USA > Iowa > Clay County > History of Clay County, Iowa, from its earliest settlement to 1909 > Part 6
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69
"Be it remembered, that in accordance with the prayer of a majority of legal voters of Clay county, Iowa, praying for an organization of said county ( that it might take its position among the older counties of the sovereign state of Iowa as an independent and self-sustaining community, and that the bonds that existed between Clay and Woodbury, to which Clay was attached for judicial purposes, might be irrevocably dissolved), which prayer, in form of a petition, was presented to the honorable county court of Woodbury county, Iowa. Judge John Campbell presiding, that an election was ordered by said court, to be held October 12th, 1858, authorizing the voters of said county to meet at the house of Ambrose S. Mead, for the purpose of perfecting an organization and voting for state, district, county and township officers, thus severing the ties between the independent county of Woodbury and the independent county of Clay. that the mutual resources might be developed, and the youthful, yet strong
49
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
community might stand forth in its conscious strength, and prove to the world that it no longer needed the fostering care of another, but that it was well able to maintain itself, and that it would give to it the proud position of an independent sovereign within itself, with all the characteristics of a prosperous people, noble, loving and enterprising, ready to assume the guardianship of the weak and dis- pense even-handed justice to the benighted of Northwestern Iowa."
This pronunciamento is notable and historical for its grand eloquence and its author may have thought it would be handed down alongside of the Declaration of Independence.
While the county had all the necessary official appendages for its running machinery, yet it was without a public building, the result being that the offices were kept at the respective houses of the officers. . \. W. Hubbard, judge of the Fourth judicial district, on the 7th of June, 1859, appointed a commission, con- sisting of Miles Mahon, R. W. Wheelock and John W. Tucker, authorizing them to locate the county seat of Clay county. The commissioners examined the county, and July 16th, 1859, reported in favor of locating it on section 20 in Spencer township (now Sioux township). This was on the land now owned by M. E. Griffin and the town was laid out by George E. Spencer. It is said that just previous to the coming of the commissioners several shrewd speculators had come on and laid out the town of Spencer on this section, and with a flourish of trumpets had declared their intentions to the people of the town and the sur-
rounding country. The commissioners, in their report, stated that they had made the selection with a knowledge that the people had the right to accept or reject their selection. The "people" did decide, and refused to pay any attention to the recommendation made by the commissioners. The county records there- fore remained where they were. On the 14th of May, 1860, a document was duly circulated and duly signed asking that the county seat be located at the present site of Peterson. An election was directed to be held, and although but ten votes were cast, Peterson was chosen and remained the seat of government until near the close of 1871. At this election Judge Charles Smeltzer was authorized to erect public buildings at Peterson, at a cost not to exceed six thousand dollars. In the course of a year a court house was erected, but instead of being within the first appropriation, something over forty thousand dollars, it is said, was expended in its construction at different times. In 1871, the county seat question was again agitated. The county by this time had received a large immigration, and the northern part was filling up more rapidly than the southern. There was considerable objection to the extreme southeastern location of the county seat, and a great clamor by the northern residents for its removal to a more central location. The pressure was so extreme that the question of a relocation was submitted. Previous to this Spencer had sprung up, and was a town of larger size than Peterson. In October, 1871, the question was submitted to the voters, and resulted as follows: Spencer, 359; for Peterson, 200; thus giving Spencer a majority of 159. This ended the matter and the question has never been seriously agitated since that time. A court house was built at a cost of one thou- sand three hundred and thirty-three dollars and, although it has long since given way to a more convenient one, it still stands as one of the earlier landmarks of Spencer. The removal, in the light of future events, has proven decidedly satis-
50
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
factory, and even those of 1871, who were most bitterly opposed to the change, are now ready and willing to acquiesce in the judgment that it was best for the county's and public's interests.
THE PIONEERS.
