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 54
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"To advertise the advantages of its town and county is the primary mis- sion of the local press, and to the thorough and intelligent setting forth of these we shall devote our principal energy.
"The census just completed shows the county of Boone to have been dis- tanced in securing emigration by but one of the hundred counties that comprise the commonwealth of Iowa. Its advantages in soil, coal, timber, climate, ready access to profitable markets, and enterprising people, are attracting the lion's share of similar spirits from the East, and as a county we are on the high tide to permanent prosperity. With this promising future before the people of Boone county we take our place to labor with and for you.
" Since the organization of the Republican party we have been in hearty sympathy with its principles. Republicanism, which saved the nation, has yet the honorable duty to perform in the preservation of its integrity. The debt contracted in suppressing the rebellion it behooves us to see hon- orably paid, and not made a national reproach as is the earnest wish of the enemies of our country. Loyalty to the flag when imperiled must be a badge of honor and not a crime punishable by death or exile at the in- stance of mob courts; until these ends are accomplished and while there exists an organized spirit of death to the State, Republicanism will not have accomplished its mission. We shall contribute our mite to the perpet- uation to that sentiment which regards national faith as fully binding in honor as individual obligation, and which disposes the people to regard merit and not the accidents of previous condition or complexion in the bestowal of universal liberty. Many improvements of a material character are in contemplation, which we prefer should manifest themselves as they are adapted, rather than to herald them ¿ t this early day. We mention as perhaps chief among such, negotiations for a power press with which we indulge the prospect of being able to print the first paper in the new year. A return to the original size of the paper is contemplated as soon as the inconveniences of a change of proprietors are overcome.
" Trusting the intercourse between the public and the writer may be as cordial as that which distinguished our genial predecessor and promising our best efforts to present a readable 'Standard' from week to week we settle to our editorial work."
Mr. Brainard's promises, to fit up a first-class office, publish a good paper and to labor for the building up of the town, he has kept. The new power press appeared in due time and no effort has been spared, and no labor shunned, and no responsibility evaded by the proprietor of the "Standard." In recognition of his earnest endeavors to build up the town he was in 1873 selected by the people of Boone and vicinity as their candidate for postmaster, and receiving the appointment from the President filled that
429
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
office acceptably for four years. Mr. Brainard is a genial and cultivated gentleman who will always be remembered by any one who ever had the good fortune to be with the Iowa Press Gang on one of its annual excur- sions. He is by nature eminently endowed with a genius for his chosen profession, and in a city noted no less for the sharp competition in the newspaper business than in other fields of industry, he holds his own, has his full share of friends and keeps well up in the ranks where always wages the fiercest contest in the battle of life. His office gives unmistak- able evidence of culture as well as industry in its occupant, and the visitor cannot fail on leaving Mr. Brainard's sanctum, of coming to the conclu- sion that its occupant is a gentleman of refinement as well as a man of mature mind and industrious habits.
Notwithstanding the fact that Boone county prior to the year 1865 was reliably Democratic and after that time has been very evenly divided on political questions it has frequently been without a Democratic paper. Feeling the importance of having a party organ the Democracy early in 1868 induced a gentleman by the name of Raguet to locate in Boone and establish a Democratic paper. The first number appeared February, 1868. The paper was called the Boone County "Democrat," which since that time has made its appearance regularly every week, and at present gives flat- tering hopes of long life and wide-spread influence. In 1870 Mr. Raguet sold one-half interest in the "Democrat" to J. Hornstein, the gentleman who at present is sole editor and proprietor. The issue of August 31 contained Mr. Hornstein's salutatory as follows:
" INTRODUCTORY .- By the withdrawal of Mr. Ragnet from the editorial chair of the 'Democrat,' the somewhat arduous duty of filling it devolves upon me, and I appear before you for the first time. Custom demands that I should make a declaration of my views and the course I intend to pursue while having control of this paper.
