USA > Iowa > Cerro Gordo County > History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties, Iowa and biographies of representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races > Part 71
USA > Iowa > Franklin County > History of Franklin and Cerro Gordo counties, Iowa and biographies of representative citizens. History of Iowa, embracing accounts of the pre-historic races > Part 71
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country, we hope to lend some political influence, and shall certainly work to the best of our ability for the success of the grand old party we have fought for, and whose cardinal principles, as we under- stand them, we still delight to honor.
"The Express will be found warmly es- pousing the cause of temperance, and oth- er true reforms. Lending influence and use of its columns to further the interests of our churches and schools, and the well being of society at large. Awake to all home interests, though tied up to no clique or faction, we shall run the paper ourselves, generally for the public good, individually for the pecuniary interests of WILL ED. TUCKER."
Sept. 4, 1878, the Express was changed to a seven column quarto, and later to a six column quarto, which form it still retains. The Express has been ably con- ducted by its different proprietors, and has continually been growing in the esti- mation of the people. It has, under the management of Mr. Tucker, reached a large circulation, and is one of the stand- ard newspapers of the county. In 1883 Mr. Tucker spent a number of months in Dakota, leaving his paper in the meantime in charge of G. E. Hathaway, an old and experienced writer and newspaper man.
THE FREEMAN.
A paper bearing the above name was started in Mason City in 1876 by a stock company. J. H. Vandever and Theron Palmeter were nominal proprietors, and conducted the paper in the interests of an- ti-Masonry. The paper was a six column fo- lio but did not receive the patronage and good will necessary to make it a success. It was continued about four months and
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
was then for a short time run under the name of Cynosure, with Rev. James Hawkins and Theron Palmeter as editors and publishers. It was discontinued a few months later.
THE WESTERN DEMOCRAT.
The paper having the above name was established in February, 1877, by Stan- bery & Adams- Rec. Stanbery and James B. Adams. The first issue ap- peared on the 28th of February 1877, as an eight-column folio. It was well filled with advertisements, was bright and newsy, and had a large circulation. The editors in their salutatory spoke as follows :
"Believing that the demcracy of north- ern Iowa, needs and demands a trust- worthy medium through which to dissem- inate its principles, we have accordingly decided upon the publication of the West- ern Democrat. In taking this step we fully realize the great responsibility we are incurring as a faithful representative of the will of the people; and also, that we shall meet with bitter opposition from those of adverse political opinions. How- ever, these facts do not deter us in the least from what we believe to be a much needed undertaking. The time has come when every true democrat is called upon to exercise his political strength, and free the Nation, if possible, from the control of that party which is now wasting its re- sources, and, in consequence, compelled to impose burdens of taxation upon the people, thus impeding the progress of American industries, promoting fraud and enriching dishonest officials. Reform is necessary in every branch of the civil government, and to effect this there must
be a change in the administration. As long as the republican party continues in power, whisky rings, Credit Mobilier schemes and fraudulent elections will still continue to disgrace the Nation. It shall be the aim of the Democrat to build up all true measures of reform. We shall at all times fearlessly proclaim and uphold those principles which we believe to be for the welfare of the whole country, north and south."
The Democrat continued under the man- agement of Stanbery & Adams for about four months, when Mr. Adams withdrew, and Mr. Stanbery became editor and pro- prietor. Mr. Stanbery continued to run the paper as the Western Democrat until 1880, when he sold to T. C. Medary, who changed the name to North Iowa Journal. Mr. Medary run the paper until the fall of 1882, and failed, and again Mr. Stan- bery took the office and has since run an independent journal called the
MASON CITY TIMES.
The first issue of this paper appeared Dec 20, 1882, with the name of Rec. Stan- bery at the head as editor and proprietor. The paper was an eight-column folio, all home print and full of home advertise- ments. Mr. Stanbery introduced the Times to the public in the following terse and pertinent language :
"Unto the world the Times is born, and entered at the postoffice in Mason City as second class mail matter. It will preach good deeds to the people, and if they don't give heed, we will be happy in the thought that we did our duty. It will feed the minds of the multitude upon the latest local and general news. It will love its brethren, and lead them in the straight
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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations.
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Leo Gibson.
Mary Gibson
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THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY
Astor, Lenox and Tilden Foundations .
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
and narrow path, and if they occasionally slop over, will yank them back again. It will be neutral in nothing. It will deal a square hand, and rake in the chips when it can."
Soon after getting control of the paper, Mr Stanbery added a new and complete line of machinery, including an engine and Taylor power press, and is now pub- lishing his eight-column paper in the most approved style.
