USA > Iowa > Muscatine County > History of Muscatine County, Iowa, from the earliest settlements to the present time, Volume I > Part 13
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THE NEW JAIL.
"The lot upon which the present modern structure is erected, was purchased of one Wilhelmina Winter, by deed dated June 8, 1885, consideration $1,200. This building has ground dimensions of 42x70 feet and is a combined jail and sheriff's residence two stories in height, built of Bedford limestone, interior finished and furnished with all the modern conveniences. The sheriff's resi- dence comprises three rooms on the ground floor and four rooms on the second floor, together with basement, or cellar, with concrete partitions and floors. The jail proper has ground dimensions 32x34 feet, and in addition a ground space in a portion of the sheriff's residence 24x24 feet, which latter portion is fitted
.
MUSCATINE COUNTY JAIL
99
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
for juvenile, female and insane departments. The jail is fitted up with the most improved appliances for the safe keeping of prisoners and has a present capacity for thirty inmates. The accommodations can be doubled at any time by the installation of additional cells on the upper floor, already prepared for the purpose.
"The appropriation for this improvement, amounting to $15,000, was sub- mitted to a vote of the people May 7, 1907, and being approved by them, Archi- tect J. E. Mills of Detroit, Michigan, was employed to draw the plans and specifications. These plans were submitted to the board of supervisors and approved by them at the May session, 1908. Competitive bids were called for and at the session held July 6, 1908, the contract was awarded to J. H. Selden, of Muscatine, for the sum of $14,600. The building was completed in all its parts and turned over for the use of the county in March, 1909. The steel cages and fittings, which are of the most modern construction, were installed by the Pauly Jail Building Company of St. Louis, Missouri, at a cost of $6,250. The building for substantial construction, neatness of architecture, safety and convenience of its appliances, is second to none in the state.
ORIGINAL COURT HOUSE BUILDING.
"The first data that we find regarding court house appears under date, Au- gust 28, 1839, at a special meeting of the board of commissioners, there being present John Vanater and Moses Perrin. A premium of $40 was offered for the best plan for a court house building. We note that at a later date this munificent sum was increased to $200. Under date November 23, 1839, the board then consisting of John Vanater, Moses Perrin and Robert Stewart, met in special session and among other items of business they received and examined plans for a building as submitted by John Sherfey, H. Truesdale and Stephen B. Brophy. The plan of Stephen B. Brophy was adopted.
"December 24, 1839, the commissioners met to receive bids for the con- struction of the building. Proposals were received from the following named persons and firms : Samuel Smith, O. S. Tuesdale, Thomas Darlington, Weiner & Herron, Pettibone & Hine, Brophy & Dodge and William Brownell. After examination and investigation, the contract was awarded to William Brownell and William Hassinger. The size of the building 50x60 feet, portico across end 10 feet in width, walls of building to be 30 feet in height from platform to wall plate, height of ceiling, lower floor 12 feet, court room floor 16 feet, nine inches, foundation to be of hammered stone, outside walls of brick, thickness of walls twenty inches. The original contract price of building was $11,500, which was materially increased before the building was entirely completed. The contract called for the completion of structure on or before September I, 1841.
"This building stood in its stability and simplicity until practically destroyed by fire on the night of December 17, 1864. So far as the written record is concerned, we fail to find any mention of this fire and therefore rely upon the statements of old residents, who inform us that there was practically nothing remaining of the building of value with the exception of the outer walls.
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
"We, however, find that a temporary arrangement was made in January, 1865, with Colonel Hare for the rental of rooms for use of the court and county officers. We suppose that the quarters referred to are what is now known as Hare's Hall.
"During the first nine months of 1865 but little appears to have been done with the matter of rebuilding, with the exception of sundry appropriations, ranging in amounts from $200 to $2,000, for the purpose of enclosing the walls and making temporary repairs.
"At the October session of 1865 the board made an appropriation of $10,- 000 for reconstructing the old building. A final-summary for the year 1865 shows there was a total expenditure for repairing the old original building of about $16,000. This work appears to have been done by J. C. Farrand, as general contractor. At the same time there had been submitted to a vote of the people the question of building a new addition in rear of the building of twenty feet. The question was voted on at the October election of 1865 and was carried. This new addition of about 20x70 feet was built during the year 1866, J. C. Farrand contractor. A computation of expenditures made at various times shows that the total cost of the reconstruction of the old building from the effects of the fire of 1864, together with the new addition on the north end. amounted to $29,081.13.
