USA > Iowa > Davis County > History of Davis County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc. > Part 50
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476
HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
Soap Creek, Fabius, Grove, Union and Fox River townships, showing a to- tal of aeres assessed, 125,390, valued at $645,193; personal, $268,594. Levies: County revenue and poll, $3,534.27; State, $4,868.54; sehool, $2,434.27; bridge, $1,217.14.
1862 -- Total assessment of personal property, for the whole county, $666,045. Levies: County revenue and poll, $3,329.00; State, $4,657.00; school, $2,329.00; bridge, $1,746.00.
1863-Aeres assessed, 338,686; value of land, $1,104,952; town lots, $76,707; personal, $717,809; total, $1,899,468. Levies: County revenue and poll, $7,848.31; State, $4,580.59; school, $2,490.29; bridge. 8622.57.
1864-Personal property assessed, $821,196. Levies: County fund, $6,476.90; State, $5,183.35; seliool, $2,591.14; bridge, $2,591.14; relief fund, $12,935.92; and $2,000.00 was transferred from county to poor farm fund.
1865 -- Aeres assessed, 306,157; value of lands, $1,515,181; town lots, $68,697; personal, $1,079,177; total value, $2,664,055. Levies: County fund, $8,532.18; State, $5,688.12; school, $2,844.06; bridge, $1,422.03; relief fund, $5,688.12; poor house fund, $4,266.09.
1866-Personal property assessed, $725,925. Levies: County fund, 89,071.49; State, $7,559.57; school, $3,023.83; bridge, $6,047.66; poor farm fund, $4,535.74; $4,095.70 transferred from relief fund, and $446.53 from county fund to insane fund.
1867-Part of the assessor's books can't be found, those found, Salt Creek, Fabius, Liek Creek, Marion, Perry, Soap Creek, Drakeville and Fox River, report, aeres assessed, 150,169; value, 8702,628; personal property, $+17,- 973; total, $1,120,601. Levies: County fund, $10,370.43; State, $7,407.45; school, $2,962.98; bridge, $4,444.45; poor farm, 82,962.98; $1,133.53 trans- ferred from county fund to insane fund.
1868-Assessment of personal property, $1,052,843. Levies: County fund, $10,580.27; State, $7,557.34; school, $3,022.94; bridge, $4,534.39; poor farm, $3,022.94; Bloomfield and Drakeville come in with tax collected, but no levy appears.
1869-Acres assessed, abont, 315,533; value of land, $1,777,249; town lots, $129,731; personal property, $1,128,006; total, $3,034,986. Levies: County fund, $15,446.98; State, $6,998.49; school, 83,499.24; bridge, $10,497.93; poor farm, $3,499.24.
1870-Personal property assessed, $1,302,640. Levies: Connty fund, $12,367.79; State, $7,16.52; seliool, $3,582.26; bridge, $3,582.26, and 5 per cent tax for B. & S. W. R. R. on Bloomfield township, amounting to $38,142.09.
477
HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
1871-Levies: County fund, $11,530.89; State, $7,950.31; school, $3,- 975.15; bridge, $3,975.15.
1872-Levies: County fund, $11,982.03; State, $10,355.53; school, $4,- 142.48; bridge, $4,142.48; poor farm, $2,071.24.
1873-Acres assessed, 312,472; value of lands, $2,419,497; town lots, 8202,670; personal, $1,227,510; total, $3,849,677. Levies: County fund, $10,193.85; State, $8,155.08; school, $4,077.54; bridge, $2,038.77; poor farm, $2.038.77.
1874-Aeres assessed, 312.472; value of lands, $2,419,497; town lots, $202,670; personal, $1,101,045; railroad property, $195,348; total value, $3,955,072. Levies: County fund, $13,516.21; State, $7,910.14; school, $3,955.07; bridge, $1,977.53; poor farm, $1,977.53.
1875-Acres assessed, 315,140; value of lands, 82,414,483; town lots, $260,513; personal, 81,319,070; total, 83,994,066. After changes by the board of equalization, the total foots up $4,332,690. Levies: County fund, $18,933.76; State, $8,665.38; school, $4,332.69; bridge, $12,998.07; poor farm, $2,166.35.
1876 -- Aeres assessed, 315,140; valne of lands, $2,518,979; town lots, $258,935; personal, $1,278,773; railroad property, 8210,376; total valne, $4,267,063. Levies: County fund, $17,068.25; State, $8,534.13; poor house, $2,133.53; insane fund, 82,133.53; court honse, $17,068.25.
