The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa : containing a history of the County, its cities, towns, &c.,., Part 40

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Des Moines : Union Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1004

USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa : containing a history of the County, its cities, towns, &c.,. > Part 40

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In 1857, Mr. Wimer moved to Ray county Missouri, and erected a large grist and saw mill, and also conducted a large farm. In 1859 he disposed · of his property in Missouri, and returned to Keokuk county and purchased the Goodheart Mill on North Skunk River. After Mr. Wimer bought this mill he repaired it and sold it to Austin Jacobs. He then removed to a farm near Lancaster, declaring his intention of retiring from the mill busi- ness, but subsequently he removed to Oregon, where he is now engaged in his old business.

Mr. Wimer was a man of great benevolence, and many still living in this region of country have reason to remember him with feelings of grat- itude. In all public enterprises, whether for a charitable object, a church

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building, a bridge, or any other thing to enhance the public good, he was always among the most liberal. And yet modest, not taking one-half the alms he gave, to keep the other half sounding. Soon after purchasing his last mill, there was a great scarcity of breadstuff; just preceding the har- vest, many of the best prepared farmers were closely pushed to obtain the necessaries of life. During this time Mr. Wimer freely distributed to the more needy class, all the toll and other grain he could control. It is grat- ifying to know that Mr. Wimer is but a representative of a large class of men who lived throughout this region of country in early days, and who did so much to mould the character of the people, and to develop the ma- terial resources of the country.

In later years there was a mill erected in the southwest corner of the county by James McDowell. It afterward passed into the hands of G. B. Walker, and then was purchased by by Mr. McIntyre, and in later times it has been known as McIntyre's Mill. With the exception of the one men- tioned and a saw mill erected on Bear Creek, there have been no water mills erected in the county. Of course, in more recent times, steam mills of all descriptions have been erected within the county, and at the present time no iuhabitant of the county is so far away from mill as to experience any of the diffculties peculiar to pioneer times.

In pioneer times the question of accessible trading points was nearly as important as was that of mills. Saw mills were first necessary in order to procure lumber for the construction of dwellings; grist mills were needed, for without them the early settler would have been driven to the verge of starvation; but after the pioneer was snugly quartered in his newly built cabin, and he had enough wheat and corn ground for the winter, it was then his business to dispose of his surplus farm products whereby he alone could hope to purchase the necessary amount of clothing and groceries, and begin to lay up a little money to enter the land he had preempted. Trad- ing points, where the pioneer could dispose of his farm products, were far off and difficult of access.

The number of persons ready to engage in merchandising is always equal to and frequently in excess of the demands of the producing classes. This was true in early days, and the establishment of stores soon followed the opening of farms. Montezuma was at an early day quite a trading point, but merchants in the country were not anxious to trade their goods for country produce, and if some of them did thus exchange goods for the products of the farm, the cost of transporting the goods to the county and the prospective cost of carrying the produce to Keokuk was so large in both cases, the producer, if he disposed of his produce at the country store,

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got no money, and if he got goods he got them at a ruinous rate; every yard of calico, every pound of sugar, every ax, hoe or knife by the time he got it into his cabin represented days of hard labor. Even those who had brought with them from the East horses, cattle, hogs and sheep for the purpose of entering into the stock-raising business, soon found that, while the country was extremely well adapted to that kind of industry, they could not succeed in the business on account of the great distance to market. In this day of traffic and bargaining, when there are stock buyers and grain deal- ers at nearly every cross-road, we can scarcely realize the difficulty and un- certainty of getting anything. This trouble originated in the fact of there being no means of transportation. It was true then, even as now, that consumers in the older settled parts of the country were anxious to buy Iowa corn, hogs and cattle; it was true then as now that hundreds of men, with money, and of a speculative turn of mind, were ready for trade and traffic; it was the two hundred miles of comparative wilderness and im- passable roads which deprived the pioneer of the just rewards of his labor.

