USA > Iowa > Marion County > The History of Marion County, Iowa: Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, & C. > Part 23
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
I, leaving the State free to dispose of the lands to such companies as comply with the conditions. The state granted the lands to the fol- companies: Burlington & Missouri River Railroad Company; Mis- i & Missouri River Railroad Company; Cedar Rapids & Missouri Railroad Company, and Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad Company. became the first land grant roads in Iowa. Several subsequent acts gress modified the conditions of the first act, especially with reference iges in the lines of the several roads. On the 12th of May, 1864, 188 made another grant of land to the State to aid in the construction ilroad from McGregor to Sioux City. This grant embraced every te section ten miles on each side of the proposed road, with the right ive other lands for such as might be sold or pre-empted.
an act approved August 8, 1846, Congress granted to Iowa the alter- ctions on each side of the Des Moines river for the purpose of improv- navigation of that river from the mouth to the Raccoon Fork. In le State organized a board of public works. The board constructed, tially constructed, dams and locks at some four or five points on the when with the approval of Congress, the lands were transferred to a ny styled the Des Moines Navigation and Railroad Company. At ne (1854) the board of public works had disposed of most of the lands the Raccoon Fork, and 58,000 acres above it, and had incurred an dness of $70,000 over and above the proceeds of the sales made. idebtedness was assumed by the company. In the meantime there ifferent and conflicting rulings as to whether the lands above the n Fork were intended to be included in the grant. This led to a mise with the Des Moines Navigation and Railroad Company. The ny took all the land certified to the State prior to 1857, and paid the 120,000 in addition to what they had expended, and abandoned the Congress, in 1862, settled the question as to the extent of the grant sfinite enactment extending the grant to the north line of the State, e General Assembly granted the remainder of the lands to the Des Valley Railroad Company to aid in building a railroad up and along
s Moines valley, and thus this road also became a land grant road. er the several acts of Congress there have been granted to the State in building railroads, an aggregate of 4,394,400.63 acres of land, ng the grant of August 8, 1846, for the Des Moines river improve- 18 follows:
gton and Missouri River Railroad. 292,806.41
ippi and Missouri River (now C. R. I. & P.). 482,374.36
'entral Air Line (now Cedar Rapids & Missouri) 735,997.80
ne & Sioux City & Branch. 1,239,359.15
gor & Sioux City (now McGregor & Missouri River). . 137,572.27
Qity & St. Paul
407,910.21
oites Valley 1,105,380.43
Total number of acres 4,394,400.63
he 1st of January, 1877, there were in Iowa 3,938 miles of railroad. hat time the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, as it is now called, has ttended from Algona to Sheldon, and several other lines have been icted or extended, making over 4,000 miles of railroad in the State, n aggregate assessed valuation of over $23,000,000. Several very
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
important roads in the State have been constructed without the aid of land grants, while others are projected and will be completed in due time.
OFFICIAL RECORD.
TERRITORIAL OFFICERS.
Governors-Robert Lucas, 1838-41; John Chambers, 1841-45; James Clarke, 1845.
Secretaries-William B. Conway, 1838, died 1839; James Clarke, 1839; O. H. W. Stull, 1841; Samuel J. Burr, 1843; Jesse Williams, 1845.
Auditors-Jesse Williams, 1840; Wm. L. Gilbert, 1843; Robert M. Secrest, 1845.
Treasurers -Thornton Bayliss, 1839; Morgan Reno, 1840.
Judges-Charles Mason, Chief Justice, 1838; Joseph Williams, 1838; Thomas S. Wilson, 1838.
Presidents of Council Jesse B. Browne, 1838-9; Stephen Hempstead, 1839-40; M. Bainridge, 1840-1; Jonathan W. Parker, 1841-2; John D. Elbert, 1842-3; Thomas Cox, 1843-4; S. Clinton Hastings, 1845; Stephen Hempstead, 1845-6.
Speakers of the House -. William H. Wallace, 1838-9; Edward John- ston, 1839-40; Thomas Cox, 1840-1; Warner Lewis, 1841-2; James M. Morgan, 1842-3; James P. Carleton, 1843-4; James M. Morgan, 1845; George W. McCleary, 1845-6.
