USA > Iowa > Marshall County > History of Marshall county, Iowa > Part 2
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Through the month of May there had been some little trouble with Samuel Davison, a son of Mr. William Davison, and the Musquaquas. They being in close proximity, and the red men jealous of the encroachments of the whites upon their hunting grounds, a very respectable quarrel could be got up without much effort.
The Indians grew saucy and threatening, and going one day to Mr. John Campbell's claim, killed some
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of his hogs, drove off a few stock, and pointed their guns at him in a very wicked manner.
They had war dances, and were on the war path every day, armed and painted for a fight if there had been any more provocation. Twenty-four armed braves called at Mrs. Ralls' cabin one day, but seeing them coming she retreated to the bushes. A little nephew of hers took up an old hammer on his march and bravely made the declaration, that he could knock down " one big Ingin." But there was no harm done this time.
There is no doubt but that Davison burned corn belonging to the Indians, intending to exasperate them and have "a little brush," when the U. S. troops would expel the red men from Iowa. This was soon after the Mexican war, and the Indians were hardly settled into the belief that the Great Father at Washington was all powerful. The settlers on the south side of Iowa river united in a petition to Major Wood, of Fort Dodge, for help, who answered by saying, he could spare no troops then, and that they must remove from the vicinity, or protect them- selves.
Among those who petitioned, and afterward went into the fort, were W. C. Smith, John Campbell, A. J. Smith, John Braddy, William and G. S. Ralls, Mr. Crowder, James L. Logan, Thomas and James Pearson. Blakely Brush, Joseph Cooper, Joseph M. Ferguson, S. Myers, Carpenter Geer, Thomas Sher- man, William and Washington Asher, John Duck, Riley Majors, Thomas Sherman, - Clifton, and Samuel Bowman.
Some tried to hire the Indians to leave. No ! no, " heapy sick down in Missouri, all die - no go - lay bones in Iowa - heapy good ! "
Hearing that there were at least 1,500 warriors getting ready for battle, these settlers we have men- tioned, with their families, rendezvoused not far from
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a Mr. Robinson, with their stock, a few pigs and chickens, leaving the growing corn and gardens to the tender mercies of the Musquaquas. There was no attempt to raise wheat.
On arriving at Mr. Robinson's, they dispatched John Braddy and Mr. Greenbury Ralls after arms and am- munition ; they commenced a stockade fort on Burke's Hill, where the remains are not to be seen at present. It was begun on the 11th of June, 1850, was occupied as soon as finished, and called Fort Robinson. In this, twenty-four families took refuge, leaving their crops, and made preparations for spending the summer in a close stockade, instead of going to Newport or the White Mountains.
The stockade was ninety feet square, built of pun- cheons, driven like piles into the ground, so that it made the fort walls about ten feet high. They brought in their furniture, bedding and provisions, but kept the cattle upon the outside. An occasional dog crept in; they heard the birds sing in the grove near by, and with over thirty children, there was no lack of music, even if the young calves fastened to the stockade were silent. The ladies patched their husbands' coats, and talked over the probabilities of an engagement with the redskins to keep from ennui. Their tents were made of wagon covers and old quilts ; they had a few "chunk fires" in common ; each fam- ily had their own table, with all they could get to eat upon it, so that after all there was plenty to do. Some of the meat was kept at Mr. Robinson's smoke house, also the milk and butter. William C. Smith (afterwards Judge) and John Campbell, generally went down to the Indians' camp every day, as a sort of outside guard and detectives. On the fifth day of the seige, they went again to the Wickyups and found them with large camp fires burning, and six kettles placed in a row, partly filled with water. Six good sized dogs were hung by the neck with strong twine,
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while the warriors danced around them for two hours, brandishing war clubs and looking war to the knife. After the perspiration had washed their faces of the paint, and they seemed pretty well exhausted, the squaws threw in the dogs into the kettles, where a sort of stew was made in the style of Macbeth's witches, with the exception it was all dog. After a little time this was dished out by the beldames, and given to the panting warriors, a little sugar being sprinkled on the savory morsel to make it more pala- table.
