USA > Iowa > Tama County > History of Tama County, Iowa, together with sketches of their towns, villages and townships, educational, civil, military and political history, portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 31
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Thus you see that Iowa, from a colony, a dependency, a territory, jumped, in the short space of seven months, from the time the act above mentioned first passed, to that of a sovereign independent State.
After the result was known, the Gover- nor issued his proclamation for a general election in November following, at which election Ansel Briggs, of Jackson county was elected Governor of the State.
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
This proclamation was the last public act of James Clarke, for as soon as the new Governor was qualified, he turned over to him all the archives of his oflice, and returned once more to the printing office, Again he scattered through Iowa his beautiful editorials through the columns of the Burlington Gazette, until the name and fame of Iowa became known throughout the length and breadth of the land.
Ile appeared at the capitol at the first session of the State legislature under the new constitution, to which body he deli- vered an affecting and interesting farewell letter, then stood back quitely during the whole of the session, and gazed with indig- nation upon his countenance at the dread- ful strife, storms and bitterness which was manifested during the entire session.
Never since the organization of the ter- ritory, had any man seen, or even dreamed of anything like it; every man seemed to look upon each other as being in his way to places of honor and profit, and it became a cut and thrust game. Both parties were without leaders, or if they had them, the leaders themselves stood in great need of being led.
Neither done anything-neither party could do anything. When one party made a move it was instantly checkmated by the other. Speech after speech was made, each one declaring himself a patriot and a true lover of his country, ready at all times to bleed and die for her. No one could do anything for the reason that none of the rest would let him. They ate, drank, grew fat, and returned to their seats, only to play the same game over again as on the previous day. They in- stituted a court for the trial of any offender
who should attempt to bribe any one of their number; and whenever such a tribu- nal is constituted, there is always sure to be some one to try.
Now and then during the session some poor devil was snatched up, arraigned and tried for indiscretely showing his money to some one of its members. But such trials only served to lionize the victims, and it, looked to an outsider as if these seamps themselves had purposely committed these offenses in order to bring themselves into notice, and thereby claim themselves to be the victims of a cruel persecution.
In vain did they meet in joint conven- tion for the purpose of electing Judges of the Supreme Court and Senators. Every vote, some anxious aspirant in the "lobby" would brighten up, thinking perhaps this time the lucky card would turn up; but, alas! for human hopes, he lacked just ONE vote of an election.
Your humble servant was an idle and curious looker-on at most of the interest- ing scenes which took place at this seseion, and if it was not for the notes that he took at the time, he could hardly tell at this day whether these scenes were real, or whether they were the productions of an idle and troubled dream.
They finally adjourned without electing either Judges or Senators, and the State toddled along very well, half State, half Territory.
This was the last time, I believe, that Mr. Clarke ever appeared at the legisla- ture. lle died soon after, at Burlington, with that horrible scourge, the cholera.
This closed the earthly career of a just and noble man, cut off in the prime of life and in the midst of a useful career.
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
He was married to a sister of General Dodge, and this fact being known at the time of his appointment as Governor, drew upon the Dodge family the title of the "Royal Family." But whatever might have been said in this respect, the appoint- ment was due to Mr. Clarke, nor could it have been bestowed upon a better man, or one more competent to fill it.
He was the third and last Territorial Governor of Iowa, and, like the other two who preceded him, as soon as he had passed the office into the hands of his successor, he gently and calmly laid down and died. He was a tall, slender man, of- a mild and amiable disposition, and had quite a femi- nine look. He left a family behind to mourn bis sad loss. His history is without a stain or reproach, and throughout his whole life no man ever imputed ought against his character as a man and a citi- zen.
I have thus given you a few random sketches of the three Territorial Governors of Iowa, together with a few of the prin- cipal events in the history of Iowa, con- nected with their administration.
Most of the incidents contained in these sketches I have given from memory alone, having been myself an eye-witness of, and personally cognizant of many of the facts.
By these sketches you not only see the character and noble traits of the three good and wise men, but you see that under their care and protection, a young and thrifty State sprung into existence in the short space of eight years from the time when the whole Territory was the home of the savage.
OTHER TERRITORIAL OFFICERS. Secretaries.
Wm. B. Conway, 1838, died 1839.
James Clark, 1839-41 O. H. W. Stull, 1841-3. Samuel J. Burr, 1813-5. Jesse Williams, 1845.
Auditors.