Rec. Stanbery, editor and proprietor of the Mason City Times, was born at Vinton, Iowa, Dec. 13, 1855. His parents were William C., and Eliza .J., (Stettler) Stan- bery, natives of Ohio. When Rec. was two years of age his parents moved to Clear Lake, Iowa, and there lived for two years, when they removed to Mason City. Rec. remained with his parents at Mason . City until 1875, when he went to Califor- nia, remaining until the fall of 1876, when he returned to this place. In the spring of 1877 Mr. Stanbery began the publica- tion of the Western Democrat, which pa- per he continued to run until Jan. 1, 1881, when he sold to T. C. Medary. After selling the Democrat, Mr. Stanbery went to Clear Lake and established the Clear Lake Moon, and was engaged on this paper until fall. He then went to Mitchell, Dakota, and established the Mitchell Republican, continuing until in October, 1882, when he sold to S. D. Cook and returned to Mason City. Soon after he returned to this place, Mr. Stanbery started the Mason City Times on the ruins of the North Iowa Journal, a paper which had been under the management of T. C. Medary. Mr. Stan- bery was married in October, 1878, to Emma Lawrence, of Charles City, Iowa.
They have one child-Lizzie, born Sept. 24, 1879. Mr. Stanbery is an able editor, and the present success of the Times speaks most highly of the ability and thor- onghness of its editor. In politics Mr. Stanhery is a democrat, but is at present running an independent journal.
THE PHONOGRAPH.
Rockwell village has a live local news- paper, called the Phonograph, edited by W. A. Rugg. The paper was established in 1879 by Rugg & McEwen, the first issue being published October 25, of that year. In the following month, McEwen retired from the paper and E. V. Whittlesey, was connected until the fall of 1881, when Mr. Rugg became sole proprietor and pub- lisher. This journal is a five-column quarto in form, independent in politics and the advocate of all moral reforms, es- pecially strong as an advocate of temper- ance principles. Its circulation, in June, 1883, was 350. It is printed upon a Non- pareil job press. In September, 1881, an agricultural department was introduced, edited by George B. Rockwell. This fea- ture of the Phonograph was always a very interesting as well as valuable department of the paper. In the issue of Sept. 15, 1881, appeared the first column of this de- partment, at which time Mr. Rockwell wrote the following:
"In assuming charge of this department of the Phonograph, I entertain a hope for the co-operation of my fellow farmers of this vicinity, in making it a means of in- struction and encouragement in the work which most of the readers of this paper are engaged, and in the success of which allare deeply interested. The aims will be to present matters of interest concerning
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
the house, the herd, the flock and the farm, and it is quite likely our labors may reach questions involving political agri- culture. While the editor of this depart- ment is devoted to, and passionately fond of the farmer's vocation, and deems it the most important one of all those in which the human race is engaged, he is fully conscious of the necessity of sustaining all callings that tend to benefit mankind, and well recognizes the fact that the hand can- not say to the foot, I have no need of thee, and that the varions branches of human industry, whether of the hand or brain are mutually dependent and should be mutually helped."
Mr. Rockwell, who was a practical ag- riculturist and stock raiser, furnished, each week, for the Phonograph, matter of much interest to the farmer, and was as a seed sower on good ground, educating the tillers of the soil to be more thorough in the pur- suit of their vocation.
The sketch of the Phonograph would be incomplete without mentioning the mo- tive power, Cæsar, the intelligent New- foundland dog, who run the tread wheel that gives motion to the press. He was a beautiful black dog, weighing an even 100 pounds. The wheel to which he was attached furnished a modification of the dog power tread mill sometimes used in churning. It is said Cæsar manifested much knowledge, both of the printing business and matters in general, and no doubt to him belongs a part of the credit for the many callers at the Phonograph office.
William A. Rugg, editor and proprietor of the Phonograph, was a native of Win- nebago Co., Ill., born in 1854. He was brought up on a farm, where he remained until of age. He came to Iowa in 1875, lived in Floyd county, at Rockford, for two or three years, and removed to Rock- well in 1879, and at once became con- nected with the Phonograph. He is a good writer, well educated and posted, and is popular among all classes.
CLEAR LAKE RECORD.
This paper was originally started at Britt, Hancock county, in July, 1880. In 1882 the office was purchased by George E. Frost, and removed to Clear Lake. It started off with a good advertising and subscription patronage, which has been steadily increasing. Mr. Frost still owns and edits the Record. It is a five column quarto, neatly printed, ably edited, and well filled with local and general news and advertisements. Mr. Frost, the edi- tor, is one of the old settlers of the county, and has held many offices of honor and trust. He is treated at length elsewhere in this volume.