There were about fifteen hundred braves assembled, and it looked dark for the little handful in the fort. The next day these gentlemen went again, and on the trail met four different parties of Indians well armed, who stopped them with their guns, and interrogated them as to the number of men in the fort. They answered, " big heap white men," and passed on, spend- ing the night at Wm. Davison's. The seventh day the Indians came back again, and asked Captain James Logan, the commander of the fort, " how many guns ?" He of course exaggerated the number of men and arms, and talked of a " big chief and Sioux," as Mr. Smith had done, when again they went away, sullen and still.
A very few days after this, Wm. Davison, thinking it would be a nice thing to test the courage of the garrison and commander, laid a plan for a sham attack. Letting the guard for the night (William Asher, who had a tremendous shot gun that had done some good execution among the wolves, Jack Braddy and Carpenter Geer,) into the secret, he went upon the hill where the cattle were lying down, when he raised a stampede. There was a hurrying of many feet ; the cow-bells jingled at an awful rate, as if there were many warriors in the distance; reports of guns were heard, and the little company were soon fully aroused, and trying to meet the dreadful emergency.
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Mrs. Logan sent to her husband, " keep your guns clean and your powder dry," as cool as if it were a shooting match for a Christmas turkey. Of course every light was extinguished ; the Captain said, in hushed whispers, " Keep still and keep in your beds, women." Some of the little ones had quick cars, and it was very difficult to control their movements, but on the whole, they behaved well. There was of course a terrible excitement ; the men grasped their guns, and some of the ladies commenced praying without pref- ace, and others shouted, "Lord, save us." Poor old Mrs. Robinson, thinking she was not quite ready for the scalp knife, fell on her knees, repeating quite loud enough for a Musquaqua to hear had he listened, " Oh ! Lord, I have tried to live in thy service through life, but I find I've not enough religion to die by. Give me more, Lord, please ! "
Logan acted very well, and most of the men, but no Indians appeared over the walls, and finally about daylight, after finding no moccasin print, the garrison concluded they had been sold. Nothing could equal their chagrin and indignation, and had it not been that white men were scarce, somebody would have got a severe punishment.
One lady was enciente, the fright producing a dan- gerous illness, and no physician within fifty miles ; matters looked dismal for the jokers who set the project on foot. But the lady recovered, and after quarreling some over the matter, it was concluded that the Indians did not mean trouble longer, so many of the families made preparations to leave. After about two weeks of suspense, they went back to their homes. Major Williams, of the U. S. Dra- goons, finally received orders to remove the Musqua- quas, and upon the appearance of a battalion of troops, the forest braves dropped their defiant man- ner, and peaceably withdrew, leaving the beautiful Iowa valley in this region to the plow and ax of the
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pioneer. Johnny Green and his few followers are the only representatives of this fighting stock. Johnny has the rheumatism, and boiled dog, be it ever so savory, can never give fire to his blood again, or strength to his palsied arm.
It is said by some after Logan told the Musquaquas that they were in the garrison for fear of the Sioux, they behaved more courteously, and showed the settlers how to make loop holes in the stockade for their guns. The Musquaquas certainly had more reason to fear their unforgiving enemies, the Sioux, than the peaceable whites, so that when Major Williams offered to make them presents, it was easy to make a negotia- tion, they believing that possibly there might be a coalition between the whites and Sioux.
There was another Indian scare in the neighborhood over the river in 1854, but it amounted to nothing. About this time commenced the county seat war, which we have delineated under the head of Marshall- town and Marietta. Next came the events connected with the Southern rebellion, which we have not space to particularize; and in 1862 the whisky troubles arose, when a mob seized whisky that was in the hands of the sheriff, and emptied it on the ground. As the vile stuff was stored at Mr. Harvey Beckwith's, in Marshalltown, and his wife sick at the time, the excitement caused her a great deal of unnecessary suffering. Mr. Beckwith, being a law and order man, was bound to protect the property in the absence of the sheriff, and the persons connected with the affair should have waited and acted with more care and discrimination, although if ever there is justification for a mob, it is in spilling the accursed stuff wherever found, and as soon as possible. In looking over the different townships the reader will learn of the partic- ulars connected with the history of Marshall county further.
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LE GRAND
Township is the pioneer settlement of the county, Mr. Joseph Davison having come in 1847, and settled upon one of the hills east of the Iowa river, in a beautiful grove, which still bears his name. Here he lived in a little cabin with the Indians, without a white neighbor for fifty miles. His brother came a little later, Mr. William Davison, and in a short time they both had good farms and supplied new comers with the necessaries of life, before there were a half dozen families in Marshall to till the soil.
