USA > Iowa > Wapello County > History of Wapello County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 23
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Those of us who have had some experience in making their way with wagons through primeval regions, will readily appreciate the great difficul- ties and hardships which must have been incident to such a journey through the western part of the new Ohio, through the forests and across the streams and gullies of the then Indiana Territory, and until the destination in the Illinois Territory was reached. Twenty years afterward, in 1836, the family again moved, this time to the Territory of Wisconsin, settling in Burlington. In 1838 Iowa Territory was organized out of that portion of Wisconsin Territory, Burlington became its capital, and the Hender- shott family residents of a new territory.
In the third session of the Territorial Assembly, convened at Burling- ton, November 2, 1841, his father, David Hendershott, was a member.
The early years of our subject-from 1816 when, as we have seen, the family moved to Illinois Territory, to 1836, when they moved to Wisconsin Territory-were passed in Illinois, amid the scenes and privations of frontier life. Educational opportunities were extremely limited. Schools were few and far between. The nearest one some three miles distant from the Hendershotts, was open only for a few months during the winter. To attend it punctually at that distance through the snows and storms of an inclement season required no ordinary amount of resolution. But young Hendershott, inspired by a thirst for knowledge and a determination to reach worthy accomplishments, so studiously availed himself of the hum- ble means offered, that at the age of nineteen he felt himself competent to enter Illinois College, located at Jacksonville. To this point he accordingly bent his steps, on foot, alone, and with only a few dollars in his pocket. In this plight he presented himself before the university, told his humble story to the faculty, and desired to be given an opportunity to pay his way through the institution by the results of his own labor. The faculty, of
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which Edward Beecher was president, were so struck by the heroism of the lad that they resolved to lend him all the aid and encouragement in their power. Here he remained for two years, alternating between 'labor and study, never, I am told, falling behind his classes, and proving himself a close student. In the meantime the family had made the removal already stated to Burlington, where at the end of his college term, the son entered upon the course of his legal studies under the supervision of David Rorer and M. D. Browning, both of whom were distinguished lawyers. Charles Mason, in my judgment one of the greatest men who have figured in Iowa history, was one of the judges and chief justice of the territorial Supreme Court, and ex-officio judge of the District Court of Des Moines County. His attention was attracted to young Hendershott and he appointed him deputy clerk of the latter court, a position he retained for two years, pur- suing his legal studies in the meantime. In 1841 he was admitted to the bar. In 1844 he came to Ottumwa where he has since continuously resided for a period of more than fifty-five years. It had but recently been the seat of an Indian village, the Indians having departed the preceding May under the terms of the treaty. It is now a flourishing city of some 20,000 inhabi- tants. Judge Hendershott took a prominent part in laying its foundations as he did those of the county. He has always been an honor to the city he helped to build, and its people, irrespective of politics, religion or race, hold him in affectionate esteem. For a short time prior to his coming to Ottumwa, Hendershott had resided in the same county at Agency City, so called because it had been the seat of the Sac and Fox Indian agency prior to the departure of the Indians May 1, 1843. Recognizing his supe- rior fitness for the position Judge Mason had, in the February previous to his removal to Ottumwa, appointed him chief clerk of the United States District Court of Wapello County, of which Mason was the judge as well as that of Des Moines County, of which Hendershott, of which we have seen, had while living at Burlington, been deputy clerk. The functions of the court were dual. It acted on behalf of Iowa in administering the laws of the territory, and on behalf of the United States in administering the laws of Congress. At the time of Hendershott's appointment as chief clerk (February, 1844) the County of Wapello had not been organized, and under the act it became his duty as clerk, aided by the sheriff, to organize it, and it was done on the Ist of March, 1844. The first term of the court was held at Ottumwa the following September. Hendershott was its first clerk and its first judicial entries are embalmed in his familiar handwriting. In 1845 he was appointed by the governor of the territory, James Clarke, prosecuting attorney for the seventh district. In 1847 he was appointed by the late Gen. George W. Jones, the surveyor-general of Wisconsin and Iowa, deputy surveyor, and as such subsequently surveyed and sub-divided six townships of government land into sections. In 1848 he was appointed by the Supreme Court of the United States the commissioner on the part
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of Iowa, to act with a like commissioner appointed on the part of Missouri to ascertain, fix and settle the vexed question of the boundary line between Iowa and Missouri, which had been fruitful of disputes, bad blood between the states, and finally of what is known as the "Missouri War." The decision and report of Judge Hendershott and his co-commissioner on the part of Missouri, W. G. Minor, were accepted as a final settlement of the controversy.