"It is unnecessary for us to go into details regarding method of construc- tion and materials used. It has been a familiar object for forty-three years and the scenes and incidents which have transpired within its walls are too in- delibly stamped upon the minds of those who have passed in and out of its portals for many years to require further repetition from us. Although ample and commodious enough to meet the requirements of former days, yet with the ever increasing population and wealth of the county and the accumulation of valuable records for which it became impossible to find space for their proper preservation from decay and fire, it became apparent to the thinking man that better quarters must be provided. This sentiment of keeping pace with the progress and prosperity of the community and meeting the imperative require- ments of the county business at last took tangible form.
NEW COURT HOUSE BUILDING.
"As a result of a united effort on the part of leading attorneys and citizens having as a leader our resident judge, Hon. D. V. Jackson, a public meeting was held March 4, 1907, which was attended by representative citizens from all parts of the county. The unanimous sentiment of the meeting was in favor of the board of supervisors calling a special election at which the question of authorizing a bond issue should be submitted to the voters. After complying with the necessary legal preliminaries, the proposition for the issue of bonds to the amount of $150,000 for the purpose of building a court house and jail, was submitted to the people at a special election held May 7, 1907, and met with the approval of a majority of the legal voters of the county.
-. "Steps were immediately taken by the board, consisting of W. H. Fishburn, R. T. Shannon, A. C. Noble, M. J. Shellabarger and George J. Lang, to carry
THE OLD COURT HOUSE, AS REBUILT IN 1866, AFTER THE DESTRUCTION BY FIRE ON DECEMBER 17, 1864, OF THE ORIGINAL COURT HOUSE BUILT IN 1840
101
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
out the instructions of the people. Plans were called for, the board in the meantime visiting and inspecting various new buildings for the purpose of be- ing advised as to modern methods of construction. A number of architects submitted detailed plans. After a careful examination of all designs presented at a meeting of the board held June 27, 1907, the plans of J. E. Mills, archi- tect, of Detroit, Michigan, were unanimously selected as the ones best adapted for the building required and a contract was entered into with said architect for the detailed plans and superintending the construction of the work.
"August 5, 1907, the auditor was instructed to advertise for bids for letting of the work. Proposals were received at a special meeting of the board held September 26, 1907, for the completed structure, with exception of furniture and fixtures. A number of prominent contractors from various sections of the country were present. The bids ranged in price from $129,870 to $108,500. A thorough and careful examination was made of all proposals, after which the contract was awarded to Contractor W. J. McAlpine, of Dixon, Illinois, as the lowest and best bidder, for the sum of $108,500. The terms of the contract called for the completion of the building ready for furniture and fixtures by July 1, 1909.
DESCRIPTION OF BUILDING.
"The building is located in the center of the square. It has ground dimen- sions of 88x120 feet and extreme height above foundation is 124 feet. Foun- dation, including all cross walls, is of concrete. Superstructure is of No. I Bedford limestone, cut stone exterior, fireproof construction throughout, all floors of concrete and partition walls of fireproof brick, all posts, girders, plates and rafters are of steel or iron, no wood material, with exception of doors and window frames, to be found in the building. It has three floors. The first or ground floor is divided into fireproof storage rooms, offices, memorial and rest rooms. The second floor is arranged as quarters for the five principal county officials and also apartments for the board of supervisors. The third floor is devoted to the use of the district court and is divided into apartments and ar- ranged in an ideal manner for the use for which it is intended.
FURNITURE AND FIXTURES.
"In the interior decorations and furniture, the idea of beauty, convenience and above all, durability, has been the paramount object sought to be attained. Steel furniture of the most improved designs has been provided for all the offices, to contain valuable books and papers. The building is well lighted and ventilated. The decorating, fixtures and furniture for the building were let in separate contracts, specifications for the various items being prepared and bids received therefor.
SUMMARY OF EXPENDITURES.
"The original appropriation for the court house complete, finished and fur- nished, was $135.000, which was expended as follows :
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
W. J. McAlpine, Dixon, Illinois, general contractor for building .... $108,500.00 Detroit Mantel & Tile Company, Detroit, Michigan, lighting fixtures. 2,200.00 Batterson Stores, Muscatine, Iowa, wood furniture. 5,042.33 Odin J. Oyen, La Crosse, Wisconsin, painting and decorating. 2,500.00
Canton Art Metal Company, Canton, Ohio, steel furniture. 5,120.90
B. E. Lilly, Muscatine, Iowa, carpets, rugs, etc. 2,467.74
J. E. Mills, Detroit, Michigan, architect's fees. 6,091.54
Huttig Manufacturing Company, Muscatine, Iowa, metal screens ... 700.00
$132,622.51
BOND ISSUE.
