USA > Iowa > Davis County > History of Davis County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc. > Part 47
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THE JAIL.
The first jail was built in 1848; the board of commissioners, in January of that year, ordered that a jail be built on lot seven, block seventeen, in the town of Bloomfield. This jail was built of hewed logs, was about sixteen feet square, two story, the lower story having a double wall of logs, the space between the walls, abont six inches, being filled with stone; there was no door in the lower story, and the only means of entrance was by a stairway on the outside, and a trap door in the center of the floor in the upper story. Prisioners used to be sent down into this dungeon on a ladder, the ladder being then drawn up. No doubt the criminals all enjoyed this arrangement, as there is no record that they ever made any complaint. This institution did service as a place of criminal detention, with the aid of occasional repairs, until about the year 1877, when it was burnt down. Some time before it burnt a door had been eut in the wall of the lower floor, and during the winter, the prisoners had been trying to burn the door off its hinges with a red hot iron poker, and at the time it burnt down William Barton was eonfined in it for horse stealing, and tried the same experiment when the fire got beyond his control, and he came very near losing his life. After some lively work with "Dennison's key." he was taken out in an nneonseious condition.
436
IHISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
" Dennison's key " was a big fence rail, used as a battering ram. It was invented by a man named Dennisou, who busted in a school-house door with this wonderful instrument, some years before, in Bloomfield.
This old log jail was built by Willis Feagans, at a cost of something over $400. During the last few years of its existence, it was seldom used, on ac- count of its dampness and stinkativeness. And after it was burnt down the prisoners of State were kept in the Ottumwa and Centreville jails, until the present court-house and jail were completed. The history of the new jail is identical with the court-house, and will be found under that head.
COUNTY POUR-HOUSE AND FARM.
The first record of any one becoming a county charge is found in the proceedings of the Board of County Commissioners at the October session 1845, as follows :---
Ordered, that Samuel Riggs be appointed as agent of the board to let out to the lowest and most suitable bidder the keeping of Sarah Bane, who has become a county charge, for the term of not more than six nor less than three months. That said Riggs give public no- tice agreeable to law of the time and place when he will receive such proposals for keeping said Sarah Bane, and that on such day he receive such proposals as may be made and let out the same to the lowest and most suitable person.
And at the April session, 1846. is found the following entry :-
Ordered, that Joseph B. MeCoy be allowed twenty-three dollars and sixty-three cents for keeping and furnishing clothing to Sarah Bane, a county charge, as per account this day filed.
The next poor account is the following :-
April session, 1848.
Ordered, that John Allen be appointed agent for the county to furnish George Titus and Sarah his wife, with such articles of clothing and provision as in his discretion he may think actually necessary and present his bill for the same to this board for allowance at their regular terms until countermanded by the board.
This order was countermanded at the July session following. At the January session 1850, is found the following entry :-
It having been satisfactorily proved that Elizabeth Mathew, a daughter of Wm. Mathew, is a deaf and dumb person of the age of sixteen years, residing in the county; it is therefore ordered that the clerk of this Board report said Elizabeth Mathew to the Superintendent of Public Instruction according to law.
At the April session 1850 :-
Ordered by the Board that Matthew Fountain be allowed twelve dollars for keeping George' Titus, a pauper.
437
HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
At the same session :-
Ordered, that Matthew Fountain be allowed twenty-two dollars for keep George Titus, a pauper, from 19th of January up to the 6th Aprit, 1850.
At the July session 1850 :-
Ordered, that Matthew Fountain be allowed twenty-six dollars for boarding Geo. Titus, a pauper.
At the October session 1850 :-
Ordered, that Prudence Pickens be allowed thirteen dollars for boarding and taking care ·of Margaret Elder, a pauper. Payment up to this date.
At same session :-
Ordered, that Matthew Fountain be allowed thirty-one dollars and sixty cents for boarding and clothing George 'l'itus, a pauper.
