USA > Iowa > Hardin County > History of Hardin county, Iowa, together with sketches of its towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 36
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 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110
One of the most interesting causes at the May term, 1877, was the trial of Isam Harris, for forgery.
Some months previous a well dressed and well appearing man called at the office of the county recorder, and announced himself as Isam Harris, from the east. - He was somewhat interested in western lands, and desired to examine some of the records of the office. Col. Stout, who was always friendly and accommodating to all who desired information, showed him the books and gave him such information as in his power. The stranger was very polite, and thanked the colonel for the favors showed him. The next heard of him he was in Union and Providence townships, where he represented himself as a Friend, and thus ingratiated himself in their favor. Here he donated 80 acres of land in Ringgold county to one of the denomination of Friends, giving a deed for the same, acknowledged before a notary public in Chicago. His next ex- ploit was one which eventually was the cause of his arrest for the crime of forgery.
Representing himself as the agent of a gentleman owning some land in Polk county, he traded a quarter section to Spurling Brothers, of Union, for a store
building and hall in that village, receiving some money in the trade. He gave Spur- ling Brothers a deed for the land in ques- tion, purporting to be from the real owner, and furnishing an abstract showing the title to be perfect. He next sold the store building and hall, receiving some money, and taking a mortgage for six hundred dollars as security for the remainder He then left for parts unknown. One of the Spurlings, shortly after making the trade, concluded to make a trip to Polk county to look after the newly acquired posses- sion. Arriving there, judge of his sur- prise to find that the owner knew nothing of the transaction. Being assured of this fact, Spurling returned home and at once laid the whole matter before Judge Porter, and employed him to work up the case, arrest the man, and have him punished as he deserved to be.
The judge at once laid the matter be- fore S. W. Boyd, Deputy Sheriff of Har- din county, the Sheriff being absent. It was soon ascertained that Harris had gone to Chicago, letters being forwarded to him addressed in eare of a certain hotel in that city. Boyd lost no time in following his man to that place, and stopping at the same hotel, registering his name as Sam Wells, Lincoln, Nebraska. He stated his busi- ness to be a dealer in western lands, and had conversations at different times with the landlord and guests of the house in relation to such matters.
In the course of time he learned that there was a gang of - forgers who were engaged in swindling the people by means of forged deeds, and that Isam Harris was one of that number. He learned further that Harris was only one of many names
270
4
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
assumed by the man; that he was known at the hotel by the name of John R. Davis.
While in Chicago he learned that Har- ris, through a pretended real estate firm, had been trying to dispose of the mort- gage on the Spurling property to S. R. Ben- son & Co., bankers, of Union, and that some letters had passed. Disguising him- self, he called at the office of the firm, representing himself to be Mr. Benson, who, being in the city, concluded to call and make the trade. He asked to see the mortgage, and was informed that it was in the vault, and that the dealer would at once go out and get it. In a short time the dealer returned, handed Mr. Boyd the deed, who, examining it and finding it to be genuine, quietly slipped it in his pocket and requested the dealer to go with him to the police headquarters, that he might show how he came into possession of it. The dealer quickly drew the revolver, and pointing it at Mr. Boyd, told him to hand back the paper. Laughing quietly, Mr. Boyd, who had as quickly drawn his revol- ver, already cocked, told the man that that was a game two could play a; that he had better drop his revolver and go quietly with him; that if he was an honest man he could easily prove it; that the deed was one he was looking for and wanted the man to whom it had been made. This matter was then quietly settled.
Shortly after this he happened into a real estate office one day, in his character of dealer in Western lands, and while talking with the lady in charge of the office, he saw upon a desk a letter signed by John Cline, and recognized it as the handwriting to be that of the man he was looking for-Isam Harris. Curiosity
tempted him to examine the letter, while ostensibly figuring upon a trade for some land, and found that it was a request from Harris, alias Cline, to the dealer to send a gentleman at once to South Bend, Indiana, to complete a trade for a piece of land.
