USA > Iowa > Appanoose County > Past and present of Appanoose County, Iowa : a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Vol. I > Part 24
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The audience dismissed. the next thing was to go home, very often by a round-about way, "a-sleighing with the girls," which, of course, was the most interesting part of the evening's performances, sometimes, however, too rough to be commended, as the boys were often inclined to be somewhat rowdyich.
THE BRIGHT SIDL
The history of pioneer life generally presents the dark side of the picture, but the toils and privations of the early settlers were not a series of unmitigated suf- fering. No; for while the fathers and mother- toiled hard, they were not
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adverse to a little relaxation and had their seasons of fun and enjoyment. They contrived to do something to break the monotony of their daily life and furnish a good hearty laugh. Among the more general forms of amusements were the "quilting bee," "corn husking," "paring bee," "log rolling," and "house raising." Our young readers will doubtless be interested in a description of these forms of amusements, when labor was made to afford fun and enjoyment to all partici- pating. The "quilting bee," as the name implies, was when the industrious quali- ties of the busy little insect that "improves each shining hour" were exemplified in the manufacture of quilts for the household. In the afternoon, ladies for miles around gathered at the appointed place, and while their tongues would not cease to play, the hands were as busily engaged in making the quilts, and the desire always manifested itself to get it out as quickly as possible, for then the fun would begin. In the evening the gentlemen came, and the hours would then pass quickly by in "plays," games, singing and dancing. "Corn huskings" were · when both sexes united in the work. They usually assembled in a large barn which was arranged for the occasion, and when each gentleman had selected a lady partner, the husking began. When a lady found a red car of corn she was entitled to a kiss from every gentleman present. When a gentleman found one he was allowed to kiss every lady present. After the corn was all husked. a good supper was served, then the "old folks" would leave, and the remainder of the evening was spent in the dance and in having a general good time. The recreation afforded the young people on the annual recurrence of these festive occasions was as highly enjoyed and quite as innocent as the amusements of the present boasted age of refinement and culture.
The amusements of the pioneers were peculiar to themselves. Saturday after- noon was a sort of half holiday. The men usually wem to town and when that place was reached, "fun commenced." Had two neighbors business to transact, here it was done. Horses were "swapped," difficulties settled and free fights indulged in. Whiskey was as free as water. Twelve and a half cents would buy a quart, and thirty-five or forty cents a gallon, and at such prices enormous quantities were consumed.
WHAT THE PIONEERS ILWE DONE
Iowa is a grand state, and in many respects second to none in the Union, and in everything that goes to make a live, prosperous community, not far behind the best. Her harvests are bountiful ; she has a medium climate and many other things that make her people contented, prosperous and happy : but she owes much to those who opened up these avenues that have led to her present condnion and happy surroundings. Unremitting toil and labor have driven off the sickly miasmas that brooded over swampy prairies. Energy and perseverance have peopled every section of her wild lands and changed them from wastes and deserts to gardens of beauty and profit. Where but a few years ago the barking wolves made the night hideous with their wild shrieks and howls, now is heard only the lowing and bleating of domestic animals. Less than a century ago the wild whoop of the Indian rent the air, where now are heard the engine and rumb- ling trains of cars, bearing away to markets the products of our labor and soil. Then the savage built his rude huts on the spot where now rise the dwellings
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and schoolhouses and church spires of civilized life. How great the transforma- tion. This change has been brought about by the incessant toil and aggregated labor of thousands of tired hands and anxious hearts, and the noble aspirations of such men and women as make any country great. What will another half cen- tury accomplish? There are few, very few of these old pioneers yet lingering on the shores of time as connecting links of the past with the present. What must their thoughts be as with their dim eyes they view the scenes that sur- round them? We often hear people talk of the old fogy ideas and fogy ways and want of enterprise on the part of the old men who have gone through the experi- ences of pioneer life. Sometimes, perhaps, such remarks are just, but consider- ing the experiences, education and entire life of such men, such remarks are bet- ter unsaid. They have had their trials, hardships, misfortunes and adventure-, and shall we now, as they are passing far down the western declivity of life, and most of them gone, point to them the finger of derision and laugh and sneer at the simplicity of their ways? Let us rather cheer them up, revere and respect them, for beneath those rough exteriors beat hearts as noble as ever throbbed in the human breast. These veterans have been compelled to live for weeks upon hominy, and if bread at all, it was bread made from coru ground in hand mills, or pounded in mortars. Their children have been destitute of shoes during the winter ; their families had no clothing except what was carded, spun, wove and made into garments by their own hands; schools they had none; churches they had none; afflicted with sickness incident to all new countries, sometimes the entire family at once : luxuries of life they had none; the auxiliaries, improve- ments, inventions and labor-saving machinery of today they had not; and what they possessed they obtained by the hardest of labor and individual exertions; yet they bore these hardships and privations without murmuring, hoping for better times to come, and often, too, with but little prospect of realization.
