USA > Iowa > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 12
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.As soon as the news reached Boonsboro, Judge McFarland raised a com- pany of volunteers and made a forced march across the country to the relief of Webster City. arriving there on the afternoon of the day after the fright began. Many of the old settlers remember the coming of the little army, commanded by the redoubtable judge, how the soldiers were drawn up in line on our streets and welcomed by the citizens; the speech of the judge; and how, the danger being passed, the soldiers were feasted, and how a general drunk was indulged in that night in which the would be gallant soldiers, and the but lately panic stricken citizens, vied with each other in a hand to mouth conflict with "red eye" and "fortyrod," and how the list of the fallen would have paralyzed the heart of the stoutest warrior had they fallen in battle; and in which conflict, no one be- came more gloriously drunk than the commander of the army.
By the time the scare was over, along the Boone, the news had reached the Skunk river, and many of the settlers from there began to flock over, only to learn that it was all a mistake and happily they could return in peace.
THE IOWA FRONTIER GUARDS
During the fall of 1857, there was considerable talk of another Indian out- break at Spirit Lake. As near as we can learn, Jared Palmer was responsible for most of it. Several letters written by him were printed by the newspapers of the settlements. He succeeded in creating a sentiment of fear and a demand for state protection, thus securing the passage of an act by the state legislature at its session in 1857-8, providing for a company of mounted militia to be en- listed as near the scene of the expected outbreak as possible and Palmer was made the commissioner to enlist the company. The company was recruited at Boonsboro, Webster City and Homer. Its officers were Capt. Henry B. Martin, Webster City; First Lieutenant W. L. Church, Homer ; Second Lieutenant D. S. Jewett, Boonsboro; Sergeants W. D. Grason, W. S. Defor, E. N. Wilcox, C. C. Stratton ; Corporals R. D. Hlaskell, D. N. Carver, T. Mulraney, A. McPhetters.
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
The company was called "The Iowa Frontier Guards." Governor Lowe issued an order that the company should march for the frontier on Tuesday, March 2, 1858. On Saturday before marching the company assembled in Webster City and a ball was given at the Willson House in the evening, in honor of the com- pany, at which the ladies of Webster City presented it with a flag. It was formally presented on behalf of the ladies by Colonel John Peak, with the follow- ing remarks :
"Captain Martin, officers and soldiers of the Iowa Frontier Guards: I have had the honor of being appointed by the ladies this day, to perform an agreeable duty. You are on the eve of marching to defend the homes and firesides of many unprotected families on our frontier, from the savages. Your duty is an arduous but noble one, and to cheer you in its performance, these ladies have prepared this emblem as a token of their regard for you and their confidence in your ability to perform the task you have voluntarily espoused. While on tedious marches. through privations and fatigues, storms and dangers you may have to pass, look on it and take renewed courage. Remember that the eyes of the state and nation are upon you. Think of the many hearts that beat for your success ; think how the bright eyes of these ladies will sparkle with delight when they hear you have acted bravely and nobly. Prove that you will be as true to your trust as the 'Old Guard' were to Napoleon, or the 'Tenth Legion' were to Caesar. Remember with this flag I now present you-in behalf of these ladies- that you carry with you the honor of northwestern Jowa, and may you prove by your valor, and the bravery of the Iowa Frontier Guard, that it is safe in your hands, and that you will be as ready to defend, as to bear, these colors- that never run."
Captain Martin received the flag and replied as follows :
"Ladies of Webster City: Permit me in behalf of the Frontier Guards to tender you a thousand thanks for this acceptable and sacred gift. The American flag is always looked upon with emotions of pride by every lover of liberty, and well it may be, for the stars and stripes proudly float over millions of free men and are seen and respected on every sea. And such a gift at this time is in true keeping with the spirit which has been manifested by the ladies of Webster City-lovely, intelligent and patriotic-they are first in every enterprise, in every act of benevolence. But a few months since, when the sad tidings reached us of the cruel depredations that had been committed upon our northern frontier. the willing and efficient aid rendered in sending relief to the sufferers fully demonstrated that the spirit which animated the mothers and daughters of the Revolution is alive in Webster City. And now, fair ladies, we take leave of you to hasten to the northwest to prevent the recurrence of the Spirit Lake outrage. We go with the expectation of suffering privations and encountering dangers by flood and field, but in the darkest hours this manifestation of your kindness, well wishes and patriotism, will nerve us to indure every danger. The 'Ladies of Webster City' shall be our watchword, and this cherished gift shall be the standard around which we rally, and although its bright colors may be bleached by the storms of heaven, and the sweeping winds of the boundless prairie, or perchance the bullets of the enemy may riddle it, yet we promise that it shall not be disgraced by deeds of ours, that it shall be returned with fame as untarnished as the hand that wro't it."
