USA > Iowa > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 29
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The attraction of the last day was "female equestrianism." A repetition of the experience of the first contest was carefully guarded against. "Breakneck or otherwise daring riding" was strictly prohibited under penalty of expulsion from the competition. "It is not the design," was the explanation, "to encourage ladies to train themselves for the circus or to perform daring feats of horsemanship. but it is the earnest desire of the board to encourage graceful easy riding, such as may be practiced in our cities, in our towns, on our highways, without danger or fear, and with perfect regard to graceful and healthful exercise." Seven- teen ladies participated. Those from Jefferson County were Miss Hannah A. Ball, Miss Cynthia Ball, Miss M. Clark, Miss Mary McCauley, Mrs. Julia A. Smith, Miss Bell Brown, Miss Nancy Hurd and Miss Eliza Hurd. None of them had the good fortune to obtain an award. Miss Eliza Jane Hodges rode again, but won neither the approval of the judges nor the favor of the spectators.
A comparison of the number of visitors at the two exhibitions suggests, if it does not prove, a growing sense of their value. At the first one it was esti- mated there were 8,000 people on the grounds on the day of greatest attendance; at the second one on the like day, the estimate was 12,000 people. The distinct and signal success achieved in the two years may be accepted as justifying the effort to organize and to impart life to the Iowa State Agricultural Society. There is no detraction from the part performed by others in saying that credit for the result belongs largely to the local men who were charged with the direct administration of its affairs. The moving forces were their earnest activity and contagious enthusiasm.
The Iowa State Stock Importing Company sprung directly from the Iowa State Agricultural Society. It was incorporated on June 6, 1855, "not for private or pecuniary profit, but for the purpose of introducing and distributing throughout the State of Iowa stock of all descriptions of a superior breed." The incorporators were Thomas W. Clagett, P. L. Huyett, W. Duane Wilson, J. H. Wilson, Caleb Baldwin, John Andrews, J. M. Shaffer, B. B. Tuttle, H. G. Stuart and H. B. Mitchell. The design failed, perhaps because too altruistic.
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Nevertheless it shows the possession of a wholesome regard for the general welfare.
Closely related also, if not an actual outgrowth, was the establishment in 1858 of a "State Agricultural College and Model Farm to be connected with the entire agricultural interests of the state." Of the first board of trustees, eleven in number, named in the legislative enactment, Wm. Duane Wilson, one time a resident of Fairfield, and Richard Gaines, a farmer of Blackhawk Town- ship, were members. This institution exists now as the Iowa State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts.
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CHAPTER XXXV
THE COMING OF THE RAILROAD
The surplus products of the fields and herds of the settlers in the interior counties of the new state had to be hauled in wagons or driven on foot to the river towns which were the only commercial outlets. This was a heavy handicap on trade, since it meant in the main low prices for what they had to sell and high prices for what they had to buy. This in turn, by lessening their available resources, was a hindrance both to progress and to prosperity. The need of changed conditions was manifest.
In January, 1848, at an extra session, the First General Assembly, respon- sive to an expressed public desire, memorialized Congress "for a donation of land to aid in the construction of a railroad from Dubuque to Keokuk in the State of Iowa." The memorial asserted this road would be beneficial in a double way. It would give the community a market, and it would enable the General Government to dispose of vacant prairie lands which otherwise would remain unsold for years to come. As proposed it was to run through the coun- ties of Dubuque, Jones, Linn, Johnson, Washington, Henry and Lee.
On the ground of possessing no definite data in regard to the length of the road or its practicability, Congress took no action. This difficulty, when learned. was felt to be one that could be removed. Locally the movement was viewed with such favor that a "Dubuque and Keokuk Railroad Company" was or- ganized and a partial payment secured on the stock subscribed to provide funds to prosecute the undertaking. A preliminary survey of the route at once was made. A full report of this survey, prepared by the engineer, Thomas J. McKean, and submitted to the second General Assembly, was adopted in Jan- uary, 1849, by that body, but with an added provision that in the permanent location "Jefferson County" might be substituted for "Henry County." In the belief that Congress would now vote the grant of land asked for, commission- ers to administer it were appointed in order that immediate advantage might be taken of the gift.
