USA > Iowa > Jones County > History of Jones County, Iowa, past and present, Volume I > Part 68
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
1870-Trustees : A. Sandford, J. G. Dawson, Z. Dunning; clerk, John Bates; assessor, H. J. Jacobs ; constables : John Stayner, J. D. Priest ; supervisors : W. H. Hughes, A. Tanner, Baptiste Brush, L. Hitchcock, A. M. Heasty, H. Hunter, C. P. McCarty, W. Bigler, M. Reymore, H. C. Hartman, R. Frerick, R. M. Heasty, N. Bigley, Henry Tobiassen, Joseph Cool.
1871-Trustees : Z. Dunning, J. G. Dawson, James Milne; clerk, John Bates ; assessor, L. Hitchcock ; collector, J. C. Ramsey ; justices : Minor Davis, E. Pang- burn; supervisors: T. Tobiassen, H. Tobiassen, Paul Warner, J. H. Dickey, A. Tanner, John King, Robert Barnhill, Avert Schoonover, Chas. Race, A. H. Hall, John Kuhn, Hiram Hunter.
1872-Trustees : J. G. Dawson, George Schoonover, Robert Reed; clerk, John Bates ; assessor, L. Hitchcock ; collector, J. L. Acheson ; constables : F. C. Brown, R. R. Hays.
1873-Trustees : John Jacobs, T. Hartman, Robert Reed; clerk, John Bates; assessor, J. H. Dickey ; collector, J. C. Ramsey ; justices : Jos. Gaut, Minor Davis; constables : L. Hitchcock, L. Perryman; supervisors : H. Simmons, C. Scheer, John Byers, S. Worster, Wm. Brush, Geo. Schoonover, J. Cameron, A. G. Zim- merman, F. J. Fish, E. Strawman, M. Reymore, H. Hartman, R. Richardson, G. Fisher. N. Bigley.
1874-Trustees : John Heasty, J. C. Lawrence, R. Reed; clerk, G. L. Hime- baugh; assessor, Henry Jacobs; collector, Perry Miller; constables : M. Heasty, L. Hitchcock ; supervisors : H. Simmons, A. R. Anderson, J. C. Stacy, A. Bat-
Digitized by Google
637
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
chelder, John Stutt, A. P. Himebaugh, Geo. S. Brush, C. Race, F. J. Fish, G. Brown, J. C. Ramsey, H. Herron, H. Harms, N. Bigley, E. Strawman, W. P. Sanford.
1875-Trustees : J. C. Heasty, G. L. Himebaugh, A. H. Hall; clerk, John Bates; assessor, Jacob Freyberger; collector, W. H. Hughes; justices: J. C. Lawrence, Henry Simmons; constables : David Booth, A. R. Anderson; super- visors : T. Tobiassen, S. Youssee, B. Kellum, A. Batchelder, Henry Frerics, Geo. Schoonover, L. Perryman, C. Race, M. M. Wright, W. A. Reymore, A. J. Went- worth, H. Hartman, H. Herron, R. M. Heasty, N. Bigley, E. Strawman.
1876-Trustees : John C. Heasty, G. L. Himebaugh, A. H. Hall; clerk, John Bates; assessor, Jacob Freyberger ; collector, George Race.
1877-Trustees : W. H. Hughes, H. J. Jacobs, Luke Perryman; clerk, John Bates; assessor, Jacob Freyberger; supervisors : H. C. Hartman, G. Schoonover. T. Hartman, A. C. Ross, Wm. Reymore, E. W. Miller, A. Scrivens, L. Perryman, T. Tobiassen, P. H. Sherman, N. Bigley, M. Davis, E. Strawman, J. O. Lawrence, F. J. Fish.
1878-Trustees: W. H. Hughes, L. Perryman, H. J. Jacobs; clerk, John Bates ; supervisors : R. M. Heasty, A. Toel, H. Rickels, H. Harms, L. D. Went- worth, E. Strawman, A. R. Anderson, F. J. Ruhe, T. Tobiassen, N. Bigley, A. H. Hall, H. C. Hartman, P J. Hartman, H. H. Seimers, H. Herron, T. H. Dunn.
1879-Trustees : John C. Heasty, Noah Bigley, Wm. H. Hughes ; clerk, A. J. Schoonover ; assessor, Joseph C. Lawrence; collector, Andrew H. Hall; justices : Joseph C. Lawrence, Joseph C. Ramsey ; constables : A. J. Wentworth, Archie Anderson.
