USA > Iowa > Jones County > The history of Jones County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., biographical sketches of citizens history of the Northwest, history of Iowa > Part 40
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The sketch shows that, directly and indirectly, the humane and complete pro- visions now in existence for the care of deaf mutes in Iowa were, in their begin- nings, the results of the efforts of Jones County men.
POLITICAL.
Jones County has been, since 1856, a Republican County. The new party movement in 1874, called the Anti-Monopoly movement, formed an alliance with the Democratic party, which, in 1873, elected their ticket by from 300 to 400 majority. Some of those on the ticket had previously been Republicans. They were opposed, however, by the regular Republican nominees, and their success was, of course, a defeat to the opposite party.
The formal organization of the Republican party was on the 5th day of January, 1857, at a meeting held in Anamosa on that date, of which C. L. D. Crockwell was Chairman, and George Higby, Secretary.
A committee to report plan of organization was appointed, composed of A. H. Marvin, of Monticello; Thomas S. Hubbard, of Castle Grove; W. S. Niles, of Madison ; H. O. Brown, of Clay ; and J. S. Dimmitt, of Fairview.
The following resolution was reported and adopted :
WHEREAS, We have full confidence in the national orginization of the Republican party, and believe that we should use all honorable means for the triumph of its principles ; therefore,
Resolved, That the Republicans of Jones County adopt the following course for an organizi. tion in said county : First, That there be a Central Committee of three appointed. residen's of Anamosa, who shall constitute a Board, whose duty it shall be to call meetings, conventions, etc., in this county, and shall attend to the distribution of tickets at electiong ; second, that in Executive Committee of one from each township be appointed to co-operate with the Central Con- mittee, and to call meetings in their several townships : third, that the Central and Executive Committees shall elect from their number a President, Treasurer and Secretary.
W. J. Henry, C. L. D. Crockwell and J. S. Dimmitt were chosen Central Committee.
The Township Executive Committee was appointed, composed of Milo Q. Thompson, of Cass; George Iligby, of Castle Grove ; John Russell, of Clay ; Pratt R. Skinner, of Fairview ; Thomas Goudy, of Greenfield; C. F. Lewis, of HIale; M. II. Byerly, of Jackson ; John Niles, of Madison ; A. H. Marvin, of Monticello; Jas. Kent, of Oxford; A. G. Brown, of Pierce (now Wyoming);
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
Barrett Whittemore, of Richland; Dr. Carpenter, of Rome; John E. Lovejoy, of Seoteh Grove; G. C. Mulgett, of Wayne.
A. H. Marvin and W. S. Holmes were first delegates, chosen to represent Jones County in the Republican State Convention of 1857.
The Greenback movement has not elieited many supporters in Jones County. Forty-four votes were cast for Peter Cooper in 1876, which is probably a fair measure of the strength of the soft-money element at that time. They have no newspaper organ in the county, and have never ventured to nominate a county ticket.
The Presidential vote of each campaign is a pretty good index to the political bias of a community. We give the returns in Jones County since 1852: 1852-Pieree, 338; Scott, 266; Hale, 22; 1856-Fremont. 964 ; Buchanan, 663; Fillmore. 10; 1860-Lincoln, 1,453; Douglas, 1,097 : 1864 -Lincoln, 1.530 ; MeClellan, 941: 1868-Grant, 2,400; Seymour, 1,277; 1872-Grant. 2,285; Greeley, 1,237; O'Connor, 4; 1876 -- Ilayes, 2,591; Tilden, 1,763; Cooper, 44.
An abstract of votes at the elections of 1876 and 1878 will be a matter of interest.
VOTE OF 1876-78.
1876-PRESIDENTIAL.
1878.
SECRETARY OF STATE.
CLERK OF COURT.
TOWNSHIPS.
R. B. Hayes,
S. J. Tilden.
J. A. T. Hull, Republican.
E. M. Farns- worth, Democrat.
Republican.
Democrat.
Cass
123
70
88
34
81
12
Castle Grove
91
99
88
105
94
98
Clay.
106
62
87
56
88
55
Fairview
405
323
347
233
376
207
Greenfield
112
119
88
117
90
115
Hale
166
45
120
30
125
25
Jackson
72
113
61
95
63
90
Madison
209
35
193
44
199
38
Monticello
331
234
1
319
198
331
181
Oxford
101
102
86
107
87
106
Richland
59
90
65
85
Rome.
225
103
162
92
181
84
Scotch Grove
142
26
81
31
82
30
Washington
6
161
3
120
5
120
Wayne.
173
40
117
33
119
31
Wyoming
270
136
231
81
272
42
Total
2591
1703
2141
1456
2259
1343
LYNCH LAW.