In 1850 he was elected state senator from the district comprising the counties of Wapello, Monroe, Lucas and Clarke. He was a conspicuous member of the judiciary committee and many of the provisions of the Code of 1851, I am credibly informed, emanated from his highly judicial and painstaking mind.
In 1857 he was elected district judge of the second judicial district, and so conspicuous were his services and ability in that position that he was regarded as one of the very best judges the state ever had. He had before him as practitioners highly qualified to judge of his merits, such distin- guished lawyers as Jonathan C. Hall. Joseph C. Knapp, George G. Wright, Christian W. Slagle, David Rorer, Henry C. Caldwell and James F. Wilson. He was on the bench when I was admitted to the bar, now upwards of forty years ago. It has since been my fortune to appear before many courts both in Iowa and Missouri, and my observation has but confirmed my high estimate of Judge Hendershott as a trial judge, possessing in an extraordin- ary degree those peculiar qualifications that go to make up a model in that respect. I believe every lawyer of discernment and experience will concur with me in the opinion that the most common weakness in such a judge is an inclination to talk too much, to display his own astuteness, and not be what is termed a good listener. From these causes I have known many law- yers highly successful at the bar proved sorely disappointing on the bench. Such was the case with Lord Brougham, as shown by the following remarks of Greville in his memoirs or "Journals" of that period: "Brougham," says he, is a bad presiding judge, for he will talk so much to the counsel, and say pungent things which elicit rejoinders and heat. The extreme gravity and patient attention of old Eldon struck me forcibly as contrasted with the flippant and sarcastic interruptions of Brougham. (Greville's Journals of the Reigns of George IV and William IV, Vol. 2, p. 239.)
On the same subject Lord Bacon tersely says: "Gravity of hearing is an essential part of justice; and an overspeaking judge is no well-tuned cymbal. It is no grace for him to question first to find out that which he might have heard in due time from the bar; or to show quickness of conceit in cutting off evidence or counsel too short, or to prevent information by questions, though pertinent."
Judge Hendershott was as free from these faults as any man I have ever seen on the bench, with the possible exception of Judge George W. Mccrary, whose memory is dear to every Iowa lawyer. He was a good listener,
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patient of investigation, and his integrity as spotless as the snow. In addi- tion he was always dignified, calm, urbane and courteous ; as fine a specimen of the old-fashioned courtly gentleman as Iowa ever had or ever will have. With young men he was especially patient and encouraging. He doubtless remembered with gratitude how much he himself owed to the kindness of the college faculty at Jacksonville. The recollection of his own early strug- gles, the memories of that rugged pathway that had led him through the unbroken wilderness, had not failed to make him gentle.
It would have been a public benefit to have kept him on the bench as long as he was willing to serve. But politics and the almost constant minority of the party to which he belonged prevented it. In 1876 he was the demo- cratic nominee for Congress in his district, and in 1881 for judge of the Supreme Court of the state.
Viewed purely as a lawyer and in the light of a successful practice of nearly fifty years, he deserves to be ranked high amongst those justly entitled to the name. He was well grounded in all the fundamentals of the law. His preparatory course had been thorough, and throughout his entire professional career he remained a close and conscientious student. He kept well abreast with legal reforms and legal literature. His law library was among the largest in the state. No decision made by the Supreme Court nor statute passed by the Legislature escaped his observation. In his prac- tice, which was large, he displayed the most indefatigable industry and always appeared in the professional arena fully equipped to meet all the emergencies likely to arise in the case. Naturally intuitive and alert, it was difficult to mislead him. Not fanciful or brilliant, but strong in facts and preparation ; energetic and forcible as an advocate, but not eloquent ; unable to sway by the mere force of oratory, but formidable as an adversary on all occasions by reason of his methods, his learning, and skill.
He is now a very old man. In a recent visit to Iowa, I saw and was touched by the helplessness of his condition. To the infirmities of age are added those resulting from an accident occurring several years ago, which shattered one of his legs and confines him to a bed of pain. There he serenely awaits the final summons, attended upon by a son as faithful as Æneas was to old Anchises, and by his devoted wife to whom he was married considerably more than half a century ago.
In his passing, which cannot in the nature of things be far distant, there will be removed from the scanty remnant left one of the most historic per- sonages of the early time. I trust he will survive to see and perhaps be gratified by this humble tribute of one who will always venerate his memory.
Judge H. B. Hendershott died in Ottumwa, August 10, 1900, at the age of eighty-four years. (Ed.)