At same session :--
Ordered that Pardon Brown be allowed fifty-four dollars and sixty cents for keeping An- drew Brown, pauper. Payment up to this date.
The foregoing are some of the first items of pauper expenses to the county. It was not until 1864 that the county made a move to purchase a poor farm, as shown by supervisor's record November term 1864, when it was,
Resolred, That the board proceed at once to purchase a farm for a poor farm for Davis county, Iowa, and that a committee be appointed to receive propositions and report at next meeting, and they be authorized to borrow money enough to buy the farm and to erect suit- able buildings thereon, not to exceed $4,000, at not more than ten per cent interest for said money, and that the committee be authorized to contract for said farm, subject to the ap- proval of this board. Said committee consists of M. H. Jones, William Evans and J. D. Dun- lavy.
At the January term 1865 :-
On motion, the committee on the poor farm is authorized to buy the farm of David Shearer, containing 276 acres, at eleven dollars per acre.
On motion, one thousand dollars is to be transferred from the county funds to make the first payment on said farm.
On motion, Resolred by the Board, the committee on the poor farm, M. H. Jones, William Evans and J. B. Dunlavy, having bought a farm for three thousand and thirty-six dollars, and paid one thousand dollars on the same, they are authorized to borrow two thousand and thirty-six dollars to pay the balance on said farm, according to contract, the interest not to exceed ten per cent.
H. A. Wonn, G. W. Parsons and A. W. Sawyers, were appointed a committee to superin- tend the building of the poor-house.
On motion, five hundred dollars was allowed for building the poor-house, and the com- mittee is authorized to draw on the treasurer for said five hundred dollars, and the treasurer is authorized to transfer said five hundred dollars from the county funds to the poor-house funds. And one thousand dollars was also changed to the poor-house fund to make the first payment on the farm.
-
438
HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
The following is the amount of the relief fund expended in 1844, by townships, as reported by the committee:
Fox River township. $270.00
Lick Creek township
270.00
Grove township
83.00
Salt Creek township
98.00
Union township
335.00
Soap Creek township.
209.00
Drakeville township.
76.00
Fabius township
200.50
Prairie township.
132.00
Roscoe township.
30.00
Marion township
100.00
Wyacondah township. 408.00
Perry township
60.00
Bloomfield township.
246.90
On motion, the following abstract of title was to be placed on record:
United States to Jesse Fresh, December 20, 1847, e hf, ne qr section 15, township 69, range 15.
Jesse Fresh to John Brown, February 18, 1848, e hf, ne qr section 15, township 69, range 15.
John Brown to David Shearer, August 4, 1854, ne qr section 15, township 69, range 15, w hf ne qr section 22, township 69, range 15.
United States to John Brown, February 5, 1849, w hif ne qr section 15, township 69, range 13, w ht ne qr section 22, township 69, range 15.
John Brown to David Shearer, August 4, 1854, ne qr section 15, township 69, range 15, w hf ne qr section 15, township 69, range 15.
United States to David Shearer, November 4, 1851, ne qr se qr section 15, township 69, range 15.
David Shearer to Mark Noble, beginning se corner of ne qr se qr section 15, township 69, range 15; thence n 20 poles, w 32 poles, s 20 poles, e to beginning, containing four acres.
There is now no incumbrance of any kind on the above tract of land, and the tax of 1865 is to be deducted from the purchase price.
M. H. JONES, J. D. DUNLAVY, WILLIAM EVANS,
Committee.
At the April session 1865, report of committee to conract building on poor-farm, was ap- proved and placed on file.
At same session, the committee appointed to purchase the poor-farm and to settle with David Shearer in reference to the same report that "we have paid to the said Shearer since the last session of this board, the sum of two thousand and thirty-six dollars, of which sum we. borrowed from
Sarah Hardy
500.00
Sarah Hardy, guardian 500.00
J. W. Ellis. 1,016.00
Deducted for tax 20.00
Total
$2,036.00
439
HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
" We also report that the loan from Ellls was only for a few days, and to be refunded at this session of the board. We have made arrangements with Mary Weir, for a loan of one thou- sand dollars, for one year (or such smaller sum as the board may require)."
