USA > Iowa > Jackson County > The history of Jackson County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., biographical sketches of citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion history of the Northwest, history of Iowa miscellaneous matters, &c > Part 49
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A DEFEATED CONGRESSMAN.
It will be remembered that we mentioned the abrupt close, or sudden inter- ruption, made upon the speech of T. P. Burnett, who was canvassing the Ter- ritory of Wisconsin for Congress in 1838, by the announcement that the territory west of the Mississippi River had been cut off and named Iowa Territory. Following this announcement, it became necessary to nominate some one for Congress in Iowa. Court was then in session at Bellevue, and nearly all the young attorneys and politicians of the Territory were there.
T. S. Wilson, then a promising young lawyer, prevailed upon some of his friends to call a convention and place him in nomination, which was done. Now it so happened that Peter Hill Engle, of Dubuque County, was also desir- ous of running for this office, and, as he felt Wilson to be a very formidable rival in the northern part of the Territory, he proposed to the latter that if he would withdraw he would exercise his influence at Washington City to have Wilson appointed as Judge of the District Court. Wilson withdrew from the candidacy, and was appointed Judge, a position which he held for a number of years. In the following September, there were four candidates in the field- W. W. Chapman and David Rorer, of Des Moines County ; B. F. Wal- lace, of Henry County, and Peter H. Engle, of Dubuque County.
During the canvass, Engle proved to be very popular in the northern counties, and, in fact, throughout the Territory. He was a man of fine ability. of good qualities, an orator, and a man of prepossessing personal appearance.
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It was generally expected that he would be elected. The election was to be held on Monday. On Saturday morning preceding the election, Engle attempted to cross the Wapsipinicon at Brophy's Ferry, on horseback. His horse was carried down the stream, and Engle, becoming alarmed, checked his beast in such a manner as to cause him to flounder and throw his rider. Engle could not swim, but Mr. Brophy and Indian Jim, an Indian who lived much of his time at the ferry, were standing on the bank and saw the disaster. Brophy called on Indian Jim to rescue Engle, but he paid no attention until Engle had sunk the second time, when he plunged in, and, on his third appear- ance, brought him to shore, apparently dead. When asked why he did not go sooner, Jim replied, " Indian no save live man-live man pull him under ; Indian save dead man." However, under Jim's instructions, he was rolled over and over, rubbed and chafed until he was restored to consciousness, when he was taken to Mr. Brophy's house, where he remained in a critical condition for some days. One of Engle's companions, hearing it announced that he was dead, as was at first believed, rode on to Davenport and Muscatine with that information, and soon scores of votes that otherwise would have been cast for Engle were given to Chapman under the impression prevailing south of the Wapsipinicon on election day, that Engle was drowned. The accident which well-nigh cost him his life, did cost him his election, and Chapman was returned with a majority of 36 votes over Engle.
Mr. Engle afterward became Judge of one of the St. Louis courts, and never forgot the debt due from him to the Indian who saved him from drown- ing. So long as he remained about his former haunts, Indian Jim received an annuity from the grateful Judge. A few years later, Jim disappeared, and his fate is unknown. He probably returned to his tribe.
PIONEER HONOR.
Mr. N. Butterworth was one of the first settlers of Jackson County. He was a former resident of Fall River, Mass., and was in very comfortable cir- cumstances. Possessed of that generous nature which sometimes leads men by their kindness beyond the line of prudence, as it did in this case, Mr. B. indorsed heavily for a friend, and, in the failure of the latter, lost all that he had.
Endowed with the heritage of Alexander of Macedon-" his hopes "-he started to the wild Northwest, resolving to find a home on the border. He arrived on the west of the Mississippi with $56 in his pocket.
The land in this section not then being in the market, Mr. Butterworth resolved to pre-empt a quarter-section, trusting that when the land sales came he would have money enough to purchase his claim. Some months afterward, his land came into market and Nathaniel, with his carefully hoarded $200, started for Dubuque. Upon his arrival, however, he found that his land had been withdrawn from market and he returned, bringing his money with him. At this time, but three families lived between Mr. Butterworth and Dubuque, and only three or four between his claim and the Wapsipinicon. One of these latter was a gentleman named Hatfield, who has since grown wealthy, and is a prominent citizen of Clinton County. On the evening following his return from Dubuque, Mr. Hatfield called at the cabin of Mr. Butterworth and told him that he had been to Dubuque in a vain endeavor to procure sufficient money to pay for his land, which was then in the market and about to be sold.