"The total amount of the bond issue authorized by the election of May 7, 1907, was $150,000 for both court house and jail. These bear date of No- vember I, 1907, with interest at four per cent, payable as follows : $45,000 November 1, 1912; $10,000 each year, 1913-14-15; $12,000 each year, 1916-17- 18-19-20; $15,000 year 192I.
"Of this issue and by special agreement with purchaser, $15,000 has already been paid and cancelled and $10,000 more will be retired on November Ist of this year. On account of the panic in the money market during the fall of 1907, much difficulty was had in disposing of these bonds, on account of the low rate of interest they bore, but after much effort they were finally sold in a foreign market and the proceeds of the sale placed in interest-bearing securi- ties at four per cent. The revenue derived from this source, amounting to $3,392.94, has been placed in the construction fund and has enabled the board to provide for unexpected expenditures without disturbing other funds of the county."
COUNTY FARM.
In 1883 a farm consisting of 160 acres was purchased at a cost of $12,000 in Bloomington township, to be used and known as the County Farm. Here buildings of a suitable character were erected and made comfortable and pleas- ant for the care and protection of the county's unfortunate ones not able to care for themselves. The institution is practically self-supporting and since its foundation has cared for and sheltered on an average of about thirty-five inmates each year. For many years Milton Rice was superintendent of the farm, but since his death in 1910, Charles Kleindolph has filled this position.
THEN AND NOW.
Since the commissioners' court opened its first session and began transacting the county's business, many changes have taken place both in the volume of governmental affairs and the manner of taking care of them. In 1840 the population of the county was 1,942. At the last census taken in 1910, the num- ber of people residents of the county was 29,505. Then a board of commis- sioners looked after the county's affairs, now a board of supervisors do the work. At the beginning money was a very scarce article and a farm was worth
MUSCATINE COUNTY COURTHOUSE
103
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
scarcely anything if it had no improvements. The first assessor's returns was practically nil, but today the actual value of real and personal property in the county is no less than $35,000,000. By a glance at the tabulated reports here given, this will at once become evident to the one familiar with the present sys- tem of rating property for taxation.
TOTAL VALUATIONS FOR THE YEAR 1910.
Township or Town
Lands
Personal
Total
Bloomington
$245,600
$
Lots 14,385
$ 69,495
$ 329,480
Cedar
131,850
1,800
33,375
167,025
Fruitland
131,170
1,935
34,940
168,045
Fulton
357,310
67,420
424,730
Stockton Town
9,285
10,450
19,735
Goshen
274,130
75,540
349,670
Atalissa Town
12,475
20,270
32,745
Lake
218,040
59,785
277,825
Montpelier
117,655
2,185
29,125
148,965
Moscow
215,260
6,345
43,395
265,000
Orono
90,095
9,080
30,225
129,400
Pike
302,740
61,710
364,450
Nichols Town
6,775
34,770
33,995
75,540
Seventy-six
267,170
2,400
57,415
326,985
Sweetland
303,320
3,480
58,365
365,165
Wilton
354,485
51,610
406,095
Wilton Town
107,920
143,495
251,415
Wapsinonoc
415,910
1,445
114,215
531,570
West Liberty Town
57,530
165,175
192,850
415,555
Muscatine
260,560
1,359,190
674,930
2,294,680
$3,749,600 $1,731,870
$1,862,605 $7,344,075
RAILROADS.
Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific main line and branches
$547,130
Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern main line and branches
256,400
Muscatine North & South
19,300
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul
117,085
$939,915
Telegraphs and telephones
46,715
Express companies
4,525
TOTAL TAXABLE VALUATIONS.
Townships and towns
$7,344,075
Railroads
939,915
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HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
Telephones and telegraph companies
46,715
Express companies
4,525
$8,335,230
FARM STATISTICS FOR 1910.
Total farm acreage
225,654
Number of farms
1,562
Corn, total acreage
65,775
Total corn yield, bushels
3,009,48I
Oats, total acreage
20,282
Total yield
767,362
Winter wheat, total acreage
5,810
Total yield, bushels
120,068
Spring wheat, acreage
1,945
Total yield
35,534
Barley, total acreage
5,108
Total yield
124,500
Rye, total acreage
2,968
Rye, total yield, bushels
33,718
Hay (tame), total acreage
28,846
Total yield, tons
36,374
Hay (wild), total acreage
1,312
Total yield, tons
1,292
Potatoes, total acreage
2,476
Total yield, bushels
175,809
Total acreage in pasture
77,066
Total acreage in orchards
1,206
Total acreage in gardens
1,705
Total number of horses
11,430
Total number of mules
485
Total number of hogs
67,651
Total number of cattle
39,239
Total number sold for slaughter
16,980
Total number of milk cows
6,742
Total number of sheep on farms
5,543
Total number of sheep shipped in for feeding.