1877 -- Acres assessed, 316,238; value of lands, $2,321,735; town lots, $234,738: personal, $1,061,005; railroad property, $211,720; total value, $3,529,198. Levies: County fund, $15,828.08; State, $7,914.04; school, 83,657.02; bridge. 87,914.04; poor house, $5,935.53; insane, $3,959.02.
1878 -- Aeres assessed, 8316,238; value of lands, $2,321,735; town lots, $234,738; personal, $920,610; railroad property, $199,568; total value, $3,673,816. Levies: County fund, $14,706.60; State, $7,353.30; school, $3,676.65 ; bridge, $5,514.97; poor house, $1,838.33; insane, 83,676.65; court house, $18,383.25.
1879-Acres assessed, 314,318; value of lands, $2,296,074; town lots, $267,766; personal, $975,605; railroad property, $233,057; total value, $3,772,502. Levies: County fund, $16,254.24; State, $7,288.62; school, $3,644.31; bridge, $10,011.85; poor, $1,821.15; court house, $4,555.39.
1880-Aeres assessed, 314,318; value of lands, $2,296,074; town lots, $267,766; personal, 8926,851; total value, $3,723,758, including railroad property, valued at $233.07. Levies: County fund, 816,081.21; State, $7,- 168.86; school, $3,584,93; bridge, $10,754.79; poor, $2,688.70; insane, $1,- 792.46; war and defense fund, $1,792.46.
478
HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
ABSTRACT OF ASSESSMENT FOR 1881.
Lands exclusive of town property, 323,653 acres
$2,262,739
Town property.
Value.
Floris.
$ 5,210
Belknap.
2,660
Drakesville.
21,148
Bloomfield
219,476
Troy
7,269
Pulaski
6,995
Stiles
2,008
Savannah and Springville.
842
Monterey
601
West Grove
5,941
Total
$272,150
272,150
Exemption for trees planted, $455.
Live stock assessed.
Value.
Cattle
17,891
$230,390
Horses
7,433
228,670
Mules
725
25,063
Sheep
15,543
30,774
Svine
18,007
61,791
Total
$576,696
576,696
Other personal property
443,191
Railroad property .
238,264
Total valuation of the county. .$3,793,040
Levies: County fund, $15,172.16; State, 87,586.08; school, $3,793.04; bridge, $11,379.12; poor, 82,844.78; insane, $948.26; total, $41,723.44.
SWAMP AND SALINE LANDS.
The swamp land grant was created by an act of Congress, approved Mareh 28, 1850. This act gave to the various States the swamp and overflowed lands lying within their bounds, then remaining unsold, for the ostensible purpose of reclaiming them for agricultural uses. In pursuance of the act of Congress making these donations, the legislature of Iowa passed an act accepting the grant made to it, and provided for reducing these lands to the possession and ownership of the various counties in which they were found
479
HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
to exist. This aet was passed and approved February 2, 1853, and author- ized the County Court to cause sueh lands to be selected and surveyed, and a return thereof made to the General Land Office at Washington City for ap- proval and confirmation. The total number of acres of swamp land elaimed by the State under this grant, were about four million, much less than in many other western States, which shows that Iowa has comparatively but little land that is not arable.
This swamp land grant has afforded opportunity for the perpetration of unconscionable frauds, not only upon the general government in the selection of the lands, but frequently npon the counties, to whom they were given by the State, through individual schemes. They have caused the State and the counties no little trouble and expense in their selection and disposition, by railroad companies, speeulators, and others.
Davis county having more or less swamp and overflowed land within her borders, took steps in 1853 to select them, as shown by the record of the County Court of that, and subsequent years. As more or less difficulty, litigation and delay were cansed by the swamp land affairs of the county, it is well to give the record as a verification to a comprehensive understand- ing of them.
On the 12th of October, 1853, Abram Weaver was appointed swamp land agent of the county, as follows :--
STATE OF IOWA. DAVIS COUNTY. ) - ss.