As before mentioned, the changes on every hand are most wonderful. It has been but little over three score years since the white man began to exercise dominion over this region, erst the home of the red men ; yet the visitor of today. ignorant of the past of the country, could scarcely realize that within these years there has grown up a population who in all the accomplishments of life are as far advanced as are the inhabitants of the older states. Schools, churches, col- lege-, palatial dwellings, beautiful grounds, large, well cultivated and productive farms, as well as cities, towns and busy manufactories, have grown up and occupy the hunting grounds and camping places of the Indians, and in every direc- tion there are evidences of wealth, comfort and luxury. There is but little of the old landmarks left. Advanced civilization and the progressive demands of revolving years have obliterated all traces of Indian occupancy, until they are remembered only in name.
In closing this section, we would again impress upon the minds of our readers the fact that they owe a debt of gratitude to those who pioneered this state, which can be but partially repaid. Never grow unmindful of the peril and adventure, fortitude, self-sacrifice and heroic devotion so prominently displayed in their lives. As time sweeps on in its ceaseless flight, may the cherished memories of them love none of their greenness, but may future generations alike cherish and perpetuate them with a just devotion to gratitude.
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OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION
A meeting was held September 10, 1875, attended by quite a number of the carly settlers of Appanoose county. J. F. Stratton was chosen as president of the Old Settlers' Association, which organized at the time, and his associate offi- cials were: W. S. Manson, vice president ; James S. Wakefield, secretary ; W. S. Main, Dr. Nathan Udell, J. H. Gangh, Daniel McDonald and L. Dean, executive committee.
From the time of the organization of the Old Settlers' Association, annual meetings have been held. At the beginning, a twenty years' residence in the county was required for eligibility to the society ; but the period of residence has necessarily been lengthened. Annual reunions have been held near Unionville for many years past, and at these gatherings members and invited speakers have declaimed to large audiences, relating their experiences of the days when Appa- noose was but a wilderness and their trials and triumphs in making new homes for themselves and their children.
In 1912 the president of the association was William Bray, of U'dell town- ship, and the secretary, F. A. Wilson, of Unionville. In the minute book now in the hands of the secretary, is a list, not complete, of men and women who were members of the society. They came in the gos and '50s and their names are worthy of preservation. This list does not show, by any means, all the builders of Appanoose county, but broken as it is, the names placed before the reader are recorded and the pity is that all the names of the brave and industrious men and women of the early days cannot be given. The records shows the follow- ing :
1843-Levi Davis, Elizabeth Wright, J. W. Clancy, deceased; Nancy Ilol- man, deceased; William Crow, deceased; Malinda Crow, deceased : Elizabeth Bishop, Eliza Creech, John A. Crow : 1844-J. N. Riggs, deceased ; 1845-O. A. Hiatt, John T. Close, Mrs. J. C. Hopkins, Rachel Hiatt, II. II. Nash, C. L. Smith ; 1846-W. J. Phillips, Margaret Cox, G. W. Taylor, William Swank, deceased; Elizabeth Swank, deceased; C. W. Morrison, deceased; George W. Dean, deceased; M. A. Dean, deceased; 1847-J. L. Thomasson, John C. Cox. A. W. Iliatt, Mrs. M. J. MeCanley, deceased; 1. A. Morrison, J. R. Wright, deceased : Samuel Benge, deceased ; 1848-B. G. Miller, deceased ; C. R. Mills, W. C. Miller, Dr. Nathan Udell, deceased ; Dr. C. N. Udell, John I .. Hiatt, U. B. Denny, J. A. Miller, J. M. Zimmerman, Mrs. M. E. Chrisman, W. T. Hlouser, Oliver Morris, Maggie Dean; 1849-R. B. Vermilyea. Cyrus Swank, Thomas E. Hopkins, G. W. Taylor, deceased; . A. P. Berry, deceased ; Jane Snyder, deceased ; J. A. White, William Caylor, A. T. Bishop, L. L. Taylor, Mrs. Lidy Hiatt, W. J. Taylor, deceased ; Mrs. T. J. Gladfelder, James Caylor, J. II. McConnell : 1850 -A. Hicks, R. W. Dodd, deceased ; F. M. Swank, J. C. Hopkins, J. F. Ilicks, M1. [ .. Taylor, Robert White, C. A. Stanton, G. W. Arnold, Lucinda Gunter, de- ceased ; Nancy Caylor, Elijah Hiatt, Mrs. N. J. Hiatt, Frank Dodd : 1851-S. T. Elam, J. T. Etheridge, deceased; J. D. McKim, deceased ; Martha McCready, G. W. Jones; 1852-Mrs. F. M. Swank, Levi Swain, Samuel Crow : 1853-Mrs. W. T. Houser, .A. W. Hunt, deceased ; Lydia Hunt, James H. Me.Adam, de- ceased : Ward Taylor, Mrs. Mary E. Skinner, Joseph Gladfelder, Mrs. M. E. Davis, Mrs. Eugenia Miller: 1854-W. H. Boggs, deceased ; William Bradley,
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deceased : William Bray, D. L. Strickler, deceased ; Joseph Zook, deceased : John C. Skinner; 1855-Jack Luse, E. A. Buckmaster, S. Peterson, Ed. Streepy, J. McCready, deceased; Joseph Goss, George S. Beaver : 1856-A. II. Gray, Jacob Cox, deceased; Henry Hardy, deceased ; 1857-C. C. Baker, R. M. Hicks, J. M. Creech, deceased : 1859-Governor F. M. Drake, deceased; 1860-James Hamil- ton, L. F. Darnell, H. T. Phillips, deceased.
CHAPTER XI
THE MISSOURI WAR-DISPUTES OVER THE BOUNDARY LINE BETWEEN IOWA AND MISSOURI-CLASHES BETWEEN THE AUTHORITIES-MISSOURIANS ARREST SHER- IFF OF DAWIS COUNTY-A MISSOURI SHERIFF ARRESTED BY AN HOW SHERIFF
THE "MISSOURI WAR"
Joint resolution No. 7. passed in February, 1844. recites that in the fall and winter of 1839, an unjust claim was made by the governor of Missouri to a por- tion of territory lying within the limits of Iowa ; that the marshal of lowa, act- ing by national as well as territorial authority, had called for an armed posse to preserve peace and to resist the encroachment of Missouri authority within the well known limits of Iowa ; that several hundred patriotic citizens had obeyed the marshal's summons late in 1839, marching in an inclement season ; that an account of the expenses had been taken by a United States official, but had not then been liquidated. These things having been recited, Hon. A. C. Dodge, then territorial delegate in congress, was called upon, not only to secure pay for the volunteers, but for the marshal's services as well, "in preserving the peace and protecting the southern boundary of Iowa."
Chapter 23. Laws of 1846, approved January 17, recites the fact of the arrest of the sheriff of Davis county by the authorities of Missouri, and the probability of litigation arising from the dispute between lowa and Missouri. The gov- ernor was accordingly authorized to draw upon the territorial treasurer for $1.500 to detray counsel fees in cases where either the territory of its citizens might be a party against Missouri.
Chapter 3. Laws of the First General Assembly, approved January 16, 1847. authorize- the governor to agree with the state of Missouri for the commence- ment and speedy termination of a suit in the supreme court of the United States to determine the true location of the boundary line between the two states. The sum of $1,000 was appropriated to defray the expenses of the same.
This dispute arose in consequence of two surveys having been made of the northern boundary of Missouri, the first begun at the head of the rapids in the river Des Moines, and the second at the foot of the Des Moines Rapids, in the Mississippi. The difference between the initial points was nearly. nine miles. Missouri having elected to assume the northern line as her boundary, and lowa the southern line as hers, there was of course a conflict of jurisdiction over a strip of country nearly nine miles in width, it being claimed by both Iowa and Missouri. The line claimed by Missouri passed very nearly through the rail- way junction at Centerville.
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The above peculiar condition of the southern part of the county enabled the persons we have mentioned to remain by claiming to be within the limits of Missouri, and consequently outside of the Indian boundary. The soldiers of course would not exceed their orders and these settlers were allowed to remain.
