USA > Iowa > Lucas County > History of Lucas County, Iowa containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc > Part 63
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This unlawful act of violence excited the indignation of the law abiding people of the county, and a wholesale arrest of some fifteen or twenty citizens of the neigeborhood of Lamb and Davis, including those hereto- fore named, was made, among whom were some of the most prominent in that locality, who were taken before Justice Hartley, of that township, for examination, to ascertain, if possible, who the guilty parties were. There were some twenty witnesses examined on the part of the state. The defendants proved an alibi, showing some of them to have been sick, and the others elsewhere than at Davis' house at the time the flogging was shown to have occurred. However, the defendants were all held to answer before the grand jury, except J. Nyswonger, who was discharged. The grand jury found no bill of indictment against any of the defendants, for the want of proof, hence the case was dismissed.
Mr. Millard, of Indianola, appeared for the state, and Colonel Warren S. Dungan, of Chariton, for the defendants.
A large number of citizens of Otter Creek were thus arrested, who were innocent of any direct participation in the flogging, but who were, quite likely, not far away when the men, who were procured elsewhere for the purpose, were performing their task. Hence, the difficulty of securing evidence against the guilty ones. It is said that in the great
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anxiety and haste of the examining justice in this case to take on the judi- cial robe of the office to which he had been appointed by the county court, he assumed jurisdiction of it before he had qualified to act; and, in his over-zeal against the defendants, in his decisions of the various questions which came up in the first day's hearing, he aroused their counsel to the conciousness that the fates were against him, whereupon, he prepared and submitted a showing for a change of venue to Justice Hamilton. Pending the consideration of this motion, night came and the hearing was adjourned to another day.
The defendants' counsel returned home to Chariton, and sought the county judge-Milton Douglass, and challenged the right of the examin- ing justice's authority to act as such, for the reason that he had not quali- fied as the law required. With the facts thus before him, Judge Douglass revoked the appointment, and sent a letter by the defendants' counsel, notifying him of this fact, and citing the "assuming" justice to appear at his office at once, else the sheriff would be directed to accompany him. Thus ended this exciting affair, which created no little bad blood for some years.
William Davis, upon the examination of those who were arrested for the flogging, was shown to have been innocent of the vandalism imputed to him, whatever Ragin may have done. He remained where he then lived until his death, a few years since.
In 1856, A. J. Hill, a perigrinating lawyer, who made Lucas county a point for the display of his professional gifts and skill, was elected prose- cuting attorney. Under the law then existing the prosecuting attorney became acting county judge in the temporary absence, or sickness of that officer. It happened that in 1857, the county judge, Milton Douglass, was temporarily absent, and Hill, ex-oficio, assumed the temporary duties of that office, during which he found it convenient, if not profitable, to perpetrate a forgery by changing a public record. For this he was indicted, and when the case came up for trial, the indictment was missing -was abstracted, as generally believed, by Hill himself. Thus he com- ·mitted another offense to defeat one for which he already stood arraigned. The case was finally dismissed, the culprit went unpunished, and soon after left the county for new fields.
RAILROADS.
Stage lines in Iowa, are becoming more and more, institutions of the past. Many are the citizens of the state who had early day experience in staging over its prairies, river bottoms and sloughs, before the days of railroads. Indeed, a chapter on the early experiences and incidents of travel by stage in the early days of the state, would be interesting.
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There are but few who could not contribute to such a history. The old Western Stage Company-a historic institution by the way-pushed its lines through Iowa in early days, and its routes were then thought to be the great "trunk lines" of the state, and people were quite content to travel by them before they had become accustomed to a more speedy mode.