If there is anywhere a class of people who deserve to have their names perpetuated in history, it is the hardy pioneers who came to Clay county in its infancy, who left their eastern homes of plenty and comfort and braved the dangers, privations and hardships of the wild western prairies, and made it possible for settlement. It was no easy task to forsake the advantages of the thickly settled East of peace and plenty, and blindly plunge into the unknown and minisettled West, explore, inhabit and develop a vast field of industry, and aid in making it possible for others to obtain a home. To these brave men and women, who, nothing daunted, dared to imperil their lives, we today owe a debt of eternal gratitude, and the future historian will not fail to give them just credit for their heroism and self-sacrifice. In listening to a recital of their deeds of daring, their indomitable pluck, energy, enterprise, and the unconquerable determination that marked their wonderful achievements in transforming these bleak prairies into a live. teeming and densely populated country, sounds more like romance than reality. As the sight-seer passes through Clay county in an elegant coach, drawn as by the wings of lightning, catching a glimpse of the waving, golden harvest, green pastures, beautiful farm houses, handsome towns and innumerable herds of fine cattle quietly grazing on nutritious grasses, he wonders at the marvelous transformation. Yonder, a beautiful lake surrounded by clumps of bushes is seen, the fair western maiden, in company with her lover, quietly rowing over its smooth and placid waters, enjoying a pleasant pastime, little thinking that only a half of a century ago the wild and uncivilized red man held absolute pos- session of it, and that it would have been either instant death or fearful torture to have ventured on its quiet waters. The change is marked and marvelous. These vast, unbroken prairies of surpassing beauty, of unequalled richness and fertility, overshadowed with fair skies, and surrounded by beautiful scenery, and dotted with bright lakes, could not always remain in the possession of a rude 11 barbarous race. No. There are always brave and daring men who possess the courage to investigate and penetrate the great unknown. Such were the men who came to Clay county, not as discoverers, but as settlers, that the way might be made possible for its settlement and the development of its soil. That they accomplished this grand and noble object is wonderfully attested by its large population, its hundreds of schoolhouses for the education of the youth, its large, commodious places of worship, its beautiful villages and cities, and the teeming, prosperous multitude of farmers, merchants and mechanics, who extend a hearty welcome to all who seek a home in this enticing spot, where the broad, rich. rolling prairie land is to be had at a far less value than it is really worth.
The early development of the county was quite slow, and but few events transpired worthy of note other than those mentioned. Its immigration being small, its real worth unknown, and there being so many thousands of acres of government land to choose from, it is no wonder that it did not at once spring into prominence. The settlers plodded along, exerting their best energies to make
51
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
for themselves homes and accumulate something for the future. They, however, in time, succeeded in effecting an organization and had the county made a separate and distinct county. They made some public improvements, built a courthouse, and made numerous other county changes. There being but a few of them, they knew each other intimately, and the friendships thus formed in those days are yet unbroken. Everything moved along prosperously until 1873, when a plague, in the form of grasshoppers, came down upon them. The ele- ments had been favorable, and the crops were plentiful, and gave evidence of yielding the toiling farmers a rich reward for their labors, when all at once this destructive and devastating plague swept down upon them. Swarms upon swarms of these pests came until the skies were black and the earth covered with them. They destroyed and laid waste to the great growing fields of waving corn, wheat, oats, etc. From field to field they went their way, and when they left one to go to another. it had the appearance of having been mowed to the earth and left as bare as if nothing had ever grown there. It was a sad and terrible blow to the tillers of the soil. It was too late to plant and sow another crop, and even if they did there was no assurance that they would not receive another visit from the pests. Many farmers were poverty stricken. All they had had been swept away. Their source of revenue was gone, and even their potatoes, cabbages, turnips and other vegetables, which they intended to live upon during the coming winter, were taken from them. It was a pitiful plight in which they were placed. Many were without ready money, and many others had no hopes of getting any unless they sold the only team they possessed. While this might have furnished them with temporary means, for the fall and winter, when spring came they would be without means to purchase another team, and therefore would be unable to farm. Work was scarce; in fact it was next to impossible to get employment. What should they do? was the inquiry one would make of another as they looked out upon their destroyed fields of grain and talked over the situation. Many grew disheartened, and gathering together their few effects, started for the east in search of employment, leaving behind them the farms on which they had spent time and toil, and had almost lived on long enough to acquire a title. It was a sad blow to these enduring and deserv- ing farmers, who had struggled so hard to make for themselves a "place" that they could say "these one hundred and sixty acres belong to me." It was a trying time to the souls of many a man as he looked for the last time upon those fertile acres which he had cultivated, and which had promised him such an abundant yield. These he must forsake, for to stay was to lose all.