As long as the boundary question remained unadjusted. people did not care to invest much money in "Chaldea," or Centerville, for, if Missouri's claim should be established, Appanoose county would certainly remove its seat of justice further north. But the pacific disposition of lowa having been recipro- cated by Missouri, people had no fear of the result of the litigation, and were willing to invest in Centerville. Hence the growth of this town may be said to have begun with the termination of the boundary dispute.
The vexed question was not settled till 1850, when the boundary was estab- lished by commissioners, who had the line carefully surveyed. Posts were erected a mile apart, every tenth post being of iron. One of these, the one- hundredth, stands in the eastern part of section 22, Caldwell.
Accounts do not agree as to the actual amount of war waged in 1839. One writer asserts that a martial spirit pervaded Van Buren county. Troops were organized and history records no war more bloodless than the one which ensued. in which Van Buren took a conspicuous part, some of her citizens acquiring great distinction as officers. After a manifestation of the most undoubted pluck and heroism on the part of the lowa troops, and the exhaustion of the supply of liquors on both sides, an armistice was declared and it was agreed to submit to the arbitrament of the supreme court.
Dr. Sturdivant's father served as a volunteer in this campaign, and the doctor says the above is not a fair account of the matter; that the lowa men were orderly and strictly obedient to discipline, being well aware of the possible results that might follow from a collision between the two armed forces. The Iowa men were anxious for peace, if possible; but no less determined to maintain the boundary as they understood it.
Dr. J. H. Worthington, of Caldwell, was one of the Missouri heroes and says the cause of the assembling of forces was owing to the arrest of the Clark county ( Missouri ) sheriff by the sheriff of Van Buren county. The two officers met on the disputed strip while collecting taxes, and the Van Buren man bagged the other, who was sent to jail at Iowa City. The Clark county citizens wanted their sheriffs back, and Dr. Worthington says the two forces marched near enough so that chance rifle shots could be heard from the opposing lines. But the Clark county court did not wish to precipitate a bloody struggle among neigh- bors, and appointed a commission, composed of Colonel Mitchell. Judge Wagner and Colonel Rutherford, to treat with the lowa legislature. then in session at Burlington, for a release of their sheriff and also to secure peace, if possible. The basis of agreement, as remembered by the doctor, was that the sheriff should be released, and that Missouri should continue to collect the taxes on the dis- puted strip until the matter should be adjusted, when, if Missouri lost the case. the money so collected should be refunded to Iowa. The commission succeeded in their delicate negotiations, and the internecine strife was over.
CHAPTER NHI
BORDER THIEVES-FREEBOOTING AND COUNTERFEITING-HORSE STEALING PREVALENT IN THE EARLY DAYS-TWO APTANOOSE PREACHERS MEMBERS OF A GANG OF ROR- BERS-A CASE OF LYNCHING-STATE ROBBERY.
BORDER THIEVING
At the outer edge of American civilization there have for a hundred years hovered, like scouts before the march of an invading army, a swarm of bold, enterprising and adventurous criminals. The broad, untrodden prairies, the track- less forests and unexplored rivers furnished admirable refuge for reckless, hardy desperadoes, whose deeds are part of the annals of almost every county from the Alleghanies to the Rocky Mountains, and from the northern bounds of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Iowa to the states bordering on the Gulf of Mexico.
These men followed the unlawful callings of horse stealing, burglary, coun- terfeiting and profitable freebootery on all occasions that promised reasonable immunity from punishment. They were in most cases connected by ties of blood or marriage, and many of their women were as skillful in crime as the men, and as full of resources for personal safety in time of danger. As a rule, the
more cool headed and daring among these outlaws conducted the most dangerous part of the business in which they were engaged. Others, more timid, would keep places of harborage, sell the stolen horses, pass counterfeit coin, break open jails when an unlucky brother had been caught in the meshes of the law, and act as spies and go betweens on all occasions. Others who had a sufficient heredita- ment of craft, or who had acquired that faculty by long training in crime, and had begun to feel the weight of years, sought to pass for respectable members of society and would aspire to positions of trust, being always eager to be elected justice or sheriff if possible. In some cases they actually succeeded in becoming prosecuting attorneys and district judges, so numerous were their friends and adherent». Some of them were so bold as to become preachers and more than one pioneer has been converted by their ministrations.
