USA > Iowa > Marshall County > History of Marshall county, Iowa > Part 3
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Mr. Henry Burke who lives on the old Robinson claim, near the remains (if any) of the stockade fort, came here in 1853 from Southern Illinois. He raised a large family of sons and daughters ; his wife died some years since, very much sorrowed after by the relatives and neighbors. One of his daughters mar- ried Solomon Miller, Esq., of Marshalltown, who left a splendid army record, and is now one of the most prominent citizens of the city. He has literary talent, and would fill an important position in county affairs, if our people will remember the soldiers in future.
Mr. Burke has one of the best cultivated farms in the county, over two hundred acres of growing crops, with a lovely fruit and walnut orchard back of his farm-house ; sheep, cattle, etc. ; and Mr. B. came here comparatively poor. He is brother-in-law to Mr. Powers, and also to Mr. Turner, once a citizen of this section, now in Missouri.
Mr. Crowder and Mr. Meyers, now of Iowa township, were neighbors on Timber creek, and the old settlers used to meet every week, and had parties, where all
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came, and eat pounded or cracked corn, with many a joke as to the power of each other's teeth in crushing the substitute for bread.
At one time, Mr. Greer went to Jack Braddy's, a near neighbor, who lived seven or eight miles away, which was a mere bagatelle as to distance. Being a widower, he wished to pay his addresses to a young lady there. Taking Jack by the ear, he whispers very softly, "Do you think she will set ?" meaning, that if she would set with him it was equivalent to an affirmative answer to his suit.
They had a quilting at Mr. Robinson's, the gen- tlemen being invited with the ladies; the dinner- pot with its savory ham was boiled out of doors over a chunk fire ; guests, excepting the quilters, sat on the wood-pile and rude seats outside, so as to make room for those who wrought by the long ungainly frames. Corn-bread, good coffee, wild fruit, with the delicious ham, was the cuisine on the occasion. After supper came the height of enjoyment, to shake the quilt over the prettiest girl ; who blushed scarlet, and is now a happy wife, and mother of seven boys.
The Sherwoods came in 1856, and have good farms, also Mr. Asahel Stone, near Washington, whose splendid dairy is so identified with his name that he is familiarly termed the " cheese man." He brought considerable capital from the East, and buying a large number of cows, started the enterprise of supplying Duchess County butter and cheese for Marshall. And it is quite equal to that noted brand in the Eastern market, and we commend others, who attempt to palm off their white oak imitations on the public, to visit his establishment and take lessons of the gen- tleman farmer, Asahel Stone.
Mr. Forey, the father-in-law of the genial Dr. Rickey, of Marshalltown, is also a citizen of Timber Creek. He has lived here eight years, was loyal and true, when others were very conservative and wore
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butternut emblems. His son, David Forey, served with bravery in the " old Thirteenth Iowa."
Messrs. Owen, Blackburn, and Monahon, of Ken- tucky, came here quite recently, have good farms and also have made splendid improvements in the short time which they have been engaged in the work. Mrs. Monahan is a pleasant hostess and entertains the creme le creme of Marshalltown aristocracy with old fashioned Kentucky welcome.
In the north edge of the township, lives Father Gourley, a member of the M. E. Church for many years, and a worthy disciple of Wesley he is, too. He came to Timber Creek in 1854, has a good farm under cultivation, and is able and willing to help all those in need.
We close with a hasty mention of Mr. Hildebrand who was an early settler, Mr. Cooper, and Mr. Rogers, the energetic farmer living near the Marshall line, who has been here since 1857. He sent a brave boy to the Union Army, who died there, without a comrade near him.
This township is one of the best in the county, with good school houses, plenty of timber, mills, etc.
MARIETTA
Township is situated west of Marshall ; the Iowa river and the Little Minerva, with their tributaries, water its surface, and " the lay of the land " is very fine, especially in the southern part. In early times this township had the advantage of the county seat, had county roads centralizing at the village, and much of the western travel to the Plains passed through, giving a market to the surplus products of the soil. Common highways or turnpikes, used to be quite a help, but the towns in Iowa now build on the railroad lines, and the common roads crook around the fields to get to them.
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Doctor Bush was the first settler in Marietta, near the corner of Iowa township on the Iowa river. This was in 1850. He practiced some, but hunted more, as there were only a half dozen families to take pills, and game was plenty.
