USA > Iowa > Poweshiek County > The History of Poweshiek County, Iowa : containing a history of the County, its cities, towns, &c.,. > Part 47
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This court-house was, as before stated, erected on the northeast corner of the square. It was properly begun in 1849 and completed in 1850, so that it was suitable for the use of public meetings. Many of the people of the county at that time were living in frame houses which were not plastered, and otherwise incomplete. If we are to believe the current reports, even those county officials known as county commissioners resided in log houses without floors and windows, and it is easy to be seen that these dignitaries were in no haste to have a court-house so much better than their own dwel- lings. The finishing touches were put on the building in 1852.
In the record made by Judge Ogden, dated January 6th, 1852, there is an order for the payment of one dollar to David Cassidy, in full for work done on the court-house. At the same time it was ordered that James B. John- son be allowed the sum of two hundred and five dollars out of the municipal fund of Poweshiek county in full for plastering court-house.
The house, as before mentioned, was a two-story frame building. The first story was made into one room for the court-room. The second floor was subdivided into three apartments; one of these rooms was for the Clerk, one for the Treasurer and Recorder, and one for the County Judge. It was a very elaborate building for those days and was very probably better adapted and more creditable to the county than the present one is to the county in its present state of development.
The first step toward the erection of the present court-house was taken on the 25th day of June, 1856. It was proclaimed that there would be, at the regular election in the following August, submitted to the qualified
402
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
voters of Poweshiek county, a proposition for the building of a new court- house for said county on the public square in the town of Montezuma; also> for a proposition to levy a tax of one mill on the dollar upon the taxable property of the county for the year 1856, to pay the necessary cost of said building.
The vote was taken according to the tenor of the Judge's proclamation and resulted in a majority of nine votes; there were six hundred and seven- ty-one votes cast, of which three hundred and forty were in favor of the proposition and three hundred and thirty-one against.
The proclamation provided that it should be the duty of the County Judge to cause to be built a good and substantial court-house suited to the public wants of the county and with a view to the safety of the public rec- ords, at a cost of not to exceed the amount to be raised by thej following proposition, and such other funds as are already at the disposal of the county or available for that purpose.
The proposition was to levy a tax not to exceed one mill on the dollar upon the taxable property of the county for the year 1856.
Preparations were made during the fall of 1856 for the erection of the building during the following year. The contract was let to Dake & Dryden.
December 26th, 1856, it was ordered that Dake & Dryden be allowed the sum of twenty-five dollars for drawing draft of the court-house.
On June 2d, 1857, three orders were issued authorizing the payment of sums aggregating the amount of four thousand nine hundred and sixty-four dollars on the court-house contract. They were allowed at various times, in sums ranging from one hundred and fifty to fifteen hundred dollars, the aggregate amount of sixteen thousand nine hundred and sixty-four dollars and fifteen cents additional, making the entire cost of the building twenty- one thousand nine hundred and twenty-eight dollars and fifteen cents. The last payment was made January 28th, 1859, at which time the building is supposed to have been completed.
THE JAIL.
Although Poweshiek county, since its organization, has had frequent need of a jail, none was erected till 1876. The county seat being situated in the south part of the county, and there being no railroad connection with other parts of the county and with the outside world, there was oppo- sition to the investment of any more money in public buildings at Monte- zuma. In 1875 the railroad was completed to Montezuma, and at the March meeting of the Board of Supervisors in the year 1876 it was decided to meet this long-felt want. The following is a copy of the first order on that subject:
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403
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
Ordered by the Board, that notice be given by the Auditor, four weeks in the Montezuma Republican, Grinnell Herald and Brooklyn Chronicle, to receive sealed bids at the April meeting of the Board for the erection of a jail in said county, according to the plans and specifications now on file in his office, not to exceed five thousand dollars, for the third day of the April meeting next, the board reserving the right to reject any or all bids.
There were two distinct plans proposed, one known as Crain's plan and the other Pickett's plan. The bids were as follows:
D. C. McLeod $4,745.00 on Crain's plan. 4,640.00 on Pickett's plan.
J. H. Kinear 66
4,815.00 on Crain's plan.
4,649.00 on Pickett's plan. Geo. W. Crain 4,800.00 on Crain's plan.
John McDonald 4,875.00 on Crain's plan.
4,445.00 on Pickett's plan.
J. L. Myers 66
4,425.00 on Crain's plan.