CHAPTER XX
THE PRESS
OTTUMWA COURIER
The pioneer newspaper of Wapello County first made its appearance August 8, 1848, under the name of the Des Moines Courier, with J. H. D. Street and R. H. Warden as editors and proprietors. It was a six-column folio, neatly printed and edited. Politically it was the advocate of whig principles, advocating the election of Zachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore for the presidency and vice presidency. In its first issue appeared the advertisement of a number of merchants and professional men of Ottumwa. Lane and Devin have a card as attorneys. Dr. Charles C. Warden and Dr. A. T. Alt had professional cards. L. C. Nichols advertised a livery "with horses and buggies to carry persons to any part of the state. He also keeps a four-horse omnibus that will carry fourteen persons, which he will run whenever occasion requires." S. Richards, hardware, etc. F. W. Tay- lor advertised drugs, paints, oil, etc .; A. Mudge & Company, dry goods and groceries ; W. S. Carter & Company, the "Farmers' Cheap Store;" Hunter & Baldwin, general store.
At the beginning of the second volume the paper was enlarged to a seven column folio. Street and Warden continued the publication of the paper until January 20, 1851, when Mr. Warden became sole proprietor, and con- tinued the publication of the paper until December 20, 1855, when J. W. Norris purchased the office, and in connection with his brother, G. W. Norris, published the paper until 1866, when N. D. Mussleman, W. H. Caldwell and W. C. Holden became proprietors. The name of the paper was changed in 1857 from the Des Moines Courier to the Ottumwa Courier. J. W. Norris at one time was associated in the publication of the Chicago Journal. In his editorial utterances he was quite conservative, though a warm supporter of republican principles. The Daily Courier was estab- lished in 1865. In August, 1869, Gen. John M. Hedrick and Maj. Augustus H. Hamilton became editors and proprietors and continued in partnership until January, 1878, when A. H. Hamilton became sole owner. The publi- cation was presided over by Major Hamilton until April 1, 1890, when the late A. W. Lee purchased it and became owner and publisher. The office was then located at 204 South Court Street in the rear of the Ottumwa Savings Bank, and it boasted of a circulation of 575 copies daily and 1,500 copies weekly. For mechanical equipment, Mr. Lee had an old Taylor drum
Vol. 1-15
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cylinder press with a capacity of 900 copies an hour, each paper having to be put through the press twice in order to print both sides of the paper. Four men setting type by hand made up the composing room. As the pub- lication expanded, new quarters were found to be necessary and in 1897, the plant was removed to the Leighton Building on Market Street, where Davis' Saratoga Billiard Hall is now located. The present home of the Courier was completed in 1903 and in November of that year the first issue of the paper was printed in its own home.
On the 5th day of April, 1865, the first issue of the Ottumwa Daily Courier appeared, and from then on to the present it has prospered. Major Hamilton retired in April, 1890, when A. W. Lee became proprietor and editor. The Courier then entered upon a new era of prosperity and Mr. Lee's wonderful energy and business judgment brought the paper to metro- politan proportions. The Courier has grown from a weekly publication, issued from a rude log cabin, to a tri-weekly and daily journal, printed in its own up-to-date and modernly equipped plant. The hand press and hand-set type of former days have given way to five linotype machines, a three-deck Goss printing press of twenty-four page capacity, and the latest stereotyping devices. The Courier of today in point of circulation, mechan- ical equipment, news service and general facilities, makes the claim that it is the biggest newspaper in the world, published in a city the size of Ottumwa. To reach this happy consummation, men of intellect and execu- tive ability have been at its head. This is readily apparent when mention is made in this connection of Richard H. Warden, Gen. John M. Hedrick, James W. Norris, Maj. A. H. Hamilton, William H. Caldwell, and Alfred W. Lee, James F. Powell, able, energetic and enterprising, is the publisher, and R. D. McManus, managing editor, under the Lee Newspaper Syndicate, founded by the late A. W. Lee, and of which the Courier is a member.
OTTUMWA REVIEW
The Ottumwa Weekly Review was established in August, 1905, and the Daily Review, February 3, 1909, by A. J. Stump, who designates the pub- lication as the "official county democratic newspaper." It is a six-column quarto and is established in a building at 123 West Second Street.
OTTUMWA NEWSPAPERS OF THE PAST
The Des Moines Republic first came before the reading public of this community in June, 1850. It was established by James Baker & Company, and suspended publication after about two years of existence.