Before going to Illinois, Mr. Boyd armed himself with a requisition from the Governor of Iowa on the Governor of Illinois for the man Harris. Being afraid that his bird would be flown before he could obtain a requisition upon the Gov- ernor of Indiana; he determined upon a bold and hazardous plan for the capture of the man. Taking the first train for South Bend, he sought out an officer and laid the case before him, showing his requisi- tion from the Governor of Iowa and the warrant for his arrest from the Governor of Illinois. Finding the matter as repre- sented, the South Bend officer agreed to make the arrest and run him over the line into Illinois, where the warrant could be properly served. The two went to a hotel where Boyd pointed out his man to the officer, who quietly stepped up, remarking "You are my prisoner," while at the same time Mr. Boyd slipped on a pair of hand- cuffs He was hurried out of the house to the depot, taken on board a Chicago train, and was soon upon Illinois soil, where a proper warrant could be served upon him. He was not allowed the chance of consulting an attorney, in order that a writ of habeas corpus could be issued.
Harris was at once brought to Eldora and lodged in jail. He sent for Governor Eastman and employed him as counsel. A preliminary examination was held be- fore Esquire Parker, who fixed his bail at $1,500. Being unable to give bond, he
271
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
was returned to jail to await the action of the grand jury.
A large number of blank deeds was found in his possession, signed and prop- erly certified before a notary public. When afterwards questioned by Mr. Boyd, the sheriff, he informed him how he came in possession of the seals He stated he would enter the office of a notary public, talk with him for a while, and ask for something that woul i require considerable search, and while the notary was looking he would quietly slip the corners of a few deeds under the seal and take an impres- sior Thus his seals were always genuine, though he had to forge the name of the notary.
When placed in jail after the prelimi- nary examination, Harris wrote to an uncle in Illinois, asking for the loan of $1,500, which he proposed to deposit as security for bail, and with the evident intention of forfeiting his bond and leav- ing for parts unknown. He gave his uncle a truthful account of his situation, holding nothing back.
The following reply was received':
"RIDGE FARM, ILL., 3d Mo , 5th, 1877. MY DEAR PENCE:
Thine of the 20th ult. to hand, which after reading I handed to Rufus for his perusal. He kept it several days and passed it back to me, having carefully considered its contents, leaving the duty of replying to me.
I am thy friend truly. but cannot consent for a moment to assist thee to evade a just and right- eous law. I love my country and her laws, and cheerfully pay my taxes annually for their sup- port. To aid a criminal to escape is to become an accomplice and partake of his sins. I am so sorry that thou, my dear nephew, should be guilty of breaking the law. If it were i ossible for thy uncles to remit our nephew's illegal acts,
instead of attempting to evade their penalties, we should certainly labor assiduously to that end. I beg thee, in the name of Him whose blood was shed by law-breakers-whose servant I am, to make a clean breast of it to the Court and ask for mercy. The penalty of human law is but an earnest of the eternal punishment that awaits the contemners of the divine law. And although fifteen hundred dollars bail might enable thee to escape the rigors of the Eldora dungeon, fifteen millions dollars would not eliminate thee from the bitter woes of the second death in a country where justice cannot be cheated. My dear mis- guided nephew, we shall soon meet God face to face, where bails will not be thought of. I implore thee not to think of escaping the reason- able penalty of a just law; but make this the turning point in thy career, and give to Him thy few remaining years of thy life. Return like the prodigal in the parable, wholly penitent, to an indulgent father, who, although "He will not look upon sin with the least degree of allowance," loves to forgive a heart which He knows to be truly penitent. When we allow Jesus to divide between us and our sins, He saves us trium- phantly on the spot. Let me hear from thec again frequently. I shall never cease to hopc for thy peace.
