USA > Iowa > Tama County > History of Tama County, Iowa. Its cities, towns and villages, with early reminiscences, personal incidents and anecdotes and a complete business directory of the county > Part 8
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Corporation
Taxable Farm-
ing Utensils or
Mechan's Tools:
Taxable
Personal
Total Value of All Propery
25 3.493 4.207
12
63-15
1.000 12,905:
6.325
5 2.528
45.686
216.178
1.552 3.492
42
1.060'
175
6.030
905
100 8.487
59.595
279.318
14 1,721: 2.842
250
1,500
200
32.959:
226. 189
30 1.81%)
3.319
25
860
550
3,275
330
560
290
41.011.
247.615
25 2.080' 3 353'
12
985
850
5.963.
908
4.1.854.
249.740
40 2.434 4.625
660
6,020
400
42,035
232.358
19
2.701 1.787
13
540
2,870
210
38.581
326.865
1.642 2.068
15:
24.
4.075
380
1,225
43,904
248.125
2.407: 3.551.
27:
740
1,800
590
510.
100
1.1.41
34.913
228 837
~ 1.942 2.776
26,252
172.497
46 2.445' 3.916
25
600
410.
2.785
50
495
39.691;
19.532
230 3.084 5 420
40)
596
1.756
851
42.000
Pg:1.820
134 1.153 2.130
36
900
725
9.507
4.10
523
35,136:
19 '781
2.030
4.022
15
490
495
25
: 96
36.496
209 -171
30
2,715
4.810
13
190
2.793 3,600
3.472
31,952.
199.114
100 2.018
3.321
20
386
525
2.265
66 2.010
2.736
37;
680
464
3,196
310
1,459.
38.354.
207.355
24 3.008
9.929
12
385
250
50
9.1
28.06T!
208.872
2.11
33;
11
297
5,100
75
1.513
590
11.699
35.104
61
122
ES
1.220: 23.155
22.750
880
3.360
59.335
141.368
172
367
71
2.021
28.162
47.455 1.605 26.575
100 9.684; 120.998
241.864
9
138
2871
82 2,093. 18.449 2,525
15.374.
600 8,728
20
4.150
59.116
237.835
377
405
35
740
9,075
12.438
1.66['
98902
67,172
439
$40
4
130
3.525:
312
13,566
975
75
82
105
31,51]
131
3.110
4,818
1.020 48,377 76,316
16.677 106.318 6.965 163.424 5,795 35.303 1.047 40.372 1.045.342 5.251:073
K
42
22.719
206.022
1: 3.337: 3,701
30:
Property
Property
Credits
Stocks
Other
Total
32.670
CHAPTER XI.
TEMPERANCE.
Tama County, like all other organized territory has had its Temperance revivals, its seasons of drunkeness and seasons of sobriety. As stated in the first part of this work, one of the first acts of the settlers was the prohibiting of intoxicating liquors, and at the general election held on the 1st Monday in April, 1855, the following votes were cast on the Prohibitory Liquor Law. For Prohibition, one hundred and sixty-three votes, and against Pro- hibition, one hundred and twenty-six votes; thus showing the feeling of the settlers on this important question. At this early day a great many drank; not to do so in the eyes of this class of people was to set yourself above your neighbor and become his judge, a state of things which was not to be encouraged. As near as we can learn the first barrel of whiskey was brought to the County by a man named Rouse living on Whiskey Bot- tom. It was from this circumstance that Whiskey Bottom obtained its name. Notwithstanding, we are told that whis- key in those days was very pure, it made a surprising number of drunkards, and when the Washingtonian movement swept over the country it is not to be wondered that this County was struck by the huge wave and driven along with the enrrent.
