USA > Iowa > Monroe County > The history of Monroe County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., a biographical directory of citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion > Part 52
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Jones Wescoatt wooed and won Amy Flint, and Robert Meek, of the well- known firm of Meek Brothers, of Van Buren County, paid successful court to Nancy. The wedding-day was fixed for October 10, 1847. Mr. Meek had arranged to drive over from his home in a spring wagon, and prepared to take the party to Eddyville, to avoid unpleasant demonstrations on the part of the residents of Troy Township. In those days it was the custom to celebrate nuptials with the semi-barbarous serenade called chiravarie, and the expectant grooms concluded to escape the noisy manifestations of friendship by taking instant departure after the rites were performed.
Mr. Meek came to Princeton on the 9th of October, and the licenses were duly issued by the County Judges, authorizing the marriages on the following day. But, alas, the best laid plans oft gang aglee. When the morrow dawned, it was discovered that some practical joker had ascertained the fact that the party was to leave by private conveyance, and thus cheat the boys of their sport. To interfere with the plan, some one quietly removed a wheel from Mr. Meek's wagon and hid it in a manner that defied detection.
The mortified men searched high and low, over the prairie, in the "town," and wherever there seemed to be room to stow away so large a thing as a wheel. But the search proved unavailing. No trace of the missing article could be found. It was clear that the boys intended to serenade the newly-married people, if the wedding came off ; and the fact that the bridegrooms had endeav-
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ored to thwart them, would add a hundred-fold to the intensity of the frolic. The entire day was given up by the friends of the disappointed men to a thorough investigation of all parts of the country roundabout, and nothing was found. To add to the embarrassment of the occasion, the Justice who was to perform the ceremony-Esqure Michael Lower-lived some distance from the town site, and he knew nothing of the loss. When the hour arrived at which he supposed his services were needed, he came slowly over the prairie, in plain sight of the mischievous crowd assembled to see the fun.
The men were bound they would not give in to the boys, and therefore told Mr. Lower to return home, as though the ceremony had been given up, but to come back quietly at about dusk, when the wedding would proceed, wheel or no wheel. So the 'Squire went home, and the rumor was circulated that the wedding had been abandoned.
Now it chanced that Mr. Wescoatt was a tanner by trade, and had erected a little house near his tannery, some distance from the town plat. This small building was furnished in good style for those days, and was designed as the future home of himself and wife. Mr. W. did not propose to yield to the will of the cruel crowd. So he proposed to Mr. Meek that they pass the wedding night at his house, and attempt to deceive the people by silently adjourning, after the ceremony, to that place. The plan was agreed to. Mr. Mark's family was to retire early and display no signs of there having been anything of an extraordinary nature to keep them awake.
The strategy shown was good enough, but the bridegrooms counted without their host. They were arrayed against a lot of keen-eyed young scamps, who were difficult to deceive. Spies were posted by the boys, and the main body retired from the scene, as though they were satisfied that the game was up. Presently Mr. Lower was seen coming cautiously along toward the old Court House, and was detected in the act of entering. Sufficient time was given to allow him to get fairly on with the ceremony, when one of the boys thrust his head in at the door and beheld the 'Squire laboring along through the difficult task of marrying the two couples at once.
Nothing was done by the besieging force, however, until the evening was well advanced. All was silent as the grave. Suddenly there burst on the air around the Court House the most unearthly din. Fire-arms were discharged. old horns were tooted, and every imaginable implement of torture to the ear was brought into vigorous use at once. The chiravari was a success. The head of the party then demanded that the grooms produce the brides, and allow the boys to congratulate them. When it was discovered that the newly-married people were not there, the boys began a careful search for them. At last they were discovered at the house of Mr. Wescoatt, and the serenade was given with renewed energy. No compromise could be effected, and the brides were obliged to step to the door, where they were greeted with loud but respectful expres- sions of good-will. In the morning, the missing wheel was found lying by the wagon ; but to this day, none but those who carried it off know where it was hidden.
EARLY EVENTS.
D. A. Richardson came in 1848, and built the first tavern-the Albia House. The palace was 15x18 feet in size, and was furnished with a loft, into which guests were invited to crawl, if they wished chambers "above the office floor." Mr. Richardson came from Sangamon County, Ill. He was engaged in the Black Hawk war of 1832, in the same regiment with Abraham Lincoln.
