USA > Iowa > Jefferson County > The history of Jefferson County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., a biographical directory of citizens, war records of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men > Part 49
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On the 25th day of May, Mathews was taken from jail and brought before 'Squire Evans for a preliminary examination. The prisoner pleaded " Not guilty," and was remanded to jail to be tried at the ensuing term of the District Court. When the case was called for trial at the September (1867) term of Court, a motion was made to postpone it until the January term, which motion was granted. The case came on for trial at the January (1878) term of Court. Messrs. Slagle and Atcheson, attorneys for defendant, applied for a change of venue, and the case was taken to Washington County. Court commenced in Washington on the 27th day of April, and, all parties being in readiness, the trial proceeded. The evidence elicited in the case agreed with the events above recorded, with the additions of depositions taken of some of the prisoner's rela- tives in Ohio, who testified to the fact that insanity was hereditary in the family ; that his mother became insane some time previous to his birth, and that his sisters and other members of the Mathews family were victims of that malady. There were also certain other marked peculiarities in the character of the prisoner that led to the belief that he was of unsound mind and subject to melancholia.
The trial was before Judge E. S. Sampson, and his charge to the jury was regarded as a masterly summing-up of the deductions to be drawn from the evidence. The following sentiment taken from Judge Sampson's charge to the jury on this occasion, is well worthy the consideration of all readers :
The doctrine, which some doctors suggest, that every person who commits some enormous offense is more or less insane or of unsound mind, is one to which I cannot subscribe. To my mind it is a dangerous doctrine to the welfare of society, and is calculated to mislead the mind when drawing the distinction between the acts arising from a wicked heart, and such as have their origin in a diseased mind. When we find the highwayman striking his stilletto to the heart of the benighted traveler, securing his gold, and reveling on his ill-gotten treasure ; or, when we see the husband stealthily. through pretense of affection and love, shipping to the lips of his lawful wife the cup of poison in order that he may take to his arms the alluring para- mour, we see at once, and justly, too, it is not the unsound brain that commits the crime, but the rotten and diseased heart.
415
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
On Monday, the 4th day of May, 1868, the case was given to the jury, who, at half-past 1 o'clock in the afternoon, returned the following verdict:
We, the jury, find the defendant, Joseph R. Mathews, guilty of murder in the second degree.
On the Friday following, the Judge sentenced the prisoner to imprisonment for life. He was taken to the Penitentiary at Fort Madison, by the Sheriff of Jefferson County, and given into the custody of the Warden of that institu- tion, there to remain for the term of his natural life. Mathews conducte l himself there as he had done ever since the murder. He could not be made to understand that he must work, and the shower-bath was twice brought into requisition before his stubborness could be overcome. However, he eventually fell into the ways of the institution, and became a good workman among the- convicts.
ยท THE BUTLER-WOODARD AFFAIR.
In the latter part of June, 1856, a shooting affray occurred between Har- din Butler and John Woodard, both residents of Cedar Township, and liv- ing only one mile apart, which resulted in the death of the latter, when he had but lately returned from California.
When Woodard set out for that far-off State, he left his wife at home. She was a thrifty woman, industrious and economical every way, and, having a number of cows, turned her attention to butter-making, from the sale of which she received considerable sums of money.
On one occasion she sold a lot of butter, and took a note of hand in pay- ment therefor. She subsequently sold the note to a man named Scott, who held it until it was "outlawed." Scott then went to Mrs. Woodard and made her believe that she was responsible to him for the payment of the same, and that she must pay it, which she did.
Hardin Butler lived a neighbor to Mrs. Woodard, and twoor three times, when she had butter to convey to market she rode to town with him, when he happened to be going with his wagon. Butler learned how she had been imposed upon by Scott, and urged her to commence suit against him to recover the value of the note. When Scott learned of Mrs. Woodard's determination, he sought to "get even" with her by circulating insinuations that there had been an undue intimacy between her and Butler.
