USA > Iowa > Taylor County > History of Taylor County, Iowa; from the earliest historic times to 1910, biographical sketches of some prominent citizens > Part 8
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10.00
Photograph gallery 5.00
Auction stands 5.00
These rates are given for the benefit of the curiously inclined, who may desire to compare past and present figures, and note the difference in the character of entertainment, furnished at county fairs, past and present.
The fair of 1875, was held on the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th of October, and its success was a high compliment to its managers, as the following statement will show :
First day's receipts $220.70
Second day's receipts 437.IO
Third day's receipts 520.56
Fourth day's receipts 406.71
Total
$1;585.07
November 13, 1875, the articles of incorporation were adopted. After this it was "Moved that the secretary be authorized to give credit to each of the fol- lowing named gentlemen: Thomas Cobb, R. A. Moser, E. T. Smith, Daniel Hoover, A. J. Litteer, Josiah Litteer, J. W. Wood, E. Houck, J. C. Mehan, William Mahan, and J. C. Ray, for the sum of eighteen dollars and sixty-three cents, being the amount due each of said parties as their respective distributive shares of the ten acres of land, known as the 'old fair grounds,' as this day apportioned by members of the old society present."
December 4, 1875, William Rutledge, of Marshall township, was awarded ten dollars for the best "field crop" entered in the county. At this meeting the fol- lowing motion prevailed.
Resolved, That all stock subscribed and partially paid to said society, which shall not, on or before the first day of February, 1876, be paid in full to the treasurer of said society, shall be declared forfeited, and such delinquent shares cancelled for nonpayment.
66
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
At this meeting the following officers of the society were elected for the en- suing year : president, D. H. Hamilton ; vice-president, James McCracken ; treas- urer, W. F. Evans; board of directors, C. Steele, John C. Ray, Lyman Evans, Thomas Cobb. B. F. Chandler, James McCracken, Josiah Litteer, N. Goodsill, C. B. Pershin and C. C. Mohler; executive committee : A. J. Litteer, W. A. Wysong, and Charles Steele.
June 1, 1876, at a meeting of the society, C. C. Mohler, L. Evans and L. S. Morris were appointed a committee on finance. The treasurer was ordered to tax on fair ground out of first money collected by him. Time for holding the annual fair for 1876 was fixed for October 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th. D. H. Hamilton, W. F. Evans and Alex. John were ordered to prepare a premium list. Thomas Cobb was allowed twenty-five dollars for raising shareholders, and was presented with one share for his services as treasurer.
April 1, 1876, the report of finance committee showed :
Receipts for year 1875 $4,846.82
Expenditure by treasurer 4,780.68
Balance in hands of treasurer 66.14
May 25, 1876, a floral hall was suggested-an improvement much needed, and which for years proved useful and valuabale to the society. James McCracken, C. Steele and W. V. King were appointed a committee to draft plans and speci- fications for a hall, and to receive sealed bids for the erection of the same. The executive committee was allowed two dollars a day, each for time actually em- ployed, and a thousand copies of the premium list ordered printed, to be given to the lowest bidder.
June 13, 1876, the contract for building a floral hall was let to S. W. Beall for the sum of one thousand, one hundred and forty-eight dollars, and July 3rd, it was completed and accepted by the society. It was two stories in height and twenty-four by eighty feet.
July 22, 1876, the board of directors resolved to treat as trespassers, all per- sons who used the grounds for racing on Sunday.
October 14, 1876, of the week following the fair, the board of directors met, and issued the following statement of the proceeds of the exhibition :
Received from tickets sold $1,039.99
Received from permits
84.75
Received from entries 250.90
Received from corn sold 2.00
Total $1,377.64
At a meeting October 20, 1876, the time for holding the 1877 fair was fixed for the last Wednesday in September, and to continue four days. The secre- tary was instructed to notify the societies of the adjoining counties of the dates selected.
At the regular meeting, December 2, 1876, the officers of the society were elected : president, D. H. Hamilton ; vice-president, James McCracken ; treasurer, W. F. Evans; secretary, James Thirkield; corresponding secretary, Lyman
67
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
Evans; board of directors, M. C. Cornnett, C. C. Mohler, John Evans, C. B. Pershin, B. F. Chandler, Alex. John, William A. Webb, Charles Steele, John Graff, and William A. Wysong; executive committee, Charles Steele, N. Good- sill and W. A. Wysong.
