USA > Iowa > History of western Iowa, its settlement and growth. A comprehensive compilation of progressive events concerning the counties, cities, towns, and villages-biographical sketches of the pioneers and business men, with an authentic history of the state of Iowa > Part 15
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WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
Whenever any of the following articles shall be contracted for, or sold or delivered, and no special contract or agreement shall be made to the contrary, the weight per bushel shall be as follows, to-wit:
Apples, Peaches or Quinces ...... .48
Sand. 130
Cherries, Grapes, Currants or Goose-
Sorghum Seed .. 30
berries. .40
Broom Corn Seed. 30
Strawberries, Raspberries or Black-
Buckwheat. 52
berries. .32
Salt . 50
Barley 48
Corn Meal. 48
Castor Beans. 46
Timothy Seed 45
Corn in the ear
70
Hemp Seed.
44
Wheat. 60
Dried Peaches
33
Potatoes 60
Oats. 33
Beans 60
Dried Apples 24
Clover Seed. .60
Bran . 20
Onions. .57
Blue Grass Seed. 14
Shelled Corn .56
Hungarian Grass Seed. 45
Rye. .56
Flax Seed
56
Sweet Potatoes. 46
Osage Orange Seed. .32
Millet Seed
.45
Stone Coal .80
Lime. 80
Penalty for giving less than above standard is treble damages and costs and five dollars addition thereto as a fine.
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
DEFINITION OF COMMERCIAL TERMS.
$-means dollars, being a contraction of U. S., which was for- merly placed before any denomination of money, and meant, as it means now, United States Currency.
£-means pounds, English money.
@ stands for at or to; Ib for pounds, and bbl. for barrels; } for per or by the. Thus, Butter sells at 20@30c fb, and Flour at $8@$12 bbl.
May 1. Wheat sells at $1.20@$1.25, "seller June." Seller June means that the person who sells the wheat has the privilege of de- livering it at any time during the month of June.
Selling short, is contracting to deliver a certain amount of grain or stock, at a fixed price, within a certain length of time, when the seller has not the stock on hand. It is for the interest of the per- son selling "short" to depress the market as much as possible, in order that he may buy and fill his contract at a profit. Hence the "shorts" are termed "bears."
Buying long, is to contract to purchase a certain amount of grain or shares of stock at a fixed price, deliverable within a stipulated time, expecting to make a profit by the rise in prices. The "longs" are termed "bulls," as it is for their interest to "operate" so as to "toss" the prices upward as much as possible.
NOTES.
Form of note is legal, worded in the simplest way, so that the amount and time of payment are mentioned:
$100.
CHICAGO, Ill., Sept. 15, 1876.
Sixty days from date I promise to pay to E. F. Brown or order, one hundred dollars, for value received. L. D. LOWRY. A note to be payable in anything else than money needs only the facts substituted for money in the above form.
ORDERS.
Orders should be worded simply, thus:
Mr. F. H. COATS: CHICAGO, Sept. 15, 1876. Please pay to H. Birdsall twenty-five dollars, and charge to F. D. SILVA.
RECEIPTS.
Receipts should always state when received and what for, thus: $100.
CHICAGO, Sept. 15, 1876.
Received of J. W. Davis, one hundred dollars, for ser- vices rendered in grading his lot in Fort Madison, on account.
THOMAS BRADY.
If receipt is in full, it should be so stated.
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
BILLS OF PURCHASE.
W. N. MASON, SALEM, Illinois, Sept. 18, 1876. Bought of A. A. GRAHAM. $6 00
4 Bushels of Seed Wheat at $1.50
2 seamless Sacks 66
30. 60
Received payment, $6 60
A. A. GRAHAM.
CONFESSION OF JUDGMENT.
-, Iowa, , 18 -.
after date - promises to pay to the order of
dollars, at -, for value received, with interest at ten per cent. per annum after - - until paid. Interest payable -, and on interest not paid when due, interest at same rate and conditions.
A failure to pay said interest, or any part thereof, within 20 days after due, shall cause the whole note to become due and collectible at once.
If this note is sued, or judgment is confessed hereon, $- shall be allowed as attorney fees.
No. -.
P. O .- , -.
CONFESSION OF JUDGMENT.
