USA > Iowa > Warren County > The history of Warren 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 &c > Part 52
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The following is the announcement of the purchase and change of the Independent:
" To the citizens of Warren county:
" We, the undersigned, having purchased the press and material known as the 'Independent office,' have formed a stock company, to be known under the name of the 'Indianola Publishing Company '-the paper here- after to be published under the caption of ' The Warren County"Leader.'
"That all may know what our aspirations and hopes are, if earnest, hon- est endeavor, backed by capital enough to place the enterprise above any pecuniary embarrassments, can accomplish it, we make the following short and concise statement:
" We shall endeavor to make the Leader worthy of the support and pat- ronage of the reading and advertising public. It will be radically Repub- lican in politics, striving at all times to maintain the right, as God gives us to see the right. It will take an active part in all questions for the ad- vancement of a higher morality, and to that cnd (we) believe that none but those inorally, politically and every other way qualified, should be chosen for places of either higher or lower degree. It will always be found upon the side of education and temperance; it will be a warm advocate of all public improvements calculated to advance the interests of the citizens of the county. It will advocate the careful and honest disposition of the public moneys, by county, State and national officials, thereby curtailing the expenditures and lessening the burdens of taxation. We hope we have built upon the Rock, and, therefore, that the enterprise will stand. We shall strive, earnestly, to make a success of the undertaking by making the Leader a welcome visitor to every household in Warren county.
"Jolin D. Ingalls, A. H. Swan, E. W. Hartman, George E. Griffith, B. C. Berry, J. N. Andrew, W. A. Noble, G. A. Worth, P. P. Henderson, Wil- liam Christy, M. A. Dashiell, William Buxton, James Laverty, H. W. Max- well, M. R. Barker and John H. Henderson."
These gentlemen conducted the paper for some time, Judge John D. Ingalls or Mr. John H. Henderson acting as editors for a few weeks until Mr. M. G. Carleton, formerly of the Oskaloosa Citizen, was employed to
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
conduct the paper. Mr. Carleton was a writer of much experience, and an excellent printer, and soon made the office, from a printer's standpoint, one of the best in the State. The contest with the Journal was warm and personal. Politics never took so strong a hold upon the county as during the continuance of that quarrel between these two journals, nearly all the Republicans of the county being ranged on the side of one faction or the other. After a time the different proprietors tired of the work of trying to conduct a newspaper, and sold out their shares to Mr. Carleton, who finally became full proprietor as well as editor of the paper. Mr. Carleton continued to conduct the Leader until August, 1873, when he sold it to Mr. John A. Everett, who kept it as the Leader until 1875, when he changed its name to Record. He conducted it under this name as a Re- publican paper until the political campaign of 1878, when it became the organ of the Greenbackers, though still remaining under Mr. Everett's control and editorship. About the first of January, 1879, he sold it to Messrs. J. W. Jones and J. W. Wells, who changed its name and politics to Republican. Thus it continued until the 1st of July following, when they turned it over to Mr. Everett again. He soon after sold it to Dr. C. B. Lake, and on the 17th of June thereafter, it appeared as The People's Ad- vocate, and again became the organ of the Greenbackers. Mr. Frank B. Taylor became its editor, temporarily, and in September assumed complete control of the editorial and business departments, with Dr. Lake as pro- prietor. Mr. Taylor makes a dignified journal, singularly free from slang or abuse, and bids fair to put the Advocate upon a good business basis.
The first number of the Simpsonian, a journal devoted to the interests of Simpson Centenary College, was issued on the first of October, 1870. William Christie Smith was elected editor-in-chief, with Louie M. Dimmitt, Hattie N. Walker, Alice M. Barker, C. K. Kennedy, W. H. Berry, Will A. Park, J. N. Reynolds and John A. Everett, as associate editors. It was issued first as a semi-monthly, but was changed to a monthly during the school year of 1873. It is conducted entirely by students of the College, the editors and business managers being selected from the different College classes. Many young men have developed a fitness for journalism while working on the Simpsonian, and have gone forth to enter upon the work in a less contracted field. In its issue for October, 1879, it appears in magazine form, and presents a neat appearance, quite creditable to its edi- tors and to the College. Its circulation is about three hundred.
