USA > Iowa > Appanoose County > The history of Appanoose 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 > Part 51
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THE PRESS.
Appanoose Chieftain .- This was the first venture in journalism in Appa- noose County, its hardy projectors being two young men named Fairbrother, who, on the receipt of a suitable bonus collected in Centerville and vicinity, and ·a further sum in advance payments on subscriptions, established a paper at Centerville, in 1857, bearing the above name. It was a six-column-folio sheet, independent in politics. The Fairbrothers got tired of this easy way of making a fortune, and went West in about six months. They were succeeded as pub- lishers by Al. and George Binkley, who continued the Chieftain as a Demo- cratic paper for about two years, when W. P. Gill bought the concern. The publishers of 1878 would turn green with envy at the sight of the County Judge's entry of October 30, 1860, who, on that day allowed Mr. Gill, $1,332, as remuneration for publishing the tax-list in that year. Shortly after this bit of business, Mr. Gill took in a partner, who remained a while, after which Mr. Gill failed, and went to Burlington, where he worked as a compositor for a year or two, then returned to Centerville and died of consumption. He sold his ma- terial to G. N. Udell, who published the paper from about January, 1863, till some time in 1864, when the paper was merged into another concern, having run about seven years without any long breaks, the only interruptions being when the stock of the paper would run out, and another supply depended on the weather and the roads.
LoyalCitizen .- This paper was started in 1864, by D. L. Strickler, on second- hand material, who, soon after its establishment, bought out the Chieftain and merged the rival interests into one. Not being anxious for either immortality or wealth, Strickler sold the business to M. M. Walden, in 1865, in whose hands the paper was built up in revenue and reputation, until it became justly regarded as a leading Republican paper. While connected with the Citizen, Mr. Walden became Lieutenant Governor in 1869, and soon after was elected to Congress, where he served one term; but Washington life was little to his taste, and he
gladly retired to the editor's desk. A power-press was added to the office in 1872, and an engine two years later. In November, 1874, Mr. Walden sold the property to W. O. Crosby and Mr. Merritt, who still continue as owners under the firm name of W. O. Crosby & Co. These gentlemen have approved themselves competent, industrious and judicious journalists, and the Citizen is regarded at home with pride, and abroad with respect. Before leaving the sub- ject of the Citizen, it should be mentioned that in 1874, W. O. Crosby & Co.
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started the Centerville Times, which was merged into the former paper when it was purchased by them.
The Journal .- The first effort to establish a Democratic newspaper was by John Gharkey, who came to Centerville in the spring of 1865, with the material of the Fayette County Pioneer, a paper he had established in 1853. John is an eccentric newspaper man, and his politics during the war did not fit the com- munity in which he lived, though he had one gleam of good luck, May 25, 1863. Seven returned soldiers broke into his office that night, pied a lot of type, and injured his press. The next afternoon, the angry Democracy of Fayette County held a meeting at the Court House in West Union, which lasted until late in the evening. Resolutions were adopted denunciatory of the lawless act, and a big contribution made to repair the damage, and, says one who attended, "I never saw money offered so freely in my life." But Gharkey found, after nearly two years, that he could not maintain his " grip " in Fayette County, and so came here. His paper was called the South Iowa Times, and was continued nearly a year, when he removed to Memphis, Mo., which has ever since been his home. The Centerville Clipper was established in 1870, by the Hickman Brothers, who continued its publication about a year, when they sold to a Mr. Holcomb, in whose hands it suspended toward the end of 1872. In 1874, H. S. Ehrman restored the paper to life, and continued its publication quite suc- cessfully till 1877, when he sold to J. L. Harvey, the present owner, who changed the heading of the paper to the Journal, and who, by the peculiar mutations of politics is now in the enjoyment of a fine business.
Centerville Tribune .- In 1876, D. A. Spooner purchased the material of a defunct newspaper at Corydon, removed it to Centerville and began the pub- lication of the Times. Having amassed a fortune therefrom in the space of a year, he sold the concern to Hon. M. M. Walden, who rechristened it the Tribune. The paper is steadily growing in favor, and will, no doubt, obtain a good business, as its editor is widely and favorably known, and is, withal, one of the best editors in the State. The office is conveniently located in the base- ment under the Farmers' National Bank.
