USA > Iowa > Pottawattamie County > History of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, from the earliest historic times to 1907, Vol. I > Part 5
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
for their fees, and that the body be buried at the expense of the county. The coroner retaining the dollar for his fee. The jury and constable agreeing, the order was carried into effect, the burial being by the side of Muir, on the ridge a short distance above the soldiers' cemetery. It is doubtful if anything remains at this time to show their graves. While this was being done, about twenty others received warning to leave town within ten hours, which they were quick to obey. and thugs were -carce for quite a while.
The fall election went democratic so far a- local affairs were concerned - but on learning the result. so far as the president was concerned, some of the old wheel horses nearly went wild. A grand ratification meeting was held, in which a grand torch-light procession, with bonfires, music and speaking. was indulged in until after midnight. Notwithstanding the dire threats that had been made, the great mass of our people believed a way would be found to avoid civil war. J. P. Casady was elected county judge, he being the last to serve in that capacity, as the legislature had abolished the office and inaugurated the system of control of county affairs by a board of supervisors, consisting of one member from each township. The first meeting of the board in this county was on the 7th day of January, 1861, and consisted of the following named persons: Judge Douglass represented Kane township: C. Voorhis. Macedonia: William Elswick, Grove: Josiah True, Knox: J. B. Layton, Center; L. J. Childs, York; Robert Kent, Boomer; Abram Jackson, Rockford; David Dunkle, Crescent; William Lyman, James; and John Bratton. Silver Creek.
During the fall of 1860 a new bank was established. of which James .1. Jackson was made president, John D. Lockwood, cashier, S. S. Bayliss, Sam- uel Knepper and J. P. Casady were directors. It did not. however, com- mence operation until in January, 1861. It was afterwards merged in the First National Bank when the law creating such institutions went into effect. The new board of supervisors found the affairs of the county in unsatisfactory condition. especially that of treasurer, W. D. Turner, and after filing his report, it required that his bond be raised, and instead of complying he tendered his resignation, which was accepted, and Thomas Tostevin was appointed to fill the vacancy, which he proceeded to do so satisfactorily that he held the position by election for six years. He, like G. M. Dodge, was a surveyor. a fine scholar, though not a military man, being reared a Quaker, but probably next to General Dodge he has had more to do with the conduct of affairs than any man in the county, and although his field of operation was small compared with that of the General, there were points of resen- blance between them, being about the same age, both untiring workers and in politics intensely republican. In addition to county treasurer he has held at different times the office of mayor of the city, county surveyor, city en- gineer, and was sent by the city as one of a committee to negotiate with the officers of the Union Pacific Railroad Company for the location of their terminal requirements here, wherein the city pledged two hundred and five thousand dollars, to which the company agreed but afterwards repudiated.
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
CIVIL WAR.
During the winter of 1850-1 we, in common with all the north, felt the unrest and uncertainty that hung like a nightmare over us, while state after state was seceding, and a large element among us was in full sympa- thy with the movement, when the president's proclamation for prayers proved unavailing; when the president-elect had to proceed by stealth to the capital we realized that the inevitable was close by and began to cast about as to what could be done in our small way at this distance.
Nor was the spirit of secession confined to the political world. Up to this time Brigham Young had been the recognized head of the Mormon Church, but a schism had crept in and had grown until the non-polygamists came out openly, repudiating Brigham Young and the Utah hierarchy and organized under the leadership of Joseph Smith, son of the prophet who was murdered in the Carthage jail in Illinois by the mob. The first meeting under the new organization was held on the 4th of January, 1861, which continued for several days, and many converts were baptized, and the con- struction of a church building ordered; and although the local society has not grown to large dimensions, it contains among its adherents as good citizens as we have in the community, and one of its peculiarities is that it is self-sustaining. Its members are never seen soliciting funds or getting up fairs or other schemes to get outside help. Although, as already stated, the local society is not large, it has quite a large membership in many coun- ties in Iowa as well as in other states.