Such were the conditions of affairs in 1874. The raid made by the grass- hoppers did a great amount of injury to the county. An impression prevailed that they would make annual visits to this section, and it required several years to disabuse this belief. Many remained, being more fortunately situated than those whom necessity required to go elsewhere, to seek sustenance for the coming winter.
It was not until some years afterwards that immigration began to turn in this direction, and even then it was limited. The scare was not over, and the people who wanted to come waited to see if the grasshoppers would make another visit. They had heard of the work done by them, and of the privations
52
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
of those who went and stayed, and were thus prevented from coming. In time these fears were removed, and Clay began to fill up.( When the railroad came. the prospects of future settlement became more encouraging. In the spring of 1879 the tide came. Many came to purchase land, others to build and establish homes.f. As if by magic the houses sprang into existence, and the prairies were soon dotted over with well-tilled farms and gocd, substantial farm houses. It was well worth the years of solitude and privations of the early settler to see his home suddenly surrounded by other farms under good cultivation ; and to live within a short distance of friendly and pleasant neighbors.
We have thus briefly and imperfectly sketched the earlier struggles, the repeated failures and the final triumphs of Clay county, and have seen it trans- formed from a vast unbroken prairie into almost a wilderness of farms, dwell- ings, towns and villages. Even today it is a source of genuine comfort to those who went through the hardships we have enumerated, to tell the newcomer of the trials and troubles of the early days, and to point out the many and varied improvements made in the past half a century.
ITS FIRST SETTLEMENT.
Until the year 1856 the only inhabitants of Clay county were the Indians and the great Northwestern Iowa was a trackless prairie. But gradually settle- ment extended its way westward and the rich and fertile prairies began to teem with activity. And as the years rolled around immigration increased and the cast heard of the wonderful productiveness of the soil; the salubrious climate, the cheapness of the land and the population multiplied itself in a short time. The lack of settlement for so many years was to an extent due to a lack of timber. There appeared to be a desire among the settlers to select the timbered districts and to regard the prairies as worthless for agricultural purposes, because they did not produce the necessaries for fuel and fences. But gradually there came a change in the minds of men in regard to this, and the great west, with its bound- less and sweeping prairies, were sought for and then came the rush. And when the soil was subjected to farm tillage and reaped such rich harvests, its fame was spread far and wide, and Northwestern Iowa became known as the great agricultural center of the west. But this was not accomplished in a year, but required time and patience to develop and make known all of its natural resources.
The first permanent settlement by whites known was made in the spring of 1856. Previous to this settlement the firm of Lane & Ray, government sur- veyors, had passed through this county and run township lines and staked them out, and as was the custom in new counties, posted the sign, "Claimed by Lane & Ray." Whether deciding to relinquish their claims to these lands to some more determined men who would brave and bear the wants, privations and hardships of pioneer life, or obtaining a more lucrative position or business, they at least never returned to make their claim good or establish their ownership to the land. The principal portions of the land claimed by these surveyors were located along the banks of the river, in the south part of the county.
