USA > Iowa > Wapello County > The history of Wapello 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, general and local statistics history of the Northwest, history of Iowa > Part 44
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" This war was followed by an effort on the part of the civil authorities, at the instance of Woody, to arrest the leader of the Koontz men. Being then
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attached to Jefferson County for judicial purposes (though not for military pur- poses) process was sued out in Jefferson County, and placed in the hands of Deputy Sheriff Woolard, who came up from Fairfield to make arrests. On reaching the scene of the war, this officer of the law found that it required something more than a mere declaration from him : 'you are my prisoner,' to make an arrest. Men who had banded themselves together by the strong tics of honor and courage, as the Moores, Kittermans Kites, Earls and others had done to protect their rights, were not to be arrested in this way. The Deputy Sheriff, Woolard, called to his assistance Andrew Weir, who was a mere youth, acting as Constable, but of prudent courage, to assist him in making arrests. But it was of no use.
" Those men would not be taken ; but, on the contrary, they took the officer, Woolard, keeping him over night, and, in the morning, bringing him out and placing him upon his horse, escorted him to the public square in Dahlonega, or rather to the place intended as a public square. Riding around him here, with their well-trained rifles in hand, they gave, as they passed, a most respectful military salute, he returning the same. After this ceremony was closed, Capt. Moore advanced and informed Deputy Sheriff Woolard that he and his men had no further use for him, and would not longer detain him from his family and home, and that he was at liberty to go, and when they wanted him again they would let him know it; and that, if he came again until thus called for, he had better make his last will and testament before leaving home. Suffice it to say, Woolard never returned.
" A somewhat laughable incident is said to have occurred during this war, or at its close, with one of the attorneys engaged-only professionally, how- ever-for Woody. William H. Galbraith and. George May were retained by Woody, and W. W. Chapman for Koontz. During the excitement growing out of this difficulty, the Koontz men corraled May in Woody's house. Finding him in a back room, in bed, they called him out. George came forth, and see- ing the crowd by which he was surrounded, and having the love of honor before his eyes, then and there implored his captors, for the sake of honor, for the sake of God and the love which he bore toward his family and home, not to tar and feather him or ride him on a rail ; but rather than be thus disgraced and sent away he preferred to be shot. Well, they did not shoot him, nor did they tar and feather him, nor ride him on a rail; but it is said, though for the truth of this I will not vouch, that the cloud of war passed off, and the angry waves of passion were hushed by May asking his captors to go out and liquor. You know George was good on expedients. But whether the party liquored or not, I cannot state. My friends, N. D. Earl and Peter Kitterman, who are on the ground, can tell you, for they were there.
" It is due to George May, an absent friend, to say that he was in no way implicated in the effort of Woody to take Koontz's claim, and that he lived long amongst us, and, when he left, had no better friends in the county than the men who espoused the interest of old Mr. Koontz. The prosecution which had been commenced in Jefferson County against the Koontz men remained undisposed of until Wapello County was organized; after which, from some oversight in legislation, Jefferson County lost her jurisdiction, and they were dismissed. And thus ended the Dahlonega war and its consequences. Woody, of course, lost the claim.
" This, perhaps, was the fiercest war that was waged in the county. In other localities, like disturbances took place, but I cannot stop to refer to each in detail. I have only alluded to this for the purpose of advising the uninitiated
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more clearly how justice was administered in the olden time in Wapello, when the law's delay did not supplant justice with mere forms.
" Let me now go back a little. I have already said that, in 1842, a treaty was made with the Sac and Fox Indians, by which this portion of country was- purchased and owned by the United States ; and that Iowa at one time formed a part of Wisconsin Territory. On the 12th day of June, 1838, the Con- gress of the United States passed an act organizing the Territory of Iowa. The boundary lines of this new Territory extended from the State of Mis- souri on the south, to the British Possessions on the north, and from the Mississippi on the east, to the Missouri on the west. The seat of govern- ment of this new Territory was fixed at Burlington, and the Territory was or- ganized on the 4th day of July, 1838. Robert Lucas, an honest man and good officer, was the first Governor ; William B. Conway, Secretary ; Charles Mason, Joseph Williams and Thomas S. Wilson were the first Judges-the former being Chief Justice. and all of them able jurists and honest men. The Chief Justice and his associate, Judge Wilson, are yet living-Judge Mason at Bur- lington and Judge Wilson at Dubuque.
"Among the very earliest settlers in the county of Wapello, are the following: In Competine Township, Joseph Leighton (father of A. C. Leighton), Maylon Wright, Jesse Scott, Dr. Lewis, Alexander Smith and others.
