USA > Iowa > Hamilton County > History of Hamilton County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 26
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52
211
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
for any criticism on our part. We notice several in the last issue, indeed we notice some in H. J.'s sermon. For instance, there is nothing in the Argus so high toned and deeply mysterious as "preriginate," "catilegenious" and "recep- tical," which occur in I. J.'s criticism in the Freeman. We feel the "college edu- cation" is nowhere; we cave ; rake in the persimmons, you darling genius. "Pre- riginate" is a verbal gem; "receptical" is fearfully "high toned," and "catilegen- ious" is so "mysterious" that neither Worcester nor Webster in all their dictionary making, ever got hold of it; but perhaps H. J. was then in the germ of seed, and so did not throw the shining light of his matured powers on the ignorant Worcester and Webster. We pretend to no exemption from liability to mistake. We lay no claim to being the "oldest, largest and the best."
We do the best we can. We are not "too high toned" to kneel at H. J.'s shrine and receive the fruits of his evident intelligence. Like Portia: "We com- mit our gentle spirit to yours to be directed." Therefore unveil yourself ; take off the rag that we may have the benefit of your teachings and genius. To see such a Leviathan would no doubt cause our knees to knock together "in agonies of terror"; but show up, we'll take the chances, and probably after the first shock we will be able to contemplate your stalwart proportions with composure. When the "Veiled Prophet" in "Lalla Rookh" took off the silver veil, instead of the heavenly light which he taught his followers to believe was there, there was dis- closed the ill shapen features of a grinning idiot. We hope no similar surprise awaits us, and that behind H. J. no bilious little doctor, envious of his brethren makes his wail.
It is needless to say that the Argus now became much sought after, and greatly enjoyed by all except the victims of its displeasure.
PROHIBITION
The legislature having voted in favor of submitting the prohibition amend- ment, in May, 1882, the governor issued a proclamation calling for a special election to be held June 27, 1882, at which the following proposed amendment to the constitution of the state was submitted to the electors of the state:
"Article I, section 26. No person shall manufacture for sale or sell or keep for sale, as a beverage, any intoxicating liquors whatever, including ale, wine and beer.
"The general assembly shall by law prescribe regulations for the enforcement of the prohibition herein contained, and shall thereby provide suitable penalties for the violation of the provisions thereof."
The contest over the amendment in Hamilton county was quite heated. The Freeman and Advertiser favored the amendment. The Argus opposed it. A strong speaking campaign was inaugurated. The amendment carried in Hamilton county by a vote of 1.344, for, and 652, against. The majority in the state for the amendment was about 30,000.
But the liquor forces had "another card up their sleeve" and the following January the supreme court declared the amendment invalid. The case decided was entitled Koehler and Lang vs Hill, and is found in the Iowa reports.
It seems that when the 18th general assembly submitted the amendment the senate resolution read as follows "No person shall manufacture for sale, or
212
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
sell. or keep for sale, as a beverage (or to be used ) any. intoxicating liquor whatever inchiding ale, wine and beer." When the house passed its resolution concurring with the senate, the four words "or to be used" were omitted. The 19th general assembly attempted to cure the defect by passing through the house a corrected resolution, but the supreme court held that the leaving out of the four words was a fatal variation and that the nineteenth general assembly had no power to correct the mistakes of the eighteenth general assembly. On account of this technicality, the submission was declared illegal.
The attempt to have prohibtion incorporated in the constitution having failed, the next step was to secure it by legislative enactment, and the repub- licans of Hamilton county in convention in August, 1883. declared in favor of that policy.
THE ARGUS IN POLITICS
While the Argus had lost some prestige through taking the unpopular side of the prohibition controversy, it still had gained considerable influence on ac- count of its campaign against official extravagance. County officers persisted in giving all the public patronage possible to the Freeman. The Argus after numerous attempts to "break into" the commissary department, published with great ostentation its bid to print the delinquent tax list, at one cent per descrip- tion. The usual rate was twenty cents, and the Freeman usually had the work, which was fairly profitable at that price.
The extremely low bid of one cent per description was attracting so much attention that Treasurer Fowler was considerably disturbed, and to relieve him, it was decided, after due deliberation, that he should accept the Argus bid. The printing of the list meant that considerable extra equipment must be added to the Argus plant, so to embarrass that institution as much as possible, the acceptance of the bid was delayed until the latest possible date, with hopes that the Argus being unequipped would be compelled to "back out," and the Free- man, being the only office prepared to do quick work, would get the job at the usual price.
