USA > Iowa > Marshall County > The History of Marshall County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., a biographical directory of citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men etc > Part 37
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In the Autumn of 1848. large bodies of Indians of the Musquaka and Pottawatomie tribes, collected in various parts of the county. This was des- tined to be a severe Winter upon the pioneers, so heavy was the fall of snow. To begin with, late in November a severe storm left them with snow three feet in depth ; and, added to that, during the Winter, there were frequent lighter falls, which, with occasional thawing and freezing, made travel impossible. Their stores of provisions were none too abundant at the outset : and when it came to be impossible to get to town or to mill, they were like people in a state of siege. obliged to resort to all kinds of expedients to eke out their scanty supplies and to sustain life. They had corn on the cob, and this was boiled and grated to make their meal: they had salt pork, and, for sweetmeats, wild honey. Tobacco chewers used, in place of their favorite weed, the bark of the quaking ash, which was not to be scorned as a substitute. It is necessity, we know, that has brought to our notice and use all the good things of life ; and these snow-bound and deprived men and women ought to have added, from the meager resources within their reach, some choice combination which would. from its excellence, have perpetuated the patience of this bleak sojourn in the wilderness. But, as far as we are acquainted with their cuisine, no ingenious
329
HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
housewife thought to immortalize herself in compounding honey and pork in such a way as to have us crave it at this day as a choice titbit. So this golden opportunity, it seems, was lost.
The nearest town was Newton, Jasper Co., from twenty-five to forty miles distant, no easy journey in fair weather and with their facilities at their best, and the nearest mill was from fifty to sixty-five miles distant. So we ean form some conception of their helpless and impoverished condition. The Indians, however, utilized this unusual snow-fall and the heavy crust that was formed upon it by the alternate thawing and freezing, by running down upon their snow-shoes and killing hundreds of deer, since when there have been very few in the country. At the beginning of March, however, the heavy snow melted, and the settlers were blessed with the earliest Spring that has been known in the annals of this country.
The year 1849 witnessed very decided increase in the population of the county. There were four entries of land in the Dubuque District, or northern half of the county; but these did not represent the influx of settlers.
Charles Miller entered the west half of the northeast quarter and the east half of the northwest quarter of Section 14, Township 85, Range 14, on the 15th day of June, 1849; William W .. Love entered lands on Sections 3 and 4, Township 84, Range 20; Hiram Tyner selected lands on Section 10, same township, and Richard Lindsay located lands on Sections 23 and 26, Township 85, Range 20, all on the 2d day of November, 1849. Thomas S. Brown loca- ted the southeast quarter of Section 13, Township 84, Range 18, on the 1st day of November, 1849.
The southern portion of the county was the favorite section at that time, probably because of the halt made there by Ferguson and Cooper the year before.
The following certificate shows what entries were made in that part of the county :
List of Land entered in Marshall County from January 1, 1849, to December 31, 1849.
Purchasers.
Description.
Sec.
Town.
Range.
Acres.
100ths.
Elias Hilsabeck.
S. 3 of S. E. } and S. 3 of S W. Fl. } ...
6
82
17
166
52
William Davidson
N. 3 of S. E. Į and S. } of N. E. 1
11
83
17
160
Samuel Bowman.
E. % of S. E. { and S. W. } of S. E. { ..
11
83
17
120
Samuel Bowman
S. E. { of N. E. 1
23
83
18
40
Joseph Cooper
S. E. { of S. W. 4
26
83
18
40
Joseph Cooper
E. 3 of N. W. } and N. E. } of S. W. 1
35
83
18
120
David Edward Cooper ...
S. E. { of N. E. { and N. $ of S. E. }.
35
83
18
120
David Edward Cooper ...
N. W. { of S. W. 1
36
83
18
40
James Green Allen.
E. } of S. E. t.
8
82
20
80
James Green Allen.
W. ¿ of S. W. 1
9
82
20
80
Total acres,
966
52
..
..
AUDITOR'S OFFICE,
IOWA CITY, IOWA, March 15, 1850.
This is to certify that the foregoing is a list of the lands entered in Marshall County in the year 1849, as certified by Jesse Bowen, Esq., Register of the Land Office at Iowa City.
JOSEPH T. FALES, Auditor of State.
It has been stated that William Davidson followed his brother and located here shortly after the original pioneer did. He may have done so, but he did not enter the land upon which he " squatted," to use a Western phrase, until November 3, 1849.
