USA > Iowa > Allamakee County > History of Winneshiek and Allamakee counties, Iowa > Part 29
USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > History of Winneshiek and Allamakee counties, Iowa > Part 29
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[The old "Pioneer Store" building has since burned down, and a large brick building now stands upon the old site, occupied as a store by C. N. Goddard .- EDS. ]
In connection with law and commerce the Gospel soon came, in Septemper, 1851 in the person of a Methodist preacher, who pre- sented himself at the cabin of Uncle Philip Morse on the errand, as he said, of looking up the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Being assured that he had found them, he walked in. That night there was preaching and a class soon organized. This preacher was Elder Bishop, and made arrangements to preach monthly, taking in Lansing, Monona, and the country about in his circuit. A few weeks after, a Congregational minister, Mr. A. M. Eastman, made his appearance and established monthly meetings at the log tav- ern. Hence sprang the two first churches organized in town. Their subsequent history, the date of organization, the time of building their houses of worship, etc., with a notice of other
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churches since and more recently formed, would take us further down the line of history we are pursuing, and require more minuteness than time will permit to-day.
While these things are going on, assuming shape, evidently, to make this quite a point, another event occurred which, of course, cannot be overlooked. It was in this season of 1851 that this was established as the county seat. As, in the minds of many respect- ing this county seat question, there is an impression that there are things curious, and yet no definite knowledge about it, the re- cital of a few facts may not be amiss.
In the winter of 1850 and 1851, the Legislature at Iowa City appointed John L. Carson organizing officer of the county. It was his duty to furnish poll books and assist the people in ap- pointed districts within the county in a lawful way to determine by vote where the county seat should be. Three places were ap- pointed for the casting of votes :- this place, Lewiston, at or near Fort Atkinson, and Moneek. The majority of voters were about Moneek, while the interests of Lewiston and Decorah were united upon Decorah. The day of election came. For some reason or other the people of Moneek failed of receiving, as they should, the requisite poll book A man was appointed, indeed, by the organizing officer to receive it, and it was understood that he was to give it to a certain other person, and that other person was to carry it to Moneek; but somehow there was a failure to con- nect-that other person never received it, and it was never car- ried. The people at Moneek being left to their own resources to get up a poll-book and conduct the election, it is not strange that they made some legal mistakes; a few illegal votes, too, were, doubtless, in their eagerness, cast, and yet they had among them, it is supposed, enough legal votes, if lawfully cast, to have secured their object. Their vote, however, was declared illegal and thrown out, which, of course, left Decorah duly elected. The whole number of votes cast was 63. As to that missing poll book; how it failed to connect; this, I believe, is a mystery never yet to the public satisfactorily explained. There were those that asserted, and doubtless believed, that it was all a trick by designing ones, that the people of Moneek might fall into mistakes, and get their vote thrown out. As to the facts whether this was so or not, the historian of course has had no power to put any one on the stand, nor, in some cases, has he thought it modest to question too closely.
These being the facts in the case, it is not to be wondered at that some were dissatisfied with the result of the election; and so, afterwards, as you are aware, there was an effort to remove the county seat thus located. This was in 1856. A law had just been passed by which the County Judge of any county was to submit the question of the county seat to the votes of the people on a petition therefor signed by a certain proportion of voters in the
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county. In February, 1856, a petition signed by 400 was pre- sented to the Judge praying an election to be ordered. At the same time a remonstrance was presented, signed by 800. Here arose a question. Was it the duty of the County Judge to order an election in favor of the petitioners regardless of the re- monstrance, or in case of a remonstrance-and that in the major- ity-was he to disregard the petition? Sides were taken, and law- yers employed. For a day and a half, as the case was argued before him, did the Judge carefully gather all possible light from the best legal talent of the day, finally deciding against the petitioners. No election was ordered. At the April election an unofficial vote was taken simply to show the sentiments of the people, which, as a matter of fact, was in favor of a removal-Freeport being the place named.