A Mr. Peterman was the next to swing an ax. He came the same year, and pounded corn for bread, drove off ravenous wolves from his door, and had quite a good supply of provisions to sell, after his farm was opened up to the new comers. He has re- moved from Marietta.
Mr. William Dishon came from Oskaloosa in 1851, and soon after brought the first stock of goods into the county, settling near the river just north of the present town and commenced business, intending to lay out something of a village there, but others coming in, he was persuaded by Judge Hobbs to move into Marietta. He was the first village postmaster. Mah- lon Collins followed, with another stock of Yankee notions, and afterward was a prominent man in the county seat war as well as Mr. Dishon.
There was a merchant by the name of Darlington who sold quite a large lot of goods on credit, whose daughter, Eudora, was the first white child born here.
Quite a number of Hicksites and orthodox Quakers came into Marietta; they were men of unflinching integrity and gave a high tone to public sentiment. Among these, was Doctor Hixon, who at least had some Quaker blood in his veins, and lived near the corner of Iowa township. He built the first mill on the Little Minerva. He will be remembered as repre- senting the county in the lower house of the Legisla- ture in 1863-4. The doctor is a temperance man and has been in many a good work for the people's wel- fare.
How bright the name of Lot Holmes shines on the Marietta record ! He was a native of Loudon county,
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Va., but becoming early convinced of the sin of slavery, would not vote or live in the Old Dominion. He was connected with the Underground Railroad in Salem, Ohio, and has always been in the conflict, taking stand with Garrison and Phillips of the old Anti-Slavery Guard.
He and his noble wife have been among the first to organize societies for the help of the soldiers and freedmen. They have spent, with others, a good deal of time and money to get fugitives through from Missouri to the North Star. We mention, that he bought a wig at one time, in Chicago, for a black boy's disguise, paying fifteen dollars for it. Associated with him in all the benevolent enterprises of the day, was Mr. Stacey Nichols, also a Friend, and like Mr. Holmes uses the plain language.
Mr. William Marsh, living on the hill south of Marietta, a father-in-law of Mr. Abram Stanley, of Albion, is also an early settler, and the same sweet charities characterize him as they do others of that noble church, the Friends. Also Mr. Lackey, whose " Pink" knew how to use a shot-gun in the Marietta war; and Mr. John Amos, who suffered with a terrible cancer many years. He was one of the early county commissioners, and he is remembered, by Mr. Henry Green and others, to have said in the above-mentioned war, "Let me to the front ; I have but a few months to live with this cancer, and I'll sell my life as dearly as possible among the rascals."
Doctor W HEALEN came to Marietta in October, 1853, being the first physician, with the exception of some inebriated quack, who left that season. The summer and fall were quite unhealthy, many were discouraged, but the appearance of a good physician was hailed with delight. Doctor Whealen practiced all through Marshall and even into the adjoining counties; on horseback, over sloughs without bridges, perhaps take a canoe and cross the Iowa at night ; and in the cabins
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of the poor emigrants, saw sights to make a sensitive man sick of the profession. The emigration was heavy that year, and the farmers in this section could not supply all who came, with provisions, and es- pecially milk and butter. The cows not being prop- erly cared for, it was impossible to obtain these necessaries. The doctor's family had no milk or butter for months. Mrs. Whealen wrote to a friend in Ohio, that cows did not give milk in Iowa, for she had " tried all belonging to the neighbors and they were dry."
The doctor made the most of their furniture- three-legged stools, splint-bottomed chairs, a cradle made of a shoe box, and a dry goods box for a beaufet. What Iowa housekeeper of the early day knew not how to arrange this cupboard so as to get in all the dishes, with a corner for a bottle of hair oil and the fine tooth comb ! Mrs. Whealen managed to enter- tain twenty-two persons in her cabin for awhile, but at night the cradle, chairs, and table were set out of doors to be occupied by ghosts of departed Musqua- quas-covering the entire floor with beds, sometimes pinning overcoats and dresses together for a partition to shade the young girls' sweet faces. She, that ruled her spirit, was greater than one who takes a city, in such times.
Mr. Delos Arnold taught the first school in the old court house, and his neighbors remember the epoch by his writing letters for the Eastern papers in the rookery.
Alexander Crow kept the first hotel, dividing the honors of Boniface with A. L. Hall, now of Marshall- town, and a Mr. Shively.
