USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, and its people, Volume I > Part 77
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The sequel of all this was somebody's nightmare or somebody's ingenius imagination, possibly a newspaper reporter shy of locals had conceived the sensation, a real, live wild man would create. But this much was true that someone faked the part, and the old log house was burned, probably to eover all elnes.
A FIND
Much interest was created when workmen in the employ of the Wapsi- pinicon Mill & Power Company, who were excavating on the east side of the river for the purpose of thoroughly cementing the wall running out from the mill dam, unearthed two huge skulls and several other human bones and a loaded revolver. The ghostly finds were discovered several feet below the surface where they bad lain for many years.
At first many supposed that a murder mystery of the old days had been unearthed. Many were the theories advanced. One of the skulls was in a good state of preservation, while the other had its top missing. To add to the mysterious feature of the finds is the fact that the revolver which is a 32-caliber was loaded to the muzzle, each chamber being fitted with a cartridge, although one of the cartridges was said to have been discharged.
An especially interesting suggestion regarding these skulls was that made by A. Ilathaway, one of the oldest pioneers of the county, who is of the opinion that the bones are those of two Indians, Jack Keestooker and Wamanu- kuka, who lived along the banks of the Wapsipinieon and Cedar rivers in the early days, with many other peaceable red men. These Indians made their living by hunting and fishing along the banks of the two streams and trading with the whites who settled here in the early day and who were interred near the river as far baek as in the late '40s. Jack Keestooker was an Indian of mammoth size and the unusually large arm bone found is sup- posed to be a part of his anatomy. He was not especially good morally according to Mr. Hathaway in that he onee confiscated a two-year-old colt Vol. I -- 40
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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
and a shot gun which the Hathaways loaned him. He took the property and hiked away to the banks of the Father of Waters, but his chief becom- ing acquainted with the conditions under which he obtained possession of the colt and gun compelled him to return them to the original owners. Mr. Hathaway tells that there are many Indians buried hereabouts along the banks of the rivers. He was able to converse with the red men in their own language to a certain extent but there were some of the early settlers who could talk "Indian" almost as well as the red men themselves. The revolver which was covered with mud was in a very good state of preservation. The barrel appears to be of a manufacture which was not in vogue as long as sixty years ago, so that if the human bones are those of the Indians, the revolver has no connection whatever with the Indians.
BLUE SKY IN BUCHANAN
Is it a historical fact and is it worth mentioning that Buchanan County folks and Independence people particularly, have been quite as ready to adopt "get-rich-quick" schemes as are the general run of people, although we are accredited with being a very conservative and cautious class of indi- viduals. All the way back from the present to the time Buchanan was dis- covered, thousands of dollars have been spent for iridescent bubbles.
In the early days it was patent rights, machinery fakes, lotteries, fraud land titles, bogus deeds, counterfeit money, and a hundred other schemes whereby to part the gullible ones from their hard-earned substance, and never a scheme so improbable or frothy but had its followers.
Late years "get-rich-quick" schemes in coffee, oil, water rights, mine, onyx, gas, Brolaski, factories and what not, have tempted and have ensnared many of our most sensible and worthy citizens, and have like a veritable leech sucked thousands of dollars of our substanee into the maelstrom of chance.
PATENTS
In 1904 O. M. Pond invented a patent rocker, converting a baby cab into a rocker, thereby giving it the rocking movement of the old-fashioned cradle. It was easily attached and could be adjusted to fit any baby eab.
PREHISTORIC EVIDENCES
Another positive proof of the mound builders having made Buchanan County their home was revealed when Messrs. W. J. Hovey and F. M. Hedger, former residents of Quasqueton, in one of their numerous exeavations unearthed a human skeleton and a stone hatchet found near the skeleton, from a mound in the south part of the county. The skeleton immediately crumbled to dust upon . being exposed to the air. These two gentlemen had found numerous other evidences of the mound builders but none of so positive a nature. There are mounds within a few miles of Littleton and some in Homer Township, which have never been exeavated. but for the sake of historical atmosphere we shall claim as the sepulehre of deceased mound builders.
