USA > Iowa > Polk County > The history of Polk County, Iowa : containing a history of the county, its cities, towns, &c., biographical sketches of its citizens, war record of its volunteers in the late rebellion, general and local statistics, portraits of early settlers and prominent men > Part 91
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
apart. An incident occurred during the erection of the frame which was somewhat singular. The top plate of the frame was of sycamore, the cor- ner posts were of oak. During the night of July 4 lightning struck the upper corner and passed down the oak post, siverhing it to fragments, even the tenon, without marring the mortise in the sycamore plate through which the oak tenon passed. Augusta Grimmell and Melissa Hoxie were sleeping in the cabin, but were not even awakened by the crash. The frame was completed by slow degrees, owing to the scarcity of help. In the meantime the family lived in the cabin and the stable, but in the win- ter the family occupied the frame building, which was not plastered, owing to the scarcity of lime, and none was secured until the fall of 1848, when one coat of plaster was put on by Sammy Gray. In June, 1848, P. M. Casady and Augusta Grimmell were married in the new frame house, Dr. Wm. Fagan and Melissa Hoxie acting as groomsman and bridesmaid, which event resulted in their marriage. Dr. Fagan and Mr. Casady were warm personal friends, who roomed, ate and slept together, and at the time of the wedding were opposing candidates for the State Senate. Mr. Cas- ady won the race. In this house Charles Kahler was also married. The house is now occupied by Mrs. Grimmell, who was made a widow by the death of the doctor in February, 1862. This was the second frame dwelling- house erected in the town. The lumber used in it was sawed at Parmelee's mill, on Middle river. In 1847 the doctor fitted up a room in the recon- structed warehouse for a drug store, which he occupied until the summer of 1852, when he built a store on the corner of Sycamore and Sixth streets. This building was subsequently removed to Mulberry street, and is that in which Rev. Ezra Rathbun lived and died. George Sneer, then a boy of eight years, says one of the most impressive events of the doctor's coming was when, in the winter of 1846, Dr. Brooks brought to the guard-house a whole quarter of beef. What to do with it was the problem. In the two small rooms were a family of seven persons and a drug store. The beef was finally hung up outside, and cut from as wanted.
The first meat-market was started by "Uncle" David Norris, who came here from Ohio, in 1845. He opened a butcher-shop in the warehouse of B. F. Allen, corner of Second and Vine. In 1848 he built a butcher-shop on the corner of Second and Walnut. It was customary then to have meat on sale Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, and it required a whole week to dispose of one animal.
John Hays thinks he antedates "Uncle " David, with a butcher-shop. He had a shop in a log cabin on 'Coon Point, south of the Campbell brick building, in 1848. He had a partner named Johnson, whom he sent to 'Delphi one day, with the money to buy a cow. Johnson returned without the cow, and told Hays he could not get her home. John made inquiry, and learned that Johnson had bet and lost on a " hoss trot," and that busted the firm and closed the shop.
Where Moore's Opera House stands were several Indian mounds, which were about five feet above the surface of the soil. On the summit of one of these mounds Joseph Davis erected a house in which he lived. Another mound was where the court-house stands. There were fifteen of them on the plateau. Some of them were excavated and bones of human beings and other articles of antiquity were found. By whom they were erected is unknown. The oldest Indians found them here when they came and they had no legends concerning them. They were probably built by an ancient,
748
HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
half-civilized race, who long ago passed away. A. D. Jones claims they are the ruins of Indian homes.
East of the court-house was a cleared plateau where the Indians were wont to congregate for their war-dances and games. Of the latter, pony racing was a favorite. The starting point was where the Fifth Street Meth- odist church stands, thence they rode to the bluff near the water-works.
The first wedding was that of Benjamin Bryant to Barbara Elvira Birge, June 10, 1846, by Addison Michael. The Esquire was a novice in the marrying business, and got A. D. Jones to write out the ceremony in full for him. The wedding was held at the house of Perry L. Crossman. The Esquire stammered through the form, but omitted to pronounce them hus- band and wife, when Jones, who was in the rear of the room, roared out: "By the authority in me vested, I pronounce you man and wife." The Esquire took the cue and finished the job. Subsequently, at an evening gathering, Mr. Jones gave the Esquire a course of practical lessons in mar- rying, by calling up couple after couple, until the whole company were com- petent to marry anybody.