330
HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
The region south of the settlements in Le Grand, by the Davidsons, and in Timber Creek, by the Fergusons and Coopers, were the only ones for a radius of many miles. Mills were no nearer than forty to sixty miles, and the pioneers were compelled to resort to all sorts of home inventions to prepare their corn for food.
John Campbell located north of Timber Creek, on the stream now known as Linn Creek. in 1848. He joined William Asher in erecting a rude dam across the latter stream, and also in putting up a "corn cracker." The mill thus attempted was exceedingly crude, and was carried away shortly after its erection, by the sudden rising of the creek.
The site was abandoned as a water power, and, in 1849, Mr. Asher and Carpenter Gear put up a saw and grist mill on Timber Creek, in Le Grand Township, on the site of the Rock Valley Mills. A portion of the frame of the first mill still stands, inclosed in the newer structure. This mill was com- pleted in 1851, and was the first one in the Iowa Valley west of Iowa City.
Mr. Asher removed to Hardin County some time later, and there built, at Har- din City, the mill known as Hayden's Mill, which was destroyed by fire about 1859.
Mr. Asher met with a misfortune which resulted in his death, while living at Hardin. He froze his feet so badly as to necessitate amputation, from the effects of which he never rallied. Mr. Asher was a fine specimen of the West- ern pioneer, an enterprising man and one highly esteemed. He is remembered by the surviving companions of his life here with kindest feelings.
From the poll lists and from the memory of those who still survive, the fol- lowing list of settlers in the county prior to 1850 is prepared. It is probable that others located here as " squatters," but no record of them is obtainable. These names are given not as a complete list, but as one which approximates a correct statement :
Joseph C. Davidson Joseph M. Ferguson, Joseph Cooper, Elkhanah B. Bush, Jesse Amos, William T. Sherman, William J. Asher, John F. Campbell, David E. Cooper, William C. Smith, William Ballard, Washington Asher, John T. Duke, John Ballard, John Coy, William Coddington, William Peterman, Isaac Asher. James Asher, Joshua Kemp, Carpenter Gear, Moses Lacey, Philip Ballard, G. W. Halley, Thomas Pearson, Shelton Gear, A. J. Smith, William E. Alexander, Samuel Davidson, Blakeley Brush, Alvin Adkins, James Miller, Zeno B. Freeman, Samuel Bowman, William Ralls, John B. Hobbs, Terry Gowing, William McCormick, Green Ralls, Marion Clifton, George Stanley, Riley Majors, Arthur Robinson, William Robinson, John Arney, John Hauser, Ayers Elesberry, Jacob Hauser, John J. Ferguson, John Smith, Elias Hilsa- beck, James G. Allen, Thomas S. Brown, Hiram Tyner. Richard Lindsay, Will- iam W. Love, John Braddy, Charles Miller, William Davidson, Lewis Ketchum, Joseph Long, Alexander Bowles, Mr. Dean, Isaac Myers, Thomas Gordon, George W. Voris.
THE FIRST MARRIAGE LICENSE
was issued by David E. Cooper, then Clerk of the District Court, and bears date in the filing (but not dated in the certificate) November 15. 1849. The certificate reads as follows :
STATE OF IOWA, : ss.
MARSHALL COUNTY. I
Almarion Gear, being duly sworn, deposeth and says that Nancy Ballard is over 18 years of age, and that she is a resident of the county aforesaid, and her parents have given their con- sent to her marriage, and further sayth not. ALMARION GEAR.
Sworn and subscribed to before me.
D. E. COOPER, Clerk of the District Court, M. C., Iowa.
331
HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
The lady was a daughter of Philip Ballard, and the marriage was solemnized by A. J. Smith, first Justice of the Peace for the township of Jefferson. The groom was a son of Carpenter Gear. The occasion of the wedding is reported by those who participated in the festivities as one of the notable social events of pioneer times. The blushing bride was the recipient of attentions more demonstrative than agreeable from the merry guests.
The organization of the county took place in the Summer and Fall of 1849, and to this subject a special chapter is devoted elsewhere.
The year 1850 is a notable one in the annals of the county, because of an
INDIAN SCARE
which then occurred. In the Spring, large numbers of Indians came pouring into the county from the reservation assigned them in Missouri. In response to the proposition to return, the red men grunted : "Heap sick in Missouri ; Indian no live there: Indian all die; Indian live in Iowa heap good; Indian live long time on Iowa River."
