USA > Iowa > Chickasaw County > History of Chickasaw and Howard Counties, Iowa > Part 35
USA > Iowa > Howard County > History of Chickasaw and Howard Counties, Iowa > Part 35
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During the early part of the year a paper was started, at New Oregon, in opposition to the Plain Dealer, by T. J. Gilmore and Fitz James McKay, and called the "Star of the West," but alas it was almost stifled in its birth and lingered along a sickly life for eleven short weeks and then departed to where so many newspapers go. It was intended to be a weekly paper, and was established for the purpose of publishing the tax sales, of the county-but it proved "weakly" and hence its demise.
The "Howard County Times" was established in Cresco, January 20, 1867,by F. C. Wood and Frank Mix,who were at the same time, editors and proprietors,no uncommon conjunction in this country. It started as a seven column folio, and was intensely and radically republican in politics, and has continued to hold the same opinions yet, although it has increased in size to a six column quarto. In August, 1867, F. C. Wood sold his interest in the paper to his partner, Frank Mix, who shortly afterwards died, but his estate still retained its interest therein, and C. F. Breckinridge, managed
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HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
it, until I. A. Hoxie purchased it. Mr. Hoxie shortly afterward gold it to W. N. Burdick, now of the Postville Review.
After running it about a year, in April, 1873, Burdick sold it to W. M. Fogo and W. W. White, under whose management it con- tinued, until April 1, 1873, when Mr. Fogo sold his interest to L E. Smith, who immediately entered upon the editorial control. On October 21, 1873, Mr. White also sold his interest, Mr. Smith be- coming the purchaser, since which time he has been sole owner and editor. The paper was known formerly as the Cresco Times but its name has been changed, under Mr. Smith's charge to its present one.
It is claimed for the Times, that it enjoys the largest circulation of any paper in the county, and is the exponent of radical pro- hibition and morality and is one of the finest sheets in the section both for the ability displayed in its columns and for the neatness of its mechanical "makeup."
Several more papers have been started in the county but they were of short duration, noticably, the "Peoples Representative" a weekly eight column journal, published at Cresco, in 1873 with George F. Crouch, as editor.
Lime Springs also has enjoyed several papers, but from some cause or other, their demise occurred early in life, and we have no record thereof.
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HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
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CHAPTER VI.
COUNTY BUILDINGS; COURT HOUSES; JAIL; RESIDENCE OF THE SHERIFF; POOR FARM; EARLY ATTEMPTS AT PURCHASE OF SAME; FINAL ACTION IN REGARD TO COUNTY FARM, ETC.
POOR FARM.
In no country under the sun, has a more magnanimous regard for the poor been displayed than in this noble republican home of ours-and this can be said more particularly of the countries of the great northwest. Howard county, is in this respectlin nowise behind her sister counties.
It was not strange that the pioneer settler discovered, so early, the wants of his poorer neighbor, and was so prompt to extend to him a helping hand, and to inaugurate measures for his relief, be- beyond his means, when we remember that his state was also one of compartive poverty. "A fellow feeling makes us won- derous kind;" as the poet hath so beautifully sung.
No record has been kept of the many private acts of charity per- formed by the more affluent citizen toward his needy neighbor. The halo of eloquent silence surrounds them; but, deeply graven, in letters more pure and bright than gold, doth shine the deeds of many noble men and women, of this land, whose christianity and
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HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
charity is not alone expressed by their dovotion to the services of the church.
The first organized effort on the part of the citizens of Howard county, for the relief of their necessitious brethren, whom mis- fortune had reduced to penury and want is not recorded, here on earth; perhaps the recording angel has incribed it upon his book, and the action may bear fruition, elsewhere. Almost the first
entries made in the books of the county judge, then ex-officio the county government, relates to the payment of small sums to the needy and destitute; "The poor and needy ye have with ye al- ways" we are told and we know that in the early days of this county's settlement, it was not exempt from the rule. The man reduced, through misfortune or thorough habits the opposite of .commendable, could not be allowed to starve or want for shelter -the widow who had been left to buffet alone the billows of life's stormy sea, could not. be neglected-the helpless orphans, left drifting toward the breakers must be helped, and the true hearted pioneer was not the man to turn his back on them, nor a deaf ear to their cry. Out of the funds at the disposal of the govern- ment seemed the best way, to provide for then, all could bear the burden equally and equitably.