Jesse Williams, 1840-43. William L. Gilbert, 1843-45. Robert M. Secrest, 1845.
Treasurers.
Thornton Baylie, 1839-40. Morgan Reno, 1840.
Judges.
Charles Mason, Chief Justice, 1838. Joseph Williams, 1838. Thomas S. Wilson, 1838.
Presidents of Council.
Jesse B. Brown, 1838-9.
Stephen Hempstead, 1839-40.
M. Bainridge, 1840-1.
J. W. Parker, 1841-2. John D. Elbert, 1842-3. Thomas Cox, 1843-4.
S. Clinton Hasting, 1845.
Stephen Hempstead, 1845-6.
Speakers of the House.
William H. Wallace, 1838-9.
Edward Johnson. 1839-40.
Thomas Cox, 1840-1. Warner Lewis, 1841-2. James M. Morgan, 1843-3.
James P. Carleton, 1813-4.
James M. Morgan, 1845.
George W. MeLeary, 1845-6.
STATE OFFICERS. Governors.
Ansel Briggs, 1846-50. Stephen Hempstead, 1850-54. James W. Grimes, 1854-58. Ralph P. Lowe, 1838-60.
228
HISTORY OF IOWA.
Samuel J. Kirkwood, 1860-64. William M. Stone, 1864-68. Samuel Morrill, 1868-72. Cyrus C. Carpenter, 1872-76 Samuel J. Kirkwood, 1876-67. J. G Newbold, 1877-78. John HI. Gear, 1878-82. Buren R. Sherman, 1882.
Lieutenant- Governors.
Oran Faville, 1858-60.
Nicholas J. Rusch, 1860-62. John R Needham. 1862-64. Enoch W. Eastman, 1864-66. Benjamin F. Gue, 1866-68. John Scott, 1868-70. M. M. Walden, 1870-72. H C. Bulis, 1872-74.
Joseph Dysart, 1874-76. Joshua G. Newbold, 1876-78.
Frank T. Campbell, 1878-83. Orlando II. Manning, 1882.
This office was created by the new constitu- tion, September 3, 1859.
Secretaries of State.
Elisha Cutter, Jr., 1846-48. Joseph II. Bonney, 1848-50. George W. MeCleary, 1850-56. Elijah Sells, 1856-63. James Wright, 1863-67. Ed. Wright, 1867-73. Josiah T. Young, 1873-79. J. A. T Hull, 1869.
Auditors of State. Joseph T. Fales, 1846-50.
William Pattee, 18:0-54. Andrew J. Stephens, 1855-59.
Jonathan W. Cattell, 1859-65. John A. Elliott, 1865-71. John Russell, 1871-75.
Ruen R. Sherman, 1875-81. William V. Lucas, 18SI.
Treasurers of Stats. Morgan Reno. 1816-50. Israel Kister, 187 5 .. Martin L. Morris, 1552-59.
John W. Jones, 1859-63. William H. Holmes, 1863-67. Samuel E. Rankin. 1867-73. William Christy, 1873-77. George W. Bemis, 1877-81. Edwin II. Conger, 1881.
Attorney- Generals.
David C. Cloud, 1853-56.
Samuel A. Rice, 1856-60.
Charles C. Nourse. 1860-64.
Isaac L. Allen, 1863-0G. Frederick E. Bissell. 1884-67.
Henry O'Connor, 1831-12.
Marcena E. Cutts, 1872-76.
John F. McJunkin, 1877-81. Smith MePherson, 1881.
Adjutant- Generals.
Daniel S. Lee, 1851-55.
George W. McLeary, 1855-57. Elijah Sells, 1857. Jesse Bowen, 1857-61
Nathaniel Baker, 1861-77.
John H. Luby, 1877-78. W. L. Alexander, 1878.
Registers of the State Land Office
Anison Hart, 1855-57.
Theodore . Parvin, 1857-59.
Amos B. Miller, 1859-63.
Edwin Mitchell, 1862-63.
Josiah A. Ilarvey, 1863-67.
Cyrus C. Carpenter, 1867-71.
Aaron Brown, 1871-75.
David Secor, 1875-79. J. K. Powers, 1879.
Superintendents of Public Instruction.
James Harlan, 1847-4S. Thos. II. Benton, Jr., 1848-54. James D. Eads, 1854-57. Joseph C. Stone, 1857. Maturin L. Fisher, 1857-58.
