USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > History of Winneshiek county with biographical sketches of its eminent men > Part 8
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Winneshiek County has had its sensational murder trials. No less than three celebrated trials of this character have engaged the attention of the courts, and furnished excitement to the public, since the organi- zation of the county. The first trial for murder was held in 1861. The defendants were John Livengood and Delilah A. Telyea, who were tried for the murder of Charles Telyea, the husband of Delilah A., in the October term of Court, 1861, before Judge Williams. When the charge was first made against the guilty parties, the Grand Jury failed to find an indictment, on the ground that the body of the murdered man had not been found ; but the case was brought before the next Grand Jury, who brought in a bill. Public opinion was strong against the accused, and great excitement prevailed. The public was agitated to such an extent over the matter that the defendants' attorneys sued for a change of venue, which was granted. The case was taken to Clayton County, where the parties were tried. Livengood was found guilty, and sentenced to the penitentiary for life ; while Mrs. Telyea was acquitted, although public opinion generally considered her guilty. Livengood was pardoned out at the end of ten years, and is supposed to be now living somewhere in Northern Wisconsin.
The next case to enlist attention, and set the public in a state of fer- mentation, was that of Charles D. Seeley, for the murder of William McClintock, tried before Judge McGlatherty, February 11, 1872. Seeley was convicted of manslaughter, and sentenced to the peniten- tiary, at hard labor, for fifteen months.
The third and last murder trial, and by far the most exciting, was that of Helen D. Stickles for the murder of her husband, J. P. Stickles, by
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
poison. A condensed statement of the facts in the case are these :
On January 4, 1876, John P. Stickles, to all appearances, was enjoy- ing perfect health. That afternoon he was suddenly taken sick, and died within a few hours, with all the attendant symptoms of poisoning by strychnine. The next morning, as the news circulated from mouth to mouth, giving in detail the sudden and horrible death, the conviction was forced upon the community that either a fatal mistake had been made in administering medicine to the unfortunate man, or a wanton and terrible crime had been committed. A post-mortem examination was held, which served to strengthen the previous theory that J. P. Stickles had died from poison. The stomach was sent to Chicago for analysis. Dr. M. P. Hatfield, the chemist who made the analysis, sent back word that he had found strychnine. As a result of the continual agitation of the question by the public, and the evidence produced, the Grand Jury, at its March session, 1876, indicted Helen D. Stickles for murder. The case came on for trial in the District Court, Judge Reuben Noble presiding, in June. The trial lasted nine days, during which time the excitement was intense and unabated. O. J. Clark, Prosecut- ing Attorney, was aided by J. T. Clark in prosecuting the side of the State, while C. P. Brown and Cyrus Wellington made themselves noted as criminal lawyers, by the ability with which they defended the accused. It was one of the most stubbornly-contested trials ever held in the county. Public opinion very generally condemned Mrs. Stickles, but the jury disagreed, standing five for acquittal to seven for conviction. A change of venue was granted the accused, and the case was taken to Fayette County for trial, where it is now pending.
In concluding these chapters on County History, I know of no more graceful way of arrangement than by weaving in an account of the Old Settlers' Association, organized on the 4th of July, 1876. The event is one of historical importance, and is deserving of a place on record. It is to these pioneers, their character, energy and industry, that we are to-day, in a great measure, indebted for our thrift and prosperity. It is they who make our history so interesting in the first chapters, and they to whom we should feel in duty bound to say a parting word.
On the 4th of July, 1876, a grand celebration was held in Decorah. This occasion was seized upon to hold an old settlers' meeting. Steyer's Opera House was selected as the place for holding the meeting, and other necessary arrangements were perfected. Two hundred and twenty- two in all attended the meeting. Of this number I am able to tell the year in which most of these pioneers came to the county :
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
No.
Year.
5 of 1848
7 of. 1849
22 of. 1850
25 of 1851
21 of
1852
21 of
1853
32 of. 1854
57 of.
1855
32 of.
1856
Many men and women in attendance wore brows frosted with time, yet were hale and hearty, showing a remarkable preservation. They came to the county when it was an Indian's paradise, men and women yet sturdy, on whose faces are stamped the index of their character, in which is easily read the energy, perseverance and determination indis- pensible in a pioneer. They commenced in this (then) wild land, on the very borders of civilization, to make homes for themselves and their children. Their thrift of to-day answers how well they have succeeded.