When Woodard returned home from California, these reports came to his knowledge, and he swore that he would avenge his honor by killing Butler on sight. The two men soon met a few rods from the line, between Cedar and Round Prairie Townships, when, as was supposed, Woodard drew his pistol and fired, but missed his aim, and that Butler returned the fire, mortally wounding his assailant.
Butler gave himself up to the authorities, and was held for murder in the first degree. The trial occasioned considerable interest ; but as Butler was enabled to prove clearly that Woodard fired the first shot, and as he had been heard, by several persons, to threaten the life of Butler, the latter was finally discharged, it having been shown that the shot was fired in self-defense.
Butler now resides in Missouri, near La Plata. The widow of Woodard married again and removed to Cass County. John Huff, Woodard's brother- in-law, stated that the latter had been successful in the land of gold, and that he knew that, previous to his death, he had buried somewhere near his resi- dence $500, all in $20 gold pieces, which has never been found, so far as known.
416
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
A POLITICAL MURDER.
Another fatal encounter took place at Batavia, in the latter part of October, 1860, just previous to Lincoln's first election. Party spirit ran high at that time, and the affray here mentioned grew out of a political dispute. It appears that six men, whose names were Silas McCart, Pleasant Mc Cart. Isaac Gerringer, John McQuerry, and two other men, went to the house of John A. Mix, on Friday, for the purpose of attacking it, or some person in it. Amos Wimer, who was boarding with Mr. Mix, told them not to come near. The house was then stormed with brickbats; and, during the siege, Silas McCart struck Wimer with a brick, when the attacking party rushed, in a crowd, upon him. Wimer succeeded in drawing a small spring dirk-knife from his pocket, with which he stabbed McCart four times, the latter dying of his wounds the following Sunday. . Wimer made his escape and kept himself concealed for some time, for fear of being lynched. He afterward joined the army and fell in the Union cause at the battle of Shiloh.
EDUCATIONAL.
In no one interest of the county have forty-two years marked such wonder- ful and gratifying changes as in the educational.
Fifty years ago, a knowledge of the higher branches of education could only be obtained at the colleges of the older States-Yale, Harvard, Amherst, Dart- mouth, and their cotemporaries. Now, there is not a graded school in Jeffer- son County that does not furnish advantages almost equal to a majority of the colleges of that period. On all the prairies, neat and comfortable schoolhouses are to be seen, while the teachers are proficient, and competent to impart instruction in any of the branches necessary to the ordinary pursuits of life. In reality, they are the people's colleges, and no system is dearer to the people than the system that supports and maintains them. To make war upon this system would be making war upon the nation's life.
It is unnecessary to enter into a detailed mention of those who engaged in the laudable work of teaching in the pioneer days of Jefferson County, for their name is legion. But it is due alike to them and their patrons to say that they all made good records as educators. As the population increased in town and country, schools increased in like proportion. As the years increased and the people increased in wealth, the old log schoolhouses, with their mud-and-stick chimneys, puncheon floors and puncheon seats, greased-paper windows, and other primitive accommodations, went down before those more in keeping with the progressive march of time. But the old log schoolhouses and the old teach- ers are kindly remembered by the leading men of the country.
STATISTICAL.
The following statistics are taken from the last report of the County Super- intendent of Public Schools :
Number of district townships.
9
Number of subdistricts
67
Number of independent districts 27
Number of ungraded schools. 91
3
Average number of months taught during 1877.
7
Number of male teachers ..
72
Number of female teachers.
105
Number of graded schools
417
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
Average compensation of males per month .. $ 33 33
Average compensation of females per month.
25 00
Highest wages paid to male teachers 111 10
Highest wages paid to female teachers
50 00
Lowest wages paid to male teachers. 20 00
Lowest wages paid to female teachers.
18 00
Number of children of school age.
6,643
Number of children enrolled in public schools
4,763
Total average attendance ..
3,361
Total cost of tuition per pupil.
10 25
Total amount paid teachers.
25,295 87
Total amount of school funds received.
56,006 00
Total amount of school funds expended.
42,799 87
Balance on hand
13,206 13
Number of first-grade certificates issued ..
