USA > Iowa > Boone County > The history of Boone County, Iowa, containing biographical sketches war records of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men, history of the Northwest, history of Iowa, map of Boone county etc. > Part 49
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"The county has just completed one of the finest court-houses in the State at a cost of $38,000.00 a special tax having been levied for that pur. pose. The building stands at the center of the public square in Boones- boro. It is a brick 56x66 feet and three stories high, with extensions 9x30 feet on the east and west. A spacious hall passes east and west through the middle of the lower story, on either side of which are the sev- eral county offices. A spacious court-room, together with jury rooms, oc- cupy the second story. Three fire proof vaults are provided in the treasurer's clerk's and recorder's offices, respectively. There is an abase- ment designed for heating purposes, with also a pump conveniently ar- ranged within the building. An imposing dome surmounts the top of the building, rising to a height of 68 feet from the ground. Two massive columns. each resting on a stone base, support the portico on the east front. The window and door caps are also of stone. The whole building is substantially and thoroughly finished, except as to the heating apparatus, which has not yet been introduced."
Although the enthusiasm of that newspaper reporter rather got away with his pencil, yet the building was a rather creditable structure for that day and doubtless compared very favorably with the other court-houses of the State. Such, however, is not the case at present. Ten or twelve years here in lowa carry a community far along in the onward march of events;
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and during that time a court-house may be left behind, especially when it is no better cared for than this one evidently has been cared for. Even that famous pump and stately dome are evidently in their dotage, and the ela b- orate heating apparatus has not yet arrived. The only improvement which seems to have been put upon the building since its erection, or at least the only improvement calculated to arrest the attention of the visitor, is on the walls, which, during later years, have been highly frescoed by amateur artists from time to time.
Boone county has never been remarkable for the size and security of its jail. There have been two of these institutions; the first one a log build- ing having outlived its usefulness was removed and a new brick structure, which is now in use, was erected in 185 -. This building is 28x30 feet, and two stories high. On the first floor are three commodious rooms, where the jailer and his family reside. On the second floor are two cells and a corridor; also jailer's office and two bedrooms. The inside of the cells are lined with sheet iron and furnish reasonable security for ordinary criminals; as for professionals, however, it would be hard to keep such there over night.
It has been heretofore mentioned that the first application for county aid in the support of paupers was made in 1854. In early days few persons were very rich, and it is likewise true that there were few very poor. The his- tory of Boone county in this respect does not differ from that of other counties. As the country settled up, farms were improved, elegant farm houses erected, and the various natural resources of the country developed, the more industrions, economical and fortunate became richer, and those who had less enterprise, business sagacity, or were unfortunate grew poorer. Thus it was that after the year 1856, when the first aid was afforded, the number of panpers increased rapidly, and in ten years from that time the number of paupers was so great, and the expense of maintaining them so large, that the tax-payers began to clamor for some more economical method of relieving the deserving poor; not only had the number of paupers in- creased rapidly, but exorbitant prices were frequently demanded for main- taining such, and when accommodations could not be procured elsewhere the authorities were compelled to pay the prices demanded. It is said that as much as three dollars per week have been paid for the maintenance 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 1867 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 various individuals , and the feasibility of the undertaking, doubtless, had frequently suggested itself to that honorable body; but owing to the fact that the county was al- ready in debt, and a new debt of thirty-four thousand dollars had just been contracted for a new court-house, the county authorities hesitated. At the September session of the board, 1867, it was decided not to be prudent longer to delay this matter. It was, therefore, resolved that a tract of land be purchased, and suitable buildings erected whereby the poor, or at least a certain portion of them, could be more effectively and economically cared for. As there was no money in the treasury it was resolved that the sum of twelve thousand dollars be borrowed, payable in ten years at the rate of ten per cent per annum. The board having signified their intention to borrow the money and purchase the farin, could proceed no further until
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such action was authorized by the people. It was, therefore, ordered that a vote be taken on this question at the following regular election in Octo- ber, 1867. The proposition was carried by a large majority, the vote being as follows: in favor of poor-house and farm, 882; against poor-house and farm, 291. Ilaving thus received authority to proceed with the work, the board of supervisors, after having examined several tracts of land, agreed to buy a farm owned by J. F. Alexander, located in Dodge township. The farm consisted of two hundred acres, and the buildings, though good for the kind, were not adapted for the use of a county infirmary. Additions were erected to the buildings already erected, and during the early part of the year 1868 the county farm was ready for the reception of inmates. The building is a two-story frame structure containing twenty-one rooms, cellar, closets, ont-houses, etc. Since the farm was bought and the house first ready for the reception of inmates April 1, 1868, there have been one hun- dred and thirty-two persons received.
