USA > Iowa > Warren County > The history of Warren County, Iowa, from its Earliest Settlementto 1908 > Part 12
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106
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
Tally sheet of the votes for county officers at the election held at the school- house in Union precinct. Warren county, on the first Monday. the first day of January, A. D., 1849 :
SHERIFF :
Paris P. Henderson 26
Daniel 1. Fraley 1
COUNTY SURVEYOR :
Henry Hays 17
William Dillon 7
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS :
Samuel Haworth 24
Alexander Ginder 28
Daniel Barker
25
John Adamson
5
DISTRICT CLERK :
Jonathan Dillon 17
Harrison Jordon 8
JUDGE OF PROBATE :
Thomas Feagins 1
D. A. Fraley 11
RECORDER :
William Ginder 24
David Lair
18
The two townships that voted at this election were organized while Warren was attached to Marion county. Warren county was now sufficiently settled to require more voting precinets, so that the first act of the commissioners was to provide for this necessity. Their first meeting was on the 10th of February, 1849, at which they made the following order :
Commissoners of Warren county, Iowa, met, agreeable to an appointment. on the 10th day of February, 1849, for the purpose of dividing the county of Warren into commissioners' districts ; and also to divide into election precincts. Township seventy-six, (76;) of ranges 22 and 23, shall form the first district : townships 74 and 75, ranges 22 and 23, shall form the second district : townships 74, 75, and 76, of ranges 24 and 25, shall form the third district.
The first district shall form the precinct of Union ; the second district shall form the precinct of Otter; the third distriet shall form the preeinet of High- land. The place of holding the election in Union precinct shall be at the Union schoolhouse; the place of holding the election in Otter shall be at the house of D. A. Fraley; and the place of holding (the election) in Highland preeinet shall be at the house of D. A. Felter
JONATHAN DILLON. Clerk of Board.
ALEX. GINDER. | County Commissioners. SAMUEL HAWORTH. [ Warren County, Iowa.
The foregoing division of the county into townships was unsatisfactory. so that at the July session, 1850, the commissioners made the following order :
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE :
Thomas Hazleton 20
Milton Haworth
3
Solomon Moffit
8
CONSTABLES :
Franklin Benge 20
AAlfred Clark
1
SEALER OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES :
Joseph Hockett
13
CORONER :
109
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
Union township to be bounded as follows, to-wit: The entire township of 76, north, range 22, west, and two miles off the township, south, is attached to this township, and the place of holding elections in said township shall be at Mr. Sandy's.
Washington township to be bounded as follows, to-wit: Commencing at the northeast corner of township 76, range 24, west; thence west to the southwest corner of section 4, township 76, range 24; thence south to the southwest corner of section 9, township 75, range 24; thence cast to the southeast corner of seetion 12. in township 75, range 23; thence north to the place of beginning. The place of holding elections in said township shall be at the town of Indianola.
Jefferson township to be bounded as follows, to-wit: Commencing at the northwest corner of the township of Washington; thence west to the northwest corner of the county of Warren; thence sonth to the southwest corner of section 7. in township 75, range 25, west; thence cast to the southwest corner of Wash- ington township; thence north to the place of beginning. And the place of holding elections in said township shall be at the house of William G. Ball.
Taylor township to be bounded as follows, to-wit: Commencing at the north- cast corner of section 13, township 75, range 23, west; thence west to the southwest corner of Jefferson township; thence south to the southwest corner of township 74, range 25, west ; thence east to the southeast corner of township 75, range 24; thence north to the place of beginning. The place of holding elections in said township shall be at the house of Michael Richerson in said township.
Otter township to be bounded as follows, to-wit: Commencing at the south- east corner of the township of Washington; thence west to the northeast corner of Taylor township; thence south to the southeast corner of township 74, range 23; thence north to the place of beginning. The place of holding elections in said township shall be at the house of Levi Hollingsworth, in said township.
Whitebreast township to be bounded as follows, to-wit: Commencing at the southeast corner of Union township; thence west to the northeast corner of Otter township; thence sonth to the southeast corner of Otter township; thence east to the southeast corner of township 74, range 22; thence north to the place of beginning. The place of holding elections shall be at the house of Andrew Willis, in said township.
