History of Harrison County, Iowa. Containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county. Together with portraits and biographies of all the governors of Iowa, and of the presidents of the United States, Part 8

Author: National Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago, National Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1150

USA > Iowa > Harrison County > History of Harrison County, Iowa. Containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county. Together with portraits and biographies of all the governors of Iowa, and of the presidents of the United States > Part 8

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1853

1874 107

1854

1875 126

1855

1876 153

1856

1877

145

1857

1878 138

1858

1879

141

1859

1880

158

1860

1881

146

1861

1882

146

1862

1883

199

1863

1884

180

1864

1885 192

1865

1886 179

1866

1887 194

1867.

1888

212

1868

1889

176

1869

1890

204

1870

1891 (to June 2.) 96

1871

1872.

113 .

Total

3,946

1873

108

PUBLIC SCHOOL STATISTICS.

The following carefully compiled table has been transcribed from County Super- intendent Dakan's 1890 annual report to the Superintendent of Public Instruction, at Des Moines. Its valuable information will be good for future reference, as com- parision comes up with other years and future development of educational affairs in Harrison county.

TOWNSHIPS.

Frame Brick Pupils Houses Houses Enrolled

Male Teach- ers.

Fenia le Teachers *

Val. of School Houses

Allen

Boyer.

163

5,460

Cass.

236

1.5

4.500

Clay.

133

475

Cincinnati

127

1,90€

Douglas

2.150

Jackson

151

3,900

Lincoln.

125

. .

2,825

Morgan.

. .

126

2,800

Magnolia.

. .

4,600

Raglan

144

3.200

St. John.

273

6.100

Taylor

109

2.400

Union .

. .

219

5.245

Washington ... INCORPOR. TOWN

DISTRICTS.

661

$22 000

Dunlap ..

118

₹

6.000

Woodbine.

11,60

Little Sioux.

1.5.2

·)

3.500

Modale ..:

. .

138

1.500

Mondamin

. .

1.600

Persia.

. .

155

1,500

Totals.

139

6.06

2×1

₴129,600

* Note: The number of teachers here given represents the number of different persons employed to teach-not all teach- ing at the same time, however.

The following from Stephen King's re- port as Superintendent of Schools, Octo- tober 5, 1862, shows those of school age by townships :

Raglan, 121; La Grange, 76; Union, 33; Boyer, 167; Jefferson, 156; Cincinnati, 65; Magnolia, 198; Clay, 78; St. John, 163; Harrison, 32; Jackson, 54; Sioux, 122; Taylor, 85; Cass, 42; Calhoun, 99. Total between the ages of five and twenty-one, 1,491.

157

4,200

Harrison

Jefferson ..

203

1.356

Little Sioux.

180

2.650

La Grange.

169

257

1.5

2,900

Missouri Valley

17,000

Logan ..

321

2.200

Magnolia.

1.5

$1.650

2.000

Calhoun.

1.825

HARRISON COUNTY.

A MEMORIAL FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION.

The Fourth of July, 1863-the central period of the Civil War-was the occasion of the largest, most enthusiastic and pat- riotic National Independence Day cele- bration, ever witnessed in Harrison county. At that time several hundred of the best men of the county were discharging their duty as soldiers in the Union Army, and "war news" was the sole theme of old and young. Every stage brought mail to Mag- nolia, conveying intelligence of "victory" or "defeat". Many an old pioneer will recall the crowds that assembled about the old post-office upon the change of mails during those dark and trying days, when the life of the Nation was threatened by traitorous tongues. One can still see, in his fancy, the tear drops, as one by one they stole down the cheeks of an aged sire, whose brave son had been among the "wounded and missing," and the sad news conveyed to the father by a comrade. Again there might have been seen about the office at Magnolia the good wife and mother, eagerly tearing open a letter from her loyal companion, that she might know his condition. The countenance some- times changed from a sad one to a cheery smile, with the exclamation "He is com- ing home!"