"In Pleasant Township, George Harmon, John Henderson, James Hill, John Murry, John Huffstutter, James T. Coleman, Lewis F. Temple, George Hanna, Thomas Larwood, Samuel McGee, Thomas Brumsy (father of Samuel Brumsy, Esq., now of this city), Manly Blanchard, John Philips, Calvin Car- son, Hiram Fisher, John McDowell and Templin McDowell.
"In Agency Township, James Weir (subsequently Judge of Probate, and father of Dr. Weir, now of Agency City), James Stevens, Charles F. Harrow, S. S. Dwire, William H. Cogswell, Joseph Myers, Maj. John Beach, William B. Street, Alexander Street, J. H. D. Street (sons of Gen. Street, the Indian Agent), Reuben Myers, Jesse Brookshire and H. B. Hendershott.
"I think I must stop just here, and tell a little anecdote of Mr. Brookshire, a most upright, honest man. Jesse was an aspiring man, and desired very much to be a delegate to the first Constitutional Convention. When he was canvassing the county in that direction, the question came up as to the pro- priety of holding sessions of the Legislature each year, or less frequently. The general opinion seemed to favor biennial sessions; the public mind was averse to so much legislation. It wanted more freedom and less restraint. Mr. Brook- shire caught the idea, and thought he saw a good opening for him on that question. His competitor was Joseph H. Hedrick, brother to our esteemed fellow-citizen, John W. Hedrick, and uncle to the gallant Gen. Hedrick. Mr. Hedrick had made a speech at Dahlonega, in which he took occasion to say, that 'he was opposed to annual sessions of the Legislature, and that, should he be elected a delegate, he would favor biennial sessions of the Legislature; that he thought that once in two years was often enough to hold legislative sessions.' In this speech, Mr. Hedrick rather intimated that Mr. Brookshire differed from him on that question, but he did not know just what his views were, and would leave him to defend his own position. This, of course, called Jesse out on the question. Jesse thought he saw a good opening to make votes just here. He knew the popular current was opposed to yearly sessions of the Legislature, and you know, Mr. President, how accommodating politicians are in favoring the popular will.
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" Coming to speak of this question of legislative sessions, Jesse raised him- self to his utmost altitude, and said : 'Fellow-citizens : The gentleman, Mr. Hedrick, has told you that he was in favor of biennial sessions of the Legisla- ture, to be held every two years, and that, if elected, he should vote for such a provision in the Constitution. But, fellow-citizens, if I shall be elected your delegate, I will go further than Mr. Hedrick ; I will favor biennial sessions of your Legislature to be held once every three years.' It is needless to say that this brought down the house ; but Mr. Hedrick was elected.
" But to return to an enumeration of the earlier settlers in Washington Town- ship : John Priest, Gideon Myers, Joseph H. Flint, S. M. Wright (now can- didate for County Supervisor), Silas Garrison, Thomas Ping, James Acton, John Acton, L. A. Myers, G. D. La Force, Joseph Hayne (now living below the city, in sight of where I stand, for many years Sheriff, Treasurer and Clerk of the county, a most competent officer, good citizen and an honest man), Demps Griggsby, Thomas Foster, Daniel Dennison and Green B. Savery.
" In Keokuk Township: Joseph McIntire, Seth Ogg, William C. McIn- tire, J. J. Seaman, Benjamin Young, William Kendrick, Robert H. Ivers, Cur- tis Knight, Jesse Wallace and others.
" In Green Township were : D. H. Michael (once Sheriff of the county and now member of the Board of Supervisors), Benjamin Baum, Richard Jack- son, Ezekiel Rush, Benjamin Powell, Isham Higdon and A. J. Redenbaugh (once Clerk of the Board of County Commissioners, a good officer and honest man).
"Passing on around to Adams Township, we find : James F. Adams (for whom the township is called), Theophilus Blake, Cyrus Van Cleave, Lawson Bradley, the Brocks, Drapers, Ralstons and others.
" In the western part of the county, then not organized into townships as now, were: Joseph Gardner, Moses Baker, Frank Bates, James Sales, Abram Butin, Samuel Webb, Bird Pritchett, Noah Dofflemeyer, Lewis Myers, George F. Myers, L. L. Denny, L. Stump, Samuel Bush, J. P. Eddy, John Kavan- augh, Abner Overman, James Baker, Walter Clement, William R. Ross, Joseph Roberts, Stephen Roberts, Lorenzo Roberts, William Black, Richard Butcher, Henry Segur, Michael Welch and D. Campbell.