To all whom these presents shall come greeting : Know ye, that whereas, by an act of the legislature of the State of Iowa, which took effect on the 2d day of February, 1853, entitled, "an act to dispose of the swamp and overflowed lands within the State, and to pay the ex- penses of selecting and surveying the same," it is made the duty of the County Court, section 3 of said act, " to appoint some competent person" to examine said lands and make due re- port, and plats. etc., etc. To the end, therefore, that the provisions of said act may be car- ried out, and the examination of said swamp and overflowed lands may be made in the coun- ty of Davis, and State aforesaid, by an authorized agent of said county, the County Court having confidence in the ability and integrity of Abram Weaver, has this day appointed him agent for said county, hereby fully empowering him to do all acts now or hereafter necessary to a full and effective discharge of the duties devolving upon him by law, as agent of said county for the selection of swamp or overflowed lands within the limits of said county, as contem- plated by the act of the legislature of the State of lowa, anthorizing the appointment of said agent. Witness my official signature and the seal of said court, affixed at Bloomfield
[L. S.] this 12th day of October, 1853. S. A. MOORE, County Judge. STATE OF IOWA, USs. DAVIS COUNTY, )
I, Abram Weaver do solemnly swear that I will faithfully discharge the duties devolving upon me by law, as agent for the county of Davis, for the selection of "swamp and over- Howed lands" in said county. to the best of my ability. So help me God.
ABRAM WEAVER.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 12th day of October, A. D. 1855.
S. A. MOORE, County Judge.
480
HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
The next paper appearing of record, is Mr. Weaver's bill for services, as follows:
The county of Davis, Iowa, to Abram Weaver, Dr., for services as locating agent, appoint- ed by the County Court of Davis county, to survey and locate the swamp and overflowed lands of said county, to make plats of the same, and to make a report accompanied by the survey plats and amount of acres selected, have reported the same to the Register of the State- Land office, in amount 11,776.13 acres, for which service a charge of ten cents per acre is- here presented to the County Court, making the sum of $1,177.61, which sum ] now ask may be paid him out of the county treasury. ABRAM WEAVER, Agent. October 15, 1857.
This bill the County Court declined to allow, because of its exorbitancy, wherenpon Mr. Weaver submitted his claim for arbitration hy agreement of parties, S. A. Moore, George Duffield and -- , being the arbitrators.
The following is his case:
A. WEAVER,
Petition in Arbitration.
S. W. MCATEE, County Judge, etc.
The plaintiff elaims of the defendant eleven hundred and seventy-seven dollars and sixty- one cents, as justly due him from the defendant, and Davis County, lowa, and for cause of said elaim says, that he was legally appointed by the county judge of said county to locate the swamp and overflowed lands in said county, on the 12th day of October, 1853; and the. plaintiff further says, that he did in pursuance of said appointment proceed and locate said land to wit .: eleven thousand seven hundred and seventy-six aeres and that he duly made out his report to the proper authorities of the State of Iowa, and county of Davis, as required by law, which reports were accepted. Plaintiff further says that he was employed in the locat- ing of said lands one hundred and fifty-two days, and that he was employed in making out diagrams of said surveys twenty-four days, and that he was employed in making out blotters and maps to survey by, six days, and that he had to employ horses and teams to the number of twenty-seven days. Plaintiff' further says that said sum above mentioned is still due and' unpaid, all of which he says is true, and verifies the same under oath; and plaintiff hereby asks that the defendant may be compelled to answer, under oath, the foregoing petition.
.
A. WEAVER.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 11th day of November, 1857. N. W. Cook, Clerk.
The hearing being had before the arbitrators, they returned a judgment of $400 in favor of Mr. Weaver, from which the county appealed to the District Court, where it was retried, before a jury, at the October term, 1858.
The following extract from the instructions of Judge Hendershott, then on the district bench, to the jury in the case, gives a clear exposition of the claims of both parties.
The plaintiff claims to have been appointed agent for Davis county to select the swamp and overflowed lands in said county. That he discharged said duties, and was engaged
481
HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
therein a hundred and eighty-two days, and that he had a horse in use while engaged in making selections for twenty-seven days; that during said time he selected 11,776.13 acres of swamp lands, for which he claims to recover ten cents per acre.
To this claim the defendant says it is not true that plaintiff was legally appointed such agent, that he did not perform the number of days services as claimed, and that the county is not indebted to plaintiff in any sum. You will first enquire, gentlemen, whether the said plaintiff was duly appointed by the county judge of Davis county, as claimed; it so, did he enter upon the duties of his appointment or office, and how much, if anything, is he entitled to for any services rendered to the county. He is entitled, if he has rendered any services to the county by virtue of his employment, to such compensation as his services are reasonably worth. Although you may find that plaintiff did not, in all things, fully and completely dis- charge all his duties, under and by virtue of his office or ageucy, yet, if he has performed ser- vices for the county, of which the county has received the benefit, it is responsible to plaint- iff for reasonable compensation for such services received, dedneting theretrom any damages the county may have sustained by reason of his failure to completely discharge his duties un- der his appointment.