56
Number of second-grade certificates issued
71
Number of third-grade certificates issued.
49
Number of applicants rejected
80
Number of schools visited.
120
JEFFERSON COUNTY SABBATH-SCHOOL ASSOCIATION.
The association known as the Jefferson County Sabbath-School Association was organized at Fairfield, Iowa, December 11, 1867. The prime movers in the organization were W. Maynard, Pastor Presbyterian Church; J. H. Wells, Superintendent Congregational Sunday School; J. A. Spielman, Assistant Superintendent Lutheran Sunday School ; Thomas Merrill, Pastor Congrega- tional Church ; Chauncey Darby, Pastor Baptist Church ; A. Axline, Pastor Lutheran Church ; C. H. Whiting, Superintendent Presbyterian Sunday School ; W. C. Shippen, Pastor Methodist Episcopal Church ; A. B. Ferguson, Super- intendent Methodist Episcopal Sunday School; A. Watrous, Superintendent Baptist Sunday School; Mary Henn, Assistant Superintendent St. Peter Epis- copal Church; W. F. Cowdery, Assistant Superintendent St. Peter Episcopal Church-all of Fairfield.
The sole object of the Association is to advance the noble and glorious work of the Sunday school.
At the called meeting for organization there were represented 24 schools of the county, there having been 119 delegates appointed and in attendance to rep- resent the schools. The following persons were chosen as officers of the perma- nent organization : President, Rev. C. Darby ; Vice President, Daniel Brown.
The first annual meeting of the Association was held April 14, 1868, in the Presbyterian Church in Fairfield. The following persons were elected offi- cers for the ensuing year : President, Thomas D. Evans ; Vice Presidents, N. S. Averill, B. Giltner, J. A. Spielman ; Treasurer, John A. Wells ; Secretary, Daniel Brown.
The second annual meeting was held April 13, 1869, in the Congregational Church in Fairfield. President Evans in the chair. The following report from the Secretary shows the work to be progressing :
Reports were received from 8 townships, showing the number of schools therein to be 42, the total enrollment of which is 2,647, and the amount of money collected to sustain them, $615.43. No report was received from Polk, Penn, Buchanan and Cedar Townships.
The following were elected the officers : President, Thomas D. Evans; Vice Presidents, N. S. Averill, B. Giltner, J. A. Spielman ; Treasurer, George Stever; Secretary, Daniel Brown.
The third annual convention was held May 17, 1870, in the Lutheran Church, Fairfield. Seven townships reported at this convention, showing that
418
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
24 schools had elected delegates to the same, the total membership thereof being 2,140. President, Thomas D. Evans : Vice Presidents, O. O. Sheldon, Daniel Rider and A. Watrous; Treasurer, G. A. Unkrich; Secretary, C. S. Byrkit.
The fourth annual convention met at Batavia, Iowa, June 6 and 7, 1871, in the Presbyterian Church. This convention will be long remembered by those who were in attendance, it being the best in point of interest, freedom of dis- cnssion and attendance, of any of the meetings of the Association. Thirty schools were reported by 10 townships, with a membership of 2,300, and were represented by 168 delegates. President, T. D. Evans; Vice Presidents, Rev. A. Axline, T. A. Robb and O. O. Sheldon ; Treasurer, G. A. Unkrich ; Sec- retary, C. S. Byrkit.
The fifth annual meeting of the Association was held at the Congregational church, Fairfield, June 4 and 5, 1872. At this meeting, 11 townships were represented, reporting 39 schools in the county, with a member- ship of 2,879. President, Thomas D. Evans ; Vice Presidents, J. A. Ireland, N. S. Averill and Benjamin Andrews ; Secretary, B. Giltner ; Treasurer, Hon. William Hopkirk. During the year, the Secretary (B. Giltner) removed from the State, and, on the 12th of April, 1873, at a meeting of the Executive Com- mittee, T. Y. Lynch was appointed Secretary.