As has already been stated, there were, at the time spoken of, no rail- roads in the State, and less than five hundred thousand miles of railroad in the United States-not a single track had yet entered Chicago, and not a mile of track west of Ohio. Under these circumstances the people could only hope for an outlet by the way of the Mississippi River. The people looked confidently forward to the time in the far future when a railroad would pass near their doors, and meanwhile they could but content them- selves by disposing their produce at Burlington or Keokuk. By making long and tedious journeys to these places, all of which afforded at least a very uncertain or a very distant market, they could, by industry and econ- omy, lay by a very little money, and by the postponement of the land sales finally be able to procure a good title to their homesteads, The induce- ments, however, for new emigrants to locate here, when there was so much available land nearer the great water outlet of the Mississippi, were small, and the objections which were urged by prospectors, on account of the dis- tance from market were great.

Oskaloosa was quite a pioneer town, and the early settlers of Poweshiek county did much to encourage and develop the trade of that ambitious town. But Keokuk, Burlington and Muscatine were the great market places of this part of the State, with the preference largely in favor of the first; once in a while an individual of more than ordinary adventuresome turn of mind, started with a drove of cattle or hogs to points as far distant as Chicago or St. Louis. In one case three gentlemen entered upon the hazardous enterprise of buying a drove of fat cattle and driving them to

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Chicago. They crossed the Mississippi River at Burlington, and from there followed a direct route to the City of the Lakes, arriving there at the expiration of nineteen days. They could find no market even in Chicago for their cattle at that time, and so they were compelled to butcher them themselves, and then sold them on the hook at prices ranging from two and a half to three and a half cents per pound. The men made money by the operation-the total expenses of the trip amounting to ninety dollars. Notwithstanding this venture was a fortunate one the gentlemen did not repeat it, and as fatted stock became more plentiful, the stock driv- ing business was engaged in by various persons of a speculative turn of mind who bought up the surplus cattle and hogs and drove them to the leading Iowa or Mississippi River towns, where they were usually sold or shipped to St. Louis. As before remarked, Keokuk was the favorite trad- ing point for such dealers. The stock dealer of pioneer days was not at all such a character as his successor of to-day; the disposition, equipment and furnishing of the pioneer stock dealer and the present one form a marked contrast. The basis upon which operations of this kind were carried on in those days, forms, also, a marked contrast with the basis of such operations in this day of quick returns and small profits. The dealer bought his stock and gave his note for the purchase price. After he had accumulated a drove sufficiently large he started for the market, and this, owing to the great distance and the slow movements of the fattened stock, often required weeks for the round trip. There was indeed one circumstance which ex- pedited business. In the language of one who knows, " the hogs were good travelers.". After disposing of the drove and returning, the stock dealer again made the round of his circuit and paid for the stock. If his venture proved a fortunate one, he could pay all his bills and have something left as a compensation for his trouble; if not, some of the stock raisers had to wait until the drover made another trip. The money which the drovers thus circulated through the country was principally bank bills on the State banks of Ohio and Indiana.

An incident peculiar to these times, illustrating the status of commercial operations, is related of a gentleman who kept a store in this region of country, and as an adjunct more of necessity than of choice, founded in the scarcity of cash among his customers, he likewise was given to barter in farm products, of which the frisky swine formed a leading factor. Mr. M. was his name, and he carried on an extensive trade with the farmers of that section, and was doing a flourishing business. However, as was gener- ally the case with establishments of that time, there accumulated quite a large amount of old goods, out of style and out of date. Under these cir- cumstances some merchants would have offered these goods at "less than

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cost," or employed a loquacious auctioneer to dispose of them to the highest bidder-but not so with Mr. M. He proceeded as follows: It being a pros- perous year with farmers, he entered the field early as a hog buyer, buying hogs of all sizes and descriptions; bought late and early, and bought con- tinuously for a number of weeks, giving his notes for the purchase-money, as was customary in those days. After he had bought all the hogs in the county that were for sale, and which were old enough to travel, the word was passed around that all hogs thus purchased should be delivered at the county seat on a given day. The hogs came, filling the town and the re- gion round about. Mr. M., in the meantime, had employed quite a force of medium-sized boys and vocal men, who, on the given day, were to take charge of the hogs and drive them to Keokuk, Mr. M. accompanying them.

