USA > Iowa > Clay County > History of Clay County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1909 > Part 16
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CLAY 9.
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
There is no enterprise of a public character that should receive the suppor : and cooperation of the people more generally than the county fair. Why in Clay county it is not done remains an enigma. A good fair is a correct index of a county's prosperity and healthy financial condition. It brings the people together from all sections of the community, giving them the opportunity of renewing old acquaintances and comparing notes for the year. It gives to the live, wide-awake, enterprising and ambitious farmer, an incentive to do better than his neighbor in the corn, wheat, oats, hogs, sheep, cattle and horses he raises. And the neighbor seeing this, puts forth the best that is in him not to be excelled in this regard. This means that the contestants must have the best variety of seed and blooded stock to "make good" at the annual exhibit, and it still further means that the county at large is benefited in many ways. Its repu- tation goes abroad in the state and other states, of its fine agricultural products. This increases the demand for these things and, consequently, the price. And at the modern county fair the management, when of an enterprising spirit, arranges for the amusement of the crowds. If the association conducts its meets on proper lines, good purses will be offered, in order to bring to the track a commendable string of horses. The races break the monotony of the exhibitions of the farm products and other things and creates just the kind of excitement looked for on such occasions.
For the past three or four years another effort has been made by prom- inent citizens of Spencer to organize a fair association, and the project now seems on a fair way to its fruition. Under a law passed at the last session of the legislature, the promoters of the proposition see their way toward ultimately shaping things so that in a short time Clay county will have its annual fair and be abreast of her neighboring counties in that regard. Those taking the initiative in this project are E. L. Dickey, Harry Walters, B. F. Felt, Jr., and C. P. Buckey, cashier of the First National Bank. Their plans are for the county to buy the necessary land, and then the association will do the rest. Two locations have been considered: A tract of land in the neighborhood of the tile factory, on the east boarder of Spencer, and land belonging to Frank Tuttle, in the northwest part of town.
To further the wishes of a number of citizens the board of supervisors at
1 its meeting held in September, 1908, passed a motion and "decided to submit the proposition of making an appropriation of $5,500, under the statute, for the purpose of buying a tract of land, to be used for agricultural fair purposes, to a vote of the electors of Clay county, at the general election to be held November 3, 1908. Said sum to be raised by a special levy on the taxable property in the county."
The law under which this appropriation can be made reads as follows :
"The board of supervisors are further authorized to purchase real estate for county fair purposes, in sums exceeding one thousand dollars ($1,000.00), providing, however, that the board of supervisors shall first have submitted to the legal voters of the county a proposition therefor, and voted for by a majority of all persons voting for and against such proposition at a general or a special election ; notice to be given as provided in section four hundred twenty- three (423) of the supplement to the code. And the board of supervisors shall
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
not exceed in the purchase of real estate when purchased to be taken in the name of the county, and the board of supervisors shall place such real estate under the control and management of the incorporated county fair society, as long as an annual county fair is maintained by such corporation on said real estate. And said corporation is authorized to erect and maintain buildings and make such other improvements on said real estate as is necessary, but the county shall not be liable for such improvements, or the expenditures therefor. The right of such county fair society to the control and management of said real estate may be terminated by the board of supervisors whenever well conducted agricultural fairs are not annually held thereon."
In effect. This act, being deemed of immediate importance, shall take effect and be in force from and after its publication in the Register and Leader and Des Moines Daily Capital, newspapers published at Des Moines, Iowa.
Approved March 27, A. D. 1907.
PETERSON.
This historical place is located on section 33, of Peterson township, and is in the extreme southwestern portion of the county. It is situated on a declining hill, which is of just sufficient undulation to afford excellent drainage. On the south and west flows the Little Sioux river. On the north and east sides are heavy bluffs, rendering the place most picturesque. On the south side of the river are also heavy bluffs, covered with a full and thick growth of timber. All these add attractions to the place, in view of the fact that the northwest is not noted for an extra abundance of timber. The residence portion of the village surrounds that of the business part on all sides. Added to its general location. its excellent protection from storms, its immense bluffs, which encompass it, splendid water power and abundance of timber, there are other reasons for making this a point of interest. The first settlement ever made in Clay county was there, and it has the further honors of having had the first postoffice ; the first dwelling, the first school taught and the first schoolhouse; the first court- house ; the first store; the first and only fort ; the first saw and grist mills ; the first place of attack, when the Indians made their raid through the county ; the first polling place ; the first town in the county; the first hotel; the first news- paper and the first place where religious services were held. These facts and incidents make it one of the most interesting of towns and around which clusters the memory of the days of "Auld Lang Syne."