Following this, the jury, November 2, 1858, returned a verdict for the plaintiff in the sum of $230, upon which judgment was entered.
On the 4th of November, 1858, H. B. Horn, as assignee of the above judgment received the amount thereof in full. Thus ended the first elap- ter in the swamp land affairs of Davis county; and thus they remained nn- til 1870, when their consideration was renewed by the board of supervisors. Meantime, however, all the swamp land in the county had been entered by individuals as government land, which ended any farther contention over them. While agent Weaver had selected 11,776 aeres as swamp and over- flowed land, and reported the same with maps and plats thereof, yet the county had failed, through negligence, to report them to the General Land Office at Washington, with proof that such were swamp and overflowed lands within the terms of the swamp land aet; hence, had received no pay therefor, in lien of the lands which had been sold, as already noted.
At the June session of the board of supervisors, in 1870, the following action was taken to seenre to the county indemnity for its swamp lands:
Resolred, by the board of supervisors of Davis county, that M. H. Jones and J. B. Weaver be, and are hereby, recommended and nominated as special agents to settle and adjust the swamp land account of said county, with the commissioner of the General Land Office, and Secretary of the Interior, with full power to act in behalf of said county; provided, that said Jones and Weaver shall not receive anything in compensation for their services unless they are successful in recovering the swamp land funds due said county, in which last event they shall receive for their services the sum of two thousand dollars, if they collect for 11,776.13 acres; and if not, in proportion to the amount collected at same rates; and it is understood that said agents shall defray their own expenses.
These new agents at once gave their attention to the work assigned them in behalf of the county, and in 1874 and 1875 secured the appointment of a
482
IIISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
special commissioner by the General Land Office, who came upon the ground, examined the field, and took testimony in relation to the character of the lands which had been selected. The result was, that the new agents on the part of the county eould only prove about three thousand aeres, out of the former selection, to be swamp and overflowed lands. For this quantity the general government, in 1875, paid Davis county the sum of $2,278.62, in eash, and about $1,209 in United States land warrants. The land war- rants, it is said, still remain at the General Land Office, never having been called for in behalf of the county. Thus ended the history of the swamp lands in Davis county.
SALINE LANDS.
The general government, several years ago, coneeded the right of the States to the ownership of the publie lands within their limits upon which salt springs existed. By aet of Congress, approved May 27, 1852, the United States granted the land upon which these springs were found to the State in fee simple, together with six sections of land lying adjacent to such springs, to be disposed of as the legislature of the State might direct. However, long prior to this aet, Congress granted to the States the right to use the salt springs found upon any of the public lands within their borders, not exceeding twelve in number. This aet of Congress was approved Mareh 3, 1845.
The saline lands of the State being under the control of the legislature, it passed some eight or nine aets before it made a final disposition of them. The final aet was that of February 24, 1857, direeting the manner of their selection. The second act, approved February 5, 1851, provides that the Register of the Des Moines River Improvement should sell these lands, and the proceeds arising therefrom should constitute a fund for the founding and supporting of a State lunatic asylum. The third aet, approved January 23, 1853, provided that these lands should be sold by the officer having charge of the publie sehool lands of the State, and the proceeds arising therefrom should be paid into the State treasury. The fourth act of the legislature, concerning the saline lands, approved January 24, 1855, provided for their sale in connection with the school and State University lands by the per- sons in charge of these respective grants. The act also provided for the transfer to the treasurer of the State University, all moneys, books, notes, and other papers in the hands of the State treasurer, belonging to the Uni- versity or saline funds. Again, by the act of the legislature, approved July 14, 1856 (extra session), the proceeds of the saline lands were appropriated for the second time, to the State Insane Asylum. This aet was repealed,
483
HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY.
March 23, 1858. The seventh act of the legislature, approved March 26, 1860, conferred upon the ecunty judge and treasurer the same anthority to sell the saline lands that had been vested in the school fund commissioner. The next, and erowning act of the legislature, approved April 2, 1860, ap propriated the saline lands and funds to the State University.