First Constitutional Convention, 1844-Shepherd Leffler, President; Geo. S. Hampton, Secretary.
Second Constitutional Convention, 1846-Enos Lowe, President; Wil- liam Thompson, Secretary.
OFFICERS OF THE STATE GOVERNMENT.
Governors-Ansel Briggs, 1846 to 1850; Stephen Hempstead, 1850 to 1854; James W. Grimes, 1854 to 1858; Ralph P. Lowe, 1858 to 1860; Samuel J. Kirkwood, 1860 to 1864; William M. Stone, 1864 to 1868; Samuel Merrill, 1868 to 1872; Cyrus C. Carpenter, 1872 to 1876; Samuel J. Kirkwood, 1876 to 1877; Joshua G. Newbold, Acting, 1877 to 1878; John H. Gear, 1878 to -
Lieutenant Governors-Office created by the new Constitution September 3, 1857-Oran Faville, 1858-9; Nicholas J. Rusch, 1860-1; John R. Needham, 1862-3; Enoch W. Eastman, 1864-5; Benjamin F. Gue, 1866- 67; John Scott, 1868-9; M. M. Walden, 1870-1; H. C. Bulis, 1872-3; Joseph Dysart, 1874-5; Joshua G. Newbold, 1876-7; Frank T. Campbell, 1878 to
Secretaries of State-Elisha Cutler, Jr., Dec. 5, 1846, to Dec. 4, 1848; Josiah H. Bonney, Dec. 4, 1848, to Dec. 2, 1850; George W. McCleary, Dec. 2, 1850, to Dec. 1, 1856; Elijah Sells, Dec. 1, 1856, to Jan. 5, 1863; James Wright, Jan. 5, 1863, to Jan. 7, 1867; Ed. Wright, Jan. 7, 1867, to Jan. 6, 1873; Josiah T. Young, Jan. 6, 1873, to 1879; J. A. T. IIull, 1879 to
Auditors of State-Joseph T. Fales, Dec. 5, 1846, to Dec. 2, 1850; William Pattee, Dec. 2, 1850, to Dec. 4, 1854; Andrew J. Stevens, Dec. 4, 1854, resigned in 1855; John Pattee, Sept. 22, 1855, to Jan. 8, 1859;
-
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
nathan W. Cattell, 1959 to 1865; John A. Elliott, 1865 to 1871; John seell, 1871 to 1875; Buren R. Sherman, 1875 to
Treasurers of State-Morgan Reno, Dec. 18, 1846, to Dec. 8, 1850; Bel Kister, Dec. 2, 1850, to Des. 4, 1852; Martin L. Morris, Dec. 4, 12, to Jan. 2, 1859; John W. Jones, 1859 to 1863; William H. Holmes, 13 to 1867; Samuel E. Rankin, 1867 to 1873; William Christy, 1873 to '7; George W. Bemis, 1877 to .
Superintendents of Public Instruction-Office created in 1847 -- nes Harlan, June 5, 1847 (Supreme Court decided election void); omas H. Benton, Jr., May 23, 1847, to June 7, 1854; James D. Eade, 14-7; Joseph O. Stone, March to June, 1857; Maturin L. Fisher, 1857 Dec., 1858, when the office was abolished and the duties of the office de- ved upon the Secretary of the Board of Education.
Secretaries of Board of Education-Thomas H. Benton, Jr., 1859- 13; Oran Faville, Jan. 1, 1864. Board abolished March 23, 1864.
