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 44
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Some years later, when further explora- tions were made, Dr. C. A. White, the State Geologist, in his report, thus speaks in reference to the coal fields of Hardin county :
"The Iowa coal field makes an abrupt bend to the southward in Hardin county. The Coal Measure strata are found exposed in the valley of the Iowa river at intervals, from the point where it enters to where it leaves the county; but it is in the imme- diate vicinity of Eldora that the fullest development of them has been observed, and where only a workable bed of coal has been found within the county limits. These strata are seen at several points to rest directly upon those of sub-carbonifer- ous age, but the latter belong to a different formation of the sub-carboniferous group from those which underlie the coal meas- ures in Hamilton and Webster counties.
"The position of the exposures of these coal strata, so much to the northeastward of a line indicating the general trend of the border of the coal field, suggests that the Eldora coal region may possibly be a large outlier from the main field, similar
to, but not so far removed, as the Coal Measure outlier lying between Muscatine and Davenport. The Eldora mines are, however, of great importance and value. Different parties have mined coal there for several years past to supply local demands, bnt within the last three years the Eldora Coal Company have opened and worked mines upon a more extensive scale, ship- ing much coal upon the Central Railroad of Iowa and the Dubuque and Sioux City Railroad. At the various points where this bed has been mined, it measures about four feet thick. It is underlaid by clay and clayey shales to a considerable depth. These have been penetrated by a drill with the hope of finding another bed of coal beneath the one now worked, but without success.
"Aside from the intrinsic value of these mines, the importance of the region is much enhanced by being the most north- easterly one within which coal has been or is likely to be obtained. The county has also an additional supply of fuel in the woodland of the valley of the Iowa river, the growth of forest trees upon which is rapidly increasing.
"Some excellent potteries are established at Eldora, using the clay from the bed which underlies the coal there. In the northern part of the county, especially at Iowa Falls, are abundant supplies of lime- stone suitable for common and dressed building stone and for lime."
The following extracts are from the report of Captain Gustavus W. Smith, who made an examination of the country from Dubuque to Sioux City, in the summer of 1857, at the request of Robert Benson & Co., of London, with a view of ascertain-
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
ing the character of the country, its soil, mineral products, etc .:
"June 21-Two miles from the left bank of the lowa river, between Eldora and Steamboat Rock, our host has a fine farm of 3,000 acres, 500 of it in cultivation, fine fences and an elegant house. He is two miles from timber, of which there is a large body opposite him on the river fifteen miles long by five miles wide, in places. He says that a coal vein crops out in the prairie, seven miles east of him, in a small grove at the head of Black Hawk creek; that it dips some 90 feet to the river, and comes out not far above the water line in a sandstone bluff, 80 feet high; that it is a first rate coal, burns with a beautiful blaze, but does not last so long as that of first quality Ohio Valley; it makes more ashes and has too much sulphur in it for forging purposes, though used by the blacksmiths with good success. The vein (he says) is four and a half feet thick. He burns this coal in his house exclusively; saw it laying around the house; looks to be like pretty good bituminous coal; some sulphur, not a * great deal. * * *
"June 22- Town called Steamboat Rock is in section 28, township 88, range 19, on the Iowa river. Went down the river to look at the coal veins; on the way saw some iron ore, fire-clay, red chalk, etc .; passed by the place where, they say, 1,200 or 1,500 men dug for gold, a few years since, before the Indians were out of the country. Followed the right bank of the river about two miles; saw coal indications in various places, some in the bed of streams, some above, occa- sionally large lumps; banks have been slipping more or less.
Finally, came to
where the main opening was made. This had caved in. I learned the following from the owner and the men who were working at a new opening close by: Thirty thousand bushels, 'in round numbers,' was the quantity taken out up to the time it caved in. The bottom, at the mouth, is about 12 feet above the present water level; the average height of the vein of pure coal was 4 feet 6 inches, inclin- ing downwards at the rate of about one inch to one foot horizontal. This con- tinued for about 80 feet, and then it was horizontal as far as worked, which was 700 feet horizontal, making the whole distance from the mouth 780 feet. In some places it was 40 feet wide. The thickness of the seam varied, being never less than 4 feet, generally more than 4 feet 6 inches, and was 5 feet when they stopped. Coal improved after getting well into the mine; less sulphur, larger lumps, and more easy to work. One miner would pick and wheel to the mouth of the mine 85 to 125 bushels per day, at 4 cents per bushel. The mine had caved in from defective framing.
