USA > Iowa > Benton County > The history of Benton County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics > Part 42
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81
During the year 1860, ex-Commissioner Hunt, it is said, repeatedly avowed his intentions to commence suit against the county for about $1,500, which he claimed was due to him, but had been denied on the settlement; but at last con- eluded to await an investigation by the Board of Supervisors.
Accordingly, soon after the first Board was organized, on the 11th day of January, 1861, the following resolution was adopted :
Resolved, That the Committee on School Fund, etc .. be empowered to investigate the present condition of the school fund of this county and report to the next regular meeting of the Board, and that said Committee be further empowered to employ a commissioner to assist in such inves- tigation, and that they be clothed with power to send for persons and papers, compel testimony, and exercise all powers that this Board might, of right. exercise in such investigations.
366
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY.
The Committee, composed of Jacob Springer, George Treanor and Jacob Christie, employed Thomas Drummond as Commissioner, and entered upon the task of bringing order out of the chaos into which the School Fund Commis- sioner's affairs had been plunged. Mr. Drummond at once entered upon the work assigned him, which was to map the lands sold, make a complete list of the notes and mortgages. He had but partially completed his work when he left for Washington and entered the military service of the United States, and was succeeded by Wesley Whipple and W. C. Gaston.
The report was nearly completed on Saturday before the Board assembled at its June session, and the papers were left on the table in the Clerk's office. During that night, however, some parties raised a window, entered the room and stole the Commissioner's minute book and the papers of the Committee, except one sheet on which the final summary had been made in pencil, and which the thief or thieves overlooked. About midnight, Mr. S. Williams, living near town, saw a bright light near the bank of the river, and, upon investiga- tion the next morning, found evidence of fire, and near by bits of scorched paper, which proved to be portions of the paper abstracted from the Clerk's office, carelessly left to tell the story of the fate of the Committee's work and the valuable papers. It is not thought that the minute book was destroyed, as it is said the ex-Commissioner afterward offered to produce it if the county would pay him $500; but his disinterested proposition was not accepted. The perpe- trators of this outrage were never brought to justice ; but it is said that certain parties, who shall be nameless here, were and still are strongly suspected of connection with it.
From the paper unintentionally left by the burglars, however, and from memory, the Committee and its Commissioner were able to make a report, which was made to the Board June 5, 1861, very much to the discomfiture of a certain gentleman, who had declared that " the report should never be made." The report was accepted and the following resolution adopted :
Resolved, That the Committee on School Lands and School Funds be and they are hereby empowered to have their report on the present condition of the school fund, and exhibits there- with, transmitted accurately copied and deposited in the Treasurer's safe, in order that their labors may not be lost by another theft or casualty of any kind.
A search for the document in 1878 failed to discover its presence in the " Treasurer's safe," but from the Vinton Eagle of July 4, from which a portion of this chapter is compiled, the following summary of the report is copied :
John Royal received from land sales, in cash
$156 45
From notes.
184 88
Total.
$341 33
E. H. Keyes received from land sales, in cash
289 19
From notes
307 59
Total
$596 78
Irwin D. Simison received from land sales, in cash.
$7,210 79
From notes.
8,401 52
Total
$15,612 31
J. S. Hunt received from land sales, in cash.
15,840 43
From notes
8,013 50
Total.
$23,853 93
Total cash and notes
40,404 35
Amount of five per cent. fund
2,598 70
Total school fund in Benton County $43,003 05
367
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY.
" The investigation shows," remarks the Eagle, "that John Royal was a defaulter in the sum of $75: E. H. Keves, $25.70; Irwin D. Simison, $2,969.72, and Jacob S. Hunt, $40.64. The Committee and its Commissioners did not have time to investigate the interest account (even if they had had all the books and papers), which we understand was deemed a part of their duty by the Supervisors," and the destruction of the interest book, the book of certifi- cates of final payment, and the retention of the memorandum or minute book previously mentioned, rendered further investigation impossible. After some years, a final settlement with the State authorities was effected on the basis of the Committee's report.
GRAND CELEBRATION.