The Davidsons were not favorites of the Indians. The encroachment of the whites on their territory had soured the natives, and the early settlers were more or less afraid of them. The chief cause of the disturbance at the time of which we write was the conduct of Samuel Davidson, son of Joseph. The young man made demonstrations against the aborigines. Davidson secretly visited the camp of the Indians, during their absence, and destroyed consider- able of their corn and camp property.
The Indians thus disturbed were of a mixed tribal character. Part of them were of the Musquakas, some of the Pottawatomies and a portion of the Winnebagoes. All were hostile to the bloody Sioux, and feared them with intense fear. Had the outraged Indians been of the warlike Sioux, the acts of the Davidsons would undoubtedly have resulted in the entire extermination of the white men in Marshall County. As it was, a feeling of cowardice appears to have governed them. The unwarranted action of young Davidson in destroying the Indian camp, fortunately, did not affect the temper of the Indians beyond a desire to have revenge upon the perpetrators of the cruel deed.
When the Indians returned to camp and beheld their loss, they at once proceeded to the white settlements and vented a degree of spite on innocent men. Mr. Campbell suffered in the loss of some of his stock, and Mrs. Ralls and other women were badly frightened. The whites concluded that a massacre was imminent, and that defensive measures were imperative. To this end they assembled and petitioned to Maj. Wood, of Fort Dodge, for aid. The Major responded that he could render no assistance, and that the settlers must protect themselves as best they could, or leave the country. As they had made considerable improvement on their farms, the pioneers had no idea of abandoning their homes, and at once set about erecting a fort, or stockade, in which to gather until the danger was past.
The Indians were reported to be very hostile, and wild rumors were set afloat respecting the conduct of the braves near Indiantown, their headquarters in the adjoining county of Tama.
There were some 1,500 warriors, and they became very saucy and threaten- ing. Some of their number one day went to Mr. John Campbell's claim, killed some of his, hogs, pointed their guns at him in a very alarming fashion and drove off his stock. They had war dances, and were on the war path every day, armed and painted for the fight, which it was evident would be brought about
332
HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
on the least provocation. As a natural result of this, terror reigned in every white family.
The settlers on the south side of the Iowa River united in a petition to Major Wood, of Fort Dodge, for help, who answered by saying he could spare no troops then, and that they must either remove from the vicinity or protect themselves. Some tried to hire the Indians to leave, but were not successful- they preferring the Iowa climate to the less-healthy one of Missouri.
In the midst of this alarm, Major Williams, who had been ordered to remove these Indians to their proper quarters in Missouri, sent word to the inhabitants that the probabilities were, that in order to get the Indians to leave, he would have to move on there with his troops, and in that event, the Indians would probably avenge themselves by scattering and murdering the inhabitants.
At this intelligence the settlers rendezvoused not far from Mr. Robinson's house to devise means for safety ; and John Braddy and Greenbury Ralls were dispatched after ammunition. The rest counseled together, and while some advocated returning to the more closely populated parts of the State, yet, as it was in June and in the very midst of crop-growing, all finally agreed that to abandon the settlement now was to give up everything to the Indians, and so it was decided that their best measure was to erect a stockade fort in which they could take shelter.
So the fort was made. It was ninety feet square, built of puncheons- driven like piles into the ground, so that the walls were about ten feet high -- and was called Fort Robinson. It was begun June 11th, and was finished in a few days. In it some twenty-four families took refuge, making their preparations to spend the Summer there, and leaving their growing crops outside to the pos- sible tender mercies of the Musquakas.
They brought in their furniture, bedding and provisions, but kept the cattle upon the outside. Once settled there, the ladies busied themselves with patch- ing their husband's coats and with other domestic duties ; and as there were thirty children to be looked after, it is not supposable that any of them suffered from ennui.
Their tents were made of wagon covers and old quilts : they had a few ·· chunk " fires in common : each family had its own table, and, withal, there was never a lack of something to do. Some of the meat was kept at Mr. Robinson's smoke house, as was also the milk and butter.
The names of the families who thus joined together to protect themselves, were : Wm. C. Smith, John Campbell, A. J. Smith, John Braddy, Wm. Ralls, G. S. Ralls, James A. Logan, Blakeley Brush, Joseph Cooper, David Cooper. J. M. Ferguson, Isaac Meyers, Carpenter Gear, Riley Mayors, Samuel Bow- man. F. M. Clifton, Stephen Crowder, Arthur Robinson, William Robinson, John Ferguson and John Smith. James A. Logan was selected as Captain of the garrison, and Wm. C. Smith and John Campbell were chosen as spies to watch the movements of the Indians. The latter two generally went down to the Indian camps each day to take notes.