At the March session, 1851, a petition was presented from E. Graham, praying for an alteration in the boundaries of Otter precinct, which was granted, as follows : Commencing at the southeast corner of section 31, township 75 north. of range 22, west; thence running north to South river, to the month, Otter (creek;) thence up Otter creek to the north line of section, range 23, west, township 75, and thence to the old original line. And the place of holding elections shall be at the town of Hammondsburgh, in said township.
At the March meeting, 1851, Taylor township was attached to Washington for all purposes.
A tax list for 1849 shows the wealth of the people, or rather their poverty. The following appears as a matter of record, written on two sheets of fools-cap. containing one hundred and thirty-two names:
110
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
TAX LIST FOR 1849.
State of Iowa,
Warren County.
Commissioners' Clerk's Office, August the 20th, 1849.
This is to certify that the following duplicate of the assessments of the year eighteen hundred and forty-nine, is correct, as appears from the assessment rolls.
These are, therefore. in the name of the State of lowa, to command yon, Jeremiah M. Haworth, collector of said county, to proceed and collect the same according to law.
Witness my hand and seal. this the 20th of August, A. D., 1849.
JONATHAN DILLON, Clerk of Board County Commissioners. Per PARIS P. HENDERSON, Deputy.
I. Paris P. Henderson, do hereby certify that the assessment for the year 1849, is correct. August 20th, 1849.
P. P. HENDERSON, Sheriff and Ex Officio Assessor.
TAXES, INCLUDING POLL TAX.
Adamson, John
$
1.37
Dillon, William $5.204
Aldrich, G. M.
3.02
Farley, James 3.00
Aldrich, HI. S.
.608
Freel, James B. 4.84
Anderson, Il.
1.52
Freel, Benoni
1.01
Barker. Daniel,
3.95
Fraley, D. A.
5.54
Bales, Edward
1.37
Feagins, Thomas
1.265
Bales. James
1.415
Fetter. D. A.
1.04
Bales, Alexander
1.301
Fitzgerald. John
2.24
Barnett, William
1.046
Ginder, Alexander
4.697
Bogue. Amos M.
2.36
Ginder, William
.95
Clifton, James
.86
Gardner, William .50
Clough, Thos. M.
2.40
George, Evan
2.496
Carpenter, James
1.51
Henderson, Paris P.
.98
Curry, William T.
1.20
Haworth, Sammel
5.396
Cunningham, Jolm
.782
Haworth, Jeremiah M.
.854
Carr, A. J.
.98
Lambert, John
1.262
Cooper, James
1.448
Lambert, Ingh
1.19
Clayton, Commodore
1.142
Lair. David
.794
Clark, Alfred
1.85
Longley. James
.785
Conner, Wm. D.
.647
Landing. John
.65
Conner, Peter
1.043
Mardock, Isaac
2.03
Dinwiddie, James H.
1.07
Myrick, William
.30
Dillon, Jonathan
5.339
Manley, William
.50
Devore, Cornelius
1.043
Myers, William
2.282
111
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
Mills, John P. $ .572
Hackney, Jesse
$ .629
Moffitt, Charles
.89
Hellam, Squire
.812
Moffitt, Solomon
1.055
Hightower, R. M.
.968
Manson, Philo
.56
Hightower, Thomas .572
McClelland, John R.
.563
Hazleton, Thomas
2.424
Orender, John
.98
Hurst, William W.
1.583
Posegate, Eli
5.15
IToward, Daniel
.856
Posegate, Isaac
1.10
Jordon, Harrison
3.62
l'ile. Alfred
1.676
Johnson, Elijah
1.254
Renninger, Michael
2.00
Johnson, Lewis
1.358
Reed. A. D.
1.898
Johnson, Stephen
.50
Richardson, Michael
1.652
Laverty, James (no poll tax
Reeves. Samuel
.50
assessed) 2.64
Richard, George
1.40
Lambert, Philip
1.469
Richard, Henry
.872
Lambert, H. A.
1.358
Richard, Nathan
1.20
Sinnard, Thomas S.
1.205
Rieliard, William M.
1.20
Smith, Elijah B. 1.07
Reynolds, Mathias
1.196
Smith, William .50
Smith, J. A.
1.679
Billings, Calvin
2.40
See, Adam
1.712
Blackford, Thomas
.806
See, George
.50
Baker, W. W.
.743
Spray, John C.
1.208
Butcher, Jno. HI.
.50
Spray, Aquila
.98
Ball, Wm. S.
2.468
Simmons, Wm. C.
1.157
Berger, Ulysses,
1.628
Spergin, Philip
.829
Brown, Sanford S.