Thursday July 4, 1861, was celebrated by the people of Benton County at Vinton, and the occasion was one of memorable incidents of county history that may not be overlooked. The great rebellion had just raised the rattlesnake flag. The first installment of Benton County volunteers were preparing to leave for the seat of war. The patriotic heart of Benton County was all ablaze with patriotism and determination to maintain the honor of the Stars and Stripes at all hazards. An immense concourse gathered from all directions. Men, women and children came in carriages, carts, on horseback and on foot. Never before had Vinton seen such a crowd. Every township in the county was rep- resented, and the town was literally packed with human beings, horses and carriages.
The officers of the day were as follows: President, S. P. Vanatta, Esq. : Vice Presidents, H. D. Gay, S. H. Watson, R. Gilchrist, Vinton ; James Rea, Benton ; H. S. Bailey, Big Grove ; W. C. Smith, Homer ; David Robb, Can- ton ; Geo. McCoy, Harrison ; Isaac N. Chenoweth, Eden ; J. C. Kinsell, Polk ; George Fawcett, Fremont ; G. W. Durand, Cedar; S. Miskimin, Monroe : William Helm, Jackson ; Chief Marshal, A. H. Sebern ; Assistant Marshals. W. C. Gaston, J. H. Shields ; Chaplain, Rev. A. Chapin.
The procession, which extended about a mile, was formed in front of the Public Square and marched to the grove, where the exercises of the day com- menced with singing by the choir and prayer by the Chaplain, followed by an address by the President of the day, and reading of the Declaration of Inde- pendence by Buren R. Sherman, Esq. A feature of the occasion was the ad- ministration of the oath of allegiance to the assembled multitude by James Chapin, Esq., each person repeating his or her own name and repeating after him the oath, which was as follows :
1, --- , do solemnly swear in the presence of Almighty God. that I will true faith and loyalty bear to the Government of the United States and the Constitution thereot.
The day and the time rendered this ceremony peculiarly solemn and im- pressive. Rebels were in arms to destroy the nation, the birthday of which they were met to celebrate ; two companies of volunteers, the " Benton County Volunteers." Capt. J. S. Hunt, and the " Harrison Rangers," Capt. Geddes. were present in uniform, soon to march to the defense of the Union; and as the united voices of the assembled multitude repeated the solemn oath, every heart was thrilled with patriotic pride and devotion.
After the picnic dinner, an able and eloquent patriotic oration was delivered by Hon. T. W. Jackson, of Toledo. After reviewing the terrible situation and the efforts of rebel hands to destroy the government, the orator uttered the fol- lowing prophetic words :
But this Union will live. The old Ship of State will outride the billows. God's hand is at the helin ; his breath is in the storm. When I survey my country to-day, I confess I would de-
368
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY.
spair did I not know that we are under the guidance of Him who doeth all things well. Behind the dark clouds now hovering so ominously over us, I can detect the smiling face of Him who has ever been the director of nations and of men. The signs of the times are redolent with promise. Feel the beating pulse of the nation of freemen to-day ; hear the nineteen million throbbing hearts beating in unison "to the music of the Union." See with what alacrity three hundred thousand men have flown to arms ; view the chafing eagerness of a million more to rally at their country's call. Pre-eminently honored stands to-day every soldier in the grand army of the Union. I envy their happy lot. Future generations will call them blessed. Those who come after us, pointing to their posterity, will say, " Behold, their grandsires fought in the battles of the Union." Their's is a higher title than patents of nobility. History will write them down the defenders of this God-given Union. I would rather wear that badge than all the stars which shine upon the nobles of the earth. But as that boon hath been denied to you and to me. let us give the heroes our means and prayers.
At the close of the oration, toasts were read by the President, among which were the following :
The Twenty Million Freemen of the North-With one accord they rush to the defense of our Constitution and the maintenance of our laws. With such citizen soldiers, the cause of liberty and justice is ever secure.
Eloquent response by J. H. Shulls, Esq.
Our Flag-Foremost ensign in the vanguard of the great army of Human Progress, beneath whose glittering stars and flaunting stripes are gathered the embattled hosts of Law, Order and Constitutional Government on this continent, and to which are hopefully directed the straining eyes of the oppressed nationalities of Europe.
Response by W. C. Gaston, Esq.
The Press-The strongest bulwark of American liberty.
Response by Frederick Lyman.
The Ladies-Without their assistance the world stands still.