APPENDIX
HISTORY OF THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK, OF INDEPENDENCE, IOWA
The National Bank Aet was approved on June 3, 1864, providing for the estab- lishment of national banks and it is a matter of no small pride to the citizens of lowa that National Bank No. 1 was organized in this state, evideneing as it does the spirit of patriotism and loyalty to the Government as well as business sagacity on the part of its citizens and business men.
The citizens of Buchanan County may also take pride in the fact that steps were first taken to organize the First National Bank of Independence. Iowa, in the fall of the year 1864, and the corporate existence of the bank dates from October 27, 1864, less than five months after the passage of the National Bank Act, the number given the bank being 1581; however, the bank did not begin to do business until more than a year thereafter.
On November 23, 1865, at a meeting of the board of directors, it was resolved that the bank open for business on the 27th day of November, following. At the tiule of the opening of the bank the following named gentlemen were di- reetors: Richard Campbell, John II. Campbell, Ephraim Leach, P. C. Wilcox, Perry Munson, Albert Clarke, James JJamison.
Richard Campbell was chosen first president of the bank. whielt position Mr. Campbell held continuously until the time of his death, March 26, 1901.
To Mr. Campbell should be given a very large measure of credit for the splendid success and commanding position which came to the bank during the thirty-six years of his wise, prudent, and faithful management of its affairs.
Ephraim Leach was elected vice president and continued to hold that office until January. 1901, when he voluntarily retired, having disposed of his bank stock. Mr. Leach, however, continued to take a very active interest in the suc- ress of the bank up to the time of his death, which occurred October 19, 1914.
Mr. John II. Campbell served the bank faithfully and efficiently as director and was a member of its most important committees from the organization of the bank until the time of his death, which occurred October 25, 1886.
Mr. Perry Munson was a very enthusiastie spirit in the management of the affairs of the bank from its organization until he was forced to retire because of ill health. Mr. Munson died December 30, 1893.
Mr. James Jamison, as a director and legal advisor, was a powerful influence in the affairs of the bank during the early days of its history.
627
628
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
P. C. Wilcox was elected cashier November 24. 1865. The banking institu- tion owned by P. C. Wilcox, together with the good-will thereof, was purchased For a small sum of money and Mr. P. C. Wilcox bound himself not to enter the banking business again in Independence within two years.
The bank opened for business November 29, 1865, in the little frame build- ing owned by P. C. Wilcox on the south side of Main Street on the ground near where W. C. Littlejohn's shoe store is now located, and where it continued to do business for something more than a year, when the bank was then moved to the north side of Main Street in a two-story frame -building purchased of Perry Munson, on the ground now oeenpied by M. Assmus & Son.
Steps were soon taken looking towards the erection of a permanent banking home and about the year 1872 the bank moved into its present home, having built a substantial and commodious block in conjunction with Mr. E. W. Purdy. at a cost of about twenty thousand dollars. Great care was taken to make this building substantial in every way : the massive vault erected of stone slabs with a chrome steel door and the building in general, is a monument to the enterprise and judgment of those who had the work in charge; R. Campbell. E. Leach and Perry Munson, being the building committee.
The following is a copy of the first report of the bank made Jamary 10, 1866 :
Capital stock. present par value
$ 48.645.00
Due to banks
13.210.13
Due to depositors
29,554.93
Notes in circulation
20,000.00
Expenses, etc.
810.93
Profits and loss
1.128.29
$113.344.28
Assets
United States bouds, present vahle
$ 48.525.00
Interest account on goid bearing bonds
681.36
Due from banks
31.729.90
Due from depositors
310.05
Bills receivable
14,289.91
Personal property (bank furniture )
1.121.64
P. C. Wilcox, cash in transit
2,000.00
C'ash on hand
14.285.97
Revenue stamps
145.99
Interest on 6 per cent notes
134.09
Interest on coupons
120.37
$113.344.28
On April 23, 1866. Mr. Ephraim beach tendered his resignation as teller of the bank and was paid $300 for his service up to date. He was given a vote of thanks for his industry while in office. At this meeting Mr. 11. P. Browne was appointed teller of the bank. The name of Carlos Wilcox also appears in the minutes of this meeting in which he is mentioned as clerk in the bank.
629
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
The report of the bank at this time indicates that the bank had been doing very well indeed, as its assets had increased $45,000 and on June 25 of the same year the first dividend of 6 per cent was declared on the capital stock of $50,000.