The Argus was game, however, and telegraphing to Chicago for the neces- sary material, did the work at a large expense and for the very small compensa- tion of about $10.00.
PRAY FOR CLERK OF THE SUPREME COURT
At the republican county convention held July 21, 1882, G. B. Pray as can- didate for clerk of the supreme court was accorded the privilege of selecting his own delegation. He chose D. D. Chase, D. D. Miracle, Ira H. Tremain, G. W. Crosley, J. M. O'Brion and J. V. Kearns.
Mr. Pray's name was presented to the state convention by J. P. Dolliver in his usual witty and attractive manner, and he was duly nominated and elected. He held the office with credit for many years.
At the fall election in 1882, Wm. Taylor was elected clerk of the district court: Christian Thoreson, recorder: Levi Cottington, supervisor; and (). B. Vincent, surveyor.
213
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
CAMPAIGN OF 1883
The republicans in 1883 nominated the following ticket:
For representative, Julius M. Jones; for auditor, William Anderson; for treasurer, August F. Hoffman ; for sheriff, Chas. F. Weston ; for superintendent of schools, George F. Richardson ; for supervisor, James McMurchy ; for coroner, Geo. W. Black; for surveyor, O. B. Vincent.
The contest for the republican nomination for treasurer was between August F. Hoffmann, supported by the Argus, and "Gill" Perry, supported by the Free- man. Hoffmann won and of course the patronage of the office was due to the Argus, including the printing of the delinquent tax list. In the meantime the business management of that paper passed into the hands of Hellen Brothers. They accepted the tax list at twenty cents per description and no complaint was made that the price was excessive.
The contest for the nomination for sheriff was between C. F. Weston and G. A. Walrath and for superintendent, between Richardson and L. N. Gerber. The last contest was exceedingly close. In the convention, the first informal ballot gave Gerber 20 votes and Richardson 18, but the first formal ballot gave Richardson 19 and Gerber only 18.
The independent county ticket was made up as follows:
For representative, William Tatham ; for auditor, J. C. Klotzbach ; for treas- urer, H. N. McClure; for sheriff, J. K. Clark ; for superintendent of schools, H. M. Lucas; for supervisor, F. A. Edwards; for coroner, D. L. Hurd.
This was a year of schoolhouse speeches. Among the republicans who en- lightened the voters were Wesley Martin, J. L. Kamrar, J. D. Wells, D. D. Chase, Rev. H. C. Harmon, L. N. Gerber, Geo. F. Richardson, J. M. Jones, Geo. F. Tucker, Geo. H. Daniels, L. J. Pierson, J. M. O'Brion and Col. G. W. Cros- ley. While for the independents N. B. Hyatt, F. Q. Lee, H. M. Lucas, Wm. Tatham and F. A. Edwards did service.
Outside of strictly county issues, the main issue was prohibition. The repub- licans carried the election by majorities ranging from 140 to 285.
TIIE SHERMAN-KINNE DEBATE
It was this year, that occurred the great "Field Day" in Hamilton county poli- tics. On Tuesday, September 11, occurred the joint debate between the candi- dates for governor, Gov. B. R. Sherman, republican, and Hon. L. G. Kinne, democrat. The debate took place at the old fair grounds and was a general pic- nic occasion. The crowd was largely republican and strongly in sympathy with Sherman. As to the merit of the speakers, the laurels were easily due to Kinne, who was the superior in tact and ability if he did not have the right of the ques- tion. General Weaver, the greenback candidate for governor, was not permitted to take part in the debate, but he was present and addressed a large audience at the opera house in the evening, and as a counter attraction, Col. "Pete" Hepburn addressed a large audience of republicans at the same time at the courthouse.
The election following this campaign resulted in a complete republican vic-
214
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
tory and when the legislature convened in January, 1884, HIon. Julius M. Jones was representative, and J. L. Kamrar, senator.
At the session of the legislature in 1884, prohibition was the chief issue. Both Major Jones and Senator Kamrar supported prohibition and their action was in entire accord with the sentiment of the people at home.
They were also successful in securing the appointment of Col. Geo. W. Cros- ley as warden of the penitentiary at Fort Madison. Crosley had made a good record as sheriff, and being interested in the study of criminology, the appoint- ment gave him an opportunity to inaugurate many important reforms in that institution. He held the position for six years.