"In Richland Township: T. M. Kirkpatrick, Dr. Kirkpatrick, David Whitcomb, John Baker, J. G. Baker (Uncle Gurley, you know), Isaac Fisher, William Brim, James B. Wright, John D. Bevens, the McGlassons, A. J. Spur- lock, John Kirkpatrick, William A. Winsell, John M. Spurgeon, Hugh Brown (once a Clerk of the District Court and always a good citizen), Thomas Har- desty, Hill and Bayliss.
" In Highland Township : J. W. Carpenter, George Godfrey, Wm. Evans, James West, Jedediah Scott, Wm. Harris, Washington Williams, George Rob- inson, James Van Winkle, M. W. McChesney.
" In Dahlonega Township : Joseph H. Hedrick, Peter Kitterman, Elias Kit- terman, Martin Koontz, James Woody, W. B. Woody, Benj. Brattain, Jehu Moore, N. D. Earl, N. H. Gates, Peter White, John and Joseph Kite, Alvin Lewis, John W. Caldwell, Lewis Cobler.
" In Center Township: James M. Peck, Farnum Whitcomb, Richard Fisher, J. C. Fisher, Peter Fisher, Henry Huffman, Nason Roberts, John Alexander, Reuben R. Harper, J. M. Montgomery (settled out north), Phi- lester Lee, John Clark, James Langshore, Dr. Hackleman, Thomas H. Wells, Jerry Smith, Sr., and Clark Williams in the eastern part of the township; Dr. C. C. Warden, Hugh George, Wm. Dewey, Paul C. Jeffries, David Glass, Da-
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vid Hall, Rev. B. A. Spaulding, S. S. Norris, Sewell Kinney, David P. Smith, John Myers, David Armstrong, H. P. Graves, Wm. H. Galbraith, Levi Buck- walter in Ottumwa ; Jink Vassar, George D. Hackworth, Arthur Eakins, Am- mon Shawl, John Overman on the south side of the river; John C. Evans, Thomas Reveal, Jolin Humphrey, Sylvester Warner, Paris Caldwell, G. A. Rocmer, Wm. Harris, Wm. Crawford, Alex. Crawford, Thomas Crawford, Nathaniel Bell in the western part of the township.
"But I cannot tarry longer to name all those who first settled in the county. Nor can I take up your time with biographical sketches of those named ; suffice it to say, that a nobler set of men, of large hearts, of generous impulses and true courage, never lived. And when I call to mind the many times I have shared your hospitality, old settlers, have been sheltered by your humble roofs, and protected from the pitiless prairie storms and parching summer suns-when I look back and am reminded of the many kind friends I found in you when I was but a youth, poor and a stranger in a wild, strange land, I would not if I could, and cannot if I would, suppress that 'God bless you' which springs up in my heart made glad at meeting you this day. Pov- erty, adversity and pluck brought us together in the olden time; a happy present and a hopeful future have brought us together to-day. And while our main purpose in this re-union is to talk over the early days and to rejoice together, I must be pardoned if I tarry in the shades of the lamented dead, and with you shed a tear on their venerated graves. John Humphreys, Joseph Leighton, George Harman, Lewis F. Temple, John Huffstutter, James Weir, James Stephens, S. S. Dwire, Wm. H. Coggswell, Joseph MeIntire. Robert H. Ivers, Curtis Knight, Benj. Baum, Theophilus Blake, Abraham Butin, Abner Overman, Charles Overman, Walter Clement, Michael Welch, William Black, John Baker, Isaac Fisher, James B. Wright, John D. Bevans, A. J. Spurlock, Wm. Evans, Jedediah Scott, Richard Fisher, B. A. Spaulding, S. S. Norris, Jerry Smith, John Priest, John C. Evans, John Myers and A. D. Whipple-these among the early settlers. And coming down a little later, Aaron Harlan, Albert Mudge, James Hawley, A. D. Wood, Nathan Tindall, John Stout, James HI. Nosler, James Gray, Wm. Lotspeich, James D. Devin, Thomas Devin, Charles F. Blake, Sr., John Myers, Thomas C. Coffin, Thomas C. Ogden, Wm. Hammond, Allen M. Bonnifield and Capt. C. C. Cloutman cannot be forgotten.
" In naming the earlier settlers in the different parts of the county, it will be seen the list does not embrace those who have been in the county only twenty- five or thirty years. My purpose is to mention only those who came in on the heels of the departing Indian, and, of course, I have omitted very many who were of the first to reach the county.