Occasionally strangers would appear in the various settlements proclaiming themselves missionaries of this great and powerful
105
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY
movement, secure some school house or log cabin and give the people a temperance lecture. After a while a temperance organ- ization was effected to carry on the temperance work, and known as the Sons of Temperance, an organization which was at that time being extensively introduced all over the country. This was a secret organization, composed of males eighteen years old and upwards. In a short time this organization had its divisions all over the County; a very strong one existed in Toledo, at the time. A good work was accomplished by them. the effect of which will last throughout eternity.
Other organizations have existed at different times and in dif- ferent places, each endeavoring to accomplish a special work. For a number of years past, in our villages and large towns, the temperance men have either put forward recognized temperance men for the local officers and voted for them as such, or have been content to vote direct upon the question of license or no license, allowing the political parties of the day to nominate such men as they chose, while pledging them to carry out the will of the people as expressed at the ballot box.
Although intemperance exists among us to an ordinary extent, in common with the rest of the country, we know it has greatly decreased within the last twenty years. We do not believe that, according to the population, there are one-fourth as many drunk- ards in our midst as there were at an early day. This leads us further to declare that we do not believe the efforts put forth by temperance people have been a failure in times past. That organizations have lived and flourished for a while and then gone down, prove nothing. All these organizations are but human instrumentalities, and are brought forth by the necessities of the hour. Their design is to accomplish a certain purpose apparent at the time. It is not to be expected that they will be as enduring as the hills, or like the church, so strong that "the gates of hell shall not prevail against them". If they accomplish a good work for the time being, well enough. If it is found there is a radical defect in their organizations, necessitating change, let it be made, and let us not imagine, because they are defective and
106
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
have not accomplished all the good their most sanguine support- ers anticipated, that nothing has been done. All over the conn- try can be found sober, honest and good men, who but for the efforts put forth by the means of some temperance organization that has ceased to exist, would now fill a drunkards grave. Then ยท we would bid God speed to every effort of temperance men and women, knowing that as temperance increases our country will become more and more prosperous.
CHAPTER XII.
OLD AND NEW COURT HOUSE AND COUNTY JAIL.
As previously remarked Tama County during the first term of District Court was without a seat of Justice, therefore, the first session was held at the dwelling house of J. C. Vermilya, County Judge, where the proper steps were taken for the erec- tion of a Court House, whereby a contract was let to T. A. Gra- ham for the building of the same, for the sum of $1,300. Lot 2 in block 8, in Toledo, was selected for the site, and in the latter part of the year 1854, the Court House was completed, and the second term of Court was held therein.
The house was a commodious frame building two stories in hight and answered the purpose for which it was built until the people realized the need and necessity of a larger one. The old building was disposed of in the year of 1866.
During the year 1865 the people of Toledo and vicinity, agitat- ed the question of a new Court House. At a meeting held in Toledo, there was a Court House Association, organized and the following trustees were chosen: W. F. Johnston, Wm. H. Harrison, D. D. Appelgate, T. A. Graham, N. C. Weiting, and G. R. Struble, with A. J. Free as Secretary. The question of the erection of a new Court House was settled, and the Association advertised for bids upon the plans and specifications submitted. The bid of P. B. Mccullough of Toledo, Iowa, was adopted, and
108
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
the construction was begun by him, but, failing to fill contract, Il. B. Belden, agreed to finish it under the contract. Under Mr. Belden's charge the building was finished at a cost of something over 822,000 of which the County paid abonnt $5,000.
THE BUILDING AND SURROUNDINGS.
The building is a fine structure centrally located in Toledo City on the Public Square, and presents a picturesque spectacle, approached from any direction. The ground on which it is situ- ated is beautifully decorated with trees of different kinds, and in- closed by a tasty and substantial fence, affording the citizens of Toledo a beautiful park suitable for out-door gatherings.
The building is one of neatness and constructed after modern style, two stories high and covers an area of 45 x 72 feet. The material of which the main part is constructed is brick. The basment is stone, giving it a solid and sure foundation, the upper stories are of an excellent quality of brick. The whole building is roofed with corrugated iron.