The Williams family came about this time, perhaps some later, with small means, but now, as a family, have as much influence and what is called " position," as any in the county. Four daughters and two sons- the mother may well be proud of their success in life.
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Doctor Waters, also, was well liked in Marietta, hav- ing a large and lucrative practice. Mr. James Geitzey started a cabinet shop, some years after, thus dis- placing the rustic furniture of the above-mentioned patentee, Dr. Whealen. He now lives in Marshall- town. W. C. Smith, also Mr. Woodward, and other officers, came here to live after the county seat was located.
Through the township there were a few families scattered about, trying to live in their little cabins. A Mr. Braddock, east of the present village of Ma- rietta, who now has a beautiful house, was one of these. Also Mr. Coddington, Mr. Kimberly, and others.
Mr. D. Moninger, a citizen here, pays the heaviest tax of any man in the county.
The commissioners from the Iowa Legislature ap- pointed in 1850-1, traveled over Marshall in every direction to locate the county-seat, and after passing some very eligible points, selected
MARIETTA,
Which is situated nearly in the geographical center of the county, about one-half mile from the Iowa river, and six miles north-east from Marshalltown. The town site was surveyed by Messrs. Hobbs and Dawson, October 11, 1851, and the capital located there without demur, except from, Anson. Afterwards an addition was made to the corporation by Messrs. Boardman and Leaming. It is built on bottom land, with heavy timber north, and bluffs southward, and except in very wet weather, the town presents a pleasing appearance, and had it not been for some natural advantages of Marshalltown, and the obstinate pertinacity of some of its citizens, Marietta, like Marengo, might have been a county seat, and quite a city, after all. Its lots at one time brought a good figure, and many an owner
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of its corners, deplored the "war," as a losing thing for investments, especially if he was speculating upon borrowed capital, as many did before the crash of 1857.
The contest commenced about the year 1853 be- tween the rival towns, and every artifice and device was used on both sides to control votes, so as to gain the desired end. The most bitter hatred was engendered for a time, and the most insulting invectives were in- dulged in without measure. As a specimen of the ridicule used to control public sentiment, we quote from the files of the Iowa Central Journal, the organ for Marshalltown : " A Frenchman lately from Paris, is negotiating for the purchase of the public square in Marietta to raise frogs for that market !" It may be, some believed the romance.
On another occasion, a gentleman by the name of Crookham, an extensive property holder in Marietta, was down to Marshalltown on business ; it was arrang- ed by a few of the sharp ones of the latter place, to badger the poor man a little, so calling some stranger (to Crookham) among a group of themselves, with a great deal of horror and uplifted hands, they told him, in his hearing, that a man was actually drowned in the public square of Marietta only the week before ! Nothing could equal the representative's rage at such abominable falsehoods of his much-abused town, and he went home swearing about Marshalltown, where they told such awful whoppers.
The organ for Marietta was known among the news- papers as The Marietta Express. It was published by T. High and A. J. Kenney. It had no reputed editor at first, although its leaders were supposed to have been written by Hon. H. E. J. Boardman. At this time in the history of our county, if report was true, he wielded a powerful pen against the claims of Marshalltown to public favor. The Express accused its citizens of bribery, fraud, and other evil things,
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and alludes to the Iowa Central as a " smut machine," a " dried up pump," etc. These things called out a rejoinder from the aforesaid, and so the contest went on, till finally this newspaper war began to be very sensibly shown in public sentiment.
Besides Marshalltown, Marietta had a rival in La- fayette, now called Albion, and in this triangular fight, the Marietta Express had to keep its eyes well open to watch all the corners. Albion could not hope to have the county-seat, but by killing off Marietta, she might build up her rival, and in course of time would get a sop for herself, of some public institution, the High School, or some seminary of learning. The Marietta Express fought bravely and well, but when the county seat was removed to Marshalltown, it was obliged to succumb, and died an honorable death.
But we will go back to a period earlier than the Express,-when Mr. Woodward was treasurer of the county, and the business so light that he carried the blank receipts in his hat. Mr. Weatherly relates, that his tax receipt ran in this style : "This certifies that W. Weatherly has paid his taxes for the year of 1852," without saying anything about the property, etc. We think it would puzzle Mr. Gerhart to carry on business in this fashion.