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Mr. Butterworth told his neighbor of the $200 in his possession, and expressed his desire to lend him the money, were it not for his fears that his own land might be thrown upon the market before Hatfield could repay the sum, which he faithfully promised he would do the following year. The two pioneers talked over the matter until late at night, when Butterworth's generous spirit overcame every other consideration and he passed over his savings to his friend, trusting that his own land would not be thrown upon the market until he should be repaid.
To the disappointment of his hopes, it was only a short time until his land was again in the market, while he had an empty wallet. He sent word of the state of affairs to Hatfield, who replied that he was powerless to do anything until the end of the year. Twice, now, had the noble gentleman's spirit of kindness brought him to naught. About this time, two strangers from Galena stopped over night at Butterworth's, and, during the evening, the matter of the $200 was mentioned, and the distress on the part of Mr. B., lest his home might be taken from him.
Before retiring, one of the strangers said, "Did I understand you to say, Mr. Butterworth, that you were from Fall River, Mass. ? " " Yes, sir.". " Well. then, I know all about you. Come to my store at Galena and get the money you need, and pay me when convenient." This generous offer was accepted, and Mr. Butterworth soon had the satisfaction of making secure the title to the land. He informed his benefactor that if he was alive and well, he would repay him by the first of January.
Near the last of December, he received his money from Mr. Hatfield, and, on the afternoon of December 31, started for Galena with $200 in his pocket. That evening, arriving at the house of a friend in Bellevue, he asked him to pilot the way across the river to Galena. "Butterworth, you must be crazy," was the response. "The ice is unsafe and full of air-holes, and to attempt to cross it is almost certain death." "Can't help it," said the pioneer, "I promised a man in Galena $200 to-morrow, if alive and well, and I think I will pay it." No argument could shake his determination, and the two started to make the attempt. At the bank of the river, they cut down some willows, which they lashed together, and used long poles as propellers. Frequently the ice bent and cracked beneath them, and twice they seemed in great peril, but they finally reached the Illinois shore in safety.
On arriving in Galena, he found that his friendly creditor had become embarrassed himself, financially, and the money could not have arrived at a more opportune moment.
A DISGUSTED BARBER.
In 1854, the editor of the Sentinel kindly made known to the world, through the pages of his paper, that there was a crying need in the young town of Maquoketa. A want long felt he hoped a sympathizing public would supply, and send to this thriving village a good barber. This spreading of printer's ink brought to the place a plodding German, who nailed a plank to the back of a chair for a head-rest, and announced his tonsorial trade to the townsmen. But custom was slow. He remained a couple of weeks, and then suddenly disappeared, some time between two days, leaving upon his washstand the following explanatory note :
" I hope you will wonder that I left in such a hurry. I was compelt to do so. If I cant earn my board here, I tink it is high time to leave this place, I have to go to a place where Men git Shavet, not where the Shave themselves
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like the do here, where the haven't a dime to spair, gitin' hair cut ant shavet ant never pay for it.
" A shentlemen wouldent do so only some d-n Rascle wat will cut up sush tric. Shame for Maquokete to stit a poor Barber. Tat is the reasons I lefts this misprable hole, where I cant earn my poard. A sit of fools is in town.
" Goot by to youre misrable set.".
THE FIRST WOMAN'S CRUSADE.
Jackson County had a temperance crusade, led by the ladies, at a date con- siderably in advance of the tidal wave of anti-temperance crusading which swept over the country some six years ago. This local crusade was short-lived, and happened on this wise :
One John Scurlock had for many months been keeping a low doggery in Farmer's Creek Township. Sons of fond mothers had been ruined at this rum- hole ; husbands of devoted wives had frequently come home intoxicated from its midnight debauch. In vain had Scurlock been remonstrated with by the order-loving citizens. Heedless was he to their threats to put iu force the pro- hibitory law which had become a dead letter on the statute books. All opposi- tion seemed only to increase his business and make him more defiant.
In January, 1856, the women of the community resolved to take the mat- ter in hand. They held a meeting. Scurlock, hearing of this, made the brutal threat that he would " knock down and drag out " the first woman who would attempt to demolish jug or barrel of his.
Thereupon, most of the gentler sex were frightened ; but not so with a maiden (Miss Amanda Breeden), who, as leader, with three lieutenants, resolved to meet the braggart in his den. This heroic quartette entered the dram-shop, rolled out the casks, and spilled the entire stock upon the ground, which drank the fiery fluid without disaster or disgrace. The ladies retired unharmed."
INCIDENTS.