Billy Moore says the first Sunday after he arrived at Des Moines there was a horse race in town. Stores were opened and he displayed the goods outside the doors of Lyon & Allen's store the same as any other day. He bought the block where his Opera House stands, which extended on Walnut, from Fourth down to the alley at Grefe's store, in 1852, for six hundred dollars. He has sold lots from it to the amount of $15,000 and has the Opera House left.
The Savery House block was once sold to Granville Holland for an old horse and buggy.
The whole block on Walnut, from Webster's marble works to McCain's block, was put up on an election bet against seventy-five dollars and won by James Sherman, a brother of Hoyt Sherman.
The McCain block was several times offered by Mr. McCain to Esquire Absolom Morris for a silver watch, and McCain was quite offended because the Esquire wouldn't trade, and advised him to keep the lot.
An incident is related by an eye-witness of J. W. Jones, once State Treas- urer, who lived in Oskaloosa. He joined the Methodist Church there. El- der Campbell was the preacher, who also preached at Des Moines once a week. Jones came to Des Moines to visit his " girl." There was a dance one night at the hotel and Jones was there. Elder Campbell, who was a guest at the house, seeing Jones industriously enjoying the dance, went to him and, laying his hand on his arm, said: "This don't look well for a member of the church." "Oh," said Jones, "I joined the church for Mahaska county. I didn't join for the whole State of Iowa."
Billy Moore, in 1849, bought the lot where Mills & Co's block is, for a coat and pair of boots.
An election incident is related by three of the living parties to the trans- action which is of interest. P. M. Casady was elected judge of this dis- trict in 1854, but soon after resigned and recommended to Governor Hemp- stead Dan. O. Finch as his successor. But the Governor appointed C. J. McFarland, ostensibly on the ground that McFarland received the next highest vote in the convention which nominated Casady, but Finch's friends always claimed it was on personal grounds, and because McFarland could do him more service in his subsequent race for Congress. At the next convention McFarland and Judge Curtis Bates were candidates. The contest
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
was very close and every possible vote was needed. There was a fellow in the convention who claimed a vote to represent the county of King, up in the region where Sac county now is, although it existed only in expecta- tion. Mc's friends voted him a seat in the convention and he voted for Mc, giving him one majority and the nomination. Judge W. W. William- son ran as an independent candidate against McFarland. During the can- vass both strayed off into Butler county, but as a bill was before the Legislature to attach Butler county to another district, with positive as- surance it would pass, the candidates abandoned that county. When the votes were counted Williamson was declared elected and received his cer- tificate. Soon after it was discovered there was an error of about forty votes made in footing up the returns from Marion county, which had been counted for Williamson. McFarland's friends contested the election. During the contest about forty votes were returned from Butler county for McFarland, although the poll-books did not give the name of a voter, judge of election nor any affidavit to the returns made. The Butler county bill had failed to pass the Legislature and the votes were counted for Mc- Farland, which gave him a majority of about thirty votes, which, had they been rejected, would have elected Williamson by three or four majority.
Among the historic characters that have formed a part of the history of Des Moines few have been more conspicuous than Madison Young, who arrived December 14, 1849. He had been admitted to the courts of New York, and soon after his arrival was appointed special prosecutor in the counties of Dallas, Warren, Madison, Jasper, Boone and Marshall. He was elected justice of the peace and performed the duties of the office with great satisfaction to all the people. While in office he invested all his money in real estate. Judge P. M. Casady gives the following tribute to his character:
" He took an active part in public improvements and especially the pub- lic schools, being one of the first school board when the first lot was pur- chased for a school-house site. He gave liberally to the funds for erecting the college building, now the Des Moines University, and when the funds were all expended, he, with Rev. Thompson Bird, Dr. Grimmel and others, became individually liable for a large amount, agreeing to pay thirty per cent per annum for the use of it, with which to continue the enterprise. In 1856 he purchased ten acres north of the city for the purpose of grow- ing fruit. While waiting for his trees and vines to grow he went to Eu- rope, attended University lectures at Heidelburg, Germany; visited the noted grape-growing regions of the Rhine to perfect his knowledge of grape raising and wine making. He remained abroad two years and returned to his ten acres, where he erected a shanty in which he lived alone during the summer while he cultivated his trees. In winter he lived in a grout house south of 'Coon, which he erected as the result of experiments made by him, Rev. Dr. Peet and Henry Scribner to find a substitute for brick. After several years' hard toil he returned to Europe, spending most of his time in Switzerland, the Franco-Prussian war preventing extensive travel. Just before he started for home he visited southern France, where he was arrested as a German spy, but soon satisfied the authorities he was an American. He soon after came home and resumed his labors on his ten acres, which had now become quite valuable. His health began to fail and he sold his residence very reluctantly to Conrad Youngerman, the builder. He went to Colorado to regain his health, but returned not improved. Be-
