USA > Iowa > Taylor County > History of Taylor County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, etc. : a biographical directory of many of its leading citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men, history of Iowa and the Northwest, map of Taylor County, Constitution of the United States, reminiscences, miscellaneous matters, etc > Part 47
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In 1864 occured another presidential election, but confined to the North- ern States. Into it the people of Taylor county entered, but no records are preserved. The Republican party re-nominated Abraham Lincoln, of Illi- nois, for the presidency, supported by the nomination of Andrew John- son, of Tennessee, for the vice-presidency. The Democratic party put for- ward George B. McClellan, for the presidency, and George H. Pendleton, of Ohio, for the second place on the national ticket. Mr. Lincoln was reelected, the popular vote standing, for Lincoln, 2,213,665; for McClellan, 1,802,237. The incidents and the interest that were occasioned by this contest are still preserved in the memory of the citizens of this county, and need no mention. With 1866 the record opens, and all connected with lo- cal politics will be again brought to mind by a simple enumeration of the candidates and the ballots cast for them. The complete election returns here follow:
421
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
OCTOBER ELECTION, 1866.
For Secretary of State. Ed Wright, Rep .... 530
S. G. Vananda, Dem. 209
Treasurer of State.
S. E. Rankin, Rep.
528
Geo. A. Stone, Dem 209
Auditor of State.
Jno. A. Elliott
529
R. W. Cross
209
Register State Land-office.
C. C. Carpenter
529
L. P. Mckinney .
210
Attorney-general.
F. E. Bissell
531
W. Ballinger
210
Supreme Court Reporter.
E. H. Stiles
530
I. Stoddard.
209
Clerk of Supreme Court.
Charles Linderman
531
Fred. Gottschalk
209
Judge 3d Judicial District.
James G. Day .
531
P. I. Goss
210
District Attorney-3d Judicial District.
C. E. Millard
529
J. S. Warner
212
Congress-5th District.
G. M. Dodge.
525
J. M. Tuttle .
215
Clerk of Courts.
E. T. Smith
469
D. Dale
258
Scattering
2
County Recorder.
D. Underwood
474
A. S. Houck
233
Scattering
1
Representative in General Assem-
bly.
L. T. McConn
500
Scattering.
11
OCTOBER ELECTION, 1867.
For Governor.
Samuel Merrill, Rep.
540
Charles Mason, Dem
228
Lieutenant-governor.
John Scott, Rep
539
D. M. Harris
228
Supreme Judge.
J. M. Beck . 540
J. H. Craig
228
Attorney-general.
Henry O'Connor
539
W. P. Parker
228
Superintendent of Public Instruc- tion (full term).
D. F. Wells
540
M. L. Fisher
202
Superintendent of Public Instruc- tion (vacancy).
D. F. Wells
511
M. L. Fisher
142
State Senate-8th District.
N. B. More.
360
J. M. Stockton
144
A. G. Walls
240
Scattering.
3
422
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
State Representative - 65th Dis- trict.
County Judge.
R. B. Kinsell.
52C
L. T. McConn
509
J. Howe
2
J. Waggoner
1
B. H. Baker
214
County Treasurer.
County Surveyor.
E. Rose.
537
D. W. Lamb
551
J. Morgan
1
J. Litteer
2
Sheriff.
Superintendent Common Schools.
M. V. King.
510
C. Ricketts
146
H. Raynor
9
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, 1868 .*
Electors at Large.
Congress-5th District.
Grant and Colfax electors, Rep. 717
F. W. Palmer
713
P. Gad Bryan.
319
Circuit Judge-3d District.
J. W. McDill
716
Ed Wright, Rep.
..
714
David Hammar, Dem
325
Treasurer of State.
S. E. Rankin 714
A. D. Anderson
325
Auditor of State.
J. A. Elliott.
714
H. Dunlavy
325
Register of State Land-office.
C. C. Carpenter 714
A. D. Anderson
325
Attorney-general.
H. O'Connor
114
J. E. Williamson
325
Amendments to Constitution.
For amendments
621
Against «
372
Clerk of District Courts.
E. T. Smith
668
John Dale.
351
County Recorder.
Jas. Flick .
697
T. W. McClure
320
Coroner.