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The above addresses are copied from the Freeman of March 4, 1858.
The company, numbering thirty-one men, left Webster City on Monday, March Ist, but never saw any active service. as the Indians made no hostile demonstration towards the settlers. They were out four months, when they were recalled and disbanded by the governor.
In November. 1858. a new Indian scare arose at Spirit Lake, caused by the camping in that vicinity of a large body of the red skins. Applications were made to Governor Lowe for aid, and Captain Martin and his frontier guard were again ordered out. They started for the seat of war on November 23. Captain Martin had orders from Governor Lowe to order all Indians, whether friendly or other- wise, to leave the state, and if they refused to drive them out at all hazards, and lic was enjoined to make every possible effort to capture Ink-pa-du-tah, and as many of his tribe as could be identified as implicated in the massacre in the spring of 1857, in order that they might be dealt with according to law. The command stayed out all winter, but no difficulties were met with.
August 12, 1887, was set apart by the people of Hamilton as the day for the unveiling of a tablet erected in honor of the company of men who went to the relief of the sufferers from the Spirit Lake massacre in 1857. This enterprise had been promoted and organized by Charles Aldrich and contemplated the erec- tion of a brass tablet in a prominent place in the county court house. The tablet was completed, appropriately inscribed and fixed to the west wall of the court house hall. A large assemblage of people attended and appropriate ceremonies were held. The following is the inscription as it appears on the tablet :
IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THE HEROIC VOLUNTEERS FROM HAMILTON COUNTY, IOWA, IN THE SPIRIT LAKE EXPEDITION
Commanded by Major William Williams, of Fort Dodge, for the relief of the settlers who survived the Indian massacre of March 8, 1857
Roster of Company C
Captain, J. C. Johnson ; First Lieutenant, John N. Maxwell; Second Lieuten- ant, Frank R. Mason ; Sergeant, Harry Hoover ; Corporal, A. N. Hathway.
Privates-Michacl Sweeney, John Gates, James Brainard, William K. Laugh- lin, J. C. Pemberton. James Hickey, Morris Markham, Andrew S. Leonard, Sher- man Cassaday, Humphrey Hillock, F. R. Moody, Jareb Palmer, John Howland, Patrick Stafford, A. K. Tullis, Alonzo Richardson, M. W. Hlowland, William L. Church, Henry E. Dalley, John Eric, Elias D. Kellogg, Thos. B. Bonebright, Josiah Griffin, Emery W. Gates, Thomas Anderson, Patrick Colon, John Bradshaw.
This tablet was erected at the public expense to commemorate the patriotism, valor and sufferings of these gallant men in one of the severest marches recorded in Indian border warfare. In memory also of Mrs. William L. Church, who shot an Indian while defending her babies, and of her sister, Drusilla Swanger, who was severely wounded.
CHAPTER VI JUST BEFORE THE WAR -- EVENTS OCCURRING IN '57-'58-'59 AND '60 By F. Q. Lee
FOUNDING OF THE FREEMAN-TIIE FIRST FOURTHI OF JULY CELEBRATION-COUNTER- FEITERS-ANOTIIER PAPER TOWN -- A COUNTY ELECTION-AN ELECTION CONTEST- A COUNTY FAIR IN 57-AN EARLY TRAGEDY-RIVER LAND GRANT-WILD CAT MONEY-HORSE THIEVES-RAILROAD EXCITEMENT-THE TOWN OF HAWLEY- BUILDING THIE FIRST BRIDGE-ARRIVAL OF JACOB SKINNER-CARPENTER VS. DUN- COMBE-THE FIRST HAY SCALES-AN ATTEMPT TO INCORPORATE-RESCINDING TIIE RAILROAD BONDS-THIE WET SEASON OF '58-WADING THE SLOUGHS-THE FIRST BREWERY-PROMINENT MEN ARRIVE-THE RIVER STEAMER REACHES FORT DODGE-THIE SWAMP LAND FUND-AN ATTEMPT TO GET A NEW COURT HOUSE- AN INDIGNATION MEETING-JUDGE MAXWELL-MORE RAILROAD TALK-PIONEER POLITICS-A COUNTY ELECTION-A NEW SCHOOL HOUSE-POLITICS IN 1860- STATISTICS-THREE NEW BRIDGES.