July 1, 1853, this historic company established their line through Lucas county, and transported the United States mail between Chariton and Plattsmouth, which continued until the approach of the Burlington and Missouri River railroad pushed the "slow coach " westward. In May, 1856, congress made grants of the public domain to Iowa, to aid in the construction of trunk lines of railroads through the state; and in 1853, the Burlington and Missouri River railroad company was organized, and in 1856 availed itself of this grant. The Michigan Central, and Chicago, Bur- lington and Quincy, then in joint interest, favored this project because it would extend and enlarge their business. The original survey of the line was made in 1853, by Col. A. Hebard. A subsequent survey was made to establish the final grade; and the contract for grading and bridging from Ottumwa westward, extending through Lucas county, was let to Wolf, Carpenter & Angle. The bridging was sub-let to S. H. Mal- lory. Of the public lands granted to this company, several thousand acres were in Lucas county, on either side of their road, and such as have not been sold are still held for sale at from five to twelve dollars per atre. A small tax was levied and voted by the people for the purpose of secur- ing the right of way through the county for this road without expense to the company. The main or trunk line of this great thoroughfare passes through the towns of Russell, on the east side of the county, Chariton, in the central, and Cleveland and Lucas on the west, thus making twenty- seven miles of the main line in this county, which is valued for taxable purposes at $344,335. It was completed to Chariton about July 1, 1867, and to the west line of the county about one year later, in 1868. The road southward from Chariton to Leon, in Decatur county, forms a branch or feeder of the main line, and is thirteen and a half miles in length in this county, and is valued at $27,494. This road was built in 1871, by John Fitzgerald, as contractor; and to aid in its construction, a tax of five per cent on the assessed valuation of the property of Chariton township was voted by the people thereof in the first instance. It passes through Derby, in Lucas county and through Humeston, in Wayne county, there intersecting the Wabash, and thence to Garden Grove and to Leon, seat of Decatur county, thence westward to Mt. Ayr, seat of Ringgold county, thence southward to Grant City, Missouri, near the south line of Iowa. From the latter point it is only some fifteen miles southward to Albany, Missouri. However, this southern branch is being
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extended southward from Bethany Junction, a point some ten miles south- west of Leon, to Bethany, Harrison county, Missouri, thence to Albany, Gentry county, where it connects with a narrow guage road already in operation from the latter place to St. Joseph, Missouri, and recently pur- chased by the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy company, which, as soon as the link is completed will give them a direct line from Chariton to St. Joe, and the great southwest system of railroads.
The Chariton, Des Moines & Southern, or Indianola 'branch, as it is called, was built in 1878. It is eleven and a half miles in length, in this county, and its assessed value thereon is $23,122. The city of Chariton voted a five per cent. tax to aid in the construction of the branch, but it was subsequently cancelled. Liberty township also voted a five per cent. tax to aid the same project, which amounted to some $8,000, one-half of which the railroad company released the people from paying, in consider- ation of their surrendering to the company the stock to which the tax entitled them. Thus it will be seen that Lucas county has fifty-two miles of railroad within its borders, of a total assessed value of $394,851, and upon which some $6,000 taxes are annually paid. In 1880, a five per cent. tax was levied and voted, amounting to $23,000, to aid in the con- struction of a road from Chariton to some point on the Wabash line, in Wayne or Appanoose county. Also, in 1878, the Chariton, Oskaloosa & Northeastern Railroad Company was organized to build a road from Chari- ton to Oskaloosa, Iowa City, and to some point on the upper Mississippi river. The organization and route is a good one, but it remains in statu quo. These include all the completed, and projected railroads which in any direction, traverse Lucas county.
The assessed valuation of the railroad property of this county, from and including the year 1874, to and including 1881, is as follows: 1874, $351,- 657; 1875, $370,144; 1876, $370,144; 1877, $367,398; 1878, $343,000; 1879, $375,716; 1880, $378,076; 1881, $394,851.
The railroads already constructed in Lucas have contributed largely to the development and prosperity of the county in all its material relations-population, agricultural interests, manufacturing, etc., and the day is not far distant when Iowa productior will maintain a railroad through every tier of counties within her borders. Such is her future.
TOWNSHIPS, TOWNS, AND THEIR GROWTH. .