GEO. W. BELL STARTS THE GRAPHIC
In March, 1884, Geo. W. Bell purchased the Advertiser, and changed the name of that paper to the Graphic. Bell was a traveler, writer and speaker of fine ability, and the Graphic, though a democratic paper, took high rank among the weekly newspapers of the state. In its first issue Mr. Bell outlined the policy of the paper in the following language :
"We are not paupers, and ask no favors that we can not reciprocate on busi- ness principles. We protest that journalism should not wear the devious garb of mild beggary.
"We solicit the patronage of business men and the reading public, but mean to render a just equivalent for all favors. We mean to be frank, generous and good natured, strewing the roses plentifully, but carefully avoiding the infliction of pain. . Politically, we stand firmly and uncompromisingly with the democratic party, and support democratic candidates, if worthy.
"In all political controversies, we shall discuss principles only, believing that personal abuse or vituperation is more than a coward's weapon ; being a recogni- tion of the superiority of an adversary on the form of reason. Besides, we hate a man who will enter the arena, then strike below the belt. Our private opinions shall not enter into our 'local' news, or our business."
THE PROHIBITORY LAW
The Prohibitory law, which had been passed by the legislature in the early spring, was duly signed by the governor and went into effect at 12 o'clock, a. m., July 4th. At this time, all of the legalized saloons in Hamilton county closed their doors never to be reopened. There was much anxiety on the part of some of our curbstone statesmen as to how a city could endure without the revenue derived from the saloon licenses, but the towns of the county have grown and prospered without it, and after twenty-eight years experience with prohibition, few right minded people can be found in this community who would be willing to see the saloon again established in Hamilton county. The community is cleaner, and better both socially and morally without it.
True, prohibition did not entirely stop the sale or use of intoxicating liquors. The drug store, the "hole in the wall" and the private club have always fur- nished the means of securing it, but its saie has been restricted and the senti-
215
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
ment against the use of liquor has steadily grown, until today, it is generally regarded as little short of disgraceful to use it as a beverage even in moderation
CAMPAIGN OF 1884
1884 was presidential year. The republicans had nominated Blaine and Logan, while the democratic standard bearers were Cleveland and Hendricks. Both parties organized marching clubs, the members of which were personally decorated with oil cloth caps and capes, and carried smoky kerosene torches. Nearly every town had its brass band and every important political meeting was enlivened by band music and enthused by a torch-light parade. The republicans of Webster City organized a "Blaine and Logan" club, of which Charles Wick- ware was captain, and Park Bank, first lieutenant. The campaign was a warm one and culminated in a tremendous "rally and barbeque" at Webster City, October 16th. This rally was remarkable because it was a democratic rally and the local crop of democrats was not what might be called bountiful. But like the bullfrog in the prairie pond, each one made noise enough for a hundred. Democrats came from all the surrounding towns, bringing their brass bands with them. An ox was roasted and a free lunch served, and to cap the climax, John G. Carlisle, speaker of the national house, delivered the principal address. His speech was dignified and convincing and was one of the best from a democratic standpoint ever delivered in the county. At night occurred the largest torch-light procession ever held in Webster City. The demonstration was a complete suc- cess and filled the local democrats with much courage and enthusiasm.
At the election, however, the republicans carried the county by five hundred majority.
DEMOCRATS DIVIDE "THE SPOILS"
The election of Grover Cleveland as president was a cause for great rejoic- ing among the democrats, and especially among those who had hopes of securing remunerative government positions, and there was an immediate "stir up" in the postoffice department. At Webster City, the republican editor, J. D. Hunter, who had just been re-appointed, was adjudged to be an offensive partisan and his removal was ordered. The democratic editor, Geo. W. Bell, was appointed in his stead and the office was turned over to him August 16. At Stratford, "Witt" Biggs was superceded by I. W. Hyatt; at Jewell, Geo. W. Foval became postmaster ; at Ellsworth, John Digermen was appointed; at Blairsburg, W. F. Powers; and at Williams, Horace N. Hurd was placed in custody of the mails.
CAMPAIGN OF 1885
In 1885 the republicans nominated the following ticket : For representative, August Anderson; auditor, William Anderson; treasurer, Aug. F. Hoffman ; sheriff, C. F. Weston ; superintendent, Geo. F. Richardson ; supervisor, Andrew S. Anderson ; coroner, Dr. J. F. Will; surveyor, N. B. Everts.