The sixth annual convention met in the Methodist Episcopal Church at Fairfield, June 3 and 4, 1873. Owing to the removal of Mr. Giltner, and the necessary appointment of a new Secretary, to whom the work was new, the interest in the convention was not as great as at former sessions, for want of proper advertisement. Only 36 schools were reported at this convention, there being reports but from 7 townships, the total membership of the schools being 1,972. As shown by report of the Treasurer, there was $176.04 in his hands, the amount having been raised by a railroad excursion to Burlington. President, Thomas D. Evans; Vice Presidents, William Hopkirk, William Claridge and A. B. Scott ; Secretary, T. Y. Lynch ; Treasurer, J. A. Spielman.
The seventh annual meeting was held in the Lutheran Church in Fairfield, June 2 and 3, 1874. The weather being very unfavorable, the attendance the first day was less than was hoped for, but the second day's meeting was largely attended and great interest was taken in the work. The reports showed there were 49 schools in the county, 39 of which reported and elected delegates to this meeting, the total membership of which was 3,080. The report of the Treasurer shows the financial condition of the Association to be good, there being in his hands $189.95. President, Rev. William M. Sparr : Vice Presidents, Eld. Allen Hickey, N. S. Averill and William Hopkirk : Secretary, T. Y. Lynch; Treasurer, J. A. Spielman.
The eighth annual convention met at Glasgow, June 1 and 2, 1875, in the Congregational Church. The weather throughout the whole convention was very unfavorable for delegates from abroad attending, still the meeting was interesting and very profitable. One of the enjoyable features was a basket dinner on Wednesday, prepared by the friends in and about Glasgow. Reports were received from 9 townships, reporting 40 schools in the county, 34 of which reported and elected delegates to this convention. Total membership, 2,761. There was in the Treasurer's hands, $115.45. The expenses of the Association were largely in excess of previous years because of payments to the State Association and a Fourth of July Sunday-school picnic. Presi- dent, Rev. H. E. Wing ; Vice Presidents, William Hopkirk, David Webster and Rev. J. Barnett ; Treasurer, J. A. Spielman ; Secretary, T. Y. Lynch.
419
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
The ninth annual meeting of the convention was held in the Presbyterian Church in Pleasant Plain, June 6 and 7, 1876. This was perhaps the largest and most interesting convention the Association ever held, there being in attendance over 300 members. The reports from schools are not as large as expected or hoped for, because of a necessary change in the method and form of reporting which the Superintendents did not seem to understand. Still there were reported 27 schools from 9 townships, with a membership of 2,142. The amount in Treasurer's hands, $100.11. President, Rev. J. Barnett; Vice Presidents, David Webster, T. D. McClelland and William Hopkirk ; Treas- urer, J. A. Spielman ; Secretary, T. Y. Lynch.
The tenth annual meeting of the Association was held at Salina, June 6, 1877. Owing to a very heavy rainstorm during the night of June 4, whereby many of the bridges over the larger streams in the county were destroyed, rendering it almost impossible to reach Salina, there was no session on June 5, and but few present from a distance on the 6th, still those who were present had an interesting and instructive convention. Officers elected : President, Rev. C. Reed: Vice Presidents, B. C. Andrews, William Hopkirk and H. C. Rock : Treasurer, J. A. Spielman ; Secretary, T. Y. Lynch.
The eleventh annual convention was held at Libertyville, June 4 and 5, 1878, the M. E. Church. From the very outset, this was a most interesting conven- vention, the workers working with great earnestness and zeal, each subject being opened and discussed in a manner that showed much thought and careful preparation. A committee, viz .: J. French, J. A. Spielman and T. Y. Lynch were appointed to organize conventions in each township, if possible, in order to arouse and enlist the workers in a hearty co-operation in the work throughout the county. Number of schools reported in the county, 61 ; number of schools reporting at the convention, 39; membership of those reporting, 5,864. Officers, President, Rev. W. M. Sparr; Vice Presidents, B. C. Andrews, W. B. Frame and A. Loomis : Treasurer, J. A. Spielman : Secretary, T. Y. Lynch.