With all the bustle and excitement, is it any wonder that a successful Fourth of July celebration could be carried out in 1863? The gathering met in the beautiful grove north from the village of Magnolia. Teams by the many hundred came flock- in at an early hour from far and near. Harrison, Monona, Crawford, Shelby and Pottawattamie counties in Iowa and Washington county in Nebraska, all helped swell the throng. There was musicin the air and patriotism within the heart of all. A large hollow square, several hundred feet on

either side, was formed by the erection of wide, rough board tables. A hundred and more men and women were within this hollow square as a committee to receive and distribute the "wagon loads" of pro- visions. Every family came with the big lumber wagon, brought the entire family and three times as much as could be eaten by themselves. Perhaps no more inviting dinner was ever partaken of within the Hawkeye State. Thousands of people were present and all enjoyed the day, save the "war widows" and perchance an or- phan boy or girl, whose sad faces told plainly that their mind was going out after the dear husband or son or brother, who at the very hour might be celebrating with shot and shell, beneath a lurid Southern sky, or perchance was buried where he fell. The "Star Spangled Banner" was never so sacredly looked upon, as its rich red and white folds waved to and fro in the gentle summer breeze upon this occasion. The loud salute by anvil and fire-cracker, the stirring drum and shrill fife never awakened more patriotic feelings in the people of the county than July 4, 1863.

Phineas Cadwell was Chief Marshal of the day and A. L. Harvey assistant. Judge Isaac Pendleton of Sioux City, had been secured for the orator, but failing to come, Judge Stephen King was pressed into ser- vice and acquitted himself manfully. Judge Jonas Chatburn, now of Harlan, Iowa, also spoke, as did Judge Ford. The day was one long to be remembered, and even now, after twenty-eight years have come and gone, old men and their sons who then celebrated with torpedo and fire-cracker, often refer to this celebration.

Up to this time there had never been a flag of any size, in the county and through the artistic designs and labor of Mrs. A. L. Harvey and other ladies, a large flag was

HARRISON COUNTY.

made by sewing together "broad stripes and bright stars," from cambrics pur- chased in the store at Magnolia. While it was a home-made flag, it possessed beauty and was the pride of the day-re- presenting as it did, the national colors, which still waves over "the land of the free and the home of the brave."

CAMP MEETING.

The Magnolia Republican, of August 3, 1859, had the following notice :

"If no preventing Providence, there will be a camp meeting for Buena Vista Circuit, in Six - Mile Grove, four miles south-east of Buena Vista, two miles south of Jeddo City; commencing on Friday, August 19, 1859. Come one-come all! Bring your tents and families, and prepare to stay and enjoy the meeting ! And may the great Head of the church meet with us in plenteous mercy, that we may have a time of rejoicing and a season of spiritual refreshing. [Signed]

JOHN M. BAKER."

OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.

"Old Settlers' Day" is to the pioneer band and their children, what a Soldiers' Re-union is to the old battle-marked vet- eran. These meetings, where mingle the old with the young, and where early day hardships are reviewed, are valuable to society, and are a true index of the char- acter of any people.

It is upon such occasions that men and women unbend as it were, and throw off the garb of caste, society, church and po- litical belief; a day when all meet, and never think or refer to petty differences. Here men and women lay aside their hel- mets and reveal to each other the grace and amity of their hitherto stern counte- nances. Here is freedom and rest.

Over forty years ago the vanguard of civilization turned their faces toward Har- rison County, leaving behind the pleasant homes of their fathers, to do battle in the front rank of frontier life. The summer's heat and winter's storm were arrayed against them; but these daring souls had faith ; they had constancy; they had per- severence-but they lacked money! Their faith triumphed over fear, or they would not have come hither. The pioneer's life has always been too busy, too earnest for him to stop long enough to tell of himself. He makes history, but leaves it for others to write it. He, the pioneer, lays the foundation ; he organizes society and frames constitutions, and then steps aside and leaves others the details and routine of administration. The pioneer comes to dig and delve, to plant and sow, to hew and build, the crooked to make straight, the rough to make smooth. Neither the river, the lake, or the sea, or the moun- tain chain, or the vast wilderness have obstacles for him. Pioneers are born, not made. Not every man or woman has the sterling qualities and fitting attributes of the pioneer. As sentinels upon the outer walls they have stood for many years, eye to eve.

