USA > Iowa > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 16
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dead on the field. The matter was freely discussed in the newspapers of the state and it was decided by them that Hamilton and Wright counties were dan- gerous places to travel through. To show the tenor of the comment, we present here a clipping from the Sioux City Register.
"It is becoming rather dangerous for strangers to travel in the neighborhood of Hamilton or Wright counties, without the proper papers to identify them- selves. Two citizens of this county, Dr. Ordway and Able Bacon were over east buying stock a few days ago, and while riding along, thinking there was nothing to molest them or make them afraid, they saw five or six horsemen approaching. riding furiously. When near enough, they halted our astonished citizens with a dangerous display of firearms and informed them that they were hunting for horse thieves and that Ordway and Bacon were the fellows. Imagine their as- tonishment. They protested their innocence and demanded to see the warrant for their arrest but all of no avail. Bacon was pronounced guilty as an old of- fender, because he is, unfortunately, a little deaf, which they averred was feigned and a 'trick of the trade.' Our friends were taken back several miles and were lucky enough to be able to prove that they were not the thieves they were taken to be, and were allowed to go on their way rejoicing."
The above shows how thoroughly aroused the people generally were. and how suspicious they were of all strangers.
THE CIRCUS COMES TO TOWN
On the second day of August, 1864. Hamilton county saw her first circus. It exhibited at Webster City, and was the then world renowned "Yankee Robison's Big Show." Everybody turned out and everybody was loud in the praise of the performance, notwithstanding the fact that it rained almost all day. Even in the midst of war and horse thieves, a big draft for sokliers impending. the people gave themselves up to one day's enjoyment at a circus.
THE SHEEP INDUSTRY
Prior to the fall of 1864. but a few sheep had been brought into the county ; but those had done well and as the price of wool was high, it was thought that this was "par excellence" the country for sheep. J. D. Sells brought in about 700 from Ohio, while W. S. Worthington and J. M. Funk, with one or two others. brought in a drove of over 2,000. Everybody began to talk sheep, and everybody was anxious to get some of them. Quite a number of farmers went away with the intention of bringing in new droves. We pass the progress of this industry for the present, but at the proper time will be compelled to note how it died out and give the causes therefor.
DRAFTING SOLDIERS
During the summer, a new call of the president of the United States for 500 .- 000 men necessitated a draft in almost all localities of the Union. In Hamilton county special pains had been taken to prevent the necessity of a draft by the
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offering of a bounty of $200. This bounty was supplemented in some of the townships by an additional bounty of $200 raised by private subscription, which with $100 offered by the general government brought the bounty up to $500. The draft was escaped in some of the townships but was enforced in others. It was to have been made on the 5th day of September, and had it taken place then, every township in the county but Fremont would have been on the list. But it did not take place until about the 28th of the month and the result of the draft by the townships was as follows :
Ellsworth-Christian Peterson, John Smith, Henry Staley, F. A. McClelland. Cass-Ulis Briggs. Henry P. Corbin, Harrison Averell. John P. Downing.
Scott-Barney Charleson. Andrew Christianson, Ole II. Johnson, Ira Stephens.
Hamilton-Isaac Hanley J. N. Maxwell, John McFarland, Jacob Olmstead, R. R. Royster, Addison Woodard.
Webster-Wm. H. Banks, Thos. J. Rinwell. E. B. N. Strong, M. R. J. Coffer, Wm. K. Rush, Milton Fisher.
Marion-James Brundage, Reuben Neese, Francis Neese, J. F. Hook.
In a draft for Webster township, when the first draw was made, two names were drawn sticking together. The names were Isaiah Doane and E. B. N. Strong. These names were laid aside and when the draft for that township was otherwise concluded, the names were all taken out and these two again placed in the wheel and a draw made which fell upon Mr. Strong. The incident shows how near the county judge came to going to war. Judge Doane got the news that he had been drafted and immediately made arrangements to go, but the next day found that by one chance in two he had escaped.
Prior to the draft, Hon. S. B. Rosencrans had been appointed by the governor as draft commissioner. He employed Dr. Phinneas Sage, a resident physician, as examiner and opened an office. To this office came all persons whose names had been listed as subject to draft, and who claimed exemption on account of dis- ability, and the scenes enacted here filled the whole space between the sublime and the ridiculous-the piteous and pugnacious.