In the early part of the month of December. 1857, Hiram Roberts, a reputed thief, counterfeiter and desperado, fell into the hands of the Vigilance Committee, about four hundred strong, near Red Oak Grove, in Ce lar County. Roberts was brought into Walnut Fork, in Jones County, tried by the com- mittee, found guilty and hanged.
We have made diligent inquiry in reference to the hanging of Roberts. and, from what we can leiro, the parties engaged in the transaction deserve to be severely censured. It is statel by some who resided in the county at the
84
B. H. White, J. M. D. Joslin,
355
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
time, and had a full knowledge of the facts, that before the arrest of Roberts could be made, he being armed at the time. a pledge was made to him that in ease he would peaceably surrender, he should be taken to the county seat and there allowed a fair and impartial trial. If this be true. and there seems to be good reason for believing it, the action of the Committee was decidedly an out- rage, for which they deserve to be severely reproached. We are told by one who was a member of the Committee, that the protest of many was entered at the time, but without effect. Whatever may have been the character of Rob- erts, the pledge of the Committee was binding and ought to have been so regarded. In justice to those who executed this man, it is proper to state that this portion of the State of Iowa was, at that time, infested with a set of outlaws and horse-thieves, and that severe measures were imperative to the end that the country might be safe, and purged of desperadoes. Again. it is affirmed that courts of justice had frequently been sought, but failed to he a means of redress. Juries feared to con lemn men whom they believed guilty, lest they might soon suffer in loss of life or property.
Without doubt, the Vigilance Committee was a means of doing much last- ing good to the country, but in the case of having made a solemn pledge. we can but think it ineumbent upon them to have faithfully kept the same.
A TORNADO.
On Sunday, June 3, 1860. a most terrible tornado passed over Linn. a por- tion of Jones, Clinton and other counties of Iowa and Illinois, resulting in serious loss of life. Greenfield and Rome Townships were in the path of the whirlwind, in Jones County, where nine persons were killed.
The following account of the casualties was given in the Anamosa Eureka :
" W. Allen's family, living in the house of William Robinson, was killed, and the house blown to atoms. The family consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Allen, one boy, seven years old, and two little girls, aged five and two years. John Niles, of Cedar County, had stopped at Allen's house a short time before the storm, and was also killed. Mr. Allen and Mr. Niles were alive when found, but died shortly after. The others were instantly killed and horribly mangled. Mr. Allen was found about five rods north from where the house stood. Mrs. Allen lay twenty-five rods to the southwest ; one girl thirty-three rods south- west, and the other, sixty-five rods to the southeast ; the boy was about forty rods distant from the house, in the same direction. One of the sills of the house, sixteen feet long and eight by ten inches, was found about thirty rods west, buried thirteen feet in the soil of the prairie.
" Here the storm was most destructive. The ground was literally plowed up, covered with rails, stakes, etc., standing upright, some of them buried half their length in the ground. The grass was cut shorter than it could have been with a seythe.
"Nine head of horses, thirteen head of eattle and twelve of hogs were found dead on one eighty-aere lot, and nearly as many more were taken from the same land badly injured. Dead dogs, rabbits, cats, domestic and prairie chiekens were also found.
" Charles Robinson's house was blown down, his property destroyed and his family injured to some extent. Andrew Pettit suffered the loss of his house. The family were saved by taking refuge in the cellar. Schoolhouses in Subdistricts No. 6 and No. 4, in Greenfield Township, were demolished.
356
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
William Khol lost both house and barn, though the family escaped with but slight injury.
" G. W. Lattimer's house was blown down and his family severely injured. Jacob Cole was left homeless, and mourns the severe injuries of two children. E. M. Nickerson's dwelling was carried entirely from the foundations, but with- out injury to its inhabitants. M. II. Nickerson's house was carried away. The family were, fortunately, abseut. Isaac Staffy's home was destroyed, and his family somewhat injured.
"In Rome Township, Mr. Piper's house was swept from its foundations, and two of his children killed. Mr. Piper suffered a double fracture in his arm, and his wife experienced some severe bruises. His barn was unroofed and almost completely destroyed. A heavy lumber wagon near his barn was entirely demolished, and the iron-work twisted and bent in almost every shape.
" Elisha Miller lost his house, crops, etc. His son, twelve years of age, was killed, and his wife badly injured. Samuel Cook, a young man living with Mr. Miller, was severely maimed. N. Bernard's house was entirely destroyed, and his family more or less afflicted by physical suffering. The houses of Mr. Scoles, William May and William Brockelhurst were almost com- pletely demolished."
