USA > Iowa > Boone County > History of Boone County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 14
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The following week enough evidence came to the surface to re- quire prompt action on the part of the club. The stranger stopping at Amos Wilson's proved to be his brother. One morning Wilson's children boasted to Brown's children that their uncle would start home that afternoon, that he would go by way of the land office in Fort Des Moines and enter Brown's claim in his own name. He would hold it until all the trouble should pass by, he would then deed it to their father, and the Browns would be compelled to move off. The Brown children lost no time in giving this statement to their mother. Mr. Brown was seriously ill at the time and this dreadful news was kept from him. Mrs. Brown sought the president of the club and with sobs and tears told him her sad story, for to her it was a
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sad story. The president sent messages around and brought together such members of the club as were truly reliable and whose services could be depended upon in case of emergency. By 2 o'clock in the afternoon the club was called to order by the president, and the facts of the situation vividly stated by him. "What I have called you together for," said he, "is to devise the best way under the circum- stances to save our sick brother's claim, which he and his family by hard labor have improved and designed for a home, and which by right they should have and own themselves. What will you do?" Several plans were briefly proposed, one of which was that a com- mittee of three should immediately follow Wilson, overtake him and bring him back, and that both of the Wilsons should then be taken to the nearest tree and be hung. The president ruled this out as being an act beyond the legal rights of the club. "What we want to do first," said he, "is to secure a title to Brother Brown's claim, and after that we can decide what punishment to inflict upon the traitor who has violated his pledge."
Among the members present was a young man of twenty-eight years named Thomas Parsons, who had served five years among the dragoons under Col. Nathan Boone, and who was held in high esteem by the entire membership of the club. Parsons was now called upon to give his opinion as to the best plan of procedure. As he arose to speak every eye was fixed upon him and the best attention was given to every word he uttered. "If," said he, "this young man, David Wilson, did not start until I o'clock this afternoon, it is plain to my mind that he does not intend to go further than the Twenty Mile House today, where he will lodge tonight. It is certain, then, that the claim will not be entered today, for young Wilson will take break- fast tomorrow morning twenty miles this side of the land office. There are, then, just two things for us to do, and which we must do in order to head off this treacherous and infamous work against our brother. The first is to get money enough to enter Brother Brown's claim. If that can be done the other will be an easy matter. I understand that our brother has $100, and it will take $100 more to pay for that claim, which of course we will have to make up ourselves. We must be prompt in what we do, for there is no time to be lost. I can let him have $50 for a while," and as Parsons said this he stepped forward and laid $50 on the secretary's desk. No sooner had he done this than two more members stepped forward, each laid $25 on the desk and the money was made up.
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"Now, Mr. Parsons," said the president, "you have accomplished the most difficult of the two things you said must be done. Now tell us what the other is."
"Mr. President, it is now past 2 o'clock. The land office will close this evening at 5, and will not open until 9 tomorrow morning. It is sixty miles from here to the land office, and some member of this club must travel that distance this evening and tonight, be at the land office when it opens tomorrow morning, and enter that claim in the name of Owen Brown at all hazards. I move that the president appoint a member of this club who shall start forthwith and who shall spare no effort to perform the duties outlined." The motion carried unanimously. After a moment's reflection the presdent said, "that in my opinion the originator of the plan is the most com- petent man to carry it into execution, and for that reason I appoint Thomas Parsons as the man above all others to discharge those duties."
Parsons sat down at the desk and hastily wrote a few lines, to which he signed the name of Amos Wilson, put them in an envelope and addressed it to David Wilson. No one knew what he intended to do with this letter, but the purpose he designed it to serve will appear further on. Rising from the desk Parsons addressed the presi- dent. and said : "When I was in the service I performed all the duties assigned to me without a murmur, and I shall do so in the present emergency. I shall do my best to make my errand a successful one. It is now 3 o'clock, and I shall start at half past 3. Send a man for Brown's hundred dollars and have everything ready by that time."