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
fore he went he executed his will, bequeathing his wealth, estimated at about $35,000, to his brothers, sisters and the children of deceased brothers and sisters, except $1,000, which he gave his alma mater, Union. College, New York, and one lot of land in South Des Moines, which he gave a colored man named Murray. His health did not improve and he was advised to go to Cincinnati Hospital, which he did, accompanied by Taylor Pierce, in the latter part of September, and there he remained until his death, Octo- ber 21, 1873. Before his death he requested that his remains be buried in the home of his adoption among his old friends, which request was obeyed. The funeral obsequies were of imposing character and were at- tended by the Old Settlers' Association, Masonic, Odd Fellows and Tur- ner's associations and citizens. He was somewhat eccentric and singular, but honest and upright. He was a man of good heart and motives. He was the first person initiated by Pioneer Lodge, No. 22, A. F. and A. M., in Des Moines. He was one of the first vestrymen of St. Paul's parish, and died a member of that church. He acquired his education by his own hard labor; his wealth by frugality and industry. When he entered col- lege at twenty-three he was the eldest of the class. He paid his way through college by manual labor, much of which was on the college grounds."
Another prominent personage at one time, now probably forgotten, was a lawyer, John M. Perry. From Judge Casady are gathered the following in- cidents: He came to the Fort in the spring of 1848. He at once started in business with good prospects of success. He was in seedy condition, with- out money and clothes. He spent all the money he could get for villainous whisky. In November, of that year, he signified to Judge Casady his in- tention to be a candidate for Secretary of the Senate. The Judge, who had just been elected Senator, did not like the idea of such a specimen of hu- manity presenting himself from his own town for an office in the Senate, but he satisfied himself with the thought he could not get money enough to pay his fare there. But when the Judge took the hack, Perry was there, six feet three inches high, dark complexion, coal black eyes, one leg and a crutch, dirty shirt, ragged coat and old slouched hat, determined to go, and he went. On the way he amused the crowd with quotations from Shak- speare, Byron and Burns, pages of whom he could repeat, telling stories, etc. Arriving at Iowa City Mr. Saunders, who kept Old Swan House, would not let him come to the " first table " and at night compelled him to sleep on some old rags in an old out-of-the-way closet. Seeing his persistence, Judge Casady decided, with a few of his friends, to fix him up. They bought him some clothes on credit, as they had no surplus money and would get none until the close of the session. He then made a pledge to Judge Casady and friends he would drink no more whisky. He received the eleven Democratic votes of the Senate and was elected Secretary, but subsequently the choice was reversed and he was made Assistant Secretary. He served through the session, paid for his board and clothes, came back to Des Moines, practiced law, married, and became a member of the Meth- odist Church. He formed a partnership with Judge Curtis Bates and bid fair to win great success. In 1852 Lewis Todhunter filed charges against him that he had used disrespectful language to the court; that he had dis- obeyed an order of the court; that he had prevaricated as an attorney and became a voluntary witness for a client, wherein he made false statements. Judgment was rendered against him. The case was taken to the Supreme
751
HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
Court and there reversed. But so soon as the decision of the lower court was rendered, Perry immediately became intoxicated, abandoned all self- respect and returned to his old habits. He disposed of his property and started for California. His wife was persuaded to abandon him. He went to some town in California and soon after was found one morning dead in an alley, and he was buried by strangers as an outcast.
From a letter of A. D. Jones, who surveyed the original town of Fort Des Moines, written to the Secretary of the Old Settler's Association, Au- gust 17, 1868, the following extracts are made:
" I arrived at old Father Meacham's, on the east side of the river, Des Moines, February 13th, 1846. Mr. Meacham at that time kept a tavern, and I think had some connection with a small store at the Point. There I met Maj. Mckay, February 23d. He was really much of a gentleman, always affable, and congenial. He was the first licensed attorney in the place, and it became my lot, as a common pettifoger, to meet him occasion- ally before the High Court of Justice of the Peace. In the first case he was in the right of it, but I succeeded in throwing his client into the costs, and obtained the release of my own employer. A gentleman who had watched the progress of the case until its termination, came and tap- ped me on the shoulder, and said: 'See here, Mister, I have been waiting here to ascertain who would be the successful lawyer in this case; I, there- fore, want you to come with me, as I have three cases for you.' I went, and succeeded in gaining my point of releasing the prisoners. These were my first cases before a justice of the peace."