The "independents" nominated: For representative, William Tathan; treas- urer, Homer Miller ; auditor, Horace Hurd ; sheriff, Frank Fenton ; county super- intendent, J. M. Blake ; coroner. Dr. E. A. Rogers; supervisor, Charles Felleson.
216
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
The chief contest was between Richardson and Blake for superintendent. This was Richardson's third term, While the rest of the ticket received about 400 majority, Richardson's margin was only 121. His election was saved by the votes of that peculiar class of democrats who are so accustomed to defeat, that a prospect of victory frightens them into voting the republican ticket.
At the democratic state convention Capt. G. W. Bell was a principal speaker and in the course of his remarks exclaimed that, "The democrats asleep in Heaven have their eyes upon this convention!" This slip of the tongue made in the enthusiasm of oratory, subjected the captain to a great deal of ridicule throughout the state, and he became known as "Sleeping Angel Bell."
WESLEY MARTIN HONORED
In 1885 the senatorial convention was held at Eagle Grove. That year the district included the counties of Hamilton, Wright and Webster. Each county had a candidate and each voted solid for its own man. The first ballot stood. J. L. Kamrar, of Hamilton, 9 votes : S. T. Messervey, of Webster, II votes; N. F. Weber, of Wright, 8 votes.
No candidate having a majority, the convention proceeded to try it again and so continued until 1.140 ballots had been taken. On the 1,141st ballot the deadlock was broken by Webster county casting its entire vote for Wesley Martin, of Hamilton county. The result of this ballot was as follows: Martin, 18; Kamrar, 4; Weber, 8.
A motion to make the nomination of Wesley Martin unanimous was imme- diately carried and a committee selected to formally notify him of his selection. The formal letter of notification was as follows :
EAGLE GROVE, Iowa, Sept. 4. 1885. Hon. W. Martin, Webster City.
DEAR SIR: We have the honor to inform you that you have been unanimously nominated by the Eagle Grove republican convention for senator of the Thirty- seventh district of Iowa. We are confident that while the nomination was made without your knowledge or effort on your part, that you will accept it and become our standard-bearer in this district.
Very truly yours,
C. A. SCHAFFTER. J. P. DOLLIVER, O. K. EASTMAN. Committec.
Mr. Martin replied as follows :
WEBSTER CITY, low, Sept. 7. 1885.
Messrs. C. A. Schaffter, J. P. Dolliver and O. K. Eastman, Committee:
GENTLEMEN : I have your esteemed favor of the 5th inst., apprising me of my nomination as the republican candidate for senator of the Thirty-seventh senatorial district of Iowa, by the convention recently assembled at Eagle Grove.
217
HISTORY OF .HAMILTON COUNTY
While the nomination comes unsought, unexpected and undesired, I cannot but feel deeply gratified to learn, as I do from your letter, that by the unanimous verdict of the convention, I am deemed worthy of this high honor ..
And through you, gentlemen, I desire to express my profound gratitude to the many friends at home and abroad, for the kind congratulations and expres- sions of confidence and trust. Let my future be what it may, I shall ever look back upon this event with feelings of the deepest pleasure.
But situated as I find myself, I must of necessity decline the nomination so generously tendered. In doing this, I am well aware that I run counter to the wishes of many earnest and devoted personal friends.
While this to me is a source of deep regret, I deem the assurance unneces- sary that upon no lack of appreciation of the high honor conferred-upon no lack of devotion to the principles and policy of the republican party-upon no doubt of the success of the party at the polls in November, is this declination based.
I decline because I am not in position to accept. My private business is in that condition that it needs my undivided attention. To do otherwise than decline would result in the betrayal of private trusts. These reasons I deem sufficient.
In conclusion, gentlemen, I have found it very hard to say "no" to your kind solicitation, but under all circumstances, the stern negative must be sent forth upon its mission with the kind but firm assurance that my decision in this matter is irrevocable, and cannot be reconsidered.
I am, gentlemen, yours very truly, WESLEY MARTIN.
The refusal of Wesley Martin to accept the nomination for state senator necessitated the holding of another session of the senatorial convention, and when the convention reassembled the three original candidates, Kamrar, Mes- servey and Weber were still in the field, each apparently as full of fight as ever. After some balloting, it was decided that a committee of two from each county should select from the three candidates the nominee of the convention.