Parsons went from the club to his boarding place, put on a regular suit worn by the dragoons in service, mounted his horse, which was the best the country could afford, and returned to the headquarters of the club, where everything was in readiness for him to start. Here he announced that he would be back next evening at 6 o'clock, and for all members to meet him at Mr. Brown's residence at that hour. Then with a wave of his hand he galloped across the prairie in the direction of the road leading south. As he rode away he looked every inch a hero, and never did a man go to the discharge of a duty who had more fully the confidence of those who assigned to him that duty. Indeed, they had a right to so regard him, for never was there a braver or truer man than Tom Parsons placed on duty any- where. The president of the club was. so elated that he sent word to Mrs. Brown that her home would be safe by sundown the next even- ing, or he would pay the price of uttering a falsehood.
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Looking back over the years that have intervened since that time, with their many changes, it is next to impossible for our people to grasp the true situation or the vital importance to this pioneer family of the mission which Tom Parsons had undertaken. No one could feel the full burden of his mission as did Tom Parsons himself and no one could more earnestly desire to succeed in the undertaking, so all his energies were employed for that purpose.
When Parsons reached the road or trail leading south, he gave his horse a touch of the spur and a quick pull on the bit which told the well-trained animal that hard riding was the next thing in order, and instantly his courage was aroused for the task. It was now a sixty-mile race for a valuable home of 160 acres of valuable lowa land, with the difference that one of the competitors had two and a half hours' start of the other. Parsons had figured on riding forty miles from 3.30 to 7.30 P. M. On that warm, sultry afternoon, in the month of June, taking into consideration the kind of roads traveled over in those days, this was making good speed. He expected to reach the Twenty Mile House by sundown, and he also expected to overtake David Wilson before he reached there, notwithstanding the fact that Wilson had two hours and a half the start of him. The fact proved that Parsons had figured well, for about three miles north of the famous hostelry he came up with his man. The enemy was now located. Greek was arrayed aganst Greek and the tug-of-war was on. Parsons and Wilson had never met before, and were there- fore strangers to each other. The dragoon's suit that Parsons wore was designed to keep down all suspicion as to the object of his trip or the business he intended to transact. When Wilson heard the sound of the horse's feet coming up behind him, he turned to the roadside, reined up his horse and looked back in blank astonishment. Parsons allayed Wilson's surprise by a wave of his hand, a nod of his head and a friendly smile.
"A United States soldier, and where from?" exclaimed Wilson.
"Yes, sir, from Fort Dodge, taking a message to Fort Des Moines."
"Ah, indeed ; are you going into Fort Des Moines tonight?"
"No, sir; I will stop over night at the Twenty Mile House a few miles ahead from here."
"Good," said Wilson. "It is my intention to lodge there for the night, and I will be glad to have such distinguished company."
"Thank you," said Parsons; "I am also glad to be blessed with good company on this lonely route. Where did you come from and to where are you bound?"
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"I have been on a visit to the Boone Forks Settlement, and am now on my way to my home in Illinois."
"Indeed, sir, I am glad to learn that you are acquainted with the people in the Boone Forks Settlement, for I often stop with them for refreshments. At 2 this afternoon I took dinner with Amos Wilson of that settlement, whose kindness I will never forget."
"My dear sir, I am happy to tell you that Amos Wilson is my brother, and to visit him was my reason for going there."
"Oh, yes, I remember now," said Parsons, "that he spoke of a brother who left there today, and that reminds me of a little errand he requested me to do in case I should see you in Fort Des Moines."
Parsons then took from his pocket the letter referred to in another part of this story, and handed it to Wilson, who opened and read it eagerly. "Thank you," said he, "that corrects a fatal error in some business directions from my brother. Many thanks, sir."
That letter read as follows:
"MY DEAR BROTHER:
"In giving you the numbers of the land you are to enter at the land office, I made a mistake and gave you Range 26 instead of Range 25, the correct one. Please give this your careful attention.
"From your brother, "AMOS WILSON."