Willis Arnold opened the first real hotel in the village, in 1851.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY.
Col. Daniel Anderson informs the writer that when he came to Albia in 1848, he found that Henry Notson had preceded him in the legal profession, and was the first to locate here. Col. Anderson was the second lawyer to settle in Albia; William Allison was the third. In 1848, there were not more than half a dozen houses in the place.
In 1849, the first exciting trial took place in the old Court House. No- vember 26th the trial began. It was a case from Wapello, brought here on change of venue ; it was a case of murder. Ross, a young man of Wapello County, had shot and killed Dr. Wright. The circumstances developed at the trial are as follows: Ross had made claim to a piece of land which Wright wanted. The former had threatened to kill any man who dared to bid against him at the final sale. Wright considered himself as "good" a man as Ross, and had announced his determination to bid. This resolution he carried out. Ross rushed upon the Doctor and shot him. The Doctor threw his arms about his assailant and attempted to press his pistol against Ross' head. The shot took effect in Ross' face, but was not serious. Dr. Wright died from the effects of the wound, and Ross was tried for murder. The jury acquitted the prisoner. Possibly the claim club laws, then in vogue, had some influence on the minds of the jurymen.
Samuel Noble came to Albia in the Summer of 1849, and opened a store on the northwest corner of the Public Square, This was really the third store in the placc. Barber had been succeeded by A. C. Wilson, but the store was practically the same. Mr. Noble brought a large stock of general goods. Everything that the pioneers needed was kept on hand.
In 1850, Albia had a population of about five hundred, and two frame houses completed. There were two buildings on the north and two on the south side of the Public Square. Jacob Webb's grocery still continued, with a boun- tiful stock of whisky, which supplied the needs of the community far and near. Eggs sold for 3 cents per dozen ; corn, 6 cents per bushel ; wheat, 50 cents, and a day's labor wasworth a bushel of wheat. Corner lots were sold for $25, with half a dozen pigs thrown in. Pigs were used as a sort of currency. A lyceum was established in 1850. The constitution was drafted by Will- iam Allison. Rev. Mr. Burnham, a Congregational minister, was an influen- tial worker in the cause.
G. P. Cramer, the genial landlord of the Cramer House, came in 1850, and was engaged in the harness trade. The Postmastership had passed, mean- while, into the hands of John Mark, who was appointed June 2, 1849. Mr. Cramer was his Deputy. Mr. C. also opened the first daguerreotype gallery in Albia, in 1853.
John Phillips succeeded Mr. Mark as Postmaster in 1851, who resigned because of ill health. Mr. Mark died February 25, 1856.
T. B. Perry, now a leading member of the Albia bar, came in 1852 and opened an office.
Dr. A. A. Ramsey came in 1853, and began the practice of medicine. He found Drs. Ritchey, Cousins, Carey and Waynick as competitors, but is now the only survivor of the list still residing here. The early experiences of the doctor in his rough rides, in all sorts of inclement weather, were varied enough to suit even Davy Crockett. Several times he was overtaken on the prairies by blind- ing snow-storms, and more than once became confused. Once he was lost and did not reach shelter for many hours.
In 1853, the first mail coach entered Albia. At first the trips were occasional, but soon they were regular weekly visitations, and were hailed
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with delight by the citizens, who were thus "let out of the wilder- ness."
In 1854, the first newspaper was established in Albia and Monroe County. The history of the Press forms a separate chapter, but from the files of the original journal we make some appropriate extracts.
In the first number of the Independent Press, dated October 10, 1854, we get a general idea of the social and business condition of the town of Albia. It cannot be expected that there would spring into existence in this then primi- tive locality a full-fledged paper, containing all the news, and up to the mark in advertisements. But as a newspaper is a pretty good index of the progress of a region, this one shows the spirit of determination to succeed, and a cheer- ful amount of philosophy in combatting the difficulties and obstacles which rose up to meet a new venture in a new country. In the first place, the only room to be had for an office or a dwelling was the old, abandoned Court House, and into this the editor, with his press and his types, and his family, moved. and made haste to launch a preliminary paper out upon the public, just to set the ball rolling, before he was fairly settled or ready to begin. He says to his pro- posed future patrons that they must please excuse him for not calling upon them in relation to advertisements, as he had not had time, but that he would get round to it as soon as possible. Then he goes on to show them with what labor and expense his establishment has been made, owing to a lack of all suit- able appliances. Very little local mention is made in this number ; but it is stated that Mr. David Rowles, living one mile and a half from Albia, had sold his Winter apples at $1 per bushel, the same price that had been paid for peaches during the season.
