USA > Iowa > Scott County > Davenport > History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume I > Part 15
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 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93
"The weapons carried by some of these volunteer patriots were not satisfac- tory to the commanding officers and about one-fourth of the army were ordered out of the ranks and their services dispensed with unless they would procure others of a different character and more in accordance with the army regula- tions. The objectionable weapons consisted of a plow coulter, carried in a link of a large log chain which the valiant soldier had over his shoulder. Another was a sheet-iron sword about six feet in length fastened to a rope shoulder- strap. Another was an old fashioned sausage stuffer. Another was an old musket without a lock; and the balance of a like character.
"The order was given for the owners of these nondescript weapons to march out of the ranks three steps. The order was obeyed. The ranks closed up and the offending soldiers were discharged with a reprimand.
"I am not prepared to say that the commanding officer was justified in thus summarily discharging so many men who were ready and anxious to serve their country, and the result proved that the amount of bravery dismissed was equal to that retained, for no sooner were the discharged soldiers clear of the line of the regiment than they formed a company of cavalry, a company of dragoons and a company which they called the squad, and then under the superior general- ship of their leader, the knight of the six-foot sword, they made a bold charge upon the regulars, broke their line, drove not a few of them into the river, some into and some around the ferryhouse, some into the grocery and some out of town ; thus defeating and dispersing the regular army without the loss of a man on either side.
"This conflict was disastrous in its results to the regular army and before the forces could again be collected, peace was declared and the army disbanded.
"This unlooked for cessation of hostilities was a severe blow to the military aspirations of the Hawkeyes and disappointed the just expectations of those who had hoped to distinguish themselves in the defense of our territorial rights. The disappointment was not felt by the army of Scott county alone. Numerous companies had been formed elsewhere, and had started for the seat of war with supplies for the campaign.
"A company of about thirty left an adjoining county under the leadership of a chieftain who often used to say that he 'could whip his weight in wild cats,' and who has since represented you in the national congress, has been upon your supreme bench and has also been chief justice of California.
"He started out with thirty men and six baggage wagons well loaded with supplies for his army, and being determined to keep up the spirits of his men, he freighted five of his wagons with whiskey.
"The question of boundary was subsequently submitted to the supreme court of the United States and the disputed territory given to Iowa."
The financial condition of the county at the close of this year shows in a measure the increase and progress made in its settlement. The receipts from licenses, ferries and fines including tax lists which was $1,410.92 was a revenue of $2,578.94, while the expenditures were only $1,804.63. The immigration
166
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
THE WILLARD BARROWS HISTORY.
this year was small. With reference to the moral and religious aspect of things at this time, but little can be said. I insert, however, a paragraph from Wilkie's "Davenport Past and Present," in order to correct any impression that might prevail with reference to the dissipation prevalent at that day :
"Frequent allusions have been made thus far to the many 'good times' had by the old settlers. It will not be inferred from it that they were dissipated or drunkards. Far from it. Some of the brightest lights now in the church, at the bar, and in private life are those very men. They but complied with the character of the times while absent from social refinements. and the elegancies of older towns, almost all strangers to each other, and craving for that ex- citement which is now indulged in the intercourse of hosts of friends and friendly relations of long standing. They could not well do otherwise than they did. Mostly men from large cities, they were ennuied by the comparative quiet of a frontier life, and to vary their listless lives, resorted to stimulants or what- ever else would afford excitement."
The winter was rather more severe than the one previous. The river closed at the head of the rapids in December, but not until the 14th of January at this place, and opened the first day of March.
The year of 1839 closed with about 100 houses in the town of Davenport and a population of about 300.
1840 .- Immigration commenced this year with the first boats of the season, March 3d. An agricultural society had been formed in January : A. W. McGregor, Esq., first president ; G. C. R. Mitchell, Esq., vice president; John Forrest, sec- retary and A. LeClaire, treasurer. At the township elections held in April John H. Thorington was elected mayor and Frazer Wilson, recorder. The trustees elected were Geo. L. Davenport, Seth F. Whiting, J. W. Parker, John Forrest and William Nichols.
The Dubuque land sales came off in May and the settlers generally attended en masse in order to protect their claims, and have their lands bid in to them at gov- ernment price, $1.25 an acre. This sale brought all matters of disputes about claims to a sudden close. A committee of arbitration was chosen by the settlers, before whom all disputes were settled, and the land bid off by G. C. R. Mitchell for each claimant.
