USA > Iowa > Mahaska County > The history of Mahaska County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., a biographical directory of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics > Part 42
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The Little Christian is an illustrated paper for the Sunday school, and is issued in weekly, semi-weekly, and monthly editions, being in faet three different papers. It has a circulation of 12,000 copies and is edited by B. W. Johnson. Its publication began in January, 1876.
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HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
Cotemporary with the publication of the Little Christian, was begun a monthly magazine known as the Christian Sunday School Teacher, by B. W. Johnson, a magazine devoted, as its name indicates, to Sunday school instruction and interests. This is a monthly publication of 32 octavo pages.
Lesson Leaves is a small sheet issued monthly for the use of Sabbath school scholars to aid in studying the international series of lessons. Its circulation is 20,000 copies, edited by B. W. Johnson.
It is the purpose of the management to establish two more monthlies at the beginning of 1879, for the infant classes of Sunday schools.
In addition to its own publications, the company does the press work for the Temperance Reformer, a paper established in the interest of Temper- ance, by C. H. Browning, in June, 187S. This is a monthly quarto and disposes of an issue of 2000 copies.
They also do the press work for the Inter-State Normal Monthly, pub- lished at Moulton, Iowa, and for Common School Teacher, at Bedford, Indiana. Thus far has the fame of the Book Concern extended as a prompt and reliable publishing house.
In 1867 at Oskaloosa was started a paper called the Central Iowa Citi- zen, published by M. G. Carleton and R. P. Bacon. It was Republican in its politics, and during the time of its existence it shared with the Herald the readers of that party. After continning about two years it passed into the hands of Samuel L. and Joseph R. C. Hunter, who continued its pub- lication about two months. On account of limited patronage, they were compelled, December 7, 1869, to display the following head lines: "Good- bye! Suspended! Fizzled! Busted! Petered! Collapsed! The running out process kinder gin eont! Gone up the spout generally! Grand Finale."
Thus facetiously the Central Towa Citizen took its place among the illustrious dead of western journalism-starved to death.
New Sharon Star. The publication of this excellent country paper was commenced by H. J. Vail, January 22, 1873, at New Sharon. Two years previous, Mr. Vail had "started in" at the printer's case to learn the business, and his success in newspaper publishing and editing shows that he not only served a faithful apprenticeship at the types, but knows how to push a pencil for the satisfaction and encouragement of his patrons.
The Star began its career as a seven column folio, and when an infant of six weeks' existence, was enlarged to eight columns. December S, 1875, it became a six column quarto, which is its present size. Its circulation varies from 700 to 1,000 copies, being very considerably larger in the win- ter, when its former subscribers have more time to read. It has ever been republican in politics, but violently opposes the present administration, neither appreciating Mr. Hayes, nor his policy.
CARRIER'S ADDRESS.
The following is the first "carrier's address " ever issned in Mahaska county, and was written by Geo. W. Seevers, of Oskaloosa. It made its appearance January 1, 1851, and was addressed to the patrons of the Herald :
All hail! and good morning! kind patrons I'm here, To wish you a healthy and happy New Year. Once more has the annual circuit been driven, And all are another year closer to Heaven;
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HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
Rejoice and be happy. and hail with a cheer The glorious birth of the welcome New Year. It is a glad morning; so hail it with joy, And hand out your DIMES to the CARRIER BOY.
I've served you. kind patrons, in days that are gone, And hope, if I live, to keep serving you on. I've brought you the news from the east and the west, And the north and the south; whatever was best, And newest, and rarest. was brought you by me, And poetry written by Uncle Boozee, And other great bards in the muses' employ; So open your hearts to the CARRIER BOY.
"Mysterious rappings " are heard, it is said; The living are learning to talk with the dead; The east is enchanted with Jenny Lind's voice; The "Fugitive Slave Law" is raising a noise; And great California is fooling mankind, And making them seek what but few of them find, And news of all this you shall have, to enjoy; So fork out your DIMES to the CARRIER BOY.
The "Herald " does all that it can for your town, And by it your village is gaining renown; The world is beginning to think its location Is "right in the center of all creation "; And this right impression is more or less made By facts in the " Herald " correctly portrayed; And bearing the " Herald " shall be my employ; So spare a few DIMES for the CARRIER BOY.
A railroad to run from the east to the west, Through fair Oskaloosa is no longer a jest; Besides, that the capital ought to come here, Still plainer and plainer begins to appear; And surely this state of affairs, more or less, Is caused by the aid of your own County Press; So while such a state of affairs you enjoy, Pray, be not unkind to the CARRIER BOY.