M. C. Connett
690
C. Nelson
312
*In this year the Republican party nominated U. S. Grant for the presidency, and Schuyler . Colfax for the vice-presidency. The Democratic party put in nomination Horatio Sey mour, of New York, and Frank P. Blair, of Missouri, for president and vice-president, respect- ively. Of the popular vote Grant received 2,985,031; Seymour, 2,648,830. In the electoral college Grant received 217 and Seymour 77. The States of Virginia, Mississippi and Texas were not allowed to take part in this election, being still out of the Union.
Coroner.
W. S. Hamilton
332
W. B. Suveo
506
Seymour and Blair elect's, Dem. 321 Secretary of State.
423
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
OCTOBER ELECTION, 1869.
Governor.
County Treasurer (full term).
J. M. Cobb.
552
W. F. Walker
364
Scattering
14
County Treasurer (vacancy). J. M. Cobb. 468
W. F. Walker
29
Sheriff (to fill vacancy).
Jesse Laird .
229
Scattering.
14
Sheriff (full term).
Jesse Laird
641 .
Joseph Parks
304
Scattering
2
County Superintendent.
John S. Boyd
671
A. J. Rayburn
265
County Surveyor.
Josiah Litteen
515
D. W. Lamb
328
M. C. Connett
708
W. M. P. Lowry
7
OCTOBER ELECTION, 1870.
Supreme Judge (full term). C. C. Cole 716
J. C. Knapp 321
Supreme Judge (Wright vacancy).
James G. Day
722
Reuben Noble.
317
Supreme Judge (Dillon vacancy).
W. E. Miller.
751
J. H. Smythe
320
Secretary of State.
Ed Wright.
Charles Doerr
Auditor of State.
John Russell
721
W. W. Garner.
319
Treasurer of State.
S. R. Rankin
721
W. C. James
319
Register State Land-office.
Aaron Brown
721
D. F. Ellsworth
319
Attorney-general.
H. O'Connor
719
H. M. Martin
319
Samuel Merrill, Rep 705
G. Gillaspie, Dem. 251
Lieutenant-governor.
W. M. Walden, Rep. 705
A. P. Richardson, Dem
251
Superintendent of Public Instruc- tion (full term).
A. S. Kissell 706
H. O. Dayton 250
Superintendent of Public Instruc- tion (vacancy).
A. S. Kissell
705
H. D. Dayton 239
Supreme Judge.
John F. Dillon .
706
W. F. Brannon
250
Representative-15th District.
L. F. McConn 700
Scattering.
6
County Auditor. Coroner.
R. B. Kinsell
748
J. M. Cobb
1
424
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
Supreme Court Reporter.
E. H. Stiles 720
C. H. Bane 319
Clerk of Supreme Court.
C. Linderman
720
Wm. McLenan
315
Congress-5th District.
F. W. Palmer
698
B. F. Montgomery
320
J. A. Kasson
2
Judge Circuit Court.
S. Forey .
719
Judge 3d Judicial District.
James W. McDill
1,031
District Attorney -- 3d District.
H. L. McPherson
718
W. W. Mosseman
315
Clerk of Courts.
Alex. John.
525
A. J. Pyburn.
498
County Recorder.
P. C. King.
437
E. G. Medford
596
Constitutional Convention.
For
83
Against
259
OCTOBER ELECTION, 1871.
-
Governor.
C. C. Carpenter, Rep. .
937
James C. Knapp, Dein
387
Lieutenant-governor.
H. C. Bulis, Rep
928
M. M. Ham, Dem.
387
Judge of Supreme Court.
James G. Day 931
John F. Duncombe.
382
Superintendent of Public Instruc- tion.
Alonzo Abernethy 928
Ed. M. Mumm
385
State Senator-7th District.
Elisha T. Smith 620
Huston January
663
Scattering.
11
Representative-15th District.
David F. Sellards 598
Andrew Johnston
693
Scattering
16
County Auditor.
R. B. Kinsell
824
W. F. Evans
463
Scattering
4
County Treasurer.
M. V. King
702
Daniel Davis
589
Scattering .
5
Sheriff.
Jesse Laird
791
John Campbell
165
Joseph Park
319
Scattering
9
Surveyor.
Joseph Litteen
732
S. J. Hall
409
Scattering
7
County Superintendent of Schools.
