USA > Iowa > Johnson County > History of Johnson County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, and its townships, cities and villages from 1836 to 1882 > Part 49
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
THE GOVERNOR LUCAS HOMESTEAD.
The Johnson County Claim Association was organized March 9, 1839, 27
Washington
1,572
Washington
283
422
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
and the name of Robert Lucas appears on the list of members in his own handwriting. Many of the settlers had taken and occupied their claims prior to this, but had not bounded and staked them off very definitely. The association fixed certain rules for marking claims, so that there might be uniformity and a common method for all, thus preventing overlap of claim lines and preventing disputes and quarrels. On page 45 of the old book we find this entry:
" The following claim I purchased of John Kight, in February, 1839, and I wish it registered to me as a claim made, as I have not got his deed with me-the same being the southwest quarter of section 14, and that part of the south half of section 15, that lies east of the Iowa river-town- ship 79 north, range 6 west. July 3, 1840.
ROBERT LUCAS.
Handed in July 3, 1840."
Witnesses still living say that Mr. Lucas paid Kight $200 cash down, for his improvements. Kight's name appears twice in the old book, as the holder of other claims, but no other mention occurs of the Lucas claim.
This was the same property where the venerable first Governor of Iowa lived and died; and where his son, Col. Edward W. Lucas still resides- 1882.
EX-GOV. KIRKWOOD AS ROAD SUPERVISOR.
In 1868 the voters of Iowa City township, "just for the fun of the thing," or as a sort of practical joke on the ex-Governor, elected him to the office of road supervisor. But he took it in good part, went promptly and qual- ified, and served his term out faithfully and well. His annual report in his own handwriting, lies before the writer hereof, and shows that he obeyed the scriptural injunction, "whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might." This incident affords a good example and lesson to all who aspire to places of public honor and trust, and admirably;illustrates the fact that true honor lies not specially in the bigness of the work done, but in the thoroughness and fidelity with which it is done. Iowa City town- ship never had a better year's road service than this one; and the follow- ing affidavit is affixed to the report:
THE STATE OF IOWA, Johnson County,
SS.
S. J. Kirkwood, being duly sworn, says that the foregoing statement of his accounts as supervisor of road district No. 9, of Iowa City town- ship, in said county, is just and true, as he verily believes.
S. J. KIRKWOOD.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 12th day of November, 1869.
IRA J. ALDER, Twp. Clerk.
JIM HAMILTON'S "GUN-POWDER PLOT."
J. M. Douglass, of Clear Creek, tells a story at the expense of J. C. Hamilton, which shows that the boys of early times had as well devel-
423
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
oped taste for mischief as any of the present day. These two (J. M. D. and J. C. H.) got hold of some antiquated powder, supposed to be non-explosive, which suggested mischievous experiments as a test. So a regular Guy Fawkes "gun-powder plot" was laid to blow up a "spellin' school," with the latent hope in their breasts that there was power enough left in the powder to create that boy's paradise -- a sensation-without doing serious damage. The boys displaced a brick in the ample hearth of the fire place, filled under it with the powder and covered with sand to avoid detection. . When the exercises were at their height "Jim" got hold of the wooden shovel and drew the coals to the spot. The teacher, smell- ing the burning wood of the shovel, ordered him in tones of severity to "put it back." But just then came a "burst of thunder sound," filling the air with flying bricks, smoke, dust, and the smell of burnt powder, that adjourned that "spellin' school" sine die rather unceremoniously. Nobody hurt. Mr. Douglass gravely adds: "My father was school director at the time, and was present; but he never interviewed us boys, as he ought to have done."
In 1860 a benevolent crank named Townsend started, near Iowa City, a home or asylum for pauper orphans and bastard babies, and on June 4, 1861, the county board "resolved that the Rev. C. C. Townsend be required to give bonds, suitably secured, in a sum sufficient to indemnify the county against any loss it may sustain, by supporting any of the orphan children or foundlings which he has brought, or may hereafter bring into the county."
The bond was fixed at $5,000. Townsend never furnished it, but continued his benevolent work, till finally on June 7, 1867, the board ordered the county attorney to enjoin him or any agents of that institution from bringing any more of its sort of inmates into the county. These children were mostly street outcasts of the large cities, brought here on a theory that they could be cared for and trained to industrial habits. Some sympathized with the scheme and gave money to aid it, but it was alto- gether too private and irresponsible in its plan of work to be saddled on any community. Such elemosynary institutions must be under the con- trol and responsible oversight of the state or some church or permanent benevolent order to make them properly worthy of encouragement.