In the chapter entitled "Township Organizations," at page 433, a brie} sketch of the township system is given, in which its origin is shown to have been in Massachusetts as far back as 1635. As there noted, in sev- eral of the states, including New York and Michigan, the township sys- tem is quite independent in its organization and functions-as independent
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of the county as the county is of the state. They collect their own rev- enue; provide for their own schools; take care of their own indigent; make and keep in repair their own roads, bridges, etc. Where this sys- tem prevails, it works well, and is more in consonance with our general form of government. The closer civic affairs are brought to the people, the more interest they take in them, the better they understand them, and the safer they are from the encroachments of the few, who too often seek, and do control them like commerce in the great market centers, to their own advantage, and, not infrequently, to the detriment of the people. In England, where the local civic affairs are managed by a few-by the landed aristocracy of the shire or county, and where the masse's of the people have very little to say or do, smaller sub-divisions would not work well, for the landed interests would rather endanger it, if they were per- mitted to have a voice in local matters. But in this country, under our republican form of government, it is different. Here there is no landed aristocracy; here the day laborer has a voice equal with the millionaire in the management of the political affairs of the country; hence, the closer these affairs are brought to the masses of the people, the safer they will be.
It will be observed that the growth of the various townships of the county since their organization, from 1852-5, as shown in the chapter on "Township Organizations" preceding, and of which this is really a con- tinuation, has been rapid and prosperous. From the wild prairie, as it was received from the red man, to fine farms, with their meadow land, blooming fields of grain, and herds of cattle, is the work of the toiling husbandman throughout all these townships, and in some of them, wherever the steam horse has made his way, thriving towns have grown up, as a result of this development, which the pioneers made an easy possibility.
BENTON TOWNSHIP.
Population in 1880, 713. This township was named in honor of the great Missouri senator. It is congressional township 71-21.
The north fork of Chariton river runs through it from northwest to southeast, leaving less than one-third of the township on the north side. Wolf creek, running from near the southwest corner, empties into Chari- ton river near the center of the township. These two streams thus divide it into three nearly equal parts. Some very good timber along Wolf creek furnishes logs which are manufactured into lumber by a portable sawmill near the southwest part of the township.
Most of the citizens receive their mail at Chariton, but a small number patronize Milan postoffice, kept by J. G. Merrill. He also owns and cul- tivates one of the finest farms in the county. At present he has a num-
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ber of men employed in erecting one of the best stock barns in the west. Quite a number of the citizens living in the northeast part of the town- ship receive their mail in whole or in part, at Russell.
The citizens are engaged almost exclusively in agricultural pursuits, and with the exception of the postoffice and sawmill before mentioned, no other business is carried on by the residents. .
The main line of the C., B. & Q. railway runs for nearly four miles through the northeast corner, but no station is located within the town- ship, and consequently neither saloon, blacksmith shop, nor dry goods store is located within her borders. There was a time when one of the most flourishing villages in the county existed in this township. It was located near the southwest corner of section twelve, and the northwest . corner of section thirteen, and therefore, covered part of two sections, (a small part) and the traveler, now, as he passes from Bethel school house, on the road to Russell, if, after crossing the bridge over the branch, he pauses on the hill side, will find himself on the site of the no longer existing village, which, in its palmy days was known by the classic name of "Ragtown."
Seven school houses are in the township, and the seven teachers therein suffice to supply the thirst after knowledge evinced by the three hundred and fourteen pupils, who ought to go to school there-but some don't go.
But one church building rears its spire heavenward. It belongs to the M. E. Church, and is located on the New York and Chariton road, near the residence of Daniel Ragsdale. It was built in 1873, at a cost of about $1,500. It has about forty members.
The United Brethren in Christ organized a society in 1866. Among the original members were Alexander Lockey, Ezra Ogburn, Amos . Johnson, and others. Their meetings have been usually held in the Gar- tin school house. The membership numbers about thirty. The follow- ing named persons have, at various times, been in charge of the society: Revs. Heath, Wheeler, Stark, Davis, Swayne, Wm. Kelsey, A. D. Rich- ards, Todd, and Gardner.
The reorganized Latter Day Saints organized a society in 1877, which now numbers about thirty persons. Their meetings are held in the Palmer school house, and their present pastor is Elder Ekin Lovell.
