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 69
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THE FIRST FAIR.
In 1856, a few citizens of Tama, who were interested in Agricultural and Me- chanical Arts, met in Toledo, the county seat, for the purpose of effecting an organization, having for its objeet im- provement in the agricultural interests of the county. On September 25, of this year, a fair was held. The display of the different products of the county was fair, both from field and garden. Stock was
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
very well represented and manifested the interest that Tama county farmers took in this creditable enterprise, at so early a date. This experiment proved so successful that the prime movers in it, determined to set themselves to work and make the organi- zation efficient and permanent. A few more fairs were held with moderate suc- cess, but finally, the interest waning, the society ceased to exist.
After this a few fairs were held in various parts of the county without organi- zation, until in 1866, when a permanent organization was effected, under the name of Tama County Agricultural Society.
Great was the contrast between thefairs of that carly day and present times. Samuel D. Chapman in writing of them, says : " We cannot help drawing a com- parison 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 was then scarce. No such fine herds of cattle as are now owned and exhibited each year by L. Carmichael, Andrew Jackson, the Wilson's 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. McGowans', Dr. W. Corn's and J. H. Hlollen's, to carry off the rib- bons. 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."
TAMA COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Pursuant to call, a primary meeting of the citizens of Tama county was held in Iuka, now Tama City, for the purpose of
agitating the question of holding a county fair during the fall of 1866. Quite a num- ber of delegates from the southern part of the county were present. This was on the 4th day of August, 1866. The meeting was called to order by W. T. Hollen. John Ramsdell was chosen President, and A. M. Batchelder Secretary.
Remarks upon the necessity of encour- aging agriculture were made by the Pres- ident, W. C. Salsbury, of Indiantown, T. Forker, and others, after which B. A. Hall made a proposition to the meeting in be- half of the citizens of luka. The proposi- tion was to furnish the grounds to hold the fair, also build sheds and pens for the accommodation of stock, and furnish for- age for the same, build a trotting course, and furnish halls suitable for the floral de- partment, and to entertain free of charge all persons from out of town that took an active part in the fair ; also, to make all other necessary arrangements for the ac- commodation of all who might wish to attend the fair. After voting to hold the fair during the fall, the meeting adjourned to meet on the 18th day of August.
Accordingly, a meeting was held for the purpose of permanently organizing the "Tama County Agricultural Society." West Wilson, of Crystal township, was chosen chairman of the meeting. The following persons were elected officers for one year :
W. C. Salsbury, of Indiantown, Presi- dent; West Wilson, of Crystal, Vice- President ; John Ramsdell, of Richland, Treasurer ; A. M. Batchelder, of Inka, Secretary.
A committee was then appointed to frame a constitution and draft by-laws, and
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
at a meeting of the officers and board, held at Iuka, September 1, 1866, a constititu- tion was adopted.
The books were then opened for the subscription stock, of which the amount of one hundred dollars was subscribed without any effort.
It was then decided to hold the first fair on the 10th and 11th of October, 1866.
J. B. Louthan, W. T. Hollen and L. F. Stoddard were appointed a committee to draft by-laws. E. Hayward, James Fow- ler, and W. C. Salsbury were appointed a committee on premium list. W . T. Hollen was elected Marshal for one year.
At a meeting held October 6, 1866, it was, voted to make the admission as fol- lows:
Single ticket for one admission. .. . .. . .$ .25
Membership ticket, for one year, admitting
family. 1.00
Children under 12 years old. .10
Horse and buggy, one admission. .50
Two horses and carriage, one admission .75
One horse and buggy during Fair. 1.00 Two horses in buggy or wagon. 1.00
The fair was held according to appoint- ment and proved a success.
At an annual meeting held December 1, 1866, the following named officers were elected:
Judge W. C. Salsbury, President; A. J. Wheaton, Vice President; A. M. Batch- elder, Secretary; John Ramsdell, Treas- urer; Directors, West Wilson, J. Reedy, T. Forker, B. A. Hall and L. F. Stoddard. The Board of Directors hell a meeting at Tama city May 25, 1867, when it was de- cided to hold the annual Fair on the 10th, 11th, and 12th, of October, 1877. The Sec-
retary was directed to use the funds then in the Treasury (amounting to $407), in constructing a suitable board fence on the north and west side of the grounds and in making arrangements for the forthcoming fair. It was also decided to make an assessment of $2.50 on the stock subscribed to be paid on or before the 10th day of October.
