USA > Iowa > Black Hawk County > History of Black Hawk County, Iowa, and its people, Volume I > Part 35
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The township of Big Creek has the honor of having had the first iron bridge in the county. There was one built across Big Creek in 1867 at a cost of $4,500 and in 1874 a Howe truss bridge was put across the Cedar River at a point op- posite the town. This latter structure cost about seven thousand dollars.
Another feature of early La Porte was the Independent Fire Company No. I. This was organized in the fall of 1881 as a hook and ladder company and the city supplied the apparatus for the company. In 1875 a hand engine had been bought from the Cedar Rapids Fire Company and in 1884 an additional hose cart was purchased. This fire company continued for many years and was in turn suc- ceeded by other companies. In state and sectional tournaments the La Porte
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City organizations always won their share of honors for efficiency and drills. The fire department is now completely reorganized and is controlled by the city council. Sixteen men compose this volunteer department, each receiving compen- sation for cach fire.
INCORPORATION
On October 7. 1870, George W. Hayzlett, Jasper Parks and about thirty-nine other citizens of the town presented a petition to the Circuit Court asking for the incorporation of La Porte City. The court ordered an election to be held at the Kennebec House, afterward the National Hotel, on January 31, 1871. This elec- tion was held accordingly and the result was in favor of incorporation by a vote of 110 to 75. On February 11, 1871, of the same year the court declared the town duly incorporated.
The following commissioners appointed by the court: B. S. Stanton, George Walts, Hiram Goodwin, C. T. Ingersoll and William Chapple, called an election for city officers to be held on March 6, 1871. The following officers were chosen by popular vote at this time: R. J. McQuilkin, mayor; W. H. Brinkerhoff, re- corder ; George W. Hayzlett, W. A. Walker, William Chapple, John Hilferty, W. I .. Fox, trustees. The municipality was organized on March IIth and the first act was the adoption of rules of order. On April ist, T. H. Cole was elected marshal; Henry Chapple, treasurer, and on April 15th, O. G. Young was made street commissioner.
Since Mayor McQuilkin the following have held the office: Jesse Wasson, 1875; W. A. Walker, 1878; Jacob Wagoner, 1879; Jesse Wasson, 1881 ; William Rolph, 1882; Cato Sells, 1883; William Rolph, 1884; A. D. Thurston, 1886; E. M. Sharon, 1887; W. W. Hamilton, 1888; M. L. Cummins, 1890; P. L. Hayzlett, 1891; William Rolph, 1892; John Watterson, 1896; B. E. Eberhart, 1902; Clark Ravlin, 1906; G. W. Hayzlett, 1908, died shortly after election and J. H. Lunemann appointed to serve ; W. W. Smith, 1912.
Besides Mayor Smith the other offices are filled as follows: Clerk, G. E. Stebbins ; treasurer, Jesse O. Kober; city attorney, W. M. Blough; health phy- sician, Dr. R. B. Fields; marshal, E. H. Abel; councilmen, Joseph Husman, George C. Kober, J. W. Stewart, C. A. Brust, F. W. Esher; street commissioner, A. T. Kline.
Since the incorporation of the town, La Porte City has had a steady and nor- mal growth. The public utilities might be said to be in the formative stage yet, but plans proposed will eventually make the town one of the best equipped in the county. At present there are four blocks of excellent brick pavement on the main streets and also an efficient system of private sewerage.
In 1866 La Porte City and vicinity subscribed $7.905 toward building the Cedar Rapids and St. Paul Railway. This road came through in the summer of 1870, reaching Waterloo in September. It is now a part of the Rock Island system.
In 1912 the Waterloo, Cedar Falls and Northern interurban company extended its line from Waterloo to La Porte City and constructed a handsome red brick station in the latter place. In September, 1914, the line was taken on through to Cedar Rapids, thus giving La Porte City the advantage of two excellent trading
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View east on Main Street. Methodist Episcopal Church.
Bird 's-eye view of La Porte City.
Presbyterian Church. High school building.
VIEWS OF LA PORTE CITY
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points, one in each direction. The amount of shipping is far in excess of the quantity before the line was established. Business has built up steadily, the commercial enterprise of the town has assumed a different character, and yet the town has not reached its highest point. The population of the town at present is in the neighborhood of 1,500. In the various activities of this sub- stantial population may be found trades of all kinds and every one thriving. Perhaps the largest industry to have been started in La Porte was the canning factory, established in 1897, and still in operation in season. The glove and mitten factory is a new concern just starting business in the city.