With the advent of Mr. Lincoln's administration, his conservative, kindly yet admonitory inaugural address, many still hoped that actual war might be averted. Our local affairs were conducted as usual. Not until the firing on Sumter did our entire people fully realize that the worst was upon us; but the effect was magical. Old party lines were ignored and it became Union or "Copperhead," as those in sympathy with secession were termed. G. M. Dodge, who had already organized a company, tendered its services to Governor Kirkwood, but he, believing it imprudent to leave the frontier unprotected, declined to accept its service at that time, as the regulars at the frontier forts were being drawn in for the defense of Washington.
We at this distance got our first glimpse of actual preparation for war one day as a battalion of regulars who had come by steamboat from Fort Ran- dall. As warning had been sent by General Dodge of probable difficulty in their passing through Missouri, they landed here and marched across the state to Eddyville, the nearest point to strike a railroad. There were four companies and they had a fine band, and as they marched up Broadway to the tune of "Dixie," with the regular swing peculiar to disciplined troops, they made a fine appearance; and three or four of our boys were so charmed that they joined them.
Nebraska promptly raised a regiment of cavalry to protect the frontier on the withdrawal of the regulars, and Captain Dodge was authorized to raise a regiment, which he proceeded to do by opening a recruiting station in the Bluffs and establishing Camp Kirkwood on a beautiful spot just south
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
of the city limits. Dr. S. H. Craig, who was sheriff of Pottawattamie county, resigned his office. and proceeded to raise a company. Captain English was the first to report with a full company from Mills county, which became Company A, and Captain Craig, assisted by W. H. Kinsman, was next in with Company B, recruited largely from the city and almost wholly from within the county. It must be remembered that at that time the entire population of the county did not exceed five thousand and that, as now, that of the city constituted about one-half: so that raising a regiment was an entirely different proposition from what it would be now with its sixty thou- sand, and the entire southwestern part of the state had to be drawn upon to fill the different regiments and companies organized here, while at different times we were drawn upon to fill quotas in other parts of the state; and while we are justly proud of the achievements of our Pottawattamie county boys we do not wish to withhold our praise from their fellow soldiers from other parts of the state or country at large.
Nor is it the purpose of this little history to follow our citizen soldiers through their long terms of service, their suffering in hospitals and rebel prisons. This has already been done by abler writers. Suffice it to say that we have no apologies to make. From General Dodge to the private soldier, we simply wish to record our approval of their every act and joy that a grateful country remembers them.
While the lowa Fourth was being filled, N. T. Spoor, who had been postmaster during Buchanan's administration. received authority to raise an artillery company. He also opened a rendezvous at Camp Kirkwood, and this brings to us another person who was destined to become a prominent figure later on. Joseph R. Reed, a young lawyer of Dallas county, had started to raise a company and had thirty-six men enlisted. He came with them and, combining these with those recruited by Spoor, and securing a few more recruits, a full company was formed and organized as the Second Jowa Battery, with N. T. Spoor as captain. Joseph R. Reed first lieutenant, Charles F. Reed second lieutenant. Subsequently Daniel T. Walling was commis- sioned junior first lieutenant and served one year. Captain Spoor served three years as captain and, on being mustered out. Lieutenant J. R. Reed became captain September 1, 1864. At the same time John W. Coons, of Dallas county, became first lieutenant. and John Burke second.
During the four years of service the total number of enlistments in the battery was over one hundred and fifty, among which were a number from Council Bluffs and various other parts of the state. It was mustered out at Davenport, Iowa, August 7, 1865, after exactly four years' service.
The record of the Fourth Iowa is a glorious one. From here they went to St. Louis, then to Rolla; from there they joined the army under command of General Curtis. participating in the battle of Pea Ridge, then marched across the states of Missouri and Arkansas to Helena; were in at the capture of Arkansas post, the long seige and final capture of Vicksburg. From here they moved to Corinth and from there to Chattanooga, where they, with the brigade of which they formed a part, were assigned to General Hook command, and carried the point of Lookout Mountain in the famous ba
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
above the clouds. After the battle of Pea Ridge they were commanded by their lieutenant-colonel, James A. Williamson, Dodge having been promoted to brigadier-general and assigned to a higher and different command.