D. L. Chaney .
811
M. A. Goodsill.
317
Coroner.
M. C. Connett
696
Allen Bowman
25
Scattering
12
425
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, 1872 .*
Electors at Large.
Grant and Wilson elect's, Rep. 1121
Greely and Brown elec's, Lib'l. 432 Congress-8th District.
James W. McDill. 1116
W. W. Merritt. 480
District Judge -- 3d District.
Samuel Forey .
1100
John W. Warner.
487
Circuit Judge-3d District.
J. W. Hewitt.
.1125
Prosecuting Attorney-3d District.
W. F. Laughlin.
1117
J. R. Welpton
368
Scattering .
115
Secretary of State.
J. T. Young
1127
E. A. Gilbert.
467
C. Baker
1
Treasurer of State.
William Christy
1129
W. J. Rholf's.
467
B. E. Beers
1
Auditor of State.
John Russell.
1129
J. P. Cassady .
468
Register of State Land-office.
Aaron Brown
1128
Jacob Butler
466
D. Sheward.
1
Attorney-general.
M. E. Cutts
1129
A. G. Case.
467
Clerk of Courts.
J. H. Jolley
740
Eleazer Fleming.
85€
Scattering . ..
5
County Recorder.
E. G. Medford.
812
R. B. Wallace
712
Scattering.
3
OCTOBER ELECTION, 1873.
Governor.
C. C. Carpenter, Rep 801
Jacob G. Vale, Dem. 650
Lieutenant-governor.
Joseph Dysart, Rep. 807
C. E. Whiting, Dem
645
Judge of Supreme Court.
J. M. Beck.
806
B. J. Hall.
646
Superintendent of Public Instruc- tion.
Alonzo Abernethy 807
D. W. Prindle.
647
Representative-15th District.
John Flick.
182
H. January. .
128
Representative Blank District.
H. January.
625
John Flick.
445
County Auditor.
William F. Evans
831
J. S. Bovd.
608
Scattering
2
County Treasurer.
Alexander John.
832
M. V. King.
618
W. Evans.
1
*The canvass of this year was intensely partisan and intensely bitter. The Democratic party made no nomination, having united with the Liberal Republicans to support Mr. Greeley.
426
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
Sheriff.
J. I. Elgeo.
792
R. B. Rockwell ... 607
Superintendent of Common Schools.
John B. Owens
883
H. C. Beard.
569
Scattering
2
Surveyor.
N. P. Nelson .
966
Josiah Litteen
456
Scattering
2
Coroner.
W. F. Randolph
S70
M. C. Connett.
572
OCTOBER ELECTION, 1874.
Congress-8th District.
J. W. McDill
728
Anson Rood 582
Secretary of State.
Josiah T. Young. 742
David Morgan.
582
Auditor of State.
Buren R. Sherman
740
Joseph M. King
581
Treasurer of State.
William Christy
142
Henry C. Hargis
580
Register of State Land-office.
David Secor ..
742
Robert H. Roadermel.
582
Attorney-general.
M. E. Cutts. 672
John H. Keatley 582
E. M. Cutts. 68
Clerk of Supreme Court.
Edward Holmes
742
George W. Ball
582
Supreme Court Reporter.
J. S. Runnells. .
741
James M. Weart.
582
District Judge-8th District.
Samuel Forey
706
Joseph S. Warner.
608
G. L. Finn
1
District Attorney-8th District (full term).
Smith McPherson
678
G. L. Finn.
593
E. G. Bedford ..
1
District Attorney-8th District (vacancy).
Smith McPherson.
661
G. L. Finn.
51
Clerk of Courts.
H. H. Taylor
776
Eleazer Fleming
523
E. G. Medford ..
1
County Recorder.
E. G. Medford .
813
D. R. McAlpin.
494
OCTOBER ELECTION, 1875.
Governor.
Samuel J. Kirkwood, Rep ... .. 1082
Shepherd Leffler, Dem 669
Scattering .
2
Lieutenant-governor.
J. G. Newbold. .1081
E. B. Woodward.
675
Judge of Supreme Court.
Austin Adams
.1081
W. J. Knight.
675
Superintendent of Public Instruc- tion.
Alonzo Abernethy
1085
Isaiah Doane.