This report was referred to a committee, who recommended as follows, which on motion adopted :
" We recommend that the county borrow five hundred dollars for one year, and that the snm of five hundred dollars be transferred by the treasurer from the county to the poor farm fund, and the clerk issue an order on said fund for five hundred and sixteen dollars, in favor of J. W. Ellis, on loan made from him."
The deed for the poor-farm was executed by David Shearer and wife to Davis county, February 17, 1875.
DEED OF THE POOR-FARM.
This indenture made and entered into on this 17th day of February, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty-five, by and between David Shearer and Eliza- beth Shearer as grantors, and Davis county, Iowa as grantee, witnesseth that the said grant- ors, for the consideration of three thousand and thirty-six dollars, to them in hand paid, do hereby sell and convey to Davis county, lowa, the following property, to-wit;
The northeast quarter of section fifteen, the west half of the northeast quarter of section twenty-two, and the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section fifteen, except four acres out of the last tract, described as follows: beginning at the southeast corner of the same and running thence north twenty poles, thence west thirty-two poles, thence south twenty poles, thence east to the place of beginning. All of said land being in township sixty-nine, north of range fifteen west, in Davis county Iowa, and the whole tract containing two hun- dred and seventy-six acres more or less, in the county of Davis and State of lowa, and the said David Shearer warrants the title against all persons whomsoever, except against taxes to accrue for the year 1865. In witness whereof we have hereunto signed our names this date above written.
DAVID SHEARER, her
ELIZABETH X SHEARER. mark.
STATE OF IOWA, } DAVIS COUNTY. S SS.
Be it remembered that on this 17th day of February, A. D. 1875, before me N. P. Reynolds a justice of the peace in and for said county, personally appeared David Shearer and Eliza- beth Shearer his wife, who are personally known to me to be the identical persons whose names are affixed to the above deed as grantors, and acknowledged the same to be their vol- untary act and decd for the uses and purposes therein written. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, N. P. REYNOLDS, the day and date above written.
Attest: A. A. HILL, Recorder.
Witness -- S. G. BOYER. AARON OGDEN,
The contract for building house on poor-farm was approved by the board and H. A. Wonn, G. W. Parsons and Allen Sawyers were a committee to rent poor farm on such terms as they niay deem best, and also to contract for keeping paupers on said farm as soon as the building is completed.
440
HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
At the June session 1865, the committee on poor-farm was authorized to borrow money enough to complete the building in course of erection, and to harvest the erop or otherwise dispose of it. At, the September session four hundred dollars was appropriated to pay for furniture and farming im- plements for the farm. It seems at this time the county was poor and had to give due bills drawing interest in payment of claims as shown by the fol- lowing :-
October Session, 1865.
On motion, Darke & Co. was allowed $301,97 for material furnished for poor-house and for cash advanced,
$100.00 draw 10 per cent interest from September 20, 1865.
42.25 draw 10 per cent interest from October 12, 1865.
36.70 draw 10 per cent interest from September 13, 1865.
122.52 draw 10 per cent interest from October 16, 1865.
H. A. Wonn allowed for same, $121.65, to draw 10 per cent interest from October 1865.
Three hundred dollars more was appropriated at this session to procure provisions for the poor-house, and it was ordered that no more temporary relief be granted to paupers by township trustees, except upon the approval of the supervisor residing in that township.
On the 1st of October, the county contracted with George W. Parson, to take charge of the poor farm on the Ist of January, 1866.
In January, 1866, H. A. Wonn was anthorized to draw and expend $600 of the poor-house fund.
In April, 1866, G. W. Parsons was allowed $250 for keeping the poor farm for the quarter ending December 31, 1865.
At the same session $300 more was appropriated from the poor-house fund, to be drawn and expended by H. A. Wonn, director.