Superintendents of Public Instruction Office re-created March 23, 14- Oran Faville, March 28, 1864, resigned March 1, 1867; D, Franklin ills, March 4, 1867, to Jan., 1870; A. S. Kissell, 1870 to 1872; Alonzo ernethy, 1879 to 1877; Carl W. von Coelln, 1877 to -
Registors of the State Land Office-Anson Hart, May 5, 1855, to May
1857; Theodore S. Parvin, May 13, 1857, to Jan. 3, 1859; Amos B. Der, Jan. 3, 1859, to October, 1862; Edwin Mitchell, Oct. 31, 1869, te L 5, 1863; Josiah A. Harvey, Jan. 5, 1863, to Jan. 7, 1867; Cyrus O. penter, Jan. 7, 1867, to January, 1871; Aaron Brown, January, 1871, January, 1875; David Secor, January, 1875 to 1879; J. K. Powers, 1879
State Binders-Office created February 21, 1855-William M. Coles, y 1, 1855, to May 1, 1859; Frank M. Mills, 1859 to 1867; James S. Fter, 1867 to 1870; J. J. Smart, 1870 to 1874; H. A. Perkins, 1874 to '5; James J. Smart, 1875 to 1876; H. A. Perkins, 1876 to 1879; Matt. Parrott, 1879 to -
State Printers Office created Jan. 3, 1840-Garrett D. Palmer and orge Paul, 1849; William H. Merritt, 1851 to 1853; William A, Horn- , 1853 (resigned May 16, 1853); Mahoney & Dorr, 1853 to 1855; Peter riarty, 1855 to 1857; John Teesdale, 1857 to 1861; Francis W. Palmer, 11 to 1869; Frank M. Mills, 1869 to 1870; G. W. Edwards, 1870 to '9; R. P. Clarkson, 1872 to 1879; Frank M. Mills, 1879 to -
Adjutants General-Daniel S. Lee, 1851-5; Geo. W. McCleary, 1855- Elijah Sells, 1857; Jesse Bowen, 1857-61; Nathaniel B. Baker, 1861 to 7; John H. Looby, 1877 to 1878; Noble Warwick, resigned; - L. Alexander, 1878 to -
Attorneys General-David C. Cloud, 1953-56; Samuel A. Rice, 1856- Charles O. Nourse, 1861-4; Isaac L. Allen, 1865 (resigned January, 16); Frederick E. Bissell, 1866 (died June 12, 1867); Henry O'Connor, 17-72; Marsona E. Cutts, 1872-6; John F. McJunkin, 1877 to -
Presidents of the Senate-Thomas Baker, 1846-7; Thomas Hughes, 8; John J. Selman, 1848-9; Enos Lowe, 1850-1; William E. Lening- 1, 1852-8; Maturin L. Fisher, 1854-5; William W. Hamilton, 1856-7. der the new Constitution, the Lieutenant Governor is President of the Late.
Speakers of the House Jesse B. Browne, 1847-8; Smiley II. Bonhan, 19-50; George Temple, 1851-2: James Grant, 1858-4; Reuben Noble,
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
1855-6; Samuel McFarland, 1856-7; Stephen B. Sheledy, 1858-9; John Edwards, 1860-1; Rush Clark. 1862-3; Jacob Butler, 1864-5; Ed. Wright, 1866-7; John Russell, 1868-9; Aylett R. Cotton, 1870-1; James Wilson, 1872-3; John H. Gear, 1874-7; John Y. Stone, 1878.
New Constitutional Convention, 1857-Francis Springer, President; Thos. J. Saunders, Secretary.
STATE OFFICERS, 1878,
John H. Gear, Governor; Frank T. Campbell, Lieutenant Governor; Josiah T. Young, Secretary of State; Buren R. Sheaman, Auditor of State; Geo. W. Bemis Treasurer of State; David Secor, Register of State Land Office; John H. Looby, Adjutant-General; John F. McJunken, Attorney-General; Mrs. Ada North, State Librarian; Edward J. Holmes, Clerk Supreme Court; John S. Runnells, Reporter Supreme Court; Carl W. von Ceolln, Superin- tendent Public Instruction; Richard P. Clarkson, State Printer; Henry A. Perkins, State Binder; Prof. Nathan R. Leonard, Superintendent of Weights and Measures; William H. Fleming, Governor's Private Secretary; Fletcher W. Young, Deputy Secretary of State; John O. Parish, Deputy Auditor of State; Erastus G. Morgan, Deputy Treasurer of State; John M. Davis, Deputy Register Land Office; Ira O. Kling, Deputy Superintendent Pub- Lic Instruction.