670
J. B. Owens
1
427
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
State Senator -- 7th District.
Fred Leale. 1052
J. A. Denham 700
Representative.
Josiah Litteen 608
John Madden 768
J. R. Standley.
305
Scattering.
11
County Auditor.
G
L. B. Porter
821
W. F. Evans.
926
Scattering
3
Treasurer.
M. V. King
842
Alexander John .
894
Scattering
4
Sheriff.
J. F. Scott
908
J. I. Evans
837
Scattering
3
County Superintendent of Schools.
N. P. Nelson
820
John B. Owens .
932
Surveyor.
W. C. Blackstone.
964
E. A. Pace
784
Scattering
5
Coroner.
A. M. Golliday
911
J. M. Windsor
771
Scattering
67
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, 1876.
Electors at Large.
Hayes and Wheeler electors,
Rep.
1725
Tilden and Hendricks electors,
Dem
676
Cooper and Cary electors, G. B. 428 Secretary of State.
Josiah T. Young. 1728
John H. Stubenrauch.
677
A. Macready .
426
Auditor of State.
Buren R. Sherman
1729
William Groneweg
676
Leonard Brown
419
Treasurer of State.
Geo. W. Bemis. 1728
Wesley Jones.
678
George C. Fry.
424
Register of State Land-office.
David Secor 1728
N. C. Ridenour
680
George M. Walker
421
Attorney-general.
J. F. McJunkin.
1729
J. C. Cooks.
980
Judge of the Supreme Court (va- cancy.)
William H. Seevers
1554
Charles Negus
416
Walter I. Hays.
677
Judge of Supreme Court (full term.)
William H. Seevers
1727
Walter I. Hays.
637
Charles Negus
382
Judge of Supreme Court (term ex- piring Jan. 1, 1879).
J. R. Rothrock
565
J. H. Rothrock.
1182
O. R. Jones
417
William Graham
443
Congress-8th District.
Wm. F. Sapp
1726
Lemuel R. Botler
1095
L. R. Bolter
6
428
HISTORY OF TAY OR COUNTY.
Superintendent of Public Instruc- tion.
Carl W. von Coelln. 1726
Rev. J. A. Nash. 1099
Judge of Circuit Court-3d Dis-
trict.
J. W. Hewitt
1725
Clerk of Courts.
Henry H. Taylor.
1829
Charles Thomas
981
Scattering .
14
County Recorder.
E. G. Medford.
1930
John M. Hoover
856
Scattering
6
PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, 1876.
Governor.
John H. Gear, Rep. 1325
John P. Irish, Dem
293
Daniel P. Stubbs, G. B.
868
Scattering . .
2
Lieutenant-governor.
Frank T. Campbell 1355
Wm. C. James
286
A. Macready
864
Judge Supreme Court.
James G. Day .
1304
H. E. J. Boardman
286
John Porter
861
James G. Day .
51
Superintendent of Public Instruc- tion.
Carl W. von Coelln.
1352
G. D. Cullison
269
S. Ballard
828
Scattering .
54
Representative-17th District.
J. P. Flick.
1273
Alex John
1206
Scattering
4
County Auditor.
W. F. Evans
135 8
J. K. Hamilton
1088
Scattering
8
Sheriff.
J. T. Scott.
1443
E. D. Jones
1024
Scattering
1
County Superintendent of Schools.
Isaac Kersey
. 1182
John B. Owens
.1290
Scattering
8
Coroner.
M. C. Connett.
1324
A. H. Van Voorhis
1124
Scattering.
6
County Surveyor.
W. C. Blackstone.
1352
T. G. Woods
1105
Scattering
1
OCTOBER ELECTION, 1878.
Congress-8th District.
W. F. Sapp. 1232
George C. Hicks
1322.
J. H. Keatley
5
Scattering
4
Secretary of State.
J. A. T. Hull .
1238
E. M. Farnsworth.
1328
429
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
Auditor of State.
Buren R. Sherman 1239
Joseph Eibæck. 1324
Treasurer of State.
George W. Bemis 1237
M. L. Devin.
1327
Register of State Land-office.
J. K. Powers
1237
M. Farmington
1328
Attorney-general.