CONFUSION OF NAMES.
There are some curiosities of names among the early settlers, some of which were so nearly alike in sound, as often to be mistaken one for another.
There were Trowbridge and Strawbridge.
Witter and Ritter.
Felkner and Fackler and Fessler.
Switzer and Swisher and Whicher, the latter a lawyer.
Henry Hart and Henry Earhart.
424
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
McGrew and Magruder.
McAllister and McCollister.
Norse and Morse and Morseman.
Prague and Sprague.
Berry and Berryhill.
Dennis and Dennison.
McCrory and McCleary.
But the greatest novelty and case of surnominal "confusion worse con- founded," is the following list of men representing nineteen different fam- ilies in Johnson county, and no two of these men being of any kin to each other, yet all named Clark. It beats John Smith a long way. The list is furnished and vouched for by Col. S. C. Trowbridge, librarian of the State Historical Society:
Philip Clark,. Farmer . Newport township.
Israel L. Clark
Minister Penn township.
John C. Clark .
Plasterer City.
Timothy B. Clark
.Farmer Big Grove.
Isaac Clark. Farmer. Monroe.
William L. Clark Farmer Clear Creek.
Samuel W. Clark .
Farmer Pleasant Valley.
Thomas Clark
Farmer
Scott township.
Ezekiel Clarke
Banker
City.
Rush Clark. .
Lawyer
City.
W. Penn Clarke.
Lawyer
City.
J. Warren Clark.
Merchant and farmer. . City.
J. Norwood Clark
Merchant
City.
A. L. Clark Plasterer
City.
Jonas Clark. Painter
City.
Ephraim Clark
Miller
Lucas township.
W. A. Clark
Miller Fremont and city.
Clark
Farmer Fremont township.
Loring Clark Farmer Cedar township.
BIBLE SOCIETY.
On Sunday, September 25, 1842, after listening to an address by the Rev. Julius Field, agent of the American Bible Society, papers were cir- culated, and the names of forty-six persons obtained, subscribing an amount of $350.75 for the purpose of forming an Auxiliary Bible Society for the county of Johnson. The meeting was then organized by appoint- ing Dr. W. Reynolds chairman, and A. P. Wood secretary. A constitu- tion was read and adopted, and the time of annual meeting fixed for the month of September. A committee was then appointed for the purpose of selecting officers for the society. The following were reported, viz: President, Rev. M. Hummer, (of "Hummer's Bell notoriety." See article on "Hummer's Bell"); vice-presidents, Rev. Mr. Johnson, Rev. W. Woods,
425
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
Dr. W. Reynolds, W. B. Snyder and Chauncy Swan; secretary, Rev. Geo. B. Bowman; treasurer, Dr. Jesse Bowen. Executive Committee, Thomas Snyder and Anson Hart.
On motion, the above were unanimously elected as the officers of the society for the ensuing year. The secretary was instructed to inform the clergy of this organization. The executive committee, also, was instructed to procure a person to deliver an address on the Bible cause. Another meeting was ordered to be held on the first Tuesday in the ensuing court term.
On motion, the proceedings were directed to be published in the papers in this city.
Adjourned, to meet as above.
W. REYNOLDS, President.
A. P. WOOD, Secretary.
JOHNSON COUNTY'S "FAMILY RECORD."
The following are the returns made to the county clerk from September 30, 1881, to September 30, 1882:
Births.
Deaths.
Marriages.
Returned in October, 1881.
30
13
28
Returned in November, 1881.
34
12
18
Returned in December, 1881
27
11
30
Returned in January, 1882.
26
9
28
Returned in February, 1882
23
5
32
Returned in March, 1882.
19
5
15
Returned in April, 1882
41
14
24
Returned in May, 1882.
13
7
20
Returned in June, 1882
12
3
15
Returned in July, 1882.
10
17
15
Returned in August, 1882.
17
6
12
Returned in September, 1882
60
14
24
Total
312
119
261
426
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
CHAPTER VII .- PART 1.
SOME NOTABLE EVENTS.
Steamboats at Iowa City-First Legislature at Iowa City-Hummer's Bell-A Cyclone --- A Great Fire -- Obsequies to President Lincoln-A Winter of Distress-The Spelling Mania-Paper Mill Explosion (Six Persons Killed) at Coralville -- Iowa City's Historic Wind Storm-Snow-Bound-A Double Tragedy (the Stein Murder and Suicide.)
THE FIRST STEAMBOAT AT IOWA CITY.