THE PLYMOUTH NEWS.
This paper was established in March, 1881. At the mast head, as editor and proprietor, appeared the name of James Brydon. It was an eight column folio, with patent insides, gotten up in good style, well filled with fresh, crisp, newsy items. The News continued publication until the summer of 1882, when it was suspended and the subscription list turned over to the Mason City Republican.
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
CHAPTER XI.
REMINISCENCES OF PIONEERS.
In this chapter are given the personal experiences of some of the pioneers of Cerro Gordo county. These articles are written or related by the pioneers, and when written, the compiler has in no case attempted to change the style of the writer, it being the design to show the peculiar- ity of the writer as well as to record the facts narrated. The expressions of an individual in writing, show his character and peculiarities as much as do features when painted on canvass, or printed from steel or stone. These reminiscences are interesting and well worthy of perusal.
TIIE CONTRAST. By Hon. M P. Rosecrans.
"We found the country a wild and un- cultivated wilderness, but a little more than a quarter of a century ago. The prairies were covered with buffalo, elk and deer; the timber and bushy portion held the wild bear, panther and lynx. The lake was covered with wild fowl such as swans, geese, pelican and ¿ducks, while its clear placid water was full of pickerel, bass and many other kinds of the finny tribe. In fact this was a hunter's paradise. The wild and uncultivated savage, with his canoe on the water, in the moonlight glided from shore to shore, and whispered into the ear of some Indian maiden the tale of his burning passion-
how he would take her to be the keeper of his humble wigwam, and let her raise the corn for him, cook his buffalo meat and venison, and do for him all his drudgery, while he, her lord, would smoke his pipe in the council of the braves, and there boast of his warlike deeds. Such, we say, was the state of the country but twenty- nine years ago, a time within the memory of our middle-aged men and women. There were no farms, no mills, no schools, no churches, no roads, no bridges, no comfortable dwellings, no mails, no post- offices, no printing presses, no shops, no machinery. The settler lived in an hum- ble cabin, without floor in many cases. Corn was pounded in wooden mortars, and wild meat with this was their only food. Winters were cold, snows deep, and the communication in many instances cut off. Now note the change! The lake is still there, its bright and silvery water at sunset and sunrise reflecting the rays of light cast upon its surface; over it the steamer glides in stately pride, her decks adorned with the beauty and fashion of the southern and eastern cities, as well as the beauty and fashion of our own vicinity, while all over its surface may be seen the flutter of the white sail, as the boat to which it is attached scuds before the wind, bearing the white and civilized
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lover, who whispers in the ear of his fair one the tale of the home he has prepared, where are books, pictures, music; where flowers bloom, and where he desires to carry his lovely and attentive listener. The shore of the lake is still here, lined with pebbles and lashed by the waves as of old, but minus many a carnelian and moss agate, taken from thence to be placed in the cabinet of the geological student, or under the hands and skill of the workman, to adorn the breast or the finger of beauty and fashion while moving in the gas light in the mansion of wealth and refinement. The timber that line its banks still looms up darkly to the eye of the traveler as he crosses our broad and fertile prairies, save what has been de- stroyed by our settlers in making their improvements, but the bear that once roamed in its cool shades have all gone. The scream of the panther no more fright- ens the settler. This scream has been superseded by the shrill whistle of the locomotive or engine in the mills. The lynx and wild cat have been superseded by the Maltese or domestic cat. In the place of the wolf may be heard the bark- ing of the mastiff and spaniel. Buffalo, deer and elk are no more seen on our prairies, but their places are filled by low- ing herds of cattle, by horses and mules, while at sunset may be heard the bleat of sheep mingled with the merry song of the husbandman The wild grass of the prai- rie has been, in a great measure, changed to the fragrant clover and waving fields of golden grain. The rough, uncultured backwoodsman, clothed in his humble garb of skins, has been changed into the cultivated and refined gentleman of leis-
ure who sports his gold watch, chain and rings. His old coon skin cap is replaced by a hat of the latest style, shining and glistening in the sun. Where water only was drank, now may be found the cost- liest wines and most delicious beverages. We say all this change has taken place -- and more than this. We now have roads and bridges, schoo's and school houses, societies and church edifices, rai roads and telegraphs, taxes and tax collectors. The old cabin of the settler has long since been torn down and superseded by the palatial mansion. Where once all was rough and uncouth, now may be seen beauty and refinement, harmony and order."