On January 1, 1864, the Fourth lowa re-enlisted and on February 26 they started for home on veteran furlough and arrived in Des Moines on March 9. The city gave them a royal reception, and the legislature then in session adopted the following resolutions:
"Whereas, We have learned that the veterans of the Fourth Iowa have re-enlisted for three years or during the war, and that they are on their way to this city on furlough to enjoy for a short time the blessings of the domestic circle, and the citizens of Des Moines are preparing to give them a proper reception, and deeming it our duty as their representatives to express our appreciation of their gallantry and their services in the suppression of the rebellion : therefore, be it
Resolved by the General Assembly of the state of lowa, That we have watched with pride and admiration the Fourth Iowa Infantry, as step by step they have borne the ensign of the free on the memorable fields of Pea Ridge. Chickasaw Bayon. Arkansas Post, Jackson, Vicksburg siege and assault, Cherokee. Caney Creek. Tuscumbia. Lookout Mountain, Missionary Ridge and Ringgold, and in their long and weary marches, enduring all the hard- ships and privations of a soldier's life, they have toiled on and fought for home and kindred until the mute graves of their comrades in arms point with sadness to remnants of brave men who have honored their state and added to the glory of the nation.
Resolved. That in the re-enlistment of said regiment we have the strong- est proof of their loyalty to the principles of civil liberty ; and that their love of country is paramount to all other considerations and entitles them to the lasting honor and gratitude of those who-e firesides have been protected by their arms.
Resolved. That as a token of our confidence and regard for the dis- tinguished -ervices of that regiment, we will adjourn and attend in a body the reception of the veterans on their return to the city.
Resolved, That the Governor be requested to present them with a copy of these resolutions, and on behalf of the members of this General Assembly bid them welcome to the capital of the state whose honor they have kept so sacredly untarnished."
On the expiration of their furlough they returned and rejoined their brigade. taking part in the campaign which resulted in the taking of At- lanta, the march to the sea and capture of Savannah and the march north- ward through the Carolinas and Virginia, taking their place in the grand review at Washington. The regiment was finally discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, on the 24th of July, 1865.
It is proper in this connection to refer to one who took an active part in rai-ing Company B of this regiment. This was W. H. Kinsman. He was a native of Nova Scotia. who had drifted into this county, taught school near the old Wieks' mill, was a newspaper correspondent, became first lieutenant in Company B, where he served until in organizing the Twenty-third In-
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
fantry he was commissioned lieutenant colonel in Angust, 1862, and colonel in September of same year; was killed at the head of his regiment during seige of Vicksburg and was buried on the field, where he rested forty years, when his grave was identified and his remains brought to Council Bluffs and reinterred in the soldiers' ground in Fairview Cemetery and a suitable monument erected to his memory.
During the years of 1861, 1882 and 1863 the raising of troops seemed to be the principal business.
After the Fourth Infantry and Second Battery had gone to the front, there seemed to be no abatement in the zeal for carrying on the war. D. B. Clark, a pioneer farmer, opened a recruiting office and with the assistance of Steven W. King, of Pottawattamie, and John A. Donelson, of Harrison county, raised a company for the Fifteenth Infantry. W. T. Burke later raised seventeen men for the Seventeenth Infantry and was made first licu- tenant of Company H. and J. C. Linieger raised twenty-three men and took them into the Twenty-third Regiment and was made captain of Com- pany E.
On looking back, one is inclined to wonder where so many soldiers could be recruited from in the then thinly settled portion of Iowa, but they came just the same and more were destined to follow.
With the enlistment constantly going on, prosecution of the war became more and more popular and any man opposed to it had little show of election to any oflice.
The ladies of Council Bluffs were not behindhand in aiding the coun- try in its great struggle. At an early period of the war they organized a Soldiers' Aid Society that did excellent work, and on March 22, 1862, was merged into a branch of the Army Sanitary Commission of Iowa that did a great work in supplying hospitals and prisons with needful articles which could not always be furnished by the War Department.
