History of Cass County, Iowa; together with sketches of its towns, villages, and townships; educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of old settlers and representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races, and a brief review of its civil, political, and military history, Part 16

Author: Continental Historical Company, Springfield, Ill
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 918

USA > Iowa > Cass County > History of Cass County, Iowa; together with sketches of its towns, villages, and townships; educational, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of old settlers and representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races, and a brief review of its civil, political, and military history > Part 16

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The Hospital opened May 1,1873. Whole number of patients admitted, 2,000; pres- . ent number (1882), 533; males, 290; fe- males, 243. Biennial appropriation (1880), $35,300.

The present officers are: G. H. Hill, Superintendent; term expires in 1882; salary, $1,600. H. G. Brainard, M. D.,

Assistant Superintendent; salary, $1,000. Noyes Appleman, Steward; salary, $900. Mrs. Lucy M. Gray, Matron; salary, $600.

. SOLDIERS' ORPHANS' HOME.

This institution is located at Davenport, Scott county, and was originated by Mrs. Annie Wittenmeyer, during the late rebel- lion. This noble woman called a conven- tion at Muscatine, September 7, 1863, for the purpose of devising means for the education and support of the orphan chil- dren of Iowa, whose fathers lost their lives in defending their country's honor. The public interest in the movement was so great that all parts of the State were largely represented, and an association was organized, called the Iowa State Orphan Asylum. The first meeting of the trus- tees was held February 14, 1864, at Des Moines, when Gov. Kirkwood suggested that a home for disabled soldiers should be connected with the Asylum, and arrange- ments were made for raising funds. At the next meeting, in Davenport, the fol- lowing month, a committee was appointed, of which Mr. Howell, of Keokuk, was chairman, to lease a suitable building, solicit donations, and procure suitable furniture. This committee secured a large brick building in Lawrence, Van Buren county, and engaged Mr. Fuller, of Mount Pleasant, as Steward. The work of prepa- ration was conducted so vigorously that July 13, following, the executive commit- tee announced that they were ready to receive children. Within three weeks 21 were admitted, and in a little more than six months the soldiers' orphans admitted numbered 70.

HISTORY OF IOWA.

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Miss M. Elliott, of Washington, was appointed the first Matron, but she resigned the following February, and was succeeded by Mrs. E. G. Platt, of Fremont county.

The Home was sustained by voluntary contributions, until 1866, when it was taken charge of by the State. The Leg- islature appropriated $10 per month for each orphan actually supported, and pro- vided for the establishment of three homes. The one in Cedar Falls was organ- ized in 1865; an old hotel building was fitted up for it, and by the following Jan- uary there were 96 inmates. In October, 1869, the Home was removed to a large brick building about two miles west of Cedar Falls; and was very prosperous for several years; but in 1876 the Legislature devoted this building to the State Normal School. The same year the Legislature also devoted the buildings and grounds of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home, at Glenwood, Mills county, to an Institution for the Sup- port of Feeble-Minded Children. It also provided for the removal of the soldiers' orphans at Glenwood and Cedar Falls Homes to the institution located at Daven- port.

The present officers are: S. W. Pierce, Superintendent; Mrs. F.W. Pierce, Matron. Whole number admitted, 1,525; present number, males, 79; females, 90. The 18th Grand Army Corps appropriated $2,000 to build eight cottages, school house and other buildings; these have been completed, and the home will, when finished, accommo- date 200 children. Superintendent's sal- ary, $1,200 per annum. Trustees are elected for two years.

ASYLUM FOR FEEBLE-MINDED CHILDREN.

An act of the General Assembly, ap- proved March 17, 1878, provided for the establishment of an asylum for feeble- minded children at Glenwood, .Mills county; and the buildings and grounds of the Soldiers' Orphans' Home at that place were taken for this purpose. The asylum was placed under the management of three trustees, one of whom should be a resident of Mills County.

The grounds to be used were found to be in a very dilapidated condition, and thorough changes were deemed necessary. The institution was opened September 1, 1876, and the first pupil admitted Septem- ber 4. By November, 1877, the number of pupils had increased to 87. The whole number admitted has been 257. Present inmates number 200.

PENAL INSTITUTIONS.