Parsons could now rest assured that in case so strange a thing should happen that Wilson should beat him to the land office, he would follow the directions of this letter, and in that event he would enter a tract of land six miles east of Brown's claim and which ten years from that date would be worth little more than the $1.25 per acre paid for it. Parsons intended not only to outwit and outgeneral the Wilsons in their attempt to steal Brown's claim, but wished to further mortify them by making them the victims of a clever trick at the same time.
When they arrived at the Twenty Mile House, they were both cordially welcomed by Josiah Hopkins, the clever and genial land- lord, and both were treated to the best the house afforded. After supper was over, Wilson complained of being weary and sleepy, and at 8 o'clock retired, all unconscious of who Parsons was or what was his mission. Parsons knew that the landlord was a pioneer of the true type, that he was a member of a claims club himself and that, should he confide any of the secrets of his mission to him, they would be faithfully kept. So he and Landlord Hopkins were soon engaged in a confidential conversation, the result of which was that Parsons
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left that evening at 10 o'clock for Fort Des Moines. The next morn- ing Wilson was entertained in such an interesting manner that he did not get away from the Twenty Mile House until 9 o'clock.
When the land office opened in the morning Parsons was the first to put in an appearance at the business window, and in a short time he had a certificate of purchase for the much coveted claim in the name of Owen Brown. The race was now ended, the victory was won and right had triumphed over wrong. At 10 A. M. Parsons started on his return trip. Five miles out he met Wilson wending his way for the land office, in blissful ignorance that Parsons had in his pocket a certificate of purchase for the claim he intended to enter, and also in ignorance that he had been silently beaten in an attempt to commit a piece of rascality for which he and his brother came very near being introduced to the business end of a hempen rope.
After the usual travelers' greetings had passed between them, they separated, never to meet again. At noon Parsons took dinner at the Twenty Mile House, where he and Landlord Hopkins enjoyed a good laugh over the successful termination of the matter.
At half past 5 that evening every member of the Claims Club in the Boone Forks Settlement had assembled in Owen Brown's front yard anxiously awaiting the arrival of their messenger. Just about 6 Parsons rode up in front of the house, both horse and rider looking fresh and gay. He dismounted, tied his horse and, as he passed in at the gate, took from his bill-book the certificate of purchase, and as he handed it to the president, said: "There, Mr. President, is the document after which you sent me." The president rose to his feet and read the certificate aloud. Parsons was then greeted with a hearty shake of the hand by the president, followed by each member of the club. He was then called into the house and to the bedside of Mr. Brown, who embraced him with tears in his eyes, while Mrs. Brown shed tears of joy, in which she was joined by the three little Browns, who stood around her.
The same evening the club expelled Amos Wilson, after which he became so unpopular that he had to leave the settlement, to which he never returned. Parsons came to the conclusion that holding down claims was too monotonous for his impetuous nature, so he joined the regulars and went farther west to assist Uncle Sam in chasing the red man.
CHAPTER XII SPIRIT LAKE MASSACRE
By George IV. Crooks
The Spirit Lake Massacre took place in the early part of the year 1857. It was a very atrocious affair and the early settlers became much concerned about their safety, especially those living as far south as the City of Des Moines.