1880-Trustees : Noah Bigley, John Heasty, W. H. Hughes; clerk, P. M. Himebaugh; assessor, J. C. Lawrence; collector, A. H. Hall; supervisors: S. Wescott; J. C. Lawrence, Henry Adams, W. B. Allen, G. L. Himebaugh, Geo. Schoonover, Henry Hoyen, A. G. Zimmerman, J. D. Priest, Horace Soper, P. J. Hartman, Henry Hartman, H. J. Jacobs, Harm Harms, Noah Bigley, E. Strawman.
1881-Trustees : Henry Hartman, Noah Bigley, W. H. Hughes; clerk, P. M. Himebaugh; assessor, John Acheson; collector, A. H. Hall, supervisors: S. P. Wescott, Samuel Youssee, T. P. Fowler, J. J. Albertson, John Acheson, John Kearns, Harm Folkers, A. G. Zimmerman, T. H. Dunn, Geo. Soper. E. W. Doo- little, H. C. Hartman, John Jacobs, Chas. Davis, Noah Bigley, E. Strawman, Perry Sherman.
1882-Trustees: John Jacobs, Henry Hartman, Noah Bigley; clerk, P. M. Himebaugh; collector, J C. Ramsey ; assessor, J. L. Acheson.
1883-Trustees: J. L. Acheson, Henry Hartman, John Jacobs; clerk, A. J. Schoonover; assessor, Henry J. Jacobs; justices, W. H. Green, G. L. Himebaugh; constables : Mitchel R. Heastey, A. J. Wentworth ; supervisors : T. Tobiassen, B. Levan, John Jacobs, P. Sherman, John Stutt, L. Pause, Harm Houstman, A. Zimmerman, H. M. Dirks, Geo. Soper, T. Hartman, John King, Geo. Balster, R. M. Heasty. N. Bigley. E. Strawman.
1884-Trustees : 'A'. M. Heasty, J. L. Acheson, John Jacobs; clerk, A. J. Schoonover; assessor, H. J. Jacobs, collector, T. H. Dunn; constables : M. T. Davis, W. B. Doolittle.
Digitized by Google
638
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
1885-Trustees : John Bates, A. M. Heasty, Wm. Helgens; clerk, H. A. L. Bigley ; assessor, Rudolph Jacobs; justices: G. L. Himebaugh, W. H. Green; constables : Henry Warner, W. B. Doolittle; supervisors : T. Tobiassen, Henry Tobiassen, John Jacobs, Albert Batchelder, John Stutt, A. J. Schoonover, H. Heyen, August Toenges. David Doyle, M. Quigley, Jos. Weiss, H. Hartman, Henry Jacobs, Harm Harms, H. A. L. Bigley, E. Strawman.
1886-Trustees : Wm. Helgens, John Bates, J. C. Ramsey ; clerk, H. A. L. Bigley ; assessor, Rudolph Jacobs.
1887-Trustees: John Bates, J. C. Ramsey, T. H. Dunn; clerk, H. A. L. Bigley ; supervisors: Wm. Grumm, Henry Tobiassen, A. L. Ackerman, A. Bat- chelder, John Stutt, John Kairns, Johnson Poppe, A. G. Zimmerman, J. H. Hen- ricks, W. A. Hayes, D. A. Halligan, H. C. Hartman, G. H. Balster, Harm Harms, H. A. L. Bigley, Holmes E. Ruhe.
1888-Trustees : J. C. Ramsey, John Bates, T. H. Dunn; clerk, H. A. L. Bigley.
1889-Trustees : T. H. Dunn, John Bates, H. A. L. Bigley ; clerk, P. M. Himebaugh.
1890-Trustees : Thos. H. Dunn, John Bates, D. B. Herron; clerk, P. M. Himebaugh ; supervisors : Henry Heeren, Henry Tobiassen, B. H. Hanken, Chas. Wahl, John Stutt, B. H. Tobiassen, John L. Perryman, H. M. Dierks, H. Soper, P. J. Hartman, H. C. Hartman, Geo. Balster, Harm Harms, E. Strawman, H. A. L. Bigley, A. G. Zimmerman.