In June another petition for an election, to be ordered by the Judge, was presented, and another remonstrance, also as before, two to one, followed by a like decision of the County Judge against the petitioners. The case was then referred to the District Court in July,-where, by the District Judge, the action of the County Judge was sustained. In April, 1856, a proposition was submitted to the County for a county loan of $6,000 to build a court house, which at this time carried, and so fixed the matter.
In reference to these, there were those (among the dissatisfied, of course,) who talked of bribes and unfair dealing-in fine, of much irregularity generally; but here again is the weakness of the historian. He cannot give the real life, but must be content with bare outside facts.
Some things, however, are very evident. The feeling must have been strong, and no pains spared on either side-especially that of the remonstrants. A petition of 400 and a remonstrance of 800, gives 1,200 voters. As a matter of fact, there were many voters who signed neither. This, according to the usual calcula- tion. would give to the county a population of at least about 8,000 people-more by half, as everybody knows than were then in it. There must have been remarkable diligence, not to say great skill, in finding signatures. Had a vote been ordered at the time, it is generally thought that the majority would have been for re- moval. And again, had there been a judge personally in favor of a removal, very likely (such is the weakness of human nature) an election would have been ordered, and Decorah's sceptre might have passed to Freeport.
But how easy it is to slide down the lapse of time.
We were in the year of 1851,-quite an eventful year. Let us see what we have: Three log cabins, one hotel; a lawyer and two merchants, partners in trade; with other families and persons that might be named, though the census would not be large; the water power beginning to be improved; regular preaching once a month by two different denominations, and a county seat, with of
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course regular sessions of the county court-(an august body.) This year of 1851 is really the most interesting by way of the be- ginning of things among us, and we might dwell here entirely; but we will come down a few years later by a brief glance here and there at what is transpiring.
In 1852 some new-comers are added, and new trades introduced. It was in this year that the first blacksmith shop was started by an old Californian, who burned his own coal in what is called "Cruson's Hollow." He blew his bellows in a building now oc- cupied by Mr. Golz as a cabinet shop; and as he pounded his iron, was somewhat of a dealer in real estate, also. By him the whole block on which the Howell house stands, now the residence of Mr. Goddard, was purchased for $20. The block opposite, where is the residence of Mr. Horace Weiser, for $40. A few additional frame dwellings there must have been at that time, though probably not many, as this blacksmith's wife was designated as the "woman that lives in the frame house." His name, as near as can be as- certained, was A. Bradish. He also carried on the tin trade, and had as a hired journeyman, one George C. Winship.
It was in this year, too, as I think, that another very lucrative business was started, though it gives no pleasure to mention it. But we read that when the sons of God came to present them- selves before the Lord, Satan came also; and the historian must be faithful.
About this time, down under the hill, in a kind of a spring house, near Day's spring, was a man, we will not call his name at this time, boasting that he had "the pure article" for sale, but it was afterwards ascertained that it had been well watered on its way to this place at Trout Run-a whisky fraud no doubt. This traffic soon crept up into daylight on Water street (which it has never fairly crossed, as it would seem), and was subsequently in the hands of one Gookins whose establishment not long afterward was destroyed, and the place for once cleared of liquors. This, however, was the result more of a quarrel among his patrons than a movement of reform among the people. The absence of the spirits was but temporary. To the place, though swept and gar- nished, they soon returned with at least seven others added, which have gone on increasing ever since. In justice to this, Gookins, however, it ought to be said that there is reason to believe that he became a better man, as some of us used to meet him in prayer- meetings, and as one interested in Sabbath schools. So in the history of this town, have some from time to time exchanged the business referred to for a better, and to as many as will do like- wise will we most heartily give the right hand of welcome.