Moulton Independent .- This paper was started in 1870, by J. B. King, who continued its publication with reasonable success for about three years, when he sold it to Edwards & Porter, who held the helm for one year. It then passed into the hands of a Mr. Bolster for another year, who in turn transferred it to Post & Atkinson, under whose management it run till some time in 1877, when Dr. Atkinson packed up the material and removed it to Kansas. The town has since been without a newspaper, though it would seem to be a safe field for a sober, judicious man, who would, no doubt, earn a comfortable livelihood here.
Cincinnati Local .- This paper first appeared about the 1st of February, 1877, and was the venture of W. W. Yarham. It was a neat, newsy little sheet, and the Cincinnati people were much pleased with it. Yarham remained till June following, when he took a trip for his health and did not return. The paper was kept going for two or three months afterward, the last few issues being printed at Moulton. This arrangement did not suit the Cincinnati people, who withdrew their support, and the Local evaporated.
Moravia Messenger .- Some time in 1869, a man named Savacool thought he saw a possibility of maintaining a newspaper at Iconium, and established the Vidette at that place. This stood sentry over the destinies of that town for a matter of six months, when Savacool removed his headquarters to Moravia, and equipped the Vidette as the Messenger. Here he became involved in a case of scan. mag., which developed to crim. con. His paper was kept going a year or
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so, during his absence, when he returned, but, getting into trouble again, in which he seems to have been persecuted, he gave up the Messenger and sought a home elsewhere. The Messenger ceased with his departure.
THE JAIL.
Very early in the history of the county, the Commissioners made arrange- ments to build a jail, and specifications were prepared for the purpose, but the project was abandoned, probably on account of inability to obtain funds.
A small stone structure was built about 1855, which served as an excuse for a strong house, especially when well guarded, for about ten years; but, in 1866, a prisoner named Lockhart, awaiting trial for horse-stealing, easily effected his escape. For several years after this, prisoners were sent to Ot- tumwa for safe-keeping.
June 8, 1871, the Board of Supervisors made a contract with Jacob Shaw, Thomas Wentworth and William Ames & Co., to build a suitable jail 42 feet square. They were to receive for everything, except the carpenter work, $6,176.37. The building was completed late in 1872. The jail part is 19x42, and is constructed in a substantial manner of stone, brick and iron. The remaining portion is fitted up for jailer's residence. The whole cost was about $10,000.
THE POOR FARM.
At the session of the Board of Supervisors in January, 1867, a committee of three members was chosen to look up a suitable site for a Poor Farm, the cost not to exceed $4,000, and if an eligible location could be found, a special ses- sion was to be called. The committee visited various tracts of land within a radius of eight miles from Centerville, and finally fixed upon the land owned by W. C. Ewing, it being the southeast quarter of Section 32, Township 69, Range 18 (Bellair), lying about four miles west of Centerville, together with twenty acres of timber one mile south. This was to be had for the exact sum specified, and the Board met March 2, but adjourned to the 14th, on which day the committee's report was approved, and the deed was made out on the 16th, but the land was not surrendered till the following November.
A new building, 14x28 feet in size, and two stories high, has been erected during the present year, and the old Ewing house has been thoroughly repaired for the use of the paupers, of whom there are usually twelve to fourteen. There is also a good barn.
Henry C. Baker is the present Steward.
CENTERVILLE.
The plat of the town of Chaldea is situated on the northeast quarter of Sec- tion 36, Township 69, Range 18, and was established in October, 1846, by the Board of Commissioners. The public square lies in the southwest part of the plat, and is 132 feet square. Center stones are set on the north and on the cast corners of the square, being on the center line of Main and State streets. The original streets running east and west are: North, Madison, Washington, State and South, while those running north and south are : West, Wayne, Franklin, Main, School, Jefferson, Monroe and East streets. The magnetic
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variation is 9º 42'. The surveying was done in the winter of 1846-7, by J. F. Stratton.
It would appear that no building was erected in Chaldea during 1846. Spencer F. Wadlington came to the vicinity during the summer of this year, and built a cabin just northeast of the original plat, and opened the first mer- cantile house ever started in the county.
The first building erected on the town site was a cabin by James Wright, early in 1847, succeeded by Mr. Wadlington, who removed to the town plat a short time afterward.