There are two entrances to the main building one from the north and the other from the south. The structure is surmount- ed by a fine belfry which rises from the center. From this belfry a sublime view can be obtained of the surroundings for miles around. A large hall passes through the entire building.
The first floor is very systematically arranged into different de- partments and occupied as offices for the various officers of the Connty. Each department is furnished with all the necessities that are needed to make them commodions and comfortable. The large fire and burglar proof safe in each office and vaultrender the keeping of all records and funds secure and safe. In the south end will be found a large stair-way leading up into the second story and Court Room. This room throughout is well seated and furnished which make it comfortable quarters for its occupants. Besides the Court Room there is a large and com- modious gallery, a jury room and a hall at the entrance.
Farther up is the belfry reached by a stair-way running from the second story. The building, surroundings and conveniences are referred to with no little degree of pride by the people of
109
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Toledo and Tama County. We pass from this public enterprise to that of the
COUNTY JAIL.
This building is a fine two story brick structure, and stands 30x34 feet on the ground and erected under the supervision of David Stoner, of Toledo.
The upper story is ocenpied by the jailor and contains six - pleasant rooms. The lower story, or the jail, contains a large wronght iron cage, 22x25 with sleeping apartments for the con- finement of the prisoners. The onter door, leading from the dwelling to the jail, is also wrought iron, and the inner one is a grated door. The entire building is covered with an iron roof. A neat fence surrounds the lot on which it stands, which adds unch to its general appearance. The jail was first occupied in the latter part of 1870, and from that time there has been over three-hundred prisoners confined therein. Sheriff Austin took possession of the dwelling on the eighth day of January, 1874. The building stands on the corner of Broadway and State Streets, opposite the northeast corner of the Court Honse square.
Below will be given a full list of officers filling the various County offices.
Judges :- Tallman Chase, J. C. Vermilya, Leander Clark, John Allen, T. F. Bradford, T. A. Graham, Maj. T. S. Free.
Clerks of District Court :- D. D. Appelgate, L. B. Blin, C. J. Stevens.
Sheriff's :- N. L. Osborne, M. Blodgett, W. Garner, H. C. Foster, T, Murry, II. A. Williamson, K. Dexter, R. E. Austin.
School Fund Commissioners :- N. Myers, D. F. Bruner, L. S. Fredrick.
Surveyors :- W. A. Daniels, C. Irish, J. P. Wood, II. Jacobs, C. W. Hliatt, W. H. Holstead.
Treasurers :- D. F. Bruner, J. Ross, T. J. Staly, A. J. Wheaton, J. H. Struble, T. Schaeffer, D. Forker, L. B. Blinn.
Recorders :- D. E. Bruner, T. J. Staly, A. J. Wheaton, J. H. Struble, J. Yeiser, J. R. McClaskey, T. S. Free, J. B. M. Bishop.
110
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY
Coroners :- F. Davis, C. Olney, T. W. Jackson. I. J. Wilkins, N. Fisher, M. A. Newcomb, G. W. Cowles, E. M. Bielby, J. C. Kendricks.
County Superintendents :- W. Helm, J. Ramsdell, T. L. Downs, J. R. Stewart, T. Hnrd, A. H. Sterrett, A. H. Brown. Representatives :- J. Connell. T. W. Jackson, Jas. Wilson, A. Tompkins, W. G. Malin. G. Jaqua.
Auditors :- T. S. Free, A. J. Bowdle, R. G. MeIntire.