AN EXPENSIVE FUNERAL.
The following incident is taken from the Anamosa Eureka of February 24, 1860 :
"Last week, a man hailing from Washington Township, in this county, called on the County Judge and presented a bill of 826 for burying a pauper. The Judge remarked that he thought the bill rather high, and asked for the items.
" The man said he paid $10 for the coffin, $2 for the shroud and $1.50 for digging the grave.
" ' What other expenses were there ?' asked the Judge.
"'We bought three gallons of whisky, some tobacco, coffee, tea and sugar.'
"' Well,' said the Judge, . I will allow you the amount of your claim for the coffin, shroud and digging the grave, but the other things cannot be paid for by the county.'
" The applicant replied that he was authorized by the Township Trustees to purchase the whisky and other articles for a wake, and he thought the county ought to pay the claims.
"The Judge refused to make the allowance and the claimant departed, threatening to sue the Trustees for the amount."
WAR HISTORY.
If there is any one thing more than another of which the people of the Northern States have reason to be proud, it is of the record they made during the dark and bloody days of the war of the rebellion. When the war was forced upon the country, the people were quietly pursuing the even tenor of their ways, doing whatever their hands found to do-making farms or culti- vating those already made, erecting homes, founding cities and towns, building shops and manufactories-in short. the country was alive with industry and hopes for the future. The people were just recovering from the depressions
0
Robert Dott.
359
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
and losses incident to the financial panic of 1857. The future looked bright and promising, and the industrious and patriotie sons and daughters of the Free States were buoyant with hope-looking forward to the perfecting of new plans for the secureruent of comfort and competence in the declining years of life : they little heeded the mutterings and threatenings of treason's children in the Slave States of the South. True sons and descendants of the heroes of the " times that tried men's souls "-the struggle for American indepen- dence-they never dreamed that there was even one so base as to dare attempt the destruction of the Union of their fathers-a government baptized with the best blood the world ever knew. While immediately surrounded with peace and tranquillity, they paid but little attention to the rumored plots and plans of those who lived and grew rich from the sweat and toil. blood and flesh of others : aye, even trafficked in the offspring of their own loins. Nevertheless, the war came, with all its attendant horrors.
April 12. 1861, Fort Sumter, at Charleston, South Carolina, Maj. Anderson, U. S. A., Commandant, was fired upon by rebel arms. Although basest treason, this first aet in the bloody reality that followed, was looked upon as the mere bravado of a few hot-heads, the act of a few fire-eaters whose sectional bias and freedom hatred was erazed by excessive indulgence in intoxicating potions. When, a day later, the news was borne along the tele- graphie wires that Maj. Anderson had been forced to surrender to what had at first been regarded as a drunken mob. the patriotie people of the North were startled from the dreams of the future. from undertakings half completed, and made to realize that behind that mob there was a dark, deep and well- organized purpose to destroy the Government, rend the Union in twain, and out of its ruins ereet a slave oligarchy, wherein no one would dare question their right to hold in bondage the sons and daughters of men whose skins were black, or who, perchance, through practices of lustful natures, were half or quarter removed from the color that God. for His own purposes, had given them. But " they reckoned without their host." Their dreams of the future, their plans for the establishment of an independent confederacy. were doomed from their inception to sad and bitter disappointment.
Immediately upon the surrender of Fort Sumter, Abraham Lincoln-Amer- ica's martyr President-who, but a few short weeks before, had taken the oath of office as the nation's chief Executive, issued a proclamation calling for 75,000 volunteers for three months. The last word of that proclamation had searcely been taken from the electric wires before the call was filled. Men and money were counted out by the thousands. The people who loved their whole Govern- ment could not give enough. Patriotism thrilled and vibrated and pulsated through every heart. The farm, the workshop, the office, the pulpit, the bar. the bench, the college, the schoolhouse-every calling offered its best men, their lives and their fortunes in defense of the Government's honor and unity. Party lines were for the time ignored. Bitter words, spoken in moments of political heat, were forgotten and forgiven, and, joining hands in a common cause, they repeated the oath of Ameriea's soldier-statesman, " BY THE GREAT ETERNAL, THE UNION MUST AND SHALL BE PRESERVED !"
Seventy-five thousand men were not enough to subdue the rebellion. Nor were ten times that number. The war went on, and call followed call, until it began to look as if there would not be men enough in all the Free States to crush out and subdue the monstrous war traitors had inaugurated. But to every eall for either men or money, there was a willing and ready response. And it is a boast of the people that, had the supply of men fallen short, there were
C
360
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
women brave enough, daring enough, patriotic enough, to have offered them- selves as sacrifices on their country's altar. Such were the impalses, motives and actions of the patriotic men of the North, among whom the loyal sons of Jones County, Iowa, made a conspicuous and praiseworthy record.
