USA > Iowa > Sac County > History of Sac County, Iowa > Part 27
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Standard Oil Company were out and were much interested in the outcome and made liberal offers, it is said. Samples were sent to Cleveland and other points. A thirty-three-inch vein of coal was also found there, as well as pockets of fairly transparent mica, but it appears that upon working none of these minerals were found to be in sufficient quantities to work.
A little later, prospecting for coal and oil was carried on near Sac City, but all ended about the same way. Home capital was much interested and high hopes were at one time entertained of this agricultural county also be- coming famous as a coal and oil district.
CYCLONE DAYS.
At the time of the great Pomeroy cyclone, July 6, 1893, Sac county was touched by the same electric wind storm and much property destroyed, but no lives reported lost. The Early News said of the storm in this county : "Barns, granaries, outbuildings, machine house of James Keck were all demolished. The Congregational church near Keck's was torn to splinters and the church organ and furniture destroyed. O. V. Jensen's farm in Cook township was struck and his granary was removed several rods. John Whetstine's farm was struck, every building on the farm swept clean away and several animals killed; the family went to a cellar and were thus saved. Loss, three thousand dollars. Fred Stephens' barn and other buildings were demolished, stock killed and many thousand dollars lost. The territory covered by the storm in this county was about four miles square. It hailed and blew terribly."
DROWNED AT WALL LAKE.
On May 23. 1893, while out fishing, a party of four, Robert and Bert Cory, the nephew, George Burgess, and Samuel Carson, were unfortunate. Upon having secured a good lot of fish they concluded to return to shore. The wind and rough water made it bad navigating the little sailing boat in which they had been fishing. Upon launching out to return, Carson slipped in the lake and, being cold and wet, concluded to walk home and knew not of the ill fate of the other three until the following morning when they had not returned. A party of searchers were sent out forthwith, and continued to search for two days, and finally found the bodies of Bert and Robert Cory. but George Burgess was not discovered until Monday following. It was a sad blow to the several families who were represented by the three drowned
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men. This appears to have been the second case of drowning at Lake View in the history of the settlement.
In the month of June, about the 24th, 1907, occurred a terrible cyclone, originating in Boyer Valley township, at three o'clock in the afternoon. The farms injured most were those belonging to P. G. Weitzel and Thomas Han- son. This storm formed on the farm of N. Neilson in the northwest quarter of section 30, of Boyer Valley township. There were no lives lost among the settlers, but many animals killed.
TEMPERANCE SENTIMENTS.
Upon the assassination of Rev. George C. Haddock at Sioux City, in the summer of 1886, by the lawless saloon element of that city, there was held an indignation meeting at Sac City, in which the better element passed resolu- tions as follows :
"Whereas, according to the best evidence the death of Rev. George C. Haddock, of Sioux City, was the result of a deliberate conspiracy by saloon keepers of that city, to thus stop the enforcement of the prohibition law; therefore the people of Sac City, in mass meeting assembled, declare that this murder meets with our condemnation. It shows a spirit of lawlessness that is inimical to the spirit and best interests of the great state, the government and the home. It reveals the disreputable character of the men engaged in the liquor business ; they are outlaws with whom the only proper way to deal is by the strong arm of the law, backed by the power of the state.
"That we are more than ever in favor of the total prohibition of the rum power ; and to this cause we pledge our eternal fidelity ; and for the enforce- ment of the laws we offer our hearty co-operation in every legitimate manner, even counting not our lives dear to us for the keeping good the honor of the state. That while the authorities of Sioux City are now using all endeavors to bring the guilty ones to justice, they should remember that their former toleration of the saloons of that city and the acquiescence of many of the leading citizens of the place, emboldened these assassins and led them to commit this unprovoked and dastardly crime. The only safety for Sioux City, as well as all cities in Iowa, is to fight the saloon to the death.
"We endorse the action of the state authorities in offering a reward for the detection of the murderers, and we stand ready to back them in using the power of the state, whenever and wherever needs be, to enforce the laws now on our statute books. And in this work all good citizens, regardless of party affiliations, should join.
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"We tender the sincerest sympathies to the family of him who gave his life as a sacrifice to the cause of temperance and the enforcement of law, and ยท we ask them to accept this accompanying gift as a slight testimonial of our feelings."
At the above meeting short speeches were made by C. E. Lane, Judge Early, Judge Criss, Levi Davis, Mr. Carter and editor J. N. Miller.