3,092
Total number of sheep sold for slaughter
3,928
Total number pounds of wool sold
21,195
Total number various kinds of poultry
286,509
Total number dozen eggs received
749,759
POPULATION OF MUSCATINE COUNTY IN 1910.
The census of 1910 is here given and for comparison the total population of the county for the preceding two decades is shown in parallel columns :
1910
1900
1890
Bloomington township
920
965
747
Cedar township
360
345
352
105
Fruitland township
824
917
789
Fulton township, including Stockton town
894
995
1,039
Stockton town
138
.. .
Goshen township, including Atalissa town Atalissa town
818
906
836
Lake township
505
566
569
Montpelier township
508
586
576
Moscow township
724
704
640
Muscatine township, coextensive with Muscatine city ..
16,178
14,073
11,454
Muscatine City :
Ward I
3,559
Ward 2
3,466
Ward 3
5,280
Ward 4
3,873
Orono township, including Conesville town
560
562
470
Conesville town
347
Pike township, including Nichols town
1,073
1,15I
1,048
Nichols town
396
398
237
Seventy Six township
634
650
658
Sweetland township
1,068
1,188
1,134
Wapsinonoc township, including West Liberty town. West Liberty town
2,519
2,565
2,185
1,666
1,690
1,268
Wilton township, including Wilton town
1,920
2,069
2,007
Wilton town
1,157
1,233
1,212
Total
29,505
28,242
24,504
220
...
. . ..
...
..
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
CHAPTER VII.
PIONEER LIFE.
THE LOG CABIN WAS THE PALACE OF THE PIONEER-CHINKED LOGS, COVERED WITH CLAPBOARDS- RIFLE AND SPINNING WHEEL-ALMOST ANYTHING WAS A BED- ROOM-COOKING WAS PRIMITIVE FOR SHARP APPETITES-WELCOME FOR THE WAYFARER-PRAIRIE FIRES AND WOLF HUNTS-AMUSEMENTS FOR THE FRONTIER PEOPLE WERE NOT LACKING-WHAT UNREMITTING TOIL HAS ACCOMPLISHED.
PIONEER LIFE.
Most of the early settlers of Iowa came from older states, as Pennsylvania, New York and Ohio, where their prospects for even a competency were very poor. They found those states good to emigrate from. Their entire stock of furniture, implements and family necessities were easily stored in one wagon, and sometimes a cart was their only vehicle.
THE LOG CABIN.
After arriving and selecting a suitable location, the next thing to do was to build a log cabin, a description of which may be interesting to many of the younger readers, as in some sections these old time structures are no more to be seen. Trees of uniform size were chosen and cut into logs of the desired length, generally twelve by fifteen feet, and hauled to the spot selected for the future dwelling. On an appointed day the few neighbors who were available would assemble and have a "house-raising." Each end of every log was saddled and notched so that they would lie as close down as possible; the next day the pro- prietor would proceed to "chink" and "daub" the cabin, to keep out the rain, wind and cold. The house had to be redaubed every fall, as the rains of the intervening time would wash out the greater part of the mortar. The usual height of the house was seven or eight feet. The gables were formed by shortening the logs gradually at each end of the building near the top. The roof was made by laying very straight small logs or stout poles suitable distances apart, and on these were laid the clapboards, somewhat like shingling, generally about two and a half feet to the weather. These clapboards were fastened to their place by "weight poles" corresponding in place with the joists just de- scribed, and these again were held in their place by "runs" or "knees," which were chunks of wood about eighteen or twenty inches long fitted between them
106
LOG CABIN BUILT IN 1837 WHICH STOOD ON THE SOUTH END OF THE DR. JAMES WEED FARM
107
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
near the ends. Clapboards were made from the nicest oaks in the vicinity, by chopping or sawing them into four foot blocks and riving these with a frow, which was a simple blade fixed at right angles to its handles. This was driven into the blocks of wood by a mallet. As the frow was wrenched down through the wood, the latter was turned alternately over from side to side, one end being held by a forked piece of timber.
