The history of Linn county, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &t., a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics history of the Northwest etc, Part 45

Author:
Publication date: 1878
Publisher: Chicago : Western Historical Company
Number of Pages: 840


USA > Iowa > Linn County > The history of Linn county, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &t., a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics history of the Northwest etc > Part 45


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A large majority of those interested in the Soper-Gleason affair still remain in Cedar County. Many of them are among the wealthiest, and consequently most influential, citizens of the community, highly respected and generally use- ful. reliable and strictly law-abiding.


HI. ROBERTS.


Hiram Roberts, of Indiana, was the owner of a farm in Jones County, and frequently visited there to look after his interests. On these visits, his associa- tions were with that class of men who were under the ban of suspicion as horse thieves and counterfeiters. He frequently went over into Cedar County, and made protracted visits among people who were almost known outlaws. His most frequent stopping place was at James W. Hanlin's, four miles northwest of Tipton.


About the last of October, or first of November, 1857, Roberts was on one of his visits to the county, and having heard that he had been pretty severely threatened by the members of the Protective Association, he sent word to the leaders of the Association where he was stopping, together with an invitation for them to come and take him. His invitation was accepted. Word was sent


385


HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.


around among the people, and Roberts was arrested at Hanlin's. He was taken across the county line into Jones County, to the barn of Geo. Saum. When they arrived within the barn, Roberts was left in charge of a part of those con- cerned in his arrest, while the other part, a majority, perhaps, went a little dis- tance outside to consult. One of this number was a young man in the employ of a citizen who has always been prominently identified with the affairs of Cedar County, and who had been sent by his employer to represent him, because of other pressing engagements. It may be said, too, that the employer was a Justice of the Peace at the time, and this may have had something to do with his non- attendance. When this young man learned the desperate resolve of the men by whom he was surrounded, he turned away and started to the barn to get his horse and leave the scene. As he opened the barn door, he was horror-stricken to find that Roberts had already been tried, condemned, sentenced and hanged to a beam overhead, and that he was even then writhing in the agonies of death. After life was extinct, the body of Roberts was taken down, carried out and re- hanged to the limb of a tree, and left there to await the order of his friends.


It is said by some of those who participated in the Roberts lynching, that before he was hanged, he confessed that he had been engaged in counterfeiting and associated with counterfeiters a good many years, and that he had put in circulation more than $100,000 of spurious money.


The Coroner of Jones County was notified of the hanging of Roberts, and an inquest was held on his remains, and a verdict rendered in accordance with the facts, as far as the facts could be ascertained. Warrants were issued for the arrest of Charles Williams, Benjamin Freeman, Moses Bunker, William Dallas, George Saum and William M. Knott, charging them with the offense. The Jones County Sheriff and his Deputy came over to arrest the parties named. No resistance was offered, and by agreement and on recommendation of Judge Tuthill, then District Judge, they entered into bonds for their appearance before a Jones County Justice of the Peace, on a certain day named (within two weeks), for a preliminary examination. At the appointed time, Williams, Freeman, Bunker and the others mentioned, accompanied by about two hundred Cedar County citizens, appeared as per agreement, with Judge Bissell as their attorney. They waived an examination, and entered into bonds for their appearance at the next term of the District Court for that county. Their bonds were signed by not less than one hundred of the best citizens of Cedar and Jones Counties. At the Spring term (1858) of the Jones County District Court, the parties under bonds, accompanied by nearly two hundred Cedar and Jones County citi- zens, appeared in Anamosa to answer to any indictment that might be found against them ; but no indictment was returned against them, for want of suffi- cient testimony. In addition to the fact that the vigilantes had taken good care to get important witnesses for the people out of the way, one of the grand jury was in full sympathy and accord with the movement to free the country from the presence of dishonest characters. Besides that one juryman, there were several others who were indifferent as to the prosecution of the case, and it is fair to presume that they did not worry themselves very much about find- ing an indictment. Since then the affair has almost died out of memory, and the country has maintained a quiet and obedience to law that has made for Cedar County people a praiseworthy reputation. Charles Williams, one of the arrested parties, subsequently removed to Texas; Freeman died in Jones County about ten years ago; George Saum now lives in Davenport ; Moses Bunker, William Dallas and William M. Knott have maintained a continuous residence in the county, and are useful, respected citizens.


386


HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.


SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT.


The marvels of the last half century are not confined to the mechanic world alone, but reach out in the direction of the West, and include the social world as well.