One great strapping fellow, who looked like he could fell a bull with a blow of his fist, claimed exemption because when a boy he fell on a stone and cut a hole in his scalp, leaving a scar. He wanted to get off on account of the scar.
Tom Striker, then quite a notorious character on account of his pugilistic proclivities, claimed exemption on account of a gun shot wound in the nose. The claim was allowed and before he left the office he swore he could whip any man in the county.
Men, who were never before suspected of being unsound, suddenly developed most startling physical debilities, so much so that there were people who hinted that the fright taken at the thought of going to war suddenly developed active complaints that had lain dormant for years and most probably would never have been heard of but for the draft. Another curious fact has been noticed. When the war was over, many who complained of such utter debility, suddenly got well (in the joy of the occasion ) and were never again attacked with the old trouble- some complaints.
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STATE MILITIA
Under a law to raise a state militia, Hamilton county was to supply three com- panies. The first company was raised about the 20th of August, in the southern part of the county. Wm. M. Neeley was elected captain ; Smith, first lieutenant. and David Carroll, second lieutenant. The second company was raised at Web- ster City and Major Geo. W. Crosley, formerly of the Third Infantry, was chosen captain ; W. L. Church, first lieutenant ; L. L. Estes, second lieutenant.
The election for 1864 resulted as follows: Clerk. M. Sweeney; recorder, I. Doane; sheriff, Humphrey Hillock; superintendent of schools, O. A. Holmes ; drainage commissioner, Wm. H. Adams, all elected by the Union party.
Following the horse thief excitement in May as related above, a team of horses was stolen from Huitt Ross of Marion township, on the 18th of October. An- other team was stolen from Wm. Spicer, of Webster township, and excitement was again aroused.
THE FIRST TEACHERS' INSTITUTE
On the 17th of October, 1868. a teachers' institute was held at Webster City for one week. It was conducted by Prof. J. L. Enos of Cedar Rapids and from the best information we can get it was the first real institute ever held in the county and at the time was regarded as a very important affair. There was no roll of teachers published or preserved, but we have been able to secure the fol- lowing partial list. John W. Lee, superintendent ; H. M. Cass, 1. N. Averell, Miss Belle Williams, Adam Kepler, Viola Kellogg, Sarah Craft. Laura .\. Cooper. W' J. Covil. John W. Funk and Miss Ella E. Elder.
SOLDIERS AS GUESTS
On November 8th, a detachment of 221 soldiers under command of Capt. Mccarthy, of the Sixth Iowa Cavalry, passed through this county and camped near the east bridge in Webster City, where they were visited by almost every- one in the community. It was very interesting to civilians to witness the routine of a real camp of soldiers. This detachment was a part of an expedition of General Sully, who, with his staff, passed through the county about a week later.
THE FIRST CEMETERY ASSOCIATION
During the month of November, 1864, the first cemetery association in the county was organized at Webster City. Sumler Willson was made president and Rev. O. A. Holmes, secretary. The cemetery was located north of town on land owned by Mr. Willson, on a bluff north of the north bridge.
A DRAFT AVOIDED
On the 18th of December. 1864, a call for 300,000 men by the president made another draft imminent and the board of supervisors at the January session of '65 offered $500 county bounty to volunteers. Local subscriptions were freely made
SENECA STREET, WEBSTER CITY Showing the "Old Town" practically as it was forty years ago
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and several recruits went out from the county while some re-enlistments were ac- credited to it. The draft was avoided and of the amounts subscribed to encourage enlistments, 64 per cent was returned to the subscribers.
In March, 1865, County Treasurer J. M. Bell resigned and a special meeting of the board was called to elect his successor and for other purposes. The board met on the 27th day of March, accepted the resignation of Treasurer Bell to take effect June ist, and elected Major J. M. Jones as his successor. They also created the township of Rose Grove by dividing Boone township, cutting off all that part of it lying east of sections 5 and 32 and intervening sections in township 88, range 24, to county line.
Early in January about 500 head of government stock was brought to Webster City for wintering and to these were added considerable numbers from time to time until by April several hundred head were being fed here and forty soldiers were detached from several companies stationed at Sioux City.