Fairs have been held every year since that time with good success.
In 1879 the officers of the Society were as follows:
President, L. Carmich el; Vice Presi- dent, A. E. Taplin; Secretary, II. Soleman; Treasurer, E. L. Carmichael; Directors, William Earnest, J. H. Ilollen, J. L. Bracken, John Fife and W. G. Malin
At an annual meeting of association held at Tama city on the 4th day of December, 1880, the following named officers were elected :
I. Carmicheal, President; A. Taplin, Vice President; II. Soleman, Secretary; E. L. Carmichael, Treasurer; Directors, John Fife, A. L. Brooks, Wm. Earnest, W. G. Malin, J. II. IIollen.
At the annual meeting of the stockholders held at Tama city on the 4th day of De- cember, 1881, the following officers were elected:
Andrew Jackson, President; A. L. Brooks, Vice President; H. Soleman, Ser- retary; E. L. Carmichael, Treasurer; Direc- tors, W. G. Malin, Peter Lichty, John Fife, Wm. Earnest, A. Taplin.
At a directors meeting hell in February,
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
1882, the following report of finance was made:
To balance on hand last report. $ 57.98
Total amount received in 1881. 617.49
Total, 674.77
Credit by amount paid for vouchers. . 645.28
Amount on hand. 29.49
It was also decided to holl the next an- nual fair on the 12th, 13th and 14th of September, 1882.
AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION OF TAMA
COUNTY.
On the 12th day of July, 1873. at one o'clock in the afternoon, A. J. Wheaton, West Wilson, T. A. Graham, L. B. Nelson, A. W. West, W. H. Stivers, N. Huff, J. Reedy. P. Lichty and others interested in such matters, 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 gen- tlemen, and the importance and feasibil- ity of the proposed organization was dis- cussed, and finally articles of incorpora- tion of said association were duly adopted and placed upon record.
At the next meeting held on the 19th of July, a tract of land in section fifteen, belonging to F. Davis, was purchased for the fair grounds. P. Lichty, J. S. Town- send and D. F. Bruner were appointed a committee to prepare and fence the ground, and N. Huff, E. Taplin and J. O'Niel were appointed a committee to prepare the trotting traek.
These matters being all attended to, the first annual meeting of the association was
held on the 1st, 2d and 3d days of Oeto- ber, 1873. The officers were : President, A. J. Wheaton ; Vice-President, West Wilson; Secretary, W. H. Stivers; Treas- urer, L. B. Nelson. The fair proved a suc- cess in every respect, and yearly exhibi- tions were held upon the grounds of the society until 1878, when from various causes the active work ceased and the grounds were sold.
TRAER DISTRICT AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
This society effected an organization at Traer on the 28th of February, 1874, un- der the above name. The first permanent officers were elected March 14, 1874, and were : President, West Wilson; Vice- President, .I. R. Steer ; Secretary, G. Johnston ; Treasurer, J. T. Wild. The first fair was held in September of that year, was a marked sueeess both finan- cially and in exhibition.
Since that time, the association has held a fair each year with increasing success. The grounds are located just north of the city of Traer, and are, without doubt, the finest in the county. The affairs of the association have been "managed in a most able manner, and the interested parties are to be congratulated upon their selec- tion of officers.
The present officers are as follows :
President, Arthur Pratt; Vice-Presi- dent, G. Jaqua; Secretary, W. B. Gillespie; Treasurer, C. T. Moore.
TAMA COUNTY HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.
This society was organized in the spring of 1883. The object was for the promo- tion and encouragement of horticulture
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
and arboriculture by the collection and dissemination of correct information con- eerning the cultivation of such fruits, flowers and trees, both deciduous and ever- green, as are adapted to the soil and cli- mate of Tama county.
Any person can become a member of the society by the payment of the annual fee of fifty cents.
The first President of the society was A. Hufford ; the first Secretary, David F. Bruner.
CHAPTER XIX.