Ye lawyers so witty, ye sages so wise, Ye preachers well fed on fat chickens and pies; Ye doctors who kindly relieve us from pain, Or fix us, at least, so we cease to complain; Ye store-keepers, tailors and carpenters too, Be manly and give the poor " devil his due "; And you, ye sweet lassies, so lovely and coy, Remember what's due to the CARRIER BOY.
But this I will say, ye enchanting young misses, Your debt's easy paid, for I'll take it in KISSES; So crack away freely, and be not afraid, But only remember, if thus it is paid, To keep it untold, or you'll raise a great evil. For people would plague you 'bout kissing the devil, And thus would they grieve you and sorely annoy, For harmlessly kissing the CARRIER BOY.
And now, in conclusion, kind patrons and friends, My prayer for all of you humbly ascends. May Heaven grant all of you virtue and health, And Plutus consign you a part of his wealth, And the muses and graces and fates be your friends, "Till a long, happy life in sweet Paradise ends. So now worthy patrons I wish you much joy, And return you the thanks of the
CARRIER BOY.
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HISTORY OF MAIASKA COUNTY.
TEMPERANCE.
The question of temperance has been pretty thoroughly ventilated in all the days of Mahaska county. To discover the different phases of the tem- perance cause in all the times since the day in which men were indicted for selling fire-water to the Indians, would be almost an impossibility. From the commissioners' books, we find that in May, 1844, the cost of a grocery license was $25 per year. Why a grocery should be compelled to pay license, and what groceries have to do with the cause of temperance, will not be a question to those who lived in pioneer times in Iowa. Shortly after this the Washingtonian temperance movement struck Mahaska County. A temperance society was organized at Oskaloosa; its meetings were held in the court house; its silver tongued speakers were the judge on the bench and the pleaders at the bar; it was quite a judicial affair, and from the record, at the July term of court, 1845, we make the following curious extract.
"On motion of William W. Chapman, Esq., ordered that the following proceedings of the temperance meeting of Oskaloosa be spread upon the records of this court, to-wit:
"At a meeting of Oskaloosa Washingtonian Temperance Society held at Oskaloosa, Mahaska county, and Territory of Iowa, on Thursday evening, July 24, A. D., 1845. Present, M. T. PETERS, President.
" The meeting was ably addressed by the Hon. Joseph Williams, Judge of the District Court, by Messrs. Wright, Ives and May, Esqs. The following pledge was submitted for signatures. and the following names thereto subscribed, to-wit:
"We, the undersigned, pledge our sacred honor each to the other, to abstain from all intoxicating drinks as a beverage:
Mrs. Lee,
0. Wright,
Daniel Altman,
Joseph Williams,
Mrs. Baer,
S. Gandy,
Henry Blockburn,
Absalom Myers,
Mrs. Garrison,
S. Kinsman,
Moses Knowles,
Thomas Black,
Miss Cameron,
S. Knight,
M. S. Morris,
R. M. McPherson,
Miss Wellman,
I. Rupert,
John Miller.
Matthew D. Springer,
Miss Cameron,
Knight,
Wesley H. Freel,
James M. Dixon,
Mrs. Ash,
Martin Lyon,
A. B. Miller, Parrish Ellis,
R. M. Billips, Andrew Storts,
Miss D. Garrison,
Adam Tool,
Andrew Gossage,
George W. Baer,
Samuel McFall,
James Spurlock,
Samuel Morgan,
Levi Bainbridge,
Green T. Clark,
S. W. Babbot, Thomas McMurry,
C. S. Stedman,
Miss Murphy,
M. T. Williams,
John R. Sparks,
John D. Crane,
N. Mosier,
Matthew Edmundson, Andrew Ham,
A. W. Blair,
M. S. Garrison,
Charles Currier,
Wellington Nossman, Enos Myers,
G. S. Lathrop,
Mosier,
E. Muncell,
Wellman,
A. G. Phillips,
J. N. Edgar,
Noah Whitlash,
Nichols,
J. B. Hamilton,
Isaac Miller,
H. B. Owen,
E. C. Owen,
Lewis Pitts, Edward Long.
