USA > Iowa > Scott County > Davenport > History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume I > Part 26
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But coal may be found in almost any portion of Buffalo township, and at extreme low water has been found cropping out from the bed of the Mississippi, below the town of Buffalo. It is from this latter fact that some have been led to suppose there is a second coal deposit on or near the level of the river, and which underlies the whole, and must be far more extensive and of much better quality than the article now used from the upland mines. A company is about
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THE WILLARD BARROWS HISTORY.
being formed, we understand, at Blue Grass, for the purpose of testing this principle by boring or sinking a shaft in the vicinity of Blue Grass until it shall reach the level of the bottom of the Mississippi river which will require some 150 feet.
The substratum of the upland prairies is composed of a great variety of earthy materials, including marls, beds of coarse sand and gravel, hard pan or pudding stones, overlaid with a kind of a yellow clay, and which underlies the present surface soil. This formation indicates the existence of extensive fresh water lakes, with currents, anterior to the drift or boulder era. In excavations for wells in the vicinity of Blue Grass a rich black mould of vegetable composi- tion has been found twenty feet below the surface. 'The buried remains of the now extinct tribes of the gigantic mastodon and northern elephant are proofs of the existence of this earlier surface soil which was covered with a rank vegetation affording ample sustenance to immense herds of animals now extinct. The re- mains of one of these animals was found and partially exhumed in 1845 near Blue Grass, as will be seen from the following notice which we clip from the Davenport Gazette of September of that year :
"Wonderful Discovery-A Mastodon in Iowa !- The remains of a huge animal have been found in this county about three miles from the Mississippi and about 150 feet above the level of the river on the farm of Mr. John Perin. The re- mains were discovered during last month by Joseph Morehead, Esq. They were embedded in a formation of argillaceous clay strongly impregnated with iron and about twelve feet below the surface of the earth. But a small portion of the remains have been exhumed; the remainder in the situation first discovered are left for the examination of some skillful anatomist as the position in which; found will tend to the discovery of the size and species of the monster animal. Of the portions unearthed we will give a short description from the data that have been furnished us, regretting that we have not the facilities for transcribing dia- grams of them.
"The teeth or tusks of the animal when first discovered appeared to be in good preservation, but in removing them they were found to have little tenacity. They are formed of laminated rings from one-eighth to one-quarter of an inch in thickness, incased in an enamel of one-half an inch in depth. The exact length of these tusks cannot be accurately determined as previous to their removal the base of one and the extremity of the other had been broken off, but Messrs. More- head and Sargent the gentlemen who exhumed them fully concur in the opinion founded upon the observations of the impressions made in the clay and other data that they could not have been less than eleven feet in length. They are eight inches in diameter at base and very much curved toward the point. Persons who saw them before they were mutilated say that they were about fourteen feet in length. A transverse section of these tusks exhibits the curvilinear radia- tions seen in the ivory of the elephant.
"One of the molars in good preservation was discovered on the same level with the tusks. It is composed of vertical strata of bone and enamel, alternating, is twelve inches wide at the base, four inches thick and nine inches deep. Another molar in an imperfect condition was obtained ; from the size of the portions found this tooth was presumed to be eighteen inches in length.
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"Further investigation disclosed a mass of bone five feet in thickness which appears to have been connected with the alveolar process from whence proceeded one of the tusks. The surface presented to the eye-for as we before observed the remains have been left in the position discovered with the exception of the tusks and molars which are in the possession of two of our citizens-as it rests in a clay pit is a vertical section. A great portion of this mass had been destroyed by people more curious than wise before precautionary means had been taken to insure its safety.
"When first disclosed, the base of one of the tusks was on a level with this mass of bone but separated to the distance of three and a half feet. In this bone is a clearly defined orifice supposed to have been the whole of the ear. Proceeding out of this mass of bone and radiating irregularly from near the same spot are four bones resembling the ribs of an ox, but are of a substance much more dense. The length of these bones has not been determined, as they are still embedded in the clay. Attached to this mass by a cartilage-which owing to the presence of sulphuret of iron has been converted into a substance resembling bone-is a bone two feet in length, ten inches in width at the widest part, and four inches thick in the middle. Connected with this are several smaller bones that have the appearance of having at one time assisted in the formation of the ear. When dis- covered, the base of one tusk rested upon the middle of the other.