LOCALS OF 1860. By Geo. E. Frost.
In an article addressed to the old set- tlers of Cerro Gordo county, in the Clear Lake Record, Mr. Frost says:
"Through the kindness of John M. Brainard, of Boone, this State, we have received Vol. 1 of the Clear Lake Inde- pendent, the first paper published in Clear Lake.
No. 1 is dated Feb. 10, 1860. It is a six-column folio, and was published by Brainard & Noyes. The card and ad- vertisement columns report as follows: County judge, George Vermilya; district clerk, E. D. Huntley; recorder and treas- urer, H. G. Parker; sheriff, John L. Mc- Millen; county surveyor, J. H. Ambrose; county superintendent, John M. Brainard. At Clear Lake Edwin Nichols was post- master, W. C. Stanbery, attorney at law, and Marcus Tuttle, P. T. Sturgis, James Goodwin and Brainard & Noyes were land agents. Marcus Tuttle was also in the livery and lumber business, and kept
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
in stock all kinds of native lumber. P. T. Sturgis was dealer in general merchan- dise, Goodwin & Howard were carpenters and builders, and R. O. Sirrine run the blacksmith shop. A report on county finances from the organization of the county to Jan. 1, 1860, shows county war- rants issued for $19,556.98, and unpaid warrants outstanding $5,754.47.
No. 2 gives an itemized statement of county receipts and expenses from the organization of the county in August, 1855, to Dec. 31, 1859, by J. S. Church, retiring county judge, which is a very complete statement of county affairs.
The paper dated March 2d notes the building of a regular "d wn-east" ox-cart by Willard Dort, which is probably the first vehicle on wheels ever made in this county. The same paper also notes the burning of a little school house at Mason City.
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In the next issue A. B. Tuttle and Buren R. Sherman advertise as attorneys at law, and Rosecrans & Stanbery, at- torneys, publish four legal notices. Charles Johnson also advertises a mail and express route between Clear Lake and Cedar Falls -says he will be here every Friday prompt.
March 16th says farmers are all sowing wheat. Judge Rosecrans, of Upper Grove, had finished seeding. James Dickirson was building a new barn in connection with the Dickirson House.
March 23d reports 1,500 pounds of fish caught at the outlet Monday night.
April 20th announces a mail route opened from Clear Lake to Irvington, Kossuth county, with Joseph Hewitt, con- tractor, and running once a week.
June Ist reports the opening of the first district court of Hancock county, with Hon. John Porter for judge, C. J. Pritch- ard, clerk, Daniel D. Chase, prosecuting attorney, and Huff, of Hardin county, Col. Woods, of Burlington, W. C. Stanbery, of Cerro Gordo, and M. P. Rosecrans, of Hancock county, were the attorneys pres- ent. At the same term C. J. Pritchard and Harvey Brockway were admitted to the bar as attorneys. Court was also held in Winnebago county the following Mon- day, and H. B. Gray was admitted as an attorney, but there were no trials in either county, and but one day's court in each.
Martin Bumgardner advertises a large stock of general merchandise at Forest City,-the first store there, in the same issue.
In the issue of June 22d, the U. S. Gov- ernment advertises for bids on thirteen mail routes in this vicinity. The public installation of officers of Benevolence Lodge, A. F. & A. M., is mentioned in this paper, and there is also a long article on the Comanche tornado in the eastern part of the State, by which 100 persons were killed.
In the issue of June 29th Marcus Tuttle and J. C. Crowles have formed a partner- ship, and have bought out P. T. Sturgis, at Clear Lake and Mason City, and will operate a general store at each place.
July 6th reports Fourth of July celebra- tion, dance and camp-meeting exercises, and all parties happy.
July 20th announces the return of Rev. J. S Saxby from Kansas with his family, and the wheat harvest never better, and H. G. Parker and D. E. Coon as having a lively fight over the tax lists.
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
On August 3d Mr. Chilson threshed 107 bushels of wheat, raised from five and a half bushels of seed on James Dickirson's farm of three and a half acres.
August 7th Col. Woods (old Timber) arrested for stealing a dog, and the Han- cock county Sentinel started by W. E. Tucker and C. W. Tobin at Ellington. The same paper contains the tax list of Hancock county, which filled six pages of four double columns each, also the list of Cerro Gordo county, which filled five pages of six double colninns to a page. At that time the water was so low in Lime creek that Randall's mill could not run and there was lots of wheat but no flour. At that time two threshing ma- chines were kept busy in this county. The names of the committee appointed for the county fair also appeared in this issue.