Through this finer sense of pioneer sen- timent, the old settlers of Harrison County called a meeting at Magnolia.

Perhaps the most remarkable meeting ever held in the county, was the first meeting held by the pioneers at Magnolia, August 25, 1885. It consisted largely of those who had lived at or near that spot prior to the county seat's removal to Lo- gan in 1876. To fully understand the in- terest attaching itself to such a meeting, it must be remembered that Magnolia, from 1853 to 1870, was the only town in Harrison County, to speak of. It was the

HARRISON COUNTY.

center of official power, of culture and refinement -the real metropolis of the county. The center of trade and com- merce, her churches and schools were the pride of the county. Such was Magnolia in her palmy days. During the years be- tween the times of pioneer days at Mag- nolia and the year on which their Old Settlers' meeting was held, great had been the change. Some had been absent many years and returned. Many were still ab- sent, having found homes in distant States, while again-alas !- not a few had passed to the " silent land beyond."

Suffice to say, Hon. Phineas Cadwell called the people to order, there being about a thousand present. Hon. Stephen King made an appropriate address. Judge Ford also spoke. A beautiful song was sung, entitled "Touch Me Gently, Time."

The Committee on Organization re- ported as follows :

·MR. PRESIDENT: We, your committee, recommend that the Old Settlers' Associ- ation consist of a president, four vice-pres- idents, a secretary and treasurer, who shall constitute an executive committee, and cause an annual meeting to be called · at Magnolia during the month of August each year. We also recommend as such officers for the ensuing year: President, Judge D. E. Brainard; Vice-Presidents, Dr. J. H. Rice, William Mc Williams, John M. Raymond and George Main; for Secretary, C. H. Holmes; for Treasurer, William Cutler.

A Committee on By-Laws, consisting of Judge Ford, Hon. Phineas Cadwell and J. C. Milliman, was appointed.

Before the gathering was dismissed, all present, or nearly all, presented them- selves to the Secretary, who made a rec- ord of their names, birth-place, and date of settlement in Harrison County.

At the suggestion and published call of Jacob T. Stern, of Logan, in the spring of 1880, there were held several township Old Settlers' Re-unions, as it was found that those living in remote parts of the county could not well attend the general meeting in August, at Magnolia, as had been the custom.

One of these township gatherings was held in St. Johns township, in August of 1880. Among other pioneers present, and who spoke, was William Spencer, an old Mexican soldier, who settled in St. Johns township in 1849; D. M. Harris, of the Missouri Valley Times; S. H. Cochran and Mr. Danielson; also, Dr. Robert Mc- Gavren, who spoke touchingly of the great number of pioneers who had crossed the dark river. This meeting was held in the Town Hall, at Missouri Valley.

At the Old Settlers' meeting, of August 18, 1887, held at Magnolia, crowds gath- ered from far and near, until the beautiful grove surrounding the school building was filled with cheerful faces, old and young. Dr. Rice, President, called the meeting to order, and the Logan Glee Club sang a befitting song. The address of welcome was given by J. C. Milliman. After dinner Hon. Stephen King read me- morial notes of Lorenzo Butler, Richard Musgrave, and Lydia Hawkins. Jacob T. Stern read notes of pioneers Vander- hoof, Ambrose Milliman, Ezra Perry, L. D. Parker, Sarah Jane McEntire, Frank Rider, J. A. Parkins, Mary J. Smothers, J. A. Forger and Dr. Hall, all of whom had passed from the scenes of earth dur- ing the previous year.