The first settlement was made in the spring of 1856, when the Kirchners and Ambrose Mead came and located a little north of where the old mill now stands. The house was subsequently sold to Mr. Bicknell and the Kirchners moved on the east side of the river, where they erected a house within the present corporate limits of Peterson. Among the settlers who came after John and J. A. Kirchner and Ambrose S. Mead were Messrs. C. Kirchner, the Smeltzers, Crego, Oldfield, Bicknell and a number of others. These formed the nucleus for Peterson. After the pioneers had been here two years they deemed it advisable to secure, if possible, a postoffice. A petition was drawn up setting forth the disadvantages under which they were laboring in obtaining their mail,
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
the distance the nearest office was from them and asking the department to create a route and establish a postoffice and to appoint J. A. Kirchner postmaster. This was duly signed and sent to Washington. In this petition they designated the place as Howard, in honor of the gentleman who drew and circulated it. After the lapse of a few weeks a letter was received from the government officials at Washington, stating that the petitioners' request had been granted, with the exception that they found it impossible to name it Howard, as there was already an office in the state bearing the name, and they had christened it Peter- son. If the Washington officials desired to honor any person or thing by this giving it this name none of the carlier settlers was aware of it. Mr. Kirchner held the position for several years.
Among the first dwellings were those of C. Kirchner, J. A. Kirchner, Henry Rice, now the property of Thomas Bevans. The latter's was originally built for a tavern, but later it was used for a private dwelling. The first school taught here was by H. E. W. Smeltzer, using the kitchen of Christian Kirchner, as a schoolroom. He was followed by Milton Smith, who instructed the few pupils that lived in the vicinity. In 1860 a small school building was erected, which answered the purposes for some twenty-six years. In 1886 the present building was erected, which affords plenty of room to accommodate the large number of pupils now in attendance. The building complete cost three thousand dollars and is in every way an excellent structure.
During the year of 1860 the county seat was moved from the north part of the county and located at Peterson. The contract for erecting the building was let to C. H. Brockschinks, who immediately set to work, and in 1861 it was ready for occupancy.
The Indians, during the years of 1861 and '62, became quite troublesome to the white settlers along the western borders of the frontier, and eventually put on their war paint and declared open warfare upon the frontiersmen. In Minnesota several massacres occurred and it required a large force of troops to quell and put an end to their blood-thirsty intentions. Peterson, at that time, was one of the frontier places, and its inhabitants were to a great extent without any protection from roving bands of these cruel savages, who were wont to make their appearance at the most unexpected moments and were known to be lying in stealth in different parts of northwestern Iowa. It was therefore deemed advisable, by the authorities, to extend the necessary protection to the settlers and prevent a massacre. Northwestern Iowa was at that time under the imme- diate command of Colonel James Sawyer, who commanded a regiment of cavalry. He, accordingly, detailed one company of cavalrymen to go to Peterson, build a fort, scout the country in and around there and to keep a constant lookout for the Indians. As soon as he arrived he selected the place where the fort should be built. This particular spot is on or near the intersection of Second and Park streets and also includes part of the lots on which the residence of W. E. Ellis stands. After suitable ditches were made, huge trees were felled and a large stockade was constructed. It was in shape of a triangle. The logs used were twelve feet in length and stood on end, extending about eight or nine feet above the ground. Port holes were made and places for sentries constructed. The stockade was a most substantial and solid structure and gave ample protection
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
for the soldiers, as well as the settlers, and was a safe refuge from the attacks of the Indians. Inside and on the north side of the stockade was built suitable living quarters and with these equal care and caution was taken to make them secure and perfectly safe against any attacks of the enemy. After the arrival of the soldiers and the construction of the fort the settlers' fears were greatly removed and they were no longer in constant dread lest the Indians should swoop down upon them, burn their homes, run off their stock and take their lives.