"On the 14th of February, being the next day after I entered the county, I went over to the garrison; attended a political mass meeting, in which I was called upon to act as secretary; and by which I was also nominated as county surveyor.
" The question which then divided the people of the county was, Brooklyn v. Des Moines for the County Seat. The Brooklyn party nominated a gentleman by the name of Woodward, for County Surveyor, who beat me at the polls several votes. I contested the election, beat him, and received my certificate, and was sworn regularly into office."
"Another prominent old settler, by the name of Thomas McMullin, who afterward married the daughter of Dr. F. C. Grimmel, was also at Mr. Meacham's when I came to the county."
"The first line I ever ran for pay was east of the river, between Messrs. Hart and Meacham, February 21. In that region of country, along the Des Moines river, it was formerly quite brushy in places. I was employed to run chain lines occasionally where it was difficult to see the rod-man, and in many instances I would require the rod-man to halloo, and I would go for the sound."
"March 1st the first marriage was solemnized between John Beard and Nancy Jane Welman, by Rev. Mr. Post. The license was procured from Marion county."
" During the stay of the dragoons at the Fort I witnessed a very un- pleasant scene, March 6, 1846. Two of the soldiers became intoxicated, and in consequence were put in the guard-house. One was gagged and his hands tied behind him. The other one, after being kicked and cuffed across the toe-path repeatedly, had his hands tied behind him, and then tied to the ceiling just so that he could touch the floor, and the other fared the same fate before he was released. The infantry had left the Fort be-
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
fore I came, and a portion of the dragoons left with a lot of Indians, March 8. Capt. Grier, I believe, was in command. Mr. Drake, and after- ward, Mr. Hart, had liquor to sell; but Wall Clapp was the first regular groceryman in the county, and occupied the old trading post of Mr. Whist- ler, at the junction of the Des Moines and 'Coon rivers. It was a log house, extending in the direction of the Des Moines river. Mr. Ayers, in "Coon Row,' and Mr. Thrift, in the country, were the first tailors, and were residents when I came, both having been connected with the army for some time."
" On the plateau, or second bench, were several mounds, which I hold, and think I can prove, were the fallen residences of Indians-not graves.'
" J. B. Scott commenced running the first ferry May 1, and Dr. Kirk- bride come into the Fort May 25. The county seat was located at Fort Des Moines by M. T. Williams, of Mahaska, and Giles M. Pinneo, from Scott county, after riding over the county eight days. Log guns were fired, bonfires made, and the festivities of the occasion terminated at Tom Baker's by the Polk county band, which consisted of two fiddles, very unscientific- ally manipulated."
"June 4, 1846, I commenced the survey of the town of Fort Des Moines. Martin Tucker started the first hotel. The first preacher of Polk county was Ezra Rathbun, Methodist, and about the smartest preacher we ever had in the county. Besides that, he was a gentleman; and, not to dispar- age others of his profession, he was every way their superior."
"June 10, the first marriage license in the county was issued to Benj. Bryant and Barbara Elvira Birge."
" We celebrated the fourth of July, 1846, with Tom Baker, orator; Mayor Mckay, reader of Declaration of Independence; Messrs. Winches- ter, Frazee, and Scott, marshals, and myself acting as president of the day. Toasts were read and cheered. About two hundred people were in attendance. The day was very warm. Dinner, one dollar per couple. A dance was held at night-and take the day through, it was a pleasant and jolly gathering."
" The lawyers in town July 23, 1846, were: T. Baker, W. D. Frazee, P. M. Casady, L. D. Winchester, and Wm. McKay.
" Physicians: Dr. Fagan, a graduate of St. Louis, and Dr. Kirkbride."