There are at present ten inmates, one insane and nine panpers. There are one hundred acres of the farm under cultivation, and during the year 1879 there were proceeds of the farm as follows: One hundred bushels of wheat, six hundred bushels of oats, twenty-five hundred bushels of corn, one hundred and fifty bushels of potatoes, and quite an amount of stock. The present steward is Mr. John Kelley, who devotes all his time to the cultivation of the farm and the oversight of the house. He receives as salary $350 per annum.
The farm is well managed, and the accommodations are ample, and with such facilities as the county has for taking care of the poor and helpless it is right and expedient that parties requiring aid from the county be re- moved to that place just as soon as possible, and that in all possible cases the payment of money to outdoor paupers should cease. There may be certain cases in which it may be proper to pay a weekly sum to an indi- vidual or family for support, but these cases are very few. This is espe- cially the case when the county-honse has facilities for accommodating a much larger number of inmates. Township trustees should see that the poor fund is not depleted by such heavy payment, as in times past, to those outside of the county-honse. Economy demands this, and in most cases humanity also, for it cannot but be admitted that persons in want or insane can be much better accommodated on a connty-farm than in private resi- dences. This is a question that lies with the township trustees, and al- most beyond control of the board of supervisors. The funds for the sup- port of the inmates of the county-house have been exhausted largely by the heavy dranghts for assistance to persons outside of the county- house; but the abundant crops on the farin will do much toward sustaining the whole concern during the year.
Asylums for the poor, the disabled, and the unfortunate are peculiarly Christian institutions, it has been said, and they become more common with the growth of civilization. None of the heathen nations, Rome, Greece or Macedon, in their times of greatest wealth and power, ever estab- lished any public institutions for the relief of the destitute, but in this age a State, or even a county of any considerable size or prosperity, would be considered far behind in all the elements of progress unless some provision was made for the care of paupers and other unfortunates.
Boone county has been rather remarkably free from abject poverty, but nevertheless has been diligent and generous in providing a place for those
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too poor to have any other. Care is taken to make the institution adapted to its purposes and to keep it always in good order.
Although the poor of the county have been cared for from the beginning by appropriations made by the county board, the more recent plan is in every way preferable to the former plan of making allowances. Poverty which results from calamity and misfortune is no dishonor, and for such a home at the county farm is just as comfortable and just as honorable as a home anywhere. Poverty which results from idleness and dissipation may, to a large extent, be prevented by just such means as are now being em- ployed at the county farm. "Over the hills to the poor-house" is a sad story at best, but there is one far sadder. A painting at the Centennial portrayed an aged Indian squaw left to perish on the plains, while those of her own tribe-her own family and children even-were wending their way ont of sight, followed by the despairing, worn-ont, deserted old woman. Such is life among those who know nothing of charity.
By examining a map of Boone county, it will be seen that the Des Moines river divides it into two nearly equal parts. By reason of this noble stream, the county possesses a variety of natural resources which it could not possess but for the river. Notwithstanding this, the river has al- ways presented many difficulties and obstacles in the settlement of the country. From the very first it has served as an almost impassible barrier during many seasons of the year, effectually shutting off all communica- tion between the two parts of the county. The necessity of bridging the stream and the great expense involved in the carrying out of such an en- terprise, have from the first presented a problem which the wisest and most sagacious of the county officials have been unable to solve.