NEWSPAPERS OF LA PORTE CITY
The first newspaper to be established in La Porte City was the La Porte City Progress. It was started in 1870 by J. T. Metcalf. The fortunes of jour- nalism broke none too good for Mr. Metcalf and in the next year he sold out his paper to the following men: Dr. Jesse Wasson, Dr. G. W. Dickinson and Charles Vale. On October 21st of the year 1871 Doctor Wasson came into pos- session of the whole property and continued as proprietor until 1879, at which time he took his son Buren into partnership. The death of Doctor Wasson in 1889 hurt the paper materially, for in the next few years several owners tried their skill in publishing the sheet, but none of them met with extraordinary suc- cess. In 1892 the Progress and the Review, two papers, were bought by a syn- dicate and published as one paper under the name of The Register. In 1893 Mr. E. Duke Naven purchased the plant and changed the name to The Progress- Review, the name the paper still bears. Mr. Naven had good success with the paper, but sold out in 1901 to Mr. H. B. Lizer, the present editor. The paper is published weekly, has a splendid circulation, copious advertising, and is generally regarded as the best paper in the county outside of the county seat.
The second paper to be established in the town was the La Porte City Repub- lican, published by W. H. Brinkerhoff in 1872. After a few months this sheet died.
In 1879 the La Porte City Review was begun by W. E. Throne and S. A. Wagoner. The paper had several owners afterwards and was a fairly successful publication. In 1892, however, it was consolidated with the Progress and pub- lished as the Register, as told above
In the year 1895 the La Porte City Press was established by William Chap- ple. He continued as sole editor and proprietor until the first of August, 1900, when he sold out to H. G. Adams and Clark Ravlin. These two men published the paper until 1904 and then in turn sold out to H. B. Lizer, the editor of the La Porte City Progress-Review. It was then consolidated with the latter paper, which is the only publication at present in the city.
BANKS
Perhaps no better index to the prosperity of the town may be obtained than the three banks, which do an excellent business here and in the county. These banks are the Union State Bank, the First National Bank and the Farmers Savings Bank.
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The Union State Bank was first organized on July 1, 1884. The first officers were: George W. Hayzlett, president; P. Bowman, vice president ; G. W. Hayz- lett, Jesse Oren, Henry Wiese, Harvey Shubert, P. Bowman, B. S. Stanton, W. A. Walker, Damon Mott, directors. A. Van Valkenburg is the cashier. The first capital stock of this institution was $25,000, but in the year 1888 it was increased to $40,000 and again in 1904 to $50,000. The surplus at the present time is $40,000. The present officers of the bank are: S. J. Tedford, president ; J. W. Layman, vice president ; A. Van Valkenburg, cashier; E. Simpson and Hal F. Goodwin, assistant cashiers.
The First National Bank was organized August 12, 1889, with a capital stock of $50,000, which was increased to $75,000 in 1904. The following were the first officers: James F. Camp, president; E. Simpson, vice president; F. E. Wettstein, cashier; James F. Camp. L. H. Camp, A. B. Elmer, A. E. Kline, E. Simpson, directors. The present officers are: C. E. Ashley, president ; R. A. Perkins, vice president ; J. H. Lunemann, vice president ; G. E. Stebbins, cashier ; Roy E. Ashley and L. J. Bitterly, assistant cashiers.
The Farmers Savings Bank was organized March 18, 1913, and opened for business on March 29th. O. A. Wallace is president; J. A. Wenmoth, vice president ; Jesse. O. Kober, cashier; Catherine Gingrich, assistant cashier. The capital stock is $30,000 and the deposits are $125.000.
HOTELS
The first hotel in La Porte City was kept by John A. Dees in the year 1855. In 1856 Wallace Hurd opened a tavern on the north side of the creek and called it the Kennebec House. He ran this place for several years. In 1858 W. L. ("Uncle Billy") Fox opened a hotel where the Terry now stands. Fox continued in the business for thirty years, selling out to John Terry in 1894. It was Mr. Fox's habit to make notes of everyday happenings on his hotel register. This diary grew from year to year and soon became a priceless possession. By the use of this Mr. Fox was able to recall the countless interesting bits of history in connection with La Porte City, which may be read on pages shortly following.
SOCIETIES
Trowel Lodge No. 216, Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, was organized some time in the early part of 1867. The charter for this lodge was issued on June 3. 1868. The petitioners for dispensation were: George W. Dickinson, George W. Hayzlett, George Bains, O. A. Phillips, F. S. Boynton, R. C. Ileath and Hubbard Moore. The first officers under the charter were: George W. Dick- inson, worshipful master; George W. Hayzlett, senior warden: F. S. Boynton, junior warden ; O. A. Phillips, treasurer ; H. Moore, secretary: G. Bains, senior deacon; R. C. Heath, junior deacon ; Miller Edsil, tyler. The first meeting was held on April 17, 1867. This lodge is in good condition at present.
