USA > Iowa > Iowa County > The history of Iowa County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c. > Part 37
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"Through this forest the Sac and Fox war party made their way in the night, and secreted themselves in the tall grass before alluded to, intending to remain in ambush during the day and make such observations as this near proximity to their intended victims might afford, to aid them in their contemplated attack on the village during the following night. From this position their spies could take a full survey of the village and watch every movement of the inhabitants, by which means they were soon, convinced that the Iowas had no suspicion of their presence.
" At the foot of the mound before mentioned the Iowas had their race-course where they diverted themselves with the excitements of horesmanship and schooled the young warriors in cavalry evolutions. In these exercises mock battles were fought, and the Indian tactics of attack and defense carefully inculcated, by which a skill in horemanship was acquired rarely excelled. Unfortunately for them, this day was selected for their equestrian sports, and wholly unconcious of the proximity of their foes, the warriors repaired to the race-ground, leaving most of their arms in the village, and their old men, women and children unprotected.
Pash-a-pa-ho, who was the chief in command of the Sacs and Foxes, per- ceived at once the advantage this state of things afforded for a complete surprise of his now doomed victims, and ordered Black Hawk to file off with his young warriors through the tall grass and join the cover of the timber along the river bank, and with the utmost speed reach the village and com- mence the battle, while he remained with his division in ambush to make a simultaneous attack on the unarmed men whose attention was engrossed with the excitement of the races. The plan was skillfully laid and most dextrously executed. Black Hawk, with his forces, reached the village under cover and made a furious onslaught upon the defenceless inhabitants by firing one general volley into their midst, and completing the slaughter witlı the tomahawk and scalping knife, aided by the devouring flames with which they enveloped the village as soon as the fire-brand could be spread from lodge to lodge.
" On the instant of the report of fire-arms at the village, the forces under Pash-a-pa-ho, leaped from their couchant position in the grass and sprang tiger-like upon the astonished and unarmed Iowas in the midst of their racing sports. The first impluse of the latter naturally led them to make
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
the utmost speed towards their arms in the village, and protect, if possible, their wives and children from the attacks of a merciless assailant. The dis- tance from the place of attack on the prairie was two miles and a great number fell in their flight by the bullets and, tomahawks of their. enemies, who pursued them closely with a running fire the whole way; and they only reached the village in time to witness the horrors of its destruction. Their whole village was in flames, and the dearest objects of their lives lay in slaughtered heaps amidst the devouring elements, and the agonizing groans of the dying mingled with the exultant shouts of the victorious foe filled their hearts with maddening despair. Their wives and children who had been spared the general massacre were prisoners, and together with their arms were in the hands of the victors; and all that could now be done was to draw off their shattered and defencless forces and save as many lives as possible by a retreat across the Des Moines River which they effected in the best possible manner, and took a position among the Soap Creek hills."
The Iowas seem never to have recovered from the effects of this blow, and when the first pioneers crossed the Mississippi to take possession of the narrow belt of land which the general government had acquired by treaty from the Sacs and Foxes, no traces were found of this once powerful tribe in whose honor the newly acquired territory had been named. They had gone west of the Missouri, and the small remnant of them yet remaining is incorporated with other tribes of the Indian Territory.
INCIDENTS AND CONCLUDING REFLECTIONS.
The Indians had a novel way of dealing with drunken people. When one of their number became unsafely intoxicated he was tied neck and heels so he could be rolled around like a hoop, which operation was kept up till the fumes of the liquor had subsided when he was released. The suf- ferer would beg for mercy but of no avail. After he was sobered off he showed no marks of resentment but seemed to recognize the wisdom of the proceeding.
The Sacs and Foxes, like all other Indians, were a very religious people, in their way, always maintaining the observance of a good many rites, ceremonies, an feasts in their worship of the Gitche Manitou, or Great Spirit. Fasts did not seem to be prescribed in any of their missals, how- ever, because, perhaps, forced ones, under the scarcity of game or other eatables, were not of impossible occurrence among people whose creed plainly was to let to-morrow take care of itself. Some of the ceremonies bore such resemblance to some of those laid down in the books of Moses as to have justified the impression among Biblical students that the lost tribes of Israel might have found their way to this continent, and that the North American Indians are the remnant of them.
During sickness there was usually great attention given to the comfort of the patient, and when it became apparent that recovery was impossible the sufferer while still alive was dressed in his best attire, painted accord- ing to the fancy of the relatives, ornameted with all his trinkets, and then placed upon a platform to die.
The wife of Dudley Buck, of Sigourney, relates the following incident:
Five negroes having became tired of the sacred institution of slavery as exemplified and enforced by the typical task-master of Missouri, ran off and sought refuge among the Indians; the latter had never before seen any
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
negroes and not being able to understand their language did not know what to make of the queer looking animals. Consequently a counsel was held and the wisest of the chiefs, after considering the matter carefully, decided that they were a peculiar species of bears.