In 1853 the population increases. In this year Ammon & Co. came in; the first to add steam to our water power; the beginning of what is culminated, at last, in the present foundry and ma- chine shop-an' establishment no less useful than ornamental to
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the place. It was in this year that the town was first laid out, and original plat made ready for record August 17, 1853. The man is still living (Judge Price, of Clayton County) who claims the honor of suggesting the idea to the members of the Day family, while yet in the log house. The idea, however, was not entirely new to them, though by his encouragement, doubtless, their purpose was strengthened. He claims, too, the credit of suggesting the name Decorah, and tells how, after supper, he took a piece of chalk and marked out on the table how the town could be laid off,
In 1854 the first school house was built; the same that now stands on the old site, recently changed in color and fenced for domestic uses. The first teacher employed was a young man in the greeness of his youth, fresh from Vermont, seeking a location for the practice of medicine. He had come in through Monona, and was greatly discouraged by the residents here, so far as the prospects of medical practice was concerned, but had the offer of the school at $30 per month, if he could pass examination. An examining committee was appointed and a day set for the ordeal. The day came, and with it one of the committee, who examined him; found him qualified, and gave him a certificate .. He com- menced school, taught a month, flogged a child of one of the direc- tors, and raised quite an excitement in the district thereby. By this time his practice had commenced; he didn't care whether he taught or not. The result was, another man took the school off his hands and he devoted himself to his profession, which he had modestly followed ever since. His name was H. C. Bulis. The committee-man who examined him and gave him his certificate was Levi Bullis. The new teacher was Charlie Allen. That old certificate, by the way, the first ever given in the school, is still kept as a relic of the past; whether brought out in later times as evidence to the people of qualificatious for Senatorial honors, is not ascertained .*
It would be interesting here from these beginnings, to trace the history of our educational institutions, the Select or High Schools we have had-good ones, too-not overlooking, of course, our Norwegian College, but more especially to trace the progress of our public school; how it was driven by winter's cold and
*The author of this discourse wishes to say that since its delivery a mistake has been discovered in this matter. The school house was built in the year previous, 1853, and a school taught in it by a young man who came with his father's family, in that year, from Crawford County, Pennsylvania, and settled at Freeport. After teaching that winter he was for four years the acting Treasurer of the County until of age, when he was elected for three successive terms to fill that office, until in the war he served as Captain of Company D, 6th Iowa Cavalry; after which he became cashier in the First National Bank, where he may now be found-Mr. T. W. Burdick. (he has also repre- sented his district in Congress, as is noted elsewhere .- Eds.)
To him certainly some credit is due that since the organization of the county its Treasury has never suffered from a single embezzlement or fraud. Mr. Burdick shows his certificate, signed by Mr. H. K. Averill, and a list of his scholars, about forty-six in number, with the names of the parents. He says that he "boarded 'round," taking in his rang? the families in Cruson's Hollow on the east, and the Moore and Child places on the west, and that such was the growth of trees and underbrush around the school house that one could hardly see it at four rods distance.
17.
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
straightness of space, to sojourn for a while in basement rooms, sheltered beneath church eaves, as schools often are; how taxes were first voted by the people for a $20,000 school house, generally about three attending the elections, till money accumulating ex- cited an interest among the lovers of education! It would be in- teresting, I say, to follow the progress of these things, till, at last, we have such a building and such a school as we have, of which we have reason to be proud; but of this, time will not admit.
At the close of this year-1854-let us see, if we can, how the town looks. Our three cabins of '51 have increased to quite a little village of fifteen or twenty buildings, counting hotels, stores, stables, shops and buildings of all kinds. On the other side of Dry Run, so-called, to the south and east, stands one now occupied by Dr. Bolles; on Broadway, two: the old school house and the one occupied by myself, though less in size then than now. The rest, a dozen or fifteen in number, were scattered along Water street, commencing with the old building, or a part of it, now occupied by Mr. Keyes for a carpenter shop, including some of the old buildings on the opposite side a little further up; then up to the hotel stands the Pioneer store, and so with a building here and there on one side of the street or other, up to the cabins of Mr. Painter and Morse, aforesaid. The population probably was about one hundred.