The Indianola Tribune was issued October 2, 1875, by Mr. Geo. F. Parker, as an exponent of the anti-monopoly movement, to which the Democratic party surrendered its organization that and the following year. It was the first paper in the county to espouse the cause of opposition to the Republican party, and previous to the Democratic nomination of 1875 gave a warm support to that party, which course it has continued to advo- cate ever since. In August, 1876, during the Presidential campaign Mr. Parker sold the Tribune to Mr. W. E. Andrews, and assumed tlie posi- tion of editor of the Daily State Leader, from which he retired on the 1st of January, 1878. Mr. Andrews was connected with the paper until about the beginning of the year 1877, when he sold it to Mr. Jolin E. Clarey, of the Des Moines Leader, and Mr. Charles McElroy. The latter remained in the office only a few months, when he sold his interest to Mr. Clarey, who continued as sole proprietor until January 1, 1879, when Mr. Massom Bilderback became a part owner.
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
Mr. Clarey is a native of Vermont, and is one of the most conscientious, fearless writers on the press of the State. His strength lies in his skill in directing the shafts of irony, sarcasm and ridicule with alinost unerring certainty at the man, or men, or organization who excite and deserve this attention on his part. He gives little attention to politics, but devotes his time principally to the local page and to attending to the business of the paper. He is also quite active in the church and Sunday-school, and is one among the most useful citizens of the county.
Mr. Bilderback is one of the best printers in Iowa, and has made the Tribune among the neatest of the weekly papers of the State. He has also made the office one of the finest in this section for job work, and it does even more than its full share of the job printing of the county.
With all, the Tribune is one of the most influential journals in its party among the weekly press of the State, and has won its position by deserv- ing it.
About the first of September, 1879, there was issued at Lacona a little paper called the Lacona Record, published by a company of the citizens of that place. It is the first paper ever published in Warren county out- side of Indianola. It has recently enlarged and improved, and it appears probable that it has come to stay.
The newspapers of Warren county have ever been creditable to the in- telligence and business of its people, and it is to be hoped that they may always continue to bear the good name and exercise that influence which has marked their past history.
TEMPERANCE.
In the early history of Warren county there was more or less use of ar- dent spirits as has characterized every Western community.
Some of the first business places in the new settlement, bearing the name of "groceries," were nothing but whisky shops, and were kept, for a great part, by men who have since become reputable citizens, and have fully atoned for their wrong-doing by earnest work in the cause of temperance.
The cause of prohibition, which is allied by many with that of temper- ance or abstention from alcoholic drinks, early took strong hold upon the people of this county, and many earnest workers have come forth for this cause.
They have been in deep earnest and determined to stop short of nothing but the prohibition, by law, the sale of intoxicating liquors. For many years, however, they fought a losing battle. But they have gained converts steadily, and have continually made a change in public opinion by this steady and persistent effort.
The first temperance movement in the county was in connection with the Sons of Temperance, at Hartford, in 1850, and next in Indianola, in 1853.
In 1858 the Good Templars became numerous in Indianola and in dif- erent parts of the county, and the work was kept up with considerable ac- tivity until the breaking out of the war, in 1861.
The press of the county has always been active in its support of temper- ance and generally in support of prohibition. The first article 'of this kind we have found is from the Indianola Republican of December 27, 1855, un- der the heading, " Liquor Dealers," and though somewhat crude, will serve to show the feeling at that time. It is as follows:
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
"The liquor traffic never puts money into a man's pocket who freely makes use of it, but it snatches its thousand from the hard earnings of honest labor in the shape of taxes. It never brings happiness or responsi- bility to a family, but it often clothes poor, neglected children with rags. It never has been known to build up good society. } It never has been known to educate the orphau or feed the hungry, but it has been known to obliter- ate every spark of intelligence in the minds of men when intoxicated. It has made fools of men while living, and fitted them for the society of 'devils.' In short, its evils are legion without a single palliating virtue. To remove this monster evil will be a great work. Who is it that forgets the wise teaching of a beloved father, or the kind admonitions of an en- deared mother? Whatever the changes or vicissitudes of life, these are never lost-never erased from that memory. How important, then, that every parent should set a good example before his children, and teach them to 'shun the unholy cup as he would a life of shame.' Those who have been indulging in this abominable business of late, will please take notice before it is too late."