Oran l'aville, 1864-67. D. Franklin Wells, 1867-68. A. S. Kissell, 1868-72. Alonzo Abernethy, 1872-76.
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
Carl W. Van Coelen, 1876-82. John W. Akers, 1883.
This office was created in 1847 and abolished in 1858, and the duties then developed upon the secretary of the Board of Education; it was re- created March 23, 1864.
State Printers.
Garrett D. Palmer and George Paul, 1849-51 William H. Merritt, 1851-53. William A. Hornish, 1853. Den. A. Mahoney and Jos. B. Dorr, 1853-55. Peter Moriarty, 1855-57. John Teesdale, 1857-61. Francis W. Palmer, 1861-69. Frank M. Mills, 1869-71. G. W. Edwards, 1871-73. Rich. P. Clarkson, 1873-79. Frank M. Mills, 1879.
State Binders.
William M. Coles, 1855-58.
Frank M. Mills, 1858-67. James S. Carter, 1867-71. J. J. Smart, 1871-75. H. A. Perkins, 1875-79.
Matt. Parrott, 1879.
Secretaries of Board of Education. T. H. Benton, jr , 1859-63. Oran Faville, 1863-64. This office waa abolished March 23, 1864.
Presidents of the Senute.
Thomas Baker, 1846-47. Thomas lIughes, 1847-48. John J. Selman, 1848-19. Enos Lowe, 1849-51. W. E. Leffingwel !. 1851-53.
Maturin L Fisher, 1853-55. W. W. Hamilton, 1855-57. Under the new constitution the Lieut .- Gover- nor is President of the Senate.
Speakers of the House.
Jesse B. Brown, 1816-48. Smiley H. Bonham, 1818-50. George Temple, 1850-52,
James Grant, 1852-51.
Reuben Noble, 1854-56. Samuel McFarland, 1856-57. Stephen B, Sheledy, 1857-59. John Edwards, 1859-61.
Rush Clark, 1861-63. Jacob Butler, 1863-65. Ed. Wright, 1865-67. John Russell, 1867-69.
Aylett R Cotton, 1869-71. James Wilson, 1871-73. Jolın H. Gear, 1873-77.
John Y. Stoue, 1877-79.
Lore Alford, 1880-81.
G. R. Struble, 1882.
Chief Justices of the Supreme Court. Charles Mason, 1847.
Joseph Williams, 1847-48.
S. Clinton Hastings, 1848-49.
Joseph Williams, 1849-55. George G. Wright, 1855-60.
Ralph P. Lowc, 1860-63. Caleb Baldwin, 1862-64. George G. Wright, 1864-66.
Ralph T. Lowe, 1866-68.
John F. Dillon, 1868-70.
Chester C. Cole, 1870-71.
James G. Day, 1871-72.
Joseph M. Beck, 1872-74. W. E Miller, 1874-76.
Chester C. Cole, 1876. William H. Seevers, 1876-77.
James G. Day, 1877-78
James H. Rothrock, 1878-79.
Joseph M. Beck, 1879-80.
Austin Adams, 1880-82.
William H. Seevers, 1882.
Associate Justices.
Joseph Williams, held over from territorial government until a successor was appointed. Thomas S. Wilson, 1847. John F. Kinney, 1817-54. George Greene, 1847-55.
Jonathan C. Hall, 1854-55.
William G. Woodward, 1855.
Norman W. Isbell, 1855-57. Lacon D. Stockton, 1856-60.
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
Caleh Baldwin, 1860-84. Ralph P. Lowe, 1860.
George G. Wright, 1860. John F. Dillion, 1864-70. Chester C. Cole, 1864-77. Joseph M. Beek, 1868. W. E. Miller, 1870. James G. Day, 1870.
United States Senators.
Augustus C Dodge, 1848-55.
George W. Jones, 1848-59. James B. Howell, 1870.
George G Wright, 1871-77.
James Harlan, 185 -65.
James W. Grimes, 1859-69. Samuel J. Kirkwood, 1866. James Harlan, 1867-73. William B. Allison, 1873-79.
Samuel J. Kirkwood, 1877-81.
William B. Allison, 1879. James W. MeDid, 1881.
MEMBERS OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
1846-47-S.Clinton Hastings, Shepherd Leffler. 1847-49-Wm. Thompson, Shepherd Leffler.