After due deliberation the board decided to accept the bid of J. L. Myers, and to adopt Crain's plain. The contract was accordingly let to Mr. Myers for the sum of four thousand four hundred and twenty-five dollars. Some subsequent changes were made in the plans, which added somewhat to the cost of the original contract. The entire cost of the building was even forty-nine hundred dollars. H. B. Muscott was Auditor at the time, and the Board of Supervisors consisted of Thomas Morgan, Henry Sherman and J. A. Saunders.
The jail was completed during the fall of 1876. It is a brick structure with iron cells, and a residence attached for the accommodation of the jailer and his family. The cells rest on stone and brick walls; all around are two brick walls equidistant across the center, beside the joists, and all of which is three feet above the ground. Upon this foundation the quarter- inch thick cells sit. The structure presents a very good external appear- ance. It is well arranged internally, and is pronounced by good judges to be perfectly safe for any ordinary kind of offenders. Of course there are experts at jail breaking who, without the proper precaution on the part of the jailer, might be able to escape from the prison. The Montezuma Re- publican, in speaking of the jail when it was about completed, said:
" The job we pronounce a good one, and except offenders of justice expect to serve out the full term of their sentence they had better not allow the ponderous bolts that close the cell doors to shut on them, for we are confi- dent escape would be impossible without a full kit of burglar's tools."
The jail is situated two blocks north of the public square, in Montezuma, and but for the iron bars might be taken for a private residence.
404
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
POOR FARM.
There were few applications in early days for county aid by persons who were poor and unfortunate. In those days few persons were very rich, and it is likewise true that there were few very poor. The history of Powe- shiek county in this respect was not different from that of other counties. As the county settled up, farms were improved, elegant farm-houses erected, and the natural resources of the county developed; the more industrious and economical and fortunate became richer, and those who were less ener- getic or fortunate became poorer. After the lapse of some time the num- ber of paupers was so great, and the expense of maintaining them so large, that the taxpayers began to clamor for some more economical method of relieving the deserving poor. Not only had the number of paupers increased rapidly, but exorbitant prices were frequently demanded for maintaining such, and, when accommodations could not be procured else- where, the authorities were compelled to pay the prices demanded. It is said that as much as six dollars per week has been paid for the mainten- ance of a single pauper. Under these circumstances the people began to inquire after some plan whereby the poor could be more economically cared for. In 1869 there seemed to be a general feeling in favor of purchasing a farm and erecting buildings suitable for an infirmary. The Board of Supervisors had been, previous to that time, frequently petitioned by vari- ous individuals, and the feasibility of the undertaking, doubtless, had fre- quently suggested itself to that honorable body.
At a session of the Board, early in 1865, the project of buying a farm and placing it in the care of an agent or steward was discussed, and, after view- ing the matter from every available standpoint, the two standpoints of pub- lic economy and the advantage and comfort of the needy being thought to be the more important, it was at length determined to purchase a farm.
A report of the committee appointed for that purpose was made April 2, 1872. It was as follows:
"The committee heretofore appointed to purchase a poor farm submitted the following:
"The undersigned, chairman of said Board, heretofore appointed to pur- chase a poor farm for the use of the county, report that, in pursuance to said instructions, I have made an examination to my entire satisfaction. Believing it to be for the best interests of the county, have this day pur- chased from W. R. Lewis his farm south of Montezuma for the sum of thirty-five hundred dollars. My reason for selecting this farm is this: The farm is situated near the town, and the prospect of a railroad being completed soon, said farm can be readily disposed of should the Board so
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405
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
desire; and this being an experiment, and not knowing but the same may be abandoned, thought it best to so purchase that the farm may be readily sold without loss. And the same being near town, a better market will be at hand for marketing therefrom, while the same is handy to wood and coal as any offered, and handy to physicians, a fact that will save cost of medical attendance.
" For these reasons, among others, I am satisfied that this is the best pur- chase I could make. I purchased the land for the said sum of thirty-five hundred dollars, payable as follows: Fifteen hundred and eighty-seven dollars and fifty cents, to be paid in hand by county order drawn upon the Treasurer of said county, and the balance to be paid as follows: Said county to assume and pay when due the sum of twelve hundred and fifty dollars, due Jan. 1, 1873, and thirty-seven dollars and fifty cents interest, and the further sum of six hundred and twenty-five dollars Jan. 1, 1874, both of said demands due and owing to the heirs of Wm. Hally, drawing 8 per cent interest.
"C. G. CARMICHEL."
This report was accepted.
It was then resolved by the Board that the township trustees should be notified that on and after Wednesday, May 1, 1872, no bills for the care of paupers would be audited by the Board unless said paupers should first have been certified to the Superintendent of the Poor Farm at Montezuma, and the trustees of each township should, on application for relief, report the same at the poor farm at once.