Appended herewith is the official report of the meeting :
On July 4th, 1876, the Old Settlers of Winneshiek County met in Steyer's Opera House. Hon. E. E. Cooley called the meeting to order, and Hon. John DeCow was chosen Chairman, and Geo. N. Holway and Erick Anderson, Secretaries. The meeting was then opened with prayer by Rev. H. B. Woodworth.
The hall was comfortably full, all being surprised by the very large number of old settlers present.
An historical sketch of the settlement of the county, which had been prepared by A. K. Bailey, was then read, and at its conclusion, on motion of Mr. James Simpson, a vote of thanks was given Mr. A. K. Bailey for his able address and early history of Winneshiek County.
On motion of Capt. T. W. Burdick, a committee was appointed to prepare a plan for an Old Settlers' Union. Capt. T. W. Burdick, A. Tracy, J. F. Huber, Nelson Johnson, and William Beard were ap- pointed. While the committee were out, Hon. E. E. Cooley addressed the meeting.
On motion of D. O. Dahly, it was requested to publish Mr. Bailey's address.
The committee then made their report. Moved and seconded that the report be received. Carried. Amended, that the time of the old settlers be fixed at July 4, 1861. Carried.
On motion of L. Standring, a committee was appointed to select officers for the ensuing year. Carried.
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
Committee reported the following :
President-John DeCow.
Vice-Presidents-T. W. Burdick, Nelson Johnson and E. E. Cooley. Secretary -A. K. Bailey.
Treasurer-A. Bradish.
Executive Committee-Not reported.
While the committee were out, A. K. Bailey read two letters from old settlers-one from Col. Taylor and one from S. M. Leach.
Then adjourned. GEO. N. HOLWAY, Secretary.
As Iowa is the center diadem of the Union, so is Winneshiek County one of the richest and brightest jewels that make it such. As Iowa, of all the States, has been one of the principal stages on which have been acted all the attributes pertaining to freedom, equality and justice, so has Winneshiek County stood in relation to the other counties that compose our great State. For what we are, every man should be proud ; and the debt of gratitude for these blessings and privileges is justly owing to the sterling class of emigrants that first settled these prairies. Our free soil, free labor, free schools, free speech, free press, free worship, free men and free women, were their free gift and contribution.
.
10
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
CHAPTER X.
FORT ATKINSON.
Description of the Fort ---- An Incident-The Fort Abandoned-Mr. Cooney as a Politician-The First Settlers-The Next Comers-The Goddard Family -- Sale of the Fort-The Canadians-The Fort at its Zenith- Preparations for a Great City -- Banking House-A Mercantile Ven- ture-The Swindlers and their Record-Their Society, and a Patriotic Celebration-The Ames Grist Mill- Jumping Claims-The Collapse - The Second and Third Era of Fort Atkinson-The New Town- Conclusion.
The history of the Old Fort and Old Mission is, properly, the first pages in the history of Winneshiek County. There is no place, perhaps, throughout the entire county, that can furnish a richer fund of histor- ical information than Fort Atkinson. For the first few years in the history of the county, it was the only abiding place of white men within its boundary limits.
The fort bearing the name of the successful Indian General, Atkinson, the hero of the Black Hawk war, was commenced on the 2d of June, 1840. A company of mechanics, about fifty in number, contracted to do the work. Among the number was James Tapper, residing at Monona. These men were escorted from Fort Crawford, Wisconsin, to the place selected for the fort, by Company F, Fifth U. S Infantry, commanded by Isaac Lyon.
A captain of artillery named Sumner, who became the illustrious Gen. E. V. Sumner of the late war of the rebellion, superintended the building of the fort, aided by Happy Jack, his First Lieutenant. Sumner was every inch a military man, and a good engineer, as his work will attest even at this late day, considering what he had to do with.
Sumner held command of the fort until the Mexican war, when he was detailed to fields furnishing more active service. Happy Jack was a jolly fellow, and had been a sailor in his early days. He was unstable and rattle-brained, and was always getting into some difficulty. He was afterward killed in one of his reckless exploits.
The fort was built for the protection of the Winnebago Indians from the hostile and predatory tribes surrounding them, as well as for the protection of the pioneer settlers. It was stone masonry work, situated on an eminence north of the present town of Fort Atkinson, and origin-
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
ally consisted of four main buildings, and two gun houses, as represent- ed in the following diagram :
D
H
2
G
B
A
Front South.