For many years the poverty stricken were cared for in the homes that still remained to shelter them-in the homes of the stranger-their maintainence furnished by the county.
In 1866, the first effort was made to purchase a farm and erect buildings, suitable for the keeping and maintaining of those de- pendent upon the county purse.
During that year, a committee of three of its members was ap- pointed by the board of supervisors, to solicit the terms for the purchas of a farm, suitable for the support of the wards of the .county.
The committee were instructed to report to the board the prices, location, terms, advantages, etc., of lands offered them and thought by them fit for the purpose intended. They were further instruc- ted that the county did not wish the land to amount to less than one hundred and sixty acres. They were also empowered to ad- vertise for sealed bids, and to use all discretion in the matter, so as to present a full report, which was to be returned at the next meeting of the board.
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HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
The committee consisted of Mrssrs. C. S. Thurber, Stephen Radford and C. W. Field.
At the September session, 1866, the committee handed in their report, which runs, as follows:
"That they have received several proposals of farms for sale, but not anything in their judgment answering the purposes of the county. Your committee would further report, that, in their judgment, they cannot purchase a farm with the necessary im- provements, and therefore, would recommend, if the board see fit to purchase a farm, that they procure a piece of unimproved land and make the necessary improvements."
The affair seems to have collapsed, for want of life, at this junc- ture and the old method of providing for the poor still continued and we hear no more of the scheme until 1868, when, at the Jan- uary session of the board, they passed the following resolution, in regard to the matter under discussion:
"Whereas, It is deemed advisable, by this board, that some provision be made for the poor of the county, whereby they may be subsisted at a. less cost to the county, than by the present. method, therefore;
"Resolved, That a committee of three, be appointed to look for a feasible site for a "poor house farm," improved or unimproved; ascertain the cost of the same, estimate the cost of the necessary buildings and improvements. and report to this board, at the June session, with a view to submit the proposition to a vote of electors, of this county, at the next general election, according to the pro- visions of the code of the state of Iowa."
Messrs. C. S. Thurber, Thomas Griffin and W. H. Patterson were the committee appointed, the latter being clerk of the board.
This committee' as instructed, returned a report at the June ses- sion, saying that they had viewed the place of Albert Miller, at Saratoga, of which the price was three thousand dollars, there be- ing one hundred and sixty acres, twenty-fiveacres of timber, forty- five or fifty under cultivation, had a good house erected on it, was well watered and the means of access was good, being on the Main road, from Cresco to Osage. They also reported, that they had looked at the farm of Keuling and Robinson, about two miles south of Saratoga, which contained some three hundred and twenty acres, was well watered, with the means of access equally
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HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
good, the land was of excellent quality and could be purchased for the sum of $1530. This they considered remarkably cheap, and estimated, that the necessary improvements could be made for the sum of $3500, and recommended, that the vote be taken on the amount of $5000, which would cover all the expense.
At the election held in November, of the same year, the ques- tion of levying a special tax, to pay for the poor house farm, the community seemed to think that some better plan existed, to pro- vide a home for the destitute, for the vote stood only 92 in favor of levying the tax and 709 against it. The subject was them dropped for the present. However in 1881, the board became the. owners of a farm, the west half of the northeast quarter of section> eleven, 99-11, and determined to utilize it for a poor farm, as there. was a fine large house on it.
This land had originally been what is known as school, land and was purchased by some parties on contract, but was never deeded. Being covered by mortgages and judgments, the county bought up all claims against it, foreclosed the mortgages and bid it in, at the sale.
The following circular was issued, in regard to it, from the auditor's office by order of the board:
AUDITOR'S OFFICE.
CRESCO, April 12, 1881.
To the Township Trustees of Howard county:
GENTLEMAN .- The board of supervisors have provided a poor house and farm, for the future support of such persons as need permanent relief, and have fixed on the 25th day of April, inst., as' the time when all outside allowances shall cease.