Lotus Lodge No. 705, Independent Order of Odd Fellows, was organized on October 5, 1903, with the following first officers: M. L. Cummins, noble grand ; George Sisson, vice grand; W. F. Christopher, secretary; George Firestone, financial secretary : George Smelser, treasurer. The order now has a representa-
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tive membership. On December 1, 1871, there was La Porte Lodge No. 229 of the Odd Fellows, organized here with Charles Waite, William G. Goodwin, D. W. Dalton, Henry Chapple and John Waite as the charter members. The charter of this lodge was surrendered in later years, however, and the organiza- tion was succeeded by Lotus Lodge.
The Knights of Pythias Lodge No. 192 was organized on March 12, 1897. There were 100 members in 1914. This lodge is the strongest and most important in the city at the present time. The members own their own building, and have plans for further civic development.
The F. M. Thompson Post, Grand Army of the Republic, was organized in La Porte City in 1885. The surviving members of this post at this date are: David Allison, W. W. Smith, A. J. Cowley, J. F. Camp, Joseph Husman, John McQuilkin, Peter Hoffman, S. V. Pelly, G. Snyder, Joseph Gillespie, Walter Bell, Jacob Ballheim, Gordon Sanford, Joseph Roszel, John Tripp, A. E. Kline, Henry Waldorff, E. H. Jarvis, V. Edsil, J. O. Burgess, John Gay, Frank Large, Stephen Gilley. A soldiers' monument was erected in West View Cemetery by the Woman's Relief Corps of this city and dedicated on May 30, 1898. In this cemetery are buried the following veterans: Capt. G. W. Sells, Lieut. H. B. Webster, E. A. Burnham, Elisha Kline, J. E. Maxfield, Charles Thrall, Peter Peterson, A. V. Evarts, L. M. Chambers, William Sergeant, James H. Kennicott, Alonzo Speer, William Wright, George Gallarno, Thomas Bunton, Capt. J. C. Adams, Lieut. F. M. Thompson, G. W. Dickerson, Martin Guyer, George Reale, B. Dolph, W. G. Goodwin, George Grettenberg, J. S. Eberhart, Thomas P. Mitchell, J. A. Woodley, William Smelser, Alva Colvin, D. S. Morgan, Michael O'Reardon, Capt. W. F. Pickerell, Dr. Jesse Wasson, Harm Husman, Benja- min Russell, John Gallegher, William Jones, F. S. Boynton, J. Milton Chase, Harvey Shubert, J. B. Darling, Isaac Cotton, Clem Cooper, Lester Webster, J. L. Moore, Noah Cotton, Capt. R. G. McQuilkin, Henry Barsall, B. E. Eberhart, Jeremiah Snyder, Z. T. Fuller, Benjamin Brown, S. A. Paige, Isaac Boomhower, Henry Fry, C. A. Mitchell, Thomas L. Reed, S. W. Schaible, Stephen Single- ton, F. M. Fritzinger, Hans J. Johnson, Peter Hoffman and Robt. H. Clark.
THE STORY OF LA PORTE CITY By W. L. (Uncle Billy) Fox
I crossed the Cedar River at a point now known as Frenchtown (Gilbert- ville) on the 15th of September, 1855, and selected the spot of ground now known as the Charles Hummel Farm on which to build my first home in the new coun- try. In company with me was Isaac Turner and he and I together set about build- ing the house, Ike purchasing, as he thought, a complete set of house logs, but when we came to raise our house we discovered that we were minus some four rounds of logs to make a story and a half house, so I got my gun and axe and started for the river timber to get some more logs. I finally strolled through the timber until I landed on the bank of the Cedar a little above what is known as Blue Branch. I took a seat on a big log and began to look at the surroundings. I would look at the Cedar River winding her course with clear water running over the gravel bottom and then I would turn my eyes on the forest and its banks, with its stately elms, white oaks and walnuts, and then to make the
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scene grander a cedar tree would loom up in the midst and the butternut, white ash, hickory elm and red elm, which is noted for its beautiful foliage, added their grace and charm to the surroundings; the magnificent prairies would then come into my mind and it looked to me then as if the good Lord had made things just about right. While sitting on the log in deep meditation over our new- found country, my attention was attracted by the breaking of a little stick just below where I was sitting and I turned to behold a big Indian strolling leisurely toward me. I had never seen an Indian save as they were pictured in Indian history. I sprang up and the first thing which came to my mind was Adam Poe and the Big Indian. I took my gun in my arms and the Indian came up to me ; he had long, black hair tied on the top of his head and wore a wreath made of turkey feathers, which just covered his forehead above the eyes; he wore buck- skin breeches and moccasins with a heavy fringe and a belt around his waist in which he wore a tomahawk and a knife. He made a halt, looking me squarely in the face, and said something; he reached for my gun, but I shook my head ; he looked it over, however, and appeared to be wonderfully struck with it. I kept my finger on the trigger and my eye on the Indian and finally he uttered a few grunts and passed on up the river. I watched him until he was out of sight. for I did not know but that he would take a notion to return and tomahawk me.