Unquestionably, the earliest permanent white settlers in Clay county were the Kirchners, who came here in April, 1856. In the year 1855, J. A. Kirchner,
VIEW NEAR SPENCER
THE NEW YORK PUBLICLIBRARY
ASTOR L - Nr X TILDEN FOUNDA IONS
55
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
in company with his brother, Jacob, set out from his native state, New York, to find fame and fortune in the far away west, of whose wonders he had heard and read so much. As they had no settled point in view, they traveled from place to place, hearing glowing accounts of the state of Iowa. They drifted westward, until they reached Cedar Falls, then but a small village near the borders of the west, where supplies were obtained by the pioneers. After reach- ing the place, they formed the acquaintance of Ambrose S. Mead, who, like themselves, was desirous of exploring the western part of the state. Mr. Mead possessed some Indian ponies, which he tendered the use of to the New Yorkers, which were gladly accepted by them. They at once purchased a sleigh and the necessary provisions to last them during their search for a location, and started out on their trip. Being impressed with the advantages of Spirit Lake and its surroundings, of which they had heard so much, they directed their course toward the historical part of the great Hawkeye state. While on their way they inspected numerous points and were greatly pleased with the beauty and wealth of the soil. Upon reaching a point near Algona, Kossuth county, they met a Mr. Brown, who informed them that he had spent a part of the previous year with a United States surveying party and was thoroughly acquainted with all the new territory. After making known to him their intentions to go to Spirit Lake to locate, he remarked to them: "Why don't you go to Clay county? That is the , finest county in the state and the land is the best."
After a long conversation, in which a full description of the county was given and the route to take, they set out and finally reached a point just a little west of where Peterson now stands. Being unable to cross the river they, how- ever, made a careful survey of the surroundings and decided to locate there. Their impression of the country was most favorable and they saw that the glow- ing accounts of the beauty and fertility of the soil had in no sense been exag- gerated; they there and then decided to make it their home for life. They immediately made claim to the timber land along the river on sections 32, 33 and 34, township 94, range 38, being in all about 300 acres, which was equally divided among the three. After choosing their land and settling everything satisfactorily among themselves, they returned to Cedar Falls, where they pur- chased the necessary teams, farm implements and provisions and returned to their new home, where they immediately set to work to perfect arrangements for the immediate occupancy and improvement of their claims. The first work of the pioneers upon reaching their claims was the erection of a cabin, or log house, and at the same time to commence breaking the ground on their newly acquired farms. The first plowing done was by J. A. Kirchner in May, 1856. Mr. Kirchner, after building a house and arranging for his crops, set out for New York, and in the fall returned with his father, Christian Kirchner, and wife and ten children. The house was built of logs, trees were felled and hewn and placed together. Shortly after the completion of this log cabin, James Bicknell and family arrived, and it was sold to him. Then Mr. Kirchner set to work to build another, which stood for several years in the corporate limits of Peter- son. These first cabins were very primitive affairs, but they answered the purposes most satisfactorily. Among the next settlers were the Gillett brothers, who settled at what is now the little town of Gillett's Grove. During the year CLAY 4.
56
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
there also arrived Ezra Wilcox and a Mr. Wilcox. Although the winter was quite severe the little band of pioneers suffered no discomforts, other than what was incident to a partially completed preparation, and their stock passed through without loss. In the meantime, the progress of settlement had rapidly increased, and a small town had sprung up in Webster county, where the government had established a fort, known as Fort Dodge, which made the distance a great deal less from which to obtain supplies.
The little settlement, of energetic and determined pioneers, made unusual progress with their labors to complete their homes and increase and enhance their possessions. It was not until something over a year after taking possession of these lands that they did acquire title to them. They went to Sioux City and made formal entry. The distance was quite great, but they became accustomed to long journeys and did not mind it. Their trips to and from trading points were made twice a year, and sufficient supply was purchased to last from spring to fall and from fall to spring. There were no incidents worthy of note during the first eighteen months of their residence and they began to think that all dangers were passed and the future foreboded nothing but peace and prosperity. Their crops were good, their stock in excellent condition and increasing, the families healthy and contented, and everything pointed to pleasant and happy homes.