The history of Linn County is one of comparative brevity, and is compre- hended to-day by the men who drove the first breaking teams over the virgin prairie ; but it is, nevertheless, one of the most remarkable in the list of Amer- ican counties, so famous in the eyes of all the peoples of the globe as akin to the miraculous types of the progress of mankind.


There is not a man in Linn County at the present time who is not willing to admit that the improvement of his favorite locality far excels his most san- guine expectations ; but that simply proves the extraordinary character of the social and material advancement of the section.


In the year 1840, Hosea W. Gray completed the first census of the county. Some idea of the popularity of the region may be formed by a comparison of the numbers which gathered at Westport, July 4, 1839, to " celebrate," and the returns made by Sheriff Gray. The celebration, as already remarked, drew to Westport many persons not residents of the county, and with such acquisitions to the people, there were, probably, two hundred men and women assembled on that day.


The census returns of 1840 show that there were then resident in the county no less than 1,373 men, women and children. The county filled up thus rapidly in that one year. The older settlers still living remark that the pro- cessions of immigrants were almost continuous. Claims were made with great rapidity, and the lands were staked out by the pioneers after the manner of the times. The new comers were plain, honest people for the most part, and came with the real determination of making homes for themselves and their children after them.


Andrew J. Mckean relates an incident of 1838 that is illustrative of the feeling entertained at that time by the settlers. When he arrived in the county and made known his wish to secure a claim, he was told that there were no vacant lands in the neighborhood of what is now Mount Vernon. Every foot of land had been secured by actual settlers, they told him.


" Well," observed Mr. Mckean, "I like this country, gentlemen, and. vacant lands or no vacant lands, I'm going to stay with you. I came here to locate, and I shall remain."


No sooner had he declared his intentions of becoming a bona fide resident of the county, than he was greeted with the utmost cordiality. There were plenty of unselected sites, and those who had first turned the cold shoulder upon him, fearing that he might be a speculator, were extremely officious in aiding him with his work.


As the forefathers had declared, "not one cent for tribute ; millions for defense," so the pioneers proclaimed, " not one foot of land for speculators ; thousands for settlement and cultivation." It is because of this rule and the rigid determination to observe it, on the part of the first men, that the county is to-day so far advanced in the scale of improvement.


During the three years following the census, the influx of settlers was unceasing, and by 1845 probably 4.000 persons had decided upon Linn as their abiding place.


387


HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.


The men who came here in the early '40's were ambitious, determined, experienced workers in their several vocations. Many of them knew from personal encounter that there were rocks in the sea of life, and were disposed to shun the errors of their former ways. Lessons learned in the school of experience are seldom forgotten, and the progress made by such as were of the less successful business class of the East, was slow but substantial. They felt their way cautiously along over the shoals of financial waters, until they reached a depth that enabled them to live freely and enjoy life.


Those days were not like the present times in point of luxuries. As late as 1855 there were but two pianos in the county, and not more than half a dozen spring buggies. Sewing machines were unknown. Domestic training consisted of the simple branches, devoid of all the modern accomplishments.


Now there is scarcely a farm house without its musical instruments and sewing machines, while the boys of the family drive spirited horses before the best of vehicles. Family carriages are not uncommon, and comforts of every description find their way into the large and elegant farm mansions which have taken the place of the old log houses.


The young members of the family have ceased to attend the District schools, and graduate with honor from institutions of learning with which the county is so well supplied.


The census of 1850 shows that 5,444 inhabitants were accredited to Linn in that year. The gold excitement in California, which began in the year '49, naturally drew many of the more venturesome spirits westward, and a number of Linn County men joined the long procession on its wearisome way over the plains and mountains.


Still this county continued to thrive. The soil was yielding ample returns for the comfortable support of its tillers, but markets were limited to the newer counties to the west of this, and farmers devoted all their energies to the actual improvement of their farms, rather than to any speculative ventures.


Another decade passed, and the statistics were returned to the proper bureau. Then it was discovered that the population had reached the hand- some figure of 18,947, and the future of Linn was a guaranteed success.


In 1870, there were 31,080 residents in the county, and in 1875 the State census shows a population of 31,815. Long before this time, the lands were taken up, and the augmentation of numbers depended upon the growth of business centers, instead of upon the agricultural classes. As the farms were improved, greater shipping facilities were required ; increased commercial con- veniences were demanded ; and the manufacturing population necessarily went to swell the total number of residents in cities and villages


Probably the present number of actual residents is as large as the rate of production demands or will be able to support for some few years, except in the larger cities. The county already ranks among the older regions of the East in numerical strength, and the demand for " pioneers " has ceased. Other sources of increase must be looked to for accretions, as is always the case where the area is no longer subject to first purchase.