Supervisors :- L. Clark. G. Jagna, A. N. Poyneer. J. Rams- dell. S. W. Hutton, J. W. Lauderdale, T. F. Clark, HI. II. Withington, J. Dysart, R. M. Tenny, T. Forker, J. M. Young. J. A. Willey, A. Wilkinson, I. Toland. G. W. Morrison, W. Cory, M. B. Sapp, C. W. Dobson, J. Peterson, W. Conant, A. Donaldson, C. Bratt, P. L. Sherman, J. Wilson, J. J. Keeler, L. Kibbee. P. McRoberts, S. Doolittle, J. Powell, W. Merrill, C. W. Knapp, W. T. Willard, G. M. Morehouse, A. C. Brock- way, W. C. Thomas, G. Prescott. S. H. Baldwin, S. C. Rogers, J. S. Townsend, C. C. Guilford, T. S. Talmage, H. B. Clemans, J. W. Fleming. W. F. Johnston, D. D. Appelgate, G. Jaqua, W. T. V. Ladd, R. Johnston, A. M. Poyneer, T. Hufford W. Gallagher, E. S. Becklsy, M. Mitchell, N. Lewis, A. Tompkins. A. M Stayly, A. C. Tenney, A. Bricker, J. B. Dresser, G. W. Selvey, Z. T. Shugart. L. B. Ladd, II. L. Smith.
Tama County is in the eighth Judicial District which com- prises Linn, Cedar, Jones, Johnson, Iowa, Tama, and Benton Counties. The following is a list of the Judges and Attorneys serving in the District and Circuit Court.
Hon. William E. Smith, G. J. Cook, W. E. Miller, N. W. Isbell, C. II. Conklin, N. M. Hubbard. J. A. Rothrock, Hon. John Shane, A. Phillips, N. C. Wieting. I. A. Allen, C. R. Scott, W. G. Thompson, Milo P. Smith.
CHAPTER XIII.
PRAIRIE PIRATES AND CRIMINAL RECORD.
Tama County has had comparatively few marked scenes of vi- olence and crime, which is a good thing to record, although in early days there existed in this and adjoining Counties a combin- ation of outlaws, horse thieves, counterfeiters and murderers, that fastened themselves upon the country of the Iowa River valley and Northern Tama, previous to 1860.
About the confines of Amrican civilization there has always hovered, like scouts before the march of an invading army, a swarm of bold, enterprising, adventurous criminals. The broad, untrodden prairies, the trackless forests, the rivers unbroken by the keels of commerce, furnishes admirable refuge for those whose crimes drive them from companionship with the honest and law-abiding. Hovering there, where courts and civil pro- cesses could afford but a weak bulwark of protection against their evil and dishonest purposes and practices, the temptation to pray upon the comparatively unprotected sons of toil, rather than to gain a livelihood by the slow process of peaceful industry, has proven two strong to be resisted. Some of these reckless char- acters sought the outskirts of advancing settlements for the ex- press purposes of theft and robbery; some because they dare not remain within reach of efficient laws; others of limited means but ambitious to secure homes of their own, and with honesty of purpose, exchanged the comforts and protection of law afforded
112
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
by the old settled and populous districts for life on the frontiers, . and not finding all that their fancy painted. were tempted into crime by apparent immunity from punishment. In all new countries the proportion of the dishonest and criminal has been greater than in the older and better regulated communities where courts are permanently established and the avenues of escape from punishment for wrong doing more securely guarded. This was notably and particularly the case in the early settlement of Tama and surrounding Counties.
At the time of which we write, a strong and well organized band of desperadoes held almost undisputed and unobstructed dominion throughout this whole region of country and very few of the honest settlers were fortunate enough to preserve all their property from being swept into the meshes of the net-work these land pirates had spread around them. Good horses and their equipments were the most easily captured and most readily concealed, and consequently the most coveted by the outlaws as well as the most unsafe property that early settlers could own.
Owners of fast or really good horses never presumed to leave them unguarded for a single night unless the stable was doubly locked and barred, and a faithful dog either left within the stable or at the stable door, and oft times the owners would sleep in the stable with their trusty rifles by their side, while many never thought of going to his stable or wood pile after night-fall without his gun.