At this time traces of Indian graves were not all obliterated; a half a dozen or so had indeed been leveled to prepare the site of the Winneshiek House, then building. However, a spot was marked, and still had traces by which it could be marked, right at the intersection of Winnebago and Main streets, between the old Norwegian College buildings and Lawyer Bullis' office, of a recent grave, said to be the resting place of Chief Decorah, from whom our town was named. Some present may recollect how, a few years afterwards, our bosoms swelled with respect for the old chief; with what reverence we exhumed his remains-how, in imagination, we beheld his noble form, as his skull, with its straight black hair was turned out by the spade; with what pomp and ceremony it was planned to remove his remains to some suitable place, possibly a monument erected-till, in gathering necessary facts for the occasion, word came back to us that De- corah was a chief greatly respected by his tribe, an old man, con- siderably bent over, with one eye put out, and his hair very gray. His hair very gray! All but this could have been got along with, but somehow the poetry was gone! Enthusiam subsided!
However, if in future years, by the lapse of time, this difficulty should be obliterated, and any desire should remain in any to erect a monument to the old chief, they can find his bones, or those of some other poor Indian, safely deposited in a rough box a few inches below the surface of the ground, close to the northeast corner of the court house yard.
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
But here, again, how easy to slip down among the things that we have done, instead of keeping back in the past.
. I will detain you by an allusion to only one year more, that of 1855. In this year our town made marked progress. Many new- comers were added, and many new kinds of business introduced; among them the Pioneer Harness Shop was opened by J. C. Spencer.
The first livery stable started was by Clark Kenyon and C. E Dickerman. Said Dickerman also sold the first drugs, with an as- sortment of other things, such as could be turned to advantage; though the first regular drug store was opened the year after by E. I. Weiser & Bro.
What gave the place an especial impetus in this year of 1855, was the establishment of the Land Office for the Turkey River Land District. The bill constituting this land district passed Congress in March, 1855, mainly by the efforts of Gen. Jones, of Dubuque. What considerations any persons in Washington were to receive for getting the office here; how they somehow failed of getting what they expected, and displeased thereby, aided in removing the office early in 1856, need not be told.
Nor need a detail of land office times here be entered upon. They must have been wild and curious times. The office was finally opened the day before Christmas, 1855; office hours from 9 to 12 each day. The town was crowded with adventurers from all parts of the country, with a rage for land almost barbar- ous. For two weeks, until some system was established, en- trance was gained to the office by brute force. He that could get his hand upon the handle of the door, and maintain his position until office hours was first best. The entrance was by an outside stairway leading to the second story. The building used for the office still stands, occupied as a boarding house, one door east of the harness shop of Mr. Noble. The white paint but partially hides the old sign "U. S. Land Office." One night, with the thermom- eter at thirty-five degrees below zero, a man stationed himself at midnight at the head of the stairs, and endured the bitter cold bravely for his chance. By morning both his feet were frosted. but still he held his ground. Awhile after daylight the crowd gathered behind him down the stairs and out into the street, passed up to him a warm breakfast and hot coffee in honor of his persistence, and good-naturedly cheered him to hold on, which he did. Sometimes these throngs would begin to gather by one o'clock p. m., and stand all night for the next day. At the same time in the rear of the building was another pair of stairs, and those within the ring could somehow get entrance to the office, and enter all the land they chose by paying the officials something. Head clerks in this way received their hundreds of dollars for single night's works. This, too, was known. How this company of men ever got through the winter without continued conten-
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tions and outbreaks, to say nothing of tearing the office to the ground, as they threatened to do, is indeed a wonder, especially when we are told, and we would not say it if we had not been told so, that the quantity of liquor used that winter was by no means limited. It is also remarkable that during this time not a theft or robbery was known. This is the more so, as the amount of gold, or its equivalent then in town was almost incredible, some say not less than a half a million. In proof of this the man. can be produced, and he then but a youth, who affirms that in pe- culiar circumstances he was constituted by acclamation chief treasurer to hold in safe keeping for the time being such effects as might be upon the persons of parties present. Belts filled with gold, packages of warrants, etc., were thrown together in a dry goods box over which he was to stand guard until the equilib- rium of the assembly should be restored, the contents of which box counted out over $320,000. The circumstances alluded to I need not hint further than to say that it was about Christmas, just as news came that the office was to be really opened. Such a young man, so Stand(r)ing in the , esteem of his fellows for so- briety and honesty, deserves to prosper as a retired banker, in the honest calling of a farmer. We wish him a railroad close to his house!