In June, G. W. Parsons was allowed $250, as salary for quarter ending March 31, 1866. And H. A. Wonn authorized to draw and expend $300 ont of the poor-house fund for the use of the same.
In September, H. A. Wonn was antborized to draw and expend $375 on re- pairs and enrrent expenses of the poor-house. And $425 was appropriated on outstanding debt for the farm, and $250 to pay salary of G. W. Parsons for quarter ending March 31, 1866.
In October, H. A. Wonn was authorized to draw and expend $300 of the poor-house fund, for current expenses. He was also appointed a commit- tee to receive bids for letting the poor farm for 1867, to be run on the same plan as heretofore; and to have the buildings insured in some good com- pany.
441
HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
In January, 1867, H. A. Woun was allowed $25 for services as director of the poor farm.
The farm was let to John M. Wilkins for the year 1867; and George W. Parsons was allowed $250 on the last quarter of his term.
Seventy-five dollars was appropriated to buy sheep for the farm, under the direction of II. A. Wonn.
II. A. Wonn resigned as poor house director, and $400 was appropriated for current expenses of the farm for 1867.
C. M. Hurless and E. B. Townsend were appointed poor house directors at the April session. At this session George W. Parsons was allowed $120 for keeping poor honse, and was also allowed $104.24 for same.
Rooms were fitted np at this time in the poor house for insane patients.
In June, 1867, the poor farm directors were authorized to dispense with the services of Dr. IIall, for said farm, and procure a better one.
The first official visit of the board to the poor farm was made at the Sep- tember session, 1867.
In October 1867, John Wilkins was allowed his salary as Steward, up to the time he was notified to quit. Il. A. Wonn was again appointed di- rector.
In January, 1868, the poor farm director was authorized to contract let- ting the poor farm for the year, at not more than $400, tenant to live on and work the farm as the director orders, and leave on the arbitrary order of said director. And $200 was appropriated for expenses.
A. Downing was contracted with as steward for the year, and in April $100 more was allowed as contingent expense for the farm.
In June, $100 more was allowed for contingent expenses.
In September §200 was appropriated for contingent expenses, and suita- ble buildings were ordered to keep insane patients in. Samuel Downing was chosen director for the year 1869, vice Wonn.
In November, $200 was allowed as contingent expenses. In January, 1869, $300 was appropriated to erect new building on poor farm, and in April A. Downing was allowed $300 salary as steward, and $300 allowed as contingent expenses, and in June $300 more for contingent.
In September $200 from poor honse fund allowed to pay claim of Drake & Lockman, and $500 allowed to fix np buildings. In October $50 allowed A. Downing, steward, and $200 contingent fund. A. Downing was re- tained as poor farm steward for 1870, at $600 per year. In January 1870 S. B. Downing, poor farm director, reported for the year 1869, cash received
8
442
HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
$900.00; cash disbursed $779.85. This is the first report that can be found of receipts aud disbursements.
In April $500 of the poor farm debt was paid, and $300 allowed for con- tingent expenses. In October, 1870, W. Ewing, Asa Wilson, and Wm. D. Evans, were appointed a committee to sell the poor farm and purchase an- other nearer the city of Bloomfield, not more than 40 acres, and ereet the necessary buildings. They were required to give bond in the sum of $10,000.
Alex Downing was employed as steward for the year 1871, and the poor farm director was ordered to find suitable homes for all the children in the poor house, and an appropriation of $300 was made for contingent expenses ..
Peter Kunkle was appointed poor farm director (?) for this year. In June the Auditor was instructed to get S. S. Carruthers to try and sell the poor farm. At the January session 1872 of the board Peter Kunkle was allowed $35 as steward(?). E. B. Townsend was engaged as steward for the year 1872 at $750 a year.
Peter Kunkle was appointed poor farm directer for the year 1872, and in June $150 was allowed for contingent expenses. In September $150 more allowed for contingent, and Peter Kunkle was appointed poor farm director for the year 1873.