"It is the intention of those having charge of these remains to retain them in their present position until such time as competent scientific assistance for their entire exhumation can be obtained."
The original proprietors of the town of Blue Grass were John Perin, James W. Reynolds and James E. Burnsides who made the first survey of lots in June, 1853, Samuel Perin, surveyor, and made a public sale of them on the 10th of July of that year, Samuel Parker, auctioneer. The ground upon which the town was laid out had been occupied by six family residences, one of which had a small store in it in the summer of 1852. A small stock of goods has been kept there by different parties to the present time.
In 1855 James E. Burnsides erected a building for a hotel, but sold to Mr. Skiles, who made additions and opened a store which he still continues with suc- cess. A postoffice is kept by Mr. Skiles.
In 1855 through the exertions of the people of Blue Grass, who subscribed liberally, a steam flouring mill was erected by Messrs. Brace & Donahue, thirty feet by forty feet, four stories high, and capable of manufacturing 120 barrels of flour per day.
The village of Blue Grass now contains thirty-one familes, has one store, two blacksmiths, one carpenter, one shoemaker, one drug store, two church buildings, one Methodist and one Presbyterian. There is a Baptist church organized who worship in the Presbyterian church at present but contemplate erecting a house next summer. There are the usual number of school districts in the township and well supplied with school houses.
There is much to induce settlers to locate at Blue Grass, a rich surrounding country, well cultivated by enterprising farmers and schools and churches well conducted, with the beauty and healthfulness of a location, are sufficient induce- ments for any to settle down for life. The village needs more mechanics. A tin
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shop, saddle and harness and other shops of similar utility would do well. The morals of the community are good. No grog shops are allowed in this town and the Sabbath is reverenced and observed in a suitable manner.
There are some neighborhoods in this township that should claim more special notice, but we shall speak of only one more. The settlement of Little's Grove was first made in 1837 by William Lingo now of St. Louis who sold his claim to Francis and Samuel Little. The former died in 1854. Samuel Little, Esq., still resides in the grove and, we believe, is the only old settler still living in or around the grove. He has made himself not only comfortable with this world's goods but is independent. Surrounded by a large family he rests from his toils and now enjoys the rewards of hard labor amid many privations-one of the best and wealthiest farmers in Scott county.
AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS
AND
STOCK
LIVE
DONAHUE SAVINGS BANK
KEPPY'S STORE, DONAHUE
HENRY KLINDT'S STORE, MAYSVILLE
THE WILLARD BARROWS HISTORY.
CHAPTER X.
ALLENS GROVE TOWNSHIP.
This township has the Wabesipinecon river on the north for its boundary, being skirted by timber, and also has a large grove of timber cut up into small tracts, and owned by the settlers in the vicinity. The grove was first settled in 1836 by a Mr. Allen who erected a cabin and laid claims to the lands now owned by George Lathrop. The grove derived its name from this man who removed at an early day into the "New Purchase." In 1843 while exploring the rivers of Iowa I found Mr. Allen with his family on the frontiers with a newly erected cabin close on to the line of the "Neutral Ground" of the Winnebago Indians. He was then talking of removing west as soon as the Indians sold their lands. The original or Indian name of this grove is Ka-te-sau-ne Mo-no-ok-que, (Otter Creek grove) deriving its name from Allens creek, which runs along the north side of the grove and called Ka-te-sau-ne Sepo (Otter creek).
In 1837, '38 and '39 the grove became settled by quite a number of emigrants, among whom were Dennis R. Fuller, John Dunn, John E. Thompson, Mr. Hindes, Halburt and Gee. These opened farms generally upon the prairie at the edge of the grove. The timber in this grove was formerly of the best quality, and the prairie around it beautiful and rolling. The farms in the vicinity are of the first order, well cultivated and productive. Some of its early settlers still live upon the lands they first claimed and are among the first citizens of Scott county.
Allens Grove is surrounded by well cultivated farms, except on the north, and nowhere has greater attention been paid to agricultural pursuits, to educat- ing their children by common schools and social intercourse with one another, than by the inhabitants of this township. But few sections of country in Iowa or any other state present such a display of agricultural enterprise as the farms in the vicinity of this grove. Many of its first settlers have died, leaving to their children substantial homes.