James Hughes came to the town site in the summer of 1847, and, deciding that this was just the place for him, selected a lot and erected a blacksmith-shop.
The town did not grow with alarming rapidity during this or the succeeding year. Mr. Hughes gives the population and business of the town during the winter of 1848-49, as follows : S. F. Wadlington, merchant ; Thomas Cochran and family, grocery ; James Hughes and David Beeler, blacksmiths; E. A. Packard and family, hotel ; Benjamin Spooner and family, farmer; James J. Jackson, builder; C. H. Howell, merchant. These, he thinks, were all who were living on the town plat, and says that, living near, and composing part of the neighborhood, were the Perkinses, Mansons, J. F. Stratton and A. Pew- thers.
The first post office in the county, Mr. Hughes says, was established at George W. Perkins' house in 1847, but in the following year it was removed to Centerville, and C. H. Howell made Postmaster. The mail was carried on horse-back from Keosauqua once a week, Benjamin Swearingen, then a lad two-thirds grown, being the messenger.
The principal reliance for amusement during the lonely winter of thirty years ago was dancing. Parties were given every week or so at the cabins in the neighborhood, which were punctually attended by the young people. The musicians were Ira Perdue and L. D. Packard, whose skill in drawing the fiddle-bow kept everybody cheerful within ten miles of Centerville.
An animated collision occurred either during this or the following winter. One Flood, whose name occurs with considerable regularity on two or three old dockets, was engaged in the saloon business. A man named Brown came here from Albia, and engaged in the same occupation. Now, although whisky is fre- quently mentioned in the preceding pages, it is only just to the early settlers to enter a disclaimer for them on the score of intemperance. Teetotalism had not been heard of, and very few abstained entirely ; but at the same time, those who drank to excess were equally few. Hence, there was hardly room for one "grocery," and Brown's coming roused the commercial jealousy of Flood to the extent of his resolving to " clean him out." Backed by two or three chums, he undertook the job one night, and several shots were fired, but, unfortunately, without hurting anybody. Flood held on for a year or two, when, growing weary of paying costs in the justice courts, he closed his shop, much to the gratification of the order-loving people of the town.
Flood remained till the fall of 1850. Having given up his saloon business, he turned his attention to horse-racing, and in the summer or fall of 1850, went to Ottumwa with two racc-horses, a nice black team, and a very tidy carriage, for the purpose of having some "fun with the boys." While there, his matched blacks ran away and smashed his carriage, he played "poker " one evening and lost over $200 at that fascinating game. He had arranged two races, one of which he lost, and the other he withdrew, paying forfeit. The Ottumwa country was too wicked for poor Flood.
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Flood came back, after his sad experience, and while in Brown's saloon one evening, picked a quarrel with Brown, whom he drove into his living-room. Mrs. Brown came out, armed with a rifle, which she cocked and brought to aim within a foot or so of Flood's sconce. A doctor was leaning against the bar, with his back to her, but saw the barrel passing his own face. He raised his arm as the valorous Mrs. Brown pulled the trigger, which no doubt saved Flood's life. Some say the dame swore as she took aim.
Mrs. Brown was required to give bail for this exploit, but Flood was careful to keep out of her reach ever after. Brown died in the course of a year or two, and his widow married an eccentric character, who used to preach and teach school in the neighborhood.
In 1852 or thereabouts, " Mose " Conger bought a barrel of whisky, and began business at his cabin. One Sunday, two residents of the town called on Mose for a pint of the article, and found him on his chair so inebriated that he could not rise. The visitors asked him to furnish them, but he refused point- blank, saying he would not sell on Sunday. They pressed the matter without success, until one of them asked him to give his reason for refusing. His answer was conclusive, for he explained with owl-like gravity, " I was raised a Presbyterian, and some of the old faith sticks to me yet!" But, so good a customer was Mose to himself that when his barrel became empty, his circum- stances did not admit of his obtaining a fresh supply.
About 1853, the town, which then contained nearly four hundred inhabit- ants, settled down to an order-loving, peaceful community, and the few persons who had made nearly all the early troubles, either left or become subdued.