As is elsewhere mentioned, pioneer John E. Goodenow, on coming to Jack- son County, instead of bringing money with him. supplied himself with various articles of value to new-comers, such as tools, clothing, etc. These he had arrayed in one end of his cabin as a sort of store. Shortly after Mr. Good- enow's arrival, in 1838, Mr. T. Wood, of what is now South Fork Town- ship, came up to the former's trading-post to negotiate with him for a pair of breeches.
In that day, the settlers did not indulge much in luxuries. Wheat bread was almost unknown. The product of the corn-crackers was the staple food for the pioneers. Salt pork, brought over from Illinois, sold for 25 cents per pound, and the possession of fresh meat was a streak of good fortune quite rare indeed.
Mr. Wood had brought his rifle with him, as the settlers often did in their travels, and while he was discussing the proposed new unmentionables with Jackson County's early post-trader, a neighbor came in with the news that he had seen a young buck on what is now commonly known as the Sears place. Goodenow said to Wood, " Tom, if you will bring me that deer, I'll give you the best pair of pants I've got." Wood snatched his rifle and started, not much expecting that he would secure the prize. To his joy, he found the buck quietly grazing where he had been seen an hour previous, and the first shot
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from his rifle made him a captive. Wood was not long in getting back to Goodenow's with his venison. John E. was as good as his word, and Wood carried home with him, that evening, as good a pair of pantaloons as Jackson County could boast.
The following anecdote of Shade Burleson, is told by Col. William A. War- ren : In 1854, when the Hon. James W. Grimes was canvassing the State for Governor, among his appointments were Bellevue and Maquoketa. On reach- ing Bellevue, he happened to stop at the same hotel with Shade Burleson, whom Grimes had known for years as one of the wheel-horses of the Whig party. After compliments were passed, the subject turned upon Grimes' prospect for election. Mr. G. was surprised to find Burleson opposed to him, giving as his reason that he was a Henry Clay Whig, and would never support an Abolition- ist. Grimes tried to explain, but the more he explained, the more fixed was Burleson in his opposition. Grimes insisted that he should go that evening and hear him speak, declaring he could not afford to lose so old a friend ; but Burleson positively declincd, much to the regret of Grimes, who valued him not only as a politician, but also as a man. The next day, Burleson started early with a load of lumber for his home, and was overtaken by Grimes on his way to speak in Maquoketa. The speaker again attempted to conciliate the prejudices of his former friend, but to no avail.
On the teamster's arrival at Maquoketa, he stopped to feed opposite the church where the Hon. James W. was to speak, and which was soon crowded to hear the Abolition candidatc. While eating his dinner, Shade took it into his head to do, of his own free will, what he had declared to the would-be Gov- ernor he would not do, and entered the church. The building was filled, and he was compelled to go almost to the platform to find a seat.
The Governor, as he well knew how to be, was the essence of eloquence itself, and he painted in such pathetic shades the evils suffered by the blacks of the South, that half the audience gave way to tears. This was too much for even Burleson's obstinacy, and, waiting until the- speaker was through, he walked up to the stand and said: "By thunder, Grimes, if that's Abolition- ism, I've been one all the time, and I'm such a fool that I did not know it."
Persons who have not been on the frontier cannot realize to what straits the pioneers were sometimes driven, and what inconveniences they experienced from want of a market, means of travel and lack of mechanics.
One or two of these inconveniences, as related to us by Mr. S. Burleson. who settled six miles west of the present town of Maquoketa, in 1837, we present herewith. When Mr. Burleson first came to the county, he brought with him an old second-hand plow from Galena, which he used with two yoke of oxen in breaking the prairie. The first day, when using this plow, Mr. Burleson unfortunately broke a bolt, which performed an essential duty in the simple machinery of the plow. This our pioneer endeavored to remedy in various ways ; and, after spending several hours uselessly, he told his wife it would be necessary for him to go to Galena after a bolt, and that if she would prepare him a little supper, he would start at once. It became necessary, in the absence of any horse on his claim, to make the journey on foot. The distance was forty miles and return, and it was performed in the almost incredible time of twenty four hours. Reader, think of walking eighty miles, with no other errand than the securing of a bolt which cost 10 cents at the store where it was purchased ! It takes fortitude and pluck to succeed in the back woods.