F
E
[A, B, C and D, Barracks or Main Buildings ; F and H, Gun Houses ; E, Powder House ; G, Flag Staff.
The fort was built in the shape of a square, inclosing an acre of ground, the material of which it was built being prepared at Fort Craw- ford. The cost of making a wagon-road, the same ever since known as the Old Military, and transporting the material to its place of destina- tion, augmented the cost of building the fort to the enormous sum of $93,000. It was afterwards sold at public auction to private parties for $3,521. In 1845 Capt. Sumner still held command of the fort. The force at that time consisted of a company of infantry and one of dra- goons. In 1846 Capt. Sumner left for Mexico, and the fort was then
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
garrisoned by two companies of volunteers. Capt. James Morgan of Burlington, succeeded to the command of the infantry, and Capt. John Parker, of Dubuque, to the command of the dragoons. In 1847 Capt. Morgan's company was mustered out of the service, and Capt. Parker given entire charge of the fort until the removal of the Indians, in 1848. It was found necessary to use force to compel them to vacate the coun- try. Capt. Knowlton, afterwards Judge Knowlton, was detailed to assist the command under Capt. Parker.
At the time the company commanded by Capt. Parker was stationed at the fort, an incident occurred which verifies the old maxim that " two of a trade can never agree." The Orderly of the company was a young lawyer hailing from Connecticut, who had been a prominent man in the political arena. The Second Sergeant was also a young lawyer, who hailed from Vermont. On a certain occasion a dispute sprang up between them ; words were plenty, as is usual with lawyers, when Ver- mont says to Connecticut, "If you did not rank me, I would thrash you like h-1." To which Connecticut replied, " I waive my rank." They adjourned from the parade-ground; and stripped for the contest. The number of rounds fought deponent saith not; but as the story goes, Vermont came off victor.
" Vermont " afterwards located at Garnavillo, and practiced law. While here he was arrested for horse-stealing, and very suddenly disap- peared. He is to-day a prominent lawyer of Plattsburg, N. Y. The lawyer whom I have designated " Connecticut " became a distinguished jurist in this District, and now occupies a prominent position as an influential citizen in this State. He believes, with all his strength and might, in narrow-gauge railways, but is a broad-gauge man.
After the removal of the Indians, in 1848, there was no further neces- sity for keeping up military appearances, consequently the fort, as a military rendezvous, was dispensed with ; yet the Government did not entirely abandon it. A man named Alexander Faulkner was appointed to look after it. Soon after, Faulkner was relieved by George Cooney, a well-known citizen of the county, who is yet living in the vicinity of the old fort.
In 1852, Mr. Cooney was appointed to take charge of the old fort and Government buildings at Fort Atkinson. That wire-pulling and shrewdness were necessary in those days, as well as at the present time, in order to obtain places of trust under the Government, is peculiarly exemplified in the manner of Mr. Cooney's appointment. A short time after the election, Mr. Cooney happened into Mr. Gilbert's store, and
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
in conversation with Mr. Moon and Mr. Churchill understood that Mr. intended trying to obtain the commission to preside over the fort and Government property. Mr. Underhill said that he was a Democrat, and could get it. Mr. Moon claimed to be a fellow Demo- crat, and consequently stood the best show for the appointment. Mr. Cooney remained neutral, but determined, then and there, that neither of them should have the coveted place. The next day Mr. Cooney sought McKay's postoffice on a mission known only to himself. He mailed a letter to his old friend Judge Murdock, asking his aid in obtain- ing charge of the fort. In the next mail he received an answer, telling him to prepare for the fort. Mr. Cooney was elated at his prospects of becoming a Government employee, and on reaching home told his wife of his good luck. She was incredulous at first, but when shown the Judge's letter, accepted it as an actual reality.