Truly thinc, ",
Harris had married in Michigan a woman who loved him dearly. Two children were born unto him. Shortly after his arrest, Gov. Eastman notified her of his incarceration in jail. The following is an extract from a letter written by the wronged wife to her husband :
No person here, except myself, knows of your condition. They know something has occurred because I receive no letters from you. It will in all probabi ity come out, but I shall avert the blow as long as possible. To speak of my feel- ings is more than useless. Hope deferred from year toyearis bliss when compared with a great hope lying shrouded and dead within. 'Tis not so much myself as my poor innocent child that I care for. When I am sad she will put her
272
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
arms about my neck and kiss me and say, "ma- ma I love you." She is the only comfort I have in this world, yet when I look at her, and think of her probable future, I ask myself, why, if there is such a being as a just and all-wise God, did he permit me to bring a child into this world to innocently suffer for others' faults.‘ I visited the little grave under the pine on Sunday, and for the first time felt perfectly reconciled. I would not have it otherwise. He is far better off an angel. I have decided upon nothing for the future, only if my health does not fail me entirely, and I can get work of any description, I will keep China. It does seem to me I cannot give her away, although she miglit be far better off. I made an effort for the school in this dis- trict; offered to teach for three dollars per week and board myself. I would have worked for my board at fathers, and paid mother for baby's trouble during the day. But there was a young girl underbid me a half dollar and secured the school. Now there is no resort but house work. for I must have Nina with me; (she calls herself "Nina.") My maintaining friendly relations with present friends, depends upon the treat- ment of me, my child, and I might add, you. If you have sinned against your family as well as others, I know it without being told of it, and I cannot help, and therefore am not to blame for my sympathy for the father of my child. May good angels sustain us in this great trial is my prayer."
One night shortly after Harris' incarcer- ation, the sheriff was sent for in great haste, and when he arrived he found that the prisoner had attempted suicide by driving a knife into his left leg, with the evident intention of cutting an artery, and bleeding to death. Dr. Underwood was summoned, checked the flow of blood, and bound up the wound. Harris subsequently acknowledged abstracting the knife from a visitor to the jail.
The prisoner was of a most respectable family of the society of Friends, but had strayed away from the paths of virtue and
from the teachings of that strict and zeal- ous people. In his possession was found a license to preach, signed by Bishop Wahl, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and given in the name of John R. Davis. By a careful examination of the license, it was discovered that a name had been erased, and that of John R. Davis inserted, so it is not known, but thought to be the fact, that the license was genuine from Bishop Wahl, and given to Davis by his true name of Isom Harris, and changed by him when he assumed the former name, though it might be possible the license of some minister was stolen or had been found, the original name carefully erased, and that of John R. Davis inserted.
Harris was arraigned for trial before the District Court of Hardin county, at the May term, 1877. He was ably defended by Governor Eastman. The prosecution was conducted by M. D. O'Connell. The trial lasted two days, and every point was taken advantage of by both the prosecu- tion and defense. Harris was convicted, and sentenced to twenty years in the peni- tentiary.
Harris, beyond doubt, was one of the most adroit rogues that ever fleeced an unsuspecting public. He was a man of fine personal appearance, in manners a perfect gentleman, and highly educated. While confined in the jail he wrote a large quantity of manuscript with the intention of having a book printed entitled "Science and Religion." On his incarceration in prison the manuscript was sent by Sheriff Boyd to his friends in Indiana.
Harris lived but a few days after being taken to the penitentiary, but died of what the physician there pronounced hydro-
273
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
7
phobia, but doubtless from some disease induced by the wound. Thus perished a gifted man-one with talents that might. have made him an ornament to society, but who suffered his passions to lead him away from the path of right and of duty.
Mr. Boyd, the sheriff, wrote a letter to Harris' wife, after taking him to the peni- tentiary, in which he expressed sympathy with her. In reply, she thanked him for his kindness, and said: "I wonld ask, in what manner did he speak of his wife and child? Did he evince any emotion, any regret, or even pity for those whom he has so ruthlessly consigned, to a life of pain and misery? I verily believe if he has a conscience he will die of self-condemna- tion." The letter, from which this is an extract, was written June 1, 1877, but be- fore mailing it, she received a letter from Mr. Boyd announcing his death. She added:
"I had this prepared when yours of the 30th ult. reached me. There are times when the human heart is full to overflowing with sorrow that language either spoken or written seems a mockery. I can only thank you for your kind- ness and sympathy manifested in my behalf. God pity the widow and orphan."
