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 19
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The method adopted in quarrying and dressing the blocks of gypsum is peculiar, and quite unlike that adopted in similar treat- ment of ordinary stone. Taking a stout auger-bit of an ordi-
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nary brace, such as is used by carpenters, and filing the cutting parts of it into a peculiar form, the quarryman bores his holes into the gypsum quarry for blasting, in the same manner and with as great facility as a carpenter would bore hard wood. The pieces being loosened by blasting, they are broken up with sledges into convenient sizes, or hewn into the desired shape by means of hatchets or ordinary chopping axes, or cut by means by means of ordinary wood-saws. So little grit does the gypsum contain that these tools, made for working wood, are found to be better adapted for working the former substance than those tools are which are universally used for working stone.
MINOR DEPOSITS OF SULPHATE OF LIME.
Besides the great gypsum deposit of Fort Dodge, sulphate of lime in the various forms of fibrous gypsum, selenite, and small, amorphous masses, has also been discovered in various formations in different parts of the State, including the coal-measure shales near Fort Dodge, where it exists in small quantities quite inde- pendently of the great gypsum deposit there. The quantity of gypsum in these minor deposits is always too small to be of any practical value, and frequently minute. They usually occur in shales and shaly clays associated with strata that contain more or less sulphuret of iron (iron pyrites). Gypsum has thus been detected in the coal measures, the St. Louis limestone, the cretaceous strata, and also in the lead caves of Dubuque. In most of these cases it is evidently the result of double decomposition of iron pyrites and carbonate of lime, previously existing there; in which cases the gypsum is of course not an original deposit as the great one at Fort Dodge is supposed to be.
The existence of these comparatively minute quantities of gyp- sum in the shales of the coal measures and the subcarboniferous limestone which are exposed within the region of and occupy a stratigraphical position beneath the great gypsum deposits, sug- gest the possibility that the former may have originated as a pre- cipitate from percolating waters, holding gypsum in solution which they had derived from that deposit in passing over or through it. Since, however, the same substance is found in simi- lar small quantities and under similar conditions in regions where they could have had no possible connection with that deposit, it is believed that none of those mentioned have necessarily originated from it, not even those that are found in close proximity to it.
The gypsum found in the lead caves is usually in the form of efflorescent fibers, and is always in small quantity. In the lower coal-measure shale near Fort Dodge, a small mass was found in the form of an intercolated layer, which had a distinct fibrous struc- ture, the fibers being perpendicular to the plane of the layer. The same mass had also distinct, horizontal planes of cleavage at right angles with the perpendicular fibers. Thus, being more or less
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transparent, the mass combined the characters of both fibrous gypsum and selenite. No anhydrous sulphate of lime (anhydrite) has been found in connection with the great gypsum deposit, nor elsewhere in Iowa, so far as yet known.
SULPHATE OF STRONTIA.
(Celestine.)
The only locality at which this interesting mineral has yet been found in Iowa, or, so far as is known, in the great valley of the Mississippi, is at Fort Dodge. It occurs there in very small quantity in both the shales of the lower coal measures and in the clays that overlie the gypsum deposit, and which are regarded as of the same age with it. The first is just below the city, near Rees' coal bank, and occurs as a layer intercolated among the coal measure shales, amounting in quantity to only a few hundred pounds' weight. The mineral is fibrous and crystaline, the fibers being perpendicular to the plane of the layer. Breaking also with more or less distinct horizontal planes of cleavage, it resembles, in physical character, the layer of fibro-crystaline gypsum before mentioned. Its color is light blue, is transparent and shows crys- taline facets upon both the upper and under surfaces of the layer; those of the upper surface being smallest and most numerous. It breaks up readily into small masses along the lines of the perpen- dicular fibers or columns. The layer is probably not more than a rod in extent in any direction and about three inches in maximum thickness. Apparent lines of stratification occur in it, correspond- ing with those of the shales which imbed it.
The other deposit was still smaller in amount, and occurred as a mass of crystals imbedded in the clays that overlie the gypsum at Cummins' quarry in the valley of Soldier Creek. Here the mineral is nearly without color, and were it not for the form of the sepa- ate crystals would closely resemble a mass of impure chloride. These crystals are so closely aggregated that they enclose but little impurity in the mass, but in nearly every case brought to my no- tice their fundamental forms are obscured. The mineral of itself is of no practical value, and its occurrence is only interesting as a mineralogical fact.