The farm is situated one mile south of Montezuma. It contains eighty acres, and the buildings, with the improvements which have been recently added, are very well adapted to the uses for which they are employed.
The Superintendent, during the past year, was Mr. William Sanders. Some idea of the affairs of the farm may be gathered from the following last annual report of Superintendent Sanders:
" MONTEZUMA, March 2, 1880.
"To the Honorable Board of Supervisors of Poweshiek County, Iowa:
"I have the honor to submit to you the following report for the past year, as Superintendent of the Poor Farm:
"I have sold six cows, one bull, eleven calves, for which I received two hundred and fifty-six dollars; twenty-seven head of hogs for one hundred and ninety-seven dollars and forty-six cents.
"Sold a wagon, oats and butter to the amount of thirty-seven dollars and fifty cents.
" I have paid out during the year two hundred and fifty-seven dollars
406
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
and seventy cents for improvements and sundry articles, leaving a balance on hand of two hundred and twenty-eight dollars and twenty-six cents.
"The health of the inmates during the year has been reasonably good, considering the class of persons here. There have been three deaths and ·one birth.
"Admitted twelve; discharged ten.
"I would suggest to the Board the need of more room. The present accommodations are inadequate for the comfort of the inmates. I think it would be cheaper to put up a building more suited to the wants of the farm rather than to try to run it with the present buildings.
"The expenses of the poor farm for groceries have amounted to two hundred dollars; for clothing for the inmates, hardware and incidental expenses, two hundred and twenty-three dollars; this does not include lum- ber for the building or improvements. All of which I would submit as my report.
Respectfully, " WILLIAM SANDERS,
"Superintendent of the Poor Farm."
" To the Honorable Board of Supervisors of Poweshiek County:
" I have the honor to report the following in addition to my last report: " The amount of different kinds of grain raised upon the poor farm is as follows: (Supposed to be for the year 1879.)
Wheat 133 bushels.
Corn
. 1,080 bushels.
Oats 195 bushels.
Total 1,408 bushels.
" The acreage was as follows:
Wheat 11 acres.
Corn 17 acres.
Oats 6 acres.
Total 34 acres.
" There was a half acre of potatoes, yielding about sixty bushels.
"I bought two hundred and eighty-four bushels of corn. There was on 'hand when I came here about 130 bushels. I now have on hand 300 bushels, the balance was fed on the farm. I sold during the year twenty- seven head of hogs; I have now on hand seventeen hogs; butchered for use nine. Sold seventeen head of cattle, and have on hand six head.
407
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
"Acres of grass, 12, yielding about twenty tons of hay; on hand at pres- ent, five tons.
Respectfully, "W. SANDERS."
Asylums for the poor and disabled are peculiarly Christian institutions, and they become more common with the growth of civilization. None of the heathen nations of antiquity in the times of their greatest prosperity established benevolent institutions for the unfortunate; but in this age, a State, or even a county of any considerable size, would be considered far behind the times in all the elements of progress unless some provision were made for the care of the unfortunate. "Over the hills to the poor- house" is a sad story, but there are many sadder ones to be found in the history of those people who have no such institutions.
CHAPTER VII.
ADDITIONAL COUNTY AFFAIRS.
Finances-Political-Official Directory.
DURING the early history of the county, revenues were light, although the rate of taxation was very little, if any, less than at present. During the first four or five years the county expenses ranged from fifteen hundred to three thousand dollars The books were not kept in a very systematic manner, and it is difficult now, even as it must have been then, to so far understand the system of book-keeping as to be able to determine accu- rately, the exact condition of the county finances. This much we know, that with the very limited resources at their command, the persons whose duty it was to manage county affairs, kept the machinery in operation and no large debts were contracted.
A complete account of the finances of the county would, of itself, make a large book, and the facts necessary for such an authentic history are not at hand, even though we might desire to record them. There are to be found at various places throughout the county records, certain facts at our command, whereby we are enabled to form some idea of financial affairs from the first. It is our purpose, at this place to give a brief insight at some of the more salient features of money affairs.
The first record which is suggestive, is that of an order made by the first Board of Commissioners for the payment of five dollars to Mr. Stephen Moore for assessing the county; considerably less than is now an- nually paid for the assessment of one township.
The old law provided that the various county officers should make a
408
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
quarterly report of all the fees received, and divide the same equally be- tween themselves to be applied on their salaries. According to the pro- visions of the rule, we find that the various county officers reported all the fees by them received during the quarter ending January 6, 1852, the sum total of which was twenty-one dollars and eighty cents.