There are many reminiscences connected with the settlement of this township that would be of much interest, but the author has been much disappointed in gathering them, and its history must, for the present, remain unwritten.
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THE WILLARD BARROWS HISTORY.
HICKORY GROVE.
This grove was first settled in 1836. Geo. L. Davenport and some others had taken claims there as early as 1835, but we believe no actual settlement was begun until the following year. Among those who first made improvements in and around the grove were Alfred Carter, Vincent Carter, John Porter, Mr. Wyscowber, John and Christopher Schuck. This grove of timber at an early day was beautiful, furnishing fuel and timber for settlers, and has been the means of opening a large amount of prairie in its vicinity.
There is an organized church at this grove of the Baptist persuasion; good schools and a very pleasant, intelligent and worthy community. It is one of the best farming neighborhoods in the county.
SLOPERVILLE.
This place lies on the State road leading from Davenport to Iowa City, and properly belongs to Davenport township, but we speak of it here as a place, early settled by Samuel Sloper, who planted a grove of locust as early as 1839. This whole prairie is now settled; has a Congregational church organized, a fine dis- trict school and a community of enterprising farmers.
LIBERTY TOWNSHIP.
This is the northwest township in the county, and although somewhat roll- ing, and even broken in some parts, yet it is very well settled and contains many good farms. Its first settlements were commenced in 1837 by the Messrs. God- dards, Laugherties, Hellers, and Woods, most of whom still live in the township. It contains some fine groves of timber and beautiful creeks.
There are two villages or towns begun in the township, Spring Rock is laid out on lands formerly owned by George Goddard, and contains some private resi- dences, a hotel, store, flouring and grist mill. Rock creek (As-sin-ne Sepo, in Indian) passes through this township, upon which there are many beautiful farms. The town of Dixon is situated in Little Walnut grove, upon Walnut creek, con- taining some half-dozen dwelling houses, a store, hotel, saw mill and mechanic shops.
Round Grove is another point of importance in this township and consists of a settlement of farmers. Mr. Kizer who settled there at an early day has built a large hotel for the accommodation of the traveling public. This enterprising farmer has done much to draw a settlement around him, and has set a good ex- ample for the emigrant to a new country.
FORT ARMSTRONG, SHOWING RESIDENCE OF COL GEORGE DAVENPORT
CHAPTER VII.
THE ISLAND OF ROCK ISLAND.
THE UNITED STATES ACQUIRES THE ISLAND BY TREATY-THE EXPEDITION TO ESTAB- LISH A FORT-A DUEL BY THE WAY-FORT ARMSTRONG, AN OUTPOST IN THE WILDERNESS-EFFORTS TO SECURE AN ARMY AND ARSENAL-GENERAL RODMAN'S PLANS-ITEMS FABRICATED AT THE ARSENAL-COST OF THE PLANT-GENERAL CROZIER'S ESTIMATE-SQUATTERS' CLAIMS.
The history of the island of Rock island has always been of great general in- terest to the country at large. It is all the more so to the people of Davenport and Scott county. Major D. W. Flagler, while commandant of the Rock Island arsenal prepared in 1887, under the instructions of Brigadier General Stephen D. Benet, chief of ordnance, United States army, a complete history of the is- land. Extracts have been made freely from that excellent monograph for the completion of this chapter.
THE ST. LOUIS TREATY OF 1804.
The United States acquired its title to the island of Rock island through a treaty which was made by William Henry Harrison, governor and superintendent of Indian affairs for the Indiana territory and district of Louisiana, with certain chiefs of the Sacs and Fox tribes of Indians, at St. Louis, Missouri, in Novem- ber, 1804. The principal articles of this treaty, which may be useful for reference, are as follows :
Article 1. The United States receive the United Sac and Fox tribes into their friendship and protection, and the said tribes agree to consider themselves under the protection of the United States and of no other power whatsoever.