Epsomite, or native epsom salts, having been discovered near Burlington, we have thus recognized in Iowa all the sulphates of the alkaline earths of natural origin; all of them, except the sul- phate of lime, being in very small quantity. Even if the sulphate of magnesia were produced in nature, in large quantities, it is so very soluble that it can accumulate only in such positions as afford it complete shelter from the raius or running water. The epso- mite mentioned was found beneath the overhanging cliff of Bur- lington limestone, near Starr's mill.
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It occurs in the form of efflorescent encrustations upon the surface of stones and in similar small fragile masses among the fine debris that has fallen down beneath the overhanging cliff. The projec- tion of the cliff over the perpendicular face of the strata beneath amounts to near twenty feet at the point where epsomite was found. Consequently the rains never reach far beneath it from any quarter. The rock upon which the epsomite accumulates is an impure limestone, containing also some carbonate of magnesia, together with a small proportion of iron pyrites in a finely divided condition. It is doubtless by double decomposition of these that the epsomite results. By experiments with this native salt in the office of the Survey, a fine article of epsom salts was produced, but the quantity that might be annually obtained there would amount to only a few pounds, and of course is of no practical value whatever, on account of its cheapness in the market.
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WOODBURY COUNTY,
Woodbury County is situated on the western border of the State, in the third tier from the north line. It is twenty-four miles north and south, by from thirty to thirty-six miles east and west, em- bracing a superficial area of about 832 square miles, or 432,480 acres. About 146,000 acres of this land is Missouri River bottom, of great fertility, and unsurpassed for agricultural and grazing pur- poses. This bottom is from six to ten miles in width and mostly above high water mark in the Missouri River. Although appar- ently nearly level, it is dry and susceptible of easy tillage. The soil is a deep loam, with a sufficient proportion of silicious material to render it retentive of moisture, while it seldom remains for any length of time so wet as to prevent the farmer from giving atten- tion to his crops. Immediately adjacent to the valleys are the bluffs, forming a narrow belt, usually too much broken for cultiva- tion, but a short distance back the land becomes gently rolling, and is well adapted to farming purposes. The Missouri, one of the great rivers of the continent, forms the western boundary of the county as far up as the month of the Big Sioux River. Thence, to the northwest corner, a distance of about five miles, the latter stream marks the western boundary. The principal streams flow- ing through the interior are Floyd, east and west forks of the Lit- tle Sioux, and Maple Rivers. Perry Creek is also a stream of con- siderable size. All these streams flow through rich and beautiful valleys, and receive many small affluents that completely drain the entire surface. The Little Sioux and Floyd Rivers furnish water power for machinery. There is a deficiency of native timber in this, as in other counties of this part of the State. There are some groves of valuable timber, however, bordering on the Missouri and along the Big and Little Sioux Rivers. The varieties common are cottonwood, hickory, oak, walnut, elm, and maple-the first named largely predominating along the Missouri River. It has been found that many kinds of timber may be easily propagated, and when planted on the prairies make a rapid growth.
The geological formation is such as to allow but few exposures of rock in the county, or indeed, in this portion of Iowa. The en- tire surface is covered by the peculiar formation known by the name of "bluff deposit," extending to the depth of many feet. The bed of the Missouri River at Sioux City is 340 feet above that of the Mississippi at Dubuque, in the same latitude. There are at Sioux City, and one or two other places, exposures of a sandstone formation of the cretaceous age, with a stratum of soft, chalky
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limestone overlying it. This is too soft for masonry, but is used for making quicklime. The sandstone is quarried for ordinary building purposes. The same formation appears on Big Sioux River about two miles above the mouth, and extends, with occa- sional exposures, to the northwest corner of the county. The sur- face of the "bluff deposit" is used for making brick. The clays in the cretaceous deposit furnish an excellent material for making pottery. Woodbury, however, must rely chiefly on its fertile prai- ries for its development into a prosperous and wealthy county.