The permanent settlement of the county commenced in 1847. In that year the pioneers and homesteaders came to this county, to-wit : Gotlob and Getleib Krumm, Charles Kregg and Francis Rogers. They arrived in June, of that year. Gotlob Krumm came direct from South Germany to Fort Atkinson. The first habitation of this family, con- sisting of Gotlob, his wife, and two little children, was a deserted Indian wigwam, standing beside a beautiful spring. In it they lived a few weeks, until Mr. Krumm, with the help of Charles Kregg, built a log house, which also stood by the spring, and was the first house built and occupied by an actual settler in this part of the county. But it has long since been torn down, and the ground where it once stood yields yearly a rich harvest of golden grain. The clear, crystal waters of the spring have been taken from its bed of many-colored pebbles, and are con- veyed through a leaden pipe down to a beautiful grove, where it is somewhat surprised to find the same pleasant family, with a few addi- tions, occupying a more grand and spacious dwelling, surrounded by beautiful trees, shrubbery and flowers, with a huge barn and granaries in the background.
In 1848, previous to the removal of the Indians, George Bachel came to the fort prospecting. The following year he returned, bringing with him his family. He was accompanied by five other families, all of whom made a permanent settlement in Washington Township. Those who accompanied Mr. Bachel were Joseph Huber and family, Andrew Meyers and family, and Jonah Rausch and family. These people pos- sessed the requisite courage and determination indispensable in the early settler, and went to work with a will to build a home in what was then a
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
thoroughly new country. These hardy settlers never despaired ; they knew there was hard work to be done, privations to undergo, ere they would view the bright and prospering future in store for them. That their greatest endeavors and highest expectations have been crowned with success, even beyond their own anticipations, their present affluent circumstances bear evidence. The most of these parties still abide on the old homesteads, which cost them in their early life much privation and hardship, but in their old age is their support and comfort. It will be noticed that all except Mr. Rogers were Germans.
In the fall of the same year (1849), Josiah Goddard, Sr., moved in from Wisconsin, bringing a family consisting of seven children. He purchased the " claim " of one Olmstead, an Indian trader, and now occupies it as a homestead. The buildings of the trading post were built in the same form as the fort, enclosing a hollow square. A black- smith shop, situated at the southwest corner of the buildings, and one of the store buildings, are still standing, and have been in use from that day to this. At that time, I learn from Mr. Goddard, Jr., there was a small farm house close to the fort, occupied by a Mr. Kilpatrick. It is the same property now owned by the heirs of Joseph Morse. Mr. G. remembers the place very distinctly, because in passing it, the day after his father moved, he saw standing by the roadside a barrel full of wild honey, of which he took a slice. At that time the country was full of bee trees, and parties from Wisconsin traversed the country hunting them, and buying honey of others. Mr. Goddard, as above stated, still resides on the farm he then purchased, enjoying a genial old age. His sons have grown up around him into useful, honorable, prosperous citizens, occupying over 1,500 acres of land, worth from $25 to $40 per acre.
Prior to these dates we have no knowledge that there were any settlers in the county, although there may have been a few, who had crept over the line and settled on that part of the reservation which is now in the southeastern corner of the county.
In 1853, after the removal of the Indians, the fort became useless as Government property, and the administration then in power decided to dispose of it at public auction.
On the reception of this news, in July, 1853, one of the Day boys visited Mr. Cooney at the fort, and informed him that the fort and Gov- ernment buildings attached were to be sold at auction the next Wednes- day. This intelligence was sad news to him; he undoubtedly would have much rather heard of somebody's wedding. By previous agree-
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
ment he had promised to inform certain parties of the sale when it should take place; and he immediately dispatched a messenger with the intelligence to H. D. Evans and S. A. Clark, of Prairie du Chien, and another to the Bishop at Dubuque. On the morning of the sale these parties were present, bring with them $4,000 in gold to purchase it with. John M. Flowers, Captain Frazier, and a gentleman from White Pigeon were also on the ground in hopes of purchasing the fort.
The Flowers were extraordinary characters, and played no little part in the history of Fort Atkinson. There were two brothers of them, and were classed with Charley Clark, Coleman and Tavernier, as "the Canadians." These canadians came to the fort with the intention of making a living easily. They had somehow got the impression that Fort Atkinson was destined to be a great city, and thought it afforded a rich field in which to exercise their wit and shrewdness to benefit them- selves. In language not to be misunderstood, they were sharpers.
Flowers wanted to get possession of the fort property, and induced a widowed English lady by the name of Newington, to purchase it- he bidding the same off. As the bidding progressed and the price advanced in the Fort, Flowers became fearful that he would not be able to make the purchase, and asked those bidding against him, what they would take to stop where they were. Clark, Evans and the others held a consultation, and as a result, agreed to take $25. Flowers said he would give it, and accordingly wrote his note for the amount. Said note read as follows :
" I owe you $25, for value received.