J. F. McJunkin
1205
John Gibbons 1322
J. F. Junkins
35
Judge of Supreme Court.
J. H. Rothrock.
1236
J. C. Knapp. .
1327
Clerk of Supreme Court.
E. J. Holmes.
1238
Alex Rungan
1232
Elex Rungan .
95
Reporter of SupremeCourt.
John S. Runnells.
1237
John B. Elliott.
1325
District Judge-3d District.
R. C. Henry .
1234
E. F. Sullivan
1335
Circuit Judge -- 3d District.
D. D. Gregory.
1244
M. A. Mills.
1322
District Attorney-3d District.
Luuth McPherson
1164
J. L. Brown
1341
Scattering
2
Clerk of Courts.
Il. H. Taylor
1280
S. Schram.
.1290
E. G. Medford
2
County Recorder.
E. G. Medford
1421
S. Wolcott.
1147
OCTOBER ELECTION, 1879.
Governor.
John H. Gear, Rep.
1589
Daniel Campbell, G. B.
1233
Henry H. Trimble, Dem
92
David R. Dungan, Prohibition, -
Lieutenant-governor.
Frank T. Campbell. 1592
M. H. Moore. 1241
J. A. O. Yeomans
89
Scattering.
1
Judge of Supreme Court. Joseph M. Beck 1594
M. H. Jones. 1239
Reuben Noble
88
Superintendent of Public Instruc- tion.
Carl W. von Coelln 1588
J. A. Nash. 1239
Irwin Baker
88
State Senator.
I. W. Keller
1445
G. L. Finn.
1447
Scattering
3
State Representative.
N. S. Hornaday
1584
James Ross
1319
Scattering.
4
County Auditor.
Henry P. Long
1610
A. A. Brown.
1292
County Treasurer.
Peter C. King
1717
W. S. Franklin
1191
Scattering
3
Sheriff.
G. E. De Long.
1623
I. J. Davis
1266
Scattering .
3
430
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
County Superintendent of Schools.
Coroner.
W. P. Jeffrey 1556
M. C. Connett
1541
I. G. Woods 1316
A. J. Cook. 1318
Scattering.
3
Poor- Farm Tax.
M.C. Litteen 1579
For
.1088
H. G. Baxter
1298
Against 888
Scattering
2
ELECTION, 1880.
Bedford.
Benton.
Clayton.
Dallas.
Clay.
Grant.
Grove.
Holt.
Jefferson.
Jackson.
Marshall.
Mason.
Nodaway.
Polk.
Platte.
Ross.
Total vote.
Total majorities.
President :
James A. Garfield.
336 58 89 31 16 21 102 38 51
124 86 18 21
84
96
78 81 42 37 50 45 65 26 13
3
96 63 65
127 23 27
93 55
31
33
54
Winfield S. Hancock
44 41
33
57
92
22
86
29
33
Secretary of State :
John A T. Hull.
336 58 89 33 16 21
124 86 18/21
84
96 7
42 78 81 37|50|46 65 26 12
181 3
96 62
127
94 67
31
34
54
563 777
A. B. Keith .
102,38 51
44 41
33
52
92
25
27
22
86
28
33
1986
654
G. V. Swearingen
102 38 51
44 41
33
52
65 26 12
92
25
27
22
86
28
51 33
561 777
Treasurer of State : Edwin H. Conger.
336 58 89 31 16 21
124 86 18 21 44 41
33
52
65,26 12
92
25
27
22
86
28
33
777
Register State Land-office :
James K. Powers
337 58 89 31 16 21
124 86 18|21 44 41
84
96
181
96
127
94
203
129
80
653
Thos. Hooker.
102 38 51
33
52
92
62 25
27
22
86
28
54 33
1985 561 777
Attorney-general : Smith McPherson
332
57|89
124,86
84
96 7
78 81 42 50|46
3
61
23
67
20
84
28
33
1976 559 769
For Congress :
337 56,89! 31 17,21
124 80 18|21 44 41
31
48
91
19
29
19
79
28
33
Circuit Judge :
D. D. Gregory
337 58 87
124 86
84
96 79 85 43 101 72 56 54
95
88
50
89
116
52
86
1988 1316
672
John L. Young
132:54 74
62 62
73
91
102
89 85 49 91 68 49
203
90
128
90 93
228 90
201 120
129
79
1977
751
W. H. Colgrove John W. Wood.
334 55.87 113 50 58
124 87 62 43
81 73
44
3
3 73 52
3
75
54 90
45
24
129
1087
Constitutional Convention : For
247 25 37
7 39
24
24
54 46
71
32
40
22
60
55
41
Against
74 41 92
142 77
45
43
79.40 . .