The permissive optional route would indicate not only that the people of Jefferson County looked with favor upon the general plan, but that they already aimed to bring the road to Fairfield. Of the first stages of this purpose, it is known only that on January 6, 1849, at a public meeting of which Daniel Rider was chairman and Dr. Wm. L. Orr, secretary, Charles Negus, J. Rider, Wm. I. Cooper, Wm. G. Coop, Arthur Bridgman and Wm. Pitkin were chosen "trustees to solicit subscriptions for stock" in the company, and V. P. Van Antwerp, S. J. Bayard and C. W. Slagle were named "to memorialize Congress for a grant of land."
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The next two years deepened interest in the project, but accomplished little. For more effective work, the Dubuque and Keokuk Railroad Company was re- organized with two sets of officers, one to look after its interests from Iowa City north, and one to look after its interests from Iowa City south. Two residents of Fairfield bore an active and prominent part in the affairs of the Southern branch. These were C. W. Slagle, its treasurer, and Wm. E. Groff, its secretary.
In February, 1851, the third General Assembly granted to the Dubuque and Keokuk Railroad South, from Iowa City in Johnson County, via Washington and Brighton in Washington County, Fairfield in Jefferson County, Salem in Henry County, West Point and Montrose to Keokuk in Lee County, a right of way 100 feet wide through sections sixteen and other lands owned by the state over which the road might be built. The outlook was promising. In Jefferson County in particular, where some two hundred shares of the company's stock had been taken, the people were sanguine. The people of Keokuk, however, assuming that in any event the trade of the north and west must pass down the Mississippi River and so on account of its location through the "Gate City," were serenely indifferent. The fatal consequence of this attitude was failure to combine in a united and determined effort to accomplish the enterprise quickly.
Before the close of the year a railroad to connect the Mississippi with the Missouri was suggested. This was soon followed by the specific proposal of a road to run from Burlington west to the Missouri River. It was the dawn of a new situation. The advocates of the Dubuque and Keokuk Railroad South took alarm. Its stockholders at their annual meeting in Fairfield on January 2, 1852, urged upon their senators and representatives in Congress "an untiring industry and continual watchfulness" in carrying out the will of the Legislature and people as embodied in their previous instructions. The assurance of the citizens of Keokuk was disturbed. In massmeeting on the 26th, they declared "that a road running west from Burlington to the Missouri River through the southern tier of counties, instead of one from Davenport to Council Bluffs through the very heart and capital of the state, would, in our opinion, be con- trary to the wishes and opposed to the interests of a large portion of the people of Iowa."
On February 5th, there was published in The Ledger a communication in which were discussed the claims for popular favor of the rival railroads. Its author concealed his identity under the pseudonym "Jefferson County." He opposed a north and south road as a visionary scheme. It would compete with the Mississippi River. Its aim was the advantage merely of a small portion of the state. On this ground a memorial for a grant of lands to aid in its con- struction would be rejected. Without such aid it could not be built, as it offered no inducement to eastern capitalists to invest their means in it since it would not profitably connect with any road either in prospect or existing in which their capital was already employed. He argued for a road west from Burling- ton for various reasons. It had for its object the good of a large extent of country. It would therefore present stronger claims for the sanction of Con- gress. It would favorably connect with a magnificent system of railroads des- tined soon to traverse the rich and beautiful plains of Illinois. "No other
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improvement in Iowa," he asserted, "would benefit so large a proportion of the population or a greater area of territory than the proposed road from Burlington to Council Bluffs."
The appearance of this article was not accidental. It was clearly a recogni- tion of the fact that just then the people of Jefferson County held the power of election and rejection. It was designed to influence at the moment the senti- ment of the community which was the chief factor in the contest. It anticipated by a few days a "state railroad convention" which on February 1Ith assembled at Fairfield. This convention had a large attendance. The counties of Jones, Johnson, Linn, Iowa, Scott, Washington, Mahaska, Polk, Marion, Van Buren, Lee, Henry and Jefferson were represented. The delegates of Dubuque County, not being able to be present "on account of short notice, distance and bad roads," desired the delegates from Lee County to cast their votes for them. The privilege was authorized on the motion of George Acheson.