At present writing, the committee have organized the following conven- tions : Polk Township, September 24. ; Liberty and Des Moines, October 12; Penn, at Pleasant Plains, October 19; Round Prairie and Cedar, November 2 and 3: Locust Grove, November 9; Walnut, November 17; Buchanan and Lockridge, November 24; Fairfield, December 1, and Black Hawk, Decem- ber 8.
MISCELLANEOUS.
" MARRYING AND GIVING IN MARRIAGE."
The following is a list of marriage licenses issued in Jefferson County, dur- ing the year 1839 :
March 14, Harmon J. Aikes and Miss Martha Frost.
March 16, Isaac Blakely and Miss Ellen Lanman. *
March 25, J. S. Chandler and Miss E. Bonafield.
April 28, N. Ogden and Miss Mahala Cassida.
May 3, L. Morgan and Miss Mary Francis.
* These parties were first married in 1837. The license under which they were married at that time was issued from Des Moines County. The marriage service was rendered by Rev. Mr. Bradley, at the residence of the bride's parents, in what is now Round Prairie Township, and then subject to the jurisdiction of Henry County. The ques- tion of the legality of the marriage under such circumstances was raised, and hence the second marriage. But even with a second marriage, the Blakelys and Lanmans did not feel safe until a special law was passed legalizing all mar- riages previously solemnized. Rev. B. F. Chastain pronounced the couple " man and wife " the second time.
420
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
May 22, O. H. Mitchell and Martha C. Green. June 11, Jasper Coons and Miss Susan Byrnes. June 14, O. O. Kinsman and Miss H. Dinsmore.
June 21, J. J. Bradshaw and Miss Mary M. Hutson. July 20, T. R. Brown and Teressa Shelton. July 24, Thomas D. Cox and Eveline Tandy. August 27, John Harris and Elizabeth Coop. September 27, William J. Stout and Letitia Sears. September 27, James L. Scott and Mary L. Gilmer. October 5, D. H. Lowery and Aurelia Bowman. October 7, William Hoskins and Eleanor Pickering. October 16, N. D. Prouty and Sarah A. Miller. October 21, S. T. Harris and Adaline Hickenbottom. October 22, Milton Moor and Elizabeth Smith. November 9, G. T. Brownell and Catherine Wall. November 18, David T. Morgan and Sarah A. Coleman. December 9, Aaron Woodard and Arcanda Whittington. December 18, John Morgan and Nancy Coleman.
In 1840, 36 licenses were issued, and 47 in 1841.
RECORD OF DEEDS, WILLS, ETC.
The first order of Henry B. Notson, the first Probate Judge, was the appoint- ment of Sampson Smith guardian of Eliza Koons and Martha Koons. Bond, $1,000. March 9, 1841. David Eller, surety.
Edward T. Williams was the first administrator; appointed to administer the estate of John L. Williams, deceased. Bond, $600. May 28, 1841. Daniel D. Jones and Medley T. Shelton, sureties.
First ministerial credential, 1839.
The first recorded deed, April, 1839, James L. Scott to W. G. Coop; con- sideration, $50; executed November 22, 1838, before William Griffey, Justice of the Peace for Henry County. conveying the northeast quarter of the south- east quarter of Section 1, Township 71, Range 9 west. Witnesses, A. L. Grif- fey and Henry Woolard. Recorded as of Henry County.
The first deed recorded as of Jefferson County, was for the consideration of love, affection, the better preferment in marriage and $1, of Andrew J. Cassida, executed by his father Martin Cassida, before Henry B. Notson, Justice of the Peace, June 17, 1839, John A. Pitzer, witness ; conveyed " quarter-section of land in the rich woods ; 5 horses ; 1 mare, called ' Fan ;' 1 chestnut sorrel eight years old; 1 mare, called 'Sal'; 1 bright sorrel, eight years old; 1 horse, called Oliver ; 1 chestnut sorrel, two years old ; 2 yoke of oxen ; 3 milk cows, 1 called 'pink ; 1 white and 1 ghent, said cows to have calves ; 2 steer year- lings ; 8 head sheep, 3 of which are wethers; 1 ram; 4 yews; 39 head of hogs, 2 of which have a black list round them, the residue of the body black and black and white spotted. The above named stock is marked with a smooth crop and underbit in the right car; 2 wagons ; 3 plows ; 5 bee hives ; the crop of corn and vegetables ; household furniture ; 5 beds and bedding ; 1 clock ; 1 table ; with $500 in cash ; 1 cross-cut saw and other carpenter's tools.