RAILROADS.
There is nothing in the wide world that | part of the county, and was a journey- is so instrumental to the development of a ! there and return-of two hundred and fifty miles. Muscatine was the customary market point for those in the southern part of the county, and was one hundred and twenty-five miles away. Trips were made as few and far between as possible by the settlers, and when one went he often got provisions for the whole settle- ment. This lack of facilities for market- ing greatly retarded the growth of the county; for it took a great deal of resolute courage to settle in a country where the fact must be faced that it was a journey of two hundred and fifty miles to market. new country as the railway ; no internal improvement that so abundantly. repays the expense of perfecting, and in pioneer life, nothing is so greatly felt as the laek of proper railway connection, and there- fore marketing facilities. To-day, the railroads are first built, then emigration follows ; but Tama county was not so for- tunate as to have her railroads first built. ller agricultural and general resources were first discovered and made known to the world before the iron horse made its appearance to transport the surplus pro- ductions.
When Tama county was first settled, and for several years thereafter, the near- est market towns were Dubuque and Mus- catine. These were market towns because they were on the Mississppi river, and thus, means of transportation were had. The nearest railroad town was Chicago- then a mere village. Dubuque was usually patronized by the pioneers in the northern
After a time stagelines were established and provisions and necessaries of life could be gotten at Iowa City and points nearer than Dubnque and Muscatine. In August, 1854, the Chicago & Roek Island Railroad reached Rock Island, which was shortly afterwards completed to Daven- port, thus bringing railway facilities one hundred and eighty-one miles nearer Tama county. But this did not effect the trade
40
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
of this region, and, in fact, they did not know or care about the completion of a railroad to Davenport. Muscatine was a little nearer, and the river was as efficient a means for transportation. However, the road helped those who were coming from the east.
The first advantages of railroad facilities felt by the people of Tama county, was when the Mississippi and Missouri River R. R. was constructed from Davenport to Iowa City, in Johnson county, and the event was hailed as a great blessing. It reached Iowa City on the first day of Jan- uary, 1856, having built night and day, laying rails by torch light to secure the bonus offered by that city. This made the lot of the pioneer easier, and the trips of seventy miles to market were made oftener and in better spirit, and few com- plained. Two years later this road was extended to Marengo and that became the market point for the county and stages were run regularly carrying mail and pas- sengers, In 1860, the Chicago, Iowa and Nebraska R. R. was completed from Clin- ton to Cedar Rapids, and as it was expected that this road would be constructed through Tama county, a jollification was held, and trade left Marengo, and Cedar Rapids was patronized. It was then considered but a little distance to market, and the trip could be made with a load of wheat in four days easily and three when time pressed. Two years later-in 1862-the Cedar Rapids & Missouri River R. R. began building westward from Cedar Rapids and the market point followed the road. Late in the fall it reached Tama county, and finally passed through just south of the center. The contentment
of the people in that region was now almost complete.
About the same time a railroad was completed from Dubuque to Waterloo, and northern Tama contributed thousands of dollars in trade to that enterprising city, it only taking two days to go to market and return.
In 1873, the "Pacific Division of the B. C. R. & N. was constructed from Vinton to Traer, and northern Tama was satisfied. In the years that have flown since that time these roads have been extended westward. The Toledo & Northwestern railroad has been built, crossing the west half of the county diagonally to the northwest. The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway has been constructed through the southern part of the county, and the Wisconsin Iowa &. Nebraska R. R., or "Diagonal," as it is called, has been built across the northwestern corner of the county. In addition to these, a net work of iron track almost surrounds the county; north, south, east and west, railroads have been con- structed within a few miles of the county lines, so that the marketing and transpor- tation facilities of Tama county are equal to any county in the State.
THE FIRST RAILROAD IN TAMA COUNTY.