The vote of 1839 numbered thirty-two ballots. The last vote cast in the county does not show the full strength of the adult population entitled to the right of elective franchise. There are, as reported in the census of 1875, 7,274 legal voters in the county.


For convenience as well as comparative exhibition. will be found on follow- ing page in tabular form a statement of the last Presidential vote, and the more recent " off year " ballot, in 1877, for State and county officers.


388


STATEMENT OF VOTES CAST IN LINN COUNTY FOR PRESIDENT IN 1876, AND FOR STATE AND COUNTY OFFICERS IN 1877.


COUNTY TICKET, 1877.


1876.


STATE TICKET, 1877.


President.


Governor.


Legislature.


Legislature.


Auditor.


Treasurer.


Sheriff.


Supt. Schools.


Surveyor.


Coroner.


Hayes.


Tilden.


Gear.


Irish.


Ure.


Jordan.


Hormel.


Bowdish.


Daniels.


Young.


Berry.


Platner.


Gillilan. -


Carskaddon.


Johnson.


Shapley.


Lyman.


Durham.


Lawrence.


Bardwell.


50


144


32


129


30


34


132


128


88


69


34


42


120


65


92


33


130


34


129


Bertram


217


78


63


78


123


142


73


115


162


65


158


77


151


75


127


104


1 4


100


158


76


Brown ..


108


129


64


92


79


77


101


103


79


101


78


49


125


66


111


79


100


78


101


Bowlder


37


87


27


71


28


28


71


71


28


70


28


34


60


28


69


28


71


28


71


Buffalo.


136


83


107


65


88


106


81


62


114


54


113


58


33


138


67


100


107


64


104


65


Clinton ...


111


127


39


91


78


85


97


89


90


86


87


87


95


73


88


57


86


90


83


92


College ..


138


109


95


93


103


100


90


93


101


93


101


93


101


93


94


97


98


93


99


93


Fairfax ..


53


81


23


76


76


30


25


89


15


83


20


39


63


80


24


81


23


81


23


Fayette .. ...


78


177


109


182


96


114


126


205


72


208


77


Franklin ( Mt. Vernon Precinct)" ...


257


120


110


66


206


194


86 *


48


159


4.


151


53


162


42


143


59


157


46


160


43


188


60


83


40


150


154


70


73


48


45


85


34


75


44


69


47


79


37


96


18


102


45


109


38


174


47


103


37


98


69


48


51


110


36


108


38


65


80


77


101


84


92


82


100


87


95


118


94


70


93


88


87


96


97


88


96


84


105


143


106


144


103


138


111


141


112


147


106


181


134


138


107


140


119


109


129


348


449


493


310


512


290


233


575


421


352


335


124


457


357


Marion ..


108


93


5.


78


16


15


147


145


97


66


67


75


18


143


59


100


33


134


62


77


Monroe .


97


67


86


52


80


66


74


60


91


51


88


54


49


93


85


48


75


99


90


51


Otter Creek.


47


88


40


70


45


38


69


67


41


69


43


66


42


68


22


40


70


42


86


Putnam ..


222


216


130


172


140


119


198


161


143


167


143


166


158


153


156


147


219


85


149


157


Rapids, First Precinct.


342


147


225


127


230


198


159


121


240


119


238


128


197


160


233


122


247


119


237


126


Rapids, Second Precinct ..


236


203


123


141


118


113


171


152


133


144


133


145


100


178


154


114


193


77


133


144


Rapids, Third Precinct ..


118


183


127


141


163


163


133


206


102


179


120


Rapids, Fourth Precinct ...


96


41


61


35


96


66


39


31


73


30


71


32


36


66


60


41


79


24


68


34


Rapids, Fifth Precinct ..


156


32


100


28


112


85


28


40


111


27


111


29


43


96


112


15


89


50


113


26


Spring Grove ..


136


201


87


170


70


70


181


179


256


....


89


171


101


138


110


133


89


176.


90


169


Washington


4332


2918


2524


2316


2814


2665


2630


2671


3422 2043


3098


2369


2361


3049


2899


2354


3009


2419


3072,


2380


Total.


* An error in this ballot threw the vote out of count; 50 ballots were cast for " E. C. Hormel," instead of for Frank C. Hormel.


HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.


·


·


.


.


.


.


.


· ·


.


·


.


.