April 12, 1852, being the close of the next quarter, the report was again made as follows:
" Now, on this day, came the County Judge, Clerk and Recorder, and made an exhibit of the amount of fees by them respectively received dur- ing the quarter ending at this time, and find that the same amounts to eighteen dollars and seventy-five cents, which was equally divided between them."
The first tax levy made on the valuation of 1848, was payable in 1849, and was the first tax list made out in the county. We have been so for- tuneate as to find said tax list, which is herewith given in full. This will be a most interesting matter, not so much because it affords an accurate datum whereby to estimate the wealth of the county at that time, as from the fact that it shows who were the first men of the county, and what their financial condition.
FIRST TAX LIST.
NAME.
VALUATION. TAX.
NAME.
VALUATION. TAX.
Stephen Moore.
$ 73
$ 1.01
William Manatt .... $ 789
$ 6.02
Wm. H. Moore. . .
84
1.09
Edward Griswold ...
1,050
7.85
Wm. J. Lyons.
475
3.83
Robt. Manatt ..
1,132
8.42
Daniel Satchell.
546
4.32
William Manatt, Sr.
320
2.74
Sarah Moore
48
.34
James Manatt.
320
2.74
John Moore.
108
1.26
Thos. Manatt.
320
2.74
Stephen Moore. ....
58
.41
Robert Manatt
640
5.48
Nicholas H. Moore.
188
1.82
John J. Talbott
1,183
8.78
Joshua Crispin. ..
108
1.26
J. C. Talbott.
250
2.25
Jesse Hiatt.
814
6.20
J. M. Talbott
175
1.72
Lewis Hiatt.
30
.71
Sam'l Fry
160
1.37
John W. Hall
339
2.87
P. Houston
42
1.00
Anna Stout.
132
.92
E. R. Medcalf.
400
3.30
William Butt.
525
4.17
S. B. Skeels
400
3.30
Elias Brown.
372
3.11
V. G. Smith.
600
4.70
John Cox, Jr.
105
1.58
William Scott.
2,756
19.79
John Cox, Sr.
62
.93 John Manatt.
1,487
10.90
Daniel Orcutt.
129
1.40
Henry Snook.
1,280
9.46
John Gosnold.
22
.65
George Snook
93
1.15
1
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
409 .
NAME.
VALUATION. TAX.
NAME.
VALUATION.
TAX.
Benjamin Snow. . . .
272
2.40
Jesse Gwyn.
502
4.01
Peter Morgan ......
78
1.04
Wm. Harklerode .. .
581
4.50
Richard Cheeseman.
265
2.35
John Huston.
397 3.27
Wm. H. Palmer ...
3
.71
Robt. Taylor.
190
1.83
R. B. Ogden .. . ....
834
6.33
John Sargood. ·
40
.78
Felix Cheeseman. . .
154
1.57
W. C. Light
40
.78
Isaac G. Dement ...
223
2.06
Mathias Light.
150
1.60
Samuel G. Dement.
539
4.27
P. Magaughan.
82
1.07
Matthew Harden .. .
190
1.83
Gideon Wilson.
4,555
32.40
John McVey ..... .
116
1.31
Jesse Schrader . .
45
.82
William Barnes ..
326
2.78
Jesse Soey .
699
5.39
P. Rivers
182
1.77
Isaac G. Wilson. ..
732
5.72
Wm. McNabb.
682
5.27
James Wilson.
130
1.40
C. Newsom
854
6.47
John Soey.
95
1.17
E. S. Newsom. ·
5
.53
John Cassidy .. .
.50
Thos. Wenterly . ...
257
2.29
David Cassidy .. .
1,073
8.01
J. Hall.
607
4.74
Wm. Cassidy. .
76
1.03
Mahlon Woodward ..
434
3.53
H. Sutton.
.50
W. A. Woodward .. .
470
3.79
H. Hornback.
115
1.30
Henry McDonald .. .
27
.69
Wm. McVey
700
5.40
Daniel McDonald ..
53
.87
Wm. Hawkins . .
350
2.95
W. D. Yaple. .
35
.74
Wm. Coplinger . .
350
2.95
R. F. Steele.
272
2.40
S. Johnson
1,346
9.92
Alfred Reynolds. ..
62
.93
Jacob Rivers
580
4.56
A. McDonald
39
.77
N. A. West.
640
4.98
Peter S. Pearce ....
41
.78
Joseph Robertson ...
652
5.01
Nathaniel Lattimer.
119
1.33
John McDowell ....