Mr. C. D. Jones entered the employment of the bank as clerk April 16, 1866, and was subsequently promoted to the position of bookkeeper and teller, leaving the bank December 31, 1869, to enter business for himself. March 10, 1903, Mr. Jones was elected a director of the bank and continues to hold that relation- ship at the present time.
In January, 1867, Mr. P. C. Wilcox tendered his resignation as cashier, and lloratio P. Browne succeeded to that office, which position was held by Mr. Browne until his voluntary resignation, July 1, 1882.
Mr. Browne was a very popular officer and highly regarded by the manage- ment of the bank. He afterwards became associated with a bank in Minneapolis, where he passed away some years ago.
In April, 1868, occurred the death of P. C. Wilcox and of Albert Clarke, both splendid, manly men and very highly regarded.
In January. 1869, Mr. 11. A. King and Mr. Z. Stout were elected directors to succeed those removed by death. Mr. H. A. King continued to serve in the capacity of director until January 13, 1880, when he resigned as director and removed to Florida, where he afterwards died.
Mr. Z. Stout continued as director for two years until January, 1871, at which time he voluntarily retired from the directorate of the bank. However, in April, 1901, Mr. Stout again accepted the office of director, which position he continued to hold until the time of his death, February 24, 1910. having served the bank well and acceptably as president from April 2, 1901, to June 1. 1903, and relinquishing the office of president on his own motion and much to the regret of his associates in the bank as well as our citizens generally.
The capital stock of the bank at the time of its organization was $50,000, and on September 29, 1870, resolutions were adopted increasing the capital stoek to $100,000, and on October 8, 1870. a stock dividend of 40 per cent was deelared.
In January, 1871, Mr. Jed Lake was elected director of the bank and Janu- ary 18, 1909, was elected vice president, in which capacity he served the bank with fidelity and ability until his death, June 7, 1914.
Mr. George B. Warne entered the employment of the bank some time in the year 1869, and was elected teller in 1873; this being about the time when Mr. Thomas J. Marinus served the bank in the capacity of bookkeeper faithfully and acceptably for a member of years.
Mr. George B. Warne, having been elected county auditor in January, 1878, resigned, returning to the service of the bank in 1882, when he was elected cashier. Mr. Warne by his engaging personality and sterling worth proved to be a very valuable officer, resigning his position as cashier in 1888 to enter a bank in Chicago.
In January, 1878, Mr. George L. Eddy was elected teller, which position he continued to occupy until 1882, when he resigned to move to Chicago.
Mr. W. G. Donnan was elected director June 27, 1878, taking the place of James Jamison. Mr. Donnan continued to serve as director, occupying impor- tant positions on various committees until he was elected president. May 29. 1903, in which capacity he showed devotion to the interests of the bank and
630
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
signal ability in the discharge of heavy responsibilities resting upon him, and continued as president until the time of his death, December 5, 1908.
Mr. Carman N. Smith, who afterwards studied law and moved to Minneapolis. was the bookkeeper in the bank in the '70s, as was also Mr. Will Baker, who left the bank to enter business in Chicago.
In the year 1878 Mr. W. W. Donnan entered the employment of the bank and was subsequently promoted to bookkeeper, teller and cashier, serving the bank well and faithfully for more than twenty odd years, up to the time of his sickness, which compelled him to retire from active work in the spring of 1901.
On retiring from the active duties as cashier, Mr. Donnan was elected as one of the directors of the bank. which position he continued to hold until Jannary 10, 1906, when he was compelled to relinquish the duties of the office because. of the progress of the malady which had laid hold upon him and which terminated fatally November 21, 1906.
The rare loyalty and faithfulness with which Mr. Donnan served this bank, as well as the many customers with whom he came in contact, is a monument which any man might well be proud to leave and a heritage which is very pre- cious to his many friends and admirers.
In January. 1880, Mr. L. V. Tabor was elected director and in 1901 was elected a vice president, and continued to serve the bank faithfully and well until his removal to California on account of his declining health. Mr. Tabor departed this life October 21, 1909.