September 14th W. P. Stanbery, C. D. Pritchard and H. B. Gray are discuss- ing politics. A. B. Tuttle has ripe melons and John L. McMillen has the best corn in the county. The following notice ap- pears in the same number :
Married-On the 11th inst., at the Diekirson House, in Clear Lake, by Peter Wood, Esq., Mr. Robert O. Sirrine to Miss Martha Denslow, both of Clear Lake.
(That was Rob. and he is married still.)
September 28th Tuttle & Crowles sell out their store to Brainard & Noyes. In the statement of county finances, from Jan. Ist to July Ist, the salaries of the county officers unpaid for six months, are as follows :
County Superintendent. $ 68.64
66 Clerk. 75.00
... Judge. 75.00
Surveyor. 6.00
Sheriff. 18.00
.. Treasurer and Recorder. 105-75
October 19th the town school, with Mrs. Gardner as teacher, closed with a picnic A slim report of the county fair from which we judge that the fair was not half so large as the premium list, and a new postoffice established at Linn Grove, now Rockwell.
November 2d contains the death of Rev. Elisha Pattee, aged seventy years. (Mr. Pattee was one of the pioneer Methodist ministers in Iowa, and probably preached the first sermon in this county. His widow, Grandma Pattee, still resides here and is over ninety years of age).
November 16th contains election returns from which it appears that Cerro Gordo county cast 220 votes, of which 121 were republican and sixty-nine democratic.
January 4, 1861 .- Thermometer twelve degrees below, and the printing office devil froze up. First board of supervisors or- ganized with J. M. Hunt, of Falls, E. Ran -. dall, of Mason, J. P. Gardner, of Lake, A. C. Owen, of Owen, and J. J. Rogers, of Linn township, members. Paper con- tains account of the secession of South Carolina.
January 18th H. G. Parker has bought press and material for a new paper at Mason City, to be called the Republican, J. H. Aylesworth to be editor.
February Ist railroad was built to Waterloo. Vol. 1 of the Clear Lake Independent closed, and the paper suspends publication for the editors to rest. James Turner, the mail carrier, was caught out in in a blizzard and was badly frozen, and the first number of the Cerro Gordo Re- publican is out.
The above is a brief review of the local of Clear Lake in 1860, and when we re-
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HISTORY OF CERRO GORDO COUNTY.
member that in January, 1861, there were buttwenty-nine families in the west half of Cerro Gordo county and that there was but little to fill a newspaper with. The entire advertising for the year out- side of tax lists was less than $300, with subscription next to nothing, but still they did more work and set more type each week than the Record and Mirror to- gether, but that was before the days of "patents" and "plates" and every word was set up each week. Altogether the work was creditable for the times. The files will stay here hereafter."
INDIAN TALK. By Will. Ed. Tucker.
It is not our purpose in this article to dilate much upon the part which the "noble red man" took in our early history, preferring to deal with subjects which are not surrounded with such a halo of doubt and uncertainty. In that early day Clear Lake seemed to be a favorite hunting place for the Indians,and,naturally enough, the name of James Hewitt is connected with our earliest account of them. The significance of his name appears to have immediately struck them, for they at once re-christened him 'Nock-a-Shookle,' which is Winnebago for hew it. Having had some experience with the Winnebagoes in Clay- ton county and elsewhere, Mr. Hewitt was prepared to deal with "Lo" as a trader and talkist. Large numbers of that tribe, under the leadership of some of the braves, were camped much of the time near the residence of " Nock-a-Shook," at Clear Lake, hunting by day, and making night hideous with "music" and dancing Dur- ing the winters of 1855-56, '56-7 the supply of "pagainena" was obtained from
some enterprising dealers at Mason City. The name of this beverage is derived from two Winnebago words, 'pageda,' fire, and 'nena,' water, (fire-water), which had the most remarkable effect on ye noble red man of the forest. They would often fall to beating their squaws, till the ‘bet- ter halves' were compelled to seek refuge among the trees, with the whitesand else- where, until the frenzy had passed away from their lords. At the breaking up of winter, with new canoes just dug out, they would usually start with their 'plunder' at the head of the West Fork of the Cedar, just a little south of the lake, and follow that stream to its confluence with the Ce- dar, catching otter, beaver and smaller fur. Arriving at the Cedar, the fur season over, they sold furs and canoes, then re- turned overland, the same dirty, destitute, vagabond noble 'Injuns' they ever were.
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