FOUNDING OF THE FREEMAN
As we progress with our history, we record no event that gives more pleasure than the establishment of a newspaper in Hamilton county. Such a medium of intelligence is so entirely necessary to every locality, that no community, no matter how well it may be endowed in every other respect, can do without it.
About February 15, 1857, Charles Aldrich arrived at Webster City, searching for some suitable place to locate and start a newspaper. He was an experienced printer, having worked at his trade in Buffalo, New York, and Warren, Penn- sylvania, and for three years had published a weekly paper at Olean, New York. He quit the newspaper business once, and went to farming, but his love for the old trade called him back and he began to look about for a location. He after- wards accidently got a book in which the writer spoke in glowing terms of Fort Dodge and the valley of the Des Moines and also mentioned, incidentally, Web- ster City. This somewhat aroused his curiosity and animated a desire to see the great western country where Greeley advised all young men to go and he re- solved to make a tour of inspection extending as far west as Fort Dodge, Iowa. Accordingly in the fore part of February he set out. All along the idea of start- ing a newspaper at Fort Dodge was foremost in his mind; but when he arrived at Dubuque he learned that a democratic paper had already been started there, and as he did not believe two newsappers could live in so new a locality, he gave up the project. He had been informed, however, that Webster City was a lively little
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place and wanted a paper. So he made up his mind to visit it, and accordingly set out across the country by stage, a journey which gave him ample opportunity to get familiar with the inconvenience of being snowbound, and "sloughed down." This gave him a good practical idea of the rough venturesome life the pioneer must endure.
As we have said before, he arrived at Webster City about the 15th of Feb- ruary and at once made known his business. He was well received by the citi- zens who fully understood the necessity of having a newspaper, for how could a town grow and prosper without some way of proclaiming its existence to the world ; without some medium of conveying intelligence ?
A public meeting was held and after ample consideration, it was resolved that providing Charles Aldrich should start a paper, a guarantee of five hundred subscribers and a bonus of five hundred dollars would be given ; the bonus to be paid when the printing office had been equipped. In spite of the above very liberal offer, things looked somewhat discouraging to the young editor at first. Times were very hard, prices very low and money, which consisted mostly of "wild cat" currency, was very uncertain. But when he considered the fact that Webster City was the county scat, and had unusually fine agricultural country to support it, he knew the hard times could not last always, and that the country was bound to settle and become more or less wealthy in time, so he concluded to accept the offer, and returned to New York for his family and printing ma- terials for his office.
About May 1, 1857, Mr. Aldrich had purchased the outfit for the Hamilton Freeman and had it shipped to Dyresville in this state. Here he was met by C. T. Fenton with good teams, and the types and furniture were loaded in and started for Webster City. The Washington hand press was so heavy it had to be left for several weeks until the roads became more settled and then John Meeks with his ox teams brought it forward.
On the 26th of June, 1857, the first number of the Hamilton Freeman, the first newspaper published in Hamilton county, and the first Republican paper in tlie state, north of Boone, was issued.
THE FIRST FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION
The people of the county held great reverence for the "Declaration of Inde- pendence," but their numbers had been too few, heretofore, to properly cele- brate its birth. But this year ( 1857) it was resolved that all delinquencies of the past should be "made up" and a "grand and glorious fourth" was prepared for. The festivities commenced in the evening of the third with a grand ball at the Willson house where the young folks "tripped the light fantastic" until the na- tional salute was fired at sunrise. At ten o'clock a procession was formed under direction of Col. John Peake, and marched to the grove west of town (near where A. N. Boeye now lives). A. Moon was president of the day. Rev. J. K. Large offered a very impressive prayer and J. J. Wadsworth read the Dec- laration of Independence. John F. Duncombe, of Fort Dodge, was to have deliv- ered an address, but for some reason he failed to be present, and S. B. Rosencrans took the stand and made a very excellent, though very hastily prepared oration. He was loudly applauded for his witty "hits" intermixed with much good solid
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wisdom took well. When the address had been concluded, the procession returned to the Willson house for dinner, after which toasts were proposed and responded to. Peter Lyon told about shooting elk, but a short distance from where he was then speaking. Judge Maxwell bore down hard on "land sharks" and expressed a determination to stand by Hamilton county to the last.
"The Merry Boys of Webster City" then appeared in grotesque costume and danced on the public square and sang songs composed especially for the amuse- ment of the spectators. And thus ended the first 4th of July celebration in Web- ster City. if not in Hamilton county.