During the next year the little band was increased by the arrival of John Kindelspyer, who located in the southeastern part of the county, also Frederick, William and C. H. Brockschink. In the spring of 1858 there came Charles C. and HI. E. W. Smeltzer; the former was subsequently elected county judge and the latter held several county offices. There were a number of other arrivals but the settlement was by no means swelled, as the census of 1860 shows only a total population of fifty-two. But those who came located their claims and proceeded to improve them with all their might and main and to build for themselves houses. The first religious services were held at Peterson, at the residence of C. Kirchner, on Sunday, in August. 1856, and were conducted by Rev. O. S. Wright. On that occasion nearly every soul in the county attended divine worship. The class of people who settled here at that time was moral and upright, and gave hearty accord to the establishing of religious services.
THE INDIAN TROUBLES.
¥
Our little band of pioneers progressed rapidly in developing the soil and making suitable homes for themselves, and were undisturbed by the few Indians that were living in and about Clay county at that time. Small bands of these wandering tribes frequently made the settlers visits, but gave no cause to them for alarm. They appeared to be friendly and made no pretensions of disturbing the whites. Up to February, 1857, the colony had been favored by uninterrupted peace and prosperity, but in that month the red-skins came down upon them and threatened for a time an overthrow of all their bright hopes. It appears that during the month previous a party of Indians passed down the Sioux river, with the intention of paying a friendly visit, and as they had made no sign of molesting the whites, no fears were apprehended, but when they had passed farther into
57
HISTORY OF CLAY COUNTY
the white settlement, the latter became greatly alarmed at their boldness and at Smithiand, the sixty or seventy warriors were disarmed and given to understand that while they would not be molested on their journey they would not be per- mitted to carry firearms. Upon having their arms taken from them, they became greatly enraged and immediately started back, vowing vengeance on all whites whom they should meet. On their returning they stopped at every house, appropriating everything in the way of firearms and provisions they could lay their hands on. When they had secured sufficient rifles and ammunition to arm their numbers, they became bolder, and not only slaughtered their stock, seized their provisions, burned their houses, but killed the settlers and created a reign of terror throughout the country. The Clay county settlers had heard of the depredations they were committing and were thoroughly alarmed for the safety of themselves and their property. When they came to the home of Mr. Bicknell and finding no one there-he with his family having gone to Mr. Kirchner's, across the river, they immediately appropriated everything which met their fancy. The next day they made their appearance at the Kirchner home, where they found the terror stricken settlers huddled together. Without any ceremony they captured all the arms to be found, killed the cattle and took what they wanted. After remaining in the Peterson settlement for a day and a night they pushed on, leaving the whites badly frightened, but thankful that they had escaped with their lives. This band of bloodthirsty Siouxs then proceeded to the house of Ambrose Mead, who was absent at the time at Cedar Falls. Previous to leaving for this place, he had arranged to have a Mr. Taylor and family remain with Mrs. Mead and the children during his stay. . Becoming angry at Taylor for his interference, they threatened to kill him if he did not keep out of their way. Fearing that they would carry out their threats, Taylor left the women and children and set out to secure assistance. The Indians killed the stock, drove off the ponies and carried the women with them. But fearing they would be pursued and overtaken, they decided to allow the women to return, after taking such liberties as the helpless women could not prevent. They then directed their steps toward Linn Grove and Sioux Rapids, where they subjected the settlers to the same treatment they had given the Mead and Taylor families. From thence they went to Gillett's Grove, where they not only repeated their operations but burned the buildings. The Indians had no sooner left Peterson than a courier was sent to Sac City, to inform the people there and give warning to the settlers of the depredations being committed by the red devils. \ company was at once formed of settlers and set out in great haste to overtake them. They followed them to within a few miles of where Spencer now stands, but a severe snow storm coming on, prevented the Indians from being overtaken and caused the settlers to take refuge from the terrible snow storm. The Indians, however, hurried on to Okoboji and Spirit Lake, and massacred the entire colony, men, women and children, with one exception, Miss Abigail Sharpe, who was subse- quently rescued and his since written a book, detailing the history of the attack, and massacre and the horrible tortures inflicted on the helpless captured, by those wild, bloodthirsty and inhuman brutes.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.