This township has grove and open prairie and the very best stone for building purposes and other uses, in the State. Davison being well aware of its advantages, alternately threatened and coaxed the Indians, until there were enough whites in the country to stand up in bold front and drive them from their hunting grounds.
The Davisons were kind neighbors, but they re- moved to Oregon a few years ago "to find elbow room." Jostled there by brawny arms, they will probably turn up in Sitka with a pole bedstead and a wooden spoon, until civilization shall send them under the lee of the north pole.
Mr. S. N. Knode came to Le Grand in February of 1852, and finding a hut that had been used by a passing hunter, without door or chimney, or even a floor, moved his family soon after into this abode and began life in Iowa. For a few weeks, the smoke found its way out from the fire-place through the logs, (no " chinkin " to impede its progress,) and other families coming in, there were in this little cabin of sixteen feet square, thirty-six persons, counting the children, who found a home.
The Allmans, Voorhees, and Webbs, lived with them till they could prepare a home for themselves.
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And to add to this large family, travelers had to be entertained, and one night, four more were added to the original thirty-six, making it a matter of serious moment where to sandwich the crowd, so that each could have a puncheon for a bed. The "Judge " as he is familiarly called, once owned an immense tract of land, but through a relative, became involved, and was obliged to sell at a great sacrifice. As he is reported to be an heir to the famous Knode estate in Holland, we have no doubt that testy old Dame Fortune has a card yet in store for him.
Messrs. Jehu and James Allman came here in the same spring, and had cabins built on the site of Le Grand village in the north part of town. They have been prominent men here, and done all they could to make this a business point. Mr. JAMES ALLMAN and M. Webb were the first to lay out Le Grand village in 1852. Mr. Sanders of Iowa City, was called to survey out Lafayette, and on his homeward journey did a like service for the aforesaid, which occupies a very pleasant location south of the Iowa river. Had the Cedar Rapids Railroad Company done itself and the village justice, Le Grand would have been a for- midable rival to pretentious towns on the line; but Blair's cupidity in attempting to plant a town two miles from nowhere, did not succeed, and a solitary hotel with a rickety old station-house which is a dis- grace to any corporation, is all that remains of Blair's embryo city. The Railroad Company must have been to much more expense in going around so far, that Le Grand might be left out in the cold ; and what is more aggravating, the citizens had petted them in every possible manner, entertaining their offieers and agents to the best in the town, and then gave them $12,000 in subscriptions, which was coolly pocketed without a thankee, and the smoke of their locomotives wreathes around the hills two miles distant, when they could have had the depot within forty rods, with less cost,
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and helped build up the town of their benefactors. It is said that prominent citizens of Marshalltown helped the nefarious scheme of John A. Blair, so as to kill off Le Grand, in revenge against those who voted for Marietta through the war. Mr. James All- man had the opinion that Le Grand would finally get a slice of Tama county and another from Grundy and Marshall, and become a county seat. Marietta being the farthest away, was less dangerous than Marshall- town, so he was quite inimical at times, against the latter place ; but finally "Cobtown," as her enemies called her, gave a decision in favor of Marshalltown, and was loyal thereafter, with the exception of thirteen voters.
Among the early settlers we have already mentioned, was Mr. Robert Voorhees, who is still a citizen and an excellent man ; also, Mr. Rollin Richards came about the same time ; Mr. Ami Willets came a little later- is a Friend, and lives on the Davison farm. He is quite wealthy, and is well known for his charities, that are so characteristic of the beautiful religion of George Fox. Mr. Israel Willets is also an early set- tler, and living on a highly cultivated farm ; is wealthy, and much respected. Mr. Hiram Hammond came in 1854, and has been connected with mills, in the stock and grain business, has a large dry goods store, and is . one of those pleasant, quiet men, who would make friends anywhere.
In 1853 there was a county election held at Griffith's mill in this township, where W. C. Smith was whig competitor against Griffith, democratic, for the office of county judge. There were twenty-two voters, and the result was in favor of Smith, although Griffith was so sure of election that he built a cabin at Marietta, with the expectation of occupying it. This was the first whig victory of the county. Mr. James Allman was the first postmaster, and in getting his commission, found this ambitious Mr. Griffith in the lists against him.