THE ASSASSINATION OF LINCOLN
On April 9th, the surrender of General Lee put an end to the rebellion but the news did not reach here for some days and the people, wild with delight, were in the very midst of their jollification when the news flashed over the country of the assassination of President Lincoln, and the attempted assassination of several other officials of the government. It is impossible to describe the state of feeling which this news created. All who witnessed and felt it will ever remember it with feelings of such poignant sorrow as to still bring tears to the eyes. The governor issued a proclamation requesting the people of the state to meet in their respective places of worship on the 27th of April, for humiliation and prayer, and that all travel and business within the state be suspended for that day. The day was gen- erally observed throughout the country. At Homer, a very large meeting was held and was addressed by Rev. Holmes and Rev. Hawks, and at Webster City a similar meeting was addressed by Rev. Hestwood and Rev. Harvey.
A TRAGEDY AMONG THE SOLDIERS
On the 19th day of April, 1865, a difficulty arose between two of the soldiers stationed here resulting in a fight with revolvers in which three men lost their lives. The Freeman of the 22nd, gives the following account of it :
FATAL AFFRAY .- On Wednesday, last, a fatal affray took place between two soldiers that were stationed here. It appears that they had been drinking pretty freely, and this is supposed to be the cause of the fight. Q. M. Sergeant, J. W. Anderson, Company A, Sixth Iowa Cavalry and Sergeant Wm. Ostrander, Com- pany E, Sixth Iowa Cavalry, had been having some words during that afternoon, but had been reconciled and locked arms and went to their quarters. Shortly after the report of fire arms was heard in that direction and then word came that three men had been shot. After reaching their quarters it would seem that words had again been commenced between them, resulting in the shooting of the two above named and Private E. M. Jones, Company G, Sixth Cavalry. The first shot fired hit Mr. Jones in the left side, passing through him. After this, shots were exchanged rapidly with their navy revolvers, all taking effect in one or the Vol. I-9
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other ; three balls through one and two through the other, all in their bodies. They then clinched and fell to the floor. Sergeant Ostrander died shortly after sun- down with three ball holes through his body. He leaves a family in Fremont county. Sergeant Anderson lingered until nine o'clock, when he also expired. From letters found, it appears he was a married man though he claimed to have been single since joining the regiment. He enlisted in Marshall county, but was not a resident of the state. Mr. Jones lived until about nine o'clock next morning, when he expired. He was from Delaware county and leaves a family. He was trying to prevent the men from shooting each other when he was shot. The ser- geants were the best of friends since they have been here and were almost in- separable. Liquor was the cause of this triple death. Where the liquor came from will be seen in another place.
The funeral services were conducted by Rev. O. A. Holmes, his address being heard with marked attention. He dwelt at some length upon the use of al- coholic liquors and used some plain words that it will be well to heed. The bodies were interred in the new cemetery grounds.
THE SORGHUM AGE
During the war, while the price of produce had gone up slightly, the price of groceries had advanced to an enormous degree. This county being as yet so far from railroads, supplies had to be brought from Iowa City, Des Moines or Farly by team, while the products of the farm must also be carted to these distant points over almost impassable roads, crossing swollen and unbridged rivers. It is not strange therefore, that the settlers sought to utilize their own production and buy as little as possible. Among the most interesting stories of early times are those related of trips to these distant towns with produce to sell. Two or three stories illustrative of these trips will appear in these columns when the proper time arrives, at present we will only mention some of the means used to dispense with "store supplies" by substituting farm production. Molasses and sugar, with which the settlers sweetened their wild berries and "crab-apple-sass," became so costly that even the crab apple must be abandoned unless cheaper sweetening than store molasses or sugar could be found, and so the settler began to raise cane and make sorghum molasses. The earlier settlers, those who had always been pioneers, somewhere, were from the earliest date raising small patches of cane, but it was not 'till war prices came, that the settlers generally were driven to that necessity. The effort was crowned with such success, however, that very soon every farmer had his cane patch ; every neighborhood one or two cane mills, and when the season for making molasses came, there were weeks that the cane mill and the boiling vat would be in operation day and night, and they made, generally, a very good quality of sorghum. We must admit, however, that a great deal of the molasses produced was very dark, strong and unpalatable, but this was caused by the fact that many tried to boil the sap in kettles of all dimensions, shapes and sizes and it was im- possible to get rid of much of the "seum" and impurities, and this made the molasses black and strong and liable to ferment. But the broad boiling pans. with their compartments that enabled the sap to evaporate rapidly, gave ample means for thorough skimming and soon brought forth a clear, thick product of
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great excellence, and it became a matter of competition among the farmers, as to who should produce the finest sorghum. With this "sweetening," not so very cheap, but plentifully produced, wholly by their own labor, the women folks vied with each other in making many different kinds of jams and butters. Currants, gooseberries, wild plums and crab apples were the staple articles with which to experiment and the number of different kinds of dishes they could and did concoct from these fruits was a wonder as well as a great credit to their ingenuity. Crab apples came and stayed longer than anything else, and with this as a base, it is really wonderful how many kinds of "sass" could be made, all tolerable food, but "crabby" and ready to give away the secret of sweetening at first taste; and when this, put away for winter, got tired of in- activity and "worked," it was quickly taken in hand, dumped into kettles and "done up" again with more sorghum added.