.It will thus be seen that there has been a vast amount of legislation con- cerning the saline lands of the State, from first to last, resulting in no little confusion and confliet. In consequence of this, embarrassments arose be- tween the State Land Office and the State University in relation to the ad- ministration of the saline grant, which caused the legislature, by aet, ap- proved March 25, 1864, to modify its act of April 2, 1860, and authorizing the trustees of the State University to sell the saline lands. The aet also places the lands, and proceeds of the same, together with all the notes, con- traets, and other securities therefor, under the complete control of the board of trustees of the University. The quantity of saline land thus secured to the State University, by the foregoing legislation is 46,101 aeres. Of this, 640 aeres lies in the northern part of Davis county.
THE RAILROADS IN THIE COUNTY.
What a wonderful advancement the railroads make in the material devel- opment and general prosperity of a county, State or nation. As the pio- meers look back to the early days of their settlements, they are amazed at the changes which these internal projects have wrought in their surround- ings.
The anxiety for railroad communication in this county in its earlier days was earnest by those who foresaw the great advantages of them as instru- mentalities in developing the population and material prosperity of their new county.
The first move made in this county, of which there is any record, to se- cure a railroad communication with the outer-world, was made on the 24th of December, 1853, as shown by the following record in the County Court.
Application was made by petition of H. Dunlavey, S. L. Carpenter, Allen Sawyer, J. I. Earhart, and others, and also other applications by means of resolutions of large and respec- table meetings of citizens, setting forth that the interests of the county and the citizens there- ot, require that the county judge should order an election specially for the purpose of vot- ing "for" or "against" the county of Davis taking stock in the "Fort Madison, West Point, Keosanqua, and Bloomfield Railroad, " and the extension of the North Missouri Railroad from the State line to Bloomfield, for the purpose of aiding in constructing of said roads within the county; and after due consideration of the matter, it is ordered that an election be held in each township in said county, at the usual places of holding elections therein, on the 4th
484
HISTORY OF DAVIS COUNTY
day of February next, for the purpose of voting for or against the following propositions, to- wit:
That the county of Davis, in the State of Iowa, will aid in the construction of the Fort Madison, West Point, Keosauqua and Bloomfield Railroad, and in the extension of the North Missouri road from the State line to Bloomfield, by subscribing the sum of $150,000 to the capital stock of said roads, to be divided as the county judge may deem expedient to a speedy completion of said roads to Bloomfield.
That county bonds to said amount shatl issue, bearing seven per cent interest, payable semi-annually, the county to pay no interest until the roads are completed. Bonds to be is- sued when the county judge is satisfied that the building of the road is secured. The county judge is to represent the stock of the county in the company. The ballots to be "for the county subscription," or "against the county subscription." The rules of the general election are to govern, all of which is more fully set forth in the proclamation issued therefor. Notice issued accordingly. HENRY W. BRIGGS, County Judge.
The propositions were voted npon at the time, and in the manner pro- vided in the foregoing order of the County Court, and were carried by a majority of three hundred and ninety-three votes, as shown by the following canvass and return of said vote:
The returns of an especial election held in Davis county, Iowa, for the purpose of vot- ing upon the following propositions, to wit .: That the county of Davis, State of Iowa, will aid within the limits of said county, in the construction of the Fort Madison, West Point, Keosauqua and Bloomfield Railroad, and in the extension of the North Missouri Railroad to a junetion of said roads at Bloomfield, in said county, by subscribing the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars to the capital stock of the companies organized for the purpose of building said roads, said sum to be applied in such proportions as shall appear to the county judge of said county best calculated to effect a speedy completion of said roads to the point of junction. That county bonds for said sum (150,000) be issued by the county judge of said county, payable within twenty years from the date thereof, and bearing inter- est at the rate of seven per cent per annum, payable semi-annually ; provided, that said county shall not pay any interest on said bonds until said road shall be in running order to said point
of junction. That said county bonds shall be issued whenever the county judge of said county is satisfied that the said companies have secured said subscription to their capital stock as will enable them to contract with competent parties for the speedy completion of said roads. That, for the purpose of liquidating the principal and interest of said bonds, an annual tax, not exceedingone per cent upon the county valuation, may be levied in addition to the usual taxes, to be continued from year to year, so long as the same shall be required; provided, that no such tax shall be levied, unless it is found that said principal and interest cannot be paid by dividends from said stock or the sale thereof. That the county judge of said county atoresaid, shall, in person, or by proxy, represent the stock taken by said county in the company, or companies aforesaid.
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