The Iowa City Standard of June 24, 1841, contains the following:
" Arrival Extraordinary .- We this week announce an event which, in our judgment, is of more importance than any that has happened since our city has had an existence.
On the 20th instant our citizens were surprised by hearing the puffing of an approaching steamer. We need not speak of the astonishment caused by such unnatural sounds; sounds which were for the first time heard on our peaceful river, nor of the many conjectures which were started as to the source from whence they proceeded. Our doubts were soon dispelled by the glorious reality, as the steamer Ripple for the first time came dashing up the Iowa and landed at the ferry, which, henceforth, is only to be known by the more appropriate name of the steamboat landing.
The hearty cheers which hailed the arrival, and the warm welcome which the captain, crew and passengers received from our citizens, showed that they appreciated the enterprise and determination which had origi- nated and successfully carried out such an undertaking. Among the passengers on board we noticed Messrs. Wesley Jones, Moses Cramer, Jas. W. Neally, D. W. C. Barron, Jno. B. Newhall, the talented author of " The Sketches of Iowa," and our fellow-townsman, James Herron.
The Ripple arrived at the conjunction of the Iowa and Cedar river on Friday evening. On Saturday morning she started and ran up within four miles of this city before she stopped for the night. There were no impediments found to an easy and safe navigation of the river, if we may except a few snags and projecting trees, a few miles below the city, which will be removed by our citizens during the present week. The experi- ment on the whole, was a most satisfactory one. The present compara- tively low stage of water will effectually silence any sneers that may be thrown out concerning high water navigation, etc., and we now have the fact proved, beyond the possibility of a doubt, that the Iowa river is navi- gable beyond this place for seven months at least during every year.
This arrival has effectually changed the relation in which we formerly stood to other towns in this territory. We are no longer dependent on the towns on the Mississippi for our imports, nor are we subjected to the labor and expense of drawing across the country all articles brought from abroad. We have now a situation superior in many respects to any in the territory.
The advantage of being the furthest point in the interior, which has a safe and easy communication by water with all the great commercial cities in the west, is too manifest to need remark. Indeed some of our neighbor-
427
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
ing towns on the Mississippi have laid claims to being places of great importance, on this ground alone. We trust we have settled all disputes on this point and that they now at once yield the palm to us, and surrender all claims that they may have on this score. But when we add to these advantages our acknowledged superiority in beauty of location and fertility of soil, and call to mind our almost total exemption from those diseases, which are and have ever been the scourges of the west, we can confi- dently demand the attention of emigrants and others to a situation which combines every advantage that can attract the merchant and the farmer, "the man of business or the man. of pleasure."
MEETING OF THE CITIZENS.
According to previous notice a meeting of the citizens of Iowa City was held at the City Hotel, and was organized by C. Swan being called to the chair, and J. Bowen appointed secretary, and
On motion of Jesse Williams,
Resolved, that a committee of six persons be appointed by the chair, consisting of Jesse Williams, Jesse Bowen, Silas Foster, Cyrus Sanders, John Powell and Horace Smith, to invite the captain and passengers of the steamboat Ripple to partake of a public dinner to be given by the citizens of Iowa City.
On motion of Horace Smith,
Resolved, that a committee of three persons be appointed by the chair to make arrangements with some of the inn-keepers of Iowa City to pro- vide a dinner and solicit subscriptions to defray the expense of the same- whereupon,
Horace Smith, Walter Butler, and H. G. Jones, were appointed said committee.
On motion of Horace Smith,
Resolved, that a suitable person be selected to accompany the Steam- boat Ripple down the Iowa so far as may be necessary, to ascertain the principal obstructions, and the best mode and the probable expense of removing said obstructions.
And on motion of Jesse Williams, Capt. F. M. Irish was appointed that person, and,
On motion of Horace Smith, the following resolutions was unanimously adopted:
Resolved, that Maj. J. B. Newhall, be requested to circulate a subscrip- tion in the city of Burlington, and the intermediate ports, to assist in defray- ing the expenses necessary in removing the obstructions that now exist in the navigation of the Iowa river. On motion,
Resolved, that the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the presi- dent and secretary, and published in the Iowa City Standard.
On motion, the meeting adjourned to meet on Monday next, the 28th inst. C. SWAN, Chairman.
J. BOWEN, Secretary.
IOWA CITY, June 21, 1841.