After Judge Hobbs' term of office had expired, there must necessarily be a new election. Mr. W. C. Smith failing to get his bonds in some manner, correct, after a successful canvass, Esquire Atwater, being prosecuting attorney, was de facto judge, and wishing to retain the judicial mantle, was opposed to Mr. Smith's holding the office, and ordered another elec- tion. The Marshalltown interest supported Mr. Thomas Griffith, and Marietta, to burlesque the whole affair, supported a Mrs. Durbin. The result was, on the official count, that the lady had five majority ! Le premier victorie! for woman's rights. She was
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bought off with the present of a new dress, and Judge Smith appointed in her stead. To this last item we affix the date of 1853.
Speaking of judges, reminds us of a little scene that occurred here while McFarland was on the bench. A young lawyer from Burlington by the name of Wood, was facetiously termed by the profession, " Old Timber." At this court he was in the midst of a fine rhetorical display in submitting his case to the jury, when the head of an immense donkey thrust itself through the window and interrupted the eloquent lawyer with an outrageous braying. McFarland cries out, "Hold up, Old Timber, this honorable court can- not entertain both of your opinions on this question at the same time !" Nothing could equal the intense satisfaction of court, lawyers and audience, with the exception of Mr. Wood, who was terribly chagrined, and to crown all, lost his case.
Another swing of memory's bells and we hear of the Grand Coop of the Oriental Order of Bachelors, who assembled sometimes in an office, occasionally in a kitchen. A Mr. McKye was Chief Mogul, Jefferson Crookham, Thomas Mercer, Mr. Plug, Mr. Willow, and we have no doubt, Mr. D. L. Arnold, were members. It seemed they were a jolly set of fellows, but lacked success among the ladies through timidity. The affair was so ridiculous in a Western community, that the Marietta girls took pity on the whole caboose and married them, in due time. The High Mogul was the first to succumb, and made a very good husband in spite of the bad discipline in the Coop.
Marietta had a Literary Society whose wits weekly shone like stars, in the old court house. Many ques- tions were discussed, essays read, and all served to keep the little village from stagnation. One evening, an infidel sentiment was promulgated by a lady, but the pitiful atheist was soon consigned to disgrace. There were quite a number of these weak persons in
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the neighborhood, but happily they have seen their folly, and there is now scarcely one to be found.
About this time, in the winter of 1855-6, there was quite an excitement about the Fulton Air Line Rail- road that was to make Marietta a point on its route to the Missouri. The county-seat war was still carried on, and notwithstanding the cloud that arose in the eastern horizon over Marshalltown, not bigger than a man's hand, everything went merry as a marriage- bell. The town received quite an accession to its population in the year 1856, as did the State generally, and there was a good deal of business done in land agencies.
One of the most successful lawyers at the time, was Hon. H. E. J. BOARDMAN, who was always ready to work for the interest of Marietta. Hon. D. L. Arnold was also practicing law, and in the real estate business.
Everything was done to control the election that was to come off in April of this year, and upon the trial, it went in favor of Marietta. The citizens quietly took a nap over this, thinking this was a quietus, but their vigilant foe was stealing the hearts of the people by many devices. One potent reason given against Marietta was, that the Fulton Railroad would never be built, and that Marietta might always remain in the swamp without an outlet, excepting the Iowa river; but letters were published and all assur- ances made, that the railroad would be built. Beside presents that were freely distributed by Marshalltown to control votes, the Town Hall was finished and ready for the occupancy of the District Court-and no taxa- tion. This, in the hard times of 1857-8, had influence on the farmers of the county. Marshalltown had an accession of energy and capital as well as Marietta, and her pertinacious, prominent men were determined on making it the county seat. A solemn pledge was made, that as long as life lasted there should never
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be any giving up of the contest, and that they would not tolerate a traitor in the midst of Marshalltown, or allow any one inimical to their interests to hold any office there.