Reminiscences being in order, Samuel Wood, Judge Chatburn, Rev. C. Evans responded. The President called for the oldest settler on the ground, and Alexan- der Johnson stood up and said he came to

HARRISON COUNTY.

Harrison County -where Calhoun now stands-in 1847, wherenpon Hon. S. King pinned upon his coat the red ribbon badge. Mrs. E. C. Myres, the next settler, bore away the blue ribbon.

PRICES THEN AND NOW.

Now that more than a quarter of a cell- tury has passed by since the close of that conflict, the Civil War, it may be of value to compare prices :

1865

1891

Nails, per Ib $0 16

$0 03

Kerosene Oil, per gal

Tea, per İb. (best)

3 00

1 00

Sugar, per Ib. (best).

Plug Tobacco 1 25 60

Calico, per yard . 45

Hickory Shirting

12}

Flannel, per yard

1 25

Domestic.

Seamless Grain Sacks .. 1 00

The above are the prices in " War," and in "Peace."

THE GRASSHOPPER PLAGUE.

The saying of Scripture that "a grass- hopper shall be a burden," has from time to time been exemplified in Harrison County, as well as farther north in Iowa, and those who lived in the county prior to 1880, know the story too well. There is but little doubt that the modern "grass- hopper" is the same pest as was!the an- cient "Egyptian locust." On five differ- ent occasions the grasshoppers have vis- ited, in untold millions, and devasted this section. Unless one has experienced these plagne seasons, the plain truth concerning the destruction they caused, will sonnd like a "big fish story," or an "Arabian Night " tale. They first made their ap- pearance, since the settlement by the whites, on the 23d of August, 1857. In the

latter part of the day-about 4 r. M .- they began to light in such numbers and with such a rush, that one was reminded of a heavy falling snow storm. This was kept up until sunset. The fences and out- buildings were completely covered with them, giving every object a dirty lead color. One eye-witness says they tarried, were sociable, deposited their eggs, and by October 1st of the same year had nearly all died.

As but little of this county was then broken up or improved, they could do but slight damage; bnt in the spring, when the eggs commenced to hatch out, they again appeared in countless armies of mill- ions each. They began hatching in March, 1858, and remained in these parts until July 11.

Twelve years later-August 27, 1867, at 1 o'clock p. M .- they again dropped down as before, only much more numerously, continuing so' to do, until long past sun- set, and in such multitudes that when alighting on full-grown corn stalks, their united weight either bent or broke the same off. Whole fields of corn were thus covered under the curtain of night. The trains on the line of the Northwestern Railway were in some instances stopped - by reason of the "hoppers" filling the space between the ties and up flush with, and over the edge of the rails. The car- wheels would mash them to a slimy jelly, which caused the wheels to slip as though " soft soap" had been thrown on the track. By free use of sand, the drivers of the locomotive were made to pull the train through such places.

One writer said: "Their appetites were as ravenons as their saw-toothed jaws were destructive. They spared neither the garden lot or cornfield; cabbage, turnip, tobacco chews, old boots, fork handles,

HARRISON COUNTY.

ax-helves and clothing, all perished be- neath their touch. They alighted with- out request and tarried without an invita- tion ; assumed such a familiarity on short acquaintance, that soon their presence be- came disgusting."

As soon as they had destroyed nearly all the growing, valuable vegetation, they commenced depositing eggs for the com- ing year. Nature has provided an air and water-tight sack which encases the eggs, in lots of from 70 to 140 each. So com- plete is this case that the rains, frosts and even stinging air of an Iowa winter does not destroy them.

The 1867 lot remained until overtaken by old age in the month of October, when most all died. The following April, an- other, even greater, army hatched out, ready for further conquest. When about six weeks old they shed their coats, and many persons took the coats for dead grasshoppers, and felt they were not going to have further trouble with them. But, alas! they died not. This was the stage of their life when wings were provided them, after which they were ready for business !