On the 14th of May, 1804, Captains Lewis and Clarke, with for- ty-two men, under the direction of the War Department of the Government, started from their encampment at the mouth of Wood River, in what is now the State of Illinois, to explore the Missouri River and the unknown regions of the Northwest. After many strange adventures, and the accomplishment of a thousand miles of their journey, on the 18th of August they landed on the Nebraska side of the river, nearly opposite the southwest corner of the present County of Woodbury, where they held a council with a party of Ottoe and Missouri Indian Chiefs. On the morning of the 20th the Indians mounted their horses and left, having re- ceived some presents from the whites. On the 19th, in camp at the place where the council was held, Sergeant Charles Floyd, of the expedition, became very sick and remained so all night. The next morning, however, which was Monday, August 20, the party set out on their journey up the river. Having a "fine wind and fine weather," they made thirteen miles, and at two o'clock landed for dinner on the Iowa side of the river. Here Sergeant Floyd died. About one mile farther up the river, on the summit of a high bluff, his body was buried with the honors due to a brave sol- dier. His comrades marked the place with a cedar post, on which were inscribed his name and the date of his death. About one mile above, a small river flows into the Missouri, and here the party encamped until the next day. Captains Lewis and Clarke gave this stream the name of Floyd's River, to perpetuate the memory of the first man who had fallen in their expedition. The next day they set out early, passed the bluffs, now within the limits of Sioux City, which are mentioned in the journal of Patrick Gass, a mem- ber of the expedition, as "handsome, pale colored bluffs." Willow Creek and Big Sioux River, the latter just above where Sioux City now stands, are also mentioned. During a great freshet in the Spring of 1857, the turbulent Missouri washed away a portion of the bluff, so as to expose the remains of Sergeant Floyd. The citizens of Sioux City and vicinity collected the remains and re-in- terred them some distance back from the river on the same bluff.
The title of the Indians to the land in this portion of Iowa be- came extinct in 1847, and in the summer of 1848, forty-four years after the burial of Sergeant Floyd, a single pioneer, named Wil- liam Thompson, settled at Floyd's Bluff-the first white man who
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became a permanent settler of the county. In the autumn of the same year his brother Charles and another man followed and spent the winter there, being, at that time the only white men in the county. Anticipating an immense immigration, he laid out a town here and named it in honor of himself-Thompsontown. Like other western towns, this for a while was supposed to be the point. To give it an air of business, and aid in its development, he erected here his cabin, and, on the organization of the county. in 1853, this was made the county seat. It was a sort of post for Indian traders for some years, but the city lots were too steep for cultiva- tion, or for building, and, unfortunately, there was no place for a landing on the bank of the river, and the stakes are all that now remain to mark the progress of the town.
In may, 1849, Theophile Brughier, a native of Canada, but of French descent, settled at the mouth of the Big Sioux River, about two miles above where Sioux City now stands. Three years before he had visited the spot and made selection of the location. In 1835, at the age of twenty, Brughier left Canada and went to St. Louis, where he had an uncle who was a member of the American Fur Company. Under the advice of his uncle he engaged in the ser- vice of the company, but remained in their employ only a short time, when he joined the Yankton Sioux Indians and married a daughter of the somewhat distinguished chief, Hu-yan-e-ka (War Eagle). He became a prominent man in the tribe, and had acquired great influence among them. After remaining with the Indians, and sharing the fortunes of the tribe for some ten years, he con- cluded to change his manner of life, and notified the tribe of his intentions. Accordingly, with his faithful Indian wife and chil- dren, he left the post of the American Fur Company and came down the river and settled, as above stated, at the mouth of Big Sioux River. War Eagle, the Indian father-in-law of Brughier, died in his house in the fall of 1851, aged about sixty-five years. He was a noted warrior among the Sioux, but always a friend of the whites. He was first recognized as a Chief of the Yankton Sioux by Major Pilcher, the Indian agent. About the year 1830 he was for some time employed as a pilot on the Upper Mississippi. His remains, with those of his two daughters, one of them the deceased wife of Mr. Brughier, now repose on the summit of a lofty bluff on the Iowa side of the Big Sioux River, just above its mouth. Here are also the graves of several other Indians, as well as whites -eight or ten in all. From this romantic spot may be seen for many miles the broad winding Missouri, with its noble valley, the far off Blackbird Hills in Nebraska, with the intervening plains, islands and groves, and a portion of the rich bottom lands of Da- kota, stretching as far as the eye can reach between the two rivers toward the northwest.