1849-51-Wm. Thompson, Dan. F. Miller, Shepherd Leffler
1851-53-B. Ilenn, Lincoln Clark.
1853-55-Bernhart Henn, John P. Cook.
1855-57 - Aug. Hall, Jas. Thorington. 1857-59-Samuel R. Curtis, Timothy Davis.
1859-61-Samuel R. Curtis, Wmn. Vandever.
1861-63-Samuel R. Curtis, J. F. Wilson, Wm. Vandever.
1863-65-James F. Wilson, Hiram Price, Wm. B. Allison, J. B. Grinnell, John A. Kasson, Asahel W. Hubbard.
1865-67-James F Wilson, Hiram Price, Wil- liam B. Allison, Josiah B. Grinnell, John A. Kasson, Asahel W. Hubbard.
1867-69-James F. Wilson, Hiram Price, Wil- liam B. Allison, William Loughbridge, Grenville M. Dodge, Asahel W . Hubbard.
1869-71-George W. M.Crary, William Smyth (died September 80, 1870, and succeeded by Wm. P. Wolf), William B. Allison, William Loughbridge, Frank W. Palmer, Charles Pome- roy.
1871-73-Geo. W. MeCrary, Aylett R. Cotton, W. G. Donnan, Madison M. Walden, Frank W. Palmer, Jackson Orr.
1873-75-Geo. W. McCrary, Aylett R. Cotton, W. G. Donnan, Henry O. Pratt, James Wilson, William Loughbridge, John A. Kasson. James W. MeDill, Jackson Orr.
1875-77-Gea. W. Mccrary, John Q. Tufts, L. L. Ainsworth, Henry O. Pratt, James Wilson, Ezekiel S. Sampson, John A. Kasson, James W. McDill, Addison Oliver.
1877-79-J. C. Stone, Hiram Price, T. W. Bur- dick, N. C. Deering, Rush Clark, E. S. Samp- son, H. J. B. Cummings, W. F. Sapp, Addison Oliver.
1879-81-Moses A. McCoid. Hiram Price, Thomas Updegraff, N. C. Deering, Rush Clark (died in May, 1878, and succeeded by Wm. G. Thompson), J. B. Weaver, E. H. Gil et'e, W. F. Sapp, Cyrus C. Carpenter.
1881-83-M. A. McCoid, S. S Farwell, Thos. Updegraff, N. C. Deering, W G. Thompson, M. E. Cutts, John A. Kasson, W. P. Hepburn, C. C. Carpenter.
PRESENT STATE OFFICERS.
Governor, Buren R. Sherman.
Secretary, John A. T. Hull. Deputy Secretary, Win. T. Hammond.
Auditor, Wm. V. Lucas.
Deputy Auditor, Rufus L. Chase.
Book keeper. I .. E Ayres.
Treasurer, Edwin H. Canger.
Deputy Treasurer, C. R. Chase.
Register Land-office, Jas. K. Powers. Deputy Register, John M. Davis.
Sup't Pub. Inst , John W. Akers.
Printer, Frank M Mills.
Binder, M. tt Parrott.
Adjutant General, W. L. Alexander.
Superintendent Weights and Measures, Prof.
N R. Leonard
Librarian, Mrs. S. B. Maxwell. Assistant Librarian, Jessie Maxwell.
SUPREME COURT.
Chief Justice-Wm. H. Seevers, Oskaloosa.
Judges-James G. Day, Sidney. James 11 Rothrock, Tipton. Joseph MI Beck, Fort Madison. Au-tin Adams, Dubuque
Att'y Gen. - Smith McPherson, Red Oak. Clerk-E. J. Homes, Des Moines. Reporter-John S. Qunnells, Des Moines.
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HISTORY
OF
TAMA COUNTY,
IOWA.
CHAPTER I.
INTRODUCTORY.