With these drawbacks, when Marietta came into the field at the spring election of 1858, victory perched upon the banners of her rival. When the reports came in, Wells Rice and a few others went up to Marietta to feel of her pulse. There was no excite- ment and they seemed to take it coolly. It soon be- came apparent that they, likewise, had written upon their escutcheon, nil desperandum. Knowing, that in a new community there always is some informality, she was ready to throw out the votes of Marion, Le Grand and Greencastle. Their returns were not dated, neither were they certified to by the proper officers ; so that legitimately she had a right to contest the election on the letter of the law, though she was well aware that the majority was now in favor of her antagonist. Judge Smith declared in favor of Mari- etta, or rather the board of county canvassers had so decided previous to his action. An alternative writ of mandamus was then issued by order of the District Court, Judge Thompson presiding, on the first day of the April term, commanding the county judge to take to his assistance two justices of the county, re-canvass the returns, including the three rejected townships, and declare the result accordingly, or show cause why he should not do so, on or before the third day of the term. The counsel for Marietta was the Hon. Enoch Eastman.
Judge Smith filed exceptions, and refusing to an- swer or re-canvass, another writ was issued against him, peremptorily ordering him to re-canvass, but this he disobeyed, and appealed to the Supreme Court, where it was argued at the June term, 1858. In the following December term of the Supreme Court the case came up again. William Penn Clark, of Iowa
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City, counsel for Marshalltown, and Hon. C. C. Cole for Marietta, and the judgment of the District Court was affirmed. In the early part of January, 1859, the clerk of the Supreme Court issued a peremptory writ of mandamus ordering Judge Smith, with the other officers of the board of canvassers, to re-canvass. The justices, thinking of the money invested in Ma- rietta, thinking of their homes and ambitions, decided against counting in the rejected townships, but Judge Smith, under advice of shrewd council from Desmoines, declared in favor of them; for the law plainly says that there shall be no disfranchisement, except in cases of fraud. But the decision of a majority of the jurat was in favor of Marietta, and it was thus rendered. Meantime, under certain representations, a writ of in- junction was procured from Judge Thompson, restrain- ing the county judge from removing the records from Marietta, this writ being held in reserve. These pro- ceedings so exasperated the people of Marshalltown, that they filed information against Judge Smith and Justices Turner and Wallahan for dereliction of duty, and they were brought down to Marshalltown for trial before Justice Yeaman. On a writ of habeas corpus being issued by the county clerk, J. L. Williams act- ing as judge, Messrs. Turner and Wallahan were re- leased, but Judge Smith was still held in durance vile. William T. Hepburn was prosecuting attorney in the case, H. C. Henderson, assistant counsel, and H. E. J. Boardman for the defense.
Pending this trial there was a great deal of excite- ment at Marshalltown, and the last evening of the proceedings, in a speech made by Boardman, he inti- mated that Henderson had told an untruth. Of course this exasperated the counsel to fever heat ; he drew up to Boardman, cane in hand, demanding a retraction. There were a few Marietta men in the room, who rather huddled together about their champion. Some one at the door cried out, " Blow out the lights, Lynch
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the Marietta rascals !" Some of the candles disap- peared, but there were enough left to show Boardman in the tableaux, pale, yet cool as a cucumber, and waving his right hand with a tragic look that Forrest might wear in Coriolanus - " Gentlemen, you can im- pose upon Marietta and her rights now, but you will feel different when the cold steel of a hundred bay- onets is running through your hearts." This hifalu- tin and his coolness, seemed to have some effect, for Henderson left the room in a few minutes, and the crowd below stairs began to cry out for Judge Smith. Frightened, as perhaps hundreds of others might have been, already badgered by months of anxiety with the most ferocious of the Marietta men, (for this excitement had got beyond the control of all peaceable persons,) Judge Smith, as a Mason, demanded the pro- tection of the craft, in the persons of Mr. Woodbury and Dr. Glick. They escorted him through the crowd and he went first to Mr. Woodbury's, when he ex- pressed a wish to go to his father's. They accompanied him there and left him with no person about the house but the family. In the course of the night, Mr. Bab- cock, the Methodist clergyman, went to Marietta for Mrs. Smith, taking Mr. Woodbury's carriage, but she refused to come, influenced by the Marietta ladies. At the house there, Mr. Babcock was made to fall into a trap through a hole in the floor, with an oil- cloth cover carefully placed over it. But he came back to Marshalltown about three o'clock in the morn- ing, and, calling on Judge Smith, reported matters un- successful in that direction. Mr. B. then advised Judge Smith to go home with him and take some rest, as he seemed so fatigued with watching, intimating there were persons in the yard. It is said that Marietta had men watching him to see that he did no mischief to her interests ; as well as Marshalltown had a guard at the bridge. It is impossible to know how many, if any, irresponsible persons were in the vicinity. Mr.
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