The town grew steadily from 1850 till 1857, and, in the latter year, had become a place of about a thousand inhabitants. Several church societies were formed and houses erected during the time. The town became a stage center of no mean pretensions, and the aspect of the future was pleasant. The panic of 1857 served to hinder the growth of the place for several years, but a better feeling began to be indicated in 1859. In May of that year, as gleaned from the first number of the Appanoose Republican, the business men of Centerville were R. N. Glenn, J. W. Williams, William Whittenmyer, C. H. Howell, Bradley & Campbell, Clark & Rummell, W. H. Breazeale, J. R. Wooden, Solo- mon Walker, D. L. Strickler, W. H. Alexander, Warren E. Allen, Harper & Henderson, L. Stevenson, John S. Lewis, Philip Whitsel and Moses Gaughen- baugh. The Eagle House was kept by T. D. Brown, the Travelers' Home by George Pratt and the Appanoose Hotel by John M. Slater. Miller & Beall were the lawyers and E. Meachem the doctor ; J. T. Place insurance and real- estate agent.
In 1860, the prospects were good for an increase in population and busi- ness ; but the beginning of the war, in 1861, served to keep the population about the same till its close, for men enlisted as fast new settlers camc.
As an instance of the feeling of the people of Centerville and the surround- ing region, the following deserves mention. Thirteen years ago, the daily papers printed at Keokuk and Burlington reached Centerville late in the even- ing. So far as getting intelligence from Grant's army, after the battle of Black River Bridge, was concerned, he and his dusty troops had been lost to the people at home, when all at once came the news that he was intrenched around Vicksburg. When the papers containing the news of Pemberton's surrender came to Centerville, there were only two or three waiting to get their mail. Father Manson adjusted his spectacles and began the work of sorting out the mail. When he opened the package containing the daily papers, his old eyes
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HISTORY OF APPANOOSE COUNTY.
caught the heading, " Vicksburg Is Ours," and tremblingly and dubiously announced it. An eager minute followed as he gave the particulars. The lin- gerers rushed from the post-office almost frantic with excitement, and, in three minutes, the whole town knew the glad news. A nondescript casting, used for firing salutes, was loaded and fired time after time. Hundreds living in the country heard the report, and, almost sure that Grant had succeeded, came in to verify their belief. It is estimated that three thousand people were on the public square at 11 o'clock that night, all crazy with joy and ready to do any- thing to manifest it. And all next day the streets were filled by a moving crowd, too happy to work, careless of the sorrows the war had brought, and indifferent to the future. All had crossed the great Mississippi, had seen its mighty capacity, and they knew it was no more blockaded by rebel rams, and lay, reflecting back the bright rays of the July sun. a limpid meridian between the East and West, unvexed from Lake Itasca to the Gulf of Mexico.
Having been the seat of justice from the organization of the county, a fur- ther summary of the history of Centerville would be only a recapitulation of the county history. It is proper to say, however, that in the last few years many business blocks and private residences have been erected in the town that will vie with the architecture of any town in Iowa, and the indications are that ere- long the town will pass from the youthful climacteric of wood to the more mature age of brick and stone.
The people of the town are eminently enterprising in business matters, and they are noted for morality, temperance and neighborly good-will. With a considerable capital already in hand, and with great natural resources to develop, it is impossible to foresee anything but growth and prosperity in the future.
The following admirable summary of the present business condition of the town is clipped from the Centerville Citizen and plagiarized as part of this sketch :
Centerville, the capital of Appanoose County, a city of 2,500 inhabitants, is situated near the geographical center of the county, in the midst of one of the finest agricultural and grazing districts in the State, and in the center of the most valuable coal district west of the Mississippi River. It has two railroads -the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific, running from Chicago to Leavenworth, Kan., and the Missouri, Iowa & Nebraska, now operated from Alexandria, Mo., to Centerville, and projected to be extended west to Nebraska City.
Centerville is ninety miles west of Burlington and Keokuk and eighty south of Des Moines. It has more than trebled its population within the last ten years, and is one of the most prosperous and important towns in Southern Iowa. The principal pursuits of its inhabitants are mining and manufacturing.
To manufacturers it offers unsurpassed inducements-plenty of water, abundance of cheap coal of superior quality, and excellent facilities for reaching markets.