At first an entire company was stationed there, but as time passed on and there were no more open outbreaks, or many discovered prowling parties in the immediate vicinity of Peterson, the force of troopers diminished, by details being made and sent to other points, until there only remained a squad of men under command of Sergeant William Whitlock. It was during this time that an incident occurred which came near costing the brave sergeant his life. Having occasion to go to Sioux Rapids, a trading point about twelve miles distant, he set out one bright morning to make the journey. He was accompanied by a private, William McKinley, of his company, and after a few hours' ride reached the place of safety. After transacting the business and giving their horses a few hours' rest, they mounted and started on their return to the fort. While riding and quietly conversing, all unmindful of any lurking danger, they were suddenly startled by the report of a number of rifles, the whistling of as many bullets in close proximity to their ears, and the frightful yells of their adversaries. For a moment or more their horses were unmanageable. but in a short time they were brought under control, and the two brave men dismounted and began preparation to sell their lives as dearly as possible. It did not require any one to tell them who the attacking party was, for they knew that they were none other than a hostile band of Indians, who probably had seen them leave the fort and knowing that they would return over the same route they had previously traveled, had lain in ambush and awaited their coming. From the manner of the firing and their marvelous escape from so many whizzing bullets, they attributed their escape to poor marksmanship and the desire of the Indians to kill them and thus secure their horses, for when they fired they were only a short distance from the two soldiers. But time then was too precious to give this any consid- eration, for it was now either life or death and they preferred the latter to falling into the hands of the despicable and tortuous foe. No sooner had the two dis- mounted than on came their foe. Drawing their revolvers, which they had taken the precaution to see were in good working order before starting out on their ride, they took deliberate aim and fired. and two of the foremost fell pierced by the bullets of their trusty revolvers. The Indians halted, and as is their custom, gathered their killed and to the surprise of the soldiers beat a hasty retreat. They at once started in hot pursuit, firing as they ran, but not so effectively as at first. They, however, succeeded in killing two or three of them, as they were seen to require the assistance of some of the others. After traveling some distance, the Indians became fearful of a fire in the rear and so, when they reached a place of some protection, they halted and began preparation to resist the attack. The two brave men, however, were undaunted; their blood being up to fever heat they determined to face Mr. Lo in his own quarters. They
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
therefore rushed in behind the place the Indians had sought and then began a hand-to-hand contest. As the sergeant, who was a little in advance of his com- panion, rushed at them, one of the Indians came at him with a large knife. Then began a struggle for life. The sergeant was a large and powerful man, while the Indian was not much his inferior in strength. The struggle lasted for several moments but at last the sergeant, by a quick and dexterous move- ment, wrenched the deadly weapon from the savage's grasp and as quickly buried it in the Indian, disemboweling him. The brave fell a corpse and as he did so, another Indian approached the sergeant from behind, and with the butt end of his rifle, dealt him a stunning blow on the head, which felled him senseless to the ground. The Indian. seeing his advantage. drew up his rifle to deal the pros- trate man a final blow. In the meantime Mckinley had. like his companion, been busily occupied. and had wounded several of the redskins. At last, finding that the soldiers were strong, daring and determined, they began a retreat. As the last foe, in front of Mckinley, made his departure. he turned to see what had become of the sergeant, when he beheld him lying at the mercy of an Indian, who was in the act of raising his gun to give the death blow. He at once sprang to his assistance and drawing his revolver. took deliberate aim, and killed the savage. The timely arrival of Mckinley was none too soon, for a moment's delay would have resulted in the sergeant's death. After discovering that the Indians would no longer give them any further trouble, Mckinley placed the unconscious sergeant on his horse and with great difficulty succeeded in reaching the fort, where, for two long weeks. the brave soldier lay with his life hanging upon a brittle thread. He finally recovered and will not as long as he lives forget his trip to Sioux Rapids.
After J. A. Kirchner built the saw mill several frame houses were built in and around Peterson. This enterprise was well received by a large patronage. During the fall of 1870, J. A. Kirchner began building a grist mill, which was completed in 1871. This was a grand thing for the farmers who had previously had to draw their grain many miles to have it converted into flour. This mill is still in operation, under the management of Ed Sitz, and is one of the best equipped mills in the county and manufactures an immense quantity of a superior quality of flour.
The first religious services were conducted by Revs. Wright and Oldfield, the former a Methodist and the latter a Baptist. There are now two commodious churches in Peterson. under the control of the Methodist Episcopal and Con- gregational denominations.