STATE OFFICERS, 1879.
John H. Gear, Governor; Frank T. Campbell, Lieutenant-Governor; J. A. T. Hull, Secretary of State; Buren R. Sherinan, Auditor of State; George W. Bemis, Treasurer of State; J. K. Powers, Register of State Land Office; G. L. Alexander, Adjutant-General; John F. McJunken, Attor- ney-General; Mrs. Sadie B. Maxwell, State Librarian; Edward J. Holmes, Clerk Supreme Court; John S. Runnells, Reporter Supreme Court; Carl W. von Coelln, Superintendent Public Instruction; Frank M. Mills, State Printer; Matt O. Parrott, State Binder.
THE JUDICIARY.
SUPREME COURT OF IOWA.
Chief Justices .- Charles Mason, resigned in June, 1847; Joseph Wil- liams, Jan., 1847, to Jan., 1848; S. Clinton Hastings, Jan., 1848, to Jan., 1849; Joseph Williams, Jan., 1849, to Jan. 11, 1855; George G. Wright, Jan. 11, 1855, to Jan., 1860; Ralph P. Lowe, Jan., 1860, to Jan. 1, 1862; Caleb Baldwin, Jan., 1862, to Jan., 1864; George G. Wright, Jan., 1864, to Jan., 1866; Ralph P. Lowe, Jan., 1866, to Jan., 1868; John F. Dillon, Jan., 1868, to Jan., 1870; Chester C. Cole, Jan. 1, 1870, to Jan. 1, 1871; James G. Day, Jan. 1, 1871. to Jan. 1, 1872; Joseph M. Beck, Jan. 1, 1879, to Jan. 1, 1874; Wm. E. Miller, Jan. 1, 1874, to Jan, 1, 1876; Chester O. Cole, Jan. 1, 1876, to Jan. 1, 1877; James G. Day, Jan. 1, 1877, to Jan. 1, 1878; James H. Rothrock, Jan. 1, 1878.
Associate Judges .- Joseph Williams; Thomas S. Wilson, resigned Oct., 1847; John F. Kinney, June 12, 1847, resigned Feb. 15, 1854; George Greene, Nov. 1, 1847, to Jan 9, 1855; Jonathan C. Hall, Feb. 15, 1854, to sncceed Kinney, resigned, to Jan., 1855; William G. Woodward, Jan. 9, 1855; Norman W. Isbell, Jan. 16, 1855, resigned 1856; Lacen D. Stockton,
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
June 3, 1856, to succeed Isbell, resigned, died June 9, 1860; Caleb Bald- vin, Jan. 11, 1860, to 1864; Ralph P. Lowe, Jan. 12, 1860; Geo. G. Wright, June 96, 1860, to succeed Stockton, deceased; elected U. S. Senator, 1870; John F. Dillon, Jan. 1, 1864, to succeed Baldwin, resigned, 1870; Chester C. Cole, March 1, 1864, to 1867; Joseph M. Beck, Jan. 1, 1868; W. E. Mil- ker, October 11, 1864, to succeed Dillon, resigned; James G. Day, Jan. 1, 1871, to succeed Wright.
SUPREME COURT, 1879.
Joseph M. Beck, Lee county, Chief Justice; Austin Adams, Dubuque waty, Associate Justice; Wiliam H. Seevers, Mahaska county, Associate Justice; James G. Day, Fremont county, Associate Justice; Jas. II. Roth- mt, Cedar county, Associate Justice.
CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATION.
UNITED STATES SENATORS.
(The first General Assembly failed to elect Senators.)
George W. Jones, Dubuque, Dec. 1848-1858; Augustus C. Dodge, Bur- lington, Dec. 7, 1848-1855; James Harlan, Mt. Pleasant, Jan. 6, 1855-1865; James W. Grimes, Burlington, Jan. 26, 1858-died 1870; Samuel J. Kirk- wood, Iowa City, elected Jan 13, 1866, to fill vacancy occasioned by resig- ation of James Harlan; James Harlan, Mt. Pleasant, March 4, 1866-1872; James B. Howell, Keokuk, elected Jan. 20, 1870, to fill vacancy caused by the death of J. W. Grimes-term expired March 3d; George G. Wright, Des Moines, March 4, 1871-1877; William B. Allison, Dubuque, March +, 1879; Samuel J. Kirkwood, March 4, 1877.