"As the Indian took up his march toward the setting sun, you, old settlers, more favored than he, came in from the east. Many of you who are here to- day, were here to see the red men of the forest, with their squaws and papooses, draw their blankets in sadness around their naked forms, and with sullen and reluctant march take up their way to the setting sun, and give way to the more favored wards of the Government.
" The inquiry may arise in the minds of many who are rejoicing with us to-day, how the first settlers provided the necessaries of life during their first season, as they came on the 1st of May, and found nothing but a wild, uncul- tivated country. Hard enough ! But there were fewer necessaries needed then than now ; the inventory of necessaries was exceedingly brief. We had not then learned the lesson of extravagance. A pone of corn-bread, a slice of fat meat,
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spiced with its own gravy, furnished a most gracious and palatable repast. Many and many is the happy meal, old settlers, you have taken under your humble roof, prepared by your cheerful and constant wives and daughters (God bless them !) of nothing but bread and meat.
Then there were no mills in the county. You had to go to distant mills to get your flour and meal. Some went to Moffit's mill, on Skunk River, at Au- gusta, in Des Moines County, seventy-five or eighty miles distant ; others went to Meck's mill, in Van Buren County, forty or fifty miles ; some went to one place and some to another. Some used an old farmer's coffee-mill with which to grind their buckwheat for cakes. One of these, Peter Kitterman has one of these mills, and promised to bring it in to-day, so that I could show you the very mill ; but he neglected to do so, informing me that his most excellent wifc would not consent because no one would give credit to the story. But you who know Peter Kitterman, know that when he says anything it is true.
"Six and eight days were frequently spent in these milling trips; and when you returned with meal and flour, and found any of your neighbors destitute, you sent them word to come and get of your store. Yours were generous hearts and open hands. No destitution was permitted in your respective neigh- borhoods that you could prevent. You were then all partners ; what one had, the others owned. These were cordial, generous happy days-no selfishness, no exclusion. You, old men and aged women, will remember when your last pound of meat, your last peck of meal or bushel of potatoes was generously divided with your needy neighbors.
"I have thus far spoken of the men of the olden times, of the wild and early days of Wapello. I must not, I cannot, forget the mothers and wives and daughters of those days. The cheerfulness, joy and grace with which they made these wild and crude homes happy, are not forgotten. You, who in better days and more abundant lands had vowed to love, honor and obey, did not, in your hard and rugged homes, forget those vows.
" You, like those noble men whose ambition and pluck brought them West, stood erect in that lofty womanhood which makes you helpmeets indeed, and adds glory to your sex. Never heard to murmur at the fate which brought you here-God bless you for the good you have done and the many kind offices you have filled and pass you in your advanced and declining years, in joy to the close !
" Wapello County, which had been attached to Jefferson County, was organized in 1844. The Territorial Legislature passed an act, approved February 13, 1844, the first section of which declares : 'That the county of Wapello be and the same is hereby organized from and after the 1st day March next' (March 1, 1844). This act declared that the Clerk of the District Court of the county, aided by the Sheriff of the county (this latter officer appointed by the act itself ) should be the organizing officers. The duty of the Clerk (he who now addresses you) was to appoint the Judges and Clerks of Elec- tion ; fix the places of voting ; receive, open and canvass the returns ; declare the result, and issue certificates of election. James M. Peck, who is yet among us, an honored, worthy and influential citizen of the county, residing some two miles north of Ottumwa, was the Sheriff whose duty it was to post notices of the time and places of holding the election, deliver to the Judges and Clerks the poll books, etc.
" The first election was held April 1, 1844. The Judges were : David P. Smith, Peter Barnett, Jacob Daily, Alvin Lewis, Nason Roberts, Lewis Cobler, James T. Coleman, John Huffstetter, James Acton, William Miller, Willoughby
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Randolph, William R. Ross, Jonathan Davis, William C. McIntire, John W. Caldwell, J. P. Eddy, James Weir, Jefferson Redman, Daniel Dennison, James- Broherd, Josiah C. Boggs, Nelson Wescoatt, N. B. Preston, John Miller, Will- iam Kendrick, Robert H. Ivers, James F. Adams, Gamaliel Belknap, Lawson Bradley, Reuben Myers, Demps Griggsby, Mahlon Wright, Alexader B. Smith and Joseph Leighton. The Clerks were : William A. Houghland, A. C. Logan, James R. Fisher, James Hilton, Thomas Wright, N. D. Earl, William S. Campbell, Hiram Lambert, Thomas J. Linnard, William B. Street, William Newell, George Wilson, Samuel J. Warden, Lewis Kenney, David F. Parrott, George H. Gow, James P. Bradley, Thomas Ping, R. V. Holcomb, Joseph Myers, Jonathan Hodson and Curtis Knight.