A S the changes of less than half a cen- | reigns supreme. But, to-day, what a con- tury are contemplated, one can searcely realize or comprehend that the wonderful results of Time's marvel-working hand are the achievements of a period so brief as to be within the remembrance-almost- of the present generation :
Let us turn back, as it were, the leaves of Time's great book to but little more than a quarter of a century ago, and the stranger would have gazed upon a land- scape of wondrous beauty ; selected by the Sioux and Dakotahs as their camping- ground, with that singular appreciation of the beautiful which nature has made an instinct in the savage. These vast and rolling prairies were as green then as now ; the prairie flowers bloomed as thick- ly, and diffused their fragrance as bounti- fully. We are in the haunt of the red man, with seareely a trace of civilization, while the freedom of bird and beast
trast ! Then, all was as nature had form- ed it, with its variegated hues of vegeta- tion ; in winter, a dreary, snow-mantled desert-in summer, a perfect paradise of flowers. Now, all traces of the primitive are obliterated ; in place of the tall prai- rie grass and tangled underbrush, one be- holds the rich, waving fields of golden grain. In place of the dusky warrior's rude eabins are the substantial, and often elegant dwellings of the thrifty farmers, and the "iron horse," swifter than the nimble deer, treads the pathway so re- cently the trail of the red man. Then, a siekle of fire annually cut away the wild herbage, and drove to its death the stag ; now, it is the home of the cereals, and nourishes on its broad bosom thousands of tons of the staple products of the great llawkeye State. Then the storm drove the wolf and stag to their hiding place;
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
now, the blast drives the herd of the hus- bandman to comfortable shelter. The transformation is complete.
In this volume it will be the aim of the historian to record the progress of Tama County, from its earliest settlement to the present time ; to show the changes that from time to time have been made, and how they were brought about, and to re- vord the life work of individuals who have been instrumental in effecting the change. It will thus be seen to embrace events which many will think insignificant. "Great events find ready record," says a well known writer, " but minor doings are often neglected until they become so obscured by the dust of time as to be for- ever clouded. Yet from such humble ori- gin may spring the mightiest results. The History of men's lives is often incomplete through the negligence of those whose duty it was to record the dates of births, or deaths, or happenings, which have proved epochs in the world's progress. History is commonly regarded but the doings of rulers, who have the world for their theatre of operations, and the fate of empires for their subject. Such grave performances are of necessity remember- ed ; but, they are no more in themselves worthy of preservation, than are the sim- plier deeds of heroism which pioneers so modestly participated in ; yet, when the careful student seeks for the moving for- ees which made thrones tremble, he is too often rewarded but meagerly. The peo-
ple are seldom recorded in history. In rare exceptions may be found a clearer ray of light on humbler undertakings, but they serve only to show the other failures stronger by contrast. The Pilgrim Fathers who survived the shock of the first rude winter are recorded in the sparse annals of New Eng- land, and their descendants revert with pride to those heroic ancestors ; but the fifty pilgrims who died during that bleak season are never spoken of by name, though they are none the less wor- thy of undying reverence. Again, had some one more thoughtful than the rest among John Winthrop's band, which, two and a half centuries ago set deep the seeds of civilization on the rough shores of Massachusetts, how invaluable would that book now be to those who might pre- pare a great work on Boston's history." This is, indeed, true, and realizing the fact, this work has been compiled. Thou- sands of facts are herein recorded, and individual sketches of hundreds of citi- zens, living and dead, are here placed in an enduring form. These men and women are, or have been actors in the drama of the settlement and development of Tama county. By inserting these sketches, in addition to other matter, is preserved not only the recital of historie fact, but a sub- current of individual deeds runs through all, giving a realisin to the narrative which could be imparted in no other way.
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
CHAPTER II.
PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY OF TAMA COUNTY.
Nowhere in the great State of Iowa is ; Tama county surpassed for its beautiful scenery ; its rolling prairies interspersed and diversified with natural and domes tic groves ; its meandering streams and its carpet of flowers and verdure. It also ranks among the first as to Agricultural resources, and wealth, as it stands to-da: . Tama county citizens may well be pro -. of their home.
LOCATION.
Tama county lies nearly in the center of the State, being five counties from the east, north, and south State lines and seven from the west. It is bounded on the north by Grundy and Black Hawk counties; on the south by Poweshiek; on the east by . Benton ; and on the west by Marshall and Grundy counties. It comprises town- ships 82 to 86, north, inclusive, of ranges 13 to 16 west inclusive, containing 720 square miles or 470,000 acres of land.
SUB-DIVISIONS.
Tama county is sub-divided into twenty- one civil townships, each comprising a full congressional township except two- Tama and Toledo-which together make one congressional township. These civil townships are named as follows, com- mencing with the north-east corner: Geneseo, Buckingham, Grant, Lincoln,
Spring Creek, Crystal, Perry, Clark, Oneida, Carroll, Howard, Carlton, Indian Village, Toledo, Tama, Otter Creek, York, Salt Creek, Richland, Columbia, and High- land.