- VS. -. In - Court of County, Iowa, --- , of
County, Iowa, do hereby confess that - justly indebted to , in the sum of dollars, and the further sum of $- as attorney fees, with interest thereon at ten per cent. from -, and - hereby confess judgment against as defend- ant in favor of said for said sum of $- -, and $ -- as attorney fees, hereby authorizing the Clerk of the - Court of said county to enter up judgment for said sum against --- with costs, and interest at 10 per cent. from -, the interest to be paid
Said debt and judgment being for -- ,
It is especially agreed, however, That if this judgment is paid within twenty days after due, no attorney fees need be paid. And hereby sell, convey and release all right of homestead we now occupy in favor of said - so far as this judgment is concerned, and agree that it shall be liable on execution for this judgment. Dated -- , 18 --.
THE STATE OF IOWA, County.
,
being duly sworn according to law, depose and say that the foregoing statement and Confession of Judgment was read over to -, and that - understood the contents thereof, and
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
that the statements contained therein are true, and that the sums therein mentioned are justly to become due said as afore- said.
Sworn to and subscribed before me and in may presence by the said ---- this - day of -- , 18 -.
, Notary Public.
ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT.
An agreement is where one party promises to another to do a certain thing in a certain time for a stipulated sum. Good busi- ness men always reduce an agreement to writing, which nearly always saves misunderstandings and trouble. No particular form is necessary, but the facts must be clearly and explicitly stated, and there must, to make it valid, be a reasonable consideration.
GENERAL FORM OF AGREEMENT.
THIS AGREEMENT, made the second day of June, 1878, between John Jones, of Keokuk, County of Lee, State of Iowa, of the first part, and Thomas Whiteside, of the same place, of the second part-
WITNESSETH, That the said John Jones, in consideration of the agreement of the party of the second part, hereinafter contained, contracts and agrees to and with the said Thomas Whiteside, that he will deliver in good and marketable condition, at the Village of Melrose, Iowa, during the month of November, of this year; One Hundred Tons of Prairie Hay, in the following lots, and at the following specified terms; namely, twenty-five tons by the seventh of November, twenty-five tons additional by the four- teenth of the month, twenty-five tons more by the twenty-first, and the entire one hundred tons to be all delivered by the thirtieth of November.
And the said Thomas Whiteside, in consideration of the prompt fulfillment of this contract, on the part of the party of the first part, contracts to and agrees with the said John Jones, to pay for said hay five dollars per ton, for each ton as soon as delivered.
In case of failure of agreement by either of the parties hereto, it is hereby stipulated and agreed that the party so failing shall pay to the other One Hundred dollars, as fixed and settled damages.
In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands the day and year first above written.
JOHN JONES,
THOMAS WHITESIDE.
AGREEMENT WITH CLERK FOR SERVICES.
THIS AGREEMENT, made the first day of May, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight, between Reuben Stone, of Du- buque, County of Dubuque, State of Iowa, party of the first part,
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
and George Barclay, of McGregor, County of Clayton, State of Iowa, party of the second part-
WITNESSETH, that said George Barclay agrees faithfully and diligently to work as clerk and salesman for the said Reuben Stone, for and during the space of one year from the date thereof, should both live such length of time, without absenting himself from his occupation; during which time he, the said Barclay, in the store of said Stone, of Dubuque, will carefully and honestly attend, doing and performing all duties as clerk and salesman aforesaid, in accordance and in all respects as directed and desired by the said Stone.
In consideration of which services, so to be rendered by the said Barclay, the said 'Stone agrees to pay to said Barclay the annual sum of one thousand dollars, payable in twelve equal monthly payments, each upon the last day of each month; pro- vided that all dues for days of absence from business by said Bar- clay, shall be deducted from the sum otherwise by the agreement due and payable by the said Stone to the said Barclay.
Witness our hands.
REUBEN STONE. GEORGE BARCLAY.
BILLS OF SALE.
A bill of sale is a written agreement to another party, for a consideration to convey his right and interest in the personal pro- perty. The purchaser must take actual possession of the property, or the bill of sale must be acknowledged and recorded.
COMMON FORM OF BILL OF SALE.
KNOW ALL MEN by this instrument, that I, Louis Clay, of Burlington, Iowa, of the first part, for and in consideration of Five Hundred and Ten Dollars, to me paid by John Floyd, of the same place, of the second part, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have sold, and by this instrument do convey unto the said Floyd, party of the second part, his executors, adminis- trators and assigns, my undivided half of ten acres of corn, now growing on the farm of Thomas Tyrell, in the town above men- tioned; one pair of horses; sixteen sheep, and five cows, belonging to me and in my possession at the farm aforesaid; to have and to hold the same unto the party of the second part, his executors and assigns forever. And I do, for myself and legal representatives, agree with the said party of the second part, and his legal repre- sentatives, to warrant and defend the sale of the afore-mentioned property and chattels unto the said party of the second part, and his legal representatives, against all and every person whatso- ever.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto affixed my hand, this tenth day of October, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-six.