Having never before seen any representative of this species, they sup- posed that their pale-faced neighbors would esteem it quite a favor to be- hold them, and probably they would be able to dispose of the strange looking animals to a certain trader and receive in return a goodly amount of "fire-water." Accordingly the negroes were taken, ropes tied around their necks, and they were led off to the nearest white settlement. After exhibiting the "bears," as they called them, they negotiated a trade with a capitalist, who gave the Indians a quantity of whisky for the newly dis- covered specimens of natural history. When the Indians were gone the negroes were liberated and soon became favorites among the white settlers. They worked for various persons in that settlement during a portion of the next summer, when their master in Missouri, hearing through an Indian trader that two negroes were in the vicinity, came up and took possession of them and carried them back to Missouri.
We might relate many other incidents illustrating the manners, customs and peculiar characteristics of the former occupants of the soil of this ·county. There are also many traditions relative to the unceremonious man- ner in which the early settlers disposed of the Indians when they became troublesome.
But the Indian was destined to create no further disturbance upon the soil which the white man had marked for his own. In accordance with the stipulations of sacred treaties, and agreeably to the demands of the times, the allotted time had come for the red man to move westward again on his roving mission, and add one more proof that his race is fast passing away, and must eventually disappear before the onward march of a superior race, as did the traditionary Mound Builders give place to the predatory red man of later times.
And did the dust Of these fair solitudes once stir with life And burn with passion? Let the mighty mounds That overlook the rivers, or that rise In the dim forests crowded with old oaks, Answer. A race that has long passed away Built them. The red man came- The roaming hunter tribes, warlike and fierce -- And the Mound Builders vanished from the earth.
The solitude of centuries untold
Has settled where they dwelt. The prairie wolf Howls in their meadows and his fresh dug den Yawns by my path. The gopher mines the ground Where stood their swarming cities. All is gone- All! save the piles of earth that hold their bones, The platforms where they worshiped unkown gods.
Thus, as the Mound Builders were forced to give way to the plundering red man of later times, so must the red man give place to his pale-faced successor.
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
CHAPTER IV.
EARLY SETTLEMENTS.
Importance of First Beginnings-Character of the First Settlers-Localities where Settlements were first Made-The Veritable First Settler ..
EVERY nation does not possess an authentic account of its orign, neither do all communities have the correct data whereby it is possible to accurately predicate the condition of their first beginnings. Nevertheless, to be in- tensely interested in such things is characteristic of the race, and it is par- ticularly the province of the historian to deal with first causes. Should these facts, as is often the case, be lost in the mythical tradition of the past, the chronicler invades the realm of the ideal, and compels his imagination to paint the missing picture. The patriotic Roman was not content till he had found the " First Settlers," and then he was satisfied, although they were found in the very undesirable company of a she bear, located on a drift which the receding waters of the Tiber had permitted them to pre- empt.
One of the advantages of a residence in a new country, and the one usu- ally least appreciated, consists in the fact of being able to go back to the . first beginnings. We are thereby enabled to trace out results to their causes and also to grasp the facts which have contributed to form and mould events. We observe that a State or county has attained a certain position, and we at once trace out the reasons for this condition in its early settlements and surroundings, in the class of men by whom it was peopled and the many chances and changes which have wrought out results in all the recorded deeds of the people.
In the history of Iowa county, we may trace its early settlers to their homes in the Eastern States and in the countries of the old world. We may follow the course of the woodman of the "Buckeye" or the " Hoosier" State on his way West to " grow up with the country," trusting only to his strong arm and his willing heart to work out his ambition of a home for himself and wife and a competence for his children. Yet again, we may see the path worn by the Missourian in his new experience in a land which to him was a land of progress, far in advance of that southern soil upon which he had made his temporary home, in his effort to adapt himself to new conditions. We may see here the growth which came with knowledge, and the progress which grew upon him with progress around him, and how his better side developed. The pride of Kentucky blood, or the vain glory- ing of the F. F. V.'s, was here seen in an early day, only to be modified in its advent from the crucible of democracy when servitude was eliminated from the solution. Yet others have been animated with the impulse to "' move on," after making themselves a part of the community, and have sought the newer parts of the extreme West, where civilization had not penetrated, or returned to their native soil. We shall find much of that distinctive New England character which has contributed so many men and women to other portions of our State and West; also we shall find many an industrious native of Germany or the British Isles and a few of the in- dustrious and economical French-all of whom have contributed to modify types of men already existing here.
Those who have noted the career of the descendants of those brave, strong
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
men in subduing the wilds, overcoming the obstacles and withstanding the hardships of this country in early times, can but admit that they are worthy sons of illustrious sires.
