iowa. the congressional act which provided for it going into effect July 3, 1838.
FIXING THE TERRITORIAL CAPITAL.
Shortly before the assembling of the second Wisconsin legis- lature at Burlington. in November. 1837, a convention was held in that place memorializing congress to take such action, and in the same month of the following year Burlington was also the scene of the convening of the first territorial legislature of Iowa. At that time its vast area was bounded on the north by British Amer- ica, south by the state of Missouri, east by the Mississippi river and west by the Missouri and White Earth rivers, and. with the exception of the narrow strip known as the Black Hawk Purchase. was in undisputed possession of the Indians. At the first session of the legislature Napoleon, in JJohnson county, was designated as the temporary seat of goverment, Iowa City, a few miles above. on the Iowa river, being subsequently platted for the permanent
37
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
capital. The new capital of the territory was occupied in April, 1841, the third regular session convening therein during December. Iowa City remained the capital until 1857, when (then under the state government) it was removed to Des Moines.
IOWA BECOMES A STATE.
In 1844 the proposition to ereet the territory of Iowa into a state was carried by vote of the people. the constitutional conven- tion convening at Iowa City on the 7th of October. It also agreed upon boundary lines for the new state, including a large part of the present state of Minnesota, and excluding the traet now em- braced in Lyon, Osceola. Sionx and parts of Dickinson, O'Brien, Plymouth and Woodbury. The state boundaries were rejected by congress and the people, in turn rejected the proposed congress- ional bounds, at an election held in April, 1845. The constitution also having been rejected by popular vote, another convention was held at lowa City May 4, 1846, and agreed to a constitution with provisions for state boundaries identical with the present limits and in harmony with a statehood bill then pending in con- gress. The constitution was adopted by the people, ratified by congress and, under it. Jowa was admitted into the union December 28, 1846.
BENTON, ONE OF NINETY-NINE COUNTIES
Since 1857 there have been ninety-nine counties in the state of Iowa. but their organization has only been uniform since 1871. Benton county was originally constituted December 21, 1837. and was named in honor of Thomas Hart Benton, United States sen- ator from Missouri, who had materially aided in the passage of the bill erecting Wisconsin territory. Its original territory in- elnded the area between its present northern and southern bounds extended to the Missouri river, and it was temporarily attached to the county of Jackson. That was before there was a single settler within its present limts. In 1840( the year after its first settler located) it was similarly attached to Linn county, and re-estab- lished with its present boundaries February 17. 1843. At this point in the general narrative, the author may fittingly enter into details regarding the development of Benton county in every line ` and field.
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CHAPTER III.
GENERAL PROGRESS OF COUNTY.
ORGANIZATION OF TOWNSHIPS-GROWTH IN PROPERTY-AC- TUAL VALUES OF PROPERTY-1908 (ONE-FOURTH CASH VALUE) -- 1895 (ONE-HALF CASH VALUE)-1885 (ONE-HALF CASH VALUE -1875 (ONE-HALF CASH VALUE) -1865 (CASH VALUE) -IN- CREASD IN POPULATION --- POPULATION OF TOWNS AND TOWNSHIPS -. PROGRESS IN AGRICULTURE -- AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES-THE PAT- RONS OF HUSBANDRY.
Following the coming of the first settlers to castern Benton county in 1839-40, the immigration was very small and uncertain for a decade. During that period New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio furnished the bulk of the early and real pioneers. In 1847. the year after the organization of the county, the population had reached only 312 and by 1850. 672. The period from 1850 to 1860. however, was of unusual development and growth in population. Good state roads were established through the county, stage lines developed, the Cedar river utilized for transportation purposes and a sturdy agitation was progressing over the building of railroads into the county. In fact, all indications were favorable to a sul .. stantial development of the county into a prosperous and pleasant community for thrifty and intelligent people, closely bound to- gether and placed in intimate connannication with the more devel- oped outside world of business and commerce. After 1850 all states sent their contributions to swell the permanent citizenship of Benton county. It numbered 1.250 inhabitants in 1852; 2.623. in 1854; 6.247 in 1856, and 8,496 in 1860. The period covered by the Civil war told the same sad story everywhere; people both north and south were not migrating to new locations, but were fight- ing on bloody battlefields. or remaining at home to uphold their families, or condnet the necessary institutions of their communities.
38
39
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
ORGANIZATION OF TOWNSHIPS.