The Indian gone and, feeling safe, I began to think of emigrating to the prairie. There was no sunshine and I soon found myself lost, but I kept on going until my attention was attracted by a drove of ponies wearing little bells ; the thought struck me at once that these were Indian ponies; there was a lot of wolfish, shaggy dogs among them and my horror commenced to grow. I began to double my steps, but hadn't gone more than a few rods before I came within plain sight of a little Indian village. I halted to consider my predicament, for things were growing desperate. I counted the wickeyups (wigwams) and saw that there were about thirty in the village. After locating things in my mind, I decided my home would be to the right and I made double quick steps from that neck of the woods and kept on until I found myself safe on the prairie and then I made a halt and recuperated a little. I didn't cut any house logs that day, neither did I go to look for my axe. I began to think that the woods were full of Indians and I didn't feel safe until I got to father and mother Smith's house. Breathlessly I started to tell them of my adventures. Mr. Smith listened and laughed and then assured me that the Indians I had seen were friendly ; he said the Sioux Indians who were up north were a bad lot and he feared them, but this tribe was known as the Musquakies and was very friendly. He said he was going there for wood and invited me to go with him. I said all right and down we went and drew up to the camp. Now wasn't that a sight to see the natives of America in their costume and manner of living. I went from one wickeyup to another and saw them cooking and eating. I saw the little papooses tied fast on the wickeyup poles and the squaws weaving carpet out of flag and coloring it. The squaws did all of the drudgery and hard work, carried the wood and water and built the wickeyups and Big Injun did nothing but lay around on his blanket and smoke his pipe. Heap big man!
One day in the fall of 1855 I went down to La Porte to see Doctor Wasson. He then ran a department or general store where the Progress-Review Building now stands. In addition to being doctor and storekeeper. Wasson was also post-
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master and justice of the peace and all 'round adviser for the entire community. In fact, at that time there wasn't enough people in the precinct to form a quorum or fill the offices of Big Creek Township. I told all of the people about my Indian scare. Doc knew the Indians better than I did and he just listened and laughed. When I had finished he said, "By the way, I must go and rout those Indians over the Blue Branch or they will burn up all the dry wood in the timber." I promised to go with him, so he hitched up Nellie, his favorite nag, and soon we were in the Indian camp. The doctor inquired for John Esquamaw, the chief, but could not find him, then he inquired for the chief's tent. Things here were in pretty good shape. The tent was all laid with flag carpet and the chief's squaw was busy working dough. Doc asked her if this was the chief's wickeyup and she nodded yes; then he asked her where the chief was, but she did not under- stand and kept on working her dough. Then Doc undertook to make his errand known. He thought he could talk Injun, so he tried it saying, "puck-a-shee," which means "get away," pointing in the direction of the Blue Branch. Then she got mad and told Doc to "puck-a-shee." Then Doc, seeing that she was mad, tried to console her. Being a doctor he was sort of a privileged character, and noticing her condition he pointed to her good-naturedly and said, "Heap papooses." Then her eyes flashed fire and she did get mad. It wouldn't do . here to repeat what she said to Doc, but many old-timers remember the story. It is unnecessary to say that Doc "puck-a-sheed" and mighty quick. The Indians did not go over the Blue Branch, nor did they hesitate to slaughter the dry timber that year.
I often think of old Doc Wasson and have many a good laugh thinking of old times and the many strange experiences both of us had in the days gone past. A better hearted man than old Doc Wasson never lived and I cannot help but think how hard he tried to make La Porte City a town of note.
Speaking of the early settlers, with all their hardships they had their pleasures and while the hard winter of 1855 was death to the deer, it still proved a god- send to the pioneers. For it so happened that in the spring of 1855 Nathaniel Spencer, living west of La Porte at a place known as Six Mile Grove, had broken forty acres of prairie and sown it in buckwheat and had a rousing crop. After threshing it he loaded it up and took it to the nearest mill, Benton City, now no more, on the Cedar below Vinton. He stayed there three days waiting for his buckwheat to be ground. On his return he stopped at Jesse Wasson's depart- ment store and unloaded most of his buckwheat flour. Now we had buckwheat cakes in plenty and venison by the sleigh load. Besides this we had prairie chickens, quails, turkeys and rabbits. But the hog at that time was almost a stranger in the country.