The compiler has sought to secure a continuous record of all the patriotic meetings of the people of the county in the order in which they took place, but as many meetings were held of which no record was kept, except in the faith- ful breasts of loyal men and liberty-loving women, the war history must be more or less fragmentary, and, in a great measure, not as satisfactory as he had hoped to have made it. He has searched all the files of newspapers published in the county at the time, and the result of his research is given below. IIe feels gratified to state that enough has been secured to testify most emphatically to the unbounded heroism and lofty patriotism of the loyal citizens of Jones County during the days of the nation's darkest forebodings. No county in the State sent out braver men, and no State in the Union can boast of a more glorious record.
UNION MEETING.
Pursuant to notice, the citizens of Jones County, irrespective of party, assembled in mass convention at the Court House, in Anamosa, on Saturday, the 19th day of January, 1861, at 11 o'clock A. M.
On motion of Dr. N. G. Sales, Messrs. Davis McCarn and E. V. Miller were appointed Temporary Chairmen, and Matt Parrott and J. L. Sheean, Secretaries.
On motion of W. G. Hammond, Esq., the Chair was empowered to appoint a Committee of five on Permanent Organization, and appointed as such Com- mittee Messrs. W. G. Hammond, N. G. Sales, George W. Field, C. Chapman and C. T. Lamson.
E. Cutler, Esq., moved that the convention adjourn for one week-the late storm having prevented an attendance from the other parts of the county. Lost.
On motion of O. Burke, Esq., the Chair appointed O. Burke, J. J. Dick- inson, S. T. Pierce, E. Cutler and J. Mann as a Committee on Resolutions. The Committee assembled at the time designated.
The Committee on Permanent Organization reported as follows : President. G. W. Field ; Vice Presidents, Messrs. J. Mann. W. H. Holmes and F. S. McKean; Secretaries, Messrs. John S. Stacy and J. L. Sheean-which report was received and adopted.
The Committee on Resolutions, not being ready to report. the convention was addressed by N. G. Sales, W. G. Hammond and others. The Committee on Resolutions appeared, and: through S. T. Pierce, Esq., reported the follow- ing preamble and resolutions :
WHEREAS, The people of Jones County, in mass convention assembled, without distinction of party, believing that the present unhappy condition of our country demands the immediate and serious attention of every good citizen and patriot ; and, further, believing that it is idle and impolitic to discuss the causes of present calamities, but most expedient to search for a remedy which will cure our present difficulties and seenre to us permanent and national tran- quillity, and to that end and for that purpose we will divest ourselves of party feelings and sectional prejudices, in order to best promote and secure present and future harmony an union ; therefore,
Resolved, That we are unwilling now to abandon or in the least endanger the Union of the States, which has existed so long with such unprecedented results, both as to our individual and national happiness and prosperity.
Resolved, That the Federal Government is one of limited power derived solely from the Constitution, and the grants of power made therein ought to be'strictly construed by all depart- ments and agents of the Government.
361
HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
Resolved, That we are in favor of the equality of the States in the distribution of all hen- efits and burdens of our Government, and a prompt. energetic and impartial administration of all constitutional laws: and upon this principle we stand, hoping and demanding of our Sena- tors and Representatives in Congress that they will make every effort in their power to effect an equal, liberal and equitable adjustment of present national difficulties.
Resolmed, That we love and cherish the Government under which we live, and hold in high esteem and regard our brothers of the Southern States, and regret that there are mutual sub- jects of complaint and difference existing between the Northern and Southern sections of our confederacy, and believe that our differences can be better settled in the Union than out of it, and that such difficulties and differences can be arranged and settled if a mintund spirit of fore- bearance and good will is exercised by both our Northern and Southern brethren, and that it is a right and a duty we owe to each other to make just concessions to restore peace and harmony between the different sections of the country.
Resolved, That, in the words of James Buchanan, "resistance to lawful authority, under our form of Government, cannot fail. in the eud, to prove disastrous to its authors ;" that we therefore appeal to our Southern brethren to cease snch resistance and to submit the questions in dispute between us to the Constitutional authorities of our common country.
Resolved, That, in the noble stand taken by Maj. Anderson in defense of the flag of our Voion and the property it should protect ealls for the admiration and respect of every lover of his country.
On motion of N. G. Sales, the report of the Committee was received an l the Committee discharged. Moved that the resolutions be voted on separately. Lost.