1891-Trustees : T. H. Dunn, D. B. Herron, Herman Harms; clerk, George H. Balster ; justice, Geo. L. Himebaugh ; supervisors : H. Herron, C. Bates, C. Al- bertson, C. Wahl, G. L. Himebaugh, D. Wolken, H. Heyen, A. Zimmerman, T. H. Dunn, S. D. Soper, J. A. Weiss, H. C. Hartman, H. R. Jacobs, H. Harms, H. A. L. Bigley, E. Strawman.
1892-Trustees : D. B. Herron, Herman Harms, T. H. Dunn; clerk. George Balster.
1893-Trustees : D. B. Herren, John Stutt, Herman Harms; clerk, P. B. Daly; justice, A. J. Schoonover; constable, Walter Applegate; assessor, H. R. Jacobs.
1894-Trustees : D. B. Herron, John Stutt, H. A. Toengess ; clerk, P. B. Daly; assessor, H. R. Jacobs.
1895-Trustees : J. H. Heyen, John Stutt, H. A. Toengess; clerk, P. B. Daly; assessor, C. T. Bates; supervisors : Henry Herren, C. E. Bates, Jas. Clark, L. Batchelder, John Stutt, Sr., A. J. Schoonover, J. H. Heyen, D. B. Herron, J. C. McBride, Jos. R. Soper, J. C. Ramsey, John Edwards, Gerd Wiers, Harm Harms, H. A. L. Bigley, P. B. Daly.
1896-Trustees: David Doyle, H. A. Toengess, H. Heyen; clerk, P. B. Daly ; assessor, C. T. Bates; justice, A. J. Schoonover.
1897-Trustees : H. H. Soper, David Doyle, J. H. Heyen ; clerk, A. J. Schoon- over; assessor, Chas. Bates ; supervisors : H. Herron, Chas. Bates, C. Albertson, W. B. Warner, N. J. Steckle.
1898-Trustees : H. M. Dirks, H. H. Soper, David Doyle; clerk, A. J. Schoon- over ; assessor, Chas. Bates ; supervisors ; H. Herron, Chas. Bates, C. Albertson, Fred Poppe, Geo. Tobiassen, J. Matthiesen, Henry Folkers, Ben Herron,
Digitized by Google
!
639
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
D. Doyle, H. Soper, J. C. Ramsey, Eibo Eiben, Geo. Herron, John Harms, H. A. L. Bigley, P. B. Daly.
1899-Trustees : David Doyle, H. H. Soper, H. M. Dirks ; clerk, A. J. Schoon- over; assessor, Henry Bohlken; justices: Wm. Perryman, P. M. Himebaugh; constables : T. G. Richardson, N. J. Steckle.
1900-Trustees : August Toengess, David Doyle, H. M. Dirks; clerk, A. J. Schoonover; assessor, Henry Bohlken; justice, P. M. Himebaugh; constable, T. G. Richardson.
1901-Trustees : H. M. Dirks, August Toengess, David Doyle; clerk, A. J. Schoonover; assessor, P. M. Himebaugh; supervisors: Geo. Tobiassen, C. T. Bates, Johnson Poppe, L. Batchelder, John Stutt, J. D. Wolken, Henry Poppe, Mike Martin, H. M. Dirks, C. M. Soper, H. O. Donnamann, Chas. Eden, Gerd Housman, John Brokens, Gerd Rickels, P. B. Daly.
1902 -- Trustees : Geo. Tobiassen, H. M. Dirks, Augustc Toengess ; clerk, A. J. .Schoonover ; assessor, P. M. Himebaugh.
1903-Trustees : F. T. Zimmerman, H. M. Dirks, Geo. Tobiassen ; clerk, P. B. Daly; assessor, Herman Harms; justices: J. H. J. Stutt, John Palmer; con- stables. H. H. Stutt, N. J. Steckle; supervisors: Geo. Tobiassen, F. T. Zim- merman, Johnson Poppe, Lewis Batchelder, Geo. Tobiassen, Harm Helgens, J. H. Hayen, D. B. Herron, H. M. Dirks, P. B. Daly, Tobe Freese, W. R. Zim- merman, R. H. Jacobs, Gerd Harms, Wm. Reiken, P. R. Daly.
1904-Trustees : D. B. Herren, George Tobiassen, F. T. Zimmerman ; clerk, P. B. Daly; assessor, Herman Harms; constable, John Folkers.