At a session of the board of supervisors in 1865, the question of bridg- ing the river was discussed and the importance of the measure conceded. To undertake the erection of a bridge, however, was a task from which the board shrank. They agreed to encourage such an enterprise and grant par- tial aid. It was resolved that the board would appropriate the sum of two thousand dollars toward paying for a bridge, at or as near as possible to the center of the county. It was provided, however, that no money should be appropriated for the purpose until the citizens of the county most inter- ested should have undertaken the work and it had so nearly approached completion that the said sum would finish it. Notwithstanding this offer, it seems no effective measures were taken to begin the work, and in the course of a few years the bridge question was lost sight of in the discus- sion of the court-house question. In the course of time the question of the building of a bridge again came up, and the board submitted a propo- sition to the voters of the county whether or not a bridge should be built. The question was decided in the negative. This decision was brought about by reason of a real or supposed conflict of interest. During the past few years a thriving town has sprung up on the west side of the river, and a large section of country in that vicinity take pride in the young and thrifty town. Many people there claimed that having thus established a market of their own, it would be unjust to tax them for the building of a bridge in the interests of Boone. Such persons, aided by the votes of the people on the east side who had no interest in the matter, and by the votes of those who are opposed to taxation for public improvements of any kind, were able to defeat the question when submitted at the polls. It becoming evi- dent that this conflict of sectional interest would defeat the measure for
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many years to come if submitted to a vote, the board of supervisors at the first meeting in 1879 determined to take a bold stand and order the erec- tion of a bridge without the advice of their constituents.
This they had the legal right to do, provided the sum expended did not exceed a certain amount. At the meeting referred to it was resolved that a bridge be erected across the Des Moines river at a certain specified point, and that the sum of fifteen thousand dollars be appropriated for that pur- pose. As soon as circumstances would permit a contract was entered into with the Clinton Bridge Company, the erection of the bridge was entered upon, and by the following December it was opened for travel. Consider- ing the sum expended this is one of the best bridges in the State, and we deem the enterprise of sufficient importance to give the following descrip- tion of the structure, and the contract entered into between the Clinton Bridge Company and the board of supervisors. The bridge consists of two spans of two hundred feet each; the roadway is sixteen feet wide in the clear; the approach from the east is a one hundred and forty feet pile road- way sixtcen feet wide in the clear, and from the west a forty feet pile ap- proach; width of roadbed sixteen feet in the clear. The timber used for framing purposes is of the best white pine, dressed on all sides by machinery to an even size. The cast-iron is of the best quality of soft gray iron, free from flaws. The wrought-iron is of the best quality, XX iron, and neatly forged. All the iron and timber is neatly painted with two coats of metallic paint and boiled linseed oil. The approach on the east side has a neat planed railway on each side, each bent having three oak piling well and firmly driven, braced on both sides. The piling are 12 by 14 feet; caps are 10 by 10 feet; joists are 3 by 14 feet; plank is 3 inches thick. The weight of the bridge is 880 pounds per lineal foot, working load 1120 pounds per lineal foot, making a total of 2000 pounds total load per lineal foot. The main piers are 29 feet 6 inches at bottom, and 23 feet 6 inches at top.
The following is the contract:
" Memorandum of agreement made and entered into this seventeenth day of April, 1879, by and between the Clinton Bridge Company, of Clinton, Iowa, party of the first part, and the county of Boone by its board of super- visors, party of the second part:
" Witnesseth that said party of the first part agrees to furnish all mate- rials, and build and complete a wagon bridge. including all superstructure, substructure and approaches, across the Des Moines river in Boone county, Iowa, at a point on the State road crossing said river at or near Rose's ferry in said county, in accordance with plans hereunto attached. All material to be of the best quality, and all work to be done in good and workmanlike manner in all respects, and to the acceptance of the said board of super. visors, and to be fully completed on or before the first day of September, 1879.