About 1880 Mr. R. M. Campbell, ellest son of Richard Campbell. entered the employ of the bank, continuing his services until a distressing affliction which nearly destroyed his eyesight, made it impossible for him to fill the official positions to which he would have naturally and easily succeeded. Mr. Campbell is at this time diretor and vice president.
October 27. 1884, the charter of the bank was renewed for twenty years. expiring October 27. 1904, at which time it was again extended for a period of twenty years.
Mr. Edwin Cobb was elected a director January 12, 1886, and by his careful. conservative judgment served acceptably until the time of his death, hine 3, 1914.
Mr. H. E. Palmer, a snecessful and practical business man, was elected di- rector January, 1901, and by his untimely death, May 11, 1902, the bank was deprived of his valuable services.
In June. 1902. the bank purchased a large, modern, manganese steel safe. the first safe of the kind to be put in use in this part of the state, and also, in the same summer, put in new furniture and fixtures.
Mr. Frank B. Cobb, now deceased, was for a time an employee of the bank : also Mr. Archer E. Clarke was for several years with the bank, later moving to California, where he died.
In recent years Mr. Henry L. Toman, now a prominent business man of Cherokee, lowa, served the bank in the capacity of bookkeeper. Later Dr. Vernon W. Peck, now a prominent osteopathie doctor in Pittsburg. Pennsyl. vania, held that position, followed by Lyman N. Bissell as bookkeeper, who served longer in that capacity than anyone else in the history of the bank, until called from the work he so faithfully and capably performed by the dread
631
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
messenger, May 10, 1910. Mr. Bissell was also an assistant teller for several years.
Mr. John N. Smith, now cashier of the Iowa State Bank of Hazleton, was with the bank for several years as bookkeeper, as was also Mr. George II. Jones, who severed his connection with the bank to associate himself with his father in business.
Mr. O. S. Rosenberger, now a well-to-do stockman living near Des Moines, spent a number of years of loyal service for the bank in the capacity of book- kreper, retiring in 1906, and more recently Mr. Dale Thompson, now cashier of the Farmers Savings Bank of Robinson, Iowa, was employed as bookkeeper.
Mr. William E. Craney and Mr. John O'Toole both served the bank faith- fully and well for several years, as did Mrs. Blossom Bissell Tschirgi, now of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
Mr. Irving C. Tabor, one of the large stockholders of the bank, spent several years behind the counters of the bank and is now a successful business man of Corpus Christi, Texas.
Mr. W. G. Stevenson, now cashier of the bank, has been a member of the force since January, 1902, at which time he was elected assistant cashier.
M. A. Smith was elected director January 9, 1906; M. W. Harmon was elected director January 8, 1907. and vice president Inne 12, 1914: R. B. Raines was elected director and president January 12, 1909 : R. G. Swan was elected director March 23, 1910: A. II. Wallace was elected director June 12, 1914: W. E. Bain was elected director JJune 12, 1914.
The following is a list of the officers and employees of the bank: R. B. Raines, president : R. M. Campbell, vice president ; M. W. Harmon, vice presi- dent : W. G. Stevenson, cashier: J. M. Gemmel, assistant cashier: Arthur C. Burnell, Egbert E Cole. Alma R. Miller, bookkeepers: Bernadine Bissell Web- ster, draft clerk ; Edna M. Bantz, stenographer; Cecil C. Crew, collection clerk.
Below is a comparative statement of the business of the bank in periods of about ten years, compiled from the published statements to the comptroller of the currency.
1877
Capital, surplus, and undivided profits $159,698.05
Total deposits 114,716.20
Total footings $319.414.25
Statement of the Bank. March 4. 1887
Capital, surplus, and undivided profits $172,520.21
Total deposits 210,925.41
Total footings
$405.945.62
632
HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY
March 9, 1897
('apital, surplus, and undivided profits $187,955.91 Total deposits 343.052.65
Total footings $531,008.56
February 5, 1901
('apital, surplus, and undivided profits $167.946.32
Total deposits 524,919.68
Total footings $717,863.50
February 4, 1908
Capital, surplus, and undivided profits f.
214,484.89
Total deposits 794,749.69
Total footings $1.060,234.58
March 4, 1914
Capital, surplus, and undivided profits. y.
271.434.20
Total deposits 1,337.967.23
Total footings $1.707.698.93
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