The chimney to the western pioneer's cabin was made by leaving in the origi- nal building a large open place in one wall, or by cutting one after the struc- ture was up, and by building on the outside from the ground up, a stone column, or a column of sticks and mud, the sticks being laid up cob house fashion. The fireplace thus made was often large enough to receive fire wood six to eight feet long. Sometimes this wood, especially the "back log," would be nearly as large as a saw log. The more rapidly the pioneer could burn up the wood in his vicinity the sooner he had his little farm cleared and ready for cultivation. For a window, a piece about two feet long was cut out of one of the wall logs, and the hole closed, sometimes by glass, but generally with greased paper. Even greased deer hide was sometimes used. A doorway was cut through one of the walls if a saw was to be had, otherwise the door would be left by shortened logs in the original building. The door was made by pinning clapboards to two or three wood bars and was hung upon wooden hinges. A wooden latch, with catch, then finished the door, the latch being raised by any one on the outside by pull- ing a leather string. For security at night this latch string was drawn in, but for friends and neighbors, and even strangers, the "latch string was always hanging out," as a welcome. In the interior over the fireplace would be a shelf, called the "mantel," on which stood the candlestick or lamp, some cooking and table ware, possibly an old clock, and other articles. In the fireplace would be the crane, sometimes of iron, sometimes of wood. On it the pots were hung for cooking. Over the door, in forked cleats, hung the ever trustful rifle and powderhorn. In one corner stood the larger bed for the "old folks," and under it the trundle bed for the children. In another stood the old fashioned spinning wheel, with a smaller one by its side, in another the heavy table, the only table, of course, there was in the house. In the remaining was a rude clapboard hold- ing the table ware, which consisted of a few cups and saucers and blue edged plates standing singly on their edges against the back, to make the display of table furniture more conspicuous, while around the room were scattered a few splint bottom or Windsor chairs and two or three stools. These simple cabins were inhabited by a kind and true hearted people. They were strangers to mock modesty and the traveler seeking lodging for the night, or desirous of spending a few days in the community, if willing to accept the rude offering, was always welcome, although how they were disposed of at night the reader might not easily imagine for, as described, a single room as made to answer for the kitchen, dining room, sitting room, bedroom and parlor, and many families consisted of six or eight members.
SLEEPING ACCOMMODATIONS.
The bed was very often made by fixing a post in the floor about six feet from one wall and four feet from the adjoining wall, and fastening a stick to this
108
HISTORY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY
post about two feet above the floor on each of two sides, so that the other end of each of the two sticks could be fastened in the opposite wall. Clapboards were laid across these and thus the bed made complete. Guests were given this bed, while the family disposed of themselves in another corner of the room or in the "loft." When several guests were on hand at once they were sometimes kept over night in the following manner: When bedtime came the men were re- quested to step out of doors while the women spread out a broad bed upon the mid-floor and put themselves to bed in the center. The signal was given and the men came in and each took his place in bed next his own wife, and the single men outside beyond them again.
COOKING.
To witness the various processes of cooking in those days would alike sur- prise and amuse those who have grown up since cooking stoves and ranges came into use. Kettles were hung over the large fire, suspended with pot hooks, iron or wooden, on the crane, or on poles, one end of which would rest upon a chain. The long handled frying pan was used for cooking meat. It was either held over the blaze by hand or set down upon coals drawn out upon the hearth. This pan was also used for baking pancakes, also called "flap jacks," batter cakes, etc. A better article for this, however, was the cast iron spider, or Dutch skillet. The best thing for baking bread those days, and possibly even in these latter days, was the flat bottomed bake kettle, of greater depth, with closely fit- ting cast iron cover, and commonly known as the Dutch oven. With coals over and under it bread and biscuit would quickly and nicely bake. Turkey and spare-ribs were sometimes roasted before the fire, suspended by a string, a dish being placed underneath to catch the drippings.
Hominy and samp were very much used. The hominy, however, was gen- erally hulled corn-boiled corn from which the hull or bran had been taken by hot lye, hence sometimes called "lye hominy." True hominy and samp were made of pounded corn. A popular method of making this, as well as real meal for bread, was to cut out or burn a large hole in the top of a huge stump in the shape of a mortar and pounding the corn in this by a maul or beetle sus- pended by a swing pole like a well sweep. This and the well sweep consisted of a pole twenty to thirty feet long fixed in an upright fork so that it could be worked, "teeter" fashion. It was a rapid and simple way of drawing water. When the samp was sufficiently pounded it was taken out, the bran floated off, and the delicious grain boiled like rice.
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