.65
Spergin, John
1.028
Haworth, John M.
.74
Scott. Joel
.776
Haworth, John L.
1.832
Serry, Edward
.71
Haworth Dillon,
4.804
Taylor, A. B.
1.382
Ilaworth, Morman
11.276
Troy, John W.
.86
Haworth, Mahlon
7.72
Thompson, Samuel .578
Haworth, Harmon
2.18
Teakle, Hiram
1.124
Haworth, George
1.94
Updyke, Samuel
1.028
Haworth, Joseph
.772
Wallace, Jno. S.
1.04
Haworth, Milton
.833
Whithed, Thomas
.854
Hockett, Joseph
.772
Woodsides, John
1.343
Ilockett, Havila
.50
Williams, Ennion
1.538
Hollingsworth, Levi
3.203
Willis, Anderson
3.146
Hammond, R. G.
1.268
Willis, Martin
1.142
Hill. Thomas J.
1.46
Willis, Felden
.83
Hays, Henry
4.182
Willis, John
1.25
Higby, Obadiah
1.20
Willis, Greenberry
.74
Bersee, Daniel
1.394
The state tax collected from the above list, $53.814, and the county tax collected, $168.628. The second tax list, that for 1850, is receipted as follows.
112
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
August 8th. 1850. The Treasurer of Warren county, State of Iowa, receives the tax list for collection, where he is charged with $511.40 for county purposes, and $210.25 for state purposes, and $44.00 for school purposes. This was the first school tax ever collected in the county.
The following items are gleaned from the auditor's report for 1907, which will show the contrast between today and fifty-nine years ago :
W. J. HEWITT'S REPORT FOR 1907.
GENERAL RULES AND INFORMATION.
Board of Supervisors meet in regular session the second day of January, first Monday in April and June and the second Monday in September, and the Monday following the general election in November, in the even numbered years, and on the first Monday in the odd numbered years.
County offices open from 8 a. m., to 5 p. m.
County Superintendent office days, Monday and Saturday.
All taxes due January Ist. All taxes delinquent March 1st.
Penalty attaches April 1st, one per cent per month.
Tax sale first Monday in December.
Prior to sale an advertising fee of twenty cents attaches; if sold. thirty-five cents for each certificate is added.
For redemption under tax sale, 8 per cent penalty is added to sum paid by tax purchasers at tax sale, and all subsequent taxes paid by him under the sale. Also eight per cent interest from time of payment until redeemed, together with twenty-five cents for redemption certificates.
All aid for the poor of the several townships must be obtained through the township trustees.
Recovery from the county cannot be had for aid furnished before applica- tion is made to the trustees, and the furnishing of such aid is authorized by them.
REPORT OF COUNTY OFFICERS.
Anditor's Report for the Year 1907.
Redemption Fees
$ 30.75
Transfer Fees
202.25
Estray Fees
4.00
Bond Fees
29.00
$266.00
Paid County Treasurer April 1, 1907, Receipt No. 82.
$118.00
Paid County Treasurer July 1. 1907. Receipt No. 107.
48.25
Paid County Treasurer October 14. 1907. Receipt No. 128 39.75
Paid County Treasurer January 1, 1908, Receipt No. 159
60.00
$266.00
113
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
Sale of Laws From January 7, 1907, to January 6, 1908.
2 Codes $10.00
1 Supplement 2.00
2 Session Laws, 31st General Assembly 1.00
8 Session Laws, 32nd General Assembly 4.00
$17.00
Paid County Treasurer Jannary 10th, 1908, Receipt No. 167 $17.00
W. J. HEWITT, Auditor.
REPORT OF THE COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE.
For the Year 1907.
Indictments returned
10
Convictions
3
Dismissed
3
Pending
5
Fines Collected
$160.00
Respectfully submitted, W. M. WILSON, Connty Attorney.
REPORT OF THE CLERK OF THE DISTRICT COURT.
For the Year Ending December 31st, 1907.
Fees and Fines Collected and Paid County Treasurer.
Court Fees (Civil and Probate)
$1401.50
Fines
45.00
Unclaimed Fees
74.30
Total. paid County Treasurer $1520.80
1907.
Marriage Licenses
148
Civil Actions Begun 136
Estates Opened
78
Grand Jury in Session (Days)
17
Number of Witnesses Before Grand Jury
48
Number of Indictments Returned
11
Number of Convictions
6
Number of Dismissals
8
Appeals and Transcripts from J. P. (Criminal)
7
Transcripts of Judgment from J. P.