In the fall of 1849, Robert Perry, a man of somewhat eccentric character, but of fine education, removed from Washington. D. C.,
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and settled on the small creek which meanders through Sioux City, where he remained two years, and then removed elsewhere. The creek now bears his name. The next year Paul Pacquette located at the crossing of Big Sioux River, about two miles above the mouth.
In the spring of 1852, Mr. Brughier sold a portion of his culti- vated land, including what is now a part of Sioux City, to a French- man named Joseph Lionais, for one thousand dollars. About this time some difficulty occurred with the Indians at Fort Vermillion, and a small number of French descended the river and made a tem - porary settlement in the same vicinity. After this no further perma- nent improvement was made until the spring of 1854, when Doctor John K. Cook, who had a government contract for surveying, ar- rived with his party. Being impressed with the eligibility of the place for the location of a town, and the romantic beauty of its surroundings, he and his party immmediately located claims. Among those who selected and located claims at an early day in the vicinity of Sioux City, was the brave General Lyon, who fell at Wilson's Creek.
At the mouth of the Floyd River, Dr. Cook found encamped the red men of the forest, with Smutty Bear, their Chief, who ordered him to desist from his work under penalty of being driven from the place by his wariors, whom Smutty Bear would summon from the upper country. The belligerent Doctor boldly replied, through the interpreter, that he would go at once, if nec- essary, for a sufficient force to exterminate Smutty Bear and his band. Dr. Cook plainly told him that he had come there to make a survey, and he meant to complete his undertaking. The savages, impressed with the determination evinced by Dr. Cook, and intim- idated by his well-timed threatenings, struck their tepees and de- parted, leaving him to complete his labors uninterrupted.
In the Winter of 1854-5, the town of Sioux City was laid out. Among the settlers at that time were the following: Hiram Nel- son, Marshall Townsley, Franklin Wixon, G. W. Chamberlain, and Francis Chappel. About this time the Indians became trouble- some, and began to steal horses, cattle and other property. Ex- peditions were fitted out against them, none of which, however, were attended with bloodshed. In the spring of 1855, Joseph Lionais sold his land for three thousand dollars, and on this an addition to Sioux City was laid out. It then contained two log cabins, but now comprises the principal business portion of the city. The first stage and mail arrived in Sioux City about the first week in Septem- ber of this year, a postoffice having first been established. This event was hailed by the settlers as the beginning of the era of civilization. By Christmas Day there were seven log houses, two of them being hotels-the "Sioux City House," and the "Western Exchange." Two stores were opened, one of which was kept in a tent, and the other in a log cabin. Late in the season settlers
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came in rapidly, and many who could not obtain houses were obliged to camp out. In the Spring of 1856 the population had reached about 150. The land office had been opened here for pre- emptions, October 22, 1855, but the public lands were not offered for sale until May 4, 1857.
By an act of the Legislature the county seat had. 1853, been lo- cated at Floyd's Bluff. In the Spring of 1856 it was removed to Sioux City by a vote of the citizens of the county, the majority in favor of removal being fourtecn. The county was organized in 1853.
The first steamboat freighted for Sioux City was the "Omaha," and arrived in June, 1856. Her freight consisted of ready framed houses and provisions. In July of this year a steam saw mill was erected. Mrs. S. H. Casady and Mrs. J. R. Myers were the first women who spent a Winter in Sioux City. Both came in the Summer of 1855. The first white child born in the place was a daughter of S. H. Casady and wife, in 1856.
Among transcriptions from the earliest records, we find the fol- lowing:
SERGEANT'S BLUFFS, WOODBURY COUNTY, STATE OF IOWA :
To the organizing Sheriff of said County: We have fixed upon the southeast quarter of section 1, township 88, range 48, west of the Fifth Principal Meridian, as the point for the seat of justice for the aforesaid county of Woodbury, and set a stake on the avenue, coming east and west between lots 131 and 97, as laid down in Thompson's plat of Floyd's Bluffs, in said County, and recorded in the Recorder's Office of Pottawattamie County, Iowa, this 18th day of July, 1853.
THOMAS L. GRIFFEY, IRA PERYIER, Commissioners.