"The 'Democrat' will be, as heretofore, a local paper, always awake to the interests of Boone county and the earnest advocate of all enterprises that may redound to its benefit. Democratic in politics, it will oppose the onerous system of taxing the poor man while the rich bond-holder goes free; the outrageous tariff system which protects the rich manufacturers of the East at the expense of the farmers of the West; the system of pay- ing that part of the United States debt in gold which calls for greenbacks only on its face; and the bitter enemy of official corruption, no matter from which party it may emanate.
" Though our columns will be open to all. and communications thank- fully received, everything of a personal or sectarian character will be care- fully excluded.
" In conclusion I would say that it shall be my earnest endeavor to keep the 'Democrat' up to its present standard of merit, and my highest ambition will be to meet the approval of the people among whom I have made my home."
In December, 1870, Mr. Ragnet disposed of his interest in the paper to C. D. Waldo. who, in connection with Mr. Hornstein, continued to publish the "Democrat" till November, 1872, when he disposed of his interest to his partner, Mr. Hornstein. The last named gentleman is not only a writer of ability and genius for his profession, but is a practical printer of large ex- perience. In connection with his editorial duties and the care of the com- posing rooms and job office (which he personally supervises), Mr. Horn-
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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
stein devotes much time to self culture. He has a miscellaneous library composed of English, German and classical works, which would be a credit to persons living in much larger cities and who have more leisure for gon eral reading than the average Iowa newspaper man is supposed to have. He is a politician of great activity, and not only in county and local af- fairs, but also in state and national politics, Mr. Hornstein is well posted, and he may properly be regarded as among the best exponents of the Dein- ocratic faith in the State. He has not, to onr certain knowledge, ever been a candidate for any office, but with the standing which he has with his party, and the vote which he consequently could control in the county, this fact is rather due to his own preference than a matter of necessity.
The Ogden "Reporter" was established by Ed. Adams, June 4, 1874. In October of the same year the paper was purchased by Earl Billings, who still continues its publication. It is a six-column quarto and is Republican in politics. There is probably not a more progressive and enterprising town in the State than Ogden, and as is always the case with such towns the people are proud of their newspaper and support it most liberally. But there are special and peculiar influences which have aided to make the "Re- porter" a successful enterprise. As before alluded to, the Des Moines river divides Boone county into two almost equal parts, and such a formidable barrier does this stream present during many seasons of the year that the people on the west side have at length begun to consider themselves cut off from their neighbors on the east side. Thus it is that in late years they have come to regard Ogden as their metropolis and the "Reporter" as their organ. The "Reporter" possibly has not encouraged the growth of this sec- tional feeling, but its publisher has striven to make it a first-class journal and thereby has profited by this accident of a river even though he is in no means responsible for the complications which have grown out of this acci- dent.
The "Reporter" has, next to the "Republican" the largest circulation in the the county, and therefore is, according to the provisions of the State statute, one of the official papers. In connection with the editorial charge and business management of the "Reporter" Mr. Billings transacts quite an ex- tensive law business.
The newspapers of Boone county have ever been creditable to the intelli- gence and business of its people, and it is to be hoped that they may always continue to bear the good name and exercise the potent influence which have marked their past history.
SCHOOLS.
The schools of the county are sharing with the contents of the newsboy's bundle the title of universities of the poor. The close observation of the working of the public schools shows that if the induction of facts be com- plete, it could be demonstrated that the public schools turn out more better fitted for business, and for usefulness, than most of our colleges. The free- . dom and liberty of our public schools afford less room for the growth of effeminacy and pedantry; it educates the youth among the people, and not among a caste or class, and since the man or woman is called upon to do with a nation in which some are the only factor, the education which the public schools afford, especially where they are of the superior standard reached in this county, do fit their recipients for a sphere of usefulness
.
431
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
nearer the public heart than can be attained by private schools or acade- mies.
Boone county educational affairs are in a flourishing condition. The contrast between the settler's school and the present accommodations has been marked. The puncheon floors and desks, and doorless aperture for entrance, have given place to more finished edifices, in some cases elegant ones, possibly not more thoroughly ventilated, but more comfortably so.