March 3, 1877, C. C. Mohler, Alex. John, and John Graff were appointed a committee to examine and report upon the condition of the society's finances. A resolution was passed requiring the secretary and treasurer to give bonds in the sum of two thousand dollars each.
March 31, 1877, the committee on the best orchard of one hundred apple trees in the county, reported in favor of S. C. Freeman. The finance committee reported as follows :
Total receipts of treasurer $2,369.34
Total amount paid out by the treasurer 2,372.43
Overpaid $3.09
The financial condition of the society at this date was as follows:
Value of grounds
$4,225.00
Value of notes on hand
331.37
Total
$4,556.37
LIABILITIES.
Amount due McConville
$ 980.65
Premium orders not paid 80.00
Expense 1 38.93
Total indebtedness
$1,199.58
May 5, 1877, the president and secretary of the society were instructed to mortgage the fair grounds to the Bedford Bank for one thousand and fourteen dollars.
The receipts for the fair for the year 1877 were one thousand, six hundred and nineteen dollars and forty-six cents.
October 13, 1877, the president and secretary were authorized to procure a loan of five hundred dollars for ninety days, to apply upon the indebtedness of the society, which they accordingly did.
At the regular meeting of the stockholders, held the first Saturday in Decem- ber, 1877, the following officers were chosen for the year 1878: president, James McCracken; vice president, C. Steele; treasurer, W. F. Evans; secretary, J. W. Thirkield; corresponding secretary, Alex. John; board of directors, W. A. Wysong, John Graff, Daniel Leonard, Alex. John, C. B. Pershin, M. C. Connett, B. F. Chandler, J. W. Wood, J. M. Harrell and J. W. Paul; executive committee, Charles Steele, W. A. Wysong and W. F. Evans ; superintendent of grounds, Charles Steele.
April 20, 1878, J. M. Thirkield tendered his resignation as secretary of the society, and H. P. Long was chosen in his place. The secretary was instructed to collect all outstanding notes due the society and apply the proceeds upon its indebtedness.
68
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
June 8, 1878, the society borrowed two hundred dollars, and two more wells were sunk on the fair grounds.
August 31, 1878, at a meeting of the directors, John Graff offered the fol- lowing resolution which was carried :
Resolved, That the executive committee be instructed to build an ampitheater, thirty by seventy-five feet, on the fair grounds of the society, provided the same can be built for a sum not to exceed five hundred dollars, the same to be built in a good substantial manner on the following terms : one-half to be paid this fall (1878) and one-half to be paid after the fair in 1879.
The fair was held September 25th, 26th, 27th, and 28th. The Argus and the Republican each printed daily papers during the fair which were creditable pub- lications. The receipts from the fair were as follows :
Receipts from entries $204.35
Amount received from stands I18.00
Receipts at gates 805.87
Receipts from quarter stretch badges 5.75
October 5. 1878, the treasurer was instructed to pay lady superintendents one dollar each per day for the last three days. A loan of five hundred dollars for ninety days was desired and the president and the secretary were instructed to procure the same.
October 19, 1878, W. F. Evans and Charles Steele reported that they had borrowed six hundred dollars of Albina King (a colored woman), for one year at ten per cent interest.
December 7, 1878, the society met for the election of officers. Treasurer W. F. Evans reported the indebtedness at nine hundred dollars. The officers elected were as follows: president, James McCracken; vice-president, B. B. Hoover ; treasurer, Alex. John; secretary, W. F. Evans; corresponding secre- tary, John Graff ; board of directors, J. W. Wood, Charles Steele, W. A. Wysong, B F. Chandler, D. H. Hamilton, L. W. Fairbanks, Milo Lathrop, C. B. Pershin, George Van Houten and George H. Powers ; executive committee, Charles Steele, W. A. Wysong, and L. W. Fairbanks.
March 1, 1879, the directors fixed upon September 24th, 25th, 26th and 27th, as the dates for the annual fair of 1879. George H. Powers introduced a motion, which was adopted, giving the veteran soldiers of the Civil war, free use of the fair grounds, for a reunion to be held May 28, 29, and 30, 1879. L. Mohler was issued an order for a premium on the best five acres of wheat in the county.
June 7, 1879, the society borrowed three hundred of the Bedford Bank.
September 29, 1879, the secretary reported the receipts of the fair just closed at one thousand, seven hundred and fifty dollars and ten cents. 1
October 4, 1879, the president, vice president, superintendent of grounds, and the gentleman-superintendents of divisions were allowed one dollar per day, each, for time served on the ground.