Wipka Martin, a girl of fourteen years of age, was, on the 8th day of September, 1877, found dead in a corn-field, in the neighborhood of her home, in Grundy county. It was evident that her death was caused from a violence perpetrated in a brutal attempt to ravish her. She was well grown and healthy, and had resisted the assault with all her strength. There was evidence at the place where it occurred of a violent struggle, showing the spirit and determination with which she had
resisted her destroyer. Death was caused by strangulation, produced by the hands of the more than brutal being that perpe- trated the revolting crime. Her body was borne by her destroyer a short distance into the corn-field after life was extinct. The girl had been sent from home, the afternoon of her murder, to a blacksmith shop with a "plow lay." She was seen on the road to the shop, at a point about thirty-six rods from the place where the crime was committed, in company with W. P. Glynden. The girl was not seen alive by any one afterwards. The defend- ant admitted that he was with or near the . deceased at or about the place indicated by the witnesses who testified that he had asked for directions to the house of An- drew Coler, to which he was going. He also admitted that he passed through a corn-field, from the place he met the girl to the house, and pointed out his foot- prints. Other evidence corroborating the facts as stated was given. The body of the unfortunate girl was not found until the next day after the murder. Glynden was arrested the same day at Eldora, and taken to Grundy county, where he was subsequently indicted for murder. On his arraignment a change of venue was asked and the case sent to Hardin county. At the -- term, 1878, he was arraigned for trial, convicted of murder in the first degree and sentenced to the penitentiary for life. An appeal was made to the Su- preme Court and the case sent back for a rehearing. A change of venue was then asked, and the case sent to Story county, where it was again tried, the jury once more finding him guilty of murder in the first degree, and the life sentence in the
274
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
penitentiary again imposed. He is now serving his term.
When questioned by the sheriff about his life, Glynden said that he was born near Salineville, Columbiana county, Ohio. His father was a Presbyterian minister. His mother died when he was quite young. and his father married again. The step- mother treated him in a cruel manner, and he ran away to sea. He was shipwrecked in the Mozambique channel. In due time he was rescued and returned to his old home. He subsequently enlisted in Co. F., 88th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, com- manded by Captain Straughn, of New Lisbon, Ohio, under the name of Martin S. Ward. After serving a time, he was discharged, and soon after enlisted in the 66th Illinois Infantry, under the naine of Thomas Miller. Being discharged from that regiment, he subsequently enlisted in Co. A, 7th Ohio Sharpshooters, commanded by Captain Walter G. Squires, of Clyde, Ohio, under the name of James M. Saun- ders. While with this regiment he was selected, among others, to form the body- guard of General Sherman, on his famous march to the sea. In proof of this last statement, he showed a very compliment- ary letter from the General written to him- self. After the close of the war he went out into the mountains, and finally turned up in Eldora, where he worked in the pot- tery as long as there was anything to do, and then sought work in the country. He was in search of work when the murder was committed.
Mr. Boyd, the sheriff, after learning these particulars, wrote to the postmaster at Salineville and learned that no such Presbyterian minister as Glynden ever
lived there, so far as could be remembered by the oldest inhabitant, and that there was never any Presbyterian church in the neighborhood. An old sailor talked with him awhile, and found that he knew nothing of sailor's phrases, therefore it was concluded that he had never been to sea. A letter addressed to the New Lis- 'bon paper elicited a response from Major Straughn, who responded that Martin S. Ward was a member of the company he took out from that place. Lieutenant McCrary, of the 7th Ohio Sharpshooters, also responded by saying that James M. Saunders was a member of his company, and that he was a good so'dier. A subse- quent letter from the Lieutenant stated that he me' General Sherman, and showed him Boyd's letter. The General remem- bered Saunders, and remembered giving him the letter referred to. From the in- formation gained by Mr. Boyd, there is little doubt but the true name of the pris- oner was Ward; that his father was an illiterate and drunken blacksmith, living near New Lisbon. It is doubtful if he ever served in the Illinois regiment, but doubtless true that he was in the Ohio reg- iments named. He was, in all, a hard character.