In April following it was reported from what seemed to be a reliable source that a large body of Indians were moving from the north in two divisions, one following the Des Moines and the other the Boone River, and were murdering settlers as they advanced and laying waste their improvements. When the news reached Boones- boro the people became aroused and the question was "What shall we do?" Some were in favor of deserting their homes, which they did, while a large majority were in favor of defending their homes at all hazard. The people had but a short time to decide what they should do, the news having reached Boonesboro late in the evening by a person who claimed to know the facts and said that his purpose was to notify the settlers of their dangerous situation. On the follow- ing morning it was decided to raise and equip a military company at once to march north for the purpose of relieving the settlers and assist in checking the advance of the Indians. By I o'clock of that day about one hundred and fifty men had enlisted and were armed and equipped with all kinds of firearms, from the best rifles then used to a very inferior quality of shotguns. After selecting S. B. McCall captain and the other necessary officers, the names of whom the writer of this scrap of history, although a member of the com- pany, has forgotten, except that of C. W. Williams, who was one of the lieutenants, the company selected Hon. C. J. McFarland, J. M. Thrift and Joseph Hardin as a strategy board, particularly relying upon J. M. Thrift and Joseph Hardin, they having had much expe- rience as frontiersmen and understood the disposition of Indians. The company was christened "Boonesboro Tigers." About 2 o'clock
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the company started north on the Des Moines and Fort Dodge high- way. They had not marched more than three or four miles until they were met by many settlers and their families, fleeing south from the Indians. Soon after we began to meet the settlers, Joseph Hardin, one of the strategy board, met some persons with whom he was well ac- quainted, who informed him that there were no less than five hundred Indians, and that they were devastating the country, killing, robbing and doing other depredations usually carried on by unfriendly Indians. It seemed to alarm him very much, and he rode up beside the company, relating what he had heard, the tears coursing down his cheeks. He stated that it was useless for us to engage in battle with the Indians in such force and suggested the idea of returning to Boonesboro, inquiring of the company what they thought of the suggestion. The answer came quick and decided : "Retreat, never. We have started to relieve the settlers north and we are going, and we are going until we meet the Indians. It may be that we will all be scalped, but it will not be until we have offered every resistance in our power!" And the cry rang out from the entire line: "For- ward, march!" It was no trouble to see by the twinkle of their eyes that they meant just what they said, and it was demonstrated later on that such was the case, for quite a number of that company became soldiers in the War of the Rebellion and acquitted themselves with marked distinction.
It soon became impossible for the soldiers to march in the high- way, it being entirely taken up with fleeing settlers. When we would meet a wagon in which there were two men, unless they were quite old, one of the two was pressed into the service, and when he was a married man it was much sport for the boys to witness the parting farewell.
The company reached Hook's Point, where it camped for the night. We were on the march early next morning and were nearing the Boone River, when a man rode up and inquired which way we were going, whether up the Boone or the Des Moines River. Being informed that he must see the captain in regard to the matter, that we knew nothing as to where we would probably be taken, he seemed very much excited, saying in language that demonstrated his feel- ings: "For God's sake, go up the Boone River; the Indians are killing all the people in and about Webster City." He said he saw their campfires and heard the firing of the guns during the night. The horse he was riding was the most exhausted animal that the writer has ever seen, being hardly able to remain standing. He saw
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the captain and it was agreed that the company would go on to the Town of Homer and that likely they would meet the stage there from Fort Dodge and learn the situation in and about Fort Dodge and then determine as to whether or not we would go on to Fort Dodge or go up the Boone River.
When the company reached the Town of Homer, the stage from Fort Dodge was at the hotel and the driver informed the captain that the Indians were from fifteen to twenty miles north of Fort Dodge and doing great depredation. But the people of Fort Dodge were prepared to defend the city, so it was decided by the officers that they would go up the Boone River, in view of the report re- ceived in the morning near Hook's Point. The captain sent forward eight or ten scouts on horseback, among whom I remember was J. M. Thrift, Joseph Hardin and some other experienced backwoods- men, with explicit instructions that if they discovered the Indians, to ascertain as near as possible the number and their location, and after so doing to return and report the number and location as near as it could be ascertained. The infantry had been marching for quite a while, and had become footsore and fatigued. In many cases it had sought an opportunity to ride. When about halfway from Homer to Webster City we saw three of the scouts coming back at full speed, and it was then thought they had discovered Indians. The captain ordered the company to make ready for action, and it was surprising to see how quickly every man was in line, with his gun in hand, and with that eager expression of countenance that showed the captain that they were ready to defend the homes of their wives, children, fathers and mothers at all hazard. But when the scouts arrived, the only report was "we were on the wrong road to reach Webster City."