" In consideration of the fulfillment of the above agreement by said first party said second party hereby agrees to pay or cause to be paid to said party of the first part the sum of $14,755.50, payable as follows: so much as shall be required to pay freight on material for said bridge upon its ar- rival at Boone, Iowa, and eighty per cent of the estimate on cost of masonry so soon as said masonry is completed, and the sum of eight thousand dol- lars so soon as said bridge shall be completed according to the terms of contract, and the balance may be paid in a warrant drawn on the bridge
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fund of Boone county, which shall be payable with interest on or before the first day of February, 1880.
" In witness whereof, the said parties have hereunto set their hands and seals this 17th day of April, 1879.
"CLINTON BRIDGE COMPANY. "D. N. BAGWELL.
"PETER V. FARLEY. "A. JOICE."
CHAPTER VII.
ADDITIONAL COUNTY AFFAIRS.
Finances-Defalcations-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 county finances. This much we do 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. In 1852 and 1853 there was an outstand- ing debt amounting to some eight or ten hundred dollars, but in 1855 this debt was paid off and there was quite a. handsome little balance in the treasury. Be it said also, to the credit of the early county officials, that although their work was laborious, and their salary very meagre, they dis- charged the duties confided to them with scrupulous honesty, and their character was never tainted with the breath of suspicion. Such, we are sorry to say, has not been uniformly the case with all county officials in later times. He who records the deeds of his fellow men must reproduce the bad along with the good, and while it is his privilege to submit, as models, the record of the wise, the honest and upright, it is likewise his duty not wholly to ignore the record made by the foolish, the dishonest and profligate, who by their misdemeanor in office, and misappropriation of money, have betrayed their sacred trusts, defrauded their best friends, and left behind them a record the contemplation of which arouses no pleasant memories. The tourist, if his journeys be at all extended, beholds not only grand mountains, magnificent forests and luxuriant vegetation; at times he must plunge into miasmatic swamps and cross dreary deserts, and mingled with the glad notes of joy will come wafted to his ear the wail of woe. Thus it is with one who journeys back through the musty records of the past, even those humble, unpretentious volumes which constitute the ar- chives of this county; he will find there the records of those who were proof against the sorest temptation, whom the lust for money could not buy nor the voice of flattery swerve; and again, like the tourist in the mias- matic swamp, will he come to places where all he can do is to hold his nos- trils and wade.
It is not our intention to impress the reader with the thought that Boone county has been peculiarly unfortunate in this respect, for such is not the case. Its fate has been the common fate of all, and the number of
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its officials, who have been either unfortunate or dishonest, or both, fully fills up the measure of general average.
The first difficulty was with J. H. Chapman, clerk of the district court, and ex-officio clerk of the board of supervisors. He was elected in the fall of 1860, having taken possession of the clerk's office the following Jannary, and served two years, was again elected for the term of two years at the October election, 1862, and retired from office January 1st, 1865. After his successor was qualified and had entered npon the duties of his office, it was found that Chapman was a defaulter in the sum of over four hundred dollars. Mr. Chapman had in the meantime left the country, returning to Indiana, where he afterward died. His bondsmen were called upon to reimburse the county, which they did after considerable litigation.
The next defalcation was in the same office by the deputy of Chapman's successor. In the fall of 1864 Charles Weston was elected clerk of the district court, and entered upon the duties of that office Jan. 1st, 1865. By virtue of his office as clerk of the district court, Mr. Weston was also ex- officio clerk of the board of supervisors. Mr. Weston had considerable other business of a private character to attend to, and appointed J. M. Harlow to act as his deputy. According to the provisions of the law, it was necessary for the clerk to be present in person at all the sessions of the district court, and the various meetings of the board of supervisors. All the other business pertaining to the two offices could be legally attended to by the deputy clerk, and Mr. Harlow, it seems, soon had the almost ex- clusive management of the two offices.