MEMBERS OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
Twenty-ninth Congress-1846 to 1847-S. Clinton Hastings; Shepherd Letter.
Thirtieth Congress-1847 to 1849-First District, William Thompson; Becond District, Shepherd Leffler.
Thirty-first Congress-1849 to 1851-First District, First Session, Wm. Thompson; unseated by the House of Representatives on a contest, and duction remanded to the people. First District, Second Session, Daniel F. Miller; Second District, Shepherd Lefiler.
Thirty-second Congress-1851 to 1853-First District, Bernhart Henn ; Succed District, Lincoln Clark.
Thirty third Congress-1853 to 1855-First District, Bernhart Henn; bernd District, John P. Cook.
.......
Thirty-fourth Congress-1855 to 1857-First District, Augustus Hall; bcond District, James Thorington.
Thirty-fifth Congress-1857 to 1859-First District, Samuel R. Curtis; bend District, Timothy Davis.
Thirty-siath Congress-1859 to 1861-First District, Samuel R. Curtis; Cend District. William Vandever.
19
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
Thirty-seventh Congress-1861 to 1863-First District, First Session, Samuel R. Curtis." First District, Second and Third Sessions, Jas. F. Wil- son; Second District, Wm. Vandever.
Thirty-eighth Congress-1863 to 1865-First District, James F. Wilson; Second District, Hiram Price; Third District, William B. Allison; Fourth District Josiah B. Grinnell; Fifth District, John A. Kasson; Sixth Dist,, Asahel W. Hubbard.
Thirty-ninth Congress-1865 to 1867-First District, James F. Wilson; Second District Hiram Price; Third District, William B. Allison; Fourth District Josiah B. Grinnell; Fifth District John A. Kasson; Sixth District, Asahel W. Hubbard.
Fortieth Congress-1867 to 1869-First District, James F. Wilson; Sec- ond District, Hiram Price; Third District, William B. Allison; Fourth District, William Loughridge; Fifth District, Grenville M. Dodge; Sixth District, Asahel W. Hubbard.
Forty-first Congress-1869 to 1871-First District, Geo. W. McCray; Second District William Smyth; Third District, William B. Allison; Fourth. District, William Loughridge; Fifth District, Frank W. Palmer; Sixth District, Charles Pomeroy.
Forty-second Congress-1871 to 1873-First District, George W. Mo- Crary; Second District, Aylett R. Cotton; Third District W. G. Donnan; Fourth District, Madison M. Walden; Fifth District, Frank W. Palmer; Sixth District, Jackson Orr.
Forty-third Congress-1873 to 1875-First District, Geo. W. McQrary; Second District, Aylett R. Cotton; Third District, William G. Donnan; Fourth District, Henry O. Pratt; Fifth District, James Wilson; Sixth Dis- trict, William Loughridge; Seventh District, John A Kasson; Eighth Dis- trict, James W. McDill; Ninth District, Jackson Orr.
Forty-fourth Congress-1875 to 1877-First District George W. Mo- Crary .; Second District, John Q. Tufts; Third District, L. L. Ainsworth; Fourth District, Henry O. Pratt; Fifth District, James Wilson; Sixth Dis- trict, Ezekiel S. Sampson; Seventh District, John A. Kasson; Eighth Dis- trict, James W. McDill; Ninth District, Addison Oliver.
Forty-fifth Congress-1877 to 1879-First District, J. C. Stone; Second District, Hiram Price; Third District, T. W. Burdick; Fourth District, H. C. Deering; Fifth District, Rush Clark; Sixth District, E. S. Sampson; Seventh District, H. J. B. Cummings; Eighth District, W. F. Sapp; Ninth District, Addison Oliver.