The first railroad agitation in Tama county was over the lowa Central Air Line. The company was organized at Lyons in 1843, and secured a land grant upon a survey of line running north of and parallel with the present line of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway. It was the purpose at organization to have the Iowa Central run from Sabula, on the Mississippi river, westward to Marion, Linn county, and on through Toledo and
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
the central part of Tama county to some point on the Missouri river, following the forty-second parallel as near as practicable. S. S. Jones was President of the company, and as early as 1857, work on grading and other matters connected with building was commenced, when dissatisfaction began to be manifested against the management. M. Courtright & Co., in 1857, secured the contract for building, and Sherrill, Bagley & Bro. for grading a portion of the proposed road, the Presi- dent of the company himself being inter- ested in both of these contracting firms. The affairs of the company were very corruptly managed, and about two hundred and forty-five thousand dollars of fictitious stock and seven hundred and fifty-five thousand dollars of fraudulent bonds were issued. Finally, in 1858, the stockholders commeneed legal proceedings against the President and Directors, applying to the courts to have the fictitious and fraudulent stock and bonds cancelled; also, the contracts for building and grading. A notice was served upon the Directors requesting them to try and expel the President for fraud and malfeasance in office. After a good deal of trouble and delay, the stockholders and people in general became disgusted with the way the matter had been carried on, and in the winter of 1858-9 a plan was conceived, whereby the Iowa Central Air Line was to be consolidated with the Chicago, Iowa and Nebraska Railroad. Of this consoli- dation the Iowa Transcript, then published by N. C. Wieting, said :
" One of the results of the consolidation will be to insure the passage of the road through Cedar Rapids; this our citizens
have anxiously desired, from the fact that the road will eventually pass through our town, a favor but little expected from the old Air Line company."
The Chicago, Iowa and Nebraska Railroad Company were at this time constructing a line from Clinton, on the Mississippi river, to Cedar Rapids, and completed the line in 1860 to that place. Soon after the plan mentioned was conceived, it was dropped and another scheme was set on foot. A new company was organized, under the name of Cedar Rapids and Missouri River Railroad Company, for the purpose of extending a road from Cedar Rapids westward through the State to the Missouri River. This company was largely composed of members of the Nebraska Railroad Company, and the interests of the two roads were identical. As soon as this company was organized they asked that the Legislature transfer the land grant which had been given to the lowa Central Air Line Company to them. Nothing as yet had been done toward building the Air Line road, and the transfer met with approval all along the proposed line of the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River Road. It was also hotly contested and bitterly opposed by those living on the proposed line of the Iowa Central.
Now, in this connection, comes a matter upon which the early settlers are divided. To be impartial and fair to both sides, the historian gives both versions of the affair.
Many claim that the question as to the transfer of the land grant from the Iowa Central Air Line to the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River Railroad Company was
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
made the issue upon which the members of the General Assembly were elected in 1859. 'The transfer could only be made by an act of the Legislature. For Tama county the matter stood in this shape: If the transfer was made it was certain that the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River Road would pass through Tama county, south of the center, and no doubt was entertained but that Toledo would be made one of the point- In case the transfer was not made the Air Line company would build to Marion, and, as the citizens of Vinton insisted it should go through their place, it would pass through the northern part of Tama county, and Toledo would be left to one side. This endangered the county seat's remain- ing at Toledo, and as the southern part of the county was much more thickly settled than the northern, Tama county favored the transfer of the land grant. From this issue grew the hotly contested campaign for State Senator from this district in 1859. The district embraced Benton and Tama counties and the Republicans nominated Thomas Drummond, of Vinton, for the office. This was bitterly denounced in Tama county, as it was known that he would vote against the transfer in the in- terest of Vinton, his home. A bolt was instigated and a convention was held at which John Doe, of Indiantown, was nom- inated. Doe carried Tama county, but Drummond received a sufficent majority in Benton county to overpower Tama county, and was elected. In the General Assembly Drummond voted against the tranfer of the grant, but it carried never- theless, and thus the land grant was turned over to the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River R. R. Company.
The above is the version of a portion of the old settlers. Others claim that the rail- road issue did not enter into the campaign at all, but that Drummond was opposed on account of his morals, and this finally oc- casioned the bolt and nomination of Doe. However this may be, the Cedar Rapids & Missouri River R. R. Company at once commenced pushing the line westward, through Tama county and finally to the Missouri river. Soon after its completion, the track was leased for ninety-nine years . to the
CHICAGO & NORTHWESTERN R. R. COMPANY. and the track is still under this company's management.