On the fifth day of the siege, on appoaching the hill that overlooked the Indian village, they saw two large bodies of Indians on horseback riding swiftly backward and forward over the prairie in that vicinity. Soon the sound of a drum was heard. when the Indians rode hastily up to a large tent or wickeup, several hundred feet in length and about fifteen feet in width. Here they dis- mounted and formed a ring on the inside. Their heads were shaved smooth. with the exception of a small bit of hair on the top of the head, and that stood ereet and was wrapped with deer sinew. They were almost naked, and were
333
HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
painted in red stripes from the crowns of their heads to the soles of their feet, each warrior having in his hand a gourd containing beans or corn, which he shook as an accompaniment to their powwow songs.
While the warriors were thus engaged, some of the squaws that remained (as, in view of battle, most of the women and children had been sent away) hung up four dogs by the necks, and while they writhed and struggled in the process of strangulation, the braves, with war clubs in hand, danced round them for the space of half an hour. Then, at the signal from the drum, they seated themselves and began singing a chant.
Meantime, the squaws had made ready in the center of the wickeup, four large kettles partly full of boiling water. Into these the dogs were placed-hide, hair. entrails and all-while a large bundle of dry sticks close at hand kept the fire good and hot for two and a half hours. During this space of time, several hundred of the savages danced around the savory kettles, brandishing their clubs and yelling hideously, threatening Smith and Campbell repeatedly.
Again at a signal they seated themselves, while the squaws dished up the boiled dogs, and served up a portion to each warrior, seasoned with maple sugar. This Macbeth-hash seemed not to pacify and make amiable, as a good dinner is generally supposed to do, but, on the contrary, after it they grew more boister- ous, and resumed their yelling and dancing. It may be that this effect followed their not having enough of the savory dish. During this time, the two spies made a vain effort to communicate with John Green, the chief and leader, but failing in it. they withdrew.
On their attempt to regain Fort Robinson, they were accosted at intervals by two parties of Indians, thus :
". Where you going ? You going to block-house ?"
On being answered in the affirmative, they continued :
" How many men in block-house ? "
They were replied to after the Indian style, "Oh heap."
" Any big guns ?"
" Yes, some big guns."
" Any big man in block-house?"
"' Yes, a heap big man."
After this conversation, they passed on.
A few days after this, William Davidson, thinking it would be a nice thing to test the courage of the garrison and commander, laid a plan for a sham attack. Letting the guard for the night-William Asher (who had a tremen- dous shot-gun, that had done some good execution among the wolves), Jack Braddy and Carpenter Gear-into the secret, he went up on the hill, where the cattle were lying down, and raised a stampede.
" Ah, then and there was hurrying to and fro." The cow bells jingled at an appalling rate, as if all the herds were in frightened motion ; reports of guns were heard, and the garrison was soon fully aroused and trying to collect itself. to meet this dreaded and dreadful emergency.
Mrs. Logan sent to her husband, " Keep your guns clean and your powder dry." Every light was extinguished, and the Captain said, in hushed whis- pers, " Keep still, and stay in your beds, women." Some of the children were aroused, and it was somewhat difficult to keep them within proper bounds; but on the whole. they behaved well.
There was, of course, terrible excitement ; the men grasped their guns, and some of the women commenced praying. Poor old Mrs. Robinson, thinking she was not quite ready for the scalping-knife. fell on her knees, repeating,
334
HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
quite loud enough for all the Musquakas to hear, had they listened, " O, Lord, I have tried to live in thy service through life, but I find I have not enough religion to die by ! Give me more, Lord, please ! "
Logan acted very well, and most of the men ; but no red skins appeared at their walls ; and finally, about daylight, as they could find no moccasin prints in the vicinity. they concluded they had been sold. Of course their chagrin and indignation were great, and had it not been that white men were scarce and valuable, it is more than likely that some body would have been punished.
Of course, this little garrison was very vigilant ; for, besides having one of the most cruel of foes to contend with, their means of defense were none too plentiful.
Alarms were not uncommon, and at another time than the one mentioned above. when some of the young people were spending the evening in dancing at the house of Mr. Arthur Robinson, at a little distance, some of the older men in the fort saw two Indians leisurely riding along the bottom on their ponies. Fancying them to be scouts, and fearing an attack, they rushed out of the fort and called to the merry-makers to come into the inclosure at once and prepare for danger. Whereupon some members of the dancing party went out to meet the Indians, and asked them where they were going, and asked to see their guns. The Indians were at first very reluctant to give them any informa- tion. but finally, in fear and trembling, handed over their arms. It then trans- pired that they, unconscious that they had given the whites a great fright, were dreadfully frightened themselves. And so the young men returned, with re- lieved minds, to their dancing.