COUNTERFEITERS
The peaceful tranquillity of Webster City was just a little ruffled during this month (July) by the arrest of a counterfeiter named Charles Stuart with about two thousand seven hundred dollars of bad money in his possession. He was a bold, cheeky man, and when Judge Maxwell fixed his bail at one thousand five hundred dollars he offered to pay it in his currency, but he went to jail instead. He afterwards escaped, however.
ANOTHER "PAPER" TOWN
On July 15, 1857, the town plat for the village of Mettamora was filed with the county recorder. The town occupied the greater part of section 20 in Wil- liams township and was owned by Wm. H. Merritt. This town on paper was one of the finest a person often sees, and by means of liberal advertisement, quite a number of lots were sold to eastern purchasers. But as no buildings, to our knowledge, were ever erected on its soil, it did not flourish very extensively, ex- cept perhaps, in the imagination of eastern men who owned lots within its limits. But as time moved on the foreign property owners of this "phantom city" became aware of the true condition of things, and their lots were either sold for taxes, or they went back to the original owners on account of incomplete title.
A COUNTY ELECTION
At the election here the first Monday in August, 1857, the following vote was cast :
COUNTY JUDGE-J. D. Maxwell, 172. Ammon Moon, 158.
RECORDER AND TREASURER-Cyrus Smith, 203. F. J. Allen, 121.
PROSECUTING ATTORNEY-W. R. Daniels, 240. I. S. Smith, 79.
SHERIFF-C. C. Leonard, 166. Win. Royster, 163.
CORONER-E. Lakin, 211. L. Lakin, 98.
SURVEYOR-H. B. Martin, 258. E. Huntington, 68.
For new constitution, 199.
Against new constitution, 82.
For amendment to new constitution by striking out word "white" from article on right of suffrage, 48. Against, 251.
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
AN ELECTION CONTEST
About the 18th of August, 1857, William Royster, through his attorney, Gran- ville Burkley, appeared before Judge Maxwell contesting the election of C. C. Leonard as sheriff of Hamilton county, charging illegal voting. The judge issued a precept and gave it to N. W. Browning to serve. Browning returned it with the following report :
"I tried to serve it upon the within named C. C. Leonard, but he ran off and I could not. On the 21st of August, I served said precept by leaving a copy, etc." N. W. BROWNING. The trial took place Sept. 17, 1857, with J. D. Maxwell as judge, Geo. Smith as deputy clerk and Levi Olmstead as constable. The attorneys for the plaintiff were W. N. Messervey and H. B. Martin; and the attorneys for the defendant were W. R. Daniels and E. W. Salsbury. After a heated contest, the judges of election came to the conclusion that Leonard had 162 legal votes and Royster 160.
All along there was a desire in and about Homer and the southern part of the county to move the county seat from Webster City to Saratoga and this fact figured not a little in .local politics. This feeling perhaps gave rise to the above contest, as Royster was a Homer man while Leonard decidedly favored Webster City.
A COUNTY FAIR IN '57
The Hamilton county agricultural society held a fair at Webster City, October 14 and 15, 1857, and in order to give an idea as to who were here at the time and what they were doing, it might be proper to give the names of those who received premiums on different exhibits.
S. Willson, Wm. Frances, W. W. Boak, David Bibler, Wm. Silvers, 1. W. Payne, D. Beach, T. J. Chesney, G. Burkley and J. A. Rhodes, all were honored with ribbons, on different kinds of horses and mules.
On cattle, D. Bibler, Hiram Bennett, J. H. Cofer, L. B. Hill, J. A. Rhodes, D. Beach, G. W. MeClure, and J. D. Maxwell received premiums.
Peter Lyon was the only exhibitor of swine and of course he received Ist premium. Peter Lyon and Granville Burkley also made fine exhibits of poultry.
On improved farms, Wm. W. Funk received the first premium, while L. B. Hill, Win. Frakes, and John Frank were complimented by the committee on the fine condition of their lands.
On field crop and vegetables, premiums were received as follows :
. Simon Day received premium on wheat ; H. Corbin on oats; O. W. Story on potatoes ; H. M. Barstow on carrots ; John Frank on beats; T. L. Richardson on turnips ; Chas. Royster on squashes ; James Hamilton on pumpkins. H. M. Bar- stow and S. B. Rosencrans showed the best variety of fruit trees, while John Frank had the finest variety of vegetables.
The best samples of butter were shown by O. W. Story and R. Willis. The best bed quilt was by Miss Lizzie Mclaughlin; the best blacksmith work by R. M. Furgeson ; best pair of boots by J. 11. Hartman ; the best joiner's work, Harris Hoover ; and the best sample of cabinet work, W. Leonard. W. W. Wells ex- hibited finest tailor's work.