" One store assessed at $1,500, kept by B. T. Hoxie; one dry goods and grocery store, by A. Michael; a grocery and provision store, by W. W. Clapp; a grocery (saloon) and place of amusement, by J. A. Campbell; a tavern, by M. Tucker; an apothecary shop, by L. D. Winchester; a turner and chair factory, Mr. Vannatta; a wagon-maker and carpenter, D. Solen- berger; mill-wright, John Ehle; and Mr. W. F. Ayers, a tailor. A. Mich- ael, justice of the peace, and Jesse R. Miller, constable. Methodist church with two ministers, E. Rathbun and his father; and a Baptist church.
"July 23, I made it my business to take the census. There were eleven young ladies, and thirteen young gentlemen, who were proper subjects for matrimony. I regret that I did not record their names, although I might now name some of them by guess.
" A very perceptible difference was formerly noticed in reference to the waters of the Des Moines and 'Coon rivers, the former being much the warmer at the same hour."
"At the August election I must have been very popular, for I was elected constable by the Whigs, and justice of the peace by the Democrats,
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY ..
and took my certificates from both. It was through spite that the Whigs ran me for constable."
"It may not be uninteresting to the Association to learn who inhabited. that wild region, August 18th, 1846. I will, therefore, present you with. the principal names of the citizens of your city at that date: Ezra Rath- bun, father, two young ladies, and two young men; D. Solenberger and wife; W. W. Clapp and wife; J. Campbell, wife and two or three chil- dren; Mr. Thorp and several children; Mr. Morris, wife and children; Sam Vannatta, wife and children; B. T. Hoxie, wife and children; Mar- tin Tucker, wife and several children; Col. T. Baker, wife and several- chil- dren; Mr. Caves, wife and two children; Wm. Ward and wife; Perry Wear and wife; William F. Ayers, wife and children; A. Michael, wife and child; Col. John Rose, wife and children; Mr. Crews and wife; P. L. Crossman, wife and child; John Ehle, wife and child; Mr. Buzick, wife and children. Among the young folks, I find the following names: Miss Mary Thorp, a marriageable young lady, with a sister just beginning to look upon the bright side of matrimony; Miss Melissa Hoxie was also in the line of marriageable promotion; also, Miss Letitia Tucker and Miss Kirkbride. An old maid by the name of Jemima Scott, and several others whose names I have forgotten. The young gentlemen about town were: George A. Michael, Dr. Kirkbride, Thomas McMullin, P. M. Casady, L. McHenry, Lewis Whitten, Maj. McKay, Jonathan Rathbun and Ezra Rathbun."
The old settlers will doubtless remember the old wool carding machine on Four Mile, and they have probably a recollection of a big hand-bill which was posted at the cross-roads, on barns and in the taverns and stores at the Fort, which read thus:
"E. SMITH'S STEAM WOOL CARDING MACHINE ON FOUR MILE CREEK.
T HE Subscriber has purchased a Portable Steam Engine, for which he is running the Same, and is prepared to
DISPATCH HIS PATRONS AT THE SHORTEST NOTICE AT THE RATE OF 20 LBS. PER HOUR,
FOR WHICH HE IS DOING THE BEST WORK IN THE COUNTY.
He refers you to those whom he is and has Carded for.
TAKE NOTICE, TO BE CAREFULL
before you wash your wool, to take all of the cockle burrs, Sticks, Straws, Barks, &c., then wash clean, roll the fleece up, send to his Steam Carding Machine on Four Mile Creek,
ONE POUND OF GREECE TO SEVEN POUNDS OF WOOL,
will be all that will be necessary."
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HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.
A man who could dispatch his customers at the rate of twenty pounds per hour should be immortalized in history.
Mention has been made in these pages of W. H. Meacham. He fur- nished, during his life, several instances of the most remarkable physiolog- ical facts on record. He was subject to constipation, and frequently for weeks had no passage of excreta; once the period was prolonged ninety days. When the difficulty was removed he would rise from his bed in apparent perfect health.
Some of the lawyers of the city may recognize the following case which came before a well-known justice of the peace several years ago. As the parties are nearly all living, names are not given. The action was to es- tablish the ownership to a certain steer. The Esquire's docket says: "I turned to the plaintiff's wife and asked her if the steer in question had any white on its tail, and she answered no; whereupon, the steer in question was produced, and being examined, it was found there were white hairs in the end of its tail; judgment was, therefore, rendered for defendant, and two dollars and twenty-five cents costs, and the steer delivered to defend- ant." This is probably the only instance where an animal was made to es- tablish its own identity.
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