30
Divorces granted
3
Respectfully Submitted,
L. B. PRITCHARD, Clerk.
114
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
REPORT OF COUNTY RECORDER'S OFFICE.
For the Year 1907.
881 Deeds $ 455.20
526 Mortgages 467.40
485 Chattel Mortgages 234.40
374 Releases 186.90
86 Assignments
43.50
103 U. S. Patents 52.10
214 Miscellaneous
124.80
2669
$1564.30
I, the undersigned, W. A. Graves, County Recorder of Warren County, Iowa, do hereby certify that during the year ending December 31, 1907, I col- lected the above fees for recording instruments of record as provided by law.
W. A. GRAVES, County Recorder.
REPORT OF THE COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT.
The following shows the receipts and disbursements of the Institute Fund for 1907:
Receipts.
Examination Fees (one-half to State Treasurer) $302.00
State Aid to Fund
50.00
Normal Enrollment 126.00
Registration of Certificates
125.00
$603.00
Disbursements.
One-half Examination Fees sent to State Treasurer
$151.00
Bolton, F. E. 100.00
Van Gilder, Carrie
60.00
Krell, S. A.
40.00
Smith, A. N.
40.00
Smith, O. E.
50.00
Tilton, J. L.
70.00
Silliman, Effie
30.00
Barger, W. B.
25.00
Anderson, J. M.
6.60
Shelton, C. E.
15.00
Radebaugh, J. W. 26.85
$614.45
J. W. RADEBAUGH, County Superintendent.
115
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
TREASURER'S BALANCE SHEET.
From January 1, to June 1, 1907.
County Fund
$18,128.70
State Fund
1,667.47
University Fund
11.19
Agricultural College
11.17
State Normal School
7.53
County School
6,398.10
Bridge Fund
9,765.40
Insane Fund
2,680.72
Poor Fund
4,855.78
Soldiers' Relief Fund
1,991.18
County Road
2,630.31
Bond Fund
7,181.38
Teachers' Fund
8,577.23
School House Fund
1,293.49
Contingent Fund
2,025.67
Township Road Fund
4,070.39
Indianola City Fund
135.39
Indianola Water Fund
16.49
Corporation Fund
41.78
Board of Health Fund
2,338.67
Cemetery Fund
128.97
Township General Fund
.19
Institute Fund
276.99
Permanent School Fund
440.60
Special Road Fund Virginia Township
7.09
Farmers' Institute
75.00
Side Walk Fund
199.55
City Park Fund
833.74
Township General Fund, White Oak
.07
Bond Fund Carlisle School District
8.89
Bond Fund Spring Hill District
38.18
Bond Fund New Virginia School District
4.79
Five Per Cent Cost on Delinquent Tax
27.22
City Paving Fund
202.81
$76,072.13
T. N. COFFIN, County Treasurer.
TOTAL OF TREASURER'S BALANCE SHEET.
From June 1, to December 31, 1907 $61,263.60
Overdraft Board of Health Virginia Township 69.66
116
ILISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
REPORT OF THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.
Fees Received in Civil Cases not Including Mileage $217.22
Fees Received in Insane Cases 93.20
Fees Received in Criminal Cases 199.90
Fees Received in Cases Before Justices 7.10
Salary Allowed Sheriff
$1,800.00
Received in Fees on Same and Allowance Per Month
877.42
Balance Due Sheriff $ 922.58
Total Fees Earned and Not Collected $ 193.10
Respectfully Submitted. G. L. KIMER, Sheriff.
REPORT OF BRIDGE DISTRICT NO. 1.
The undersigned member of the Board of Supervisors reports the expendi- ture of the Bridge Fund in District No. 1. for the year 1907.
Building new and repairing old bridges in the following townships to-wit :
Richland
Palmyra
Greenfield
$5,021.75
Allen
Linn
Coy Craig. Committee and Mileage 131.21
$5,152.96
COY CRAIG, County Supervisor.
REPORT OF BRIDGE DISTRICT NO. 2.
The undersigned member of the Board of Supervisors reports the expendi- ture of the Bridge Fund in District No. 2. for the year 1907.
Building new and repairing old bridges in the following townships, to-wit :
Belmont, Otter. Liberty, White Breast, Squaw. Union, $5.667.39 George Fridley, Committee and Mileage 239.80
$5.907.19
GEORGE FRIDLEY. County Supervisor.