Sae county was early in the field of temperance work, as will be seen by an iteni in the local papers furnished in more recent years, by an old pioneer minister named Barnes, who was a circuit rider in northwestern Iowa in the latter part of the fifties (about 1858), in which he tells of the crusade work performed by his wife and Sae City ladies long before the work of Carrie Nation and Franeis Willard had been thought of. It was on the occasion of one of the first, probably the very first, county fairs held here. A man came over from old Boonesboro (now Boone) and opened up a wagon con- taining whisky to sell to those who might come into the pioneer fair. He was doing quite a liquor business, although it was against the state laws. The winter before there had been a rousing religious revival and the ladies had been interested in the temperance movement, hence were now ready to strike a blow at this sort of law-breaking. A meeting was hurriedly called and the preacher's wife, though her husband was out on his circuit, conchided she would lead the crusade. Among the ladies to support her were Mrs. Eugene Criss and daughter, Mrs. Metcalf, Mrs. Jordan and Mrs. MeFarland. Miss Criss, then a young vigorous woman, was appointed as one of the "ax- women." The unlawful liquor seller had gone to water his team and left ex- posed to view his liquor barrels. The women attacked his barrels and spilled the "spirits" on the ground. They were soon met hy a party of the vendor's friends and a vigorous contest followed, but the ladies accomplished their purpose and quietly retired. The disgusted and highly-wrought-up liquor seller hitched up his team and departed for the east, followed by a wagon driven by Mr. Metcalf. The ladies all followed on, shouting, waving hand- kerchiefs and axes as they went forward.
When the grand jury met soon afterward, an attempt was made by a few whisky sympathizers in the village to have the ladies indicted and Rev. Barnes, the preacher, had in his possession in 1900 a copy of the proposed indictment against the crusaders, which was furnished the preacher and his good wife by Judge D. Carr Early, then clerk of the courts. It was highly prized, and it goes without saying that but a few on that grand jury voted to find a "true bill" against the fearless Christian workers.
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A FIFTY-YEAR-OLD MORTGAGE.
Singular as it may seem, the first real estate mortgage to be recorded in Sac county, away back in 1856, was not satisfied legally upon the face of the record for about a half century. The mortgage was given by William J. Wagoner, a pioneer, June 23. 1856, to T. J. Stone, later a prominent banker at Sioux City. It was on the northwest quarter of section 14, township 88, range 36, and was recorded on page one of book A of mortgages in Sac county. In 1905, Tait & Jackson, engaged to clear up titles of land in this county, discovered that this instrument had never been satisfied of record. though it had been paid when due, nearly fifty years before this discovery was made. Mr. Wagoner was in 1905 residing in Arkansas. T. J. Stone, the Sioux City banker, died and his son, Edward Stone, discovered that the mortgage had been paid and immediately adjusted the records as above stated. It had been an oversight on the part of that excellent pioneer banker of Sioux City, the president of the First National Bank of recent years.
USING PEAT FOR FUEL.
In 1873 Charles H. Knight, residing three miles north of Sac City. dis- covered an extensive peat bed, specimens of which were brought to the city and tested and proved to be the genuine material. The item in the Sun at that time says: "There are hundreds of acres of land with this material under- neath the surface. Two or three days' time will produce enough for a family's supply for the winter. It is just as good as coal, which costs six dollars a ton at the depot now. Here is a new source of wealth for our people if they will properly use it."
DAYS OF MOURNING.
At the time of the assassination of President Lincoln there was not a large population in this county, but everyone mourned the death of Mr. Lincoln and a memorial service was held in the church.
In 1881, when President James A. Garfield was assassinated, the mayor in Sac City called the council together and planned for a memorial service to be held at the court house. The resolutions passed by the town council read as follows: "Whereas, our people with great unanimity desire to unitedly express their deep regret at the nation's loss; therefore, I respectfully recom-
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mend that all places of business in Sac City be closed from 1 :30 to 4:00 P. M. on said day and that the people assemble at the court house at two o'clock P. M., to participate in memorial services, expressive of our high regard for the stainless character and eminent services of the illustrious dead.
"By JOHN ALEXANDER, "Mayor."