Forty-sixth Congress-1879 to 1881-First District, Moses A. McOoid; Second District, Hiram Price; Third District, Thomas Updegraff; Fourth District, H. C. Deering; Fifth District, Rush Clark; Sixth District, J. B. Weaver; Seventh District, E. H. Gillette; Eighth District, W. F. Sepp; Ninth District, Cyrus O. Carpenter.
STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Ox the 14th of April, 1853, the following editorial appeared in the Fair- field Lodger:
"STATE FAIR .- Iowa is an Agricultural State, but as yet her agricultural resources are but in the infancy of their development. In some counties,
* Vacated seat by acceptance of commission of Brigadier General, and J. F. Wilscs chosen his successor.
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
ome attention has been paid to the organization of societies for the . of the interests of agriculture. These several societies have had al fairs, and in this way much good has been done, but the growing e of our agricultural and industrial interest now demanda a more d extensive arrangement. Let us then have a State Agricultural time in next October or November. Let some central point be . for an exhibition which will be an honor to our young State. It be expected that the first exhibition of the kind would vie with Ider States, where societies have long been established. But in a & well organized State Society with its annual fairs, would accom- same good results that have attended them in other States. The J arts, as well as the raising of stock or grain, might be brought state of perfection. We suggest that this matter be taken into ion in time, and let there be a union of all the county societies ganized, with such as may be organized, for the purpose of hold- ral Agricultural and Industrial Exhibition next fall."
gestions of the foregoing article were heartily seconded by several the State, and especially by the Iowa Farmer and Horticulturist, ton.
nite action was taken until the 14th day of October, 1853, when e of the Second Annual Exhibiton of the Jefferson County Agri- lociety, that Society met for the election of a board of officers. eeting C. W. Slagle offered the following resolution:
d, That the officers of the Society be instructed to take immediate fect the organiztion of a State Agricultural Society and use their to have said Society hold its first exhibition at Fairfield, in Octo-
solution was adopted, and on the 21st of November, a notice signed Inyett, O. Baldwin, and J. M. Shaffer, was issued to the different sieties, inviting them to send delegates to a meeting to be held at December 28, 1853, to take part in the organization of a State Pursuant to this call, the meeting was held, and delegates were om the counties of Henry, Jefferson, Lee, Van Buren and Wap- amunications from officers of societies, and one from Hon. James s, were read, heartily approving of the movement. D. P. Ins- Vapello county, was chairman of the meeting, and David Sheward, on county, secretary. A committee was appointed which reported tion for the society. The society was duly organized with the fol- officers: Thomas W. Claggett, Lee county, President; D. P. Ins-' pello county, Vice President; J. M. Shaffer, Jefferson county, O. W. Slagle, Jefferson county, Corresponding Secretary, and W. erlin, Des Moines county, Treasurer.
tion to the above officers, the following were appointed a Board of : unty .- Arthur Bridgeman, Reuben Brackett, and Josiah Hinkle. uren County .- Timothy Day, Dr. Elbert, and William Campbell. County .- Thomas Siviter, Amos Lapham, and J. W. Frazier. n County .- P. L. Huyett, John Andrews, and B. B. Tuttle. o County .- R. H. Warden, Gen. Ramsay, and Uriah Biggs. La County .- Wm. Mckinley, Sr., John. White, and M. T. Wil.
ounty .- Dr. Brooks, Thomas Mitchell, and William McKay.
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
Des Moines County .- J. F. Tallant, A. K. Avery, and G. Neely. Louisa County .- George Kee, Francis Springer, and Joshua Marshall. Muscatine County .- J. H. Wallace, James Weed, and John A. Parvin. Dubuque County .- W. Y. Lovel, Orlando McCraney, and L. H. Lang worthy.
Johnson County .- R. H. Sylvester, LeGrand Byington, and O. Saunders. Scott County .- J. A. Burchard, James Thorington, and Laurel Summers.