From 1865 to 1869, the temperance movement again overspread the county and there was a great revival of interest in the subject. The Good Templars re-organized their lodges, prohibition ordinances were passed in the incorporated towns, and the question came into politics, as every such question will come. Rev. E. W. Brady was editor of the Journal at that time, and the following article on "Temperance in Indianola," published in the issue of that paper on February 11, 1869, will both show the fecling on the question at that time and Mr. Brady's characteristic method of treating it. The article is as follows:
" Friends, countrymen, if you have ears to hear, prepare to listen now. Hear us on the question of temperance. Let criticism and censure be hushed till you read this article through. We have no quarrel to make with the motives of those who differ from us in opinion, while battling for the cause of temperance and sobriety. We believe in temperance. We believe in prohibition. We believe in announcing our principles. We al- ways have had the moral courage to proclaim them, and we believe we always will have. We believe that a manly, out-spoken declaration of views on a question in which every individual in community is interested, in the end, is not a vain waste of words. The question of temperance, of prohibition, deals with high political, as well as with high religious, aims. In our views of that question we may err in this or that particular, accord- ing to each critic's judgment; in one point, or in more points than one, in the estimation of some we may yield too much to alcoholic liquors; in the estimation of others we may not yield enough. Reason, our moral sense, our accountability to God, and the respect to the laws of our commonwealth, shall be our guiding stars. To successfully battle the monster, intoxicating liquors, all these things must be taken into the account. We have had many fights in the canse of temperance in the past. In those fights, es- pecially in bringing prohibition down to a practical, living reality, we often erred-erred in not being guided by reason, and in not apprehending the nature of the laws on the question of prohibition. Yes, so erred in judg- ment, in some of those fights, so as to do the canse of temperance more harm at that particular time, than good. We took no comprehensive view of the law, the different bearings of the law, nor the circumstances of case, but pitched in, and came out, almost alone, most ingloriously thrashed. It
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
may be asked, ' Had you no rank and file to assist you in the beginning of the fight?' Yes, but precions few at its end. As soon as the disaster be- came apparent, scores of those who were most urgent in shouting ns for- ward found shelter far in the rear. This was the case in two such fights. We remember how, upon those two occasions, we were urged to go in on our muscle; how our temperament was worked up to the enthusiasm of an old-fashioned camp-meeting; how our blood was hot as boiling water; how we tried to out-smite the lightning, and out-dig the earthquake; how we tried to tear up the ground by the roots-but we remember how we got tore up by the roots, and was then torn to pieces by friend and foe. We were radically courageous, and had about as much common sense and courage as the bull that attempted to butt the advancing locomotive off the track. Two such fights and our wisdom teeth began to cut the gums. But this is wandering. We believe that intoxicating liquors for medicinal and me- chanical purposes, in many cases, are absolutely necessary, and, that some- body should make them, and, that somebody should sell them. The laws of Iowa, and the laws of Massachusetts, under its radical prohibitory laws, now just being enacted, make provision for their sale, for such purposes, by men of well-known respectability, under careful restrictions. The re- strictions in Massachusetts, thirown around the men legally appointed to sell liquor for the arts, and for medicinal and sacramental purposes, are more stringent, we believe, than in Iowa. But Iowa, in her incorporated cities, if we mistake not the law, can throw many safeguards around its sale even by those licensed to sell it for the purposes above named. Such cities, if we mistake not, have authority delegated them by the statutes of the State, to pass an ordinance, forbidding any druggist to sell a drop of intoxicating liquors to any man for medicinal nse unless the applicant has a written order from a regular practicing physician. Also requiring of the druggist to put the amount sold down in his book, by what doctor ordered, who got it and for what purpose, his books to be open, according to the State law, for the inspection of the proper officers. Such laws are passed and are acted upon by some cities in Iowa. All honest druggists will agree to such an ordinance. This thing of allowing Tom, Dick, and Harry, to turn physicians, and go to the druggists, prescribe medicine for theinselves, and that medicine intoxicating liquors, is no restriction in its sale. There is not a drunkard living, though he knows the whisky he is drinking is eating out his very vitals, but can very easily persuade himself that a pint of whisky is very needful medicine, and, if the druggist is not honest, get it upon that plea. If the man could not get it without an order from a regular practicing physician he would more likely go without whisky medi- cine. Even then, in some cases, he might get it. There is no prohibitory law in the present state of public opinions but what may, in some cases, be violated. We believe, that all druggists licensed to sell intoxicating liquors, in said sales, should be compelled, by the most stringent laws im- aginable, to deal it out alone, and that too, in reasonable quantities, for medicine and the arts. As to its use for culinary purposes, we don't believe it is of any necessary benefit at all. This is our opinion, and if we had the framing of the law, we would give no man the privilege to sell it to make mince pies or to aid in any kind of cooking. As to sacramen tal pur- poses we hardly think it necessary to license a drug store or stores for that purpose.