Among this gang of cut-throats were the Bunker boys, Charles and William. These men were the representative characters of the gang. The operations of the gang extended from one end of the country to the other-from Texas up through the Indian ter- ritory, Arkansas, Missouri, and Iowa, to Wisconsin; from the Ohio River, at Pittsburgh, through the State of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa, to the Missouri River, as far as civilization extended. Their hands and depredations were directed against society everywhere, and they prayed upon the substance of hon- est toilers, merchants, and buisness men, with reckless and dar-
113
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
ing impunity, sparing no one who was not in some way allied with their plunder stained combination.
In 1860, a gentleman by the name of Small, a resident of Polk County had three valuable colts stolen from the prairie just cast of the city of DesMoines, which by the way was not much of a city at that time. And when Mr. S. missed his colts, he procured the assistance of Constable Seaman, of the same County, and started on the trail, which they followed to the residence of the Bunkers, in Hardin County, where they very soon found the colts. Advancing to the house, the pursuers were met by the mother of the Bunkers who barred their way, ax in hand. At lengthi, and without violence, an entrance was effected and one of the boys arrested. Securing him they kept guard until day- light when another Bunker came in sight, and after a long chase, he too, was captured. The colts were haltered and the party started for DesMoines. While in Tama County they were joined by a man named Klingaman, and as the story goes they propos- ed to hang one of their prisoners until he should reveal the names of his partners in crime. They had succeeded so far as to sus- pend him in mid air,-without however, intending to continue the process until he was dead-when the other Bunker sprang away and started for freedom at a rushing gate. Klingaman and Seaman started in pursuit, leaving Small to take care of the aerial Bunker. Small became so much interested in watching the pur- snit and flight that he forgot to lower the body and by the time Klingaman and Seaman returned with the recaptured brother, the first was as dead as a smelt. As a matter of precaution, and to prevent his telling tales, the other Bunker was submitted to the same strangling process, and with the same result. Thus both bodies were left, suspended on a Tama County tree, in what is known as "National Grove" in Perry township. They were found hanging soon after and the perpetrators gone. Klingaman, so says our informant, was drowned the next spring, near Helena, in the Mississippi river, having fled to that point to escape justice, and Seaman and Small were arrested shortly after, but escaped. The former was never seen or heard of afterwards. Small, after
114
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
passing several years in the Rocky Mountains returned to his farm and family in Polk County. In 1877, Small was arrested at DesMoines, by Deputy Sheriff, Wm. E. Appelgate, and again escaped from enstody but afterward gave bond for his appear- ance at the February term of Court, 1878. At this term he was tried and found guilty of murder in the first degree. A new trial was asked, and granted by Judge Shane. At the February term of District Court, 1879, the case was dismissed. Small paying all costs of prosecution.
As already stated murder has been rare in this County, yet occasionally we are shocked with the announcement of a terrible murder committed in our midst. It would be folly for us as a historian, to recall these bloody deeds one by one as they were committed, therefore we will only speak of a few.
On the morning of the 8th day of October, 1866, the alarm was given that Abram Felter, a resident and farmer living in Buck- ingham township had murdered his wife. Friends of the de- ceased at once gathered and an investigation was made, when it was discovered that she had been killed while in a quarrel, from all appearance with an ax at the hand of her own husband. An inquest was held upon the body by the coroner, and after ex- amining the body and carefully investigating the matter the Jury returned a verdict that the deceased came to her death by vio- lence and unlawful means by the hands of her husband, Abram Felter, who was immediatly arrested and committed to jail.
On the twenty-first day of February following, the Grand Jury of the County found a true bill of indictment against him for mur- der in the first degree. The case being called he was tried found guilty and sentenced to the penitentiary at hard work for life. To day. from all reports, Felter is serving his time in comparatively good health.
Frank Mulligan shot and killed a man named Garvey in a saloon owned by G. Mence, in Tama City, then known as Iuka, February 15th, 1869, while in a drunken row. The Grand Jury found a true bill of indictment against Mulligan for murder in
115
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
the second degree, and he was sentenced to one year's hard work in the penitentiary, and the cost of prosecution.