You will please notify all such persons as are receiving perma- manent relief from you, that their allowances will then cease, and that if further relief is required it will be furnished at the poor house, and if they apply, you will give them an order to the Steward of the poor farm for admittance and relief-simply give them the order. Cases will occasionally arise when it will be your manifest duty to furnish a conveyance, but as a rule, the friends of such poor persons should get them to the poor house. The trustees need not meet as a board for the purpose of send- ing a person to the poor house. The order of one trustee will be sufficient.
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HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
In providing temporary relief, great caution should be exer- cised, lest you and the public be imposed on; the fact that a per- son is poor, does not entitle such person to support at the public expense.
1 Many of the tax-payers are poor, and in view of this fact relief should be granted only in cases of extreme destitution. Let your allowances be very sparing until the next meeting of the board of supervisors, when each case should be fully reported by you, and the board will make such disposition of them as economy, the general welfare of the county, and necessity, demands.
The poor expenses of the county for the year 1880, amounted $23761.57, and are increasing, thus far in 1881, by nearly one half. The board of supervisors are doing all in their power to keep. these expenses within reasonable limits, and they respectfully ask your hearty and cordial co-operation.
Hereafter, claims against the county for temporary relief, must be certified to by at least a majority of the board of trustees of the township where the person receiving aid resides.
Enclosed herewith, find blanks for use in sending poor persons » to the poor house.
JOHN E. PECK, County Auditor.
By order of the Board of Supervisors.
P. S. The poor farm is located about three miles Northwest of « Cresco, and was formerly known as the Sumner farm-sometimes · called the Marlow place. J. E. P.
Joseph H. Batterham was appointed steward, 'at its inception and satisfactorily fills the place to the present writing. Thus : through many adverse circumstances has been established this home for the indigent, and the charity of the county is brought under something like management.
COUNTY BUILDING.
. In the year 1859, when the county seat was located on the bluff, midway between the villages of New Oregon and Vernon Springs, a subscription was raised in both towns, and a building erected and donated to the county. This being built of the most avail- able lumber, basswood, in a few short years, became so dilapidated and rotten through the action of the elements and the exposed position of the structure, the timbers rotting down, the sheathing tumbling off, and the roof leaking, that much apprehension was
HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
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excited in the minds of the county officers, as to its being a place of security for the records and other valuable books and papers of a necessity stored therein, and measures were taken, as early as 1865, to have the seat of government removed elsewhere. After some manœuvers on the part of the rival villages mentioned above, in 1867, the board of supervisors of the county accepted the offer of the Howard county court house association to build a brick edifice at Cresco, and put it at the disposal of the county. Immediately, upon the acceptation of this offer, the association commenced to erect the building on the site known as the court bouse square. The structure was of good size and every way applicable to the purpose for which it was intended. In July, 1867, it was occupied by various officers, who removed there with all their books, papers, and furniture, and the seat of county gov- ernment, for convenience sake, was removed to Cresco, although the county seat proper, could not be legally moved; for explana- tion of this, see chapter 1V. This building was then used as the county offices until December 1, 1876, when it was destroyed by fire. The devouring element, with greedy maw, soon wiped out of existence the entire building, and with it the records of the court; the books and papers of the other officers, however, being rescued from the insatiable monster. Many were, and are, the conjectures as to the origin of the fire, and more than one had suspicion that the hand of an incendiary put the torch to the building. This was seemingly strengthened on the development of the Kyte business, aud some did not hesitate to aver that he was the guilty party,but of this there exists no certainty, and we should not add, uncharitably, to the burden he already bears. Let us hope that it was not so, for he has crime enough to answer for without charg- ing him with arson. Let the broad mantle of charity cover up his misdeeds, and say that the conflagration was the result of accident.
After the loss of the court house, the association of the citizens of Cresco immediately proceeded to rebuild the edifice, and in a more imposing style of architecture.
The following items of information, in regard to the cost of the building, were obtained from a letter, written by Hon. John McHugh, to a committee of gentlemen, at New Hampton, who inquired respecting it. It would seem from that, that the asso-
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HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
ciation paid $5,707.90, the county giving $1,040.00, making $6,- 747.90, which was paid to the contractor. It is, however, claimed that the said contractors lost $1,825.00, making the building cost, as follows:
Funds furnished by association $5,707.90
Funds furnished by county 1,040.00
Money lost by contractors 1,825.00
Making a total cost of. $8,572.90
The building is a neat, stylish, red brick edifice, trimmed with Milwaukee brick of a soft cream color. The architecture is of the. modern renaissance order, and the architect has displayed much taste in working out his ideas on the subject. A wide corridor through the middle of the first floor, with the offices on each side, presents itself to view on entrance. The recorder the first on the left, and next the treasurer's office; on the right hand the clerk of the court and the auditor hold forth.
