USA > Iowa > Warren County > The history of Warren County, Iowa, from its Earliest Settlementto 1908 > Part 35
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New Virginia was incorporated in 1901. The first mayor was H. C. Van Scoy, and J. F. Fuher was clerk. The present mayor is L. E. Shane, and JJ. I. Mills, clerk.
CHURCHES.
In June, 1855, Jesse Sherwood, a pioneer Methodist preacher, held a service under a tree in the door vard of John Felton, at the close of which he organized
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
a society consisting of Jolm Felton and wife, William Reed and wife, Absalom Sayres and wife, Julia Knotts, Matilda Strock and Nancy Felton. After this there were regular preaching services in the neighborhood. The first M. E. church building was erected in New Virginia during the pastorate of Rev. Joseph Knotts in 1863, at a cost of $2500. The first parsonage was erected m 1875, during the pastorate of Geo. Clammer. In 1903, during the pastorate of J. L. Boyd, a new brick church was erected at a cost of $8000, and dedicated by L. B. Wickersham. In 1906, during the pastorate of L. B. Carpenter, a new parsonage was erected costing $2200. A plat of two acres of land is owned by the society and occupied by the church and parsonage. The present membership of the church is two hundred and twenty. A. J. Irwin is Sunday school super-
intendent. The school has an enrollment of one hundred and fifty. Fred Foreman is president of the Epworth League. Mrs. W. G. Frazier is president of the Ladies Aid Society. This church pays annually $700 for pastoral support, $240 for benevolences, $50 for Sunday school expenses and $200 for incidental expenses. The following pastors have served this charge: A. Lawback, J. R. Cary, Samuel Jones, Joseph Knotts, John Hestwood, John Daley, M. Sheets, A. J. Smith, George Clammer, A. Murphy, M. R. Harned, W. C. Smith, II. C. Preston, Elliot Voorhees, M. S. Stryker, B. A. Fassett, A. E. Slothower, J. D. DeTarr, J. I. Farley, J. C. Hall, C. II. Flesher, J. L. Boyd, A. E. Foutch and L. B. Carpenter.
The Christian church was organized in 1894 with twenty-five members, and erected a church building at a cost of $1000 during the pastorate of II. F. Morrison. E. E. Stringfellow is the present pastor, and the society now numbers one hundred and eight. Miss Gertie Wilson is the Sunday school superintendent, and the school has an enrollment of seventy. Mrs. L. A. Stansel is the president of the Ladies Aid Society. The Young People's Society of Christian Endeavor is presided over by Miss Gertie Wilson, and the junior society is superintended by Miss Linnie Moore. This church pays $300 annually for pastoral support, Sunday school expenses $30, benevolences $50. incidental expenses $25.
The German Baptist Dunkard Brethren was organized in 1870 with the following members: Joseph Schutt. Sallie Black, John Field and wife. T. J. Thomas and wife, Eliza Keffer and William Goosbeck. For fifteen years the society held its services in the schoolhouses. In 1891 the present church building was erected at a cost of $1000. The present pastor is Sadie Gibbons. The present membership twenty-eight. Isaac Thomas, a local minister of New Virginia, is the leading member of this church especially in financial support.
Y. M. C. A.
The Young Men's Christian Association was organized in New Virginia in 1904 with thirty-five members. Fred Foreman president.
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
LODGES.
A. F. & A. M.
Neophyte Lodge No. 301 was organized June 1871 with 1. F. Honnold, N. E. Wilson, D. F. Selmultz and others. Present officers, J. H. Fuhner, W. M., H. C. Van Seoy, secretary. This lodge meets every Saturday night on or before the full moon.
Eastern Star was organized October 28, 1897 with Mrs. Ray P. Dean, W. M., and Mrs. E. E. JJones, A. M., and eighteen charter members. The present offi- vers are, Mrs. S. E. Coltrane, W. M., and Theo. Irwin, secretary.
The New Virginia Lodge No. 564, I. O. O. F., was organized October 19, 1893, with nine charter members. Smith Heaton was the first N. G. This lodge meets on Wednesday night of each week. The present officers are, A. J. Proctor, N. G., L. E. Shane, secretary. It now has a membership of fifty.
The Rebekah Lodge was organized in 1905 with fourteen charter members. Mrs. Mary Coltrane, N. G.
B. A. Y. The New Virginia Homestead Lodge, No. 139, B. A. Y., was organ- ized in 1898 with twenty charter members. The present membership is forty- four. This lodge meets the first and third Saturday nights in each month. Mrs. C. C. Ray, H. F., and L. E. Shane, correspondent.
M. W. A. Bethany Camp, No. 3291, meets the first and third Friday even- ings of each month. L. D. Foreman, V. C., and George Braucht, clerk.
WOMAN'S RELIEF CORPS.
In 1894 the Samuel Irwin W. R. C. was organized with twenty-seven mem- bers. Mrs. Minnie Sayre, president; Mrs. Mamie Anderson, secretary ; present officers, Mrs. L. E. Frederick, president ; Mrs. Effie Huckaby, secretary.
The following thrilling incident was published in the Indianola Herald :
LITTLE BREECHES.