The first number of the Democratic Statesman, which appeared in 1858, was published by G. D. R. Boyd. Mr. Boyd soon retired and J. H. D. Street took charge of the paper. He was succeeded in 1861 by H. B. Hendershott
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and E. L. Burton, who changed the name to the Ottumwa Democratic Union. In the course of a year Judge Hendershott retired from the publication in favor of S. B. Evans, who, with Mr. Burton, published the paper under the name of the Democratic Mercury. Mr. Evans went into the army in August, 1862, and Judge Burton continued the publication with his brother, S. H. Burton, until October, 1865, at which time the Burton interests passed into the hands of Russell Higgins. In November, 1865, S. B. Evans again took up associations with the Mercury, having secured the Higgins inter- est, and remained until 1868, when he severed his connection and shortly thereafter the paper was discontinued.
In March, 1868, an exceedingly ultra democratic newspaper entitled The Copperhead, previously published at Pella, Marion County, was removed to Ottumwa. M. V. B. Bennett, H. M. McCully and S. B. Evans here con- tinued its publication until December of that year, when Mr. Bennett with- drew. In December, 1870, Mr. McCully also withdrew. Mr. Evans on his succeeding to the sole editorship and proprietorship, immediately changed the name The Copperhead to that of The Ottumwa Democrat.
Capt. S. B. Evans founded the Ottumwa Democrat in December, 1870, and the Daily Democrat in 1874. He sold a half interest in 1876 to J. W Norris, and later on the Democrat was consolidated with the Times under the name of the Democrat and Times. The latter named paper was sold to a syndicate of democrats in 1881, and in 1884 Captain Evans assumed the management and continued the publication until it was purchased by R. H. Moore. The Democrat and Times was conducted by Mr. Moore until in August, 1897, when it was consolidated with the Sun. Moore retired in 1898, and Charles D. Brown & Company assumed control, retain- ing the management until George F. Smith bought the property. The latter sold to Martha B. Johnston, who remained in the management until June 15, 1901, at which time S. A. Brewster became sole proprietor.
The Ottumwa Sun, a weekly publication, was established in June, 1890, by Capt. S. B. Evans and H. C. Evans. In 1894 the Daily Morning Sun was established, and although it attained a circulation of nearly 2,000, the enterprise was not profitable, which' compelled suspension of the daily issue. The weekly was continued until July, 1897, when it was consolidated with the Democrat. Both papers are now out of existence.
In 1870 H. S. Bailey began the publication of the Reveille, and six months later the paper was out of existence. A. Danquard established the Jour- nal, a German publication, in April, 1871. John A. Wagner became part owner in 1881, and had full control in 1884. Publication of the Journal was discontinued in 1912.
The Ottumwa Printing Company, composed of H. M. Ives, O. C. Graves, Dr. G. F. Foster and others, established the Spirit of the Times in April, 1874. Foster withdrew and in 1875 H. M. Ives purchased Graves'
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interest. I. T. Flint acquired an interest in the paper in July, 1876, and on November 14, 1878, the Times was consolidated with the Democrat.
In 1880 appeared the Ottumwa Press, a weekly newspaper, established by Riley & Jones, which attained a large circulation in Southern Iowa. The plant was incorporated in 1899, the original owners taking the majority of the stock, and a daily edition was published. The plant was equipped with a speedy and expensive printing press and typesetting machine, but the enterprise was unprofitable and the paper suspended.
E. H. Thomas established the South Ottumwa News, an outgrowth of the Ottumwa Saturday News, January 4, 1890. Upon his appoint- ment as postmaster of South Ottumwa, he sold the paper and in the course of time A. J. Stump and Arthur McGrew accquired possession.
In 1895 S. S. Sherman issued from his job printing establishment a little four page paper, which he called the Daily Republican. But a few issues had been published when E. M. Jennison, a former employe of the Courier, purchased the plant. Within a few weeks he took into partnership J. S. McClelland and his brother. The paper was enlarged and it fought val- iantly for the republican ticket in 1896. The venture was a disastrous one, however, and in 1897 the publication was suspended.
The Independent, founded May 26, 1899, by Capt. S. B. Evans, and the Saturday Herald, established May 27, 1899, by R. H. Moore, are both out of existence.
In 1912, A. J. Hathaway and J. M. Woods, under the firm name of Hathaway & Woods, established a paper devoted to the labor interests, which was known and designated as the Labor News. Its life was a short and uneventful one, as it ceased to exist in the latter part of 1913. The plant was bought by Charles E. Hay, who moved it from the building on the northwest corner of Main and Green, to the basement of a building on Second, just off of Market, where he has established a job printing shop.