The arrivals of mails is given as follows : "Eastern mail arrives Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, at about 12 o'clock M. Northern mail arrives Mon- days, at about 6 o'clock P. M. Western mail arrives Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, at 12 o'clock M. Southern mail arrives Wednesdays at 6 o'clock P. M. Eddyville mail arrives on Tuesdays at 12 o'clock M. John Phillips, Postmaster."
Two deaths from typhus fever are announced in this issue-James Harvey Tate, aged 20, and William Martin, aged 35.
In the second number of the Press, dated October 24th, before the editor had had time to receive exchanges, he makes acknowledgment that. "in get- ting out this and the preceding number of our paper, we have been indebted principally, for the news gathered from papers to our obliging Postmaster, who borrowed the papers for us." Then, referring to his still crude surroundings, he says : "Eight years ago, the old Court House, in which our office is kept, on the east side of the public square, was the only house in Albia. It was used for Court House, meeting house, shows and amusements, and whatever suited the convenience and pleasure of the oldest inhabitants. Since then, it has been a dwelling, a cabinet and wagon shop, and to what other uses devoted in so short a time we know not; but we guess no one dreamed it would so soon con- tain a live editor, printing apparatus and all his family. The editor's cow and calf are outside of any inclosure. Hope they wont be allowed to starve the coming Winter."
This rather grim humor had something of the spirit of "whistling to keep his courage up.' But in contributions of a literary character, he had no dearth, as the paper contains two original poems and three quite lengthy com- munications.
In this issue, the report of the first agricultural fair is given, with a list of the premiums awarded. It was held on the 11th of October. Quite an encourag-
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY.
ing display of the various agricultural and domestic products was made, though not so good as would have been shown had it been generally understood that premiums would be awarded to exhibitors. Yet, on the whole, it was consid- ered a good beginning.
The editor, in spurring up his constituents to subscribe for the paper, makes liberal offers ; and, among others, that he will take all the paper rags he can get toward subscriptions, "and would pay the money for all we could buy in, if it was not for the inconvenience of making change and the interruption of our time when it cannot be spared to weigh rags and put them away."
Then he states that Albia is full of new comers, many more than there are houses to receive, and that it is the same throughout the county.
The advertisements in this issue fill only one column. A. A. Ramsay, M. D., physician and surgeon, announces that, " thankful for past favors," he still hopes for a share of the practice, and that his office is at the drug store, on the east side of the square, where he keeps on hand "a general assortment of drugs, paints, oils, patent medicines, jewelry and notions." S. Gossage & J. S. Townsend, at the Eagle Store, west side of the public square, call the attention of the ladies to a very large and superior stock of Fall and Winter goods, con- sisting, in part, of "cloths, cassimeres, satinets, tweeds, corduroy, white, red and yellow flannels." And, in the dress goods, " the latest and most approved styles of merino, berage, delaines, poplins, alpacas, lusters, ginghams, silk, silk trimmings, etc." This firm also had notions and hosiery, hats and caps, boots and shoes, ready made clothing, queensware and glassware, groceries, hardware and cutlery, and "a stock of goods, for variety, quantity and quality, not excelled by any establishment west of or on the Des Moines River.
Then came A. H, Townsend, attorney at law; and T. B. Perry, also an attorney. Two physicians followed-Dr. D. W. Waynick and Henry S. Carey. This concludes the list of business notices, and one "Strayed-From the sub- scriber, in Bridgeport, two mares," signed Jeptha Standley, completes the adver- tising patronage of the paper at the beginning.
In the next number, bearing date October 31st, the editor informs his sub- scribers that, unless specially requested to do so, he will not deposit their papers in the post office, as he does not wish to burden the Postmaster with their delivery, since he gets no pay for it. So it seems the custom was for the sub- scribers to a paper to go directly to the printing office for it.