Upon arriving at Keokuk Mr. M. concluded that the St. Louis market was preferable to that of Keokuk, so he chartered a boat, after dismissing all of his employes except a few of the more trusted ones who were into the secret, put the hogs on board the boat, and having given final instructions to the remaining employes, dismissed them, and himself set out for St. Louis. Upon the return of the first delegation of drovers there was some considerable uneasiness manifested by Mr. M.'s note holders; the former mentioned persons could give no satisfactory account of Mr. M., and it soon became whispered about that the latter had probably lost heavily by the transaction.

After a few days the rest of the drovers returned, and upon being ques- tioned appeared to know as little of Mr. M. as those who had preceded. Soon it was whispered around that Mr. M. had failed, and most likely would not return. One by one came the persons of whom Mr. M. had bought hogs, and turned in their notes for goods at the store, and soon the crowd became so numerous that they could not be waited on by the force of clerks then employed; more clerks were employed, and Mr. M.'s estab- lishment was so thronged that it resembled a rush at a savings bank in time of a panic. All styles of dry goods and clothing which had lain on the shelves for years were bought up with avidity, boxes, containing groceries which had not been opened for months, were soon emptied and were leaned up in the rear of the buildings; all kinds of cutlery, hardware, agricultural implements, jewelry, musical instruments, and toys, were carried off by the wagon-load. In short, there was a pressing demand for everything and anything which farmers could eat, drink or wear, both useful and orna- mental, and at the end of a week Mr. M.'s entire stock, including all the old goods which had long been a drug on the market, was disposed of, and the shelves bare.

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At this supreme moment Mr. M. returned with a large stock of new goods and his pockets full of money. He pretended to be greatly surprised when he found his store-room empty, and manifested great indignation when apprised of the rumors that were afloat; he even threatened to insti- tute suit for damages against the persons who originated the libel. Mr. M., however, took no steps to prosecute his traducers, nor so much as to discover who they were. It was not many days till his new goods were on the shelves, a good healthy trade had set in, and the proprietor regained his wonted cheerfulness and urbanity. He continued to sell hogs and buy goods for many years, but his customers never again made a run on his store.

Another incident is related by a gentleman who first drove hogs to Bur- lington. He says that arriving at that great center of trade and traffic he sold his hogs for $1.50 per cwt., and was compelled to weigh them on an old fashioned steelyard scales. In order to do that, he took the breeching off one of his horses, and from this constructed a sort of cage in which the hogs, one at a time, were suspended while being weighed. In these pio- neer days, the merchants at the different local trading points would prepare a list of the banks whose bills they would accept in payment for goods at par, what bills they would receive at a certain discount and what bills would not be received at all. These lists were posted up at a conspicuous place in the store-room, and were revised each mail day. By consulting these lists the farmers could tell before trading just what stores would receive whatever "wild cat" they had on hand, and what discount would be made on each bill.

There were persons in every neighborhood who made it their particular business to go on regular trips to Keokuk and Burlington and other trading points for the purpose of conveying farm produce to those markets, and bringing back a supply of dry goods and groceries. In the absence of bridges and well improved roads, these trips were attended by great diffi- culties, and sometimes dangers; frequently such trips would occupy weeks. There was one thing which favored that kind of freighting-but little of the land was fenced, and the teamster had considerable latitude and longi- tude in the selection of his route. Of all the trading points located in the interior, Oskaloosa was the most popular. Although that ambitious little town not only aspired, at one time, to monopolize all the trade of the sur- rounding country, but also to become the capital of the State. Yet accom- modations to be found at the best tavern there, were not always the most elaborate. It is related that on an occasion they had a very late breakfast at the Canfield House. It happened in this way: The landlord was aware