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But Mr. A. was indorsed in Iowa City by democratic patronage, and he was appointed to the office. Mr. Griffith was so chagrined at this result and that of the other contest, that he sold out and left the country. Previous to this, there was no postoffice short of Ma- rengo, forty-five miles distant.
Chesley Coppic, a distant relative of Coppic, the co- laborer of John Brown, was the first justice, and Dr. Young, since deceased, practicing physician. Riley McCool came here in 1856, and had quite a large stock of dry goods, but there came an unlucky fire and burned store and contents to the ground. Mr. McCool has been engaged since in the stock business, buying cattle for the Chicago markets, and handles a large amount of money; also, Hammond Brothers ship stock in large quantities to the same yards.
WOMEN'S RIGHTS.
In the summer of 1856, a saloon was opened by some vile wretch, and after vending his wicked wares for a time, the ladies concluded to try force, to stop it, as pleasant words had been exhausted. A party of nine ladies entered the doggery and while some were en- gaged in knocking in the barrels with axes, etc., Mrs. Jack Wheitzell threw out brandy bottles, tumblers, etc., then taking the keeper by the nape of the neck sent him kiting out of the door after them. The whole concern was demolished, and it was the last one of the kind that ever lifted its brazen front in the village. Mrs. Hiram Hammond reports that she " made very awkward work in handling the ax on the barrel heads." They were all arrested, and taking venue, they were brought before Justice Yeamans of Marshalltown, who had them in court three days, but through some flaw in the indictment, they were released. The next day, Samuel Hoffman, the bachelor consta- ble, might be seen on the search for the immortal nine,
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to bring them to justice yet again. Some had gone to Tama on a visit, others were out of sight, in the cellar and in the stables, and it is said, Hoffman swore it was the hardest day's work he ever did, trying to capture the girls. Finally, it fell through by default, and the women were victorious, upheld too, by an overwhelming public sentiment.
They have a Good Templars' lodge of one hundred members. The Friends have a pretty brick church, seventy by sixty feet, with two hundred names on its records, that subscribe to their self-denying principles. They were forward in assisting the freedmen, and give many beautiful examples of christian benevolence. They have several lady preachers among them ; we might mention Mrs. Julia McCool, a lady of many pleasant social qualities, as well as gifts of pulpit teaching.
Mrs. Jonathan Reed, the President of the Soldiers Aid Society, who wrought many months unweariedly, is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and will receive further notice under the head of Green- castle.
Mr. Ed. Lockwood, now of Marshaltown, and sheriff of the county in 1859, after a very spirited contest, once lived here. He and his worthy lady are too well known for us to add anything to their beautiful life record.
A very excellent citizen of Le Grand is Mr. S. Good- rich, the owner of the magnificent stone quarry, which, for building purposes, cannot be equaled in the State.
LE GRAND INSTITUTE,
That had the late much lamented Professor James Guthrie, from Antioch College, Ohio, as its presiding officer, is an honor to the village and county-has a fine brick structure forty by sixty feet, which will cost when finished, $10,000. Has a senior class of thirty-
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five, and will in time become of great benefit to Iowa. Le Grand has certainly made a good beginning, for, as far as it is finished, the building and furniture is of the most substantial character.
It is under the immediate care of the Christians or New Lights, who are a peculiar people, having some singular ceremonies, yet, no doubt, do a great deal of good in the village. Any sect that helps to elevate humanity and lead man back to his Maker, should be encouraged. They have a membership of, perhaps, one hundred and fifty, and exercise a great influence in this community.
There is also a little Methodist Episcopal church under the pastoral care of Revs. Ward and Hayman, that is increasing in numbers and influence. They talk of building a chapel this season, which consum- mation is most devoutly to be wished, as it will accommodate both church and sabbath school.
PRESENT PROSPERITY.