BLACK LAWS-DEED OF FREEDOM.
The time was, and not many years ago, either, when the " color line" was as clearly defined in Iowa as in any other part of the country. The act under which Jefferson County was organized was approved January 21, 1839. The
421
HISTORY OF JEFFERSON COUNTY.
same day an act was also approved that was intended to prevent black or mulatto persons from coming into the Territory. That act provided that from and after the 1st day of April, 1839, " no black or mulatto person shall be per- mitted to settle in the Territory, unless he or she shall produce a fair certificate from some court of the United States, of his or her actual freedom."
The act was powerless as to its purpose, for "black " and "mulatto " per- sons did come and settle in the Territory. When Gen. Street came as Indian Agent, to what is now Agency City, in Wapello County, he brought with him a colored man named Charles Forrester. In 1843, when Fairfield had grown large enough to maintain a barber-shop, Forrester came here to commence busi- ness. Some of the people were so "shocked" at the thought of a negro doing business "on his own hook," that they made complaint to the County Commis- sioners, and asked for an enforcement of the law herein quoted. The Com- missioners made application to George Acheson, who was then Prosecuting Attorney, to have Forrester arrested and " hired out," under the provisions of the law. Acheson refused, on the ground that Forrester had come to the Ter- ritory before any of them-that, in fact, he had been brought here by Gen. Street, an agent of the United States Government, and that he was just as much entitled to the freedom of the country as "any other man." There the matter rested. Forrester opened a barber-shop, and managed to make and save money. He finally drifted out of sight ; but the attempt to have him arrested and sold remains as one of the memories of "slavery days" in Iowa.
The following "deed of freedom," copied from the records in the Recorder's office, is not without interest. The object of the "deed" was, no doubt, intended to save the deeded woman from the annoyance busybodies might occasion her under the Black Laws of the 21st of January, 1839:
Know all men by these presents, That we, Mary Mosley, of the village of Fairfield, in the county of Jefferson and State of lowa, widow of Thomas Mosely, late of Davis County, Ken- tucky, deceased, and George W. Mosely, of the same village, son of the said Thomas Mosely, do hereby certify and declare that the said Thomas died in the said county of Davis, possessed of Caroline, a slave, who is a mulatto girl now aged about thirty-nine years, about four feet three inches high, stout, bony frame, but not corpulent, large face, strongly-marked features, hazel eyes, ordinary mulatto complexion, of about half-blood, with some small moles or specks scat- tered upon the face, the two principal being one on the right side, low on the forehead, even with and to the right of the eyebrow ; the other, on the top of the nose; of neat habits, rather intelligent and cheerful and free of speech, with hair mostly straight and beginning to turn gray on close inspection, but otherwise black; and that the said Thomas, by his last Will and Testa- ment, recorded in said county of Davis, bequeathed the said Caroline to his widow for life, with remainder over to the said George, his son ; and that we, the said Mary and George, afterward cmigrated to the State of Illinois, and thence to the State of lowa, bringing with us into those States successively, the said slave, Caroline, as our own free and voluntary act of emancipation, knowing and intending that the said Caroline would and did become free by our said act in car- rying her into said free States ; and we do certify and declare that the said Caroline did thereby become and is manumitted and free to all intents and purposes whatsoever ; and that we do not, nor either of us, claim, and will never claim any authority over her, or right to her services, or ownership of her, as a slave or otherwise, except so far as she may voluntarily and of her own free-will and pleasure, accompany the said Mary, her former mistress, as a personal attendant and companion in the capacity of a free woman of color.
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