"About 80 or 160 feet from it another opening is being made; this is in the face of a vertical rock bluff, rising from the edge of the water to a height of 70 or 80 feet, composed of a brownish sandstone, with thin layers of iron ore. Above the coal is a layer of hard slate, which looks very much like cannel coal; this is five feet thick; the vein of coal immediately under this measures 53 inches; this opening is now 20 feet wide, and has been carried in 30 feet. They are now preparing for the winter demand. The bottom is the same height above the water as the first and
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
main opening is; the inclination of the bottom is also the same-evidently the same seam-though the first was reached through several feet of soil on the face of the bank, which is here inclined and the slope covered with trees and brush.
"At times of very high water the water runs into the mine; the inclination is the wrong way for drainage, but through crev- ices in the coal the mine drained itself in a short time. This seam has in it, about ten or twelve inches from the bottom, a thin layer of slate, which is diminishing in thickness; the same was the case in the other opening, but in that it soon disap- peared and left the whole height pure coal. There is a good deal of sulphur in spots and in layers, but it appears to dimin- ish as the vein is worked. The Iowa river here is from sixty to eighty feet wide, twelve to eighteen inches deep, gravelly and stony bottom, clear water, rapid cur- rent. Saw three other openings, from which the coal has been taken, not so far above the water line; the miners were ab- sent; did not go in more than twenty or thirty feet for want of lights. There are coal indications in several localities which I saw, and many others that were spoken of, but as some of them had been worked to the same extent, samples were taken from them, and no others were visited. There is a seam of coal at the main mines just below low water line. The thickness of this is not known; the quality is con- sidered superior to that in the seam they are working, and indications of another vein higher than those worked, but sup- posed to be not so thick. The country is very new and its resources but little known. Coal taken from these mines is used in the
neighboring towns for fuel, in the black- smith shops, etc., etc. I saw it in many different places. I don't think anyone in- this vicinity doubts there being an abun- dant supply of good coal. I see no reason to question the fact. The coal is about twelve miles south of the railroad; there is no great difficulty in getting to it with a branch, if necessary; the river cannot be used for transporting it. I know there is coal along the line of this road and in its vicinity, and don't think there is room for a reasonable doubt in reference to the quantity or quality. My opinion is that the supply is abundant, and that the coal, as far as yet developed, is very good, but not equal to the best Ohio Valley."
The exact limits of this coal basin are not well defined. The Coal Measures are exposed by the river, seven or eight miles north and south. The country east and west is an undulating prairie, giving no evidence of what there may be beneath.
The prospectus of the Eldora Coal Com- pany, issued in 1867 and already quoted from, says:
"In compliance with suggestions of Dr. White, an attempt was made to prove the ground by drilling. The machinery used for this purpose could not be used to ad- vantage at a depth of over one hundred feet, and the workmen were obliged to occupy ravines and low places, where it was doubtful if coal could be found at all. In every instance, however, where they succeeded in getting down to the requisite depth, coal was found. These explorations covered an area of some three square miles, showing conclusively that it is a uniform formation over a much larger por- tion of country than was at first supposed."
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
Captain Smith, during his visit in 1857, speaks of coal being found on Black Hawk creek, six or seven miles east of this par- ticular locality. On Beaver creek, two and a half miles west of Eldora, it has been washed out by the spring freshets. This coal, however, is undoubtedly from the upper vein, as in appearance it is iden- tical and the stream is on about the same level as the vein at or near the river, struck by drilling.
To give the reader an idea of the vast amount, even in two square miles, we quote from Dr. Hall's Geological Survey of Iowa:
"The mining engineers of Europe are said to allow one million tons of coal per square mile, for every foot in thickness of workable coal."
Allowing two square miles only to be underlaid by a 42-foot coal seam, we would have in the aggregate nine million tons, over six thousand tons to the acre.
Should an average of two hundred tons per day be mined, it would require 150 years to exhaust even this "small patch."
Considerable iron is found, interspersed in thin sheets, among the sandstones, but not in sufficient quantity to work.
The presence of oil has been detected in many springs. In one case a well had to be abandoned on account of its disa- greeable oily effluvia.