CAPTAIN D. JONES, Captain of the Steamer Ripple :
SIR :- At a meeting of the citizens of this city, held at Iowa City Hotel, this day, the undersigned were appointed a committee to invite you to participate in the hospitalities of a public dinner to be given to yourself and crew, together with the passengers who accompanied you to our city,
428
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
in the steamer Ripple, to be given at the National Hotel in this city, at 2 o'clock this afternoon.
We take great pleasure in discharging the duties which have thus devolved upon us, and would beg leave to assure you that an acceptance of the invitation would confer a favor upon the citizens generally, as well as upon Your obedient servants,
JESSE WILLIAMS, JESSE BOWEN,
SILAS FOSTER, JOHN POWELL,
CYRUS SANDERS, HORACE SMITH.
Steamboat Ripple, June 21, 1841.
GENTLEMEN :- I this morning received your polite note tendering to me the hospitalities of your city, together with my passengers and crew.
In signifying my acceptance of this token of your regard, permit me to express the gratification I have experienced in the cordial reception I have met with, both individually and collectively from the moment of my arrival among you, not with the cool distrust of a stranger, but rather the cor- dial reception of a long tried friend.
Gentlemen, the strong assurance of my friends, that the arrival of a steamer at Iowa City, would be hailed with that liberal spirit, becoming your high destinies, have been more than realized, and I desire no surer guarantee of the future than the evidences I have witnessed.
With sentiments of the highest regard, I subscribe myself your friend and obedient servant, D. JONES.
To Messrs. J. Williams, J. Bowen, S. Foster, J. Powell, C. Sanders and H. Smith.
At half past 2 o'clock a company of about seventy-five gentlemen sat down to an excellent dinner, provided by J. Lawrence, Esq., of the Na- tional Hotel. After the cloth was removed several spirited toasts were delivered, complimentary to the movers of this successful achievement of navigating the Iowa. Spirited and appropriate remarks were made by Maj. Newhall, Capt. Jones and others.
The following are some of the toasts given on the occasion:
By Jesse Williams :- Iowa, bounded on the east by the "Father of Riv- ers," and interspersed by interior natural channels of navigation; her future prospects are unsurpassed by any portion of the great west.
By Cyrus Sanders :- Johnson county, her prospects of future prosper- ity, as unfolded by the event which we celebrate, are unsurpassed by any of her sisters of our lovely territory.
By James F. Hanby :- May the steamboat Ripple be successful in obtaining a sufficient quantity of freight and passengers to justify her in paying us a visit on the 4th of July next.
By M. Creamer :- As the steamer Ripple has by her enterprise, suc- ceeded in placing her crew on the banks of this city, may prosperity and success attend her.
By Wesley Jones :- Captain Jones of the Ripple, may his success be properly appreciated by the citizens of Iowa City.
By James W. Nealy :- May the steamboat Ripple return in safety to this city, prepared to carry living freight to the very borders of the now inhab- ited ground of the Indians.
The following bill of lading from "the port of Iowa City," is preserved
429
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
by the State Historical Society, and was copied from the original by this historian :
SHIPPED, in good order and condition, by Silas Foster, for account and risk of whom it may concern, on board the good steamboat called The Ripple, whereof D. Jones is master for the present voyage, now lying in the PORT OF IOWA CITY, and bound for Burlington, merchandise, marked and numbered as below, and are to be delivered without delay, in like good order at the port of Burlington (unavoidable dangers of the river and fire only excepted), unto Messrs. Bridgman'& Partridge, assigns, they pay- ing freight at the rate of one dollar per.cwt.
In witness whereof, the owner, master or clerk of said steamboat hath affirmed two bills of lading, all of this tenor and date, one of which being accomplished, the others to stand void.
Dated at Iowa City, this 22d day of June, 1841.
Marks.
Articles. Weight.
Bridgman &
5 cases Iowa
Partridge,
City marble, 20,000
JOHN TAYLOR, Clerk.
This is the first bill of lading signed and first shipment made from Iowa City, June 22, 1841.
ANOTHER STEAMBOAT ARRIVAL.