The following is the report of Peter Kunkle, poor farm director, for the year 1873, filed January 5th 1874:
Received of County Treasurer Disbursements 264.00
$200.00
Amount of stock and produce on hand: 2 horses, 7 cattle, 20 sheep, 73. hogs, 10 bushels beans, 12 barrels pickles, 43 barrels molasses, 70 bushels. potatoes, 1,000 bushels corn, 175 bushels oats, 150 bushels wheat. Present number of panpers 18. Average number during the year 20.
E. B. Townsend was appointed steward for 1874, and Peter Kunkle, di- rector.
In September, three acres adjoining poor farm were bought of R. P. Coons, for $40. No report can be found of the year 1874.
E. B. Townsend was continued as steward for the year 1875, and Peter Kunkle as director. A new building was ordered on the farm this year, at an expense of $150.
It seems that during this year, the steward, E. B. Townsend, had some trouble with a patient named Morrow, in which he shot Morrow in the leg .. The board censured him for it, but continued him as steward.
443
HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
Report of poor farm for the year 1875 :-
Received of treasurer $290.00
Disbursements 291.60
Four hundred and fourteen dollars and forty cents worth of prodnee was sold, and the proceeds expended for contingent expenses.
Stoek and prodnee on the farm December 31, 1875: 2 horses, 42 hogs, 17 cattle, 41 sheep, 400 bushels eorn, 200 bushels oats, 50 bushels potatoes. Number of inmates, 22.
D. J. MeConnell was elected director of poor farm for 1876, and E. B. Townsend, steward. No report can be found for this year.
The stewardship was awarded to W. L. Minear for the year 1877.
Report for the year 1877 :-
Total expended $797.47
Total income 59.68
Another report says:
Cr . $354.15
Dr 354.15
Samuel Russell, director, and John Gordon, Jr., awarded the stewardship for $300 for the year 1878.
Report for the year 1878 :-
Number of inmates 21
Deaths during the year 2
Average cost of keeping paupers per week. $1.20
Average number of inmates for the year 15
John Gordon eontinned as steward for the year 1879, and Samuel Russell director.
Report for the year 1879 :-
The farm contains 279 aeres of second rate land, 190 acres fenced, 150 acres in cultivation, and the balance brush and timber.
Products for the year 1879: 1400 bushels of corn, 205 bushels of wheat, 669 bushels of oats, 12 tons of hay, 125 bushels of potatoes, 50 bushels of turnips, 3,000 pounds of pork, 300 head of cabbage.
Live stock on farm, 2 mules, 10 eows, 1 bull. 16 calves, 91 sheep, 34 hogs.
Number of paupers 14
Number of deaths. 2
Value of products sold. $319.86
Average expense of keeping paupers, per week 1.00
444
HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
No account filed of expenditures, in full.
J. M. Roland was employed as steward for the year 1880, at $290 per year, and David Baer was appointed director.
Report for the year 1880 :---
Total number of inmates. 26
Average number of inmates
15
Present number of inmates 16
Deatlıs 3
Births
1
Total receipts for the year $ 787.52
Total expenditures for the year 1,015.09
J. M. Roland was continued as steward, at $330 per year, for the year 1881.
Thus concludes an account of the institutions established and maintained by Davis county. They are the promoters and purifiers of society-one, the arbiter of justice and order; another, the means by which the violators of law and order are held in subjection; and the other, an asylum of human- ity, for the care of the indigent, which society in all lands has in its midst.
POLITICAL RECORD.
The political history of Davis county dates from the first election in April 1844. - Our readers can appreciate the task, and understand many omissions when we state that we had to obtain our information, solely from the origi- nal, musty, dusty, clection returns, when they could be found at all, of all the early elections, for a great many years no record having been made of them.
Stiles S. Carpenter was appointed clerk of the District Court, in and for Davis county, February 21, 1844, by Hon. Chas. Mason judge.