In July the supreme court tried the writ of mandamus granted to the Rock- ingham party against the commissioners of Dubuque county, commanding and requesting them to make an entry in their books to the effect that Rockingham was the county seat. The court decided in favor of claimants, when a petition to the legislature was gotten up by the Davenport party of over 300 names, pray- ing for a new election. The act was passed and the fourth Monday of August fixed as the day for holding a new election. This election resulted favorably to Davenport, and thus was the long vexed question forever put to rest ; the citizens of Davenport building the courthouse and jail, free of expense to the county, as per contract. As this is the last notice of this long unsettled question and desirous of showing as a part of our history who at this early day came forward and nobly sustained her interests, we here publish a list of the donations and subscriptions to the public buildings, in full :
167
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
THE WILLARD BARROWS HISTORY.
"The following article was placed in the hands of the county treasurer the other day as a donation to the county for the express purpose of erecting the public buildings, should this place be selected as the county seat at either the election in August or September.
"A donation of ninety acres of land, is offered the county at the mouth of Duck creek provided that point should be selected at the first election. Should the election not be decided on the first ballot, no donation is offered, either by Duck creek or Rockingham. In addition to the land which the donators have agreed to give, sell and convey to the county, they also offer $825. mostly materials. The people have both propositions before them and they will be enabled to decide as to the amount donated for each point. A tax of $6,000 or $8,000 on the in- habitants of the county would be oppressive in our present infant and embarrassed state, and it is hardly supposed any person would vote for such a tax, when they have the offer of a donation nearly if not amply sufficient to cover all expenses."
Davenport, August 3, 1840.
Whereas, the question of a location of the county seat in Scott county is to be settled by a vote of the people of said county, the points to be voted for being Davenport, Rockingham and a point in Pleasant Valley near the mouth of Duck creek, and
Whereas, Rockingham and said point in Pleasant Valley near the mouth of Duck creek have each proposed donations to the county to erecting public build- ings therein, to be paid by the place in which the county seat should be located, this proposition the subscribers believe to have been made with a view of influenc- ing the voters of said county to vote for said points instead of Davenport, and believing Davenport is the most suitable place and wishing to counteract said undue influence for the purpose of making up a sum equal or greater than that offered by either of those points we, the subscribers, agree, and hereby bind our- selves to give and convey in fee simple to the county commissioners of Scott county the property described by each of us to be disposed of in raising a fund for the benefit of the county to be applied exclusively to the erection of a courthouse and jail, on condition that the town of Davenport shall be the point selected as county seat of Scott county, and we who do not give lots or land bind ourselves to pay in cash, or the manner stipulated, the sums affixed opposite our respective names on the terms therein stated, in witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals.
By virtue of a resolution this day passed by the mayor, recorder and trus- tees of the town of Davenport, authorizing the mayor on behalf of the corporation to subscribe the sum of $500 to aid in defraying the expense of erecting a court- house and jail in the town of Davenport, I, John H. Thorington, mayor of the town of Davenport, do promise on the part and in behalf of the said corporation to pay to the commissioners of Scott county on or before the first day of August next the sum of $500, provided, and it is expressly understood, that the above stipulated subscription is binding only upon condition that the said town of Davenport shall be selected as the permanent seat of justice for Scott county, and not otherwise.
THE TOWN OF DAVENPORT, by John H. Thorington, Mayor-$500.
168
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
THE WILLARD BARROWS HISTORY.
I, Antoine LeClaire, promise to convey on the condition before stipulated, the following described lots and lands, to-wit: Lot 3, block 15; 2, block 38; 3, 4 and 6, block 39; I, block 12; 8, block 28; 8, block 32 ; 7, 8, 9 and 10, block 7; outlots, Nos. 5, 10, 19, 22, 24, containing four acres each.
ANTOINE LECLAIRE.
I, Antoine LeClaire, attorney for P. G. Hambaugh, promise to convey on the condition before stipulated the following described lots : 5 and 6, block 14; 5 and 6, block 25; I and 2, block 37.
P. G. HAMBAUGH, By Antoine LeClaire.
I, George Davenport, promise to convey, on the conditions above stipulated, the following described lots, to-wit : West half of block 23 ; lots 4, 5 and 6, block II ; I, 2, 7 and 8, block 35 ; 5, block 3.