The county has now become well supplied with comfortable, commodious school-houses, and good schools are being taught in all the townships and towns, sufficiently numerous and convenient for the accommodation of all parts of the county. Educational interests have been considered of the highest importance by the majority of the citizens, and means and efforts have not been spared to make their public schools a success; and under the efficient management of the persons who have held the office of superintend- ent for quite a term of years, the schools and educational interests are at- taining a high standard.
The county teachers believe in the interchange of thonght, also in the community of effort, and are making the profession of teaching a study as well as practice. Teachers' institutes are now becoming of regular and frequent occurrences, and are well attended by those who take special in- terest in the work. The superintendent's examination-grade is now of such a standard that all applicants do not attain it, and for those who are successful, after diligent study and preparation, it shows a much more creditable standing, besides furnishing a more efficient class of teachers.
The first schools of the county were held in school-honses to suit the times. Some idea of those school-houses can be gathered from the follow- ing description of a typical one:
It was built of round logs, the space between them chinked and then daubed with mud. Abont five feet from the west wall on the inside, and about five feet high, another log was placed and running clear across the building. Puncheons were fixed on this log and in the west wall on which the chimney was built. Fuel could then be used of any length not greater than the width of the building, and when it was burned through in the middle the ends were crowded together; in this manner was avoided the necessity of so much wood-chopping. There was no danger of burning the floor, as there was none. The seats were made of stools or benches, constructed by splitting a log, hewing off the splinters from the flat side and then putting four pegs into it from the round side for legs. The door was made of clap-boards. On either side a piece of one log was cut out, and over the aperture was pasted greased paper which answered for a win- dow. Wooden pins were driven into the log running lengthwise inmedi- ately beneath the windows, upon which was laid a board and this consti- tuted the writing desks. The school district in which this wonderful struc- ture stood extended from the east part of the county to the adjoining township line, and from Skunk river on the north as far south as one could see. Since the day of school tax levies the people are a little more definite in defining their subdistricts.
The first school-house built in Boone county was about one and a half miles southwest of Boone near Honey creek; it was located on section 33, township 84, range 26. It was erected some time during the summer of 1849, and during the following winter Reuben S. Clark taught the first school. Among the pupils who attended this school was George W.
432
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
Crooks, now one of the leading lawyers of the county. This school-house was built of unhewn logs and was about 16x18 feet in size. It had a chimney built of mind and sticks, and the clapboard roof was weighted on with logs. This building was the first and for some time the only public building in the county. As before remarked this house was the place for the official meetings of the commissioner's court for some time after the organization of the county. During the summer of 1850 another school- house was erected at Bell Point, and during the following winter a school was taught there by Thomas Sparks; the teacher received twelve dollars per month and his boarding. The money paid Mr. Sparks was public funds derived from the State fund, hence he was not obliged to collect his salary from individual subscribers and take part of it in rails, potatoes and flax, as was the case with the first teachers in some other connties, as will be seen from this following copy of a contract still in existence:
" Article of agreement made and entered into this 9th day of January, 1846, between R. F. Weller, of the Territory of Iowa, and the undersigned, witnesseth that the said Weller agrees to teach a common school for the term of three months, viz .: spelling, reading, writing and arithmetic.
" The undersigned citizens of the said county, agree to pay said Weller one dollar and fifty cents per scholar; also, to furnish a suitable house and fire-wood, and board said Weller; the above amount may be paid in mak- ing rails at the customary price, one-third to be paid on or before the ex- piration of each month. School to commence when twenty scholars are signed."
Mr. Sparks was a pioneer teacher, he not only having taught in the first schools of Boone county, but previously in Wapello county; he had also taught for many years in Fayette county, Pennsylvania, before coming to Iowa. He taught two terms of school in this connty after the one taught at Bell Point; one of these schools was in the house now occupied by G. W. Brown, of Worth township, and the other one was in the same town- ship in a school-house located in what is now called district No. 5.