December 6, 1879 the treasurer's report showed the total indebtedness of the society to be one thousand, one hundred and twenty-six dollars and fifty-one cents. The following officers were chosen : president, B. F. Chandler, vice presi- dent, L. Evans ; treasurer, Alex. John; secretary, W. F. Evans ; corresponding secretary, H. P. Long ; board of directors, W. A. Wysong, C. C. Mohler, D. H.
69
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
Hamilton, J. J. Laws, James McCracken, Charles Steele, C. B. Pershin, J. C. Ray, William Cobb and N. Goodsill ; executive committee, J. J. Laws, J. W. Wood and James McCracken.
The time for holding the annual fair for 1880, was fixed for the 8th, 9th, 10th, and IIth days of September. The premiums for competition on orchards, vine- yards, nurseries and field crops were stricken out. It was, also, agreed that the meetings of the board of directors hereafter should be held on the last Saturday of each month, at 1:00 o'clock P. M.
At a meeting of the board, January 31, 1880, the date of holding the annual fair was changed to September 22, and to continue four days. The rules of the National Trotting association were adopted.
July 24, 1880, a bicycle race was made part of the premium list-first pre- mium, five dollars; second premium, three dollars.
The receipts of the fair of 1880 were one thousand, four hundred and sixty dollars and seventy-nine cents. The total number of entries were seven hun- dred and eighty-nine, exceeding the number of any previous year by one hun- dred and twenty-eight. The total number of premiums awarded amounted to nine hundred dollars and seventy-five cents. The date for the fair of 188I was fixed for September 13, and to continue five days.
September 25, 1880, B. F. Chandler, president of the society, Alex. John, treasurer and C. C. Mohler, director, tendered their resignations on account of the admittance of "wheels of fortune" and other gambling devices to the fair grounds.
J. J. Laws moved that their resignation be not accepted. The motion prevailed.
William Cobb offered a resolution that the permits for all gambling devices be revoked, on the grounds that they had been granted without the concurrence of a majority of the board. Mr. Cobb's motion was lost. B. F. Chandler, Alex. John, William Cobb and C. C. Mohler then gave notice that they would no longer serve in official capacity on the board.
November 27, 1880, nine hundred dollars were borrowed by the society of Charles Steele.
December 4, 1880, the society met for the election of officers for the year 188I. The following is the result: president, Charles Steele; vice president, Lyman Evans; treasurer, H. P. Long; secretary, W. F. Evans; corresponding secretary, P. C. King; board of directors, L. W. Fairbanks, James McCracken, H. McConville, A. J. Thompson, A. J. Sowers, W. A. Wysong, D. Hoover, William Cobb, C. C. Mohler and George H. Powers; executive committee, James McCracken, W. A. Wysong and A. J. McMurtry.
Seven members of the board were made to constitute a quorum, thus chang- ing article two of the constitution. Mr. John Laws offered this resolution. Mr. Laws also succeeded in having the office of superintendent of the grounds dis- pensed with, and the duties of that place put in the hands of the executive committee.
January 3, 1881, the society's indebtedness was reported to be one thousand and thirty-two dollars and seventy-eight cents. At this time there were on hand :
70
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
Old notes, exclusive of interest $203.12
New notes for stock taken in 1880 250.00
State appropriation for 1881 200.00
Cash in hands of secretary and treasurer 98.57
This would reduce the indebtedness to about three hundred and fifty dollars. Five gentlemen and three ladies were appointed to prepare the premium list for 1881, which was a new departure. Heretofore the ladies had been ignored in the preparation of the premium list.
January 20, 1881, the "speed ring" was placed under the exclusive control of a superintendent, and L. W. Fairbanks was chosen for the place.
March 26, 1881, a meeting of the stockholders was held for the purpose of reducing the number of directors necessary to constitute a quorum, but there was no change made. The number was left at seven, as before.
September 3, 1881, a contract was made with L. Pershin to build an ampi- theater twenty-four by eighty feet. He was paid nine hundred and ninety-three dollars for the work.
The receipts of the fair for 1881 were one thousand, five hundred and fifty- one dollars. The premiums awarded amounting to one thousand, six hundred and fifty dollars. The indebtedness of the society was now about two thousand dollars. The fair was held September 13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, and 17th. On the sixteenth snow fell to the depth of six inches and in consequence there was no attendance at the fair that day.
At a meeting of the board of directors, September 19, it was decided to open the fair of 1882 on the second Tuesday in September.