A committee prepared the court house for the sad occasion. The entrance was draped and the flag placed at half-mast. With the assistance of the ladies the court room was tastily arranged. The judge's stand was draped in black and resting upon it were several vases of choice flowers. To the right on the wall was hung a draped picture of Abraham Lincoln; on the left was a picture of James A. Garfield ; underneath the epigram, "God reigns and the government lives." Beyond this, opposite the space reserved for the Masonic fraternity, was an evergreen cross and crown, with the Knight Templar motto, "In Hoc Signo Vinces."
The court room was packed to overflowing. Rev. Foster spoke of Gar- field's moral and religious life; James N. Miller, of the Sun, of his life as a soldier ; Rev. Smylie, on Garfield the statesman; Judge Ed R. Duffie, on be- half of the Masonic fraternity.
GRANT'S DEATH-1885.
When the sad news of Gen. U. S. Grant's death was flashed over the wires to Sac City, in July, 1885, the bells were at once set tolling, conveying the intelligence to the community. Business houses were soon draped in heavy mourning. There was not the feeling of horror mingled with sadness that attended the death of Lincoln and Garfield, but only a quiet grief, tem- pered by the thought that the old hero had lived out his allotted days and that he was at rest, free from suffering.
Sac City Post No. 284, Grand Army of the Republic, held a special meeting and prepared for elaborate memorial services, which were held in the opera house. Rev. Smylie, of the Methodist Episcopal church, was selected as the orator of the occasion. At the hall, the post had draped the interior in a very impressive manner, and were assisted by Mrs. J. M. Woodward and Misses Anna Vogt, Anna and Lizzie Elwood, Blanche Goldsmith and Winnie Lane. In the center of the stage hung a beautiful floral motto, "His Work is Done." Beneath this, resting on a chair, was a fine portrait of Grant. In
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front of the altar the flag and different emblems greeted the eye. Rev. Carter offered prayer and read the nineteenth Psalm, while Rev. Smylie delivered a very historic and touching oration. Before being dismissed, the audience adopted the following resolutions :
"Whereas it has pleased the Grand Commander on high to call from our midst our beloved commander and statesman, Gen. U. S. Grant.
"Be it therefore resolved, that we bow in humble submission to His divine will.
"Be it further resolved, that in his death we have lost our great leader, who, called from civil life, commanded the largest armies, for the longest period, with the greatest success of any commander in modern times, never failing in leading his army to victory, unconditional for surrender, generous in his terms, determined on the field of battle for success at any sacrifice, yet magnanimous for peace at its close, stamping his genius and generalship upon the rolls of history ; willing, nay anxious, to lay aside his sword and return to humble life as a civilian.
"Be it further resolved that, in respect to his memory, we shall ever revere the hall of Sac City Post No. 284, Grand Army of the Republic, and cause it to be draped in mourning for thirty days."
DEATH OF PRESIDENT M'KINLEY.
Four times have the people of Sac county been called to mourn deeply over the death of a President-three while in active service and once over the death of U. S. Grant. That is to say, public meetings have been held on the death of four who have been at the head of this government since the organ- ization of Sac county.
On Sunday evening following the death of President Mckinley, a union memorial service was held in Sac City. The program included speeches by Rev. W. Torbet, of the Methodist church, who spoke on "Mckinley as a Man"; Rev. L. N. Call, of the Baptist church, "Mckinley the President"; Rev. D. F. Snyder, of the Christian church, "Mckinley as a Christian"; "Our Crisis," by Rev. A. H. Chittenden, pastor of the Presbyterian church, who was presiding officer of the memorial exercises.
DEATH OF U. S. SENATOR J. P. DOLLIVER.
At the Methodist Episcopal church at Sac City, on Sunday evening, February 11, 1911, just about his fifty-third birthday, occurred the memorial
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services on the death of Senator J. P. Dolliver, which occurred at his Fort Dodge home in that month. Befitting remarks were offered by Hon. Charles L. Early on "Dolliver as a Statesman." Others spoke, including George B. Perkins, on "Dolliver the Citizen," "Dolliver the Man and Christian," by R. L. McCord, and "Dolliver as a Methodist," by Rev. Thomas Andrew, of the Methodist church.
WONDERFUL MINERAL HAILSTONES.