A resolution was adopted providing that the first State Fair be held at Fairfield, commencing Wednesday, October 25, 1854. A resolution was also adopted for the appointment of a committee of five to memorialize the General Assembly for pecuniary aid, and the following were appointed: George W. McCleary, of Johnson county; George S. Hampton, of Johnson county; David Rorer, of Des Moines county; Ralph P. Lowe, of Lee county, and George Gillaspy, of Wapello county.
At this meeting the following fourteen persons affixed their signatures to the Constitution, agreeing to become members: Charles Negus, J. M. Shaffer, D. P. Inskeep, Amos Lapham, J. W. Frazier, Josiah Hinkle, J. T. Gibson, Stephen Frazier, Evan Marshall, Thomas Siviter, John Andrews, B. B. Tuttle, Eli Williams, and P. L. Huyett.
This meeting was held in the court house at Fairfield, and was not very largely attended, for at that time there was not a mile of railroad in the State.
THE FIRST STATE FAIR.
In accordance with the arrangement made at the organization of the So- ciety, the first annual fair was held at Fairfield, commencing October 25th, 1854, and continued three days. The number of people in attendance was estimated at the time at from 7,000 to 8,000. The exhibition was consid- ered a grand success. All portions of the State at that time settled, were represented by visitors. The fair was held on the grounds which have for many years been occupied as the depot grounds of the Burlington & Mis- souri River Railroad. "There was a fine display of stock, agricultural imple ments, farm products, and articles of domestic manufacture. In the ladies' department there was an attractive exhibit of their handi-work. The nat- ural history of the State was illustrated by Dr. J. M. Shaffer's collection of reptiles and insects, and by a fine collection of birds shown by Mr. Moore, of Des Moines. The dairy was well represented, and a cheese weighing three hundred and sixty pounds was presented to Gov. Grimes by his Lee county friends.
The most exciting incident of the fair was the equestrian exhibition by ten ladies. This took place on the afternoon of the second and the forenoon of the third day. The first prize was a gold watch, valued at one hundred dollars. It was awarded by the committee to Miss Turner, of Keokuk. One of the fair contestants was Miss Eliza J. Hodges, then only thirteen years of age. She rode a splendid and high-spirited horse, the property of Dr. J. C. Ware, of Fairfield. The daring style of her riding, and the per- fect control of the animal which she maintained, enlisted the favor and sympathy of the throng present in her behalf. The popular verdict would have awarded the prize to Miss Hodges. A purse of $165, and some other presenta, were immediately contributed for the " Iowa City girl," as the heroine of the day was called. Provision was also made for her attendance,
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HISTORY OF IOWA.
of all charge, for three terms, at the Ladies' Seminary at Fairfield, and term at Mt. Pleasant, all of which she gracefully accepted.
Borge C. Dixon, of Keokuk, delivered the first annual address. Thomas Plaggett was re-elected President, and Dr. J. M. Shaffer, Secretary. The nd annual fair was appointed also to be held at Fairfield, commencing he second Wednesday in October, 1855, and continuing three days. ich is a brief account of the humble beginning, and first exhibition ne Iowa State Agricultural Society, which has since grown to be one of Important institutions of the State, attracting to its annual exhibits y thousands of people, not only from all parts of Iowa, but from other
THE FISH COMMISSION.
le Fifteenth General Assembly, in 1874, passed " An act to provide for appointment of a Board of Fish Commissioners for the construction of ways for the protection and propagation of Fish," also " An act to pro- for furnishing the rivers and lakes with fish and fish spawn." 'I'his ppropriated $3,000 for the purpose. In accordance with the provisions je first act above mentioned, on the 9th of April, 1874, S. B. Evans of imwa, Wapello county; B. F. Shaw of Jones county, and Charles Laines, of Black Hawk county were appointed to be Fish Commission- by the Governor. These Commissioners met at Des Moines, May 10, , and organized by the election of Mr. Evans, President; Mr. Shaw, etary and Superintendent, and Mr. Haines, Treasurer. During the year the Commissioners erected a "hatching house" near Anamosa. distributed within the State 100,000 shad, 300,000 California salmon, DO bass, 80,000 Penobscot salmon, 5,000 land-locked salmon, and 20,- of other kinds.
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