The first penal institution was estab- lished by an act of the Territorial Legisla- ture, approved January 25, 1839. This act authorized the Governor to draw the sum of $20,000, appropriated by an act of Congress in 1838, for public buildings in the Territory of Iowa. It provided for a Board of Directors, consisting of three persons, to be elected by the Legislature, who should superintend the building of a penitentiary to be located within a mile of the public square, in the town of Fort Madison, county of Lee, provided that the latter deeded a suitable tract of land for the purpose, also a spring or stream of water for the use of the penitentiary.

The first directors were John S. David and John Claypole. They were given the power of appointing the warden, the latter

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to appoint his own assistants. The citizens of Fort Madison executed a deed of 10 acres of land for the building, and Amos Ladd was appointed superintendent June 5, 1839. The work was soon entered upon, and the main building and warden's house were completed in the fall of 1841. It continued to meet with additions and im. provements until the arrangements were all completed according to the design of the directors. The estimated cost of the building was $55,933.90, and was designed of sufficient capacity to accommodate 138 convicts.

Iowa has adopted the enlightened policy of humane treatment of prisoners, and utilizes their labor for their own support. Their labor is let out to contractors, who pay the State a stipulated sum therefor, the latter furnishing shops, tools, ma- chinery, etc., and the supervision of the convicts.

The present officers of the prison are: E. C. McMillen, Warden, elected 1878 and 1880; Hiel Hale, Deputy Warden; W. C. Gunn, Chaplain; A. W. Hoffmeister, Physician; M. T. Butterfield, Clerk.

The whole number of convicts admitted up to the present time (1882) is 3,387. Number of males in 1881, 350; females, 3; number of guards, 53. The Warden is chosen biennially by the Legislature, and receives a salary of $2,000 per annum.

ANAMOSA PENITENTIARY.

In 1872 the first steps toward the erec- tion of a prison at Anamosa, Jones county, were taken, and by an act of the General Assembly, approved April 23, this year, William Ure, Foster L. Downing and Mar- tin Heisey were appointed commissioners

to construct and control prison buildings, They met on the 4th of June, following, and selected a site donated by the citizens of Anamosa. The plan, drawings and specifications were furnished by L. W. Foster & Co., of DesMoines, and work on the building was commenced September 28, 1872. In 1873, 20 convicts were trans- ferred from the Fort Madison prison to Anamosa.

The officers of the Anamosa prison are: A. E. Martin, Warden; L. B. Peet, Deputy Warden; Mrs. A. C. Merrill, Chaplain; L. J. Adair, Physician; T. P. Parsons, Clerk. The whole number admitted since it was opened is 816. Number of males in 1882, 133; females, 2. Salaries of officers the same as those of the Fort Madison peni- tentiary.

BOYS' REFORM SCHOOL.

By act approved March 31, 1868, the General Assembly established a reform school at Salem, Henry county, and pro- vided for a Board of Trustees, to consist of one person from each Congressional District. The trustees immediately leased the property of the Iowa Manual Labor Institute, and October 7 following, the school received its first inmate. The law at first provided for the admission of children of both sexes under 18 years of age. The trustees were directed to organ- ize a separate school for girls.

In 1872 the school was permanently located at Eldora, Hardin county, and $45,000 were appropriated for the neces- sary buildings.

In 1876 the law was so amended that only children over 7 and under 16 years of age were admitted.

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HISTORY OF IOWA.

The children are taught the elements of education, in particular the useful branches, and are also trained in some regular course of labor, as is best suited to their age, dis- position and capacity. They are kept until they arrive at majority, unless bound out to some responsible party, which relieves the State of their care. Occasion- ally they are discharged before the age of 21, for good conduct.

The institution is managed by five trus- tees, elected by the Legislature. Whole number of boys admitted, 818. There are 204 inmates at present, and also 63 in the girls' department, at Michellville. The biennial appropriation for 1880 was $16,900.

STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

By act of the General Assembly ap- proved January 28, 1857, a State Historical Society was provided for in connection with the University. At the commence- ment, an appropriation of $250 was made, to be expended in collecting and preserv- ing a library of books, pamphlets, papers, paintings and other materials illustrative of the history of Iowa. There was appro- priated the sum of $500 per annum to maintain this Society. The management consists of a board of 18 curators, nine appointed by the Governor and nine elected by vote of the Society.

The State Historical Society has pub- lished a series of very valuable collections, including history, biography, sketches, reminiscences, eto., with quite a large number of finely engraved portraits of prominent and early settlers, under the title of "Annals of Iowa."

STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

This Society is conducted under the auspices of the State, and is one of the greatest promoters of the welfare of the people under the management of the State government. It should receive more pe- cuniary assistance than it does. The Society holds an annual fair, which has occurred at Des Moines since 1878. At its meetings subjects are discussed of the highest interest and value, and these pro- ceedings are published at the expense of the State.

The officers are a President, Vice-Presi- dent, Secretary, and Treasurer and five Directors. The last hold office for two years, and the other officers one year.

FISH HATCHING-HOUSE.

This was established in 1874, and has for its object the supplying of rivers and lakes with valuable fish. The General Assembly first appropriated the sum of $3,000. Three fish commissioners were appointed, and the State is divided into three districts, one for each commissioner. The Hatching-House was erected near Anamosa, Jones county, and is conducted in the same manner as similar houses in other States. Since 1876 there has been but one commissioner, B. F. Shaw. Mr. Shaw is enthusiastic in his work, and has distributed hundreds of thousands of small fish of various kinds in the rivers and lakos of Iowa. The 16th General Assembly passed an act in 1878 prohibiting the catching of any kind of fish except brook trout from March until June of each year.

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HISTORY OF IOWA.

CHAPTER X.

POLITICAL.

The Territory of Iowa was organized in 1838, and the following Territorial officers were appointed by President Van Buren: Governor, Robert Lucas, of Ohio; Secre- tary of the Territory, William B. Conway; Chief Justice, Charles Mason, of Burling- ton; Associate Justices, Thomas S. Wilson, of Dubuque, and Joseph Williams, of Pennsylvania; Attorney-General, M. Van Allen, of New York; Marshal, Francis Gehon, of Dubuque.

The first election was for members of the Territorial Legislature and a delegate to Congress. The Democracy controlled the Legislature by a large majority. The vote on Delegate was as follows :

Wm. W. Chapman, Dem .1,490

Peter H. Engle, Dem 1,454

B. F. Wallace, Whig, 913

David Rorer, Dem. 605

Mr. Talliafero

The election of 1839 was for members of the Second Territorial Legislature, and created little interest.

In 1840, the year of the "hard cider campaign," the interest was awakened, and both parties put in nomination candidates for Delegate to Congress. There was also an election for Constitutional Convention, which was defeated. The vote on Dele- gate was as follows:

:A. C. Dodge, Dem 4,009-515 Alfred Rich, Whig. .3,494 Mr. Churchman. 92

The Whigs held a convention in 1841, at Davenport, on the 5th day of May, and adopted the following platform :

WHEREAS, It has pleased the Governor of the Universe, by one of those inscrutable acts the righteousness of which no man may question, to take from the American people their beloved Chief Magistrate, William Henry Harrison, and transfer him from this to another, and, we trust, to a better world; therefore,

Resolved, That we sincerely mourn over and deplore the loss of one whose services in every department of society have been so pre-emi- nently useful. As a citizen, he was beloved for his rectitude and benevolence; as a soldier, dis- tinguished for his bravery and success; as a statesman, his ability, purity and patriotism were remarkable; as a Christian, he was humbly and pious. In short, his whole character was made up of traits seldom to be found in men occupying the place in society he filled, and is worthy of imitation by all those who love their country.

Resolved, As a token of our sorrow on this providential bereavement, we will wear the usual badge of mourning thirty days; and that We concur with President Tyler on recommend- ing to the people of the United States that the 14th of May be observed as a day of fasting and prayer.

Resolved, That we have full confidence in the ability and current political sentiments of John

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Tyler, who, by the voice of the people and the Providence of God, now fills the Executive Chair of the United States.

Resolved, That we recognize in John Cham- bers, the gentleman lately appointed to the Ex- ecutive Chair of Iowa, a sterling Democratic Whig; one whose early life is honorably identi- fied with the history of our late war with Great Britsin; and whose uniform devotion to the best interests of our country affords us a sure guar- anty of his usefulness in this Territory.

Alfred Rich was again nominated for Delegate to Congress.