On March 25, 1901, there was a violent hail storm through this county, and about four or five miles to the northwest of Sac City the hailstones fell in wonderful quantities and in huge proportions. Some fell in the orchard of Philip H. Lewis, specimens of which he brought to Sae City and had them examined by experts and chemists, who determined that they were, in many .instances, four pounds in weight. The more wonderful point about these hail stones was that they were of a mineral composition, strongly impreg- nated with salts. Tons of these large stones fell in a radius of a few miles, and the test showed that they had a sal soda taste and strongly alkali, but quite soluble, containing carbon, sodium, boron, and some calcium. Various were the theories advanced as to their origin. Some believed that particles of dust carried in the air from some alkaline plain may have caused them, while others argued that it was caused by contact with a flying meteor.
SNOW BLOCKADE OF 1880-81.
The Sac Sun of April 8, 1881, said : "Just two months today our rail- road was blocked and has so remained, with the exception of a few days' time. Monday afternoon, at four o'clock, the nearly forgotten steam whistle was heard. A grand rush of men and eurious boys started for the depot. It was a greater event to them than the first train that ever came to Sae City. The depot was thronged with people, whose faces were wreathed with smiles. An engine from the main line of the Northwestern brought up the train of several loaded ears. In all, fifty-three cars were in waiting to be brought up to Sac City. Our people feel like new men and women, and we can laugh and joke at the affair now."
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FORMING AN OLD SETTLERS ASSOCIATION.
The first call looking toward the organization of an old settlers' society in Sac county read as follows and was dated May 25, 1877: "There has been a good deal of talk about having an old settlers' association formed, but no decided action taken in the matter as yet. Now I will presume to appoint Eugene Criss and D. Carr Early, of Sac City, William Impson and Peter Basler, of Grant City, and M. S. Lee and Robert Quail, of Douglas township, a committee to come together at the call of Eugene Criss and make such arrangements for the call as they think best.
"WILLIAM CORY.
"Early, Iowa, May 21, 1877."
The matter rested until September 28th of the same year, when another call was sent out asking all persons who settled in this county prior to, 1868 to become members of such an association. The chairman of the second meeting was Judge Criss and the secretary was William Cory. D. Carr Early was chosen president for the ensuing year and William Cory, secre- tary. At this first meeting among those who made remarks were Judge Criss, who stated, in substance. :
"I built the first cabin in Sac City and wintered here without any flour to eat. The thermometer went down to thirty degrees below zero. I arrived here in the summer of 1855. Leonard, Lemuel and John Austin and Mr. Cory had a little improvement here. I drove on to Sioux City, and was offered a full block of ground there free if I would come there and; settle. I had seen the good mill site here in Sac City and so came back. I went on to Kansas, however, and, finding nothing out there, I came back and went to work. It was lonesome here, with but few neighbors and our cabin some- times filled with Indians. We had a county seat fight and we won out. People were charitable and would really divide the last peck of corn meal with one another. Once the snow was four feet deep on the level and in the ravines drifted to a depth of thirty feet. When we wanted meat we went out and killed an elk. I once went down to Des Moines to secure something to eat. but finding nothing there, returned and we lived on potatoes the remainder of the winter. One December I went to Dubuque when the mercury stood twenty degrees below zero. Now we have plenty to eat and wear and a good county to live in."
Asa Platt said: "We were thirty-one days coming through to this
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county. As soon as we arrived here in Sac City, all hands gathered around us to see if we had anything 'good to eat.' We had plenty of hard times when we first came here. No cash at first : we depended on what cash the non- residents sent on for their taxes. Judge Early was county treasurer and we would borrow money of him sometimes."
William Cory said: "I was only a child when coming here, but have watched the growth of the county from the day the first settler came in, which was twenty-three years ago. We made the first track from Fort Dodge to the Coon river. Ink-pa-du-tah was here with his band of Indians, some of which were in the great massacre at Spirit Lake in 1857. The first furrow was turned the next week after we arrived. Only seven settlers were here then. The next year Judge Criss and Judge Early came, and we thought we were getting crowded."
The association voted to hold the next meeting one year from the date of the first one and keep them up annually. The following list of pioneers was then made out by the secretary, the same showing the name, date of arrival in Sac county and the age of the person, at the time they signed this register in 1877 :
William Montgomery, May 15. 1855, aged fifty-seven years.
D. Carr Early, May 5. 1856, aged forty-seven years.
Mrs. Early, May 5, 1856.
Peter Basler, February 1. 1856, sixty-four years.
Mrs. Mary Basler, February 1, 1856, sixty-three years.