The first newspaper enterprise that made its appearance in the town was the Peterson Democrat. It was very short lived, as the only object for removal of the necessary printing material to Peterson was to secure. the publication of the delinquent tax list. This object. having been accomplished, the further pub- lication of it was abandoned and the material sent back to its former place. Subsequently, J. F. Ford and Samuel Gillespie, in 1870, established the Clay County News, but upon the removal of the county seat they took their outfit to Spencer. For a number of years the place was without a newspaper, but event- ually E. J. Helms started the Peterson Patriot, which he continued several years ; finally he sold it to other parties.
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
Previous to 1881, Peterson's growth was very slow, and mainly retarded by its lack of railroad facilities. The only outlet was by means of teams and the nearest railway station several miles. This tended to keep it back, and without this important and necessary adjunct there was little or no hope of its future development into a town other than name. During the year 1881, the great Chicago & Northwestern railroad sent out a surveying party and laid out the grade for this line of road. As soon as these facts were known, Peterson at once sprang into importance as a trading point. J. A. Kirchner, who owned the most of the land on which Peterson stood, at once platted it and placed the lots on the market. At once they were in demand, and the embryo town and quiet place immediately assumed an air of activity. Buildings were erected, dwellings built, and the year of 1881 saw a wonderful change in the place. The railroad arrived in 1882, and from that date Peterson has been a busy and bustling little town, with fair prospects of considerable commercial development. The Chicago & Northwestern railroad has performed a good act for the little town of Peterson, and has been instrumental in transforming it from a town in name to one of business activity. Its citizens are moral and upright ; its business men sagacious and enterprising, and the town a pleasant and delightful place to dwell. Besides many social organizations, there are two churches, and several secret societies, all in a healthful state of prosperity and well attended.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The Peterson circuit was organized August 22, 1855, by Rev. Orange S. Wright, who preached a part of that year, once in every two weeks. Then Rev. T. D. Adams followed. Rev. Seymour Snyder formally organized a Methodist Episcopal class of eight members in the fall of 1863, which class has been continued up to the present time. The following is the list of preachers, in their order, who have served on this charge. The dates show the time of service: Rev. R. B. Hawks, 1864-65; Rev. William Malory, 1865-67; Rev. Thomas Whitley, 1867-68; Rev. C. W. Clifton, 1868-70; William R. Pitt, 1870-71; Rev. G. W. Lothian, 1871-73; Rev. Walter Drake, 1873-74; Rev. Forbs, 1874-75; Rev. A. S. R. Grooms, 1875-76; Rev. C. W. Gardner, 1876-78; Rev. Frank E. Drake, 1878-80; Rev. G. E. Cheesbrough, 1880-81 : Rev. Beigler, 1881-83; Rev. D. M. Yetter, 1883-84; Rev. C. A. Hawn, 1884-85; Rev. C. Artman, 1885-86; J. M. Wollery, 1886-88; Rev. F. A. Morrow. 1888-90; Rev. R. Hild, 1890-92; Rev. G. W. Barnes. 1892-94; Rev. W. W. Cook, 1894-95; Rev. H. L. Smith, 1895-96; Rev. W. S. Cannon, 1896-98; Rev. George O. Kidder, June, 1898-99: Rev. C. F. Kirk, 1899-1900; Rev. F. B. Stafford. 1900-02; Rev. W. S. Cannon, 1902-06: Rev. F. W. Wilson is the present pastor. They have at the present time a membership of about one hundred and thirty-five, including the out appointment of Maple Grove. They have a Sunday school of eighty-five members.
The charter members of the Methodist Episcopal church are as follows: R. B. Crego and wife; Jacob Hale, wife and daughter ; Mrs. Collins; Hannibal Waterman and wife ; making a total of eight faithful members.
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH.
The first Congregational church of Peterson was organized by Rev. J. B. Chase, April 30, 1882. Its first membership consisted of J. W. Coombs, L. H. Coombs, Mrs. L. H. Coombs, Edwin F. Coombs, Mrs. Celia Coombs, Mrs. E. E. Pinkerton, Mrs. Carrie F. Voigt, Mrs. J. P. Martin and Mrs. Elizabeth Kirkwood.
The first Sunday school was organized in 1883.