LOUIS CLAY.
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
NOTICE TO QUIT.
TO JOHN WONTPAY:
You are hereby notified to quit the possession of the premises you now occupy to wit:
[Insert Description.]
on or before thirty days from the date of this notice.
Dated January 1, 1878. Landlord.
[Reverse for Notice to Landlord.]
GENERAL FORM OF WILL FOR REAL AND PERSONAL PROPERTY.
I, Charles Mansfield, of the town of Bellevue, County of Jackson, State of Iowa, being aware of the uncertainty of life, and in fail- ing health, but of sound mind and memory, do make and declare this to be my last will and testament, in manner following, to- wit:
First. I give, devise and bequeath unto my eldest son, Sidney H. Mansfield, the sum of Two Thousand Dollars of bank stock, now in the Third National Bank, of Cincinnati, Ohio, and the farm owned by myself, in the Township of Iowa, consisting of one hundred and sixty acres, with all the houses, tenements and improvements thereunto belonging; to have and to hold unto my said son, his heirs and assigns, forever.
Second. I give, devise and bequeath to each of my two daugh- ters, Anna Louise Mansfield and Ida Clara Mansfield, each Two Thousand Dollars in bank stock in the Third National Bank of Cincinnati, Ohio; and also, each one quarter section of land, owned by myself, situated in the Township of Fairfield, and recorded in my name in the Recorder's office, in the county where such land is located. The north one hundred and sixty acres of said half sec- tion is devised to my eldest daughter, Anna Louise.
Third. I give, devise and bequeath to my son Frank Alfred Mansfield, five shares of railroad stock in the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and my one hundred and sixty acres of land, and saw-mill thereon, situated in Manistee, Michigan, with all the improve- ments and appurtenances thereunto belonging, which said real es- tate is recorded in my name, in the county where situated.
Fourth. I give to my wife, Victoria Elizabeth Mansfield, all my household furniture, goods, chattels and personal property, about my home, not hitherto disposed of, including Eight Thous- and Dollars of bank stock in the Third National Bank of Cincin- nati, Ohio, fifteen shares in the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, and the free and unrestricted use, possession and benefit of the home farm so long as she may live, in lieu of dower, to which she is en- titled by law-said farm being my present place of residence.
Fifth. I bequeath to my invalid father, Elijah H. Mansfield the income from rents of my store building at 145 Jackson street
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
Chicago, Illinois, during the term of his natural life. Said build- ing and land therewith to revert to my said sons and daughters in equal proportion, upon the demise of my said father.
Sixth. It is also my will and desire that, at the death of my wife, Victoria Elizabeth Mansfield, or at any time when she may arrange to relinquish her life interest in the above mentioned homestead, the same may revert to my above named children, or to the lawful heirs of each.
And lastly. I nominate and appoint as the executors of this, my last will and testament, my wife, Victoria Elizabeth Mansfield and my eldest son, Sidney H. Mansfield.
I further direct that my debts and necessary funeral expenses shall be paid from moneys now on deposit in the Savings Bank of Bellevue, the residue of such moneys to revert to my wife, Vic- toria Elizabeth Mansfield, for her use forever.
In witness whereof, I Charles Mansfield, to this my last will and testament, have hereunto set my hand and seal, this fourth day of April, eighteen hundred and seventy-two.
CHARLES MANSFIELD.
[ Signed and declared by Charles Mansfield, as and for his last will and testament, in the presence of us, who, at his request, and in his presence, and in the presence of each other, have subscribed our names hereunto as witness thereof.
PETER A. SCHENCK, Dubuque, Iowa. FRANK E. DENT, Bellevue, Iowa.
CODICIL.
Whereas I, Charles Mansfield, did, on the fourth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two, make my last will and testament, I do now, by this writing, add this codicil to my said will, to be taken as a part thereof.
Whereas, by the dispensation of Providence, my daughter, Anna Louise, has deceased, November fifth, eighteen hundred and seventy-three, and whereas a son has been born to me, which son is now christened Richard Albert Mansfield, I give and bequeath unto him my gold watch, and all right, interest and title in lands and bank stock and chattels bequeathed to my deceased daughter, Anna Louise, in the body of this will.