This county has a swamp land history as well as a river land history, both of which we purpose giving at the proper place. We allude to the matter here, because at the time referred to the county was right in the midst of the swamp land business, and the board of supervisors through their clerk were all the while issuing and taking np swamp land warrants. The board of supervisors metat their regular sessions and by the reports which they received from time to time supposed that everything was all right. Finally Thomas Sparks, a member of the board, an honest and well to do farmer, and with all a shrewd business man, who carried into the management of the public business the same sagacity and good sense. which characterized him in the management of his private affairs, sus- pected that there was something "rotten in Denmark," or in other words that there was some criminal irregularity in Harlow's way of doing busi- ness. Mr. Sparks called the attention of the board to certain transactions ยท which had aroused his suspicions, and upon investigation it was found that swamp land warrants to the amount of $1,800 had been issued; it was fur- ther found that of these warrants $2,200 had been paid, or in other words 8400 more than had ever been issued; it was still further found that $1.900 in swamp land warrants was still outstanding. Harlow, it seems, had fallen into the free and easy, and at the same time criminal way of taking up warrants, and instead of canceling them, reissuing them. When the board got at the facts in the case they informned the clerk, Mr. Weston, and in a most emphatic manner objected to Mr. Harlow's methods in estab- lishing a circulating medium and treating the swamp land warrants as fiat money. The latter having received some intimation that his efforts in the way of financier were not appreciated by the board, took a trip to Mis- sonri for his health. As soon as possible after the guilt of the deputy clerk was established, measures were taken to bring a criminal suit against
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him. The officers failing to find him, and hearing that he had gone to Missouri, sent a person for him who persuaded hiin to return. A prelim- inary examination was had and Harlow was placed under bonds to await the action of the grand jury. Thus the matter ended; Harlow having left the country, and his bondsmen remaining to settle the matter with the county.
Some time after this H. R. Wilson was elected clerk. He served through his term and gave general satisfaction as a county official. After his suc- cessor was installed in office it appeared that Mr. Wilson's accounts were fifteen hundred dollars short. It appears that no action has been brought against the latter to recover the amount of the deficit.
C. W. Hamilton was elected to the office of treasurer and recorder and entered upon the duties of his office in Jannary, 1856. He was re-elected from time to time, holding the office of treasurer and recorder until these two offices were separated, when he was elected to the office of treasurer, having been continuously in office, part of the time treasurer and recorder and the remainder of the time treasurer, for ten years, from January 1, 1856, to January 1, 1866.
When Hamilton went out of office it was found that he had been guilty of at least three kinds of misdemeanor: First, he had embezzled county funds to the amount of $6,600; second, he had re-issued county warrants instead of canceling them; third, he had embezzled private funds which had been left in the county safe for secure keeping. Of the latter funds embezzled, some $7,000, were in United State bonds, the property of Mr. Clark Luther. The total amount of funds misappropriated amounted in the aggregate to $18,000 or $19,000. The news of Hamilton's defalcation soon spread over the county, and there was great indignation manifested everywhere. Hamilton was arrested and brought before justice Hilton for preliminary examination. The charge upon which he was arraigned was based on his re-issning county warrants. The State was represented by Judge I. J. Mitchell, and although it was evident the crime had been com- mitted and there were witnesses who could plainly establish the guilt of the defendant, yet so fully had Hamilton gained the confidence of the peo- ple and such a hold had he, especially upon those who were best qualified to testify, that it was almost impossible to secure any witnesses, and the one upon whom the State especially relied was from some good and suffi- cient cause absent. Notwithstanding Mr. Mitchell, the attorney for the State, used his best endeavors to induce the justice to hold the defendant, so great was the pressure from without that Hamilton was discharged.
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