During the summer of 1862 Thomas II. Benton, Jr., nephew of Senator Benton, of Missouri, who had been a banker previous to the crash of 1857, received authority to raise a regiment of infantry and, although this terri- tory had been pretty well drained of its young men, a rendezvous was opened a little south of Camp Kirkwood, on the same beautiful table land, and named Camp Dodge in honor of the general who had already become re- nowned. Sheriff J. P. Williams, like his predecessor. S. 11. Craig, resigned and started a recruiting station and succeeded in raising Campany A, nearly all of the members of which were from Pottawattamie county, and a large part from the city. In organizing the company J. P. Williams was made captain ; first lieutenant, George A. Haines: - econd lieutenant, R. R. Kirk- patrick : orderly sergeant, C. V. Gardner. By December the regiment was organized and ready to take the field. Of the regimental officers the following were from Pottawattamie county: Colonel. Thos. Benton, Jr. : quartermaster, W. W. Wilson; surgeon, Dr. W. S. Grimes; adjutant. Joseph Lyman. Lyman had enlisted at the forming of the Fourth Iowa and for meritorions service was commissioned a lieutenant by Governor Kirkwood and assigned to the Twenty-ninth and served as adjutant and later became major. This regi-
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
ment went through the whole of Dixey and were stationed for some months on the Rio Grande, observing the movements of the French in Mexico after the rebellion had collapsed. It was mustered out at New Orleans on the 10th of August. 1865, and on the arrival of Company A at the Bluffs they were given a royal reception. Many are still with us, and many more have joined the great majority. Among the latter are all of the field and staff officers.
As an illustration of the spirit which prevailed at this time. Mr. Curtis Burroughs, who had just built a neat cottage in Glendale on a lot purchased on time, remarked that he would go with this regiment if his lot was paid for, so he could leave his family comfortably fixed. Old Captain Beal, his creditor. says: "If you want to enlist, don't stop on that account. Interest will stop while you are in the service and if you die or get killed, your widow shall have a clear title to the lot." He died at Helena, Arkansas, and old Captain Beal kept his promise. Several of Council Bluffs' boys fell in this campaign, among which were Geo. W. Fouman, N. Il. Folsom and Law- rence Smith. brother to Hon. Spencer Smith. Captain J. P. Williams, who had to resign on account of failing health. recovered and at eighty-two is living in comfortable retirement, as is also his first lieutenant. Geo. 1. Haines. Second Lieutenant R. R. Kirkpatrick died in California some years ago. C. V. Gardner, who became the last to command the company, became one of the founders of Avoca and later of Deadwood, Dakota. Among the members that are still with us are Drum Major McFadden, Bugler Robt. Bucroft and Oliver Payne.
About October 25, 1862, W. G. Crawford received a captain's commis- sion from Governor Kirkwood to raise a company for the Sixth Iowa Cav- alry. being formed at Davenport. D. F. Eicher and J. C. DeHaven enlisted and all three commenced recruiting through the western part of the state. Notwithstanding the territory had been pretty well drained, they suc- ceeded in raising a full company and in organizing. C. W. Lamb was elected first lieutenant, D. F. Eicher second and J. C. Dellaven third. Later the government dropped the third lieutenant from the rolls and Dellaven was appointed orderly sergeant. The company was transported by stage to Daven- port. Captain Crawford's health entirely failed. and he was compelled to re- sign. Lieutenant Lamb also resigned, and Lieutenant Eicher became captain, J. C. DeHaven first lieutenant and David Ellison second. Thus organized they were incorporated in the Sixth Cavalry as Company E and went into Camp Douglas for five months' drill and instruction and were assigned to the com- mand of General Sully for service in the northwest. and marched across the state via Council Bluffs and Sioux City. first camping between that city and Yankton. The summer campaign was through the Dakotas, reaching Fort Pierre in June, and continued marching north to the Cannon Ball and Yellow- stone rivers. encountering the Indians and defeating them in numerous bat- tles and skirmishes, in one of which seventy-five Indians and eight soldiers were killed. After service until August. 1865. they were relieved by regulars and ordered to Davenport and mustered out, all returning to their respective homes to resume their former occupations. Among them belonging to the
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
Bluffs were Captain Eicher, Lieutenant Dellaven, William Marble, Allen Spicer, Kade Rogers. and several others. The company lost two men. Cap- tain Crawford died before their return and Captain Eicher in 1902.