The Jefferson County delegation consisted of George Acheson, W. E. Groff, Dr. J. T. Huey, Samuel Noble, W. E. Sargent, A. H. Brown, Ezra Drown, T. D. Evans, C. W. Slagle, Caleb Baldwin, William Baker, Charles David, Thomas Miller, L. Grady, F. Hurd, John Andrews, Evan Jones, George Craine, Dr. J. D. Stark, Dr. J. C. Wear, Dr. W. L. Orr, Robert McElhinny, Alexander Fulton, Dr. N. Steel, Samuel Clinton, E. J. Gilham, William S. Lynch, W. S. Cook, S. C. Day, John Cochran, Joseph Fell, John Fell and Thomas Foster. It took a prominent place in the proceedings. Caleb Baldwin served as one of the secretaries. C. W. Slagle and Ezra Drown were members of the committee on resolutions. George Acheson, Charles Negus and Dr. J. D. Stark addressed the convention.
Something of feeling crept into the resolutions. They pronounced for a grant of lands in aid of the construction of railroads from Dubuque to Keokuk and from Davenport to the Missouri River, "no more no less." They affirmed the right of the people of Iowa to ask this of Congress and to receive it. They asserted that "these two roads, one running north and south, the other east and west, through the central and most populous portion (present and pros- pective) of the state," would be of more benefit than any other roads suggested. They recalled that the people of Iowa had "expressed their wishes in every variety of form and upon numberless occasions for more than five years past." They denounced the allegations of the enemies of the Dubuque and Keokuk Railroad that its route ran either "along the banks of the Mississippi River" or "parallel" with it as "a gross and inexcusable perversion of fact," the truth being that it peneterated the interior at a distance, generally of some fifty or sixty miles, and embraced probably a majority of the population of the state between it and the river. They urged that those who held in their hands the destiny of these important measures should constantly bear in mind that these roads terminated, "the one at Davenport and the other at Keokuk, points where the Mississippi with rock bottom and high banks may be easily bridged." They insisted that "the arguments and instructions of three legislative sessions, four state conventions, a score or more of district meetings, and a multitude of peti- tions" had demonstrated the preeminent claims to Congressional favor of these coordinate roads and made it the paramount duty of the Iowa delegation to support them with all their skill and energy. They declared "an unalterable
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determination to adhere to them through every vicissitude and at every hazard," and invited their fellow citizens throughout the state to unite with them in their efforts.
Two days later another "state railroad convention" met at Ottumwa. From Jefferson County were present W. H. Wallace, J. W. Culbertson, Charles Negus and Samuel Clinton. Wallace was chosen president and Negus a vice president. It was intended that the wind should sit in the right quarter.
Elaborate resolutions, notable for their sweep and vision, were adopted. They termed a railroad from Lafayette to the Missouri River, as proposed in bills introduced in each branch of Congress, "a great national enterprise." They set out that it excelled any road of equal length in the United States in ease of construction and directness of course; that it passed through a country more generally inland and remote from other facilities of transportation than any other; that it would create opportunities for commerce where they were most needed; that it had the merit of being the most central route through the states which it traversed, and was preeminently entitled to national support as furnishing the most direct communication ever yet projected to the mouth of the Platte, "along the valley of which river runs the only practicable route to the Pacific."
With prophetic instinct they regarded "the early construction of a railroad connecting the Atlantic States with those springing up on the Pacific as a military and political as well as a commercial necessity." As the contemplated road in connection with those already constructed or in progress would complete the line of railroads entirely across the Atlantic States, they asserted that it was in extraordinary degree entitled to the aid of the General Government in any mode "which is constitutional and proper."
They viewed the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad as accommo- dating the largest portion of the citizens of Iowa, "as vital in developing the resources of the state, as essential to the early and successful settlement of the vast public domain in the interior of the state, and as furnishing an early and direct communication with the Atlantic cities and the commerce of the world."