The Democrats held their convention June 7, at Iowa City, and passed the fol- lowing resolutions :

WHEREAS, The Federalists, or self-styled Whigs of Iowa, flushed with their recent victory in the Presidential contest, and secure in the enjoyment of power, are laboring zealously and · perseveringly to effect a revolution in the polit- ical character of the Territory, to accomplish which all their united energies will be brought into action at the next general election; and,

WHEREAS, The Democracy here, as well as elsewhere, believing the principles of their party to be based upon the immutable and eternal doc- trines of right and justice, feel it to be their duty to maintain and assert them upon all prop- er occasions-in the hour of defeat as when tri- umphant; and,

WHEREAS, By union and harmony, exertion and activity, we can administer a rebuke to the arrogant spirit of Federalism, at our next gen- eral election, which, while it will exhibit Iowa to the Democracy of the Union in the most en- viable light, will also demonstrate to the enemies of our principles the futility and hopelessness of their efforts to obtain the ascendency; there- fore,

Resolved, That it is the duty of every Democrat of Iowa, no matter what may be his station in life, to be watchful, vigilant and active in main- taining the ascendency of his party in the Ter- ritory; and it is earnestly urged upon all that

they lay aside local questions and sectional fcel- ings, and unite heart and hand in exterminating their common enemy, Federalism, from the Territory.

Resolved, That Iowa, in defiance of the efforts of the National administration to throw around her the shackles of Federalism, is, and will con- tinue to be, Democratic to the core; and she spurns, with a proper indignation, the attempt of those in power to enslave her, by sending her rulers from abroad, whose chief recom- mendation is, that they have not only been noisy, but brawling, clamorous politicians ..

Resolved, That in the appointment of David Webster to be Secretary of the State, we see the destinies of our beloved country committed to the hands of a man who, during the late war with Great Britain, pursued a course to which the epithet of "moral treason" was justly ap- plied at the time. In the gloomiest period of the war, Mr. Webster was found acting, upon all occasions, in opposition to every war meas- ure brought forward by the friends of the country; and the journals of Congress and speeches of Mr. Webster clearly established the fact that, though not a member, he connived at and leagued in with the traitorous Hartford Con- vention.

Resolved, That the recent astounding and extraordinary disclosures made by the stock- holders of the United States Bank, with regard to the mismanagement, fraud and corruption of that wholesale swindling institution, prove the correctness of the course of the Democracy of the Nation in refusing to grant it a new charter, and redounds greatly to the sagacity, honesty and Roman firmness of our late venerable and iron-nerved President, Andrew Jackson.

Resolved, That the distribution of the public lands is s measure not only fraught with evil, on the grounds of its illegality, but that, were it carried into effect, would greatly prejudice the rights and interests of the new States and Ter- ritorics.

Resolved, That a permanent prospective pre- emption law is the only effectual means of securing to the hardy pioneer his home,-the

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result of his enterprise and toil, which alone has brought our lovely and cultivated plains from the rude hand of nature to their present high state of cultivation.

Resolved, That in Thomas H. Benton, the bold and fearless leader of the Democracy of our country, on this as well as all the matters of western policy, we behold the poor man's true and firmest friend, in whom, as the advocate of their interests and rights, they have the highest confidence, and on whom they can rely for sup- port and protection in the enjoyment of rights and privileges which it has ever been the policy of the Federalists to divest them of.

Resolved, That Democracy is based upon the principles of equal rights and justice to all men; that to deprive man of the privileges bestowed upon him by the laws of nature and his country, without yielding him a just equivalent, is to take from him all that renders life worthy his possession-independence of action; such we believe to be the effect of the recent order of the present Chief Magistrate.

Resolved, That we respect all, of whatever station, who boldly and fearlessly advocate our rights and secure us in the frec enjoyment of the same, while we heartily despise and con- demn those, come from whence they may, who are leagued with our enemies in their efforts to wrest from us our homes and sacred altars.

Resolved, That it is the characteristic doctrine of Democracy to secure to all the enjoyment of rights and privileges inalienable to freemen, and that the proscription of foreigners by the Federalists is a contracted effort to secure to themselves the inestimable privileges of free- dom and free government, and thus cut off a large portion of the human family from rights which the charter of our liberties declare are granted to all.

Gen. A. C. Dodge was placed in nom- ination, and elected by the following vote: A. C. Dodge, Dem .4,828-513 Alfred Rich, Whig .4,315

No platforms were adopted by the par- ties in 1842; neither was there in 1843.

William H. Wallace was nominated by the Whigs and A. C. Dodge by the Dem- ocrats for Delegate to Congress. The

vote stood:

A. C. Dodge, Dem .6,084-1,272 William Wallace, Whig. .4,812

On the 9th day of January, 1844, the Whigs met in convention, at Iowa City, and without making nominations adopted the following platform:

Resolved, That : ublic meetings for the free in- terchange of feelings and opinions on the part of the American people, in regard to important measures, are interwoven with our political insti- tutions, and necessary to the perpetuity of our national liberty.