The Albia Lyceum was an incorporated society, organized for the purpose of establishing a library, procuring philosophical apparatus and sustaining a lyceum in that town. Its existence began in October, 1850. A degree of interest was aroused in it, and weekly debates were held upon all topics of cur- rent interest.
The Press of November 7, 1855, says that "game is very abundant, and venison a common article of sale on the streets." But, as a rule, people were too busy with the practical affairs of life to enjoy the fine shooting as a sport.
On the 6th of March, 1856, a Lodge of Good Templars was organized by J. V. Meeker, with the following officers : J. S. Wolfe, W. C. T .; Marietta Woolsey, W. V. T .; P. T. Lambert, W. S .; S. D. Ramey, W. T .; W. W. Barnes, W. O. G .; Mary Craig, W. I. G .; J. W. Stark, W. C .; John Gra- ham, W. F. S .; W. Young, W. M .; Amanda Cramer, W. D. M .; Matilda Rush, W. A. S .; Sarah Leiham, W. R. H. S .; Indiana M. Scott, W. L. H. S .; D. A. Craig, P. W. C. T .; W. A. Rankin, D. T.
In the Republican of December 16, 1857, there is a notice of the Albia " Ruta-Baga Band," which met for rehearsal every evening at the company's
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY.
headquarters on the hay scales. Their most finished and popular productions were " Old Dog Tray," "Pop Goes the Weasle," etc., and their instruments were as follows: "One cracked Chinese gong, one or two cracked brass in- struments, one tin colander, one large beer pump-thorough bass-one gallon best sod corn oil (for purposes of irrigation), and one bass drum, alias dry goods box." The music produced by a vigorous performance upon these is most extravagantly praised.
The first intimation of the discovery of gold in Monroe County appeared May 12, 1858, when it was but a vague rumor ; the locality of the finding being on Cedar River. A week later, the excitement had spread, and specimens of the precious dust were on exhibition in various places. Mr. Holbrook found these specimens by digging upon a bar in a stream. His efforts were not very successful, owing to the water rising so freely as to hinder his work. What was found was said to be drift gold, consisting of small scales, resembling in appear- ance wheat bran. A great many people were out prospecting, and one had but to carry a tin pan in his hands through the streets to insure immediate interest and attention. At this time, heavy rains fell for several weeks, which, from the fact that they impeded research, kept the excitement up to a fine pitch. The country was flooded with pedestrians, eager with hope to make a fortune by some sudden and miraculous discovery of yellow dust. But the dream was short-lived. In a month from the time the wild-fire began, it had perceptibly died down into the dismal ashes of disappointment. It is probably truc that very minute particles of gold were washed out of the soil in the beds of streams, but nowhere in quantities that would pay the commonest laborer to leave his simple toil. Some citizens of Albia commenced to sink a shaft, but at the depth of ten feet abandoned it, on account of water coming in upon them. Men came from distant parts of the State to satisfy themselves, and were glad to leave as unobserved as possible on finding the real condition of things. Some left good business, lured by the ignis fatuus of speculation, and some even went so far as to sell their farms to the first hasty buyer, in order to avail themselves of speedier wealth. The sudden influx of people to the localities where the gold was reported to lie, proved rather an injury than benefit, and sensible people were glad when all mention of the matter subsided.
On the 4th of March, 1859, an accident happened to the coach running between Eddyville and Albia, about three miles from the former place, at Miller's Creek. The stream had become swollen by the fast melting snow, and was much deeper than the driver expected. There were four horses to the coach, and after tying weights to his vehicle to make it run on the bottom, the driver entered the stream. The water proved to be abont ten feet deep, and the current was so strong as to lift the horses from their feet and carry them down stream, the coach following, though, fortunately, that soon became uncoupled. There were five passengers on board-three strangers, and John Philips and W. E. Collins, of Albia. No one was injured, strange to say, ex- cept so far as all were thoroughly chilled by the cold water. All of the horses, the best on the route, were drowned, and the mail was lost, but was afterward recovered. Mr. Collins and the driver were in the water half an hour before assistance came. After getting out of their ugly perdicament, they were taken to houses near by, wrapped up in blankets and laid before the fire. One funny incident occurred during the performance. One of the passengers, a six-footer, in his haste to get on terra firma, jumped into the surging current and made a bee line for shore, but coming in contact with a small tree, he climbed to the top of it and called loudly for help. He was considered safe, however, and, while the
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY.
others were being helped out, a large cake of ice lodged between the tree and the shore, and he had solid footing to land, which he gladly accepted.