In the year 1879 the Adventists made their advent in this township and organized a society, among the original members of which were Fred Milthorpe and wife, James Fant and wife, S. M. Ream and wife, J. W. Smith and wife, T. A. Watson and wife, Oliver Fant, Miss Fant, Mrs. Ryan and others. The head of this organization was, and is, Elder J. F. Adair. The present membership numbers about twenty-five. They also occupy the Palmer school-house, alternately with the Latter Day Saints. It may be noticed that the last three societies named are all
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in the southwest part of the township, and would seem to indicate it an unusually favored portion of Zion.
A society of the Methodist Episcopal Church was organized, partly in Benton township and partly in Warren township, away back in 1864. This society, with a Sabbath-school, use as a place of meeting the Union school-house, which is now situated in Warren township (though it was formerly across the line in Benton), and a detailed account of the organ- ization is given under the head of Warren township.
Benton township contains 23,212 acres, as shown by the tax books, nearly all of which can be cultivated, and but a small part that is suitable only for grazing. At the present time about 17,000 acres are under fence and in cultivation. All kinds of farming are carried on; corn, wheat, oats, rye, hay, etc., are produced. 'Some of the best cattle that ever entered the Chicago stock-yards came from the pens of Lewis Bonnett, of this township. For many years no better butter came to Chariton than that which was churned in Benton township. Lately two of the citizens have concluded to make a specialty of butter, and have erected a creamery, which, however, is situated in Lincoln township, and will be there described.
CEDAR TOWNSHIP.
Population in 1880, 813, Cedar township, in Lucas county, Iowa, is congressional township number seventy-two, north of sange twenty, west of the fifth principal meridian. The tax books show 23,071 acres of land taxed for 1880, in addition to what is contained in the town of Lagrange. Of this amount about 13,500 acres are in cultivation.
A small stream, called North Cedar Creek, takes its rise near the center of the township, and flowing in a general northwest course, passes out near the northwest corner. Along this stream and in the nort part of the township generally, the surface is much broken and covered with very good timber. South Cedar also heads in the south part of the township and flows in a southeasterly direction. These, with White creek in the eastern part, suffice to carry off the surplus water.
The balance of the township contains as fine farming and grazing lands as can be found anywhere. The farms are generally well improved and the farmers prosperous.
The first settlement in the county was made in this township by Wm. McDermit. Elijah Baldwin was the first to join him with his family, early in 1848. Baldwin enclosed a field of ten or twelve acres, and built a cabin about fourteen feet square. He sold his place to Matthew Hixson, who still owns it. The field is still in cultivation, but the house was removed more than twenty years ago. The McDermit place is now owned by David Shular, who has built a very nice farm residence in the
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edge of the grove, but the original house still remains. It is in a very fair condition and is occupied by Rev. Mr. Williams, pastor of the United Brethren Church of that locality.
Among the early settlers in different parts of the township were, Doug- las Allen, Milton H. Allen, James G. Robinson, James Roland, H. P. Sellers and J. Landes. They came about the year 1848, as noted else- where.
The first physicians were Drs. Lind and W. W. Waynick. Lind lived near Lagrange, in the edge of Monroe county, and Waynick at Chariton. Dr. Lind remained about twenty-five years, and left quite suddenly, taking with him the savings of his life, and another man's wife. Dr. Waynick is still in Chariton engaged in the drug business. Elijah Baldwin was a blacksmith, and in 1856, he made a set of harrow teeth for Mr. S. N. Vannice, who still has part of them in use.
The settlers of those days had a pretty rough time, and were frequently short of the necessaries of life. They had to go to Eddyville and Oska- loosa to mill. James Roland started to mill one winter day with his team of cattle. The snow was eighteen inches deep, with a thick crust on top that had to be broken before the cattle could travel. He started early in the morning and worked hard all day, and at dark had made just two miles, when he stayed all night at Douglas Allen's.
In 1854, the small-pox broke out, and the families of M. R. Hixson, Wm. Parmenter and Mr. Maydole were sorely afflicted, but fortunately no deaths occurred.