It is presumined that the board of county commissioners for 1847-8 created several eivil townships, although there is no record to that effect. There is an entry in April. 1847, that John Royal and George Cantonwine were appointed supervisors of Canton township, and they were directed to "open and work all legal laid- out roads in said township." Anderson Amos was appointed sup- ervisor in township 86 north, range 9 west; David Jewell in town- ship 85, range 9. and Thomas Way on a certain road "commencing at the corner of Harrison's field and running to Edward's ford across the Cedar river." Prior to 1851. Polk, Harrison and Tay- lor townships were added to those then in existence. Cue town- ship (changed, in 1862. to Florence) was organized in January. 1855, and in April. 1856. Jackson, Eden, Bruce and Big Grove townships were created. Varions attempts have been made to divide Taylor township. making Vinton township co-extensive with the corporate limits of the city; but, to date, all such efforts have failed. For many years the county has embraced twenty congres- sional and civil townships. as follows; Polk, Harrison, Cedar, Bruce, Monroe. Jackson, Taylor, Benton, Canton, Eden, Big Grove, Homer. Kane. Union, Eldorado, Fremont. Florence, St. Clair, Le Roy and lowa. The township government consists of three trustees and a elerk.
GROWTH IN PROPERTY.
The grand total of the tax assessment of Benton county is $324,949,81, of which amount $138.873.30 is credited to the state and county, $113.281.66 to the schools, and $35.394.69 to corpora- tions. It is also of interest to learn that of the tax last named. the railroads pay the following: Chicago & North-Western. $11.873 .- 49; Chicago. Rock Island & Pacific. $7.825.75; and Chicago, Mil- waukee & St. Paul, $7.005.28.
ACTUAL VALUES OF PROPERTY.
1865
3,495,303
1875
11.557.214
1885
15,777.840
1895
14,244,248
1908
39,677,792
40
. HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
PRESENT BENTON COUNTY COURT HOUSE
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
41
1908 (ONE-FOURTH CASH VALUE).
Townships
Land
Land Ex Corp
Lots
Personal
Totals
Vinton
$
7251 $
7251|$ 369012 $ 406190| |$ 782453
Belle Plaine
30990
29133
267999
168485
467474
Inzerne
11280
10614
11068
44637
66985
Blairstown
42615
56347
98962
Norway
3754
2979
36437
86488
126679
Garrison
2851
2851
44431
53551
100833
Mt. Anburn
731
731
19591
25335
45657
Shellsburg
4510
4250
40739
47432
92631
Keystone
4086
3643
47721
54523
106330
Van Horne
8237
6937
45208
47620
101065
Iowa
235949
844
102035
338828
Le Roy
279291
338
141103
420732
Urbana
400
400
22077
3529-1
57771
Monroe
313086
85216
398302
Bruce
306598
50029
356627
Harrison
152435
275
26251
178961
Polk
310572
53456
364028
C'edar
363356
120655
484011
Jackson
312560
100310
412870
Taylor
307122
102007
409129
Benton
121122
36583
157705
C'anton
297815
81203
379018
Eden
339379
54668
3910-17
Big Grove
319457
3
65630
385090
Homer
321116
55520
376636
Kane
314648
119888
434536
Union
338804
106740
1455-14
Ellorado
326369
18690
117197
192256
Fremont
315715
9976
142679
468370
Florence
317915
6498
156768
481181
St. Clair
318525
3306
172853
494684
Assessed Value
$5985924 $
68689|$ 986828 $2946696| |$9919448
Cash value
23943696|
274756| 3947312| 11786784 39677792
42
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY -
1895 (ONE HALF CASH VALUE)
Townships
Land.
Personal.
Lots.
Polk
$ 277,015
$ 45,752
$
Marrison
145,950
26,278
Cedar
285,352
59,042
12,850
Bruce
210,387
33,465
Monroe
263,390
37,208
Jackson
253,093
45,797
Taylor
268,235
42,412
Benton
95,808
22,268
Canton
234,406
35,630
1,692
Eden
266,470
35,633
Big Grove
265,896
41,849
300
Homer
259,661
33,702
Kane
260,034
34,096
Union
.
260,930
36,731
Eldorado
265,0-15
74,700
15,261
Fremont
256.793
50,802
7,304
Florence
265,358
G1,621
6,550
St. Clair
267,719
63.134
4,830
Le Roy
217,674
56,929
4,804
Iowa
204,427
50,274
2,738
Vinton
50
335,449
425,291
B. Plaine
19,786
81,401
212,100
Garrison
2,053
36,246
36,105
Shellsburg
4,875
30,199
30,248
Van Horne
3,270
39,4-17
34,402
Blairstown
44,035
54,215
Keystone
3,406
25,4SS
29,670
Norway
6,253
53,520
27,968
Urbana
130
12,917
13,995
Assessed value
$1.863,476
$1.518.325
$ 740.323
Cash value
$9,726,952
$3.036,650
$1,180.646
1885 (ONE HALF CASH VALUE)
Townships
Land.
Personal.
Dois.
Polk
$ 297,303
$ 67,701
$ 7,331
Harrison
153,960
37,783
Cedar
268,303
76,666
8,705
Bruce
281,133
59.28S
Monroe
299,849
50,141
Jackson
319,036
73.385
Taylor
242,227
62,248
Benton
95.882
24.549
Canton
331,825
76,322
Eden
217,956
69,962
43
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
Townships.