The following record signed by Stiles S. Carpenter, clerk of the District Court of Davis county, and dated March 11th, 1844, defines the election pre- cincts into which the county was divided for the first election:
5
2
1
Appanoose.
Davis.
6
3
4
445
HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
Precinet No. 1. election to be held at the house of Benjamin Brooks: appointed Benjamin Brooks, Samnel Evans and Dooly Williamson, judges. Precinet No. 2. election to be held at the house of Win. J. Hawley : ap- pointed Franeis C. Purnel, J. C. Roll, and Loyd A. Nelson judges. Pre- einet No. 3, eleetion to be held at the house of Archibald Toombs: ap- pointed Jesse Dooly, Seaman Arterberry, and Joel Fenton, Esq's, judges. Preeinet No. 4, election to be held at the house of Joseph Woodys, ap- pointed Bushrod W. Cravens, William Walker, and Hugh Abernathy judges. Preeinct No. 5, election to be held at the house of Johnathan F. Stratton: appointed Wmn. Mooney, J. F. Stratton, and Jas. Wright judges. Precinet No. 6, cleetion to be held at the house of Normon Scovells: ap- pointed Richard W. Davis, Josiah B. Paekard, and James Wells judges.
Election ordered to be held according to law on the first day of April, A. D. 1844. Election notices and notices to judges dated eleventh day of March, A. D. 1844.
STILES S. CARPENTER,
Clerk District Court, Davis county.
First elcetion held in Davis county, April 1, 1844; compiled from the original returns by precincts.
First precinct.
Second precinct. Third precinct. Fourth precinct. Fifth precinct.
Sixth precinct.
Total.
Commissioner.
E. M. Kirkham
74|63
11|12
4 1 165
Win. Evans
82 29
24 44 6 4 189
Wm. Williamson
78|36 6 5
6 11|142
Abram Weaver
18 45 31 56 3 14 167
F. Atchison .
45
4 1
50
Jos. MeCoy .
18
1
1
1
21
W. W. Rankin
4
·
.
.
·
4
Sam'l MeAttee
26 63 39 63 3 13
207
Judge of Probate Court,
Miles Tatlock
56 91 30 54| 7
5 243
Sam'l Mize
32 9 9 32
2 50
W. Terril
1
.
.
.
1
Treasurer.
D, T. Pittman
19 64 14 2
. 1 100
Calvin Taylor
47 26 2 20| 8 12 13 13 34 . 14 86
County Commissioners' Clerk.
Jno. Banta
67 40 10 10 3
1 131
F. Street
22 65 28 46 6 15 182
.
. . 103
E. Clawson.
446
HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
First precinct.
Second precinct.
Third precinct.
Fourth precinct. Fifth precinct.
Sixth precinct.
Total.
Recorder.
J. C. Rall.
31 49 11
8.3
1 103
Israel Kister
16|51
25 23 2 15 132
E. L. Briggs
51
9 . . 23 4 .
87
Surveyor.
G. S. Lockman
78 55
8
7
3 8 159
J. W. Ellis.
17 43
27 56
6
5 154
Assessor.
S. B. Kirkham
19 53
6
1
1 80
H. R. Taylor
32 14
2
4
2
54
Sam'l Evans
36
S 17 29 3
93
Green Willis.
1,25
19.21
1
15
82
Sheriff.
Fortunatus C. Humble
60.33
6
6
1
. 106
WV. L. Hawley
56
41.
1
2
63
Sam'l Riggs
7:14
12.421. 13 88
A. P'helps
28 : 6 22 17 7
80
Coroner.
Iliram English .
27
27
Win. McCormick
46 14
5 39 5
109
Geo. Bruce
33
1
2
36
Ins. of W. and M.
Geo. Titus
23.52 20
27 4 4 130
A. S. Evans
4
. .
8 1
13
The question of having a territorial convention for the purpose of adopt- ing a constitution, and applying for admission into the Union as a State, was voted on at this election, 216 votes being east for the convention, and 135 votes against it, in Davis county. (Convention assembled October 7, 1844.)
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