The main building of the doctor's department store was 16 by 30 feet in size with a 12 by 16 addition in the back. In those days this was considered quite a store. Besides being the general store it was also the justice office and the postoffice. I can see Jesse Wasson now opening that old mail bag behind the old counter, distributing the mail by taking nearly the whole lot in his hand and calling out the names of those who had letters, both in the store and outside, and they would have to answer. I told Doc I would make him a little cupboard in which to put the letters. I got some pieces of a dry goods box and made the cupboard, then I took the back window out of the store, fastened the
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two sashes together, put hinges on the cupboard, and hung it up. This was the first postoffice in La Porte City.
Doc was also justice of the peace and it was necessary for him to have a docket : this he made out of a pasteboard box and a lot of foolscap paper and then declared himself ready for business. The next day a Dutchman came to town and Riley Moultrie got into an altercation with him. Moultrie had been elected constable of the precinct when Doc was elected justice and he was con- sidered about the best fighter in the county. He and the Dutchman got into a big fight and Moultrie gave him an awful flogging and then gave himself up to Doc. In a few minutes in came the Dutchman, all covered with blood and his clothes nearly torn off of him. He told Doc what had happened and wanted a warrant for Moultrie's arrest. Just as the Dutchman came in Moultrie left, thinking that because he had given himself up that ended the racket. But Doc ruled differently. Ile heard the Dutchman's lamentations and issued a warrant for Moultrie's arrest, deputizing John Thompson and I to serve it and bring Moultrie into court. We served the warrant and produced the prisoner. Doc read the charges and asked Moultrie if he plead guilty and the latter answered in the affirmative. Then Doc fined him $1 and costs, which he paid. All this time the Dutchman stood quietly by. Thompson and I left the court, thinking that it was all over and Doc seated himself at the table to enter the proceedings of the court in his new docket. We had no sooner got outside the door when we heard a terrible racket in the court. We rushed back and there was Moultrie pounding the life out of the Dutchman. He had him by the coat collar and was giving him blow after blow on the back of the head. The Dutchman was not trying to defend himself, but was yelling at the top of his voice. Doc sprang from his seat, over- turning his little old table and upsetting his new docket, ink bottle, plug hat and wig all over the floor, completely demolishing one of the legs of the table. Moultrie was just bending over the Dutchman when old Doc came down upon him with a thump that made him come to mighty quick ; then he grabbed him by the collar and slung him against the wall and then on the floor face down and just churned his face and nose until he was covered with blood. Then he gave him another fling against the wall and the whole house trembled. Turning around he began to gather up books, table, hat and wig. He said to Moultrie, "You d- rebel, I'll teach you to quit your fighting and now I'll fine you Sio for contempt of this court and you stand committed until it is paid." Then he ordered Thompson and I to take charge of the prisoner. I asked Moultrie what he was going to do about it and he swore he would never pay the fine. We had no jail here then and we asked Doc what to do with the prisoner. He said, "You go down to that breaking team and get one of those lead chains and tie him to one of the oak trees at the river and take this padlock along and fasten him good and then let the mosquitoes eat him up." Moultrie, hearing this, washed the blood off of his face, borrowed the money and paid his fine. After this happened Doc had. in addition to his other duties, all of the fighting to do.
A few days after this incident Doc came into the hotel and said. "Boys, come and help me turn some logs I have got just above the mill. I am afraid if 1 tackle them alone they'll get away and roll down the bank of the river." The crowd started at once, for whenever Doc issued an order we knew we had to obey, so after getting our handspikes and cant-hooks we tackled the logs. "Hold
DR. JESSE WASSON Founder of La Porte City, Iowa.
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on," says Doc, "don't go too fast with those things or you'll have them in the creek." So Doc got around with his handspike and fastening it under the log gave orders to the boys to get at the end of the log and roll it up the bank towards the road. And at it we went, making good headway, but when near the top of the bank and just about ready to tumble it into the road, Doc's spike slipped from under the log ; just about the same time his suspenders busted and down fell his trousers about his heels. His predicament was a dangerous one, if the log should get loose, but yet a laughable one. He was a sight to behold there tangled up in the brush, and swearing like a trooper. However, we all grappled with might and main and kept the log from getting away, thus rescuing Doc from his perilous position.
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