Isaac J. Mitchell is a native of Ohio, and was born in Cincinnati on the 31st of May, 1827. While an infant his father moved to a farm in Clermont county, Ohio, and there the son worked until he was nineteen, when he went to a high school in Laurel, Ohio, a few months, to prepare himself for a teacher. He taught in Brazil, Indiana, and adjoining districts, for three years While preparing to teach, he worked on a farm for two dol-
275
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
lars a week, devoting the money thus earned to the purchase of text-books. He read law while teaching in Indiana, and completed his school education by attend- ing Asbury College, Greencastle, Indiana, one term, when, his health giving way, he had to leave the institution. He removed to Boonesboro, Iowa, in June, 1855, and there resumed his study of law while engaged in the drug business. He finished reading law early in 1858; was admitted to the Bar in Boonesboro in April, and opened an office there in that year. He has since been in constant practice, except when in office, building up a large business and an enviable reputation.
He served as justice of the peace in 1857, while reading law in Boonesboro, and the next year was elected a member of the State Board of Education, serving two years. In 1868 he was elected State Senator for the term of four years. He was chairman of the committee on enroll- ing and agriculture, and acted on three or four other committees. He was a very useful and influential member of the As- sembly.
While in the General Assembly, he was elected by that body a trustee of the Iowa State Agricultural College, and most of the time was a member of the executive committee of the same institution.
In 1874 he was elected Judge of the Eleventh Judicial District, and served four years. He was recognized as a man of great purity of character, well read in the law, with good judgment, dignity, · decision of character, and other qualities that tend to make an excellent judge. He had a hard struggle in securing an education, but success crowned his efforts.
The trial of the Glover boys at the April term, 1878, was one of some interest. Some months previous the store of John Snider, at Steamboat Rock, was burglar- ized of goods to the amonnt of $200 or $300. Homer, Stephen and John Glover were supposed to have committed the deed. A detective named C. O. Dyke was put upon their track ,and followed Stephen and John to Warsaw, Ill., where they dis- posed of all or a portion of the goods at auction. A telegram was sent to arrest them, but by some means the detective was arrested with them, Deputy Sheriff S. W. Boyd, of Hardin county, proceeded to Warsaw, but found that he was unable to secure the release of Dyke, the Glovers having put up a job to swear the theft on him in order to get out of it themselves. Boyd then went to Keokuk and secured the services of an attorney, and returning to Warsaw, had the preliminary examina- tion of the parties proceeded with. The result of this was, that all three were dis- charged. Boyd then swore out a warrant for the Glovers as fugitives from justice. He had no requisition for them, and they declined going with him unless he had one; so an officer started with them for Carthage, the county seat of the county in which they were arrested, taking the train for that point. Mr. Boyd was also a passenger on the train. On arriving at Hamilton, the train is always backed across the river to Keokuk for passengers from that point. It evidently did not occur to the officer in charge of the pris- oners that when they crossed the river they would be on Iowa soil. The deputy sheriff kept this fact constantly in mind, however, and the minute the train landed
7
276
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
on the Iowa side, he nabbed the two men, and claimed the custody of them under his warrant. They were surrendered to him without opposition, and lodged in the jail at Keokuk until evening, when they were brought to Eldora. Great credit is due Mr. Boyd for the shrewdness which he displayed in getting his men without the slow process of the law.
On arrival at Eldora, a preliminary ex- amination was held, and they were bound over to await the action of the grand jury. An indictment was found at the April term against the three Glovers, Homer having in the meantime been arrested, and all were tried and sentenced to a term in the penitentiary.
Willis F. Dodge was tried at the same term of the District Court as were the Glovers, on a charge of larceny. He was sentenced to three years in the penitenti- ary. On the expiration of his term, he went to Illinois, there killed a man, and was subsequently hung. Willis F. Dodge was a mere boy, but he was a shrewd young scamp. When arrested he had it all fixed up to prove an "alabi." He had it all ar- ranged so that he was at Marshalltown the night the horses were stolen, and hence could not have been engaged in the stealing, as they were stolen about twenty miles of Eldora, and at least thirty-five from Marshalltown. But the sheriff under- took the hazardous game of taking him out of jail and taking him out into the neighborhood where the horses were stolen, and found persons who could recog- nize him as the boy they saw there in the evening of the night of the stealing, in company with his "chum." Thus annulling the alabi and convicting the prisoner, for
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.