GEO. DAVENPORT.
I, John Macklot, promise to convey, on the conditions above stipulated, the following described lots, to-wit: Lots 1, 2, 7 and 8, block 36, if the courthouse shall be placed on Bolivar square.
JOHN MACKLOT.
I, Antoine LeClaire, agent for James May, promise to convey, on the condi- tions before stipulated, the following described lots, to-wit: Lots Nos. I and 2, block 13; I, block 39; 7 and 8, block 37; 3, block 13.
ANTOINE LECLAIRE, Agent for James May.
We, James and Robert McIntosh, promise to convey, on the conditions be- fore stipulated, the following described lots : 7 and 8, block 12; 3 and 4, block 14; 7 and 8, block 36; 5, in block 39; 2, in block 35.
J. AND R. M'INTOSH.
I, John Litch, agree to give one good, handsome lot in the lower part of Davenport, (in Powers' addition) as soon as Davenport shall be made the county seat.
J. LITCH.
I, George Davenport, hereby promise to pay to the county commissioners of Scott county, in lieu of the lots offered above, to aid in erecting the public build- ings the sum of $1,200, should the commissioners prefer the same to be paid in installments, as may be required in the progress of the buildings, provided the same shall be erected on Bolivar square.
GEO. DAVENPORT.
I, Antoine LeClaire, hereby promise to pay to the county commissioners of the county of Scott, in lieu of the lands and lots offered above, to aid in erecting
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
THE WILLARD BARROWS HISTORY.
the public buildings the sum of $3,000 in cash or its equivalent, should the said commissioners prefer the same, to be paid in such installments as may be re- quired in the progress of the buildings, as witness my hand and seal this Ioth day of August, 1840.
ANTOINE LECLAIRE.
(L. S.)
INDIVIDUAL SUBSCRIPTIONS.
James Hall.
$150 William S. Collins 15
N. Squires, carpenter work.
300
Strong Burnell 20
H. Leonard, in brick. 300
Asa Hale. IO
E. Hulse,
200
Timothy Dillon 29
A. Logan,. 50
S. B. Steele.
IO
Samuel Armitage.
5
Thomas Foster,
40
Franklin Culver
5
A. Greene, by R. Bennet. 25
William McDade.
5
Philip Cody .. 20
W. B. Arnold. 6
Eldridge & McCord.
50 A. J. Dawes.
5
E. V. Kerr and G. Tate. IO D. Hoge
50
W. W. Dodge,
25
T. S. Hoge. 50
W. B. Watts 25
John D. Evans.
20
Alfred Carter. 100
Riddle & Morton.
100
George L. Davenport,
50
George Colt.
5
Seth F. Whiting
25
J. M. D. Burrows 50
John Owens. 50
W. McCammon .. 30
James Rumbold.
50
W. W. Whittemore,
25
Charles Lesslie.
25
Thomas Dillon.
50
A. L. & J. Beatty. IO
George Bowers. 20
Henry Wright.
15
M. Parmele
20 R. S. Craig.
IO
John Cronkhite
IO
John W. King IO
30
Wm. M. Moran
5 John Evans
IO
W. G. Ruby H. J. Chapman.
25 William Nichols.
50
John F. Boynton IO Louis Hebert. IO
J. M. Witherwax
50 J. W. Parker. 100
A. W. Perry.
25
Peter Parter, by A. Perry 25
George Francis. 12
L. J. Senter, for J. Remer. 25
L. J. Senter IO
James Miller. 5
Isaac Squires. 20 William Lovell. IO
John H. Thorington. 25 Alex W. McGregor. 25
Walter B. Warren IO George W. Warren. 20
William Harmon. 15 Henry Powers 50
IO John Wilson.
100
C. C. Alvord.
IO James M. Bowling.
James O. Kelly. IO
John Pope. 20
At the October elections of this year party lines began to be drawn. A. C. Dodge was elected delegate to congress over Alfred Rich, the whig candidate,
169
170
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
THE WILLARD BARROWS HISTORY.
by about 100 majority. J. W. Parker was elected to the council over James Grant by a majority of only four votes. L. Summers and J. M. Robertson, * rep- resentatives ; John D. Evans, recorder ; A. H. Davenport, sheriff ; Ira Cook, Sr., treasurer, and E. Cook, judge of probate.
The receipts into the treasury this year were insufficient to meet the expendi- tures, the amount being only $1,635, while the expenditures were $2,121.37.