·


·


·


..


Franklin (Lisbon Precinct)


42


Grant.


128


68


76


42


Jackson ..


Linn.


617


355


361


293


394


396


88


213


147


Maine.


·


281


142


168


123


183


155


154


122


191


157


46


76


100


128


101


71


TOWNSHIPS.


389


HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.


MATERIAL GROWTH AND PROSPERITY.


In the economy of Nature, there were bestowed upon Linn County such varied gifts as to insure the complete development of the section and still retain the products of native resources for immediate good. The lands, which are so rich in productive elements, are not alone the causes of revenue ; for through those fertile acres flow such powerful streams as are required to render profit- able the manufacture of crude products into marketable wares.


Nature was lavish of her wealth upon this region, and man has been wise enough to perceive the opportunities offered him at her hands. The early set- tler, even, was quick to discover the advantages of the stream upon which he located, but his attempts at the introduction of mechanical power were, as might be expected from one of his nature, rude and unsatisfactory.


From that day to this, the twin industries peculiar to the county have kept pace side by side. The earlier years were from necessity given over more generally to the construction of farms, but the sum total of the products, at a period but little later, was correspondingly great. For several years there were not sufficient returns from the farms to warrant heavy investments in mills or factories, but when the moment arrived at which capital could be profitably employed in manufacturing, men stood ready to pour it forth.


As late as 1855, there were not means of shipping surplus products east- ward, and producers were dependent upon the limited markets of Benton and the newer country to the West for sales. Even after the completion of rail communication with Chicago, the prices current were such as to prohibit the shipment of grain to that center of trade. Flatboats were loaded and floated down the Cedar and Iowa Rivers to the Mississippi and thence South, but these speculations were not of a very general or prudent character.


In 1848, N. B. Brown, of Cedar Rapids, erected the first woolen factory at that place, and introduced the industry into the country.


In 1862-63, owing to the increase in prices of provisions, the markets of Chicago began to be consulted. R. D. Stephens, of Marion, erected the first elevator at that place in 1862, and sent corn to the Mississippi. Cattle and hogs soon became articles of pecuniary value for transportation.


From the assessment rolls of 1866, a period chosen because of its marking the lapse of a quarter of a century from the date of actual settlement, allowing one crop on the average for the settlers who appeared in the census of 1840, as some came too late for a harvest that year, while others were able to secure returns in the year 1839, it is seen that the total acreage assessed was 452,486. The valuation was placed in accordance with the ruling rates of gold, which was much in excess of the present value of that standard. The land was then assessed at 3,012,754, exclusive of all land in towns and villages.


ABSTRACT OF THE ASSESSMENT OF LINN COUNTY, FOR THE YEAR 1878.


Lands exclusive of Town property.


449,457 acres,


$5,127,133


Cedar Rapids and Additions .. $1,488,774


Marion ..


282,663


Mt. Vernon.


86,440


Lisbon.


72,451


Center Point


37,829


Western.


22,216


Springville and Viola.


21,053


Central City and Waubeck 19,557


Other towns and villages.


60,221


$2,091,204


390


HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.


Aggregate value of realty in towns


Aggregate value of railroad property, asassessed by Executive Council under Chapter 5, Title X, of the Code of 1873.


528,444


Aggregate value of personal property (including horses, cattle, etc ) ... 1,885,151


Total valuation of the county


$9,631,932


Number.


Agg. Val.


Cattle assessed in the county.


31,872


$298,697


Horses


66 66


13,356


387,695


Mules 66 66 66


693


22,887


Sheep 66 66 66


3,958


4,686


Swine 66


.6


.54.450


141,173


Total valuation of live stock


$855,138


In 1878, the assessed valuation was given on 449,457 acres of land, a decrease of 3,029 acres in area. The diminution of territory is accounted for by the lands deeded to railroad corporations since 1866, and which are now assessed separately, and by the amounts of suburban property once claimed as farming lands, but now platted and assessed as city property.


On the 449,457 acres returned to-day, the taxable valuation of $5,127,133 is placed.


These estimates, it must be remembered, are made upon the present " hard pan " basis of real estate, and do not indicate the actual improvements made upon farm property during the twelve years past. In 1870, the farm realty was estimated to be worth, and so stated in the United States census of that year, $10,364,525.


The literal valuation of farming lands has decreased less than any other class of property during the stringent days since 1873. The prairies in the neighborhood of markets cannot be purchased for much less than they were held at prior to the panic. Wood lands are not so highly regarded as they formerly were, owing to the introduction of wire fences, and the common use of coal for fuel. On the other hand, open lands are steadily increasing in price. The products of the soil warrant a fixed rate of value.