Joseph Gossage,
William Williams,
Eliza Owen,
H. W. Chapman,
George Gossage,
Andrew Stephenson,
R. I. Baer,
George May, R. S. Lowry,
J. S. Fredricks, William Edgar,
Henry Humphrey, Joseph Dronellard, John M. Cameron,
C. Frederick,
T. A. Springer,
William Drummer, Joseph B. Royale, William Windsor,
Miss A. Wright,
A. E. Wright,
Sarah Jones,
Leonard Fowler,
H. D. Ives, James Edgar,
Mrs. E. J. Jolly.
On motion of W. W. Chapman, Esq:
Johnathan Garrison,
M. C. Roop,
Jane Wilkins, Wilson,
A. C. Shorpe,
George Gillaspy,
F. S. Cleaves,
Jacob H. Majors,
S. A. Roop,
John Vance,
Randolph Harber, C. G. Owen,
Harry Horton,
Mrs. Sheperd,
George G. Wright,
Lewis Murphy,
Mrs. Long,
Allen Lowe,
C. Mosier,
W. D. Canfield,
J. W. Bailey. Charles Blackburn,
Cameron, Jasper Koons, John Montgomery,
Resolved, By the unanimous vote of the meeting, that as a testimony of the respect due to the Hon. Joseph Williams, judge of the second judicial district of the territory of Iowa, for his eminent and distinguished services in the temperance cause, and as a memorial of the unprecedented revival of total abstinence from the use of intoxicating drinks as a beverage, and that the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the president and secretary, and,
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HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
together with the pledge and names, be placed upon the minutes of the district court of said county of Mahaska.
W. H. SEEVERS, Secretary.
M. T. PETER, President.
Probably, as a result of this movement, the question of license or no li- cense was submitted to the people in April, 1847, and was decided, no license, by a majority of sixty-five votes. This expression of opinion, however, does not seem to have been followed, or, if so, the decision was soon set aside in - some manner; for in 1848 we find the county commissioners issuing grocery licenses at $333 per annum, or proportion thereof for shorter time.
In Oskaloosa city prohibition was voted in May, 1868, and a prohibition ordinance framed, but it soon afterward became of no effect. In the spring of 1874 was the women's crusade. Quite an organization was ef- fected in Oskaloosa, and shortly after the beginning of the excitement a band of sixty women sometimes collected, holding prayer meetings in the saloons, etc. This method of work did not accomplish a great deal among the saloon keepers, who were not thus easily induced to leave their profita- ble business. On February 17, 1874, a Women's Temperance band was formed, with a membership of two hundred. In June a Mahaska county temperance organization was formed, and a mass convention was held in Oskaloosa. ' In the latter town a second prohibition ordinance was framed, which has been pretty generally enforced since its passage. Murphy was here and lectured in 1875, and though he awakened considerable interest during the time of his stay, the temperance cause did not thrive after his departure-at least the movement he attempted to inaugurate did not at- tain to any great proportions. However, the blue ribbon movement which he started in the East during the latter part of 1876, reached Oskaloosa about fifteen months later. In February, 1878, the well-known temperance lecturer and organizer, Jno. W. Drew, made his appearance in Oskaloosa, and held meetings every night for one week. Part of the time he was as- sisted by Fred. Getchell, of Des Moines, who has taken great interest in the temperance reform of Iowa. On the Saturday evening closing Mr. Drew's stay was organized the Mahaska County Temperance Reform club, with all signers of the pledge as members. The officers elected were Wm. H. Needham, president; M. T. Williams, W. S. Kenworthy and T. J. Hay- wood, vice-presidents; M. H. Waring, secretary; Jno. M. Huber, treasurer. The secretary, Mr. Waring, has since resigned, and Jno. M. Huber elected to fill vacancy. The success of this movement in Oskaloosa, as elsewhere, has been remarkable. Within twenty-four hours after the pledge book was opened there were six hundred names attached-at the close of the week, or upon the organization of the society, there were three thousand and sev- enty persons in and about Oskaloosa who had signed the following
REFORM CLUB PLEDGE:
" We, the enrolled members of the Mahaska County Temperance Reform club, do solemnly promise. with the divine help, and in the presence of these witnesses, that we will never make, buy, sell, or use as a beverage any spirituous or malt liquors, wine or cider, and that we will in all proper ways discourage the manufacture, sale and use of the same."