Here are extensive flouring-mills, foundry, machine-shops, woolen-mill, saw-mills, rendering-factory, soap-factory, pottery, collar-factory, broom-facto- ries, buggy-factory, wagon-factory, plow-factory, marble-cutting, coopering. candy-factory. steam bakery, cigar-factories, harness-factories, limekilns, lum- ber-yards, extensive steam collieries, eight dry goods stores, three clothing stores, three hardware and stove stores, two shoe stores, four groceries, four drug stores, three harness stores, one hide store, two agricultural stores, one gun- smith store, two millinery stores, three jewelry stores, two confectionery and notion stores, one picture and stationer's store, one music store, five meat
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markets, two cigar stores, three restaurants, three banks, three printing offices, all having power-presses and two run by steam ; three barber-shops, three shoe- shops, two livery stables, two nurseries, five blacksmith-shops, one laboratory, four hotels, five churches, superior public schools, a fine Court House, substan- tial and elegant public and private buildings, good walks and the best of society. Centerville offers very great inducements for the outlay of capital and the investment of industry. There is no town in the West that can offer a fairer field for location to the capitalist or laborer. The doors are wide open, with plenty of room and a warm welcome for all new-comers. Any information con- cerning the city may be obtained by addressing the officers of the city gov- ernment, which are given below.
MUNICIPAL.
The town of Centerville was first incorporated in 1855, and the manner of procedure was thus : A petition, signed by various citizens of the town was presented to Judge Harris, asking him to submit the question of incorporation to the voters of the town. The election was held February 26, 1855, the Judges being Squire Bates, John Snell and John Potts, and the clerks, J. G. Brown and J. F. Stratton. A majority was found to be in favor of the project, and, on the 12th of March, the people elected G. W. Wise, W. S. Henderson, D. P. Sparks, J. G. Brown and William Clark a committee to prepare a char- ter. This was voted upon and approved March 26. The original document was discovered in the Recorder's vault, and contains six pages of blue foolscap paper. There are fourteen sections, and the document is signed by all the committee.
An election was soon after held under the authority of the charter, and town officers chosen ; but as the County Judge made no record of the result, and the first minute-book has disappeared, nothing can be stated with certainty concerning the first two years of corporate government. The charter continued in force till about the 1st of October, 1857, when it was vacated by the formal adoption of a special charter provided by chapter 100 of the laws of the Sixth General Assembly. Under this charter the Council could not levy a tax unless previously voted by the people. Another peculiarity was, that in case of ina- bility of the Mayor to hear causes arising from infraction of the town ordinances, they could be taken before any Justice of the Peace in Center Town- ship. In other respects, the charter was about the same as the general law subsequently passed, under which the town now holds its corporate powers.
From October 7, 1857, the records have been preserved. At that time, C. Wentworth was elected Mayor; S. W. Wright, Recorder; D. P. Sparks, A. Purjue, A. Harris, C. H. Howell, J. Knapp, J. Lankford, Councilmen ; Will- iam Crow, Marshal. On the 9th, several ordinances were passed, which action seems to have been the re-enactment of ordinances in force under the old char- ter. On the 21st, an iron-clad liquor ordinance was passed, which would scem to have been a new one.
A. L. H. Martin was elected Mayor in April, 1858, and a few days after the Council required the removal of a small-pox patient from the town. June 9, an ordinance was passed requiring sidewalks to be constructed in front of all lots facing the public square.
J. B. Beall became Mayor in 1859, S. F. Wadlington in 1860, W. B. Alexander in 1861, and J. W. Houston in 1862.
No meeting appears to have been held from April, 1862, till April, 1865, when, in accordance with a notice issued by the County Judge, for the purpose
.
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of re-organization an election was held on the 25th, at which time O. W. Bar- den was elected Mayor; W. P. Morret, Recorder; H. Tannehill, Jacob Rum- mel, John S. Whitsel, D. C. Campbell, John Stier, Councilmen; John Wil- mington, Marshal.
The corporate business appears to have fallen into desuetude again soon after this election, for no meeting was held till June 28, 1866, the minutes of which follow the path of office of the new Council, subscribed the day before. July 9, an election was held to determine whether a tax should be levied for the improvement of the streets, which was carried by a large majority. M. Ben- ington was Mayor during this year, and was re-elected in 1867.
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