In witness whereof, I hereunto placed my hand and seal, this tenth day of March, eighteen hundred and seventy-five.
CHARLES MANSFIELD.
Signed, sealed, published and declared to us by the testator, Charles Mansfield, as and for a codicil to be annexed to his last will and testament. And we, at his request, and in his presence, and in the presence of each other, have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto, at the date hereof.
FRANK E. DENT, Bellevue, Iowa. JOHN C. SHAY, Bellevue, Iowa.
9
138
HISTORY OF IOWA.
(Form No. 1.)
SATISFACTION OF MORTGAGE.
STATE OF IOWA, Iss
.. . .. County,
I, ...... , of the County of .... , State of Iowa, do hereby ac- knowledge that a certain Indenture of .... bearing date the . . . . day of . . . . A. D. 18. . , made and executed by . .... . and . . . . his wife, to said. . on the following described Real Estate, in the County of .... , and State of Iowa, to-wit: (here insert descrip- tion) and filed for record in the office of the Recorder of the County of .... , and State of Iowa, on the .... day of .... A. D. 18 .. , at .... o'clock .M .: and recorded in Book of . Mortgage Records, on page .... , is redeemed, paid off, satisfied and discharged in full. [SEAL. ]
STATE OF IOWA, { SS.
.. . . County, S
Be it Remembered, That, on this. ... day of A.D.18 .. , before me the undersigned, a ...... in and for said county, per- sonally appeared .... , to me personally known to be the identical person who executed the above (satisfaction of mortgage) as grant- or, and acknowledged .... signature thereto to be .... vol- untary act and deed.
Witness my hand and seal, the day and year last above written.
ONE FORM OF REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE.
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That , of ... County, and State of ... , in consideration of dollars, in hand paid by . ..
. of . . . County, and State of , do hereby sell and convey unto the said the following described prem- ises, situated in the County of , and State of .. ., to-wit: (here insert description) and do hereby covenant with the
said .. that .... lawfully seized of said premises, that they are free from incumbrance, that .... have good right and lawful authority to sell and convey the same; and .... do hereby cove- nant to warrant and defend the same against the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever. To be void upon condition that the said ... shall pay the full amount of principal and interest at the time therein specified, of .... certain promissory note for the sum of .... dollars.
One note for $ ... , due , 18 .. , with interest annually at . per cent.
One note for $ ... , due , 18 .. , with interest annually at .
. per cent.
One note for $. .. , due 18 .. , with interest annually at ... per cent.
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
One note for $. .. , due ., 18. . , with interest annually' at . . per cent.
And the said Mortgagor agrees to pay all taxes that may be levied upon the above described premises. It is also agreed by the Mort- gagor that if it becomes necessary to foreclose this mortgage, a reasonable amount shall be allowed as an attorney's fee for fore- closing. And the said . . .. . hereby relinquishes all her right of dower and homestead in and to the above described premises.
Signed the ... . day of . .. , A. D. 18. ..
[Acknowledge as in Form No. 1.]
SECOND FORM OF REAL ESTATE MORTGAGE.
THIS INDENTURE, made and executed .. .. by and between of the county of ... . and State of .... , part of the first part, and ... . of the county of .... and State of ... party of the sec- ond part, Witnesseth, that the said part of the first part, for and in consideration of the sum of .... dollars, paid by the said party of the second part. the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, have granted and sold, and do by these presents, grant, bargain, sell, convey and confirm, unto the said party of the second part, .... heirs and assigns forever, the certain tract or parcel of real estate situated in the county of .... and State of .... , described as follows, to-wit:
(Here insert description.)
The said part of the first part represent to and covenant with the part of the second part, that Le have good right to sell and convey said premises, that they are free from encumbrance and that he will warrant and defend them against the lawful claims of all persons whomsoever, and do expressly hereby release all rights of dower in and to said premises, and relinquish and convey all rights of homestead therein.
This Instrument is made, executed and delivered upon the fol- lowing conditions, to-wit:
First, Said first part agree to pay said .... or order
Second. Said first part further agree as is stipulated in said note, that if he shall fail to pay any of said interest when due, it shall bear interest at the rate of ten per cent. per annum, from the time the same becomes due, and this mortgage shall stand as security for the same.
Third. Said first part further agree that he will pay all taxes and assessments levied upon said real estate before they be- come delinquent, and if not paid the holder of this mortgage may declare the whole sum of money herein secured due and collectible at once, or he may elect to pay such taxes or assessments, and be
140
HISTORY OF IOWA.
entitled to interest on the same at the rate of ten per cent. per an- num, and this mortgage shall stand as security for the amount so paid.