From the above date until the election of F. N. Lewis, who is the present sec- retary, there is no record. J. J. Laws, who preceded Mr. Lewis as secretary, destroyed or permitted the records while in his possession to be destroyed so we are informed, so the memory of men who have been at various times asso- ciated with the society is our only source of information. The society had its ups and downs, suffered financial losses from the failure of receipts to pay ex- penditures, until the annual exhibit was discontinued.
Then the whole thing was reorganized under the name of the Taylor County Fair association, and fairs have been held annually ever since, usually about the first week in September. These fairs are well attended and liberal premiums are offered, which brings a good exhibit of stock and farm products. This year the association had an additional attraction in the Thirteenth United States Infantry, from Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, which camped here the last day of the fair and remained over Sunday. The regiment was on its way to Des Moines to take part in a military tournament to be held there. This was quite a treat to the citizens of the county, many of them having never seen so many soldiers before.
Various men who have made the fair in the later years are W. F. Evans, who for many years acted as secretary and did a vast amount of work to make the annual exhibit a success. C. M. Steele was always, during his life, connected with the association. J. J. Clark has at various times been connected with the association in an official way; George Keith, lately deceased; Joseph Heasley,
71
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
G. M. Hadley, W. D. Blakemore, George Van Houten, J. J. Laws and Charles Nelson, Sr.
The present officers are : president, G. W. Hook; vice-president, Dr. A. A. Archer ; secretary, T. M. Lewis and treasurer, F. E. Payton. The board of direc- tors consists of the following gentlemen : R. W. Thompson, J. H. Minor, J. H. Dougherty, Harlan Montgomery, E. C. Dowlin, Joseph Heasley, C. A. Hall and Clarence Keith.
MILITARY.
THE CIVIL WAR.
Elsewhere in this volume, in the historical sketch of the state, will be found reference to the part the state took in the war for the maintenance of the Union. In this article, we wish to speak more specifically of certain regiments, with which citizens of this county were identified. Our readers are familiar with the events leading up to the most sanguinary struggle of modern times. The election of Lincoln in 1860, which was accepted in the south as a signal for war, the con- tinuance of strained relations between the two sections, up to April 12th, when the first gun fired upon Fort Sumter, inaugurated the war. Now events rushed thick and fast, for the war had actually begun. Men in the north, who thought the south was idly boasting, stood appalled, but from the south came the bustle and preparation for war, which awakened the north to the terrible emer- gency. April 15, 1861, President Lincoln issued the following proclamation :
"WHEREAS, The laws of the United States, have been and now are opposed in several states by combinations too powerful to be suppressed in an ordinary way, I therefore call upon the militia of the several states of the Union, to the aggregate number of seventy-five thousand, to suppress said combination and execute the laws. I appeal to all loyal citizens for state aid in this effort to maintain the law's integrity, national union, perpetuity of popular government, and to redress wrongs already long enough endured." I deem it proper to say that the first service assigned to the forces hereby called forth, will probably be to repossess the forts, places and property, which have been seized from the Union, and in every event, the utmost care will be observed consistent with the ob- ject aforesaid, to avoid any devastation, any destruction of or interference with property or any disturbance of peaceful citizens of any part of the country, and I hereby command the persons comprising the combinations aforesaid, to dis- perse and retire peaceably to their respective abodes within twenty days from this date.
Deeming that the present condition of public affairs present an extraordin- ary occasion, I do hereby, by virtue of the power in me vested by the constitu- tion, convene both houses of congress. The senators and representatives are, therefore, summoned to assemble at their respective chambers at twelve o'clock noon, on Thursday the fourth day of July next, then and there to consider and determine such measures as in their wisdom the public safety and interest seem to demand.
72
HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
Done at the City of Washington, this 15th day of April, one thousand, eight hundred and sixty-one, and of the independence of the United States, the eighty- fiftlı.
By the President, ABRAHAM LINCOLN.
W.M. H. SEWARD, Secretary of State.
When this proclamation was issued by the president, the excitement, which had long been at fever heat, broke forth into unexampled patriotism. The whole northi set to work with energy to prepare for the struggle before it, and the peo- ple of this county were not slow in coming to their country's aid.
Two days after the president's call, the governor of the state issued the fol-
1 lowing proclamation :
WHEREAS, the President of the United States, has made requisition upon the executive of the State of Iowa, for one regiment of militia to aid the federal government in enforcing its laws and suppressing rebellion.