S. Burleson, William Vosburg. Calvin Teeple and L. A. F. Corbin made claims together in the locality we have mentioned, while all lived at Burleson's
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house, he being the only one who was married. The first year or two the crops were not successful. One season, a great hailstorm entirely ruined the corn crop, and they were almost discouraged. However, they continued to plant large crops, and in 1840 had a magnificent harvest. The products of their partnership work were 1,128 bushels of wheat, and about two thousand bushels each of corn and oats. The wheat was threshed by William Y. Earle, of Maquoketa, who tramped it out by oxen, and separated the wheat from the chaff by a fanning-mill. These men also had forty-two head of fine hogs ready for market, but for none of these could any money be obtained worthy of men- tion, as the latter was scarce, and it cost more to get the grain to market than it was worth.
During the fall of this year, a man from Galena, who held a note against S. Burleson for $60, came out to the latter's ranch to get his money. Burle- son informed him he had no money, but, said he, " there is plenty of wheat, corn, oats and hogs ; take whatever you think right, and I will be satisfied." " I do not want grain or stock," said the creditor. " Nor do I," said Burleson, " but money I have none." "Have you a horse you can trade ?" asked the man from Galena. " I have not," answered Burleson. The creditor offered to give the note in trade for a horse. Absalom Montgomery, who was present, offered to exchange his horse to Burleson for wheat, and the man from Galena agreed to take Montgomery's horse. Burleson told the latter to take wheat until he was satisfied, and never to tell him (Burleson) how much he took. Thus we understand farm products were of little value to pioneers when they did have them. Money was the commodity most difficult to secure.
Wm. A. Warren was the first tax collector of Jackson County, and he found it an utter impossibility to secure money in payment of taxes. In and about Sabula, most of the taxes were paid in coon-skins. These the enterprising collector accepted at 50 cents apiece, and took them to Galena, where he sold them for 75 cents or $1, putting the profits in his pocket, as he had a right to do. In the forks of the Maquoketa, the standard article of barter was maple sugar, made from the sugar-tree groves of that vicinity.
The Mississippi River, in June, 1838, was very high. Heavy rains had fallen and the streams were much swollen. Though the way was fraught with much difficulty, John E. Goodenow, at that time living on the present plat of Maquoketa, resolved to go to Savanna or Galena to purchase provisions, of which he and his neighbors were in great need. He reached Savanna in safety, but not being able to secure the merchandise desired there, he proceeded to Galena, bought what was wanted and ordered the goods sent to Bellevue by boat. He then left Galena intending to cross the river at Smith's Ferry, but being in a wild and strange country he was not able to find the place. An attempt to discover the Bellevue Ferry was also unsuccessful. Proceeding down the river to Hunt's Ferry at the mouth of the Maquoketa, he could not get the ferryman to Bring him across on account of the prevailing high wind, and at last secured from the settler a dug-out or canoe, large enough to carry one person. With this Goodenow started to make the dangerous attempt to cross the river. He reached the Iowa shore without disaster, but could not find the mouth of the Maquoketa. An attempt to proceed on foot revealed a bayou in his rear, so deep that he could not cross it, nor could he drag the boat across the strip of land separating the bayou from the river. He found it necessary to remain here over night. Drawing the canoe on shore, he turned it on its side and lying full length upon the ground attempted to drop it over his body. This accom- plished, he found himself so closely caged by the dug-out that he could not
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move either himself or the boat. Here he was buried alive, as it were, and every moment becoming more helplessly imbedded in the mud. He finally suc- ceeded in scooping enough sand out to get one hand under the boat, then his knee, which enabled him to free himself. In the morning Maquoketa's patri- arch found the river leading past his home, which proved a safe guide to him the remainder of his tramp.
Such hardships and adventures, though of no great importance in themselves, illustrate more plainly than could be shown in any other way, the fact that our pioneers secured their homes at no trifling cost.
COURT INCIDENTS.
During the term of the District Court held in Bellevue in April, 1840, quite a number of young attorneys were present who were destined to rise to positions of no light honor in Jackson County, or in the State and nation. Among these were James Churchman, James Grant, E. B. Washburne, James Crawford, Stephen Hempstead, Maj. Chase and Timothy Davis and J. V. Berry.
A case of perjury was on trial. A young attorney, Weston by name, had been appointed District Attorney ; but as he had been given the appointment on account of the influence of friends, he found himself quite wanting in the knowledge of law necessary for the prosecution of the case. He was obliged to call upon James Grant, afterward Judge Grant, for assistance.