$517.42
117
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
REPORT OF BRIDGE DISTRICT NO. 3.
The undersigned member of the Board of Supervisors reports the expendi- ture of the Bridge Fund in District No. 3, for the year 1907.
Building new and repairing old bridges in the following townships, to-wit : Virginia, Jackson, Jefferson, White Oak, Lincoln, $6,819.57 L. E. Iliatt, Committee and Mileage 70.75
$6,890.32
L. E. HIATT, County Supervisor.
REPORT OF OUTSTANDING OBLIGATIONS OF COUNTY.
January 1st, 1905.
Bond Issue of 1901
$ 50,000.00
Bond Issue of 1903
64,000.00
Bond Issue of 1904
49,000.00
Total
$163,000.00
Bonds Paid in 1906
$10,000.00
Bonds Paid in 1907
13,000.00
Cash on hand in Bond Fund January 1, 1908
8,893.38
$31,893.38
REPORT OF THE PERMANENT SCHOOL FUND.
By Securities January 1, 1908.
First Mortgage on Real Estate $38,451.58
Cash on Hand 800.60
$39,252.18
Amount Charged to Warren County by State
$39,252.18
THIS SCHEDULE SHOWS EXPENSE DRAWN FROM THE COUNTY FUND FOR
THE YEAR 1907.
County Officers' Expense
$12,333.34
Township Clerks
170.55
Township Trustees
341.45
Township Assessors
2,206.14
Printing Proceedings of Board
461.19
Blank Books and Stationary
1,339.11
County Printing
509.13
Light and Fuel
428.49
Repairs and Fixtures Court House
224.59
Officers' Expense
509.78
118
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
DISTRICT COURT EXPENSE.
Printing $ 82.75
Attorneys Appointed by Court
84.20
Petit Jurors and Bailiff's and Meals for Jurors
668.60
Witnesses
239.60
Court Reporter
536.89
Sheriff Fees
214.02
GRAND JURY.
Grand Jurors
317.20
Clerks and Bailiffs
68.80
Witnesses
163.70
SHERIFF AND JJAIL.
Conveying Prisoners
102.54
Boarding Prisoners
265.30
Light, Fuel, Repairs, etc.
303.11
J. P. COURT.
Jurors
$ 8.00
Witnesses
87.90
J. P. Fees
56.55
Constable Fees
76.08
MISCELLANEOUS.
Bounty of Wild Animals
$ 252.80
Unclaimed Fees
198.02
Road Costs
172.95
Coroner
33.40
Election
35.40
Judges and Clerks of Election
213.50
Collecting Omitted Tax
175.80
Expert Accountant
267.00
School Books
1.035.89
Telephone Rent and Tolls
37.00
Stamps and Stamped Envelopes
104.16
Collection on Judgment
80.77
Insurance
613.25
Tools for County
220.40
Orphans' Home
100.00
Miscellaneous
167.59
Plans for New Building
50 00
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
119
Land for Road $ 230.00
Coupon County Paving
1,624.31
$27,839.47
BRIDGE FUND.
The following schedule shows the amount of warrants drawn on the Bridge Fund for the various districts in the year 1907.
BRIDGE DISTRICT NO. 1.
Coy Craig, Committee and Mileage
$ 131.21
Labor and Material 5,021.75
$5,152.96
BRIDGE DISTRICT NO. 2.
George Fridley, Committee and Mileage $ 239.80
Labor and Material 5,667.39
$5,907.19
BRIDGE DISTRICT NO. 3.
L. E. Hiatt. Committee and Mileage $ 70.75
Labor and Material 6,819.57
$6,890.32
1907. Total Amount of Warrants Issued $17,950.47
REPORT OF WARRANT FUND.
The following schedule shows the amount of warrants drawn on the various funds for the year 1907 :
County Fund
$27,839.47
Poor Fund
10,588.45
Bridge Fund
17,950.47
Road Fund
3,565.22
Soldiers' Relief Fund
1,693.00
Domestic Animal Fund
75.40
Insane Fund
586.14
Board of Health Fund
382.03
Institute Fund
463.45
Refund Fund
232.28
$63,375.91
120
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
In comparing the two periods. 1849-50, with 1907, it will be seen that the growth in population and wealth has been steady and not characterized by any boom. No oil has been struck nor rich mines developed, but the steady growth which distinguishes the agricultural district. When the land is all taken up and occupied by the husbandman. population does not increase, and the towns, sustained by the farming interests, must necessarily keep tally with their surroundings. The population of Warren county in 1900 was 20,376; in 1905, 19,575.