At this writing, six months after the inauguration of the movement, there have been very few cases of violation of the pledge, and among those who were hard drinkers before, we might say, none have backslidden. The club holds meetings in Oskaloosa every Tuesday evening, for the transaction of business and the hearing of a lecture from some home or foreign speaker. Members of the club have been sent out through the county to organize associations in the different communities, and thirteen subordinate clubs
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HISTORY OF MAIIASKA COUNTY.
have been established; at Leighton, Fairview Church, Beacon, East Center S. H., West Center S. H., Union, Mills, Coffin's S. H., Rose Hill, Indian- apolis, Wing's S H., Peoria and Bellefontaine. There is an independent club at New Sharon. The total membership in the county in Angust, 1878, is six thousand and thirty. Will the readers of this sketch, in ten years from now have occasion to look back on this movement with a sneer, and justly pronounce it a failure, in that it has not accomplished its pur- pose-a permanent moral reform ? Will a few months bring about a reac- tion, and an indifference to this vice, which stalks in tremendous and alarm- ing proportions from one end of our land to another, from city to hamlet, and from hamlet to country home; or, will the moral forces of this people continue in united phalanx, determined to slay the monster under their feet? These are questions which the philanthropist must face, and they are hard questions to answer satisfactorily in this world of sin and death, where evil seems permanent and good almost transitory, where the tendency is downward, and abstinence a victory.
POLITICAL.
In recording the political history of the county it will be our endeavor to avoid giving any partisan coloring to the facts related, which coloring might arise from prejudices of the historian himself, or those parties from whom he drew his information.
As is well known, in the early history of the county there were but two parties in the field, the Democratic and the Whig. Mahaska county usually gave a Whig majority, and did so in the Presidential elections of 1844 and 1848. However, in local politics, attention was given to the qualities of men rather than to their politics, and in almost every county election for a number of years the result was divided between the different parties. The Democrats had treasurer and recorder for some five or six terms, besides some other county offices. As is related elsewhere, in 1851 a Whig majority was voted for judge and a Democratic majority for sheriff.
Abont 1852 we have the first intimation of a new factor in politics. At this time most of the trading by Oskaloosa merchants was through St. Louis. Some of these men who were at the metropolis buying goods be- came connected with a Know Nothing lodge there, and came back home to organize a similar movement among their neighbors. A lodge was formed in Oskaloosa, and in town developed considerable strength, having in secret conclave over one hundred voters, which was a very considerable portion of the voting population of Oskaloosa in 1852. The movement did not extend to any great distance throughout the county, nor were the far- mers in any considerable number drawn into sympathy with the Know Nothing, or as it was afterward called, the American party The move- ment hung along on the " ragged edge " for two or three years, and a short time after its failure it was almost impossible to find a man in the county who was free to acknowledge his Know Nothing proclivities. Those who had been in sympathy with the American party divided into Old Line Whigs and the New Republicans. Of the rise of this latter party we shall have occasion to speak next.
The first intimation of a local Republican movement was in the Herald of April 18, 1856. In this paper appeared the following call:
The citizens of Mahaska county opposed to the political principles of the present adminis- tration, and to the introduction of slavery into territory now free, are requested to meet in
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HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
mass convention in Union Hall, Oskaloosa, the 3d day of May, at 1 o'clock P. M., for the purpose of affecting a more thorough organization of the Republican party, of appointing a central committee and electing delegates to attend the ensuing congressional convention, and for such other business as may come before the convention.
This was signed by quite a number of citizens, but when the appointed day and hour came only nine persons assembled in the hall, though a num- ber were on the sidewalk below, but did not wish to place themselves on record as members of the convention; their faith was weak. Those pres- ent have been since quite prominently engaged in the movements of the party which they then adopted, and were the following named gentlemen: S. A. Rice, Wm. H. Seevers, J. A. Young, Jos. Kelly, Jno. R. Needham, Jas. H. Knox, Butler Dunbar, Oliver Smith and Harvey Cruzen. If we are correctly informed there are but four of this number now living, and three of them in Mahaska county.
Of this convention Oliver Smith, Sr., was appointed president, and J. H. Knox, secretary. The committee on resolutions, Jno. R. Needham, J. A. Young and Harvey Cruzen, reported the following:
United by a common purpose to maintain Right against Wrong, and believing in the abil- ity of a virtuous and intelligent people to sustain justice, we declare:
1. That governments are instituted among men to secure the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, in the equality of civil privileges and the free exercise of religious belief and worship.
2. That Freedom is National, Slavery Local, and that involuntary servitude, except for the punishment of crime, should not exist in any territory of the United States.
3. That while we regard the "peculiar institution " as productive of evil-as antagonis- tic to Republicanism-a disgrace to humanity and a curse to the world, we do not deem that Congress should interfere with it in States where it already exists, but we do demand that our National Legislature should prevent its extension into territory now free.