157
102
37
104
80
94
80
754
Constitutional Amendment : For.
32
6
11
30
61 50 31
121
..
71
26
64
3
60
67
Against
113 27 50 37|14 53
85 44
25
10
80| 7|41
18
36
96
94
2
47
756 689
3
62
23
67
31
34
31
51
1985 561
653
3
23
67
67
31
34
34
80 54
648
W. A. Spurrier
30 16 21
18 21 44 41
33
52
65 21 12
92
25
87
125
91
208 34
34
44
1960 585 751
624
H. C. Ayres.
3
74
23
74
92
151 165
61
85 3
1869 1350 76
Surveyor :
W. F. Randolph
344 60 91
125|87
84
77
142
184
95
128
100
203 39
130 3
84
1994 1889 105
J. B. Owens
Supervisor:
450.73 65 11|22 76
170 94
148
114
163|68 27
265
93
133
200
150
16
1840
753
Against
337 58
92
121
68
79
82
80|61
41
180
91
81
49
91
D. B. Long
·
..
27
2
11
1
78
643
A. D. Harlan.
127 53 4
681
60 52 3
72
72
99 66 55 27
94
95
127
94
204
128
80
Clerk of the Courts : H. H. Taylor.
282 51|92 187
58 68
67 59
65
52
72
92
49
62
94
1983 1316
667
Alex. John.
Recorder :
William Wilkins
98 38 51
18 21
40
96 7
146 78 81 42 37 50
181
96
127
94
204
129
80
Wm. V. Lucas
337 58 89 31 16 21
124 86
84
84
40
96 7
42 78 81 37 50 46
181
96 62
127
94
204 31
129
80
M. Farrington Martin Blim
102 38 51
40
7
78 81 42 37 50 46 65 26 12
3
179
95
127
94
204 31
128
124
78
W. P. Hepburn
85 41
95 17
78 82 41 38 49 46 64 26 12
180
Chas. A. Clark
103 38 51
40
37
80 80 56
4
84 80 34 68 71 60
182 92
94 88
127 50
921 90
62
82
1226
Court-house Tax: For
The majorities given are majorities over all opposition.
Washington.
129
80
641
James B. Weaver
40
7
1984 559 784
1985
645
Geo. M. Walker.
23
204
129
.80
Auditor of State :
Chas. I. Barker.
Dan'l Daugherty
23
27
R. B. Percival
119 85
72
127
3
107
5 33
833 1287
11
Scattering Surveyor.
204
181
181
127
128
40
431
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
COUNTY BUILDINGS AND INSTITUTIONS.
The necessity for buildings of a public character grows apace with popula- tion and business interests. Like very many other counties, a number of years elapsed after its organization before proper depositories were provided, for important papers. The various officers kept them at their places of res- idence, and were not always careful to remember what became of them. Often, having been filed away, they remained on file, and have not been dis- turbed to this day! The county judge, as being a man of supposed legal qualification, often embodied in himself the various county offices, and cared for the papers in a manner that, to say the least, has not resulted in their disturbance. The earlier records were kept at the residence of Judge Lowe, were entered on loose slips of paper, and put for safe keeping in a large shoe-box nailed against one side of the room where "his honor" kept court. The papers were unmarked, and unfiled, unless stowing them pro- miscuously away in this box could be called filing them. It is not, there- fore, a matter to cause wonder that so little can be gleaned of the early his- tory of the county from its official records. Such entries as are to be found are of a character which to-day would be denominated as criminal, in that they are not properly kept. They evidence the neglect so often consequent on poorly paid offices.
As the business of the county increased it became necessary to provide a suitable place for keeping its records-a place which would be accessible to all, and at the same time insure the safety of important papers. But still the county delayed to make the necessary provision. What was done with many of the records no one knows. Suffice it to say, that in some of them, as for instance the election records, there exists a hiatus often extending over years.