At that time, court was held in the room in which had been the ball on the night that Mitchell had shot Thompson. before the Bellevue war. This was, in reality, two rooms, which could be thrown into one, by means of folding-doors. While an argument was in progress upon the admissibility of certain testimony, a boat was heard to whistle for the landing, and as it was just after the open- ing of navigation, this novelty attracted a large crowd from the court-room to the levee. When Churchman, who was conducting the defense, had finished his argument, James Grant arose to reply. This gentleman was possessed of a remarkably shrill voice, which, when raised to its highest pitch. produced. a species of " chin music " quite alarming. These noisy accents penetrated to the boat-landing, and gave rise to a rumor that there was a regular row in prog- ress in the court-room. Of course the boys could not afford to miss the treat, and a stampede was spontaneously organized to the place of justice. The Court was disturbed and called upon the Sheriff to keep order. One of the latter's bailiffs, Peterson by name, who was small of stature, hastened to the assistance of his chief. In order to make his threats and calls of order more conspicuous, he mounted a barrel standing on one side of the court-room, and filled with maple-molasses, then a common product in Jackson County.
The treacherous head gave way, and Peterson found himself submerged to the armpits in the saccharine substance, and, for a few moments. order was not restored and the gravity of the Court itself was completely destroyed. At length the well-varnished and sticky Bailiff succeeded in making his exit from the court-room, and order was so far restored as to permit the progress of the case.
Churchman, the lawyer above mentioned for the defense, was a little too fond of his cup. It is said that on one occasion, some time after this, when attending court at Andrew, Churchman was gloriously tipsy. and, on all such occasions, he had a habit of obtruding his remarks in such a way as to be obnoxious to every one present. Under such circumstances, Churchman hap- pened to be present in the court-room while Platt Smith was arguing the
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Court on a writ of demurrer, requiring Judge Wilson's entire attention. Churchman, as usual, made himself odious by his frequent, useless and inso- lent interruptions. At length the Judge, goaded beyond endurance, turned upon the offender, saying, "Take your seat, Mr. Churchman ; you are drunk." The otherwise brilliant attorney was sober enough to be witty, and, staggering to his seat, said, "Please (hic) your Honor, that is the first correct decision (hic) your Honor has made to-day."
This sally brought down the house-Court, attorneys and all-interrupting the demurrer argument to a much greater length than if Churchman's inter- ruptions had been tolerated.
The summer session of the District Court at Andrew, in 1842, was quite a long one, and, as certain cases were on trial exciting considerable interest in various parts of the county, there was a large attendance during most of the session. Quite a number came to the county seat and camped out, the hotel facilities in that day being very limited indeed. This frontier life, where a number of young men were together for a considerable time, and in a day when whisky-drinking was common, was calculated to encourage considerable sport, and many and rich were the practical jokes which kept away the monot- ony of the back woods and camp life.
Occasionally, the court would take a recess for a few moments. The Judge would descend from the bench and invite the bar, the jury and witnesses down to Francis' grocery to have a glass of whisky each. Such has actually occurred, and, fortunately for the pocket-book of the man whose good feeling prompted him to treat so large a crowd, pure rye whisky in that day sold for 14 cents per gallon, wholesale.
On one occasion, during this court, while Shade Burleson and William Vosburg were lying in their camp whiling away the time, the former of these noticed in the top of a decaying tree above them a large knot-hole. A happy thought struck him whereby a good joke could be played upon the unsuspect- ing Sheriff. He told Vosburg that, if a small bottle of maple-sirup could be poured into that knot-hole, they would have some fun. Vosburg agreed to per- form that part of the trick, and, about noon on the following day, quite a line of bees were seen going to this cavity in the treetop, the bees having come from the hives of Mr. Butterworth, near by. Mr. Burleson went to the court- room, and, calling out Sheriff Warren, informed him that he had found a bee- tree, just near the town, and asked him to come and see it. Warren did so, and was much astonished at the vigor with which the bees were working, and asked Burleson what he would take for his right as discoverer. Burleson told him he wanted no money, but that for the sake of the boys in camp, that they might all enjoy the fruits of his good luck, he would give the Sheriff a quit- claim upon the property in consideration of an order upon Francis for two gal- lons of whisky. "Oh, I can't do that while I am President of a temperance society," said Warren. Burleson argued that that would make no difference, and the order was soon forthcoming, which the cunning Burleson was not long in presenting at the grocery. It was a part of the scheme to sell the bee-tree to several different parties, but " the boys" soon got hold of it and the story was too good to keep. It came to the ears of the expectant Sheriff, and he was spared the pleasure of cutting down the tree. Thirty-seven years have not worn off the edge of the joke, and Mr. Burleson tells it with an enjoyment apparently greater on account of its oft repetition.
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