- The Albia woolen factory burned to the ground on the 21st of August, 1861, and there was a total loss of machinery, building and materials.
A summary of the wealth of Monroe County is made in the Union of June 26, 1862 :
Number.
Value.
Horses
3,123
$123,697
Mules
178
8,779
Cattle.
9,631
83,071
Sheep.
9,856
8,921
Swine.
17,310
14,064
All other property.
390,170
Total
$628,702
Troy Township took the lead, and next in order were Pleasant, Bluff Creek, Union, Urbana, Mantua, Monroe, Guilford, Cedar, Wayne, Jackson and Franklin.
In 1854, the Monroe House was finished. It was completed in the Fall, in time to receive the first visitors to the County Agricultural Fair, then held for the first time in Albia. The fair grounds were in town, and were marked off from the public highways by means of a fence of rope stretched on posts. The show made is spoken of now by the members of the society with consider- able amusement. A few cows, a bull or two and a sparse collection of the usual vegetables and household goods comprised the exhibition.
When the intelligence came of the assassination of President Lincoln, on the 17th of April, 1865, the citizens of Albia called a meeting. with Major J. B. Teas as President, to express their grief and indignation over the national calamity. The city was dressed in mourning. All business houses, offices, private dwell- ings and hotels were draped in black, and every face expressed consternation, determination and sorrow. Even those whose loyalty may have been luke- warm before, were roused to a fervor of denunciation, which proved that so foul a wrong touched the hearts of all American citizens alike.
GOVERNMENT.
Albia was first incorporated as a town in 1856. The village was divided into two wards by the alleys running north and south from the square in the center of the plat. The officers elected were: Joseph B. Teas, Mayor ; Rob- ert E. Craig, Recorder; Samuel Buchanan and Joseph H. Halbrook, East Ward; Samuel Hebrew and Daniel McIntosh, West Ward, Councilmen. The place of meeting was Mr. Craig's office, on the west side of the square.
The second meeting was held December 3d. The Mayor was absent and as there was nothing to do, the Board adjourned. The third attempt at a meeting was unsuccessful for lack of a quorum. The next session, however, proved more satisfactory. The business transacted, was the adoption of an ordinance prohibiting the discharging of fire-arms in the town ; the unanimous passage of a bill imposing a license-fee on public shows, but another bill pro- viding for the greater cleanliness of the town, was laid on the table. The Council adjourned to meet December 23, 1856. The Council never assembled again, however, so far as any records show. From the Independent Press of that date it is learned that a lack of interest was manifested in the incorpo- ration, and the plan dicd from inanition.
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HISTORY OF MONROE COUNTY.
On the 26th day of March, 1859, a petition, signed by the following per- sons, praying for the incorporation of the town of Albia, including Mook's and Gray's Additions, was presented to the County Court :
To the County Judge of Monroe County, Iowa :
The undersigned, citizens and voters of the territory hereinafter described, respectfully petition your Honorable Court to grant them an incorporation. The territory which they, your petitioners, require to be incorporated, is described as follows, to wit : The first and second and third surveys of the town of Albia, said surveys being situated in and composed of the northwest quarter of Section 22, in Township 72 north, of Range 17 west. That part of Mook's Addition to the town of Albia, contained in Blocks 1, 2, 3 and 4, and situated in the northeast quarter of said Section 22, Town 72, Range 17; also Gray's Addition to the town of Albia, and that part of George's Addition to the town of Albia composed within Blocks 1, 3, 7 and 8, situated and lying in the northeast quarter of Section 21, Township 72, Range 17 west. A map or plat of the ter- ritory which we desire to be incorporated is herewith filed, and marked Exhibit " A," to which the Court is respectfully referred.
Your petitioners further state that they name Carlos R. Kelsey, Jos. B. Teas and L. H. Whitney to act for them in prosecuting their petition.
They further state that the name for the proposed incorporation shall be the town of Albia.
John B. Gray.
L. D. Phinney.
R. Garrott.
Wm. Phinney.
Wm. Porter.
G. T. Case.
Wm. H. Koonskup.
R. Garrett.
Jesse Snodgrass, Jr.
M. J. Varner.
H. W. Hopkins.
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