Response by James Chapin, Esq., as follows :
Woman ! the finishing work of creation, Exerts a wide influence over the nation ; In fact, snch a mission she's made to fulfill. 'Tis said that without her the world would stand still ! But should such a calamity ever befall, Instead of a still world, we'd have none at all, And the dried-up old specimens of human depravity, Like Egyptian mummies, would fill up the cavity. In all ages, if history gives faithful relations, Woman has more or less governed the nations ; And disloyal mothers are more to be feared Than all the proud Xerxes that ever appeared ; For those who in childoood are under her drill, In manhood will cherish her sentiments still. But if she is loyal, her sons will prove true- 'Gainst the ranks of rebellion will fight their way through. And likewise the daughters-God bless them to day ! Of our beautiful " Home Guards," I've something to say, Who carry such weapons as arrows and lances, And never miss fire when they shoot with their glances. When the soldiers at night on their arms have reclined, And dream of their homes and the girls left behind, These chivalric daughters, in all their bright charms, At home dream of union, and sleep on their arms.
Among the incidents of the day was the appearance of the venerable James Dowd, of Shellsburg, upward of 80 years old, dressed in the military costume of the American Revolution.
The exercises of the day were closed by a grand ball at the Fremont House, attended by fifty or sixty couples.
369
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY.
SWAMP LANDS DONATED TO THE CEDAR VALLEY RAILROAD.
April 25, 1861, a special meeting of the Board was held to consider the question of transferring the swamp and overflowed lands to the Cedar Valley Railroad, to aid in the construction of said road through Benton County. The matter was presented to the Board in the form of a contract as between the county and Railroad Company, and an election of the voters of the county on the question was ordered to be held on the 28th of May, 1861. The election resulted in 773 votes for said proposition and contract, and 209 against the contract.
The great civil war commenced in April, 1861. The action of the Board of Supervisors, together with other historical matter connected with the war, will be found under the caption of " War Record." in another part of this work.
January 8, 1862, Peter B. Smith was elected by the Board to fill a vacancy in the office of County Surveyor, caused by Wesley Whipple going to the army.
TOWNSHIP CHANGES.
January 3, 1862 :
A petition was presented by Hon. Jas. McQuin for a change in the name of Cue Township, praying that said township be called by the name of Florence. And it appearing that a majority of the citizens of said township have signed said petition, it is therefore ordered that the neces- sary steps be taken to perfect the change prayed for, and that the Clerk make out the notices in compliance with the law in such cases made and provided.
September 1, 1862, upon the final hearing of the petition of the citizens of Cue Township, it was voted by the Board that the prayer of said petition be granted, and that thereafter it should be known by the name of Florence Township.
October 21, 1862 :
The Committee to whom was referred the matter of the petition of William Wallace for a change in the line dividing Taylor and Harrison Townships, report in favor of the change as prayed for, to wit: Commencing at the northeast corner of Section 11, Town 85, Range 11 ; thence south 80 rods : thence west one mile ; thence north 80 rods to the line as it now runs : also, commencing at the southeast corner of Section 34, Town 86, Range 10; thence west one- half mile : thence north one mile, to intersect the line as it now runs. Which report was adopted and change established accordingly.
THE JAIL.
The first recorded action of the county authorities relative to erecting a jail was by the Board of Supervisors on the 15th of October, 1861. At that time, James Rice was appointed a committee to consider the subject of a county jail, with instructions to report at the next Jannary meeting.
When the Board assembled in January, 1862, Mr. Rice reported that he had visited the jail at Independence, and recommended the erection of a similar one in Benton.
This report was laid on the table. On the 8th of January, 1862, however, the report was taken from the table and referred to the Committee on Public Buildings, and, on motion of J. Rice, S. G. Livermore was added to said committee, to act upon said report only.