TOPOGRAPHY.
The county of Tama is one of the best in the State for general agriculture and stock-raising purposes. It is well watered in almost every part, its principal stream being the Iowa River, which enters the county on section 6, township 83 north, range 16 west (Indian Village township) and pursues nearly a southeast course, through Indian Village, Tama, Richland and Salt Creek townships, emerging on section 36, in the latter township. This stream affords some fine water-power, which has been utilized to some extent an account of which will be found in the township histories. Among the other streams are Deer Creek, Wolf Creek, Four Mile Creek, Twelve Mile Creek, Otter Creek, Salt Creek, and Richland Creek. Deer Creek takes its rise in Marshall county, entering Tama on section 30, Spring Creek township, and pursuing a southeasterly course, empties into the lowa River near Tama City. Wolf Creek has two branches which rise in Grundy. The two form a junction in the northern
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
part of Spring Creek township pursuing a torturous course through the townships of Spring Creek, Crystal, Perry, Buck- ingham, and Geneseo, emerges from sec- tion 24, in the latter township, and finally empties into the Cedar River. Four Mile Creek and Twelve Mile Creek are tributaries of Wolf Creek, the for- mer heading in Lincoln township, and the latter in Grant. One branchof Sal Creek heads in Crystal and the other in Clark township. The two form a junction on section 34, Oneida township, and flowing south empty into the Iowa River on sec- tion 36, Salt Creek township. Otter Creek heads in Carroll township, flows south- east and empties into the Iowa River on section 20, Salt Creek township. Rich- land Creek heads in Ilighland township, flows east through Highland, Columbia and Richland townships, empties into the Iowa River on section 13, in the latter township. The various streams have numerous tributaries which help to swell the whole and afford water for stock.
Timber is found along the banks of various streams, but principally along the lowa river, where the timber belt ranges from a few rods to three miles in width. Nearly one-seventh of the county may be said to consist of timber lands including oak " opening land." The remainder of the county is a beautiful rolling prairie, the soil of which is what is usually denomina- ted a black loam.
GEOLOGICAL.
In the year 1848 the Treasury Depart- ment of the Government employed David Dale Owen, of Indiana, to make a geolog- ieal survey of Wisconsin, Iowa and Min- nesota. He soon after took the field in
person, and in 1852 the Governn ent pub- lished his report in a large volume, accom- pamed with maps, all of which contains a mass of highly valuable and interesting matter. He was the pioneer geologist of the upper Mississippi Valley and his great labor and work has formed the foundation for all who have, or all who may, succeed him.
By an act of the Legislature of Iowa approved January 23, 1855, the Governor of Iowa, by the advice and consent of the Senate was authorized to nominate a per- son competent to make a geological sur- vey of the State, and in accordance James Hall, of New York, was appointed, and during the years 1855-6-7, completed the survey, and in 1858 the State published his report in two volumes.
By another act of the Legislature of Iowa, approved March, 30, 1866, Charles A. White, was appointed State Geologist for two years, and he also proceeded to make another geological survey of the State, and his report was published in 1870 in two volumes. This report also contains much valuable and interesting matter and is a valuable addition to that of its predecessors.
Since then nothing has been done by the State to acquire more knowledge either of her mineral wealth, her palæontology, or of the remains of the silent pre-historie races that lie entombed in her soil. The end and aim of all these surveys, was to give a gen- eral outline of the geology of the State,and from the means and time to which they were confined, it was impossible for them to give an extended local survey to each county, therefore one must be content with what is had from them, together with what
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235
HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
observations and reports that have been made by private parties. The following, regarding the geological formation of Tama county has been taken from these various reports:
In Tama County neither coal or mineral has been found in paying quantities, yet coal exists and sandstone has been found not only along the river banks, but in the bluffs in the northern part of the county. Stone can be found in abundance in Carl- ton and Spring Creek township, and in Fifteen Mile and Six Mile Groves, while in the southwestern part of Indian Vil- lage township can be found limited quan- tities of stone. This stone is of peculiar formation, and belongs to the subearbonif- crous lime-stone of the lower series di- vided into three classes. St. Louis lime- stone, Keokuk or Kinderhook lime-stone and upper and lower Burlington lime- stone. The solidity and compactness of the formation renders it susceptible of the highest polish. The beds are some twelve feet in thickness consisting of three layers divided as follows:
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