Le Grand contains about four hundred inhabitants, has splendid mills which we hear of in every direction, Rock Valley mills and Le Grand ; also three dry goods stores, Jehu Allman & Co., Hammond Bros., and John Mote & Co. It has, too, one hardware store, two drug, and one boot and shoe store, furniture shops, two hotels, two millinery shops, one grocery, and one large harness shop. The stores all do a good busi- ness ; Hammond & Brothers buying stock and grain to a large extent, and have the express agency also. Mr. J. W. Allman is postmaster, and in Dr. Whipple and Dr. Smith, the inhabitants have every confidence. There are several clergymen, and a Mrs. Samuel Coates, wife of a wealthy, prominent citizen, is also a powerful preacher of the. Christian denomination.
If the Railroad Company will come to their senses, and build a depot at the McCool crossing, we shall
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bespeak a promising future for this sprightly, enter- prising town.
TIMBER CREEK,
The next township by order of settlement, was named after the beautiful stream of water that courses through its whole domain, bestowing the immense advantages of never-failing water, forest, and a beauty of landscape rivaling the parks of old England- such lofty trees are here, as if set out by the hand of some cunning gardener. There are signs of coal along its bluffs, of great benefit to the county, if capital would but seek out the hidden treasures.
Mr. J. M. Ferguson and Josiah Cooper settled on the south side of the grove in 1848. Mr. Ferguson lived here a good many years, became quite wealthy, and removed to Albion. Mr. F. had the usual cabin, built without nails, stick chimney and dirt floor, for a time, as there were no settlements this side of Oska- loosa or Iowa City, and but three or four families on the route.
His brother, George Ferguson, lived here some time, then removed to Le Grand, where he owned one of the best farms in the State. His horses have been justly admired at our County Fairs, and he lately sold a premium stallion to Mr. Jerolman, of Eden, for nine hundred dollars. Mr. Ferguson has recently sold his farm to Judge Van Shaack, of New York, and lives near Marshalltown.
Mr. William Asher lived here awhile, and built, in the corner of Le Grand township, the first grist mill in the county. It was a very rude affair and only cracked kernels of corn a little, and did not attempt flour. But this was much better than to crack it be- tween two stones about the size of a half bushel, then be obliged to eat the grit and dirt which necessarily came with the attrition process of the rude machine.
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Mr. Asher was a very good man, but soon after this he froze his left foot, and amputation being necessary, he could not survive the shock and died in the operation.
Carpenter Geer, another of the garrison at Fort Robinson, built the first saw mill in the county, and these enterprises fell into the hands of Mr. Griffith, who kept them operating for a time, but after turning his attention to politics, sold out to Mr. Brinnock and all went into the hands of Isaacher Scholfield, afterwards the best mills in the State.
John Campbell came to the northwestern part of the township in 1849, a young man from Linn county, and having pleasant memories of the place, gave the name also to Linn Creek. He had a good farm, ready to supply with provisions the citizens of Marshall- town, ere Anson had it scarcely christened.
WV. C. Smith, and his brother, Jackson Smith, came in March, 1848. Mr. W. C. Smith was acting county clerk in early times, was judge four years, and has been a teacher, of an excellent character, in Timber Creek. He has ecclesiastical license to preach in the Christian church, and fills the pulpit with great ability, we are told. As his history is identified with the county, we shall speak further of Judge Smith on another page.
Mr. Jackson Smith has a splendid farm in this town- ship-was the first justice in the county, and married the first couple that ever placed their necks in the yoke matrimonial, within its limits. The names of the happy pair were Mr. Almerian Geer, son of Car- penter Geer, and Miss Ballard, daughter of Philip Ballard, of Iowa township. This was in the spring of 1850, and Mr. Smith reports that it was one of the pleasantest times in the whole cycle of pioneer hilarity. They had a good supper, danced, and joked the girls, tucked the bride into her snowy bed-drapery, and laughed at her discomfiture.
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Mr. Greenbury S. Ralls, brother of William Ralls, lived in Marshall near the edge of Timber Creek township. He bore severe privations bravely, and early filled many of the minor offices of this section with trust, and is in every way a kind neighbor and citizen. He now lives in Iowa township.
Another one of the rank and file of Logan's men (who, by the way, was himself a Timber Creek citizen, and since deceased), was Mr. Riley Majors, who lives very near the corner of Jefferson, having entered his claim of over two hundred acres. We believe he owned some lots in New Jefferson, a town that once was staked off on Jackson Smith's farm. There were several cabins built, and its lots were talked of once among land agents and real estate brokers in Marshall county.
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