1905-Trustees : George Tobiassen, D. B. Herron, F. T. Zimmerman; clerk, P. B. Daly; assessor, Herman Harms; supervisors (appointed by trustees) Geo. F. Tobiassen, Johnson Poppe, Fred Poppe, Geo. Tobiassen, Harm Helgens, Henry Poppe, D. B. Herron, H. M. Dirks, Gerd Siebels, H. O. Dannemann, C. W. Eden, H. R. Jacobs, Gerd Harms, Geo. Dorsey, D. Dirks, P. B. Daly.
1906-Trustees : George Tobiassen, D. B. Herron, F. T. Zimmerman; clerk, P. B. Daly ; assessor, Herman Harms ; supervisors (appointed) : G. F. Tobiassen, Johnson Poppe, J. F. Poppe, Geo. Tobiassen, Harm Helgens, Henry Poppe, Herman Zimmerman, Dietrich Dirks, Gerd Siebels, Tom A. Weiss, C. W. Eden, H. R. Jacobs, Gerd Harms, D. Drake, Wm. Reiken, P. B. Daly.
1907-Trustees : F. T. Zimmerman, H. O. Dannemann, George Tobiassen; clerk, P. B. Daly ; assessor, D. B. Herron; justices : Otto Otten, Johnson Poppe; constables : John Folkers, Jr., Gerd Bodaker.
1908-Trustees : F. T. Zimmerman, Geo. Tobiassen, H. O. Dannemann; clerk, P. B. Daly ; assessor, D. B. Herron; justices : August Siebels, J. H. Bat- chelder.
1909-Trustees : F. T. Zimmerman, George Tobiassen, H. O. Danneman; clerk, P. B. Daly; assessor, Leslie Dunn; constables: John Folkers, Jr., Gerd Bodaker.
WYOMING TOWNSHIP.
The following excellent history of Wyoming and Wyoming township prepared by Dr. M. H. Calkins, and delivered by him under the auspices of The Home Lec-
Digitized by Google
640
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
ture Course, in the Methodist Episcopal church in Wyoming, April 1, 1878, with his permission, obtained before his recent demise, is incorporated in this history. It is with gratitude that we acknowledge the favor bestowed upon the editor and also upon the readers of this history. This sketch is beyond question the most authentic record in existence, and being written in the rhetorical and easy flow- ing style so peculiar to the large-hearted and gifted writer, the chapter is found interesting and entertaining, as well as instructive. We give the lecture in full as presented by Dr. Calkins, for we realize that the generations to come will want preserved all of the available information of historic value.
Owing to the changes that have taken place since the paper was written, it has been necessary to add some explanations which will be found in parentheses. These annotations and explanations have been added by the editor, with the as- sistance of Mrs. Mary Calkins Chassell.
The early history of the township and town is so fully covered in the chap- ter by Dr. Calkins, that it is unnecessary to make any additions with reference to the early settlement.
DR. M. H. CALKINS-A TRIBUTE.
The biography of Dr. M. H. Calkins appears in the second volume of this his- tory. We take pleasure in giving herewith an additional tribute to the moral worth of Dr. Calkins as a man, citizen, physician and friend, written on the oc- casion of his death which occurred September 27, 1909.
No man who has ever lived in Jones county, has been more a part of the homes and lives of the community within a radius of ten miles from Wyoming, than has our good old family doctor, our departed friend, Dr. M. H. Calkins. From June 14, 1856, when this disciple of good, with his new bride, arrived in Wyom- ing, which was destined to be his home continuously for over fifty-three years, he became a part of the community; and his influence for good in the lives of those around him, was soon manifest. Combined with his ability and skill as a physician, was a heart of sympathy, a word of cheer, a sunny disposition and a tender hand. There have been but few homes in this large community which have not been visited by the good doctor in his professional capacity during the past half century, and in which his kindly ministrations, his reasonable charges and his medical skill, have not made for him an affection, respect and a grati- tude, tributes of his true worth.
Those who have been admitted to the inner nature of this "Grand Old Man" of Wyoming, can best understand the largeness of his heart, the kindness of his nature, the sweetness of his disposition. Anger, impatience or hatred were never his to exercise only in a righteous cause. Of the failings of his fellow men he seldom gave utterance; of their good deeds and virtues, his praise was bestowed in the presence of the living. No home in Jones county was ever hung with doors that swung open with a warmer cordiality, no hand within ever extended with a heartier welcome, no stronger feeling of hospitality could have been experienced; and the congenial greeting of the large-hearted, good-natured citizen and family physician within, sounded of sincerity, cordiality and humanity. His friendly salutation, "How are you; how are all the folks?" was not tainted with idle in-
Digitized by Google
641
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
quiry ; and neither were his parting words "I am glad you called; come again !" an empty formality.