If one bases an estimate, therefore, upon the reports of 1870, and takes into consideration the improvement of the past eight years, it seems within reason to place the real value of the farms of Linn County at but little below $15,000,000.


In the realty of towns and villages, a very marked increase of values is shown. Throughout the county there has been a healthy growth of business centers. In 1866 the aggregate assessed valuation, at "war prices," was $739,255. This year, the city of Cedar Rapids alone returns more than double the entire amount of value in the county in 1866, being $1,488,774 ; while the present total for the county is $2,091,204, and this, too, at such valuations as the property owners can induce the assessors to believe should be rightly attached.


The personal property returned in 1866 was $1,734,001, which included all horses, cattle, hogs, implements, etc., of farmers, and the movable property of towns and villages. This year the personal estate is reduced from the extravagant rates of gold to the basis of 100} premium, and amounts to $1,885,151.


There are, probably, not less than three-quarters of a million in purchase price of farm implements and machinery in the county to-day ; but, for assess- ment purposes, snch fragile property is justly placed at a lower estimate.


As returned, there is $528,444 worth of railroad property taxable within the limits of the county.


$2,091 204


391


HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.


The entire valuation of the county, as assessed, stands at $9,631,932, against $5,486,010 in 1866.


A comparative statement of the statistics of herds is interesting. In 1866 there were :


Cattle.


Number. 19,201


Value. $225,674


Mules.


258


12,333


Horses.


8,377


394,490


Sheep.


29,290


56,791


Swine.


20,321


136,896


In 1878 the returns show :


Number.


Value.


Cattle


31,872


$298,697


Horses


13,356


387,695


Mules.


693


22,887


Sheep


3,958


4,686


Swine.


54,450


141,173


In 1866, cattle were assessed at a fraction over $11.75 per head on the average. In 1878, the average fell a trifle below $9.37} per head. The state of the market is easily accounted for. The general markets were higher, and the far West had not then reached the point now held by it as a controlling influence in the stock trade.


It is proper to observe here that the method of assessing live stock is such as to furnish no correct idea of actual products of herds, flocks or droves. Hogs, for example, are taken at the first of January, in the estimate of num- bers. If fatting hogs are slaughtered after January 1st, but before the Assessor arrives, it is quite likely that many escape enumeration entirely, without inten- tional misrepresentation. Hogs under six months, also, pass without report. Hence the increase of the "pigs" which are slaughtered or sold for slaughter would swell the actual figures considerably. Assessed values are a poor guide, but in the present case are the best obtainable, as three years have elapsed since the last census reports were made.


Horses, in 1866, were assessed at $47.10 per head, while now they are but a fraction above $29. The markets were thoroughly drained of horses during the war, and the ordinary demands of dealers were greater because of the extensive sales which had been made during the years from '61-'65. Means of transportation were then limited, and this region had not reached the point of shipping which it now maintains.


Sheep were assessed at $1.93 and a fraction ; now they are rated at $1.18}. In 1875, there were 80,000 pounds of wool worked up by the factories of this county.


Swine show the widest range in market value, a fact which will be readily comprehended. In 1866, they were assessed at $6.76, while this year they reach only $2.59 on an average.


The foregoing comparisons are made solely for the purpose of showing the gradations of the markets, and not with the view of representing actual selling rates at the present time.


The statistics of 1875 furnish still fuller details of development, For example: There were 175,655 acres under cultivation that year. Spring wheat is the only variety grown extensively, and of that 656,597 bushels were harvested from 52,178 acres. From 91,773 acres there were taken 343,- 992 bushels of corn. There were produced 585,648 bushels of oats; 22,883 bushels of barley; 22,670 bushels of rye; 4,612 bushels of buckwheat; 28,- 495 tons of tame hay; 24,957 tons of wild hay; 1,536 bushels of grass seed;


F


392


HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY.


127,621 bushels of potatoes; 202,595 pounds of grapes, from a part of which 784 gallons of wine were made. There are 63,383 acres of natural timber standing in the county.


It was estimated that the value of the farm product, in 1875, was $2,590,- 052: the herd product. $832,387; the dairy product, $212,259.


MANUFACTURES.


The manufacturing interests in 1875 were returned as follows:


Number of establishments.


250


Hands employed.


788


Material consumed in 1874 :


Wheat, bushels


326,000


Corn, bushels


125,700




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