4. That the mission of the Republican party is to maintain the Liberties of the People, the Sovereignties of the States, and the Perpetuity of the American Union.
5. That the repeal of the Missouri Compromise and the refusal of the Slave Power to abide by the principle on which that repeal was professedly based, makes the National do- main the battle-ground between Freedom and Slavery; and while true Republicans stand on a National basis, and endeavor to cultivate a National spirit, they will shrink from no necessary conflict, and shirk no responsibility on this issue.
6. That we ask no conformity of opinion, and no unity of belief, in minor matters State or National, but we cordially invite men of all political parties who sanction these principles to unite with us in the present contest.
A central committee was appointed, consisting of Jno. R. Needham, Judge Seevers, A. E. Dunsmore, Z. T. Fisher, J. A. Young and Dr. J. H. Fry. It will be noticed that some members of this committee had not been present at the convention, but all acquiesced in the action of the meet- ing, and the work of organizing was rapid. During the ten days preceed- ing the Presidential election sixteen township meetings were appointed by this committee, and the resulting vote in Mahaska county was: Fremont, 1,224; Buchanan, 940; Filhnore, 268. The Republican party maintained its ascendency until 1873.
The "New Party" reform movement in Mahaska county took its rise among the first, if not the first counties in the Union. This movement was inagurated in 1869, its leading spirit being Porte C. Welch, at that time the editor of the Conservator, at Oskaloosa. Welch was dissatisfied with the action of the State Democratic Convention of that year, and advocated the formation of a new party in Iowa. The division continued with indif- ferent success until 1871, when it culminated in what was known as the "Reform Movement." "The proceedings of the County Mass Conven- tion of May, 1871, were headed " Anti-Monopoly,' and the first ' Anti-Monop'
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HISTORY OF MAHASKA COUNTY.
platform in Iowa was written, for the most part, by R. R. Harbour." June 24, 1871, a county ticket was placed in nomination. A resolution was adopted favoring the call of a State Reform Convention at an early day, for the purpose of forming a State Reform Party. In July Welch changed the name of this paper, which was the Reform party organ, to that of the "Iowa Reform Leader," whose purpose was announced, " the organization of a new party in Iowa," advocating no special financial policy at that time but the "burial of old leaders, the adoption of free trade," and economic management of public affairs. Of the county ticket, the Reform party succeeded only in electing one candidate, Prof. E. Baker for county super- intendent. In 1872 this local movement merged into the Liberal or Gree- ley movement, and the victory of the Republican party was overwhelmning, being 1,281 majority in the county.
In the fall of 1872 one - Wilkinson came into Mahaska county and commenced organizing Granges of the order " Patrons of Husbandry." At the beginning of this work it was stoutly denied that the Grange would be a political organization, but it was soon perceived that the movement would be fruitless without some political tendency. Finally, in 1873, the several granges proceeded to select candidates to a county convention, and to place in nomination a county ticket. When the convention assembled the move- ment was without any newspaper organ, and the only paper in the county that was hopefully in sympathy with them, was the Reform Leader. The editor, Mr. Welch, who had been announced, as is claimed for a strategic purpose, as candidate for the legislature, withdrew his name after this convention, and gave the support of his paper to the Anti-Monoply (grange) ticket.
The Reform party followed with their support, and the result was the election of Anti-Monop candidates as follows: The two members of legis- lature (lower house), county auditor, county supervisor, superintendent of schools and county surveyor, the republicans electing by small majorities their candidates for treasurer, sheriff, the latter by a majority of thirteen votes. This was the first campaign in which Mahaska republicans were defeated since the organization of the party.
To a real or imaginary attempt by democratic politicians made in 1874, to " capture " the anti-monopoly movement, is attributed by the friends of that party the defeat they suffered in that campaign. The republicans elected their entire ticket. This caused divisions in the grange, and conse- quent apathy toward grange politics, which ceased to be a factor in Mahaska county political affairs in 1875.
For a number of years previous, there was a large element which regarded the financial questions as the issue on which a new party should be organ- ized and in 1875 important steps were taken in that direction. A thor- ough organization was effected in 1876, and now known as the "National Greenback Labor Party." In the campaign of 1877 the party polled from nine to eleven hundred votes on the straight greenback ticket, and through a combination with the democratic element, they elected county treasurer, auditor, and superintendent of schools. In the spring of 1878 the greenback element and workingmen combined in Oskaloosa, and elected their city ticket.
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