Thomas Robecheck, and Joseph Prusha, Bohemians, were neighbors living in Otter Creek township. A fend had existed between them for some time which resulted in the murder of Prusha. Meeting on the 26th of July, 1875, the day the murder was committed, a quarrel ensued, with the above result. Prusha's body was found by the road side shortly after. Robecheck was arrested and indicted at the September term, 1875, for willful murder. The trial resulted in a verdict of guilty, and Robecheck was sentenced to the penitentary at Anamosa, at hard work for sixteen years and the cost of the suit.
On the 9th day of July, 1877, Martin Meshek shot and killed Constable C. S. Whitely, a highly respected resident of Carroll township, who was trying to arrest Meshek for assault and battery. In this case Meshek was arrested, and at the September term of Court, 1877, the Grand Jury found an indictment against him for murder in the first degree. He was tried, found guilty and sen- tenced for the term of ten years. After the sentence was pro- nounced the attorneys for the defendant asked for a new trial which was overruled and the case was carried to the Supreme Court, where a new trial was granted at the June term, 1879. The case will probably be disposed of at the next term of Dis- trict Court.
The cases of Wm. Taylor for the shooting of Perry Wheaton, September 14th, 1878, and that of W. H. Houd, for the murder of J. L. Smith, Aug. 14th, 1878, were called up and diposed of at the last term of District Court. Taylor being sentenced to penitentiary for ten years, while Houd was sent for two years. The last and most foul is the murder of Michael Straka, a Bohemian, August 29th, 1878, by the hands of some unknown villian for the sum of $250. At this writing the murderer is still at large.
There are other cases of murder and crimes of which we might speak, but we will leave the matter.
CHAPTER XIV.
TAMA COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES.
In 1856 a few citizens of this County interested in Agricultural and Mechanical Arts met in Toledo for the purpose of effecting an organization having for its object improvement in the agri- cultural interest of the County, and on September 25th, of this year a Fair was held. The display of different products of the County was fair both from field and garden. The stock was a fine show and manifested the interest Tama County farmers took in this creditable pursuit at so early a date. This Fair proved a success in almost every particular, and it was determin- ed that renewed efforts should be made to make the society efficient and permanent, but their zealous efforts failed and the organization, after holding two orthree more Fairs ceased to exist.
From time to time Fairs were held at different parts of the County, without a permanent organization until a Fair was es- tablished at Tama City in 1866, of which we will speak again.
We cannot well help drawing a comparison between the Fairs then and now. At that time, although they were spoken of as being successful, the entries were few indeed in comparison to what are now made each year. Blooded stock then was scarce. No such fine herds of cattle as are now owned and exhibited each year by L. Carmichael, Andrew Jackson, the Wilsons and others; no such droves of hogs as J. T. Ames and others show; no improved horses like those of M. and J. Wylie's, W. McGowan's Dr. W. Corus' and J. H. Hollen's to carry off the ribbons.
117
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
The floral hall at an early day would blush if placed side by side with the buildings 'now owned by the Societies and filled each year to overflowing.
As already stated, the first agricultural society at Toledo ceased after a few years. No other organization of the kind existed at that place until the year 1873. On July 12th, of this year at one o'clock P. M., A. J. Wheaton, West Wilson, T. A. Graham, L. B. Nelson, A. W. West, W. H. Stivers, N. Huff. J. Reedy, P. Lichity and others, met at the Court House in Toledo, for the purpose of organizing the Agricultural Association of Tama County. West Wilson was called to the chair and W. H. Stivers was chosen Secretary, pro tem. Remarks were made by various persons and the feasibility and importance of the pro- posed organization discussed. Articles of incorporation of said association were duly adopted, agreed upon and placed on record. The next meeting held on the 19th, a tract of land on section 15, belonging to F. Davis was purchased for the fair grounds. P. Lichty, J. S. Townsend and D. F. Bruner were appointed a committee to prepare and fence the ground, while N. Huff, E. Taplin and J. O'Niel were appointed a committee to prepare the trotting track.
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