The committee made its choice by lot, and N. F. Weber of Wright county, was the lucky man. The other candidates accepted the result with good grace and Weber's nomination was made unanimous by the convention.
The Webster county republicans consoled themselves by nominating Messervey for representative at its county convention held about a week later.
The democrats nominated Jacob M. Funk of Webster City, for state senator. Weber was elected.
THE OFFENSIVE PARTISAN DOCTRINE REACTS
In April, 1886, it was announced that the appointment of Capt. Geo. W. Bell, as postmaster at Webster City had been rejected by the senate, on the ground that he was an "offensive partisan." Inasmuch as the appointment of J. D. Hunter had been revoked for the same reason, it was considered as simply carrying out Cleveland's policy of civil service reform to reject Bell. F. A.
218
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
Edwards was then appointed postmaster at Webster City and his appointment was confirmed by the senate.
In party politics, 1886 was a quiet, uneventful year, the usual republican victory resulting in the election of G. H. Daniels, clerk; J. V. Kearns, recorder ; G. F. Tucker, county attorney ; and C. F. Fenton, supervisor.
ALDRICII BOLTS
1887, however, was not so uneventful. August Anderson was renominated for representative. This caused some dissatisfaction, inasmuch as Aldrich and Jones had both been retired at the end of their first term. Shortly after the convention, Charles Aldrich announced himself as an independent candidate for representative in the following manner :
INDEPENDENT NOMINATION
To the People of Hamilton County;
Having been solicited by a large number of republicans to become an inde- pendent republican candidate for the office of representative in the state legis- lature, I hereby announce myself as such. If I am elected I pledge myself to labor earnestly-
I. To secure the reduction of passenger fares upon the railroads to two cents per mile ;
2. For the vastly more important matter of the reduction of railroad freights ;
3. For the choosing of railroad commissioners at the general elections ;
4. The reduction of the salaries of public officers to a standard approxi- mating to the diminished resources of the people ; and
5. I will oppose all monopolies and special privileges.
Cass, Aug. 31, 1887.
CHARLES ALDRICHI.
It was the plan of some of the political leaders, friendly to Aldrich, that the democrats should make no nomination for representative and thus give Aldrich and Anderson the field. But the republican managers were too shrewd to allow this plan to mature. Levi Cottington, in a public letter demanded Mr. Aldrich state how he stood in regard to prohibition and who he would vote for. for United States senator, if elected. He was compelled to reply that he favored prohibition and that if elected he would vote for James F. Willson for senator. These statements did not set well with the democrats and when the democratic convention met to make its nominations, instead of leaving the office of repre- sentative unfilled, it nominated J. N. Maxwell.
As soon as Aldrich heard this, he withdrew his candidacy, leaving the field to Anderson and Maxwell. Then Maxwell refused to accept the democratic nomination and the democratic county central committee in conjunction with the Farmers' club, nominated Col. Chas. Whittaker of Stratford.
One of the noticeable results of Aldrich's attempt to run for representative as an independent candidate was the rupture of the close political friendship that had so long existed between him and J. D. Hunter. For years Aldrich had been an almost daily visitor at the Freeman office and numerous contributions
219
HISTORY OF HAMILTON COUNTY
from his pen appeared in every issue. While he was traveling abroad, he wrote numerous letters to the Freeman describing his trip. Indeed, no man in Hamilton county was so close to the editorial throne, both in personal regard and political influence. But when Aldrich "bolted" and proposed that he, himself, should be the rebel candidate and solicited the support of the Freeman in this some- what unusual enterprise, Hunter was scandalized. He not only refused to encourage Aldrich, but opposed him. The long friendship was broken and the Aldrich contributions to the Freeman ceased to appear. But the Freeman had been true to the party, and it gained in party prestige more than it lost. Per- sonally, the stand against Aldrich was very painful to Hunter, but according to his political ideals, no other action was honorable, and his ideals were maintained.
The Tribune had been started about a year before by the Hellen Bros. and Charles Aldrich now transferred his contributions, advice and friendship to the new and rapidly growing paper.
THE CAMPAIGN OF 1887
In the fall of 1887 the republicans nominated: Will F. Smith, for auditor ; S. Seamour, treasurer; Chas. H. Neely, sheriff; William Anderson, superin- tendent ; N. B. Everts, surveyor ; Chas. N. Eaton, supervisor.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.