The first move made toward supplying the county with a needed build- ing for court purposes is the following:
To the clerk of the District Court in and for Taylor county, Iowa:
SIR-You are hereby notified that we request that an extra session of the board of super- visors be held on Saturday, the 5th day of July, 1862, for the purpose of taking into consid- eration the propriety of building a court-house on the proposition of E. Houck, or others on the same principle; also, for the purpose of ascertaining the will of the people on said sub- ject.
WM. G. MERIDETH. S. WEAVER. BENJ. B. HOOVER. OLIVER JENKS.
ASA COBB.
THOMAS COBB. JOHN KING.
432
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
What the proposition of E. Houck was is not stated, nor is it known, from the records, that such a session as this petition requested was ever held. The first action that was taken by the county officials is the follow- ing, had during the June session of 1863:
The chairman of committee on public buildings offered the following :
. Resolved, First, that the clerk be authorized to let a contract to build a court-house accord- ing to the plan accompanying this resolution, on Thursday, the 11th day of June, 1863, at 4 o'clock p. m., of said day, at the door of the clerk's office, in Bedford, to the lowest respon- sible bidder:
Provided, First, that the cost does not exceed $2,000;
Second, That the contractor give a bond for $5,000, with at least five sureties for the ful- fillment of the contract, to be approved by the clerk and the chairman of the committee on public buildings;
Third, To be built under the supervision of the chairman of the committee on public buildings, and in his absence or inability the clerk is to have supervision of the same:
Fourth, To be paid for as follows: $400 when the first story is up; $400 when roofed, and $600 when finished, and the balance in eight months, with 6 per cent interest.
The resolution was adopted by the following vote: Yeas-Cobb, of Benton, Cobb, of Ross, J. Litteen, O. Jenks, Jesse Orine, John King, John McLean, Jas. Gartside, J. B. Campbell, and D. W. Hamblin. Nays-Wm. Merideth and Vincent Beall.
Here then was a proposition to build a court-house suited to the needs of the county, with proper offices, and court chamber, for a sum of money less than could profitably be expended on a single vault and insure its being proof against burglars and fire! And this action was taken only eighteen years ago when the necessities of the county required a building of at least decent capacity. To any person viewing the building, the thought invariably comes, how foolish! Further records than the above none exist. How was the building paid for ? Elsewhere is given an account of the sale of some of the best land the county possessed for almost nothing, and the proceeds of that sale are supposed to have built the house, but somehow this supposition does not explain the draft upon the county treasury for certain sums to pay the contractor, and somewhere there is something that needs a little explanation. The court-house was built. The building is of stone, quarried near the city of Bedford; is nearly square, and two stories in height. The lower floor is devoted to the various county officials, such of them as can be there accommodated, all not finding room in the building. The second and upper story is used as a court-room; in that narrow and usually crowded box-like apartment the various attorneys for the past eighteen years have endeavored to persuade juries that all other attorneys save themselves are ignorant of the law. All the years that have inter- vened since the day the first court was held in the building have witnessed many trials of human skill and.ingenuity, technically called law, but never
433
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY.
properly justice. Fortunes have been lost, liberty taken away or restored, petty injuries righted, and sometimes-must it be said ?- great wrongs have been perpetrated. But here, too, have infamous wrongs been righted and vil- lianous projects defeated. Here have been tried cases that cover all the range of legal sin from petty larceny to murder. Legally the old court-house is the historic ground, and the wrongs it has righted in the past are but a lit- tle of what remains, perhaps, to the future. Could the walls of the jury- room speak what has been uttered within them, the legal fraternity would, no doubt, be astonished at the legal acumen which has often been displayed. And, too, they would tell of arguments that almost came to blows before the "twelve intelligent gentlemen of the jury" were able to decide the rights of the litigants; but should these associations hold the building sacred against a needed replacement? Should the time-honored but false "it's good enough" longer withhold the county from providing a place of justice which the facts imperatively demand? The question must be decided on its merits, and decided ere many more years shall roll their slow length away. It is an unfortunate circumstance that petty rivalries between va- rious towns should be allowed to influence a matter of so much moment to the general public; and until this matter is decisively ended by, in some way, quieting the disturbance relative to the county seat, no suitable build- ing will ever be erected.
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