Fire clay of a very superior quality is found in great abundance underlying the coal, and in patches by itself. On Judge Porter's farm, three miles east of town on the prairie, a bank opened and worked by the employes of the Cedar Falls Pottery exposes a working face of fourteen feet in thickness.
The quality of the clay for potter's use is pronounced next to that of New Jersey. The ware made from it is of a very strong close texture, when struck with steel emit- ting sparks like a flint. Cooking utensils made of it are used over the fire like iron.
Potteries have been put up in different parts of the country, within the past three years, all drawing their supplies from this quarter, hauling the clay fifty miles in wagons, in some instances.
The manufacture of stoneware and fire brick, where fuel is so cheap, will ulti- mately be carried on to a large extent.
Several varieties of limestone are found in this neighborhood. Capt. Smith says: "On the Iowa, near Steamboat Rock, they are using for cellar walls, etc., an or- dinary calcareous sandstone; some of the limestone in this neighborhood contains a good deal of clay, and yields lime possess- ing fair hydraulic properties."
REPORT OF GEORGE E. LIVERMORE.
In 1866, President Gilman, of the Eldora Railroad and Coal Company, employed George E. Livermore, of Dubuque, to make exploration of the coal fields in the vicinity of Eldora and Steamboat Rock. The following is his report:
G. C. Gilman, Esq., President Eldora Rail- road and Coal Company :
DEAR SIR :- Herewith please find a short re- port of our explorations for coal in the vicinity of Eldora:
In proving the ground, we relied principally upon " churn drills " -a very unsatisfactory method at best; and in this instanee, partieu- larly so; a couple of men with a spring pole being our only motive power, we were obliged to use a 23-ineh drill-too small to accurately define the exact thiekness of the different strata through which it passed.
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
As you recommended us, particularly, to be careful in diserimating between the coal and overlying slate, we assure you that we have been so, and think that further development will show the coal to be of greater thickness than we have here reported.
We would further say that churn drilling by hand is extremely difficult at a depth of over 100 feet, and in every hole we sunk, except those marked on your plat 3 and 6, we selected deep ravines for the purpose, though knowing all the while that if we did not strike absolute "faults," we should find the mineral much thinner than under the hills.
Our explorations were thus necessarily very superficial, merely demonstrating the fact that the area of the coal bed is much larger than is generally supposed, and that the piteh or dip of the eoal veins is very slight. .
No. 1-This hole is in a ravine, at the eastern limit of the town plat. 2 of a mile from the river, 77 feet above its level, and 79 feet below the level of the town of Eldora
Depth of shaft 16 feet
sandstone 44
coal
8-12 '
fire-clay 4
Drill got fastened, and we moved 30 yards north, on the hillside.
No 2-Level ahove river 82
feet
Depth of shaft
25
sandstone 37
slate 212
coal 3
fire.clay 1
No. 3-Level above river. 132 feet
Depth of shaft 30
sandstone
73
-
coal .31/2 feet; quite sulphury
fire-clay 21/2 feet
slate, sulphur and coal 9
66
fire clay
1
Had difficulty with drill, and moved to
No 4-Height ahove river. 12 feet
Sank shaft in soft sandstone 24 feet, and were driven out hy freshet in river. This is 11/2 miles south of where any coal has been found, Moved to
No 5-In a ravine on east hank of river, 2's miles north of the last hole.
Estimated height above river 40 feet
Sank shaft 17
Drilled in sandstone. 18
Depth of coal. 14 inches; coal very excellent 1 foot
fire-clay
Moved I mile due south to
No. 6-Level ahove river estimated at. .....
.. 130 feet
Sank shaft in soft sandstone 25 feet, and were driven out hy water.
No. 7-Was sunk on a flat 15 feet above river. Sank shaft 8 feet.
Thickness of slate 2
feet
coal 31/2
fire clay 21/2
Moved up a side hill a few yards east, at the same level. Found 5 feet of coal and quicksand. It was reported to us that coal was washed out of the Beaver, a small creek 21/2 miles west of town, in every freshet. Went over and examined, and found small hits of very good coal hy dig- ging in the quicksand. Would have heen glad to have sunk a shaft here, hut the ground was very low, and, the season being very rainy, under water a great deal of the time.