S. B. McCall taught the first school on the west side of the river during the winter of 1851 and 1852. The house where the school was taught was in what is called Rose's Bottom. There was no county superintendent of schools till the year 1858, and although teachers were responsible to certain anthorities, there was no effective system of supervision; examina- tions were very unsatisfactory; there was no inducement for any one to prepare himself for the work of teaching, and if there were some who ex- celled in their work it was because of the love they had for the occupation and not because of a spirit of emulation and a desire to excel.
The new school law, which went into effect in 1858, threw protection around the school fund and shut out of the business of teaching much in- competence and ignorance. While it is a fact that the present high stand- ing of the schools has been reached gradually, and not by a sudden move- ment, yet it is likewise trne that the most perceptible change for the bet- ter was between the years of 185S and 1860. Mr. Phelan was the first county superintendent who held the office, but one term of two years. The law of rotation in office seems to have been applied to the county superin- tendent more rigidly than to any other county officer. Persons filling this office were not often professional teachers, and not always persons of cul- ture and education. This office, as is too frequently the case with other county offices, has at times been bestowed as a reward for party service to
433
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
men not all in sympathy with the public school system, and whose training had fitted them for managing a caucus or packing a convention rather than prepared them for organizing schools and stimulating teachers to energetic and thorough work in the school-room. The public schools of Boone county, however, have not suffered more in this particular than the schools of other counties. There have been many superintendents to watch over the educational interest of the county who were men of fine culture and whose whole active lives had been in sympathy with the cause of popular education. If there have been poor superintendents, there have also been some very good ones, and, as a result, the schools of the county are fully up with the times and will compare favorably with those of other counties. The following statistics will show the condition of the schools of the county. For the sake of comparison, we first give statistics for the year 1871:
Number of subdistricts
92
66 " schools.
106
" pupils enrolled 3,992
Average attendance. 2,412
77
73
Compensation per week, males
females
7 43
Number school-houses
84
Value 66
$ 79,542 00
388 00
For the year 1879 the following statistics are quoted from the superin- tendent's report:
Number independent districts
11
66 sub-districts . 133
160
pupils.
5,537
Average attendance.
3,784
Number teachers, males
97
females.
182
Compensation per month, males
$ 29 50
Number of shool-houses
143
Value of
$109,285 00
Value of apparatus.
990 00
Volumes in library
527
School-House Fund.
On hand at last report.
$ 4,500 54
Received from district tax. 6,118 95
Received from other sources
17,736 58
Total debit.
$ 28,356 07
Paid for school-houses and sites
$ 18,348 23
Paid on bonds and interests
4,004 03
On hand ..
4,434 14
Paid for libraries, apparatus, etc
1,047 89
Number of teachers, male
female ..
10 97
of apparatus
schools.
66 females 25 00
434
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
Contingent Fund.
On hand from last report
$ 6,237 92
Received from district tax
12,573 27
Received from other sources
1,862 27
Total debit
$ 20,673 46
Paid for rent of school-houses and repairs.
3,798 74
Paid for fuel .
2,545 78
Paid for secretary and treasurer
920 12
Paid records, apparatus, etc
651 15
Paid other purposes
3,555 89
Paid insurance
406 50
Paid janitors
722 65
On hand
8,072 63
Teacher's Fund.
On hand at last report.
$ 21,577 83
Received from semi annual apportionment
7,657 32
Received from district taxes.
27,988 34
Received from other sources
122 62
Total debit
$ 57,346 11
Paid to teachers
$ 33,563 25
Paid other purposes
86 59
On hand ..
23,697 27
The normal institute for 1877 was conducted by T. A. Cutler, assisted by J. H. Thompson and J. W. King; lectures were given by Superintendent von Coelln, C. E. Bessy, Miss S. E. Collier, J. H. Thomason and J. Baldwin. The normal institute of 1878 was conducted by O. H. Baker, assisted by N. E. Goldthwaite, W. P. Todd, H. E. Hammond and Miss Collier. In 1879 the normal institute was conducted by H. E. Hammond, assisted by N. E. Goldthwaite, W. P. Todd, Miss S. C. Thomas and Miss E. J. Couch; lectures were delivered by C. W. von Coelln, W. H. Stiffler and S. P. Leland.