As a man and a citizen, Dr. Calkins has always stood for the highest standards of temperance, morality and citizenship. There was not the least symptom of the demagogue in his entire life. He was out-spoken and fearless in support of the moral reforms of the country, and with his pen and his voice, he declared his position on questions of morality, good government and social equality. There could be no uncertainty as to his meaning. There was no mincing of words. His conscience was his guide and his keeper, and the depth of his character was the measure of his stroke.
His long residence in Wyoming, having resided on the same corner for over fifty years, combined with his natural and ready wit as a writer and speaker, have made him in demand on all public occasions. His mind was a storehouse of in- formation relative to the events of importance which have transpired in the com- munity and he was regarded as authority on local historical matters.
As a man, Dr. Calkins was gifted with a large and comprehensive mental en- dowment and scholarly culture; large of physical frame and larger of mind and heart; honest and upright in his dealings with his fellow men; cheerful, warm and open hearted, approachable and companionable doing his work and his duty diligently, with contentment and resolution, and never exalting himself further than in the faithful performance of his duties toward himself, his God and his fellow man. He possessed a vigorous personality, which was the more striking when in his presence and under his wise counsel. His unfailing kindness and generous impulses, his patriotic devotion to his profession and all the demands of helpfulness and sympathy to which he always gave a generous response, his proverbial and spicy good humor and genial disposition, his kindly ministrations to the needy and. those in distress of mind and body, coupled with his sound judgment, wide experience, and independence of thought and action, have made Dr. Calkins beloved as a man and citizen, to a degree seldom realized in human experience.
EARLY REMINISCENCES OF WYOMING AND VICINITY.
By Dr. M. H. Calkins.
"The early history of any community is seldom preserved for posterity. A generation lives, acts its part, passes away, and little is known of the details of the operations by which grand results were reached. Every generation views the results of the preceding one in their totality and condemns in jobbing lots or at wholesale lauds. Could we have access to that book where time records the do- ings of men it would be an easy task to write the history of the past. But when in antiquarian research, we are compelled to rely upon the treacherous memory of the living, whose knowledge is often derived from tradition, it becomes an ardu- ous task and often is inaccurate. In my search for items of early history, I have not found a man who has kept a record of the passing events in which he was engaged and which so often interest posterity. Memory alone has been relied upon, and hence some of the statements I shall make may be incorrect. Memory
Digitized by Google
i
642
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
cannot always be relied upon, particularly in reference to dates. The young look forward and time seems long. The old glance backward, and time seems short, and the date of interesting watches is often misplaced. This arises from the fact that no record is kept. Men glide along down life's resistless stream, busy only with the present and are often ungrateful for the blessings it imparts. Selfishness is too much the characteristic of man, and in this fast age, but little time is devoted to the demands of friendship, and still less to making up and recording experience that would be useful and interesting to future generations. If important passing events were noted down and diaries were kept of the trans- actions of men, and these summarized at the end of every decade, a century would produce a volume of great local interest. It is pleasant, profitable, it is painful and melancholy to contemplate the years that are gone. There are inci- dents that we retrospect with joyful emotions. There are other incidents around which memory fondly lingers, although those recollections will some- times fill the heart with hallowed sorrow. Nearly four decades have passed and have been. marked on eternity's dial, during which the events I am about to relate, have transpired.
"The first decade began in 1839 and could be easily summarized. It was a noble struggle of a few men for homes. The second decade began in 1849-was filled with stirring events and noble progress. The third was nobler still, for to the victories of peace were added the laurels of war for our nation's life in which the citizen's of this township acted a noble part. Nine-tenths of the fourth decade has flitted away with progress marking every step, and every step keeping time with improvement's rapid march. Tonight I must speak of these different epochs as a single group, in time's great calendar. If I shall suc- ceed in rescuing from the fast declining past some incidents connected with the early history of this township-amuse you for an hour or more, and discharge the obligations imposed upon me by the Wyoming Home Talent Lecture Bureau, my object will have been fully accomplished.