Article 2. The general boundary-line between the lands of the United States and of the said Indian tribes shall be as follows, to wit: Beginning at a point on the Missouri river, opposite to the mouth of the Gasconade river ; thence in a direct course so as to strike the river Jeffreon at the distance of thirty miles from its mouth and down the said Jeffreon to the Mississippi; thence up the Mississippi to the mouth of the Ouisconsing river and up the same to a point which shall
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be thirty-six miles in a direct line from the mouth of the said river; thence by a direct line to the point where the Fox river (a branch of the Illinois) leaves the small lake called Sakaegan ; thence down the Fox river to the Illinois river and down the same to the Mississippi. And the said tribes, for and in consideration of the friendship and protection of the United States, which is now extended to them, of the goods (to the value of $2,234.50) which are now delivered, and of the annuity hereinafter stipulated to be paid, do hereby cede and relinquish forever to the United States all the lands included within the above described boundary.
Article 3. In consideration of the cession and relinquishment of land made in the preceding article, the United States will deliver to the said tribes at the town of St. Louis, or some other convenient place on the Mississippi, yearly, and every year, goods suited to the circumstances of the Indians, to the value of $1,000, ($600 of which are intended for the Sacs and $400 for the Foxes) reckoning that value at the first cost of the goods in the city or place in the United States where they shall be procured. And if the said tribes shall hereafter, at an annual delivery of the goods aforesaid, desire that a part of their annuity should be furnished in domestic animals, implements of husbandry, and other utensils convenient for them, or in compensation to useful artificers who may reside with or near them, and be employed for their benefit, the same shall at the subsequent annual delivery be furnished accordingly.
Article 4. The United States will never interrupt the said tribes in the pos- session of the lands which they rightfully claim, but will on the contrary protect them in the quiet enjoyment of the same against their own citizens and against all other white persons who may intrude upon them. And the said tribes do hereby engage that they will never sell their lands, or any part thereof, to any sovereign power but the United States, nor to the citizens or subjects of any other sovereign power, nor to the citizens of the United States.
Article 7. As long as the lands which are now ceded to the United States remain their property, the Indians belonging to the said tribes shall enjoy the privilege of living and hunting upon them.
The other articles provided for the protection of the Indians on their own lands west of the Mississippi (which were not ceded) ; for the settlement of difficulties which might arise between the Indians and the whites; for the establish- ment of a military post on the west bank of the Mississippi, near the mouth of the Ouisconsing (Wisconsin) river, and for the establishment of Indian traders. This treaty was signed on behalf of the Indians by five chiefs of the two tribes. The Foxes and part of the Sacs always held that the sale of the lands was a just trans- action and that the treaty was good and binding. Black Hawk, the famous Indian hero of the Black Hawk war, was the principal chief of the Sacs, and did not sign the treaty but held, during the wars of 1812 and of the Black Hawk war, that the treaty was not binding. He had an important village, the great town of the na- tion, beautifully situated on Rock river, near where it empties into the Missis- sippi, and about four miles from Rock island, and when under the treaty his village site and surrounding rich lands were afterward sold to settlers, he resisted and fought to save his lands. His account of the signing of the treaty was that a white man had been killed by one of Black Hawk's men, and that when the murderer
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was put in prison in St. Louis, four Indians of his tribe were sent thither to procure his release by paying a sum of money, and that these Indians were made drunk and induced to sign the treaty. Other facts of history, and the treaty it- self, seem to prove that this story, or at least its application, was without good foundation.
. After the war of 1812, in which Black Hawk's party had joined the British against the United States, peace and the treaty of 1804 were ratified by new treaties made separately with the chiefs of the two tribes, at Portage des Sioux, September 13 and 14, 1815, and again afterward by another treaty of peace and friendship with the Sacs, made at St. Louis May 13, 1816. This last treaty was specially to ratify and confirm the treaty of 1804, and to bind the Indians to keep the peace and return stolen property. It was signed by twenty-one chiefs and warriors of the Sac tribe, and Wilkie states, in his story of Davenport, by Black Hawk himself.
By a subsequent treaty, dated August 24, 1816, the United States ceded a portion of the tract received from the Sacs and Foxes to the Ottawa, Chippewa and Pottawattomie tribes in exchange for lands lying on the west shore of Lake Michigan, including the site of Chicago and south of an east and west line from the south end of Lake Michigan to the Mississippi river. Afterward the ceded lands, the boundary line of which it appears passed just north of the site of Black Hawk's village on Rock river, near Rock island, were repurchased from the Ottawas, Chippewas and Pottawattomies in two treaties, dated September 20, 1828, and July 29, 1829. In the latter treaty the United States agreed to pay the above tribes $16,000 in coin, per annum, forever, for only a small portion of the lands originally purchased from the Sacs and Foxes for $2,000 per annum. This appears to have caused Black Hawk's dissatisfaction and indignation, as ex- hibited in a council with General Gaines in the garrison on Rock island, during the Black Hawk war in 1832.