Among the most memorable events in the history of Johnson county was the arrival at Iowa City of steamboats up the Iowa river. The second steamboat to make the trip arrived April 21, 1842; and the spon- taneous gush and outburst of enthusiasm among the people was embalmed in words of glowing exuberance, by the editor of the Iowa Capital Reporter, at the time, and here is his jolly and bubbling-over account of the affair:
Thursday last, at ten o'clock in the morning, the cry of steamboat in the Iowa-all hands on deck-was raised by the stentorian lungs of the workmen on the top of the capitol. This, with the hoarse response of the steamer herself, with her voice of deep thunder, aroused the whole popu- lation. We, with the laudable desire to share in the public curiosity and delight, ran with unusual expedition to the top of the bluff, and, sure enough, a steamer was in full view, just emerged from the forest below the town. Nothing could have exceeded in brilliant magnificence the scene displayed before us. The steamer moving up in majestic course, with the stars and stripes from her bows floating joyously in the breeze, smiling on luxuriant landscape of surpassing beauty and richness, seemed to be greeted by nature's loveliness in a region which had witnessed for the first time the emblems of the country's glory. Emerging from time to time from the thickets of timber variegating the banks, puffing, blow- ing and converting the deep black waters of the Iowa into foam of milky whiteness, contrasted with the luxuriant foliage of the tree, the deep green of a superabundant vegetation, and the azure-golden serenity of the heav- ens, afforded a field worthy the contemplation of the enthusiast, and could not fail to generate the inspiration of poetry in the heart of the admirer of nature and the ingenuity of man. . On the farther bluff, withdrawn timidl y
430
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
from the presence of the white man, seated in dismal silence, a small group of the natives of the forest regarded with astonishment and awe the approach of the big fire canoe, believing it to be a curse of the Great Spirit marking the progress of the pale face, feeding upon their own loved Iowa, where a few years since the frail bark of the savage darted upon her placid bosom, propelled by the agile arm of their dusky daughters.
When the boat arrived at the landing a large concourse of citizens had assembled, who welcomed her with three enthusiastic cheers, which were answered by as many stately and graceful bows from the captain upon the upper deck. She proved to be the " Rock River," a medium-sized boat in the Upper Mississippi trade.
At 1 o'clock, by universal request, the boat started on an excursion up the river. Elderly citizens with their daughters, young, blushing, and gay as the summer's morning, dashing belles and beaux in profusion, with gentlemen and ladies, (generally) served to make up a party of pleas- ure, consisting of a hundred or more merry souls intent upon rational enjoyment, frolic, and fun. They went to the quarry some twelve or fif- teen miles above the town, landed, and took a stroll amongst the magnifi- cent scenery bordering the river, and returned early in the evening with- out the slightest accident to interrupt the festivity of the occasion. We can say most of the party in the outset wore happy faces, and many a fair one, on the return, with blushing smiles extolled the politeness of the officers and the police of the boat.
That the Iowa is navigable for steamboats of a medium draught for many miles can no longer be doubted. We understand that the " Rock River " entered the Iowa from the Mississippi early on the evening before she visited our city, and that during the whole night's passage she met with no obstacle whatever to her progress. The river above town is represented narrower and deeper, and it is now rendered certain that it is navigable for many miles into the interior during the spring months, and perhaps far into the summer, The captain of the "Rock River " is rep- resented to have said that he found his experiment in the Iowa altogether more successful than he anticipated; and had he known there was so little or rather no difficulty in running it that he would have brought out the merchandise for the spring trade previously shipped from Cincinnati and St. Louis. So it may be reasonably expected that when the business and resources of the country will warrant it, steamers will ply between this place and the large towns on the Mississippi.
If the reputed rich mineral region above should prove productive, Iowa City and vicinity must become a place of general resort. Uusurpassed fertility of soil, general healthiness of the location, vicinity to steam navi- gation, and mineral wealth in abundance, should the discoveries prove productive, all point to the valleys of the Iowa and Cedar as a desirable situation for the emigrant and the capitalist."
On the next Saturday, [April 30, 1842,] after the above was published, the following notice appeared in the same paper:
The steamer Rock River, Captain Thayer, returned to this city yester- day evening, bringing with her considerable freight from Burlington and, Bloomington [Muscatine].
But all the bright hopes thus awakened of making the Iowa river a navigable stream went out in darkness and rose again no more.
431
HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.
FIRST MEETING OF LEGISLATURE AT IOWA CITY.
From the Iowa Capital Reporter of date Dec. 11, 1841, and which is Vol. I, No. 2, of that paper, and edited by VanAntwerp & Hughes, we copy the following very interesting editorial, which preserves incidentally some points in regard to Iowa weather, as well as the good word for Iowa City and her public spirited ladies of that early day:
Notwithstanding the extreme inclemency of the weather for the two or three days immediately preceding Monday last, every member of the council, save one, (Mr. Hall, of Van Buren,) and all except three of the house, (Messrs. Hebard, Weld and Denson,) were here in readiness to take their seats on the first day of the session.
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.