"The hardy pioneer struggling with the various disadvantages incident to frontier life, has little time and less inclination to mark the changes connected with the growth and development of a wilderness into 'a land that buds and blos- soms like the rose.' The great changes which time with its various agencies is producing around him, are not realized and the interest that the future will take in retrospecting the past, are hardly thought of. He is busy with the present and its necessities, generally struggling with poverty but buoyant with hope. He expects to secure a home and be surrounded in a short time with the charms of good society, educational and religious privileges, in the enjoyment of wealth and the full fruition of early hopes. He carries with him the impress of the institutions of the locality where he lived and fosters them. They are the insti- tutions of civilization and often of refinement. He expects to be overtaken by the car of progress, laden with the golden fruits of society. Religious privi- leges and educational advantages he expects will follow with all the charms and blessings they confer. Like Moses, in some respects, he views the promised land, unlike him, occupies it, like him, is not given to share in full its glory. Dilapidation and decay are distanced by the outstretched arm of improvement. with its polishing hand; and soon, very soon, in this new world. and on these
Digitized by Google
643
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
fertile prairies, beside these pure streams of limpid water, with an atmosphere laden with health-giving influences, noble farms spread out before the admiring gaze of the tourist, who in these later years, for the first time visits these fertile valleys. He beholds lowing herds of splendid cattle feeding upon nature's broad pastures or ruminating by the side of well filled racks and mangers. He listens to the contented grunt of large droves of squealing porcines, fed with a prodigal liberality He notes the symmetry of the different grades of vast numbers of noble horses ; wonders at their perfection and adaptation to men's various tastes and uses. He sees vast fields of luxuriant grain and calculates in all these depart- ments there is enough to supply the demands of a population a hundred fold more dense. He beholds buildings that denote homes of ease, wealth and luxury, comfort and refinement. Thriving towns and prosperous cities with all their allurements for good, and subtle entanglements for evil, arise as if by magic, and these with their choice farms, transform the prairie in all its grand mag- nificence and wild beauty, with its aboriginal inhabitants, wilder still, the running deer, the loping elk, the beast of prey, the whistling quail, the whirring hen, emblems of the wilderness where civilization has never disturbed the wild beast in his lair, or the birds in their arial flights have never been frightened by the sharp report of the sportsman's gun and its reverberating sound. In a single word, these emblems of primeval wildness have been supplanted by the benign influence of a Christian civilization, transforming and reclaiming with all their moral power. Remember that nearly all this change has been wrought within half a century. I refer to the Great West, the Valley of the Mississippi and its tributaries.
"The first permanent settlers of a new country are an hospitable people. As I said they are in pursuit of homes and with those who come for this laudable object, actuated by this noble purpose, controlled by immutable principles of right, every arrival of upright citizens is welcomed with a warmth of friend- ship, the genuineness of which is never questioned. No mere formal friendship welcomes the arrival of the sturdy and industrious emigrant to the frontier home of him who is patiently waiting for civilization to drive the wild beasts and the barbarous Indians from the vicinity of his home. The elk and deer, the wild beast and untutored savage, and the white man who has fled from violated law and outraged society, will occupy the same country, but when enterprise, science, art, religion, with all the paraphernalia of reclaiming civilization, approaches, the wild beasts flee, the red men scatter, and the outlaw, like the Arab, folds his tent and is gone. Domestic animals take the place of wild beasts. Thrifty hus- bandry supplants the chase. The schoolhouse tells of educational interests ; the church with its spire pointing to the realms of everlasting light, proclaims faith in Him, who died for all. The dead are buried with religious rites, while to the living is taught a lesson by the side of the open grave, of the brevity of human life. The savage was buried too, amid barbarous whoops, expecting to go to the happy hunting ground, where his gun would be his boon companion and the chase his everlasting pastime. Permanent homes have been established where lived the wandering tribes of America. The land that was a wilderness 'flows with milk and honey.' The arts are cultivated, science encouraged, in-
Digitized by Google
644
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY
dustry honored, worth appreciated, religion fostered. What a change! We call it civilization.
"Space will not permit us to pursue this train of thought longer. I have al- luded to these changes in order to show the vast difference between the present with all its beauty and attractiveness, and that condition that existed at the time of the advent of men who still live in our midst. But little more than the time al- loted to a single generation has passed away, during which all these changes have been produced. We wonder at this rapid transformation. We consider that this change, this rapid march of civilization, is but a nucleus around which shall gather in the coming future, nobler deeds and more grand achievements.
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.