The first church building was erected in 1883, and the cornerstone was laid with fitting ceremonies. The first church was worth about $2,000. The pastors of the church were as follows: J. B. Chase, A. M. Beeman, R. E. Helms, J. C. Stoddard, J. F. Horn, O. L. Corbin, M. H. Galor, W. G. Leichleiter, J. S. Morris, J. B. Salter, J. W. Williams, Rev. Deacon, E. E. Reed and C. Oxley, the present pastor.
At the present time they are building an addition to the church, which is 32x36.
BAPTIST SOCIETY.
The Baptist Society was one of the earliest societies in the county. This society was organized in 1871. They held their meetings in the old courthouse and the Good Templars' Hall. The Bicknells, the Bevans and the. Hurlburts were the original Baptist families. When the railroad came through the Metho- dist Episcopal and the Congregational churches were organized and then the Baptists went to these other churches and did not attempt another organization.
PETERSON BANKS.
The Peterson Bank was established in 1888 by C. W. Fillmore . and H. S. Parker. These gentlemen continued the bank until 1902, when they sold their business to J. F. Turner, F. H. Helsell, G. C. Allison and Frank Steckmest, who are now conducting the concern with marked success. They do a general banking business, have a neat one-story modern brick building, erected in 1894, on Main street. The officers of the bank are as follows: President, J. P. Farmer ; vice president, F. H. Helsell; cashier, G. C. Allison ; assistant cashier, Frank Steck- mest. Its capital is $20,000, deposits about $200,000.
The First National Bank was organized in 1881 by A. S. Weir, H. A. Brandon, David McMillan. E. H. Ellis, Frank Steckmest, James Kennedy, C. W. Pinkerton, J. P. Farmer, G. C. Allison, W. E. Bertram, William Kirchner, K. Buland, F. E. Crippen, F. H. Helsell and others. Its officers were as follows : J. P. Farmer, president ; A. S. Weir, vice president; G. C. Allison, cashier. In 1892 A. S. Weir became president and continued as such until his death, which occurred March 2, 1908. Mr. Weir came to Peterson from Traver in 1882. He was fifty-seven years of age at the time of his death. Mr. Allison remained cashier until 1902. The present officers are as follows: E. L. Mantor, president ; William Kirchner, vice president ; Charles H. Staples, cashier. The bank has a capital of $50,000, a surplus of $10,000 and deposits of $150,000. They do a general banking business. The bank building was erected in 1898, on the corner of Main and Second streets. It is of pressed brick and has a fifty-foot frontage on Main street.
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Con. Church Peterson, Ja.
CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, PETERSON
THE NEWYORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
ASTOR LEN Y TILDEN FOUNDA KING
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HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
PETERSON LODGES.
Peterson lodge A. F. & A. M. was organized June, 1895. Its charter mem- bers were A. S. Weir, R. B. Tillinghast. William Esser and twelve others. It now has a membership of sixty-four.
Peterson lodge, No. 234, A. O. C. W., was organized 1882. Among its charter members were G. Shnay, W. H. Skellenger, W. E. Ellis, M. C. Willis, E. F. Coons, C. W. Pinkerton, L. Voigt. J. Shnay, J. J. Ulrick and G. G. Whisler.
Log Cabin camp, Homesteaders, was organized September 18, 1906, by Frank Steckmest, A. S. Chatterton, G. E. Allison and John Baier and thirty-nine others.
Peterson lodge of Yeomen was organized February 28, 1899, by J. S. Chatterton, H. S. Parker, E. F. Turner and thirty-six others.
Modern Woodmen of America was organized January 24, 1896, by Charles Fillmore, William E. Blackburn, William Boge Waret, H. A. Brando and twenty-eight others.
EASTERN STAR LODGE.
The Eastern Star lodge was organized in Peterson in March, 1897. There were only fifteen members when the lodge was organized, but now they have a membership of over eighty. The first officers of the lodge were: Worthy patron, A. S. Weir; worthy matron, Mrs. Allison ; secretary, Iona Hulburt. The first members of the lodge were as follows: Mr. and Mrs. Allison, A. S. Weir, Frank Steckmest, Miss Lulu Turner, Miss May Kirchner, Miss Iona Hulburt, Mrs. Tibbits, Mrs. Lulu Kinyon, Mrs. DeWitt, Mrs. Pyer, Mrs. Ed. Sits, Mrs. O. W. Long, Mrs. O. W. Towner, Mrs. Dr. Chatterton.
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