Early in the spring of 1864 the draft was being used in places, but Potta- wattamie had done so well that department Marshal Field received word from headquarters that if we would furnish twenty good men within thirty days there would be no draft that spring.
Mayor Pahner called a meeting of the council and steps were taken to get the board of supervisors to issue $2,000, so as to make a cash bounty of $100. It was carried through promptly and the men furnished. Pro- vision was also made to assist the families of all soldiers that were in need, this being accomplished largely by the ladies. During this year W. F. Sapp came from Omaha and formed a law partnership with Sammuel Clinton. Ile was a native of Knox county, Ohio, came to Omaha at an early day and when the war drew the regulars in he became lientenant-colonel of the First Nebraska Cavalry and was for a time stationed at Fort Kearney. On coming here he entered into an active participation of affairs. As a lawyer he was an able advocate. He was a man of commanding presence, being over six feet tall and weighing 200 pounds; was a powerful stump speaker and soon " made himself prominent. He was a republican and was elceted to the leg- islature, where his influence was largely instrumental in securing the loea- iton of the School for the Deaf at this place. Later he became United States district attorney and was twice elected to Congress. It was he and Judge A. V. Larimer that originated and conducted the proceedings through the courts to compel the Union Pacific Railroad Company to comply with the terms of its charter in making its terminus at this point. He had pur- chased a farm and contemplated retiring, but was stricken down and died October 22, 1890, and, by a strange coincidence, in the same house and room in which the Hon. Walter 1. Smith was born many years before. Thus, one member of Congress was born and another died in the same room.
During this summer the first brick schoolhouse in the city was erceted on the northwest corner of Pierce and Stutsman streets. The contract was let to G. F. Smith for $6,000. being only a two-room house. Later, when the large Pierce street schoolhouse was built, this was sold, and is now owned and used as a dwelling by Mr. Bell. After the visit of Mr. Lincoln to the city, the great hill on which was the old Mormon burying ground was given by common consent the name of Mt. Lincoln, and this year a company was formed and the ground bought and platted as the Fairview Cemetery, and, as its name implies, is one of the most charming sites in the country.
It was during this summer that a horse-thief was brought from Harri- son eounty and lodged in the old cottonwood jail. only to be taken out and hung on a tree in the eastern part of the city, where he was found the next morning. No effort was made to learn who were the lynchers.
Notwithstanding Pottawattamie county had sent most of her young men to the front, the commands to which they were attached had been reduced to the extent that some of the regiments could muster but four or five hundred
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HISTORY OF POTTAWATTAMIE COUNTY
rank and file, and a draft was ordered, and the quota assigned for Potta- wattamie county was sixty.
It is probable that if it could have been credited with all that went into regiments in other states Iowa would have been exempt, but the determination to end the war left no time for parleying, and the draft came. That for the eastern part of the fifth district was held at Des Moines and that of eight counties in the western part at Council Bluffs. It was conducted in the room over what is now the Pierce shoe store, on the corner of Main and Broadway. It was done by towns and townships. The names of all liable for military duty were written on cards and placed in a revolving cylinder, and after it had made several revolutions a ticket was drawn by a person blind- folded, and the man whose name was on that ticket was duly drawn. This was repeated till the required number was secured. If any citizen was present belonging to the precinet being drawn upon he was invited to draw, and in one instance a man drew his own son. Five days' notice then had to be served on each drafted man, and if he failed to appear at the rendezvous within that time he was considered a deserter and subject to arrest. Nearly all came forward, but a few jumped the country. The same assistance was extended to the families of these as to those of the enlisted men, and, although it was a serious matter, they started for the front cheerfully, like true Ameri- cans that they were.
The draft at Des Moines was conducted by Provost Marshal S. C. Brownell and at the Bluffs by H. H. Field, deputy.
The presidential election followed immediately on the heels of the draft and although party feeling ran pretty high it passed off without any violence. It commenced snowing in the morning and continued for forty-eight hours and the weather was cold for three weeks, which made it pretty severe for the drafted men, who were coming in rapidly; but a requisition had been made for blankets, which arrived in time, and detachments were forwarded daily, until by the 25th the last of our quota were on their way to Davenport, that being the rendezvous for Iowa. At this time the railroad had only reached Grinnell.
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