January 9, 1862 :
The report of the Committee on Public Buildings on Jail was adopted. That is to say : " We, the Committee on Public Buildings, recommend to the Board of Supervisors that a jail be built according to the specifications berewith submitted, to wit: The walls of white oak lumber, 2x6, securely spiked together with large iron spikes. The joist for floor, 1} by 8 inches, 6 inches apart. The floor to be of two inch oak plank, thoroughly spiked down; the ceiling and
370
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY.
joists above, same as below. The front door to be made of double oak plank, and fastened together with wrought iron nails, and clinched. The partition to be built same as outside walls. Inside doors to be made of double oak lumber, and spiked together "herring-bone style," with privy in back end of hall. Said materials to be purchased this present Winter, that the build- ing may be built early in the Spring of 1862 ; and to be covered in a cheap, substantial style, and the foundation to be built of stone and flagged under the floor outside-within, boarded with pine siding. The windows to be of twelve lights, each 8x10, properly secured by iron grates and shutters on the outside. Said building to be located in one corner of the Court House yard."
Same day, the Board "resolved that the Building Committee be instructed to procure the necessary oak lumber for a jail, and to select a site for the same, and report their doings at the next meeting of the Board."
June 5, 1862, $300 was appropriated to buy materials for jail, and the committee instructed to buy such material, and to let the building contract to the lowest responsible bidder.
June 30, the Jail Committee's report showed that a certain amount of lum- ber and material had been purchased, and recommended the jail to be built on the north side of the Court House yard, about opposite the north window, and to front the south, which was adopted.
The location of the building was subsequently changed to the northeast cor- ner of the Court House Square. The contract was awarded to Messrs. Parmeter & Sanderson, by whom the jail was built in the Summer and Fall. It contained two cells and a passage-way between them. Here it remained for seven or eight years; but toward the end of the Township system, some of the authori- ties conceived the idea that a larger and better jail was necessary, and about 1870, it was sold to Mr. Davis, removed to the bank of the river, near the corner of Main and Polk streets, converted into a dwelling and still remains such.
The Board submitted the proposition to build a jail. to the people of the county in 1870, but it was defeated by a vote of 2,134 to 763. Since that time the county has been without a jail, as the people have refused to make the neces- sary appropriation. The question may be submitted to the people again this year, 1878.
FREE BRIDGE.
About 1862, the matter of a free bridge across the Cedar River began to be agitated. A toll bridge had been built, and it was thought that the county should purchase and make it a free bridge. The question was brought before the Board of Supervisors, and June 3, 1862, it was voted that " the matter of a free bridge across the Cedar River at Vinton, together with the papers, be referred to the Committee on Roads and Bridges, with instructions to confer with the present owners of said bridge as to terms, etc., and to report at this session."
On June 7th, a resolution directing the purchase of the structure of J. C. Traer & Co., was postponed, but it was purchased for $1,100.
POOR FARM.
The care of the county poor also early attracted the attention of the Board of Supervisors, and on the 6th day of June, 1862, a resolution was adopted declaring
That it is necessary that a county farm be owned by the county, for the support of the poor, and that a special committee of three be appointed to consider the matter, and report to the Board of Supervisors at their next meeting, in September, 1862.
The resolution was adopted, and Messrs. Dwiggins, Ruffcorn and Austin were appointed such committee. This did not result in any tangible action,
371
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY.
and on January 7, 1863, the Committee on Poor were instructed to inquire into the expediency of purchasing a farm for the county poor during the ensuing year.
September 7, 1863, on motion of Mr. Rice, the Board voted that the Com- mittee on Poor be instructed to report something definitely in reference to the purchase of a poor farm. And afterward, on the same day, the said committee reported in favor of purchasing a poor farm, not to exceed $3,000, nor more than seven miles from the county seat. Whereupon, the Board voted that the report be so altered as to limit the said farm to 200 acres. and the same be re- ferred back to the committee for a more specific report.
September 9, 1863, the Board ordered the following question to be sub- mitted to the voters at the next general election :
Shall the Board of Supervisors of the county of Benton, in the State of Iowa, purchase, for the use of said county, a tract of land not exceeding 200 acres, to be used as a farm for the sup- port of the poor in said county ; and appropriate of the funds of said county a sum not exceed- ing $5,000, for the payment of said lands and the erection of the necessary buildings thereon ?
This vote resulted in 861 for and 517 against the poor farm proposition.
January 6, 1864, the Committee on Poor-R. Rowe, W. F. Kirkpatrick and George Bergen-were directed to receive proposals for the purchase of a poor farm.
On the 7th of June, this committee submitted a report recommending the Spencer farm as the first choice of the committee. Whereupon, it was voted that the Board as a body visit the premises, and that the afternoon be devoted to that purpose.