"In the above remarks we cast no reflections upon the druggists of our
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
city. We don't know that they do not deal it out lawfully. Rumor in law amounts to nothing. Yet it can do no harm to throw around drug- gists the most stringent safeguards, in their sale of liquor, which the law gives us the privilege of making. But the very moment we step beyond the letter and spirit of the law we are going too far, and by such a course may lose ground.
"Now, as to the sale of liquors by saloons or druggists, to be used as a beverage, we believe that it will be everlastingly and perpetually productive of evil and only evil; hence, every city should see to it, as all cities in Iowa have the authority, that no saloon for the sale of wine and beer should be opened. Here we stand. Here we labor. More, we believe the laws of the State might be bettered-might be a little more prohibitory and be pro- ductive of more good. We now should labor to live up to our present laws- to see that they are executed-to avail ourselves of the protection they af- ford, and labor if they are not prohibitory enough to make them more so."
In the crusades of 1874, which, taking their start in Ohio, spread rapidly over the country, there was little excitement in Warren county because there was little opportunity, being only one licensed saloon in its borders, and that in Indianola. The prohibition sentiment had become dormant, and so on this and some local issues, city councils were elected which reduced the price of licenses, and saloons were kept up in Indianola, from time to time, for three or four years. But so soon as the agitation of the question was re-opened, the saloons were quickly abolished. The prohibitory law has, perhaps, been more strictly enforced in Warren county than in any other in Central Iowa. Druggists have been prosecuted to the bitterest extremity of the law, and violators of every order and degree have been compelled to give up the traffic until there are very few places in the county where even beer and wine are sold, except under the law for medicinal, mechanical and sacramental purposes.
The man who has been most active in the agitation of this question is Hon. Lewis Todhunter. Ever since his residence in the county he has waged war unceasing, against the liquor traffic and in favor of the enforce- ment of the law. He has borne the brunt of the hard work, and has doubt- less prosecuted a greater number of men who were charged with violating the law than any other attorney in the State. Regardless of all question- ing of his motives in denunciation of himself, he has gone fearlessly abont the work, determined to do everything in his power, not only to enforce those laws which he has thought right, though too lenient, and to carry out his views on this question.
Other active workers have been George E. Griffithi, E. W. Bryant, John Reed, John Felton, John B. Gifford, Thomas Proudfoot, Sr., Wesley Ches- hein, H. Cool, E. W. Perry, Ed. R. McKee, Rev. Henry Warson, Dr. M. A. Dashiel, ex-Senator William Graham, Robert Nicholson, and many others whose names do not now occur to us.
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
This society was organized in the spring of 1855, by Samuel Haworth, George E. Griffith, John Bramhall and P. P. Henderson. The following officers were elected: President, H. Fisk; Secretary, P. P. Henderson; Treasurer, Samnel Haworth; Directors, H. Hastie, Dr. W. G. Ball, J. T. Moorman, A. Gruder, J. Bramhall.
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
The first fair was held at Indianola, October 1 and 2, 1855.