With confidence that general results which prove that there is much of good in everything, and that a justice almost poetic has been meted out to the faults and follies, the integrity and virtue of the early settlers of the county, we may now enter upon an account of them.
Speaking of the State in general these were our periods of first settle- ment: The first was in 1832, when a strip of country extending from the mouth of the Upper Iowa River to the northern boundary of Missouri in length, and fifty miles in width, was ceded by the Indians to the United States. The western boundary line of this strip passed obliquely across the Territory from north to south, including a portion of what is now Johnson county.
The second was in 1837, when the Indians relinquished an additional tract of land containing 1,250,000 acres lying west and adjoining the tract originally ceded. This tract included the rest of Johnson county, and a small portion of Iowa county.
The third was in 1843, when by the provisions of the treaty of 1842 the whites were permitted to settle anywhere in the Territory east of a line which passed north and south through the Red Rocks, a bluff on the Des Moines River now in Marion county.
The fourth was in 1845, when the Indians were removed to their reser- vation west of the Missouri River and the whole Territory was thrown open for settlement.
From the previous statements it will be seen that a small portion of what is now Iowa county was subject to settlement some years prior to the time that the largest portion of the county to the north and west was ceded to the United States and thereby was thrown open for settlement.
From the best information at our command it appears that no one prof- ited by the opportunity of settlement in the southeast corner of Iowa county until 1842 when Edward R. Ricord took a claim and began a settle- ment on Old Man's Creek.
As to who was the veritable "first settler" in this county accounts some- what differ; the accounts are many and do not agree. One account here- tofore published says that " the first settlement made in Iowa county was made by Lineas Miles and John Burgett in the vicinity of what is now Homestead. " In a sketch of Iowa county published in Andreas' Atlas is the following statement: "The first settlement was made prior to 1844, at or near what is now Homestead, by Lineas Miles, John Burgett and a man named Cleveland." In a sketch of Iowa county published in the Iowa Gazetteer in 1860 we read that the first settlement was made on Old Man's Creek by Edward Ricord. In this case, as frequently is true, the oldest statement is the nearest correct.
The distinguished honor of being the first settler of the county, for such we deem it, is without doubt due to Edward Ricord. His place of settle- ment was just east of the boundary line of 1837, on the small strip of Iowa county which was the only portion of the county open for settlement at that early date.
After examining many authorities and interviewing many of the old set- tlers now living in the county, in regard to this much vexed question, it should not surprise the reader if our account should be at variance with his
yours Respectfully - WM Hollowell
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
preconceived opinion. The stranger who comes into the county with none of the information which those possess who have resided here for years, works at disadvantage in many respects; but he can bring to his aid an un- biased mind and a calm judgment which those cannot claim who, by years of intercourse with the people of the county, may have formed opinions without thoroughly examining the premises.
Conflicting accounts arise from various cases. In some instances claims were taken and permanent improvements were begun by different persons, at different places on the same day. Some were here days and even weeks before others knew of their arrival; over thirty-five years have passed by since then and as none of the early settlers took the precaution of making a record of the date of their arrival, there are many of them uncertain as to the precise time; from these causes spring the resultant differences in ac- counts as to the time of the first settlement and the name of the first set- tler. As has already been shown the honor of being the veritable first set- tler is claimed by different persons, and the time is fixed at different times; the writer having listened to all the stories, read all the published accounts, weighed all the evidence and then subjected the stories, accounts and evi- dence to the test of comparison with a few well known facts of general his- tory, has decided that the honor undoubtedly belongs to Mr. Ricord and that the date of his entry into the county must have been prior to May 1st, 1843.
Our reasons for the statement are: First, he claims the distinction. It is a historical fact that Mr. Ricord lays claim to having been the first set- tler of the county, and certain relatives and intimate friends have heard him make statements to that effect. The reader may imagine why his statement should be taken in preference to that of others who likewise lay claim to the distinction; we answer first and chiefly from the location of his claim. It is a fact incidentally stated by various persons that there was some question as to Mr. Ricord's right to settle where he did, the Indians claiming that he was on their territory, and the government surveyors settled the matter by establishing the fact that his claim was east of the boundary line. This fact incidentally stated has a very important bearing upon the matter in question. If Mr. Ricord, whose claim was in the south- east corner of the county, was so near the boundary line that government officials had to be called in to decide whether or not he was a tresspasser on Indian territory it was certain there could not have been any other settlers in the county to the north and west of him at the time he came, and of such small extent was that portion of the county which lay east of the old Indian boundary line, that had there been others to the east or south of him they could not have escaped his notice.