The record's are silent as to the specific results of their visit, but it seems to have been unsatisfactory, for two days afterward, on the 9th, the Committee on Poor Farm reported in favor of purchasing the farm of Messrs. Gilchrist & Adams. Whereupon the report was adopted.
This purchase appears to have been consummated, as on the 5th of Septem- ber following, the title was ordered to be placed on file, of the property of M. P. Adam : " Six acres off the south end of the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 22, and the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 27, (80 acres) ; also, the south end of fractional Lot 3, in Section 23 (20 acres), all in Township 85 north of Range 10, containing in all 106 acres, more or less. And the following of Robert Gilchrist : 74 acres off the north end of the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 22, and the west half of the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 23, all in Township 85 north of Range 10, containing 94 acres. $1,696.49; of Adams, $2,073.40.
On the same day, the committee was directed to report next day on what terms immediate possession of the farm could be obtained, and to submit a plan of improvement for the same, in order to make it available at the earliest pos- sible date.
The next day the Committee made report, recommending that the Board make improvement or addition to the Gilchrist house. and the employment of some competent person to take charge of the same ; and further, to purchase of Ira Baldwin, who was the occupant at that time. the right of possession at $100; fourteen acres of corn at $12 per acre. $168.00; and eight tons of hay and pile of straw, $32, making a total of $300: to empower the Committee to make improvements at an expense not to exceed $500, and to rent the south eighty to responsible parties the following year: all of which were adopted by the Board. This Committee further reported, November 15, that they had caused to be erected an additional building at a cost of $725.
372
HISTORY OF BENTON COUNTY.
January 5, 1865, the Committee on Poor was instructed to advertise in the Vinton Eagle, for proposals to build a two-story house 22 x 36 feet, to be built at the west end of the house already built on the Poor Farm ; and that the Committee be authorized, if necessary, to mortgage the Poor Farm to borrow money to make the improvements contemplated.
When the farm came into the possession of the county, J. S. Eppersen was employed as Steward or Superintendent, Oct. 16, 1866, a contract was made with F. W. Bliss to take charge of the Poor Farm at a salary of $800 per an- num, to commence March 1, 1867. But on the 15th of January. 1867, the Board entered into a contract with J. S. Epperson to keep the farm at a salary of $700. Why the Bliss contract was abandoned is not explained by the record. It was soon discovered that the support of the poor cost the county more than before the farm was purchased. It was an expensive experiment under the management it received, says one of the Supervisors, and some members of the Board made an effort to obtain an order for its sale. A large portion of the stock was sold ; but those who were determined to sell the entire property went out of office, and the project was abandoned. Prior to 1871, the farm was man- aged on a contract by Hamilton Eppersen, who received $1,200 a year, and for that sum boarded not to exceed fifteen inmates. If the number exceeded fifteen, he was entitled to additional pay. In 1871, however, this method was aban- doned, and Thomas W. Lowe was employed as Steward, at a salary of $500 a year. Mr. Lowe was succeeded by Matthew Brown, and on the Ist of Janu- ary, 1878, James P. Mitchell became Steward.
LOOKING OUT FOR NO. 1.
July 8, 1863, the Supervisors considered the important question of compen- sation for their services in ministering to the families of volunteers whose produ- cers and protectors had gone to the front with their lives in their hands to maintain the integrity of the Union. After due deliberation, on mnotion of Mr. J. M. In- man, it was voted that the Supervisors draw their pay for visiting the wives of soldiers, out of the Soldiers' Relief Fund.
THE NEW BRIDGE.
As early as 1863, the bridge at Vinton appears to have needed attention, and on the 1st of June, Messrs. Dysart, Bowe and Robinson were appointed a Committee "to inquire into the situation of matters pertaining to the Vinton bridge. In 1865, the bridge became unsafe, apparently, for on the 6th of June, of that year, a license was granted to Alvin Clark to operate a ferry at Vinton.
September 6, 1865, the Board appropriated $2,000 to be used in re-build- ing Vinton bridge, to be drawn only when $8,000 more should be raised for the same purpose ; and the next day James F. Young, Esq., was selected as the agent of the county, to remove and preserve the old bridge, preparatory to the building of a new one.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.