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that his supplies were exhausted the evening before, but was not particu- larly alarmed as he expected a fresh supply during the night, his confi- dence being inspired by the assurance of the arrival of the team, which he had dispatched, some days previous, to Keokuk for the necessary supplies to revictual his former threatened tavern. In vain did he remain awake awaiting the delayed wagon, and " oft in the stilly night" visit his bank- rupt pantry. At length light broke forth in the east, and the crowing of the cocks announced the coming dawn, but to the ill-fated landlord appeared no provision wagon, nor was there borne on the morning air any sound of rumbling wheels or clatter of horses' hoofs. The landlord looked wistfully down the divide, but looked in vain. Finally, seized with that determina- tion which desperation inspires, and knowing that his reputation as a land- lord, and the future business of his tavern depended on one supreme effort, he mounted a horse and rode to a cabin situated on the outskirts of the town, where he obtained some meal and a side of bacon, and started back on a gallop. The half dozen hungry guests sat in front of the tavern, pin- ing for the flesh pots of civilization, and soon their spirits rose and "their mouths began to water," for far away to the south came the plucky land- lord, riding like a knight errant, waving aloft the side of bacon as a sign of relief.

TRAPPING AND HUNTING.

The sports and means of recreation were not so numerous and varied among the early settlers as at present, but they were more enjoyable and invigorating than now. Hunters, nowadays, would be only too glad to be able to find and enjoy their favorable opportunities for hunting and fishing. They now travel hundreds of miles, counting it rare pleasure to spend a few days among the lakes and on the wild prairies and woodlands, in hunt and chase and fishing frolics, where not nearly so good hunting and fishing sports are furnished as were in this vicinity thirty years ago. There were a great many excellent hunters here at an early day who enjoyed the sport as well as any do at the present.

Wild animals of every species known in the wilds of the West, were found in great abundance. The prairies, and woods, and streams, and vari- ous bodies of water were all thickly inhabited before the white man came, and for sometime afterward. Although the Indian slew many of them, yet the natural law prevailed here as elsewhere: "Wild man and wild beast thrive together."

Serpents were to be found in such large numbers, and of such immense size, that some stories told by the early settlers would be incredible were it

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not for the large array of concurrent testimony which is to be had from the most authentic sources.

Deer, turkeys, ducks, geese and various other kinds of choice game were plentiful; affording freely, and at the expense of killing, what are now con- sidered the choice and costly dishes in the restaurants. The fur animals also were abundant; such as the otter, beaver, mink, muskrat, raccoon, panther, fox, wolf, wild-cat and bear.

A gentleman, who in early days lived near Skunk River, says that the grass and weeds along the river were so tall and dense, and the wolves and rattlesnakes so plenty, that it was necessary to proceed with great care and, it was not prudent to start out to hunt the cattle without being provided with a large club, or some other weapon of defense. A gentleman who was traveling through an adjoining county, stopped over night at a cabin where abode two lonesome and disconsolate old bachelors. They prepared supper for their guest, but themselves ate none. Upon inquiry, the guest learned that during the afternoon the two men had killed two hundred and twenty-five rattlesnakes, and the remembrance of the slimy reptiles so re- cently slaughtered had taken away their appetite temporarily.

Deer and elk were quite numerous on these prairies for some time after the first settlements were made. These various kinds of game afforded not only pleasure but also profit for those among the early settlers who were lovers of hunt and chase, and skillful hunters were not scarce in those days in proportion to the number of inhabitants. Many interesting incidents and daring adventures occurred in connection with these hunting excur- sions which the old settlers who still remain never tire of relating.

A gentleman writing to friends in the East, at an early day, says:

"I am in the region of furs here. Mink, otter and beaver are plenty in their season. Possibly I may be able to bring some home with me. I wish you would give me the prices that I may rely upon getting for mink, otter and beaver. I know too little of furs to 'venture much in that line. I was talking with an old trapper here, who said he sold a silver gray fox skin last year for $1, but that he had heard they were worth $3 now; hadn't trapped much the last winter, as furs didn't sell well; that otter and beaver didn't sell, etc."