LOCATION OF COUNTY SEAT.
The influence of certain acts are traceable in the county's history. If the county seat had been located in the center of the county as its boundaries existed at the time of the location, it would have been sonth of South river. and that would have made it impossible for Warren county to have seenred the return of the north tier of townships; but on the other hand, they would have been permanently fixed as a part of Polk county. But those who had the matter in hand. saw far enough in the future to discern what a strong plea Warren county could make for the return of the "strip" with the county seat in the center of the twenty-four miles square. Hence, when the commissioners came to locate the county seat, such men as Colonel Henderson and others, were on the ground to assist with their counsel. The first settlement in the neighbor- hood was east of the present site of Indianola, and around where the village of Ackworth is now situated. The importance of the county seat is well under- stood by the people, hence, they are very sensitive abont its location, because in the county seat, the records and county offices are kept, and the best schools and largest and most influential churches are to be found. The following act explains itself :
"Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa. That William Ferguson, of Jasper county; William Ware, of Polk county, and Alfred D. Jones, of Madison county, be and they are hereby appointed commissioners to locate and establish the seat of justice of the county of Warren. Said commis- sioners, or any two of them, shall meet at the house of Alexander Ginder, in said county. on the first Monday of June next, or at such other time within the month of June next, as a majority of said commissioners shall agree. in pursuance of their duties under this act.
"Said commissioners shall, before entering upon the duties of their office. take and snbseribe the following oath: 'We do solemnly swear (or affirm.) that we have no personal interest, directly or indirectly, in the location of the seat of justice of the county of Warren, and that we will faithfully and impartially locate the same according to the best interest of said county, taking into consideration the future as well as the present population of said county.' which oath or affirmation shall be administered by the clerk of the district court. notary publie or some justice of the peace of the county. and the officer admin- istering the same shall certify and file the same in the office of the clerk of the board of county commissioners, whose duty it shall be to record the same.
121
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
"That said commissioners, when met and qualified under the provisions of this act. shall proceed to locate the seat of justice of said county, and as soon as they have come to a determination, they shall make out a certificate containing a particular description of the place so selected, naming therein the quarter, section, township and range, upon which they have located such seat of justice ; which shall be signed by said commissioners, and filed in the office of the clerk of the board of commissioners of such county, whose duty it shall be to record the same in his office; and the place thus designated shall be the seat of justice of said county.
"That the said commissioners shall each receive the sum of two dollars per day while necessarily employed in the discharge of their duties under the provisions of this act, and two dollars for every twenty miles travel in going to and returning from said county, to be paid out of the funds arising from the sale of lots in said seat of justice.
"This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage.
"Approved, December 27th, 1848."
On the first Monday in June, 1849, Alfred D. Jones of Madison county, and William Ware of Polk county, met at the home of Alexander Ginder in Warren county, Iowa, and proceeded to select a site for the county seat. William Ferguson, of Jasper county. did not appear. Mr. Jones and Mr. Ware, after due consideration, located the county seat of Warren county on the N. E. 14 of section 25, township 76. range 24 west. The parties, who were with the said commissoners, were anxious about the name of the county seat. Colonel Henderson gives the following narration in regard to the name :
"I was a subscriber to the New York Sun and just as we were finishing up the work of surveying the location of the county seat of Warren county, where Indianola now stands, I came across a dispatch in that paper which was responsible for the name of this city. We had practically concluded the survey here, and some of the party who thought we ought to go down in the bottom of South river for the town site got us to go over to a spring on the hill- side, southeast of the present city, to view that location. We went to the spring to eat our dinner. There was in the party besides myself, John Laverty the surveyor, A. D. Jones, Daniel Barker, and Joel Scott, the commissioners; Samuel Haworth, David Lair and Thomas Feagins. My lunch was wrapped up in a copy of the New York Sun. While we were eating my eye fell upon a paragraph in that paper which said that a ship load of camels had been unloaded at Indianola, Texas, to try the experiment of using them in the army for beasts of burden in crossing the plains to the Pacific coast. Mr. Jones suggested that we call the county seat of Warren county, Indianola, and it was agreed to by unanimous vote."
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