When the writer came to Iowa in 1871, this industry was perhaps at its very greatest height, and we were riding on a load of cane before we had left the train two hours. It seemed to us that the one industry of the county was mak- ing sorghum, and if there was anything except meats, they didn't put sorghum into, we used to wonder what it was. This industry began to be general during the war, and grew until every farmer made plenty for his own use and some manufactured it for sale. This industry flourished until refined sugar and fine syrups became cheap, when it gradually died out, the mills rusted down and now, only here and there is sorghum produced at all.
The period from 1864 to 1880 will ever be known as the "sorghum age" of the county. It will not be just to pass this subject without mention of this industry, and as illustrating we note that in 1864 W. W. Boak, from a little over one acre of cane, manufactured two hundred and eighty gallons of sorghum, which was worth at current prices, $400. This was perhaps more than an ordinary yield, but it indicates what was done, and can be done again in the way of raising cane.
CHAPTER VIII
JUST AFTER THE WAR-EVENTS BETWEEN THE CLOSE OF THE WAR AND THE ARRIVAL OF THE FIRST RAILROAD
HOMER REVIVES-B. F. DERR COMMENCES BUSINESS-HOOK'S POINT-THE NEW YORK COLONY-ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD REACHES ACKLEY-MOB LAW- THE POTTER IIOUSE-THE DECLINE OF THE SHEEP INDUSTRY-GRACELAND CEMETERY -COUNTY ELECTION IN '65-A COURTIIOUSE AT LAST-A BUSINESS DIRECTORY IN 1866-J. D. HUNTER TAKES CHARGE OF THE FREEMAN-A SEVERE WINTER-A ยท WET SPRING-A MARKET REPORT IN 1867-COUNTY ELECTION IN 1867-TOWN- SHIP OF BLAIRSBURG CREATED BASEBALL IN THE SIXTIES-TIIE FIRST BANK IS ESTABLISHIED-A GRASSHOPPER SCARE-A PIONEER CAMP MEETING-JUDGE CHIASE FOR CONGRESS-A COUNTY FAIR GROUND ESTABLISHED.
By F. Q. Lee HOMER REVIVES
In May, 1865, the Chicago & North-Western Railway was finished and run- ning to Boone, making that town the nearest of importance, with railroad facilities. It was very natural that new settlers coming to the county should try to settle as near the railroad as possible, and so the settlements about Homer, Hook's Point and south towards Boone, began to receive an increase in popula- tion. This part of the county had been the first to be settled, and in point of numbers and influence, had led all others. But with the removal of the county seat to Fort Dodge, the town of Homer gradually died out and settlements thereabout became less frequent, leaving that country almost at a standstill for years. But now, with its advantage as being the nearest to railroad communica- tion, it again sprang into activity and new settlements began to be made on every hand and new settlers began to improve the land on the prairies away from the timber skirting the Boone river.