In defense or in explanation of their position they affirmed that in their efforts to construct through the southern interior of' Iowa a railroad that would accommodate 17,000 square miles of territory upon which in 1850 there was a population of 123,000 souls, they could be actuated by no narrow feeling of sectional jealousy. They claimed the privilege, which they likewise conceded to others, to express an opinion in relation to any plan of internal improve- ment sought to be accomplished by enlisting in its behalf the political power and influence of the commonwealth. With sarcastic thrust, they averred that they were not aware that any particular section of the state had procured a legal preemption right to the location of a railroad to be constructed under the . auspices of the General Government, and maintained their "undoubted right" to secure their own interest "without asking the permission of any self-consti- tuted dictators of state policy or guardians of state prosperity."
They requested their senators and representatives to work for a grant of lands to the railroad from Lafayette to the Missouri River. They expressed the belief that without the eastern connection the Burlington and Missouri
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River Railroad was indispensable to the best populated and most fertile portion of the state, inasmuch as it would afford the only outlet of its productions to the Mississippi River. Finally, they pledged themselves, if aid was with- held, to secure its completion by their own efforts and resources at the earliest possible day.
The two proposals continued to be pressed throughout the year by their respective supporters. Again Congress failed to make any donation of lands for the construction of railroads in Iowa. The fourth General Assembly, which met in December, took up the subject. There was a struggle to control its declarations. In a letter written the day before Christmas, James W. Grimes announced the result to Senator Dodge. "The project of a road from Dubuque to Keokuk is entirely dead. It has only twenty-one friends in the House to forty-two against it, and the disproportion is about the same in the Senate. Memorials passed are for three roads :
"Ist. A road from Burlington to the Missouri River, at or near the mouth of Platte.
"2nd. A road from Davenport via Muscatine to Kanesville (Council Bluffs). "3d. A road from Dubuque to Fort Des Moines.
"No other memorials will pass this winter, and the above may be regarded as the settled policy of the state."
Plans for building the Burlington and Missouri "River Railroad rapidly developed. The first action was taken by the people of Burlington. On March 16, 1853, a meeting of citizens of Jefferson County was held at Fairfield to determine what it was their part to do. Thomas McCulloch of Abingdon pre- sided. Henry Warner was secretary. H. B. Hendershott of Ottumwa and Charles Negus made addresses. David Sheward, Jesse Williams and James Thompson prepared the resolutions. They noted "with great pleasure and deep interest" the efforts of Burlington and other places in the undertaking. They believed that "the wants of this portion of Iowa, viewed in a proper light," demanded the construction of the road, and that "the best and most feasible" route was west from Burlington through Mount Pleasant, through Fairfield and through Ottumwa. Inasmuch as eastern capitalists had proffered aid, they favored the proposition and requested the county judge "to submit the question of the taking of $100,000 stock by the county to the people to be voted upon at the coming August election, or some time prior thereto." They also desired that "books be opened for private subscriptions" at Fairfield. Acting upon a suggestion originating without the county, they called a convention for April 20th and invited "the friends of the road, east, west, north and south, to take part."
Des Moines, Henry, Jefferson, Wapello, Marion and Decatur Counties responded to the call. Jefferson County's delegation consisted of ninety or more representative citizens. James M. Morgan of Des Moines County was selected for president. W. H. Wallace of Jefferson County and Thomas Ping of Wapello County were the vice presidents. J. P. Grantham of Henry County and David Sheward of Jefferson County were the secretaries. There were addresses by W. Thompson and H. W. Starr, both of Burlington. J. C. Hall of Des Moines County, Alvin Saunders of Henry County, James Thompson of Vol. - 18
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Jefferson County, H. Kramer of Wapello County, and O. N. Kellogg of Decatur County reported the resolutions.
The necessity of a railroad "from the Mississippi at Burlington to the mouth of the Platte on the Missouri" was reiterated. Their faith was strong enough to warrant a statement "that a sufficient amount of stock can be taken by individuals, towns and counties to create a capital" upon which the road can be built, "and abundant security given to capitalists who will furnish money" for the work. In doubt whether counties could take stock in railroads, they called upon the governor to convene the Legislature on the second Monday in June to pass a law authorizing them to subscribe for stock in such companies under proper restrictions. To this request a peculiar significance attaches. They recommended that the Burlington and Missouri River Railroad Company reopen its stock books, that all the counties along the line be invited to subscribe as soon as they have authority, that private subscriptions be solicited, and that early steps be taken to survey the route. They desired county judges "to appropriate sufficient funds to secure a reconnoissance" of the several routes through the two southern tiers of counties. They recommended that a com- mittee of five be appointed in each county to present the subject to them and if necessary to procure private subscriptions for this survey.