Business at the close of the year was increasing. There were eight mercan- tile establishments, four groceries, two hotels, a brewery nearly ready for oper- ation, a large pork house, with cash and goods offered for pork. Times began to brighten. A market had been established at home for the produce raised by the farmer, buildings had increased and the population amounted to about 600. The times had been severe on the newly settled colony. Money was scarce; the land had been brought into market, and those holding lands subject to pre-emption had to borrow money at fifty per cent to save their homes. The prices current in December were:
Flour, per barrel. $5.00 to $5.50
Butter, fresh $ .25
Wheat, per bushel. .50
Tallow . 121/2
Corn, per bushel. ยท37 to .50 Sugar, from stores .121/2
Oats, per bushel. .25 to .31
Coffee .20
Potatoes, per bushel. . 18 to .25
Tea
1.00
Onions, per bushel. . . . .25 to .37 Molasses, per gallon. .75
Beef, from wagon, 1b .. .02 to .04 Honey, good, strained, per gal. .75
Pork, from wagon, 1b .. .03 to .04 Nails, cut, all sizes, per lb., .10 to . 121/2
There were three frosts only up to the 14th of November. The river re- mained in good boating order, and steamboats ran till near the close of the year, the weather being mild and beautiful. River closed January 2d. There was good sleighing this winter from St. Louis to the lower rapids, and throughout the en- tire state of Illinois, a part of Michigan and Indiana ; but here there were not to exceed two inches of snow during the whole winter, nor was there any rain after the first of November. The river opened this year the 14th of March, and the steamer Otter came up the same day. On the 15th the steamer Agnes arrived from St. Louis and the next day both boats left for Galena and Dubuque, navi- gation being fairly opened, but the water very low.
On the 21st of April, 1841, the mayor, recorder and trustees of the town of Davenport passed an ordinance to raise the license for retailing liquors from $25 to $100, J. W. Parker being mayor.
On the 5th of May the sale of town lots for the erection of the public build- ings took place.
On the 8th of May the first territorial whig convention was held in Daven- port. Delegates were present from all the settled counties of the state, except
* Joseph M. Robertson emigrated to the territory of Iowa in 1836, and settled at Rock- ingham. He had made his first location in the west at New Boston, Mercer county, Ill., where he remained but a short time. He was a good, sound, practical man in all things. His political views were purely whig. A farmer and merchant he was accommodating and possessed a benevolent heart, ever ready to do a kindly act; and for moral and Christian worth he had no superior. His sterling integrity in all things, both private and public, ever drew around him a host of friends, and he was deservedly popular among his fellow citizens. He served many sessions in the territorial legislature, and died at Iowa City, while a member of that body in 1844, aged thirty-eight years.
111
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
THE WILLARD BARROWS HISTORY.
Dubuque and Clayton. They met at the LeClaire House, formed a procession and marched with a band of music, consisting of one bugle and a clarinet, to the "Harrison log cabin," then just erected on the corner of Third and Main streets. Several speeches were made, when Alfred Rich, Esq., received the nomination, on the fourth ballot, for delegate to congress. The democratic convention met at Parkhurst, (LeClaire) on the 19th of June and nominated A. C. Dodge, who was elected by a large majority. The weather in May was cold and backward. Notwithstanding the hard times and general scarcity of money, buildings of all kinds began to go up, and the town generally was in a flourishing condition. The courthouse and jail were commenced, and the days of strife and contention seemed to have ended.
Among the buildings erected this year was the Webb House, and it was con- sidered one of the most extravagant investments of the age. It presented a beau- tiful appearance from the river, standing alone upon the brow of the bluff, with nothing to obstruct the view, without a solitary house or other improvement in front of it. It is now owned and occupied by J. E. Henry, Esq. The brick building on the corner of Sixth and Brady streets was erected the same season by Strong Burnell. But the largest structure of this year was the old part of the "Worden House" on Third street, since enlarged. Flour this year was sold at $5.00 per barrel and wheat 50 cents a bushel. Pork was worth but 11/2 to 2 cents a pound.
James Grant and J. M. Robertson were elected representatives and J. W. Parker to the council. Parker was president of the council, that session of the legislature. The financial condition of the county at the close of 1841 was a revenue received of $7,019.93; and expenditures to the amount of $6,689.99; A. W. Campbell, J. C. Quinn and John Work, commissioners. A new charter to the town of Davenport was obtained this year from the legislature. The court- house and jail were finished and presented to the county free of cost, as pro- vided for in the bond given for that purpose.