B. F. DERR COMMENCES BUSINESS
In August, B. F. Derr came to Homer, formed a partnership with Mr. Dickey and opened up the largest stock of dry goods, groceries, etc., to be found in the county. So dead a town was Homer at the time of Mr. Derr's arrival, that he took rooms he found vacant and lived in them some months before he was able to find out to whom they belonged. Mr. Dickey and Dr. Corbin had each been running small general stores, but no means had been taken to boom things,
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and everything was allowed to drift along in its own way. With the coming of Mr. Derr, however, a new impetus was given to business. At his suggestion the residents of Homer began to work together to build up the town. The firm of Dickey & Derr, believing then, as Mr. Derr always had believed, in the efficacy of printer's ink, had large hand bills and circulars printed and scattered broad- cast throughout the settlements and sent to eastern friends of settlers. These circulars extolled the country, its products and everything connected with the community tributary to Homer and especially urged the advisability of buying goods of Dickey & Derr. Their example was followed to some extent by Dr. Corbin and others. Everywhere you went, these bills and circulars were found, and settlers writing to their friends in the east would enclose them in their letters, and these seeds of enterprise soon began to bear an immense harvest of settlement and trade, so much so, that at the end of the first year it was found that the firm of Dickey & Derr had sold $30.000 worth of goods and their trade was constantly increasing. Dr. Corbin had also shared in the general prosperity, and at the end of that year Homer had become a lively town so far as business was concerned and was growing in population and importance. When Mr. Derr arrived in Homer, lots were at slow sale at Sio to $15 apiece ; by the end of the year these same lots were selling rapidly at $50 to $75 apiece. Soon the fame of Homer spread, and new lines of business were established. Dr. Warner established a drug store, Mr. Price opened a cabinet shop, Ezra Wood- ard opened a harness shop, Mr. Bartells and Mr. Trotter opened shoe shops. and it was not long 'till all the trades were represented : all were made welcome and all worked together to build up the town. Tucker & Olmstead had a steam saw-mill one mile west of town and their business grew to such dimensions that, to board their hired help and their families, their store bill amounted to over $5,000 with the one firm of Dickey & Derr, and they may have purchased con- siderable of the other stores. A great many settlers came in and in many cases their means were exhausted by the time they had settled, and, as many of them came thus, in the summer and fall, they raised no crops and were compelled to purchase all their supplies "on tick," to be paid out of the next year's crop. To all such, goods were sold without stint and credit given. The great public spirit of the merchants can be realized when it is understood that to do this required large outlays of cash with no positive assurance of ever getting pay. The grain supply of the county had not been sufficient to provide provisions for all, and so corn meal was hauled from Sweed's Point, where it could be pro- cured and where $1.50 per hundred had to be paid for it. Flour was shipped from Chicago and sold at $7 a hundred and meat was also shipped from Chi- cago and had to be sold at $18 per hundred for side pork, with larger prices for shoulders and hams. Each year renewed, but in decreasing ratio, the con- ditions above mentioned and each was met in the same manner. Homer had daily mails brought by the stage running through to Fort Dodge and her pros- perity continued until 1870, when the railroad was completed to Webster City and Fort Dodge. After this, the decline of the town was as rapid as the growth had been, but the country round about it continued to progress, checked and hindered only by the unfortunate river land difficulties in which many of the settlers were involved, and of which we shall write at length in a future chapter.
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HOOK'S POINT
Hook's Point shared in the general prosperity of that part of the county and soon grew into a smart little village. It had a large steam sawmill, general stores and almost all kinds of business, but unlike Homer, when the railroad crossed the northern part of the county, its prosperity, though checked for a time, was not destroyed, and after a time began to grow again, slowly, and held its own until the North-Western Railroad crossed the south part of the county and Stratford was established. Then most of the people moved to Stratford, and Hook's Point as a town and trading point was wiped out entirely.
In common with the country about Homer and Hook's Point, the whole county began to show activity in the way of new settlements, but not in so maked a degree as near these two towns.
THE "NEW YORK COLONY"
The return, and settlement in this county, of what was known as the "New York Colony," that had gone to Dakota early in 1864, furnished perhaps the largest body of persons coming in a body to the county, and made up the largest share of the settlers arriving in 1864. In 1865, the settlers came in larger numbers than ever before and new homes were established in all parts of the county. This manner of settlement continued and increased with the years. There was no unusual or spasmodic growth, but a gradual and substantial addi- tion to numbers each year, making the material prosperity permanent and lasting.
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