" Dated Fort Atkinson, 1853."
"J. M. FLOWERS.
Four years after this note was given, Mr. Evans placed it in Mr. Cooney's hands (who was a Justice of Peace at the time) for collection. Three years later Mr. Cooney got his pay out of Flowers in sawing.
The fort was sold to Flowers for $3,521.
In 1856-7, these operators were in their glory. One would suppose from the cloth worn, and the grandeur assumed by the Canadians-or " higher class," as they termed themselves, to distinguish them from the plainer and honest citizens of the town-that it was a fashionable water- ing place, or favorite retreat for the wealthiest nabobs in the land. Old Fort Atkinson, under their regime, attained the meridian of her splendor. The capitalists-or Canadians-of the place, fitted up rooms in the fort in a costly and expensive manner. That they possessed some money no one doubted ; but all those with whom they had any dealing supposed
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
them to be immensely rich, when in fact they had only what they dis- played-sufficiently enough to affect the wealth they hoped to accumu- late through trickery, and by assuming the role of millionaires.
They represented themselves to the credulous men they dealt with, as retired gentlemen, who sought this secluded place in the interior, for rest.
Flowers was pleased with the bargain he had made in the purchase of the fort, but was somewhat chagrined on receiving the intelligence that the sale did not include the eighty acres of land on which the buildings stood. He immediately set his scheming brain to work to devise some . plan by which he might get the land into his possession. F. W. Cole- man, a very clever fellow, and Flowers made out an affidavit, setting forth, in very strong language, the grievances of one Caroline Newington; stating that Mrs. Newington was the widow of an English officer, and a lady of rank and station ; that her husband had fallen in battle-giving some outlandish name as the place where his death occurred ; and that the money with which she had made the purchase was all she had in the world. The document concluded with a strong appeal to the govern- ment, praying that the land in connection with the fort might be con- sidered a part of the purchase. Through the influence of H. M. Rice, Senator from Minnesota, and Armstrong, Secretary of State of Minne- sota, they succeeded in getting their petition through Congress, granting the eighty acres prayed for at Government price.
The capitalists then sent east for a surveyor, and on his arrival had 380 acres laid off into city blocks. (I will state here that the surveyor never received his promised remuneration, and was obliged to pawn his compass in order to raise the necessary funds with which to return home.) In conversation with these capitalists one would infer that they contemplated a city at the fort second to none in magnitude in the whole world.
When so much had been accomplished, the next necessary step resolved upon to insure the prosperity of the city, was the immediate establishment of a hotel. The victim was found in a newly arrived im- migrant from Canada. He was roped into buying one half of the fort buildings for the trifling sum of $7,000. For a time the new landlord was elated over the rushing business he was doing. Retired gentlemen, capitalists and laborers, all shared the hospitalities of his house. When the time approached for settlement the landlord was surprised to find that his guests had no money. and the emptiness of their pockets was only exceeded by their willingness to pay him in town lots,
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
The several proprietors and capitalists of this mythical city were to be seen at all hours of the day on the principal avenues and thoroughfares with a map, blank deeds, pen and ink and notary seal, ready to transfer their valuable real estate to other hands. By appearances the casual observer would very naturally conclude that the fort was destined to be a second Chicago. For a time business was prosperous, and every one happy.
Flowers & Brother were capitalists, and proprietors of a saw mill, and ever ready to furnish material for building purposes, at a minimum rate.
Of course, a great city must necessarily have a banking house ; and who, in this immaculate place could be found more able and capable (and I add willing) of handling other people's money than Flowers & Brother. A banking house was organized under the name and firm of Wheeler, Flowers & Bro. Checks and drafts were printed, safes pur- chased, and contractors and architects engaged to erect a suitable building. The contractor being rather slow in furnishing the building, Mr. Job Flowers, a member of the firm, thought it too bad that their capital should be lying idle, and argued that it would be policy to invest in wild land, until such time as the building should be completed. Mr. Wheeler did not care to invest in wild land; but concluded that it would be advisable to loan his money, which amounted to several thousand dollars, to his partners. The Flowers Brothers obtained the money, and invested the same in wild land.
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