In June, when the wheat was well ad- vanced, these pests were at work with all their powers, and the smell or taint of their cutting or sawing process filled the air with a smell not unlike a cow's breath. In four days entire fields of a hundred acres each were laid low. When about seven days along, from the time they pos- sessed wings, they generally waited for a north wind, and at mid-day took their everlasting farewell.

Again, early in August, 1873, near Mag- nolia, and, a little later, at Harris Grove, they came down in great numbers and de- stroyed both corn and oats. Owing to the wind, they remained twenty days, and

left a valueless crop in many parts of the county. They deposited their eggs, and the spring of 1874 found ten where one had been seen before. Some tried to pro- tect their crop by digging a trench a foot wide and sixteen inches deep, with deeper holes, or relays, each few rods. When coming to this trench the "hoppers" would tumble therein, and when once in would follow it until they came to the deeper holes that have been spoken of, and when filled would be removed and burned, or deeply covered and other sim- ilar holes dug.

Others attempted their destruction by scattering straw, hay, etc., along their place of travel, and at night-time the farmer would set fire to it.

Another plan was to construct a "dust- pan" shaped contrivance, twelve feet long by two feet wide. To this ropes were at- tached, and, after pouring in a gallon or so of kerosene oil, they would draw the scraper over the land. The grasshoppers were sent into the oil and soon expired.

In the fall of 1873, and spring of 1874, these pests were so numerous around Mag- nolia, that they filled the wells up enough to cause a terrible stench.

In June, 1875, they came like a whirl- wind, and in a few short hours destroyed hundreds of fields of corn and grain.

The following year (1876) they came with untold fury, deposited eggs and died. These eggs hatched out in April, 1877; but farmers, having become schooled by this time, kept them well under control by the use of trench, torch and pan- scraper. They left July 20, 1877. In tak- ing their southward flight that year, the heavens at noon-day were literally dark- ened each day for two weeks, or therea- bouts. This was the last year they visited this county.

HARRISON COUNTY.

THE MORMONS-"LATTER DAY SAINTS."

Up to the time of Joseph Smith (Sr.) being killed in the jail at Carthage, Illin- ois, June 27, 1841, there had been no such thing as polygamy taught by that sect, but upon arriving at "Winter Quarters" (upon the present site, or near where Omaha now stands) it was made known by the president of the Mormon Church- Brigham Young, who succeeded Joseph Smith-that henceforth, it was to be a religious requirement, and upon this ques- tion alone many thousands separated themselves from his leadership as they would not submit to what they believed to be a great evil. Hence it came about that we have what is known as the " Re- Organized Church of Jesus Christ of Lat- ter Day Saints." Then be it remembered, that the so-called "Mormons" of Har- rison County, as well as those up and down the Missouri slope, are in no sense believers in Polygamy, and are more ontspoken against such base practices, and have done more than any other de- nomination to drive it from the face of the earth. Because of this belief, they have been termed by the Mormon Church in Utah as "APOSTATES." A large num- ber of these people, when President Young proclaimed polygamy a doctrine of the church, sought homes along the east- ern banks of the Missouri River, in Iowa and Missouri. The early settlers in Pot- tawattamie, Harrison, Crawford, Cass and Shelby counties, were from among these "Latter Day Saints." The reason for their scattering was chiefly on account of wishing to build up homes for them- selves, in suitable locations and of course pioneers generally aim to secure lands through which running water and timber are found. In order to secure the best of such locations, these seven or eight thou-

sand "Apostate" Mormons, but properly called "Latter Day Saints", took lands all over the above-named counties; and thus it is, we find their churches in all of these counties.

SQUATTERS AND "REGULATORS."

By a treaty of 1830, the United States obtained a Cession of the southwestern portion of Iowa, as a reservation for the Pottawattamie Indians, and from the completion of that act, up to 1846, that tribe of Indians held exclusive legal sway and occupancy of all the above-named do- main, including what is now Harrison County. But in June, 1846, the Govern- ment made a new treaty with the Indians, by which they pitched their tents west of the Missouri River and gave the white race control of their former hunting and fishing grounds.