The committee named for Jefferson County were Jesse Williams, James Thompson, D. Sheward, L. F. Boerstler and A. R. Fulton.
On the 25th of June there was a meeting at Fairfield to review the situa- tion. Caleb Baldwin was chairman, Charles Negus, secretary. The submission to the voters of a proposition for the county to borrow $100,000 to aid in the construction of the road was favored. A committee was appointed to attend to this and another to meet a corps of engineers engaged in examining the country to find a suitable route.
To obtain a favorable vote the county was systematically organized and thoroughly canvassed. Public meetings were held at private houses and at schoolhouses in the various localities. The Germans of Walnut Township were addressed in their native tongue. A special committee looked after each town- ship. The committee for Polk were J. C. Wear, T. McCulloch, J. D. Stark; for Des Moines, M. Black, S. Jacobs, J. F. Wilson; for Locust Grove, H. B. Mitchell, S. Clinton, T. M. Brooks; for Liberty, T. B. Shamp, D. Rodabaugh, J. Cunningham; for Cedar, M. McClellan, P. L. Huyett, G. W. Honn; for Lockridge, S. H. Bradley, J. R. Parsons, W. E, Sargent; for Walnut, C. Negus, H. Gorsuch, A. H. Brown; for Round Prairie, J. T. Moberly, S. Lynch, G. Acheson; for Penn, J. Eckert, E. Jones, D. Switzer; for Blackhawk, J. C. Fetter, C. David, C. W. Slagle; for Fairfield, J. Beatty, D. Sheward, C. Baldwin.
The result proved the effectiveness of their oversight and watchful care. There was cast a total of 1,159 votes for the loan and but 424 votes against it. Fairfield Township gave 371 votes for the loan and no vote against it. The most opposition to it was in the townships of Liberty and Des Moines.
In August a survey was run from Mount Pleasant to Fairfield. About the same time the citizens of the county appear to have realized that without indi- vidual subscriptions in a large amount for stock they were in danger of losing the road. On the 24th of the month there was a meeting at Fairfield to con- sider what to do in this emergency. Charles Negus was chairman and J. F.
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Wilson secretary. It was resolved to use every effort to comply with the require- ment, "provided the Town of Fairfield, Jefferson County, is made a point on the railroad." Dr. J. D. Stark, R. McElhinny, James Thompson, and W. F. Campbell were named as a soliciting committee.
The restriction was added because there really was or seemed to be a serious attempt to secure the adoption of a route through the Salem and Van Buren County. On account of that movement a massmeeting assembled on March 4, 1854, at Fairfield to devise means to prevent its consummation. Alexander Fulton was chosen chairman and J. T. Huey secretary. The necessity for earnest and prompt action was made clear. A committee of thirty was appointed to procure the right of way and to obtain private subscriptions for stock. Some thirty shares were subscribed for by persons present. An adjournment was then taken for one week.
At the continuance of the meeting on the 11th, the committee through D. Sheward reported some $28,000 subscribed for stock and with few excep- tions the right of way clear. After a number of stirring speeches, eleven more shares of stock were taken. It was then decided "to adjourn till early candle lighting." At the night session the soliciting committee was increased to fifty members and instructed to report on the next Thursday evening. There was full confidence in the outcome. Resolutions, drafted with an eye to the future, were submitted by Negus, Sheward and Williams and unanimously approved. They may be accepted as expressing the state of mind of the community.
"Resolved, That we feel a deep interest in the actions of Congress in rela- tion to granting lands to the State of Iowa for railroad purposes, and we believe the policy adopted by the last Legislature in relation to grants of land for railroad purposes is the one best calculated for the general interests of the state, and we urge upon our senators and representatives to use their utmost exertions to obtain a grant of land for the roads asked for by the Legislature and that they ask for that, and no more until that is obtained.
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