In November of this year our little village was visited by a distinguished personage of foreign birth, in the person of Prince de Joinville. He and his suite took rooms at the LeClaire House.
In August of this year the "Davenport Weekly Gazette" issued its first number. Alfred Sanders, Esq., the senior editor, was from Cincinnati, Ohio. He had visited the upper Mississippi the year before in search of a location for life, and most wisely selected Davenport, then but a small village, as his home. None but those who have tried the experiment can realize the trials, hardships and discouragements incident to opening a printing establishment in a little frontier town, away from all resources, both financial and mechanical. To enter upon such an enterprise at such a time in the financial world as was presented in 1841 requires no little energy, ambition and perseverance. Such did Alfred Sanders possess, when on the IIth day of August he landed from one of the smallest steamers that ever pushed up our river, the water being so low upon the rapids below and the engine that propelled the little craft so weak that they had to pole over in real Mackinaw style. The arrival was announced, and soon the landing was thronged with anxious spectators to behold the new press and its editor. Moved by a spirit of grateful acknowledgment and a cordial
172
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
THE WILLARD BARROWS HISTORY.
welcome to this new arrival, all hands were eager to assist in landing the press. There being no wharf then built, and the water very low, a long plank walk was laid to the boat, on which in attempting to carry the press, it was precipitated into the Mississippi river, as if to purge it of any of its old sins, and baptise it anew before entering upon the virgin soil of Iowa.
The first number was issued on the 26th of August, and from that day to this, more than eighteen years, not a single number has been missed in its regular publication. When we take into consideration that not only the first outfit, but the constant supply of paper, ink and other material had to be purchased in the east, and subject to all the delays and dangers of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, and when we remember that Mr. Sanders suffered loss and disappointment by having his paper sunk and burned amid the disasters of the steamboat naviga- tion of that day, all his assistants being sick at one time, and he alone having to fill every department of the paper, from writing its editorials and setting type, down to working at the press and rolling for papers-I say, when we con- sider these discouragements, we must wonder and admire that energy and per- severance which for twenty years never allowed his subscribers to go without their weekly news. We believe that no portion of the great west can record a similar instance of deep devotion to their calling, amid such privations and hardships as that of Mr. Sanders to found a standard newspaper in Scott county. When I remember his increasing labor for many years without the prospect of even a livelihood, and no bright future before him, I feel happy in the privilege here presented of adding my testimony to his faithful services and wishing him all the enjoyment he may now possess from the fruits of his early struggles.
And no less deserving is he who amid all these discouragements stood by his side, not only as a partner, in a pecuniary view, but a constant sharer of all the burdens heaped upon the establishment through the many dark years of its existence. Mr. Levi Davis was the printer; and for neatness and mechanical execution I hesitate not to say, notwithstanding the difficulties under which he labored, that no establishment of the kind west of the great lakes can show a file of papers of ten years' accumulation like those presented by this office. No man among the early settlers of Davenport is deserving of more credit for faithfulness, industry and sterling integrity than Mr. Levi Davis.
For nearly ten years after the establishment of the Gazette it hardly paid expenses, though conducted in the most economical manner. From the tardy progress of the settlement of the country its subscription grew slowly; but as the country began to settle and the town to grow its patronage increased so that in May, 1851, nearly ten years after its commencement, its proprietors felt justified in enlarging it to a seven column paper. Two years after, on the 3d of Spetmber, 1853, they converted it into a tri-weekly, and the following year, on the 16th of October, 1854, they began to issue the first daily paper ever pub- lished in this portion of the state. As a daily it started out under the most favor- able auspices and has continued to increase in circulation ever since, notwithstand- ing the financial depression of 1857 and the unusual amount of opposition it has experienced in having three other daily papers to contend with.
In 1855, they introduced the first steam press ever put in operation in Iowa, a large size Taylor & Hoe press which is still doing good service. The weekly
1:3
HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY
THE WILLARD BARROWS HISTORY.
cash receipts of the office now average more than the yearly cash receipts did for seven years after its first establishment.
1842 .- On the 15th of February the Scott County Temperance society was organized; Thomas S. Hoge, president ; and Charles Lesslie, secretary.
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.