Resolaed, That it is the duty of all patriots to keep a watchfui eye upon their rulers, and to resist at the threshold every inroad /to cor- ruption; that we deprecate the prostitution of the patronage of the President and of the dif- ferent officers of the Government to the services of a party and the practice of offering the offices of honor and profit as a reward for political treachery; that we believe this exercise of power to be eminently dangerous to the political integ- rity and patriotism of the country, and that a limitation to one Presidential term would, in a great degree, arrest the progress of corruption and political profligacy.

Resolved, That inasmuch as the States, in the formation of the constitution, surrendered to the General Government exclusive control of all the sources of incidental revenue and reserved to themselves the right of taxation alone as a source of revenue to meet their individual wants; justice, reason, and common honesty require that the General Government should provide an incidental revenue equal to all the wants of the Government, without resorting to the proceeds of the public lands or the odious and oppressive measure of direct taxation as contende! for by the so - called Democratic party.

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HISTORY OF IOWA.

Resolved, That we regard the proceeds of the sales of public lands as the legitimate property of the States, and as only a trust fund in the handa of the General Government, and that the trust should be executed without further delay by a distribution of the same among the Statca and Territories; that this measure is especially a debt of justice at this time, when many of the States are groaning with taxation and almost driven to bankruptcy by an accumulation of debts, which have resulted in a great measure from the ruinous policy of the so-called Demo- cratic party.

Resolved, That ws deprecate experiments in legislation where the result Is uncertain and un- ascertainable, and that while we should avoid the errors of the past, we should cling with unflinching tenacity to those institutions which have successfully stood the test of experiment, and have received the sanction and support of the framers of the constitution.

Resolved, That we deem the establishment of a national currency of certain value and every- where received, as indispensably necessary to the greatest degree of national prosperity; that the international commerce of this widely ex- tended country is greatly retarded and heavily burdened with taxation by the want of a com- mon medium of exchange, and that it is the constitutional duty of the General Government to remove all impediments to its successful pros- ecution, and to foster and encourage the internal commerce and enterprise, the interchange of commodities among the States, not only by & reasonable system of internal improvements of a general character, but also by furnishing to the nation s currency of equal value in all parts of its wide-spread domain, and that the exper- ience of the past fully proves that this end has been accomplished by a national bank, can be again accomplished by a national bank, and in no way so safely and so certainly as by the agency of a well regulated national bank.

Resolved, That a tariff which will afford & rev- enue adequate to all the wants of the General Government, and at the same time protect the agricultural and mechanical industry. of the American people, is a measure necessary to secure the prosperity of the country, and

warmly advocated by the Whig party of this Territory.

Resolved, That although we have no right to vote at the approaching Presidential election, yet we look forward to the exertions of our friends of the States for the elevation of Henry Clay to the Chief Magistracy of the Union with intense interest and assurance of our most ardent wishes for their success.

Resolved, That governments should be admin- istered ao aa to produce the greatest good to the greatest number, and that this is true Democracy; that the self-styled Democratic party, by the policy they have pursued for the last ten years in their efforts to destroy the prosperity of our farmers and mechanics by rejecting a tariff for revenue and protection, by destroying the best currency ever possessed in any nation, by seek- ing to deprive us of all currency except gold and silver, in refusing to the indebted States relief by paying to them their proportion of the proceeds of the public lands, in their continued uniform and violent opposition to all measures calculated to advance the national and individ- ual prosperity, by means of the encouragement of commerce and internal improvements, by & narrow and selfish policy in converting the ex- ecutive power into an engine of party, by their federal and aristocratic exertions to maintain the veto power, and consolidate all the powers of Government in one lesder, thereby rendering the administration of the Government a mere machine of party, in their repeated efforts to undermine and destroy the constitution and laws of Congress, by openly disregarding the rights secured by those laws, in their demoraliz- ing efforts to induce the States to disregard their honor and repudiate their debts, in their open violation of private rights, by repealing charters and violating the obligation of contract; in short, by their whole policy and principles which, in & time of peace, and abundant crops, and with the smiles of heaven, have reduced this wealthy, proud and prosperous nation to actual bank- ruptcy, national and individual, they have for- feited the name of Democrats, and as & party are no longer to be trusted with the reins of power.

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Author: Continental Historical Company, Springfield, Ill Publication date: 1884 Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co. Number of Pages: 918

Author: Continental Historical Company, Springfield, Ill
Publication date: 1884
Publisher: Springfield, Ill. : Continental Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 918