Received on membership $204.00
from State 200.00
Amount donated 22.00
Amount paid in premiums
$426.00 $426.00
Next year the officers elect were: President, B. S. Noble; Secretary, P. P. Henderson; Treasurer, James Green. The society this year (1856) bought twenty acres of ground, one-half mile west of Indianola, for fair ground purposes, for which they paid $320. The society enclosed a portion with a temporary fence.
The fair this year was held on the 2d and 3d of October, 1856, and was very interesting.
Received for membership. $240.00
Amount donated for grounds. 320.00
Amount donated on premiums 281.00
$841.00
Amount paid on premiums.
$385.00
"
grounds 320.00
$705.00
Amount in treasurer's hands, donated for furnishing of fair grounds .. $146.00 Amount due from the State, which was not drawn 200.00
Amount due the society 346.00
This year (1857) the officers were: President, G. E. Griffith; Secretary, P. P. Henderson; Treasurer, E. G. Crosthwait. This year the fair was held on the 24th and 25th of September, 1857. The society this year also fenced their grounds with good permanent fence; valne, $700.
Received for membership $250.00
Amount in treasurer's hands last year 146.00
Amount dne from State. 400.00
$796.00
Cost of fence.
$ 700.00
Amount awarded in premiums
347.00
$1,047.00
Amount society is in debt.
$251.00
Col. Henderson, in his report for 1857, says:
" A large portion of the premiums will be donated, and soon as we draw from the State, our society will be out of debt. This fair was well at- tended, and passed off with good feeling to all concerned. There was more interest manifested than usual. For so new a county as this, the effect produced was good. Our grounds are now fitted up nice, and will accom- modate all that will attend. It has been with some difficulty that we have kept it up, but we have it now on a fine basis.
428
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY.
" This part of the State is quite new, and but little wheat raised here as yet. The average crop is abont eighteen bushels. Corn crops are very good: average abont fifty bushels. There has been bnt little grain raised more than what has been needed for home consumption. There has been as yet but few meadows. The Hungarian grass has been tried here, and has done well, yielding abont three tons per acre, and some higher. The farmers of this portion of the State pay more attention to stock than any- thing else. We have some of the finest cattle in the West. There are something over 1,200 head of beef cattle driven from this county this year. Messrs. Haworth, Alex Roberts, J. Bramhall, and D. Hallam, all have fine stock, that was brought from Ohio. There have been but few good horses in the county, and but little doing, as yet, to improve their breeds, but onr farmers talk of sending and getting a good horse. There are but few mules raised. Our farmers have brought several farm implements into the county this season .. We have four or five different threshers, and some two or three different kinds of reapers, but our farmers like Manny's best, There are twenty-two steam saw-inills in operation, five flonring mills. and three steam and two water-mills. There is an abundance of coal in the connty; the largest veins are abont four feet (in thickness). The soil is fine, and easily brought into cultivation, but little attention has been paid to it. There are some farmers who are improving the soil very much, and are reaping their reward. This portion of the State is in the center of the great land speculation, and agriculture has consequently been neglected."
This was the first report made from the county, and makes a good show- ing considering its undeveloped condition at that time, and that it had been settled only ten years.
The society has since added to its grounds until they are large and well appointed.
It has held fairs each year, and is in a reasonably flourishing condition.
The present officers of the society are: President, M. H. Hewitt; Vice- President, James Laverty; Secretary, Mel. W. Park; Treasurer, Joel Jacoby. Directors: D. H. Van Pelt, Wesley Cheshire, Hugh Shepherd, Geo. W. Heiney, W. F. Brown, Geo. Pilmer, M. Shook, J. A. Henry, Wm. Hastie, Weir Cassady, Eli Townsend, J. B. Read, Geo. W. Pearson, Wm. Bilbo, J. Longh, J. T. Bussell, D. Nutting. Superintendent of grounds, J. A. Henry; of hall, Wm. Graham.
THE GRANGE.
The great movement of the Patrons of Husbandry, which began abont 1870, or 1871, and reached such great proportions throughout the West, and in which Iowa, the leading State in membership and infinence, had a large membership in this county.
The first lodges in the State were organized by Gen. Wm. Duane Wilson, who was the State deputy, and it is thought the first one was organized at Hartford, probably in the winter of 1872.
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