Land.
Personal.
Lots.
Big Grove
291,642
60,284
341
Homer
186,973
51,981
Kane
262,099
54,891
13,993
Union
216,983
45,511
Eldorado
219,789
50,567
7,260
Fremont
225,706
67,637
3,241
Florence
281,073
111,349
29,990
St. Clair
316,380
64,245
9,905
Le Roy
248,260
54,599
6,510
Iowa
200,230
69,686
4,019
Vinton
3,010
283,707
376,320
B. Plaine
35,509
111,978
185,193
Garrison
1,656
11,466
11,900
Shellsburg
6,296
25,930
32,110
Van Horne
6,450
92,139
68,962
Blairstown
65,031
64,546
Assessed value
$ 5,239,540
$1,818,944
$ 830,436
Cash valne
$10,479,080
$3,637,888
$1,660,872
1875 (ONE HALF CASH VALUE)
Townships
Land. $ 160,736
$ 63,778
$
2,020
Harrison
93.075
37.781
Cedar
263.221
69,446
4,405
Bruce
224,435
36,739
Monroe
157,396
36,739
Jackson
187,939
49,998
5,766
Taylor
204,408
47,167
21,794
Benton
87,372
22,959
Canton
221,073
64,125
Eden
174,917
54,933
35-4
Big Grove
192,261
54.024
346
Homer
160.188
31,780
Kane
189,161
36,83
115
Union
170,687
40.242
Eldorado
181.962
38,663
Fremont
23S,928
60,396
Florence
181.150
80,594
22,925
St. Clair
166,562
50,946
2 105
Le Roy
173.336
65.932
10.465
lowa
192,641
80,878
10,793
Vinton
257,941
392.735
B. Plaine
7,524
86.424
123,796
Blairstown
62.075
56,610
Shellsburg
6,912
25.156
33.265
Assessed value
$3,635,814
$1,455,299
$ 687,494
Cash value
$7.271.628
$2,910,578
$1.374,988
Personal.
Lots.
Polk
44
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
1865 (CASH VALUE)
Townships
Land.
Personal.
Lots.
Eden
$ 137.253
$ 31,367
490
Big Grove
$ 135.576
26,094
751
Benton
103,053
29.774
751
Florence
185,272
47.270
1.135
Iowa
162.780
69,399
18.910
Kane
100.496
15.992
Union
77,494
9.650
100
Ilomer
71,201
9,385
Monroe
89.963
12.220
Cedar
163.036
40,171
440
Fremont
116,956
17.359
Eldorado
97.783
7.774
Jackson
96.523
9,650
Le Roy
149.191
36.700
19,963
Canton
145.583
69.162
8.390
Bruce
100.512
14,706
Harrison
106,994
30.90€
35€
St. Clair
136.053
18.881
Polk
177,000
54,329
1.284
Taylor
190,334
185.556
210.329
Total
2,496,053
$736.351
$262.899
.
INCREASE IN POPULATION.
In 1865 the population of Benton county was 11.245, an in- crease of less than three thousand over that of 1860. From that time on the tale is told in the following table:
1870 22.454
1890 24.178
1875
22.807
1895
24,244
1880
24.888
1900
25.177
1885 23,902
1905
24,117
In line with the increase of population, the increase of taxable property in a county is a conclusive proof of its material develop- ment. But in the consideration of such figures it must always be remembered that the assessed valuation is not the cash valne of the property. In the figures given below, the valuations for 1855 and 1865 are on the full cash basis; those for 1875. 1885 and 1895. one-half the cash value, and for 1908, one-fourth.
It is evident from the condition of the assessors' hook of 1855 that a more or less futile attempt was made in that year to collect the desired figures from its countrymen and townsmen. At that time the government owned most of the land, which it soll for
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY
1865 (CASH VALUE)
Townships
Land.
Personal.
Lots.
Eden
$ 137.253
$ 31,367
490
Big Grove
$ 135.576
26,094
751
Benton
103,053
29,774
751
Florence
138,272
47.270
1.135
Iowa
162,780
69,399
18.910
Kane
100.496
15.992
Union
77,494
9.650
100
Ilomer
71,201
9,385
Monroe
89,963
12,220
Cedar
163.036
40,171
440
Fremont
116,95€
17,359
Eldorado
97,783
7,774
Jackson
96,523
9,650
Le Roy
149,191
36.706
19,963
Canton
145,583
69,162
8.390
Brice
100.512
14,706
Harrison
106,994
30,906
356
St. Clair
136,053
18.881
Polk
177,000
54,329
1.284
Taylor
190,334
185,556
210.329
Total
2,496,053
$736,351
$262,899
·
INCREASE IN POPULATION.
In 1865 the population of Benton county was 11,245, an in- crease of less than three thousand over that of 1860. From that time on the tale is told in the following table:
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