The finest lady equestrians were Mrs. J. J. Wadsworth. Miss C. J. Maxwell and Miss Teresa Malooley. Mrs. A. Moon exhibited some fine wax fruit and a
RHODES BUILDING, WEBSTER CITY The first brick business building erected in Hamilton County
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HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
wreath of hair work. D. A. Eckerson showed samples of flour from his mill ; and H. N. Brockeray exhibited some fine brick of his own manufacture. Mrs. S. B. Rosencrans displayed some fine embroidery. An Indian coat and a necklace of bears' claws were supplied by A. Moon. The society was addressed by G. W. McClure, S. B. Rosencrans, Chas. Aldrich, Peter Lyon, W. C. Willson, J. D. Maxwell and C. C. Carpenter ..
AN EARLY TRAGEDY
We have never yet read a history whose pages were not somewhere darkened by tragedy and we are afraid it will be impossible to write a truthful one cover- ing any long degree of time while frail humanity figures in it without such shadows. And as the people of Hamilton county were but human beings, in common with the people of all other communities, it will not be expected that they should have unconsciously acted at all times with such precision and virtue as to have laid the foundation for a history entirely free from the blots of crime. Although they had been permitted to live in an unusually quiet and peaceful neighborhood, the faults of man had not been entirely controlled; nor the im- petuosity of his nature entirely curbed by a strong reign of self control.
George P. Smith, the chief actor in the tragedy we are about to relate, was not an unusually wicked man. When volunteers for the relief of the Spirit Lake settlers were called for, he enlisted and accompanied the expedition. Aside from a fiery and impetuous nature, he was considered a harmless, amiable sort of a fellow. and nothing but a lack of self-control led to the crime he so foully committed.
Charles Gatchell and George Smith had always been apparently good friends. They were in each other's society a great deal about Hook's Point, and joked with each other and told their adventures with the greatest amiability. One day when both were at the residence of Isaac Hook, they became involved in a quarrel about some fence rails. The hot words led to blows, and Gatchell, who ยท
was the larger and stronger of the two, gave Smith quite a severe pounding. They were separated, however, and both went into the barroom of Hook's hotel, where more angry words were indulged in, which lasted two or three minutes when Smith turned to leave the room. When he reached the door, he saw a gun which had been left there. He stopped and picked it up. It was loaded and capped. He whirled around, leveled it at Gatchell, and fired. Gatchell threw up his hands and fell on his knees but immediately rose and was helped to bed. He had been shot in the side, just below the heart and died in about twenty-five minutes. The news was at once conveyed to Webster City, where a warrant was issued and Sheriff Leonard sent to execute it. Smith did not try to escape and was taken to Webster City before Judge Maxwell for pre- liminary examination. District Attorney Daniels appeared on behalf of the State, and Skinner and Berkley for the defendant. After the evidence had been carefully considered, George P. Smith was held for the murder of Charles Gatchell. The crime was committed at Hook's Point on Saturday evening. November 14, 1857. Smith was confined at the residence of Sheriff Leonard until the next spring, when he succeeded in escaping and was never heard of again, although the prairie was scoured by the citizens for miles. After the Vol. I-T
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excitement had somewhat died down, some one started the report that the mur- derer had been hiding in a barn in town while the hunt was going on, and that he had been seen leaving. This started another "fox hunt" but with no success. .
RIVER LAND GRANT
Thus far we have passed over the history of the county without mention- ing the troubles arising over what is known as the River Land Grant. Away back in the forties, Congress granted the odd numbered alternate sections for six miles on each side of the Des Moines river as far north as the Raccoon fork, to aid in making the river navigable. The Raccoon fork was at Des Moines, but the Des Moines Navigation and Railroad company to whom the lands were granted, made claim to the lands to the north line of the state. This claim was. part of the time sustained by the General Land office and part of the time denied. During the times the land office held against the company, settlers were permitted to pre-empt these disputed lands and patents were issued for them. Then when the ruling of the land office would change, the Navigation company would attempt to put the settlers off the lands and thus a conflict arose that lasted for over 35 years. The settlers formed themselves into a society to support each other and prevent eviction. Contests in the courts usually terminated against the settlers but when the officers came out to evict, they were met by force and driven off, or if they succeeded in setting the settler out before the other settlers knew of it, a force would gather and put him back in again. Several of the Navigation com- pany's agents were lynched, others driven out, never caring to return, and others barely escaped a like fate.
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