The first paper published in Eddyville was the Free Press, established by J. W. Norris, August 11, 1853. The second proprietor was J. V. Meeker and the third, B. H. Palmer who, in 1856, changed the name to The Com- mercial. The paper ceased to exist in 1859. Soon thereafter The Observer was born and died within three months. The author of its being was J. T. Cooke. The Star was established in 1862 by Melick & McConnell, who published the paper until 1865 and they sold out to Charles Sherman, who shortly after discontinued the publication. Melick & Bitner started The Independent in 1868, a short lived affair, whose material went into the possession of Editor Straight, who started the Des Moines Valley Gazette. John Wilcox became associated with the enterprise and in the course of three years Mr. Straight withdrew. The paper went the way of its prede- cessors in 1872. The Advertiser was the next paper here and was brought into the world by William L. Palmer in 1869. The next venture was by
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W. A. Fast and J. T. Sherman, who founded the Advance in 1865. Fast retired in favor of A. Cross, who was identified with the paper until 1873, when the plant was destroyed by fire. The Tribune became the succes- sor to all the publications here noted and was ably edited by W. W. DeLong until 1905, when it was bought by the present owner and publisher, Chal Sturgeon.
It is believed that the first newspaper to be printed in Eldon was the Herald, established by a Mr. Morehouse in 1873. No real encouragement was accorded the innovation and it lasted but three months. Then came the Messenger in November, 1875, under the editorial management of Mr. Melick, which lasted about six weeks. The Times issued its first edition soon after and in June, 1876, the editor, Dr. J. E. Alverson, turned over the paper to Tunis Bentley, who changed the name to the Western News. Jesse Markee was the owner in 1877 and in the spring of 1878 suspended publication. Then came the Review in 1881, which was established by E. H. Thomas, of South Ottumwa. He sold out to C. E. and L. R. Mckinney in 1885. The paper is no more. But in 1891 the Graphic was established by George W. Friend and M. P. Duffield. Mr. Friend pur- chased his partner's interest in 1893, changed the name to Eldon Forum and later sold a part of his interest to O. S. Garriott. In 1901, Friend was again in sole possession, and in 1902 sold to C. E. Akers who, in the follow- ing spring, turned the plant over to its new owner, W. D. Davis, who pub- lished the Forum for six years and sold to Benjamin J. Pruess and Clarence Seaton. The latter retired in a short time and Seaton disposed of the paper to W. F. Bigley and D. H. Murphy, in the spring of 1912. In the spring of 1913 Mr. Murphy became sole owner and publisher.
The first issue of the Register appeared February 12, 1913. It was es- tablished by Bert Davis, son of W. D. Davis, of the Ottumwa bar. It is a seven-column folio, all home print, and independent in politics.
Y. M. C. A. BUILDING, OTTUMWA
CHAPTER XXI
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS
YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
The Young Men's Christian Association dates its organization from July 18, 1887. At that time a meeting was held at the residence of T. D. Foster for the purpose of forming an association of this character. After all preliminaries had been effected and the association perfected, rooms in the Sax Building were rented and I. S. Watson called as general secretary. The association grew until the members felt they should have a home of their own, so in the fall of 1889 a canvass began for funds to meet the contemplated expense of such an enterprise. The campaign for subscribers was completed in the spring of 1891, when, upon computation it was dis- covered that over $30,000 had been pledged. In March, Secretary Watson resigned his position, when Mr. Rose assumed the duties until June Ist, B. F. Berryman at that time accepting the position. Mr. Berryman at once took hold of the various duties pertaining to the construction of the building and pushed the work to completion. On December 20, 1891, the first meet- ing was held in the new building, with the president, T. D. Foster, in charge. The building and lot at the time was valued at $50,000. Of course, the property could not be bought for that money at this date. Here the work of the Christian young men of this association has continued to this day and the results realized have paid back the original outlay a thousand fold. Since the original building was erected an annex was constructed on the east. This is a two-story brick building designed for gymnasium purposes. Here is installed every appliance and paraphernalia of modern conception and device for athletic sports. A partial list will give the reader a good idea of what the modern gymnasium is. There are dumb bells, Indian clubs, bar bells, wands, high pulleys, horizontal pulleys, low pulleys, rowing machines, breast bar, horizontal bar, parallel bar, trick rings, traveling rings, climbing rope, climbing pole, sphesometer, striking bag, abdominal mat, basket ball outfit, football, quarter circle, chest ex- pander, high kick machine, jumping standards, German horse, German buck, wrist machine, vaulting pole, neck machine, back thigh machine, running track, swimming pool. It is probably not too much to say that the gym- nasium is one of the greatest attractions for the young men of the asso- ciation. Here may be seen night after night, week after week, from thirty
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