At the same time we were at work, Mr. J. Buekner was engaged in sceking a third vein near his shaft. He experienced a great deal of trouble with his drilling apparatus, and only got down 112 feet below the second or present work- ing vein. At a depth of about 100 feet he struek a 16-inch vein of coal, of very good quality. From the time he commeneed drilling until he stopped, the borings exhibited the same appearance as slaty shale. Experienced miners deelare that so heavy a deposit of shale is eer- tain evidence of the existence of a third vein, mueh thicker than the second. I may also men- tion that the first vein, as it is ealled, is only three or four inehcs in thickness. It can be seen on the river bank, about 40 feet above the seeond vein. The seam either disappears en- tirely, a mile west of the river, or was so thin we failed to deteet it.
Hoping the above report will prove satisfae- tory, I am,
Yours, very truly,
GEORGE E. LIVERMORE.
Coal has been discovered in the vicinity of the town of Hubbard, and as this work goes to press attempts are being made to develope it, a joint stock company having been organized for that purpose.
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HISTORY. OF HARDIN COUNTY.
CHAPTER X.
POLITICAL.
.
The political history of a Nation, State or county is always one of general interest, especially is this true in a free land, where, in the eyes of the law, all are upon an equal . ity, where it has been shown that even the humblest-the rail-splitter or the tow-path boy-can attain the highest honor that can be bestowed upon an American citizen. We delight to see merit rewarded; we are pleased with the onward progress of one from the humble walks of life, as step by step he mounts the ladder of fame. Even if we do not reach the highest pinnacle, we flatter ourselves that possibly our children may.
There is an excitement about a political campaign which all enjoy, and although, to the disgrace of the party using, personali- ties are often indulged in, as a general thing all yield gracefully to the verdict of the people, and submit themselves unto " the powers that be." This is well, and speaks well for the American people.
In this chapter it is designed to briefly sketch the political history of Hardin county, giving in as short space as pos- sible the various general and local issues that entered into each campaign, together with the official vote of every general elec- tion.
Hardin county was organized in 1853, and its first election was held in March, of
that year, for the purpose of filling the various county offices. The election was held at the residence of Henry Abrams, near the present town of Gifford. There being but one ticket in the field the ex- citement did not reach fever heat. Thirty- two votes were cast. Alexander Smith was elected County Judge; J. D. Putnam, Clerk of the District Court; Samuel Smith, Collector and Treasurer; William F. Sha- fer, School Fund Commissioner; Thomas Bennett, Sheriff; James W. Miller, Coroner; John Shepherd, Surveyor.
From the records on file in the office of the Auditor of the county, there does not appear to have been an election held in August. The next general election was in April, 1854. For county officers there were two tickets in the field. For School Fund Commissioner Jacob Kid wiler was opposed by Samuel R. Edgington; for Prosecuting Attorney Winthrop Dyer had for an apponent Robert Putnam. Neither of these two were attorneys, but as there were none of the profession living in the county, it is probable they each considered himself as well entitled to the emoluments of the office as any other man. Mr. Dyer was the successful contestant. Jacob Kidwiler- was chosen to disburse the school funds. There were 71 votes polled at this election. The friends of
ยท 346
HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
Robert Ball, to the number of three, voted for that gentleman for Coroner, and he was declared elected. There be- ing a vacancy in the office he was duly commissioned to sit upon such dead as re- quired his services. Phineas M. Casady received a majority of the votes for Dis- trict Judge.
In August, 1854, there were two offices to be filled: that of Prosecuting Attorney, and Clerk of the District Court. For the former office James D. Thompson was ar- rayed against Winthrop Dyer. Mr. Thomp- son was an attorney, and has the honor of being the first to locate in Hardin county. He was elected to the office, and was subse- quently District Judge. (See sketch else- where in this volume.) J. D. Putnam, the incumbent of the office, had for an oppo- nent J. D. Gourley, a well-educated man, who had lately moved into the county. Mr. Gourley was elected. There were 154 votes polled at this election-a gratifying increase.
The April election, 1855, was for Com- missioner and Register DesMoines River Improvement, Register State Land Office, and for District Judge. This, in reality, was the first election in which political questions were considered by the voters of this county. The Whig ticket was suc- cessful in this county, as it was in the State, the largest majority for any candi- date being 66, and the lowest 55. This was the last campaign in which the Whig party figured in the State. The question of the adoption of a prohibitory liquor law in the State, was also submitted to the people, receiving a majority of 58 in Har- din county. The highest vote polled in
the county for any office was for that of District Judge, being 259.