Again, Mr. Ricord must have settled in the county prior to May 1st, 1843, for after that date the whole county was thrown open to settlers and had he come subsequent to that date there could not possibly have arisen any question about his being a tresspasser; and still further, it may be re- marked that if any person did settle north or west of Mr. Ricord prior to May 1st, 1843, such person or persons did it contrary to law and in defi- ance of the government dragoons who were very strict and vigilant in preventing any inroads upon Indian territory; and still further, had the dragoons been lax in discipline the Indians were very vigilant and had
19
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
any settler invaded their territory and opened up a claim, there would have been a disturbance and the people would afterward heard about it. - The reader may think that undue importance has been attached to this matter, but the importance of finally and satisfactorily settling this disputed question cannot be overestimated, and now that we deem it indisputably settled, we proceed to other matters.
Mr. Ricord selected as a site for his home, and the first settlement in the county, a claim lying in section 3 and partly in section 4, township 78, range 9. Here was the first beginning of civilization, and here in the grove of timber which skirted the south banks of Old Man's Creek first reverberated the sound of that mighty instrument of progress, the white man's ax. Two brothers of Mr. Ricord, Elisha and Jacob, settled in the same neighborhood at an early day but they did not come till some time after Edward R. This hardy and brave pioneer was therefore alone and solitary on the extreme verge of civilization. To the west of him there stretched away thousands of miles of an unbroken wilderness which echoed not to the sound of a single ax, to the north there was not a single house or single civilized human being. He was doubtless very frequently uneasy in his new home during the first few months of his residence in the county as many Indians were still here. The title of the Indians to the lands im- mediately north and west of him did not expire until May 1, 1843, and many of them, loth to leave their hunting-ground, lingered for some time after that date. They were peaceably inclined, but when intoxicated or en- raged over some real or imaginary wrong they were liable to wreak venge- ance upon any representative of pale-faced race who chanced to be within their reach. Mr. Ricord, however, was naturally of a brave and adventure- some disposition and his experience previously acquired in dealing with the Indians on the frontier was such as to prepare him for the hazardous busi- ness of becoming the first settler of the county. He was within a short distance of the settlements which had been begun in Johnson and Wash- ington counties, and Iowa City which then was assuming considerable pro- portions as a trading point was near enough to afford relief in case of trouble of any kind. In case of impending trouble with the aborigines, or scarcity of provisions a forced march of some ten or twelve miles would not have been much of an undertaking for a man who had undergone the privations and endured the hardships through which he had already passed.
Then again, it is probable that a chain of settlements had been formed from Iowa City to the verge of the Johnson county line prior to the time that Mr. Ricord settled in this county, and he doubtless had frequent com- munications with his white neighbors toward the east. At any rate we do not hear that Mr. Ricord was subjected to any great annoyances from the Indians, or endured any hardships further than those to which the early settlers in common were subjected. It was not many months until the whole country was thrown open for settlement and the solitary man ceased to feel like a stranger in a strange land, for one by one the characteristic ox wagons of the immigrant made their appearance across the border, and the driver was sure to halt at Ricord's cabin and inquire about the country to the north and west. There in the work of felling trees, making rails, building fences and other preparatory work essential to the opening up of fields, Mr. Ricord found" enough to occupy his mind and employ his energies without being troubled with despondency or overcome with a feel- ing of loneliness.
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HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
Moreover, Mr. Ricord was not one of those shiftless and aimless adven- turers who were liable at any moment to be overcome by a desire to move on; he had come to stay; in other words, he had settled.
The faculty of being able to fix the mind upon some definite plan of operations does much to achieve success, drive away despondency, and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. Such a faculty Mr. Ricord seems to have possessed to a remarkable extent, and as a result he has been enabled to see the country improved all around him; and as the country has improved he himself has been prospered and blessed with plenty; one child, a daughter begotten to him soon after settling in the county, became the wife of W. M. Stover, Esq., at present one of the most enterprising and energetic professional men of the county. Mr. Ricord himself still enjoys comparatively good health, and well advanced in years resides in an adjoin- ing county, not far from the place where he erected his cabin, the first civilized structure of Iowa county.
Before proceeding to speak farther of the first settlements of the county it will be proper to again refer to the Indian treaty whereby the rest of the county was thrown open for settlement. This treaty was concluded Octo- ber 11, 1842, and according to the provisions of the same the Indians were to surrender all their lands east of the Red Rock line on the 1st day of May, 1843.
Those expecting to come upon the new purchase were forbidden to make settlement until the last named date. Dragoons were stationed all along the border whose duty it was to keep a strict lookout and permit no one to enter.
For some weeks previous to the date assigned, settlers came up into the new country, prospecting for homes, and were quietly permitted to pass over the border line and look around, provided they were unaccompanied by a wagon and carried no ax. The latter weapon was sometimes placed, without the handle, in the knapsack of the traveler, and an impromptu handle fitted in with a penknife, when necessity called for its use. During the last days of April the dragoons relaxed their strict discipline, and an occasional wagon slipped in through the brush. The night of April 30th found some scores of new-comers on the ground, who had been prospecting the county, and had decided mentally what claims they would make, and had various agreements among themselves.
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