WAR HISTORY BEGINS.
Rock island was not occupied by white men and appears to have had no his- tory until the breaking out of the war with Great Britain, in 1812. The Indians occupied it unmolested and it was their favorite hunting and fishing ground, and its beautiful scenery and rich woods made it a favorite resort for feasts and for the performance of religious and other ceremonies. Reynolds, in his "Life and Times," gives a good description of the condition of the surrounding country just before the commencement of the war. He says:
The territory that at this day embraces the populous state of Illinois pre- sented at that early period a savage wilderness. The entire white population, French and Americans, amounted to about 2,000, or perhaps a small fraction more. The French creoles numbered about 1,200 and the Americans 800 or a 1,000. This small white population was isolated by vast regions of wilderness, ex- cept on the west of the Mississippi. At this early period considerable colonies ex- isted on the west side of the river, and extended much farther on the Mississippi than the settlements in Illinois. The lead mines of the Spanish country attracted emigration, and the colonies extended back west from the river forty or more
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miles. These settlements were much larger than on the east side of the Mississippi ; although they were in a foreign government yet they gave strength and efficiency to the weaker colonies on the east side of the stream. The Indian tribes inhab- iting the wilderness of that day, which is now comprised in the present limits of the state of Illinois, were numerous, warlike and courageous. The savages at that day all possessed a wild and hostile spirit, that existed throughout the North American Indians. The wars had not then subdued their spirits. The Sac and Fox tribes were united and formed at that day a large, brave and powerful na- tion. Their chief residence was near Rock island in the Mississippi and through- out the country around that locality. The Winnebagoes resided on the upper part of Rock island and west of Green bay, northwest of Lake Michigan and on and over the Wisconsin river. The Pottawattomies inhabited the region be- tween Lake Michigan and the Illinois river, and down that river. The warlike and courageous small nation of the Kickapoo Indians dwelt in the prairies north and east of Springfield and also in the region of country around Bloomington. The Kaskaskia Indians were housed in by the other tribes, to the country around about their ancient village of Kaskaskia. The Piankishaws were located in the southeastern section of the state and inhabited the waters of the lower Wabash river on both sides of that stream. The most dense Indian population of the west was on the Illinois river and tributaries. Also on the Mississippi, near Rock island, was a strong Indian population, but not equal to that on the Illinois river. It is impossible to be accurate in the estimation of the number of Indians who resided in the limits of the state at this early period. I presume it would range between 30,000 and 40,000 souls ; and at this day not one exists in the state.
But a peep behind the curtain showed a weak and extended frontier from the site on the Mississippi where Alton now stands, down the river to the mouth of the Ohio, and up that stream and the Wabash to a point many miles above Vin- cennes, with a breadth of only a few miles at places. This exposed outside was three or four hundred miles long, and the interior and north inhabited by ten times as many hostile and enraged savages as there were whites in the country The British garrisons on the north furnishing them with powder and lead and malicious counsels and the United States leaving the country to its own defenses, presented a scene of distress that was oppressing.
In the spring of 1812 Captain Ramsey had a small company of regular troops stationed at Camp Russell, and they remained there only for a few months. These were the only regulars that saw Camp Russell during the war. In the commence- ment of the war the Indian traders reported the fact that Colonel Dixon, at Prairie du Chien, had engaged all the warriors of the north and around the prairie to descend the Mississippi and exterminate the settlements on both sides of the river. This was the plan of the campaign; but the English needed the Indians more in Canada, and they were brought to that section, and thereby our country was saved from a great effusion of blood. Many citizens who knew of the de- sign of Dixon's warriors actually fortified their houses in the interior of the country, not far from Kaskaskia, and some removed their families to Kentucky. Dixon was a man of talents and had, as an Indian trader, great influence with the Indians. He had the power to march the Indians to any point he pleased.
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