Now therefore, I. Samuel J. Kirkwood, Governor of the State of Iowa, do issue this proclamation and hereby call upon the militia of this state immediately to form in the different counties volunteer companies with a view of entering the active military service of the United States, for the purpose aforesaid. The regiment at present required, will consist of ten companies of at least seventy- eight men each, including one captain, and two lieutenants to be elected by each company. Under the present requisition, only one regiment can be accepted and the companies accepted must hold themselves in readiness for duty by the twentieth of next month, May, at farthest. If a sufficient number of companies are tendered, their services may be required. If more companies are formed and reported than can be received under the present call, their services will be required in the event of another requisition upon the state. The nation is in peril. A fearful attempt is being made to overthrow the constitution and dis- sever the Union. The aid of every loyal citizen is invoked to sustain the gen- eral government. For the honor of our state, let the requirement of the president be cheerfully and promptly met.
SAMUEL J. KIRKWOOD.
IOWA CITY, April 17. 1861.
This proclamation met with general response and rapid enlistments. Poli- tics was forgotten, men of all parties vied with each other in their alacrity, in offering their services in support of the government. The sound of the drum and fife. and the tread of men filled the country with the bustle of war, and the spirit of 1776 found expression again, as her sons prepared to go forth to war. Many who placed their names on the enrollment list performed their last great act. for they died on the field of battle. The war was the sole topic of discussion. Men left their plows and women their household duties to learn the news. talk over the situation and counsel with their neighbors. The women became animated with the war spirit, and bade their husbands and sons go to the defense of the flag. Many a Taylor county soldier went forth to battle, cheered and sustained by the patriotic words of mother, sister or sweetheart. Many a husband went with the blessing and "God speed thee," of the faithful wife. and mothers gave their sons to do battle for home and country.
G. A. R. POST, BEDFORD
STREET SCENE IN BEDFORD
1
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HISTORY OF TAYLOR COUNTY
There was work to be done at home and the noble women of the country were not slow to perceive how and when they might be useful. There were sanitary stores to be provided, lint and bandages to be prepared, a thousand little conveniences to men in the field to be gathered and sent. All this they did and more. While husbands, sons, and lovers were in the field, they at home, were praying for the success of those who bore arms in the loyal cause. Letters were to be written, taking words of comfort and cheer to the sick and wounded, or inspiring renewed zeal and courage in the hearts of the boys weary with the battle and toilsome marches. And last, but not least, were the homes to be kept in order for the coming of peace. Many buried their fondest hopes, their greatest joy, months before the dawn of peace and the glad news that the flag they loved so well had been redeemed, though at the cost of the best blood of the nation. If there comes an occasional pang when the memory of loved ones steals in the mind, as come these recollections will, it must be remembered that these were all they had to give, a gift that even the dawn of peace cannot recom- pense. But so long as the nation endures the heroes of Shiloh, Corinth, Vicks- burg, Gettysburg, the Memorable March from Atlanta to the sea, and a hundred other bloody struggles, shall be remembered when those who founded nations shall have been forgotten.
In the roster of each regiment given below, the facts relative to what became of each person enlisting and all promotions or reductions to ranks, are given so far as known, and as fully as the most authoratative documents will admit. No statements are made save on the authority of the official reports of the adjutant general of the State of Iowa, and may hence be relied upon as correct. Where no after statement is made, it will be understood that the person was mustered out with his regiment.
HISTORY OF THE FOURTH IOWA.
This regiment was mustered in with G. M. Dodge of Council Bluffs, as Colonel: August 24, 1861, the regiment went to Rolla, Missouri, where it re- mained until January 22, 1862. From that date until the 14th of July, 1862, when it arrived at Helena, Arkansas, the regiment was almost continually on the march, forming a part of the army of southwest. Its first engagement was at Pea Ridge, Arkansas. March 6, 7 and 8, 1862. The regiment acquitted itself bravely in this celebrated battle standing a most terrific fire of grape, cannister, solid shot and shell for more than three hours. So grand a stand did the gallant - fourth make, that the general commanding, said of it in his official report: "This regiment won immortal honors." It lost in this battle fully one-third of all actually engaged. Their next engagement was that of Chickasaw Bayou, De- cember 28, and 29, 1862. On the 10th and IIth of January, 1863, the regiment was in the battle of Arkansas Post. After this last battle, the regiment returned to the front of Vicksburg, reaching Young's Point, January 22, 1863. The . regiment lay at this point until April 2d, when it was ordered to Greenville, a point on the Mississippi, one hundred and fifty miles farther up, and thence it went to form a portion of the force engaged in the raid up the Deer Creek Valley. On May 2d, the regiment started to participate in the active campaign against
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