On motion of W. H. Holmes, the resolutions were adopted. N. G. Sales moved that the proceedings of the convention, with the resolutions adopted, be published in the Anamosa Eureka and the Marion Democrat. Carried. S. T. Pierce moved that a copy of the proceedings and resolutions of this convention be forwarded to each of our Senators and Representatives in Congress. Carried.
On motion, the convention adjourned sine die. John S. Stacy and J. L. Shecan, Secretaries.
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS' RESOLUTIONS OF LOYALTY, JUNE 6, 1861.
The Supervisors of Jones County closed their labors Thursday, June 6, 1861, by passing the following :
WHEREAS, The great American nation has, under the kind guidance of Almighty God and a patriotic and liberty-loving people, safely passed through eighty-four anniversaries without the hand of a domestic traitor having been raised to overthrow the noble fabric of constitutional liberty raised by the patriots of the Revolution :
AND WHEREAS, In the present year of grace, 1861, and on the eve of the eighty -fifth anni- versary of our national independence, we see, for the first time, numerous and thoroughly organized traitors raising their fratricidal hands with a view to force the dismemberment and overthrow of the best government on the earth, we deem it expedient to call upon the whole people of Jones County to come together on the approaching 4th day of July, and, with united hearts and hands manifest their devotion to the nation, its nnity, and the principles of the Dec- laration of Independence : therefore
Resolved, That the Board appoint a Committee of citizens from each township, and request them to make all necessary arrangements for the celebration of the eighty-fifth anniversary of American Independence.
Resolved, That we recommend that the citizens of the whole county assemble at the grove half a mile sonth of the center of the county, in the northeast corner of Jackson Township, and bring with them such provisions and lumher as will be sutheient to provide tables and refresh- ments for all.
Resolved, That the Committee be requested to provide a band of musie, powder and speakers for the occasion.
Resolved, That the following individuals in the various townships are hereby appointed s Committee to make all necessary arrangements: and they are requested to save; on the ground where said celebration is proposed to be held, at the 20th day of June at la d'e A. M . and there take such action as to them may seem proper : Names of Committee-Ca ... P. B. Alter- man ; Castle Grove, Thomas J. Peak : Clay, John Russell; Fairview, N. G. f ...... C. C. Duell ; Greenfield, Elias V. Miller ; Hale, Don A. Carpenter : Jackson, Daniel N. Monroe : Madison. John Niles ; Monticello, W. H. Walworth ; Oxford, Milo C. Lathrop ; Richiaud, Imac Wihard ;
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HISTORY OF JONES COUNTY.
Rome. Charles HI. Lull ; Scotch Grove. A. J. Allen ; Washington, Thomas McNally ; Wayne, Noah Bigley ; Wyoming, James A. Bronson.
Resolved, That the sum of one hundred dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary. is hereby appropriated from the county treasury for the purpose of providing music and powder.
Thus it is seen that the Board of Supervisors of Jones County, in 1861, were decidedly loyal and eminently patriotic.
PATRIOTIC MEETING IN ROME.
A Union meeting was held in the grove near the village of Rome, on the 24th of May, 1801. The citizens of the town and vicinity turned out en masse. The meeting came to order by electing Ezra Carpenter. Esq., Chairman.
A patriotic and soul-stirring address was delivered by the Rev. O. E. Ald- rich, which was received with frequent demonstrations of applause by the people. After the address, three cheers were given for the Union. with a vim that spoke love for our country and death to traitors. A company of Home Guards at this time was nearly full. E. C. Rigby was the Secretary at the above meet- ing.
THE COUNTY FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION.
A grand county celebration of the Fourth of July, took place in pursuance of the resolutions and suggestions of the Board of Supervisors, made at their June meeting in 1861. The celebration was on Thursday, the 4th of July, 1861.
The perilous condition of the country brought men of all parties together to observe the anniversary of our national birth, and to repeat anew their vows to freedom. Early in the morning, teams, singly and in companies, began to throng from all parts of the county toward the point which had been desig- nated by the Board of Supervisors. near the center of the county. At 10 o'clock, A. M., the scene was the strangest of the kind ever encountered in the West. The road ran along a high ridge, and on both sides of it and on each of the wide and gently sloping spurs, shooting out every few rods, were horses, wagons, buggies, carriages, men, women. children and babies by the thousands ; and, in every direction, the American flag floated in the light and refreshing breeze, which, with the shade of the sufficiently abundant oaks, tempered the heat of a warm summer day. Such an assembly in a city is common enough. but this was an assembly in the wilderness. Not a house, not a sign that man " had touched nature here was visible, save in the few brief days' labor of the Committee of Preparation. It was a fitting place wherein to assemble on such a day and for such a purpose, when the nation was in its life and death struggle for existence.
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