849
6.44
D. N. Lattimer.
.
25
.67
Conrad Swaney . ..
128
1.39
David Prosser.
103
1.22
Wm. English. ..
854
6.48
Wm. Prosser.
75
1.02
James McDowell ...
246
2.22
Wm. Prosser, Jr ...
337
2.85
E. McDowell.
.
.50
D. M. Rutlege.
102
1.21
Sam'l McDowell ...
.50
N. J. Lattimer. . ..
105
1.23
Benj. O. Payne .. .. .
950
7.15
This old tax list contains many interesting and important facts to such as will ponder it fittingly. It should be read and preserved, if for no other reason, that it may recall the names of some of those brave old pioneers, who have long since departed.
In 1852 a tax was levied amounting to nine mills on the dollar. The fol- lowing were the orders:
26
410
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
Ordered, That six mills on the dollar of taxable property assessed in the county of Powe- ·shick, be levied for the year 1852 for county purposes.
Ordered, That a tax of one and a half mills on the dollar, of taxable property assessed in the county, be levied for State purposes.
Ordered, That a tax of a half mill on the dollar, of taxable property, be levied for school purposes.
Ordered, That a tax of one mill on the dollar of taxable property, be levied for road pur- poses.
Ordered, That a poll-tax of fifty cents on each person subject to pay a poll tax in the county, be levied for county purposes.
It will therefore be seen that the rate of taxation had increased somewhat during the first three years; whereas, in 1849, it amounted, in all, to seven mills on the dollar and a poll-tax of fifty cents, in 1852 it amounted to nine mills on the dollar and a poll tax of fifty cents.
Persons then, as now, felt bowed down under the weight of onerous taxa- ation, as will be seen from the following:
" Now comes Henry McDonald, aged about sixty-six years, and shows to the satisfaction of the court that he is unable to contribute to the public charges by reason of infirmity. It is therefore ordered by the court that the said Henry McDonald be exonerated from the payment of a poll-tax for county or road purposes."
It is somewhat difficult for those of us who live under the present ad- mirable system of county supervision to fully understand the arrangement for watching one another which formerly existed. As near as we can learn from the following record, the County Judge watched the other officers, and, in his turn, himself was watched by the Prosecuting Attorney :
" Now, at this day, comes R. B. Ogden, County Judge, and submits his account of salary for the year ending August, 1852, to the Prosecuting At- torney, for his inspection, and the same having been fully inspected and approved by said Prosecuting Attorney, it is therefore ordered that R. B. Ogden, County Judge, as aforesaid, be allowed the sum of one hundred and thirteen dollars and five cents, in full, for his salary for the year ending this day."
In August, 1853, the tax was levied for the current year, amounting, in all, to eight and three-fourths mills on the dollar, distributed among the various funds as follows:
County, six mills; State, one and a quarter mills; school, one-half mill; road, one mill. In addition to this there was a poll-tax of fifty cents, levied for county purposes, and two dollars for road purposes.
The expenses for jurymen during the year 1853 were:
411
HISTORY OF POWESHIEK COUNTY.
Grand Jury $ 61.20
Petit 54.00
Total $115.20
In September, (1854, the total tax levy amounted to the sum of six and three-fourth mills on the dollar, distributed as follows:
State, one and a fourth mills; county, four mills; school, one-half mill; road, one mill. In addition to this there was a poll tax of fifty cents for county purposes and a tax of two dollars for road purposes.
The tax levy of 1855 amounted to five and a quarter mills on the dollar. No school tax seems to have been levied that year, and the county tax was reduced to three and one-half mills.
In 1858, in accordance with the new school law, which went into effect first that year, the school tax for each township was levied separately. The tax in each township was as follows:
Teachers' fund, Jackson township, two mills.
Teachers' fund, Grinnell township, two mills.
School-house fund, Grinnell township, three mills.
Teachers' fund, Bear Creek township, one mill.
School-house fund, Bear Creek township, four mills.
Teachers' fund, Warren township, one mill.
School-house fund, Warren township, four mills.
Teachers' fund, Deep River township, one mill.
School-house fund, Deep River township, two mills.
Coming down to the year 1860, we find that there was that year levied for State purposes, a tax of one and a half mills; for county purposes, three mills, including a poll-tax of fifty cents; for the general school fund, one mill. The township school-tax, for teachers' fund, ranged from one mill to four mills, and for the school-house fund, from one to three mills.
Thus we see that the county affairs, during the first ten years of the county's history, were economically managed, and that the taxes, though not very light, were somewhat less than at present, while the valuation was very many times smaller than now.
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