Again, in a letter written some time later, was the following, showing that there was quite a trade in furs and pelts, and that the business of hunting and trapping must have been very remunerative. In speaking so frequently of deer skins, we conclude that the supply of venison was abundant:

" Of furs, I have not been able to do anything worth speaking of. The

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winter has been so excessively severe in this region, that the trappers could do nothing, and no furs of any importance have, so far as I can learn, been taken anywhere here. The stores here have had none brought in. The winter held on until the middle of March, and the spring rains came on, and the roads have been in an almost impassable state ever since, and the streams, from the melting of the snows north and rains, have been so high that crossing any otherwise than by swimming was out of the question, and we had here only about six inches of snow this winter, and that was blown into piles. The ground froze to the depth of four feet, and when the spring rains came on, the mud was of the tallest kind. Traveling with loads was out of the question. Mails have much of the time been carried on horse- back, the carrier riding one, and leading another with the mail bags on.

" The operation here in deer skins was a grand one had I known when I came here what I do now. I bought of one of the stores here a lot of about one hundred and sixty pounds, to send home as a sample, at fifteen cents a pound, and took them home; it was during the coldest of the weather. I ound, on their thawing out, that they would have to be trimmed and dried more before they would do to pack and send home. Soon after, a man who had been accustomed to come from below to buy the skins from the store, wanted them. I was satisfied at twenty-five cents a pound at weights. I purchased them quite as good as I could expect to do with them, taking into consideration the loss in weight by drying and trimming and expense of sending home. I offered them to him at that price, and he finally took them. My profits on them were $15.

" I have a young merchant, who just came to this town and opened a store, now boarding with me. He has been two years in Iowa City, in trade there. He told me he inade $150 last winter buying deer skins there as they were brought into the city, at eighteen cents per pound, and selling them at thirty-one cents. Most of the deer skins here were bought up by steamers going to Keokuk at twelve and a half cents, and sold in Keokuk for eighteen cents. I now know what I can do in the fall."

But it was not only valuable animals which were hunted; there were many noxious animals whose incursions to the barnyard or cultivated fields of the settler played havoc generally.

Wolves were very numerous and troublesome. It was impossible to raise sheep, and hogs as well as larger animals were not safe from the attacks of these gaunt and ferocious animals. On account of their many and persis- tent depredations, as well as the fact that the county offered a premium on their scalps, systematic and continued efforts were made by the people to capture them. In some instances poison was used, in other cases traps, and others had recourse to their guns and dogs.

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THE CALIFORNIA GOLD EXCITEMENT.

No doubt the desire for gold has been a mainspring of all progress and enterprise in the county from the beginning till the present time, and will so continue till remote ages. Usually, however, this desire has been mani- fested in the common avenues of thrift, industry and enterprise. On one occasion, however, it passed beyond the bounds of reason and assumed the character of a mania. The early settlers of this county, which lay in the direct route of one of the most popular emigrant trails, saw much of the workings of this mania, and those who remained at home and cultivated their claims profited by it.

The gold mania first broke out in the fall of 1849, when stories began to be first spread abroad of the wonderful richness of the placer mines of California. The excitement grew daily, feeding on the marvelous reports that came from the Pacific Slope, and nothing was talked of but the achievc- ments of the Argonauts of '49.

Instead of dying out, the fever mounted higher and higher. It was too late to cross the plains, but thousands of people throughout the State be- gan their preparations for starting the following spring, and among the number were many in Poweshiek county. The one great subject of dis- cussion about the firesides and in the log cabins that winter, was the gold of California. It is said that at one time the majority of the able-bodied men of the county were unsettled in mind and were considering the project of starting to California. Even the most thoughtful and sober-minded found it difficult to resist the infection.

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The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa : containing a history of the County, its cities, towns, &c.,., Part 40

Author: Publication date: 1880 Publisher: Des Moines : Union Historical Co. Number of Pages: 1004

Author:
Publication date: 1880
Publisher: Des Moines : Union Historical Co.
Number of Pages: 1004