This widespread band of cut-throats, scoundrels and robbers were settled in eastern Ohio and Kentucky at the beginning of the last century, and had been driven from Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and North Carolina about the close of the Revolutionary war. They had been loyal to the British crown dur- ing that long struggle-had been Tories-a class hated and despised by the suc- cessful Revolutionists. Their property had been sequestered at the close of that momentous struggle, and when the ragged Continental soldiers returned to their homes, it was unwholesome for a Tory to live in sight of them. With hearts
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full of bitterness and hatred, but helpless to master their fate, they sought the wilderness and "nursed their wrath to keep it warm." Ostracized from their homes for their perverse loyalty, it is not very strange that they became Ishmael- ites-arrayed against society, which in turn, suffered and feared them, then began to maintain an equal struggle with these miscreants, and at last expelled them from their midst into the wilderness.
The contest in Ohio and Kentucky was waged for thirty years or more. in Indiana for ten, and in Illinois for nearly twenty more. The only certain way of securing conviction and punishment was to open Judge Lynch's court. Some- times a state of actual war would break out. In 1835 members of the gang began to make incursions into Iowa, and in the "Banditti of the Prairie" fre- quent exploits are recorded that were originated and carried out in the counties bordering along Skunk river. It was about the same time that the fiendish murder of Colonel George Davenport was perpetrated.
In 1837 the country began to be flooded with counterfeit money. some of it so well done that it was sometimes passed at the United States land offices. Occasionally, and the occasions were rather more frequent than angels' visits, a horse would be stolen. No one could tell where the counterfeit money came from, nor where the stolen horse was hidden. At last horse stealing became so general and was so successfully prosecuted that when a farmer missed a horse from his stable or pasture, he never hunted for him beyond a half mile from his premises. It was useless, the gang was so well organized and had such a perfect system of stations, agents, signs and signals.
From 1838 to 1840 most of the Illinois members of the gang were driven into Cedar, Linn, Jackson, Clayton and Fayette counties, where they made them- selves very troublesome for several years.
It is probably not best to give every detail of horse, cattle and sheep stealing and burglary that ever transpired in this county. Such a record would no doubt be readable, but as no credit is to be gained by a parade of vicc, or advantage to be secured thereby, a few instances only are given in order to show the work- ings of an old system that held the west in a state of trepidation for many years.
It should be stated in this connection that the interposition of Judge Lynch was oftener invoked to secure the punishment of supposed horse thieves and barn burners than for any other class of offenders. For murder, slander, seduc- tion and numerous other offenses, the support of the court was considered ample by the pioneers, but lay a finger on his horse, and the rope or ritle was regarded as hardly efficacious. Like the Arab of the desert, the pioneer settlers loved their horses more than wife or children.
It is believed that Appanoose county was a route for horse thieves almost from the earliest settlement. The instance mentioned by Mr. Stratton, who saw a suspicious character on the dragoon trail in 1843. tends to confirm this opinion. The custom among the heroes of dark nights was to steal horses in Missouri and take them to central and northern lowa, there to be secreted and eventually sold by their confederates. There was also a southward movement, horses being stolen in Wisconsin, Ilinois and lowa by the Brodys. Ways, Wilsons and other -. and sent to Missouri for sale. It is a current statement that there was harbor- age for this class of property in the northeastern part of the county, where horse fanciers have often stopped just before sunrise, slept during the day, and when
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the shades of evening had fallen, resumed their journey to a cave in Wapello county, where the jaded horses were allowed to rest from their hard journey before being sent northward for sale.
U'ntil 1854 the people of this county suffered but little from the ravages of these marauders. In 1856 the store of Mr. Pulliam, at Orleans, was entered by burglars, one of whom was named Wilson, and a considerable amount of goods and some money stolen. An arrest of suspicious characters was made and it was noticed that some of the men named in the "Banditti of the Prairie," were at hand to comfort the prisoners and get up evidence for their defense. Some- times the band would change the object of plunder. In one case, a flock of four hundred sheep were stolen in the eastern part of the county, driven into Mis- souri, and there sold to a well known stock dealer.
Two well known ministers of the gospel, residents of Appanoose county, are said, on good authority, to have acted regularly as friends of the gang, being ready to direct the friends of prisoners, in hunting up evidence, procuring bail, etc. ; and it is also believed that these two men have more than once been receivers of stolen property, acting in the capacity of middleman in the nefarious business.
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