The first religious services were held by Rev. Wm. Wallace, Cumber- land Presbyterian, at the house of Douglas Allen, near Lagrange, about the year 1848. Shortly after, a minister of the Methodist Episcopal Church held service in a small house in McDermit's grove. The Cum- berland Presbyterians organized a church society at Lagrange in 1851, with Douglas Allen, S. Payne, Mary Mckinley, Julia Craddic, Annie Allen, Frances Robinson, Elijah Allen and Mary J. Allen as members. This society still flourishes. In 1869, they erected a fine church at an ex- pense of about eighteen hundred dollars, which was dedicated by Rev. W. F. Baird, of Burlington, Iowa. The following named persons have at differ- ent times been pastors: Revs. Wm. Luin, Alfred Jolly, Wm. Lawrence, Odell, T. K.Lester, James Russell and O. C. Hawkins; the last named being pastor at the present time. The church is in a prosperous condition, with membership numbering about forty-five. A Sabbath-school has been conducted since the organization of the church. The average attendance is about fifty. S. N. Vannice is now the superintendent.
About the year 1854, the Christian Church organized a society at Lagrange. Amos Brown, Wells Gilbert and Peter Youtsey were the 17
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leading members. In 1861, they built a place in which to worship. Their pastors in twenty-sever years have been Elders Robison, Gilbert, Robt. Reed, J. C. Seevy, Harvey, Waldon, Williams, B. F. Fuller, J. H. Ragan, Sellers and Rice. The last named being now in charge. The member- ship numbers over sixty. A good Sabbath-school, with A. J. Day as superintendent, is part of the organization.
Near the center of the township stands the United Brethren Church, which was built in 1872. The society was first organized in 1869, with William Clodfelter and others as members. Their first pastor was Rev. William Bonebrake. Since then Revs. Murdock, Brown and Kelsey, with Rev. Williams now in charge. Robert Shaffer is superintendent of the Sabbath-school, which is a well conducted one.
At different times the Methodist Protestants and the Evangelicals have had societies, but are now disbanded.
The Methodist Episcopal Church organized a society over thirty years ago, which continued for more than twenty years, having a membership, at one time, numbering over one hundred. Dissentions crept in. One of the principal causes of which was somewhat unusual. In a very early time, one Fowler entered a very large amount of land in this county, including the finest timber in Cedar and Pleasant townships. A contro- versy arose among the members of the church as to whether it was right for a church member to take Fowler's timber. The church was divided on the question. The controversy waxed warm. One side insisted that Fowler, being a non-resident, had no rights there. One brother even went so far as to say that he was in the habit of taking his team and going out into Fowler's timber, and when he came to a suitable tree he would kneel down by it and pray for guidance, and when he rose from his knees he usually brought away with him as much of the tree as his team could conveniently pull. The other side claimed that there was no difference between the taking of timber from a resident and non-resident, and certain residents who owned timber claimed there was actually no difference in fact, as they took the timber from both alike, only depending on which was most conveniently accessible. It finally became a question of giving up the church, or giving up Fowler. The society no longer exists. Comment is unnescessary.
In 1852, the first school-house was built in the neighborhood known as Ireland, near McDermit's. It was constructed of logs by the settlers, at no cost except the work, the material being on the ground. Soon after another was built at Lagrange in the same way. Later a brick school- house was built where the United Brethren church now stands. These first three buildings are all torn down. The first one was replaced in 1856, by a brick house; the one in Lagrange by a building now used for an Odd Fellows' lodge. At the present time there are six fine school-
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houses, one for each district, worth probably over three thousand dollars, . and good schools are regularly conducted more than half the year.
The Independent Order of Odd-Fellows organized a lodge in Lagrange about the year 1858. It is in a prosperous condition, and owns a build- ing which they occupy as a lodge-room. The membership is about thirty-five. A considerable number of persons belong to the same order, and living in this township, hold their membership at Russell.
The main line of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy railroad runs for about three miles through the south part of the township, but no station is situated within it. The nearest station being Russell, in Wash- ington township, and Melrose in Monroe county.
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