This appears to be a copy from the Pottawattamie County records. The next entry bears date of January 2, 1854, and men- tions that Thomas L. Griffey is allowed for services as Locating Commissioner $18.50, the same being Order No. 1. It would seem that men were scarce; for Order No. 3 is also to Thomas L. Griffey for services as Locating Sheriff. July 16th, 1854, Ray Harvey is allowed $2 for hauling a box of books from Council Bluffs City. These were doubtless the first permanent records kept by the county. By a warrant-or bond, it is called in the record,-issued August 10, 1854, it appears that Leonard Bates had acted as Clerk of Elections, and that R. E. Knox acted as the first District Clerk, probably Clerk of Election.
August 12th, 1854, is the first entry bearing date of Sergeant's Bluffs, which appears to have been written there. This entry mentions that L. Bates is allowed $16.65 for services as Treasurer and Recorder, and is signed by M. Townsley, County Judge. On the same day. Lewis Cunningham is allowed $10.50 for services rendered as Assessor.
The officials mentioned appear to have been appointed to hold until the first election; for on August 16th of the year following,
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John K. Cook gives his bond as County Judge; Samuel H. Casady as Treasurer; M. F. Moore, Prosecuting Attorney.
October 15th this entry appears: "John R. Myers was this day appointed District Clerk for this county, in place of Theophile Brughier, suspended by the District Judge at the last term of District Court." The proceedings, as appears by this record, are mixed as to dates, as if some were original entries and others were copied from an older book.
August 1, 1853, Thomas L. Griffey as Organizing Sheriff, ap- pointed Orin B. Smith Prosecuting Attorney and Eli Lee, Coroner. On the 30th of the same month, Hiram Nelson gives his bonds as Treasurer and Recorder.
A petition is on record, asking Orin B. Smith, County Judge, to call an election on the first Monday of April, 1855, to decide whether the county seat shall not be removed from Sergeant's Bluffs to Sergeant's Bluffs City. The petition is signed by twenty- six persons. The first seat of justice was half way between Sioux City and the present station of Sergeant's Bluffs. It is called on the records indifferently, Sergeant's Bluffs, Thompsontown and Floyd's Bluffs.
The election removed the county capital to Sergeant's Bluffs City, now Sergeant's Bluffs Station, on the Sioux City & Pacific road, where it remained until March 3d. Here let the record un- der this date tell the story.
March term of County Court of Woodbury Countv :- Met at Sioux City, there being no place at the county seat for holding said court, first Monday of March.
Petition of S. P. Yeomans and George Weare and others-forty-nine others- praying for the removal of the county seat from its present location to Sioux City.
Remonstrance presented by F. E. Clark, J. D. M. Crockwell and others, against the removal of the county seat.
F. Chapel, Sheriff, sworn; that the notices of the presentation of the petition for the removal of the county seat were duly posted, according to law.
This is all that is disclosed by the records about the locating of the county seat at Sioux City. When it is remembered that the County Judge before whom the petition for removal came, was John K. Cook, the founder of Sioux City, no further record is needed to indicate what disposition was made of the petition for removal.
April 15th, 1859, Bernhard Henn, Jesse Williams, A. C. Dodge, and others, petition the County Judge, John K. Cook, to enter for them the west one-half of section 28, township 89, range 47, as a town-site in trust for the lot owners. This town-site in the petition is called East Sioux City, now part of Sioux City east addition, and now comprises the principal business and residence parts of the town.
The present officers of Woodbury County are: J. R. Zuver, Circuit Judge, Fourth Judicial District; C. H. Lewis, District Judge, Fourth Judicial District; S. M. Marsh, District Attorney;
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Auditor, M. L. Sloan; Treasurer, John P. Allison; Clerk of Courts, J. H. Bolton; Recorder, Phil Carlin; Sheriff, D. McDonald; Coro- ner, Dr. W. O. Davis; Superintendent of Schools, N. E. Palmer; Surveyor, G. W. Oberholtzer; Attorney, G. W. Wakefield; Insane Commissioners, J. H. Bolton, Isaac Pendleton, Dr. J. M. Knott; Supervisors, P. C. Eberley, J. S. Horton, John Nairn, A. J. Weeks, D. 'T. Gilman.
SIOUX CITY.
While other cities may owe their location to some accident, the whim of an officer locating a military post, the ambition of a pio- neer to have a townsite on his pre-emption, or the chance settle- ment of a trader, Sioux City's location was a matter of foresight and design by men worthy to be the founders of such a city.
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