The April election in 1856 was a "free- for-all" fight, a School Fund Commissioner and a Sheriff to be elected. The vote of the county was increased more than double that cast the previous year, being 600 against 259. S. R. Edgington was elected School Fund Commissioner, and Henry Fiddler Sheriff. The question of the re- moval of the county seat from Eldora to Steamboat Rock was voted on, resulting in favor of Eldora by a majority of 352 out of a total of 452 votes cast.
Former issues dividing the political parties had disappeared in 1856, and new issues were being rapidly formed. The Whig party had ceased to exist, and on its ruins had been erected two other parties, one having for its central truth opposition to the further extension of slavery, and the other that American-born citizens must rule America. These parties had, of course, absorbed many of the members of the old Democratic party. The American party, not being opposed to slavery, or, at least, making no opposition to it, either in the States in which it existed or the newly formed territories, where it had been made subject to admission by the repeal of the Missouri Compromise, had become a nu- merous body in the South, with many adherents in the North. The Republican party, basing its claims for popular suf- frage upon its advocacy of freedom in the territories, was not permitted an existence in the Southern States, and of necessity was confined to the North. The first State Convention by the newly organized Republican party was held at Iowa City, February 22, and placed a ticket in the
.
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HISTORY OF HARDIN COUNTY.
field for State officers, and adopted a plat- form in accordance with the principles of equal rights and firm opposition to slavery The Democratic Convention met at the Capitol June 26, nominated a ticket, and adopted a platform in accordance with that adopted at the National Convention at Cincinnati. The nominations of James Buchanan and John G. Breckenridge were enthusiastically confirmed.
In Hardin county the newly organized Republican and the Democratic parties had each regular tickets in the field, to be voted on at the August election. J. D. Gourley was elected Clerk of the District Court over T. Y. McClure, and H. L. Huff Prosecuting Attorney over A. Green. For Surveyor, George P. Griffith had no opposition. At the November election for President, John C. Fremont had 583 votes and James Buchanan 195, a majority for Fremont of 388. S. G. Winchester was elected at this time as Delegate to the Constitutional Convention, over William McClintock, by a majority of 265. The total vote cast for President was 778.
The April election, 1857, was for Mayor, State officers and District Judge. The vote was increased at this election from 778 to 970. The August election was for county officers and upon the constitutional amendment. Here was a regular Repub- lican and an Independent Republican, as well a Democratic, ticket in the field. The Democratic ticket polled less votes than either Republican or Independent Republican. J. W. Jones was elected County Judge over both Thomas B. Knapp and Samuel Smith. E. Pardie had for opponents for the office of Treasurer and Recorder, Mr. F. Styles and J. F. Simonds,
and was elected. Henry Fiddler was re-elected Sheriff, having Daniel Reed, Daniel Dillon and John Royal as oppo- nents. A. M. Mulford was elected Asses- sor, J. A. Spencer, Surveyor, and Richard Lynn, Coroner. For the new constitution there were 549 votes cast; against new constitution, 303; majority for, 246. Against striking out the word "white," there were 132 votes cast; for striking it out, 85; majority against, 47. From this last vote it would appear there were 635 voters who were non-committal on the subject.
The October election, 1857, was for Governor, Lieutenant - Governor and a Representative in the General Assembly. A light vote was cast, Ralph P. Lowe, Republican, for Governor, receiving 435 votes, against Ben. M. Samuels, Democrat, 289. For Representative, J. L. Dana, Republican, had a majority of 61 over Maynard F. Styles, Democrat, out of a vote of 729.
The office of County Superintendent of Common Schools was created by the new constitution adopted in 1857, and candi- dates were voted for at the April election. Edwin Fuller and Eli Jessup, Republicans, were in the field, and opposed by James Wright, Democrat. Mr. Fuller was elected, and thus has the honor of being the first County Superintendent of Com- mon Schools. The question of removal of the county seat from Eldora to Point Pleasant was voted on at this election. A question arising as to the result was car- ried into the Supreme Court. (See county seat contests).
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