Prof. J. H. Chambers is at present superintendent of the schools of the county. He is a teacher by profession, having been engaged in that work for some fifteen years, most of the time in Iowa. For a number of years he has been engaged in the schools of Boonesboro, where he is now em- ployed, April, 1880. At the close of the present school year he proposes to retire from the Boonesboro schools, and give his whole time to the super- vision of the schools of the county.
435
HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
CHAPTER IX.
Old Settlers' Association-Churches-Agricultural __ Societies -Gold Excitement-Accidents and Crimes-Mine Statistics.
Ir has already been stated that the hardships and trials of the pioneers were calculated to make the first settlers of this county unusually friendly and sociable with one another. In those early times it was frequently the case that Mr. A. was out of provisions, and having undergone the bitter experience of want, his heart melted toward Mr. X. whose ox team had just arrived from the far east, and immediately lights his cob pipe and saunters over to the place where the latter is encamped and inquires if there is anything he can do for him. X. in the course of a few years gets comfortably fixed, and when Mr. W. arrives from Indiana he remembers the kindness of Mr. A., and prompted by that philanthropy which is com - mon to humanity. when humanity is called upon to assert itself, Mr. X. calls upon Mr. W. and renders all the encouragement and help he can. And thus was laid the foundation of a friendship, which, by the force of circumstances was strengthened from year to year. A., X. and W. are practically communists, for what one has, that has the other also. They grind their coffee on the same mnill, hull their corn on the same hominy block, and when the new man with money attempts to jump A.'s claim X. and W. are on hand with the tar and feathers. In future years when by rigid economy, industry and patience each is comfortably fixed and sur- rounded with all the luxuries of life we would naturally expect to find a close bond of union between them and while there is no vain show of friendship, no hypocritical display of attachment, yet the tie remains un- broken and is strengthened by age. When A. dies and is buried in the old graveyard the bond of friendship becomes still more binding on the two remaining members of this confederacy. And thus as time goes on the early settlers of the county become more closely united, and thus it is that during recent years in many counties have been formed old settlers' societies.
The Old Settlers' Association of Boone county was formed in 1874. The constitution is simple and brief, embracing only such points as are necessary to form a basis of action. It is as follows:
ARTICLE I.
The organization shall be called the Boone County Old Settlers' Associa- tion.
ARTICLE II.
The officers shall consist of a president, vice-president, a secretary a treasurer and an executive committee of five. The committee to be chosen from among the youngest members of the association, and whose duty it shall be to provide places of meeting for the association; to see that mem- bers needing care shall receive the same, and to have the general manage- ment of the affairs of the association. The duty of the officers shall be those usually devolving upon such officers.
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HISTORY OF BOONE COUNTY.
ARTICLE III.
All old settlers who came to the county prior to 1860, and who are now residents of the county, may become members of the association by signing the constitution.
ARTICLE IV.
The secretary shall keep a record of the name, age and residence of each member, together with the year in which he or she came to Iowa; and upon the death of a member he shall enter in a book-kept for that pur- pose-a suitable obituary notice, and report such death to the meeting at the next annual meeting.
ARTICLE V.
The actual expenses of the association shall be defrayed by an assessment of fifty cents upon its members.
ARTICLE VI.
There shall be an annual meeting of the association, and such called meetings as the executive committee may deem necessary, and at each an- nual meeting the association shall determine the time and place of the next annual meeting.
ARTICLE VII.
This constitution may be altered or amended by a two-thirds vote at any annual meeting of the association.
The first and only reunion of this society was held in the public square, at Boonesboro, on the 12th of October, 1874. The reunion, as is shown by the accompanying press report, was a very successful and enthusiastic affair. That the reunions have not been held annually since that time ac- cording to the original plan, is due to a variety of causes, chief of which probably are some growing out of political complications. The following is a copy of the call and programme of the reunion of October, 1874:
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