The graders reached Tama county in 1861, and by the following summer had the track laid as far west as where Chelsea now is. Early in November, 1862, the first engine made its way into Tama county as far as where Tama City now is. At this time there was a station there which was called Toledo, and farmers be- gan hauling grain to points on that road instead of to Cedar Falls and Iowa City. The Jowa Transcript notified the communi- ty of the fact that trains were running this far, in the issue of November 20, 1862, saying: "The railroad is now com- pleted to the station opposite this place, and the cars are running regularly, start- ing from Toledo at 10 a. m., and arriving at 4 p. m. We are now directly in com- munication by railroad with all parts of the east. "
In due time the railroad pushed on westward, through Marshalltown Ames, Boone and to Council Bluffs, crossing the entire State, and making a direct line to Chicago. It at onee became the leading
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
road of lowa. Tama county subseribed liberally to the building of this road and it has proved a good investment. The road enters the county by way of seetion 24, in Salt Creek township, bearing north- ward, follows the valley of the lowa river through the townships of Salt Creek, Richland, the southwest corner of Otter Creek, Tama and Indian Village, leaving through seetion 18, in the latter named township. The towns on the line in Tama county are Chelsea, Tama City, Montour, and Le Grand.
According to the statement and report of the Secretary of State for the year 1883, the length and assessed value of the Chicago & Northwestern railway amounted to 25.34 miles, assessed value $10,220; total assessed value $258,974. This was divided among the townships as follows: Salt Creek 6.2 miles ; Richland 5 miles; Otter Creek, 1.34 miles; Tama and Tama City, 6.37 miles; Indian Vil- lage, 6.2 miles.
The Chieago & Northwestern is one of the most important and powerful railway corporations on the globe. Controlling, as it does, about 4,000 miles of track, it wields a powerful influence over the com- meree and agrienlture of the northwest. The division which passes through Tama county is the greatest east and west thor- oughfare of Iowa. It is usually ealled the Chieago and Council Bluffs line, but in railway publications it is treated under the head of " Council Bluffs, Denver and California line. "
TOLEDO AND NORTIIWESTERN RAILROAD.
When the Cedar Rapids & Missouri River railroad, now the Chicago & North- western railway line, was constructed
through lowa, it was at first the design, as is stated elsewhere in this chapter, to make Toledo one of the points. As the work progressed, however, this was some- what changed, and it was decided to have the road pass up the valley of the lowa river, a natural road bed, and leave Toledo two miles north of the proposed line. When this conclusion was arrived at, some of the officials of the railroad came to To- ledo to make arrangements whereby the people of the county seat coukl have imme- diate railway connection. Their idea was that iron could be got cheap and on long time, and the people of Toledo should go ahead and lay the track, and the company would run it as best they could. The com- pany would ereeta depot on the main line, near the Iowa river, and it was thought no other town would be laid out. This proposition was not accepted; some think- ing that the railroad company would alter their determination to follow the valley and finally build to Toledo ; others think- ing that even did the railroad pass within two miles it would be well enough, as no one thought of laying out a town; and still others were of the opinion that it was asking too much of Toledo to build the branch road. This furnished a number of enemies to the scheme, who worked hard against it. There were also some who earnestly worked for the railroad and en- deavored to have a branch built, but to no avail. Time went by and in Toledo the matter rested. The road was constructed, running through Tama county within two miles and a half of Toledo; a station was built, and the town luka-now Tama City -was started. The station was called Toledo Station at first, and finally, Tama
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HISTORY OF TAMA COUNTY.
City. During the years immediately fol- lowing the completion of the main line of the Northwestern, nothing was said of railroad matters at Toledo. In 1865, how- ever, it became apparent that something must be done to build up the town, or the county seat would be wrested from it. Accordingly, during this year, the Court House Association was organized, and the Court House built and donated to the county, which, it was hoped, would make the location of the county seat permanent. This served the purpose and quieted the matter for a time. But Toledo began to lose its trade; farmers would pass it and go to the railroad towns with their grain, and something further must be done. Therefore, in 1867, the branch project was again started and a splendid effort was made toward its success; but just at this time the lowa Central came up, the peo- ple turned their attention toward that, and again the branch sunk to make room for the visionary scheme of that road.
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