The sheriff and county superintendent, are accomodated with offices in the basement. The second story, a fine commodious and well lighted room; is the court room in which is held the dif- ferent courts when sitting in the county.
The grounds surrounding the court house, are handsomly fenced with an ornamental railing of iron, and artistically laid out. The county jail, and residence of the sheriff attached thereto, are located within the same enclosure, north of the court house.
The jail is one of the best in this section of country. In June, 1882, the board of supervisors instructed the auditor to advertise for bids for the building of a jail, the same to be erected of brick, with steel-clad cells, and also, for the erection of a residence, for the sheriff, to be attached, thereunto.
But on their receipt, the proposals, not proving to the satisfac- tion of the officials, they determined to carry out their ideas, by erecting the buildings, themselves. A. G. Hubbard was appointed as a building committee, to superintend the operation. Great satisfaction resulted from this action as well as considerable economy.
The business abilities of the board, were employed on this busi- ness of the county's, to the same extent as would have been ex -. erted, had it been some of the private affairs, of their own. The
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HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
cost of the steel clad cells, with the necessary fixtures, and the expense of putting them in place, was the greatest part of the out- lay, being $3500.
The entire cost of residence, jail and everything, foots up to $8,885, but the outlay has been not wasted, and the county has received full value for it money.
The jail is one of the best and most complete, for one of its size, in the northwest. The edifice is built of brick, the walls being very heavy and thick, and measures 22x24 feet, and thirteen feet high. A thick pavement or floor was first made under the cells, apparently burglar proof, being two feet thick and usuing some five cords of stone and seventeen barrels of cement in the mak- ing.
There are two cells, built of steel-or steel-clad-each six feet long by eight feet wide and seven high, with a corridor between five by thirteen feet in dimension. Each cell will hold four pris- oners on a pinch. Above the cells is a water tank which supplies a bountiful supply of water for drinking and cleansing purposes.
The cells are made of five thicknesses or plys of hardened steel bars riveted together, and which are so hard that the usual bur- glars, saw will make no impression on them. They are opened and closed with the patent lever attachment, and the whole outfit is entirely first-class.
The unparalleled success of the financiering, of the last few years, in the accounts and funds of the county, cannot be lightly passed over in this connection, and could only be accomplished by splendid business ability and strict integrity united to peerless energy. We have it from undoubted authority, that, in 1877, when the affairs of the late treasurer, Kyte, were settled up, there was an empty treasury and a bonded indebtedness of over $20,000, as the only possessions of the county.
By a rigid system of economy, and an ability of financiering not often displayed, at least in public affairs, without raising the rate of taxation, the poor farm has been established, the jail built and paid for, the bonded indebtedness reduced to a merely nom- inal sum, county warrants brought to par, and money in the treasury to anticipate the current wants of the county. This is
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HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
unparalleled in the annals of any county in the state. The tax- ation is less, and has been so, for the past few years, than ever be- fore, and is still decreasing.
These things are here spoken of, as many people are not aware, or at least are not cognizant, of the entire facts, and truth demands that the gentlemen, who have engineered the finances of the county for the last few years, should have all the honor and praise for their ability, business tact and integrity. With such men as L. T. Emmons, James Oakley, A. G. Hubbard, Thomas McCook aud.Chas. Keefe at the helm and the true eye of John E. Peck, as auditor, to look out for breakers, the people of Howard county may rest assured that their interests will not suffer:
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HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
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CHAPTER VII.
EDUCATIONAL; COUNTY SCHOOLS; TEACHERS; COUNTY SUPERIN- TENDENTS; INSTITUTES; CENSUS RETURNS FOR 1860, 1870, 1875 AND 1880, ETc.