In this winter and spring of 1855-6, nine banking houses were in full operation. two of which remain, that of Weiser & Filbert, now Winneshiek County Bank, and one Easter, Cooley & Co., now First National Bank. Heavy stocks of goods were opened; the population and business had taken such a start that Decorah was the chief centre of trade for the whole region around about even.for a hundred miles or more, especially north and west.
When the Land Office was removed in 1856, some people and some things left with it, but many stayed. The town got a start, and it kept on growing-no railroad, indeed, yet, but still we live. I will follow down the history no farther.
But you will allow me here to note one or two interesting and a few first things with which I have met that have failed to find a place in the history given.
Wm. Painter ate water-melons that grew on a patch of ground at the lower end of town, in the street, near Mr. Keyes' carpenter shop, from seeds scattered by the Indians at a dance and feast held there. A. Bradish feasted on strawberries plucked upon the lot where he built his shop, now Mr. Golz's cabinet shop.
To Dea. James Smith belongs the honor of making the first plow manufactured in town, in a blacksmith shop which he erec- ted, now used as a stable in the rear of Mr. Eckart's cabinet shop. He also ironed the first buggy made in town; the buggy was made by an enterprising Welshman, who came to town in 1854. He, like the first lawyer, walked out from Lansing to take a view. liked the prospects, and soon commenced a business that took the
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shape of agricultural ware-rooms, on which is the name of "G. Phelps." The oldest cat in town probably is one called "Bob," it is thirteen years of age, whose kittenhood commenced in the mer- cantile life in the store of Dr. Green and Hazelett, in West Deco- rah, thence to the old Dickerman stand, now the leather store of Mr. Cyrus Adams, thence to its present quarters, in the store next to the Post Office, with Father Green. With much wisdom from the past, with an amiable and serene old age, do they jog along in life together.
Of the equine race, the oldest resident probably is one called "Dandy," brought to this place in the energies of a six-year-old by Mr. Filbert, now owned by Mr. Weiser, still powerful in his old age, a good moral horse, in one respect at least, never by his masters subjected to the infections of the race course-what we wish could be said of all horses.
The first court was in the log tavern, Monday, September 1, 1851. Being no business, adjourned to October following. At this time the county revenues were 70 cents. Warrants issued $6.00.
The first mail entered town June, 1851-in one letter, two newspapers-Lewis Harkins. mail carrier; C. Day, Post master. It is said in these days he carried the post office in his pocket.
I have already mentioned the first well dug, the first birth, the first marriage. The first death was of a Mr. Chase, who died in the fall of 1852, buried, of course, where we used to bury our dead, in the brush on private property-we are almost ashamed to tell where and how-till the enterprise of Mr. James. E. Simpson, in 1861, gave us a cemetery .
Thus, my friends, have I given you a few items of our early history. Some of you, doubtless, see mistakes and omissions. You will pardon these; I have given simply what I have met with my inquiries made at snatches of time.
Allow me a few words in conclusion. Gratitude is due to God to-day for his kind and preserving care. Some of the earlier res- idents indeed, are no more. Of the Day family five have been taken: two sons, one in Oregon, and one in California; two daughters, one fourteen and the other a little older, dying while attending school at Madison, Wis. Father Day, we buried in the autumn of 1860; Aaron Newell, in 1862. And so might we mention others; but yet a goodly number of the older residents are still with us, and many not here are in other places.
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