When we neared the city we found a large number of people camped in a grove a short distance north and west of the town, who had left their homes for miles and miles north of the town and assembled in the grove, awaiting further developments at to whether or not it would be necessary for them to move farther south. No military company was ever received with a more hearty welcome than the Boonesboro boys were received by the refugees and the people of Webster City. It seemed impossible for them to do too much for us. They threw open their dwellings, stores, churches and schoolhouses to give us shelter from the inclement weather and fur- nished us with provisions more than was necessary for our con- sumption. They went so far as to detail two ministers of the gospel,
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each with a tin pailful of brandy and a tin dipper, to pass along the two files of soldiers and give each who desired it a drink of brandy. It seemed as if all the rules of society were suspended, everybody present becoming as one family and interested in each other's wel- fare as such. The women especially seemed to appreciate the fact that we had been mindful of their dangerous situation and had come to their relief. I am unable to command language to express their gratitude toward us. The captain was informed that the people of the city had taken the precaution to send ten or twelve scouts up the Boone River with fleet horses to discover whether the reports of the advance of the Indians were well founded or not, and go a sufficient distance to determine the truth or the falsity of the report and that it would be well for the company to remain in the city until a report was received from the scouts, which we did. Just about nightfall five or six of the scouts returned and reported that they had gone ninety or a hundred miles north and were unable to dis- cover any Indians. Upon the report of the scouts being made known, the joy of the people of the town seemed to break out anew and lasted almost through the night. Gatherings were had and speeches made by many of the citizens and soldiers. Early in the morning, in order to show our appreciation of the kindness the company had received at the hands of the citizens of the town, we marched through the principal streets and saluted the people. We then returned home and disbanded without the loss of a single soldier, and we felt thankful that we had been true to our country and our neighbors. Soon after our return a meeting was held by the old veterans for the purpose of the formation of a military company and the following proceed- ings were had :
"Boonesboro, Boone County, lowa, May 2, 1857.
"Citizens met in courthouse pursuant to call for the purpose of organizing a military company for the protection in the impending war. W. D. Parker was chosen chairman; C. J. Couch, secretary. Remarks were made by V. B. Crooks, C. Beal, S. B. McCall, Judge Montgomery and C. J. Couch.
"Motion was carried that we organize ourselves into a military company to be styled The Boonesboro Frontier Guards. Roll was prepared and a large number of names were immediately placed thereon. The following officers were reelected: Captain, S. B. McCall; first lieutenant, G. B. Redmon; second lieutenant, J. H. Upton ; third lieutenant, W. D. Parker ; first sergeant, W. L. DeFore; second sergeant, Solomon McCall; third sergeant, Charles Goetzman;
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first corporal, William Smith; second corporal, Richard Hiatt; third corporal, R. Upton; fourth corporal, George Vontrees. The follow- ing committees were chosen: On uniform, Cornelius Beal, G. B. Redmon, J. H. Upton, S. B. McCall; on music, S. B. McCall, Charles Goetzman, E. Bowman, Thomas Parr, W. L. DeFore; on by-laws, V. B. Crooks, J. H. Upton, C. Williams, Charles Goetzman, G. B. Redmon.
"A collection was taken for procuring musical instruments. A motion was carried that the expenses of the company's Indian expe- dition be brought in and paid for by the company. The committee on uniform made the following report: Jackets of blue cloth with single row of military buttons; military collar trimmed with red; noncommissioned officers with chevrons on arm in red; pants of blue satinet with red stripes on the legs; cap of blue cloth made in some approved military style, trimmed with red. The commis- sioned officers to wear the regular uniform of the United States army. Motion was carried that each member immediately advance $to for the purchase of material. The regular meeting of the com- pany was fixed on Saturday of each week. Adjourned.
"W. D. PARKER, Chairman. "C. J. COUCH, Secretary."
The meetings of the company were kept up regularly for some time and occasionally until about the time the War of the Rebellion broke out. The formation of the company above referred to was the inception of the formation of the company in the spring of 1861 by Capt. S. B. McCall, that served in the War of the Rebellion with such great distinction, and as I now remember, constituted Company E, Third Iowa Volunteers. Many of the boys who enlisted in the company at the time of the emergency call in Boonesboro were mem- bers of different companies in the War of the Rebellion and demon- strated beyond question or doubt their ability to serve their country.
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