EDUCATIONAL
. Howard county, considered from an educational stand-point, takes very high rank, among the sisterhood of counties. The statistics show that in 1882, as taken from the report of the county superintendent, there were in the county 3,235 children within the county, between the ages of five twenty-one years divided as follows:
Afton township, 389; Chester, 172; Forest City (out districts), 141; Lime Springs station, 197; Howard, 248; Howard Center, 153; Jamestown (outside district), 122; Riceville, 32; New Oregon, 365; Oakdale, 136; Paris, 285; Saratoga, 134; Vernon Springs (outside districts), 211; Cresco, 419; Albion, 253.
Thre are enrolled in the county, out of these 2,864 scholars as attendants at the various schools, and the attendence is above the usual average by several per cent.
There are seventy-eight frame, three brick, and three stone school houses in the county and altogether valued at $58,630, some quite commodious and pretentious in architecture and many of them worth from $2,000 dollars upwards and one, that at Cresco, one of the best in northern Iowa, valued at $14,000.
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HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
Quite a number are supplied with expensive apparatus, and five report having libraries, one with 2,500, and another, 1,500 vol- umes contained therein.
There are forty-six male and ninety female teachers, employed at an average compensation of $38, for males and $26 for females, although some of each receive quite respectable salaries. The great fault with Howard county, as with many others, is the pay- ing of such small salaries, to their instructors, which is of itself reprehensible, for it keeps many truly competent people out of the ranks and leaves to mediocrity alone the task of teaching the rising generation.
When this mistaken policy, and false economy is done away with the school system will be complete but under the present rule, salaries are so small in many instances, as to be less than can be earned at any other employment, and people have got through working for glory.'
The cost of tuition varies largely in each township, partly owing to some of them having a sparsely settled community, and but few children attending the school. We give the average cost per pupil by townships, and for the independent districts of Cresco, Lime Springs and Riceville and others.
Oakville independent district
$ 1 85
Liberty
¥
2 05
Lincoln
2 85
Nichols
2 38
Darrow 66
1 07
Albion
2 50
Florenceville
2 16
Cresco
99
Lime Springs
1 17
Riceville 4
1 41
Forest city township
3 26
Oakdale 66
2 25
Jamestown
2 75
Saratoga
1 80
Howard Centre
2 50
Chester
2 50
Howard
.
2 46
Afton
1 46
Vernon Springs "
4 00
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HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY.
Paris township 2 16
New Oregon " 2 43
The first county superintendent of public schools, we have any record of, is C. E. Brown who seems to have held the position prior to 1858, but of this fact it is not certain, however; the list is as follows:
C. E. Brown, from 1858 to 1861.
Adam Fussell, from 1861, until September, 1862, when he re- signed, and the board appointed T. W. Lee, who held from 1861 to 1869.
C. F. Breckenridge, from 1869 to 1873.
O. N. Hoyt, from 1873 to 1877.
W. H. Brocksome, from 1877 to 1879.
Fred C. Clark, from 1879, and present officer.
The first normal institute held within the county, of which there exist any record, was during the spring of 1876. This was couducted by J. C. Gilchrist, of St. Paul, assisted by J. Brecken- ridge, of Decorah, and Miss Addie Bucklin. .
There seems to be a hiatus existing in the records of these in- stitutes, for the next we can find any account of, was held at Cresco, in . 1880, there were enrolled fourteen male and sixty-nine female attendant teachers. J. Breckenridge, of Decorah, was conductor, assisted by R. S. Holway, Rev. S. G. Smith, A. S. Benedict and - A. E. Anderson.
In 1881 was held the next with L. T. Weld, the efficient princi- pal of the Cresco school, as conductor, assisted by Geo. Chandler, C. H. Valder, Mrs. Weld and among the lectures was Carl Von Colln, the state superintendent of public instruction.
At the institute of 1882, L. T. Weld was conductor as before, assisted by R. G. Young, with Mrs. M. H. Hunt, and S. P. Leland as lecturers. The attendance was sixteen male and sixty-seven female.
The following circular, issued as we go to press, by the county superintendent, explains itself:
"To Teachers and Those Intending to Teach:
The annual teacher's normal institute, of Howard county, for 1883, will be held in the public school building, at Cresco, com- mencing March -19th and continuing two weeks.
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