Isabella Miller, September 7, 1854, fifty-seven years.
William Cory, September 7, 1854, thirty-six years.
Enoch Ross, May 16, 1856, fifty-three years.
Mrs. E. Ross, May 16. 1856, fifty-two years.
Eugene Criss, July, 1855, fifty-five years.
Mrs. Francis Criss, July, 1855.
J. G. Austin, September 8, 1854, forty-one years.
Asa Platt, October 15. 1858, forty-seven years.
Mrs. Asa Platt, October 15, 1858.
O. Whitney, August, 1857, forty-six years. Mrs. Whitney, August, 1857, forty-three years.
John O. A. Wine, May 20, 1857, forty-nine years.
Mrs. Wine, May 20, 1857. fifty-four years.
Samuel Quail, July 29, 1856, fifty-six years.
IV. R. Nevin, spring of 1863, fifty-two years.
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Mrs. Nevin, spring of 1863, forty-two years.
A. Barney, fall of 1865, forty-five years.
Mrs. A. Barney, fall of 1865, thirty-seven years.
Robert Quail, June, 1856, fifty-four years.
Mrs. Robert Quail, June. 1856, fifty-one years.
WV. B. Trout, May 7, 1867, thirty-three years.
From time to time there have been held numerous harvest home picnics and other old settler gatherings in this county. Perhaps an account of one of these gatherings will suffice to show the general spirit manifested on such annual occasions. We refer now to an account of an old settlers' picnic held in 1884 in the beautiful grove of HI. A. Wilson, of Cook township, which was held on July 21st of that year. The account of this pleasant affair runs thus :
"The grove was a beautiful one, affording plenty of shade. Platforms had been well arranged beforehand, as well as plenty of comfortable seats and long tables in readiness for the loads of good things to eat. At eleven o'clock A. M. the audience was called to order by the vice-president and the opening exercises then followed. Judge E. Criss, the oldest settler then liv- ing in the county. made a fine address of welcome, in his characteristic man- ner. He recounted some of the early settlement privations and interesting incidents, as well as some of its genuine pleasures. The good Judge was in his ustal happy vein and interested the people assembled very well. At the close of his speech an adjournment was had for dinner. The table groaned beneath the burden of good things brought to the grounds for dinner. It was soon devoured by the hungry horde of both old and young. After din- ner the meeting was again called to order and speeches were delivered hy James N. Miller, editor of the Sac Sun, Hon. W. W. Field, Rev. W. O. Thompson and County School Superintendent Martin. Mr. Johnson, aged ninety-four, also made remarks full of interest to all present. The speaking was interspersed by fine music by the choir and with band music by the Early Cornet Band. The writer left before the exercises concluded, thus avoiding a hard rain storm. We never attended a more enjoyable picnic and propose hereafter to be counted every year among the old settlers of Cook and Boyer Valley townships. The generous, unwearied hospitality of Mr. and Mrs. Wilson contributed largely to the enjoyment of the occasion."
In 1886 another picnic was held at Wilson's grove in Cook township, and that was well attended and all had a pleasant day. Mr. Wilson was the first to settle in Cook township and turned the first furrow and erected the
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first house in the township. He planted a grove out and when this last picnic was held there it had grown to be large and shady, yet it was only fourteen years old. It stands still as a monument to his foresight and good sense.
At the time of the great and exciting Northfield. Minnesota, bank rob- bery by the James and Younger boys in the seventies, Frank James, on his return to Missouri. remained all night in the home of Mr. Granleys in the western part of Sae county, though probably unknown to the worthy settler. otherwise he might have had his share of the reward offered for the capture of that famous bandit and bank robber. James had his knee badly shot in the flight from Minnesota, and its pain caused him to swear a half hour at a time when he got up in the morning, just as though his cursing would do it any good. He was later captured by Pinkerton's detective force, and Jesse brought into close quarters.
WEATHER NOTES.
Thanksgiving day, 1876, was very cold in Sac county, the thermometer standing four degrees below zero. At Sac City the audience at the church was very small on account of the cold weather. Rev. Bryan, assisted by Rev. Adams, presided at the meeting.
On May 17. 1878, there was four or five inches of snow on the ground here. It commenced snowing and continued for three hours, leaving fully four inches until the next afternoon. The small fruit was badly injured, but wheat and strawberries and peas were protected by the snow and not materially injured.
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