The Government, however, made 110 surveys for the purpose of opening up this territory to settlers, until in 1852-at least this far north in Iowa. "Squatter Sovereignty" from 1847 to 1853 and even later, was very forceful in its nature. When a pioneer "claimed" land all he was expected to do was to stay thereon, until such time as he could procure a title from the Government, which many did. During all this time-at least one full decade-woe to the man who even made an attempt to "jump" a claim. Such an outrage called forth the swift hand of pioneer justice. The offender must either leave the county or swing to the nearest tree. In those days men stood as in old Revolutionary days, shoulder to shoulder. When lands were to be entered at Council Bluffs, a certain number of trusty men from the settle- ment would usually accompany them, to see that justice was granted them, as against land sharks and mere land

HARRISON COUNTY.

speculators of which there were not a few. No charge was made for such brotherly service, except "take a drink" or "let me pay for that" sort of remuneration. When one "settler" was imposed upon all felt the blow and hurried to his rescue -- day or night, rain or shine. Sometimes a written notice was served on the "Jumper", to the effect that if he re- mained in the neighborhood one week, without relinquishing all supposed right to said claim, that he would be compli- mented with free transportation, to the great Unknown, from whence "claim jumpers" were never known to return. The men of the settlement who had banded together for such purpose were styled "Regulators." They became a law unto themselves and usually were obeyed, but sometimes had to appeal to Judge Lynch who dispatched business without listening to long winded arguments !

Among this pioneer band of protectors or "Regulators" are recalled the names , of the following, some of whom are still honored citizens of the county at this writing:

James W. Bates, George Blackman, William T. Fallon, N. G. Wyatt, Thomas B. Neeley, James Hardy, Lucius Merch- ant, Joel Patch, Peter Barnett, Solomon Barnett, H. H. Lochling, Ezra Vincent, Henry George, Horatio Caywood, Thomas Durham, Robert Hall, Jacob Huffman, Chester Staley, Chester M. Hamilton, Jacob Mintun, Josiah Crom, B. F. La- Porte, Daniel Brown, Amos S. Chase, Ira Perjue, J. W. Chatburn, Stephen Ma- honey, Benjamin Denice, John Ennis, O. M. Allen, Gay Cleveland, Eleazer Davis and others whose names are now forgotten by a majority of the present residents.

HARRISON COUNTY.

IMPORTANT CRIMINAL AND CIVIL CASES.

CHAPTER IX.

HE subjoined is a synopsis of the more important criminal and civil actions within Harrison County, to- gether with a brief account of some of the dark deeds-murders and kindred crimes, which have been committed, since the early settlement. The pages of every county and State history have always been darkened by more or less of crime's work.

The first case tried within the county on charge of murder committed therein, was that of the State of Iowa vs. James E. Triplett. This happened in 1863-64 and caused as much commotion and gen- eral comment as any case in Iowa at that date. The defendant was charged with the murder of his wife, by the use of poi- son given by his own hands, while she was seriously ill; it was given her under the guise of medicine. Nothing was suspected until his wife had been buried fourteen months, when strange circuni- stances came up, among which was the delicate condition of one Miss Maggie Snyder, his employer's daughter. Finally at the instigation of Dr. J. H. Rice, George G. Downs, Nathaniel McKinney, Isaac Bedsoul and Joe H. Smith, all repaired to the cemetery at Magnolia at

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History of Harrison County, Iowa. Containing full-page portraits and biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county. Together with portraits and biographies of all the governors of Iowa, and of the presidents of the United States, Part 8

Author: National Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.) Publication date: 1891 Publisher: Chicago, National Publishing Company Number of Pages: 1150

Author: National Publishing Company (Chicago, Ill.)
Publication date: 1891
Publisher: Chicago, National Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 1150