These Indians, after parleying with Maj. Williams for three or four weeks. agreed to leave peaccably if the Government would give them a stated amount of flour, pork, ammunition and blankets. To this the Government, through the Major, acceded, when they took up their line of march to their home, in Missouri, and the garrison at Fort Robinson broke up, its occupants returning to their homes, never after to be molested with fears of tomahawks and scalp- ing-knives.
THE FIRST POST OFFICE
in the county was located on Section 34. Township 83 north, Range 18 west, in the present township of Timber Creek. William C. Smith was appointed Postmaster by llon. Nathan K. Hall, Postmaster General. The appointment was made June 13, 1850, and the commission bears date July 10, 1850. The post route was from the office in Timber Creek to Newton, Jasper County, and the service was weekly. A. J. Smith was contractor, and carried the mail for the net proceeds of the Timber Creek office.
The original commission is still in the possession of Mr. Smith, and from it we make the following copy :
[Out of an Eagle.]
NATHAN K. HALL, Postmaster General of the United States ; to all who shall. see these presents, GREETING :
WHEREAS, On the 13th day of June, 1850, William C. Smith was ap- pointed Postmaster at Timber Creek. in the County of Marshall, State of Iowa ; and, whereas, he did. on the 10th day of July, 1850, execute a bond and has taken the oath of office, as required by law ; Now, know ye, that confiding in the integrity, ability and punctuality of the said William C. Smith, I do com- mission him a Postmaster, authorized to execute the duties of that office at.
335
HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
Timber Creek, aforesaid, according to the laws of the United States and the regulations of the Post Office Department, to hold said office of Postmaster, with all the powers, privileges and emoluments to the same belonging, during the pleasure of the Postmaster General of the United States.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the Post Office Department to be affixed at Washington City, the 12th day of August, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight [SEAŁ. hundred and fifty, and of the independence of the United States the seventy-fifth. N. K. HALL.
THE FIRST DEATH
which occurred in the county was that of an infant child of William C. Smith. The date is June, 1850. The second death was that of an infant child of Will- iam Powers.
THE FIRST ADULT DEATH
was that of Hosea Dean, who died in February, 1851. His coffin was made of the boards of a wagon box. The second adult death was that of Mrs. Joseph Cooper. The coffin in which the body was finally composed was made of lum- ber which a neighbor chanced to have on hand for repairing a wagon. Fine lumber could not be obtained nearer than sixty or eighty miles, and the bereaved friends of these two worthy people were compelled to resort to the expedient of using such materials as were at hand. Mr. Dean lived three miles from Mar- shalltown, on the west side of Asher Creek. Mrs. Cooper lived on Timber Creek.
THE FIRST RELIGIOUS SERVICES
were conducted by Rev. Mr. Bagley, of the Christian denomination, in the Fall of 1848. Mr. William C. Smith is a regularly-ordained minister of the same sect, and preached on Timber Creek, where Mr. Bagley had held service, in 1849. Rev. J. F. Hestwood was the first Methodist Episcopal clergyman in the county. He preached in Timber Creek in 1850.
THE FIRST SCHOOL
was taught by William C. Smith, in the first log house erected on Timber Creek. by Joseph Cooper. The school consisted of some twelve or fifteen pupils, and was taught during the years 1849-50.
THE FIRST STORE
was opened at Le Grand, by James Allman, in 1850. The second store was owned by William Dishon, at Marietta.
LA GRAND, THE FIRST VILLAGE
was not recorded as a surveyed plat until July 5, 1854, but was probably first designed in 1850; for, as above stated, the pioneer store was opened there in that year. It is located on Section 13, Town 83, Range 17.
THE FIRST NEWSPAPER
was the Iowa Central Journal, established at Albion in November, 1855, by Thomas J. Wilson, J. W. Tripp, H. C. Knapp and Orson Hobart.
THE FIRST MILL
was built in 1847, by William Asher, on Linn Creek, and was soon washed away. The first beneficial mill was put up in 1849. on Timber Creek, by J. F. Camp- bell and William Asher.
336
HISTORY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.
ORGANIZATION OF THE COUNTY.
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