" At this first election, James M. Montgomery, Lewis F. Temple and Chas. F. Harrow were elected County Commissioners ; Charles Overman, Commis- sioners' Clerk ; Paul C. Jeffries, Judge of Probate ; Joseph Hayne. Sheriff ; James Caldwell, Assessor ; Thomas Foster, Treasurer; Milton J. Spurlock, Recorder ; Hugh George, Surveyor, with a goodly number of Justices and Constables. Of the officers here named, Paul C. Jeffries-now 85 years old, with a heart as big as all outdoor-Joseph Hayne, elsewhere alluded to, and Thomas Foster, one of Wapello's best citizens, are the only survivors, and are yet with us and here to-day, except Judge Jeffries, who is too feeble to be out. " For some time after the county was first settled, the inhabitants in the southeast part got their mail matter from Keosauqua; those in this and most other parts of the county got their mail from Fairfield. We generally sent down a special messenger for our mail once each week. If we could hear from Washington once in two weeks, we felt that we were especially fortunate in get- ting news so quickly. News which we received from Washington was more usually three weeks than two in reaching us; and, if I am not mistaken, our news from Europe was from four to six months in reaching us ; and as for news from any other part of the world, that was never looked for.
"There was no telegraphing, and but very little railroading. Now you may start from Ottumwa and reach New York and Boston in three days; and you may be landed in London, if you like, in two weeks ; and you may make the trip from ocean to ocean, across this continent, in about six days. You may also go to Mr. Plummer's office, on Market street, and he will send a mes- sage for you to almost any place on earth and get an answer to it in less time than it will take you to walk from here to his office ! Such is life and progress.
" Thirty-one years ago we were on the very borders of civilization, just stepping into the yet warm moccasin-tracks of the Indians as they retired. Now we are almost in the center of a vast and powerful republic, and Wapello is traversed from east and west by a great national thoroughfare, leading from Boston to San Francisco, with four splendidly arranged and perfectly regulated trains of palatial coaches every twenty-four hours. Just think of it ! that such means of travel, in the short space of thirty-one years, should take the place of the Indian trail and pony ! Who would not feel proud of the skill and energy of the American people, and rejoice that he may claim Wapello County as his home ? Just think it ! you can now travel entirely across the continent, from ocean to ocean, in the most splendid style, in less time than it used to take you to go to Meek's mill and get a little corn or wheat ground !
"I think I must stop here to relate an anecdote of Reuben R. Harper, a former worthy citizen of the county, and who owned the farm now occupied by William S. Carter. By the way, Mr. Harper had been elected to the Legisla- ture. The Winter the first message was sent over the wires from Washington
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to Baltimore, when the principles of telegraphing were as little known and understood as the so-called science of Spiritualism is now, the question was suggested how it was possible to send over and along a wire, stretched from Washington to Baltimore, a distance of some thirty or forty miles, a message in the space of a few seconds of time. No one seemed able to solve the mys- tery, except Representative Harper, who said he believed he had it; and, on being inquired of for his explanation, he advanced the idea that the message was written upon very fine paper, wrapped with the most exact care around the Washington end of the wire, and then and there received such velocity of motion by the application of the hand as to send it along the wire to Baltimore. This, he averred, was the only way possible that a message could be sent such a distance in so short a time, and he expressed grave doubts if it could be accomplished in that way ! This was Representative Harper's opinion of the principles of telegraphing, and I will leave you to determine how near right he was.
" On an examination of a very ancient record, I find the following entry, and I can vouch for its correctness, for I made it myself." [Here was exhibited about half a quire of very common foolscap paper, stitched together with white thread and covered with a very coarse kind of paper, as the first record book furnished by the United States, in which to enter the proceedings of the court, from which was read : ]
And now, on this day. to wit the 16th of September, A. D. 1844, the day on which, accord- ing to law, the District Court of the United States, within and for the county of Wapello, and Territory of Iowa, was to have begun and held its first or September term, at the Court House, in the county seat of said county. There being no Judge prosent, the time for the commence- ment of said court is adjourned until 9 o'clock to-morrow morning.
Tuesday morning, 9 o'clock, September 17, 1844 .- And now, on this day there yet being no Judge present, the time for the commencement of said court is further adjourned until to- morrow morning.
And now, on this day, to wit : Wednesday, September 18, 1844, being the adjourned day for the beginning of the September term of the District Court of the United States, for the county of Wapello and Territory of Iowa. Present, the Ion. Charles Mason, Judge.
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