Fourth. Said first part further agree that if he fail to pay any of said money, either principal or interest, within .... days after the same becomes due, or fail to conform or comply with any of the foregoing conditions or agreements, the whole sum herein secured shall become due and payable at once, and this mortgage may thereupon be foreclosed immediately for the whole of said money, interest and costs.
Fifth. Said first part further agree that in the event of the non- payment of either principal, interest or taxes when due, and upon the filing of a bill of foreclosure of this mortgage, an attorney's fee of .... dollars shall become due and payable, and shall be by the court taxed, and this mortgage shall stand as security therefor, and the same shall be included in the decree of foreclosure and shall be made by the Sheriff on general or special execution with the other money, interest and costs, and the contract embodied in this mortgage and the note described herein, shall in all respects be governed, constructed and adjudged by the laws of ...... , where the same is made. The foregoing conditions being performed, this conveyance to be void, otherwise in full force and virtue.
[Acknowledge as in form No. 1.]
FORM OF LEASE.
THIS ARTICLE OF AGREEMENT, Made and entered into on this .... day of . , A. D. 187., by and between . ....
of the county of . ... and State of Iowa, of the first part, and of the county of ... ., and State of Iowa, of the second part, witnesseth, that the said party of the first part has this day leased unto the party of the second part the following described prem- ises, to-wit:
Here insert Description.
for the term of from and after the . . day of .... , A. D. 187. . , at the (rent) of dollars, to be paid as follows, to-wit:
Here insert Terms.
And it is further agreed that if any rent shall be due and un- paid, or if default be made in any of the covenants herein con- tained, it shall then be lawful for the said party of the first part to re-enter the said premises, or to destrain for such rent; or he may recover possession thereof, by action of forcible entry and de-
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
tainer, notwithstanding the provision of Section 3,612 of the Code of 1873; or he may use any or all of said remedies.
And the said party of the second part agrees to pay to the party of the first part the rent as above stated, except when said premises are untenantable by reason of fire, or from any other cause than the carelessness of the party of the second part, or persons ..... family, or in .... employ, or by superior force and inevitable ne- cessity. And the said party of the second part covenants that .... will use the said premises as a .... , and for no other purpose whatever; and that .... especially will not use said premises, or permit the same to be used, for any unlawful business or purpose whatever; that .... will not sell, assign, underlet or relinquish said premises without the written consent of the lessor, under penalty of a forfeiture of all .... rights under this lease, at the election of the party of the first part; and that .... will use all due care and diligence in guarding said property, with the build- ings, gates, fences, trees, vines, shrubbery, etc., from damage by fire, and the depredations of animals; that .... will keep build- ings, gates, fences, etc., in as good repair as they now are, or may at any time be placed by the lessor, damages by superior force, in- evitable necessity, or fire from any other cause than from the carelessness of the lessee, or persons of .... family, or in .... employ, excepted; and that at the expiration of this lease, or upon a breach by said lessee of any of the said covenants herein con- tained, .... will, without further notice of any kind, quit and surrender the possession and occupancy of said premises in as good condition as reasonable use, natural wear and decay thereof will permit, damages by fire as aforesaid, superior force, or inevitable necessity, only excepted.
In witness whereof, the said parties have subscribed their names on the date first above written.
In presence of
FORM OF NOTE.
$. .. .
.. , 18 .. ,
On or before the .. day of .... , 18 .. , for value received, I promise to pay . . . or order, . . dollars, with inter- est from date until paid, at ten per cent. per annum, payable annu- ally, at . . Unpaid interest shall bear interest at ten per cent. per annum. On failure to pay interest within .... days after due, the whole sum, principal and interest, shall become due at once.
CHATTEL MORTGAGE.
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That .. ....... of .... County, and State of .... in consideration of .... dollars, in hand
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
paid by ...... , of .... County and State of .... do hereby sell and convey unto the said . . . . . .. the following described per- sonal property, now in the possession of . in the County . . and State of . . , to-wit:
Here insert Description.
And .... do hereby warrant the title of said property, and that it is free from any incumbrance or lien. The only right or interest retained by grantor in and to said property being the right of re- demption as herein provided. This conveyance to be void upon condition that the said grantor shall pay to said grantee, or his assigns, the full amount of principal and interest at the time there- in specified, of .... certain promissory notes of even date here- with, for the sum of . dollars,
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