A true history of the incident which caused John Hay to write the poem, as told by Solomon Van Scoy, father of the boy who was taken care of by Angels.
There has been so many versions published as to the origin of the poem "Little Breeches" especially since the death of Secretary Hay that we concluded to have our old friend Solomon Van Scoy, the one person of all others knowing all about the incident, tell it in his own way, which he does without us changing a word of his manuscript.
For the information of readers ontside of Warren county, we will say that New Virginia is located in the southwest part of the county, about twenty miles from Indianola, and in 1864 was surrounded with but few settlements. The night was intensely dark, and it has always been a mystery as to how Mareus, the four year old child, got into the field and to the cabin, one hundred and forty rods dis- tant from where he was thrown out of the wagon, and how he got into that cabin
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IHISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
when it required the strength and mind of a man to open the door. But Hay explains by saying " Angels," and there the matter rests. It is stated on author- ity that Rev. Heacock was preaching on the special providences of God, when the incident was told by him in the hearing of John Hay. The following is the letter : New Virginia, la., July 17th, 1905.
(T. T. Anderson.)-Old Friend: Your letter of the 13th received. Will say I was present when "Little Breeches" took his fast ride in March, 1864. There was being held a ministerial association at New Virginia, and at the time, Robt. Clelland. a big hearted man, and a good friend of ours, lived in New Virginia and taught our school. He and his good wife invited Father ond Mother Proudfoot and my wife and self to take supper with them. We accepted and went, so I did not unhitch my team from the wagon, but hitched them to the board fence in front of Clelland's house with the hitch reins and intended to stay for preaching; but about meeting time we saw a dark cloud fast coming over from the west, and decided to start for home. I went out and unhitched the team, but while I was unhitching. "Little Breeches" came out and crawled into the wagon and sat down on some hay. By this time. it was getting dark and raining a little. So just as I got the team unhitched, something scared them. and they made a quick turn and I made a grab for the lines, but missed them, then, as the team came around on the turn, I made another grab for the reins, but they were too quick for me. As the wagon passed me I canght the boy by the arm but failed to get him out. The whole thing occurred very quick. Then I ran to the schoolhouse and gave the alarm. Preacher Heacock was just giving out the hymn; the meeting closed in a hurry-no time for doxology or benediction. We soon had all the lanterns in the town and torches, and the preachers and all took a hand in the hunt for "Little Breeches." About a half mile southeast of town we found the team and wagon, with one horse on his back in a deep ditch. the other horse standing on the bank and one front wheel of the wagon down in the ditch. We found the boy's hat about one rod or more in front of the wagon. About one hundred rods farther on, and thirty or forty rods off the road. in a field. stood a log cabin in which Jesse Read had a lot of ewes and lambs to be sheltered from the storm. We traveled around over the prairie in groups in the search, and a few of us went to this old cabin to get boards to make torches ; and Jeff Thompson, a young man, climbed np on the house to the gable end and began tearing off boards. Jeff said, "He is here; I hear him call. 'Pa.' " But we all thought he was mistaken. But he said "Pa" again in a low tone. Then we made a rush for the door which was almost closed, and hard to open, but Jesse Read pushed it open and the little fellow was standing on one of the old sleepers that had been left in the cabin, with the ewes and lambs bleating all about him, for the house was abont full of them. Jesse Read mounted a horse and took the boy ; and in a few minutes had him back to Bob Clelland's and in his Ma's arms. Elder Winings was with us at the house and sang ont in the darkness and rain : "Praise God from Whom all blessings flow." Others also joined in the song. It was a tonching scene never to be forgotten.
Preacher leacock told the incident in a sermon in Illinois and Ex-secretary John Hay heard him and wrote the poem, "Little Breeches." The boy's name is
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
Marcus James Van Soy, and he was between four and five years old at the time he got his fast ride that dark rainy night. A few years after I kept a flock of sheep and Marcus herded them on the prairie, and I have seen him driving them in with a helpless lamb under each arm. Your obedient servant,
SOL. VAN SCOY.
"LITTLE BREECHES."
I don't go much on religion, I never ain't had no show ; But I've got a midlin' tight grip, sir,
On the handful o' things I know,
I don't pan out on the prophets, And free-will and that sort of thing : But I b'lieve in God and the angels Ever since one night last spring. I come into town with some turnips, And my little Gabe come along- No four-year-old in the country
Could beat him for pretty and strong, Peart and chippy, and sassy, Always ready to swear and fight-
And I learnt him to chaw tobacker Just to keep his milk teeth white. The snow come down like a blanket, As I passed by Taggert's store, I went in fer a jng of molasses And left the team at the door. They scared at something and started-
I heard one little squall, And hell-to-split over the prairie Went team, Little Breeches and all. Hell-to-split over the prairie ; I was almost frozen with skeer : But we rousted up some torches, And searched for 'em far and near,
At last we struck horses and wagon, Snowed under a soft, white mound, Upset, dead beat-but of little Gabe No hide nor hair was found. An' here all hope soured on me, Or my little fellow-critter's aid- I jest flopped down on my marrow-bones, Crutch deep in the snow and prayed. By this the torches was played out, And me and Isrul Parr
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THESTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
Went off for some wood to a sheepfold That he said was somewhar thar. We found it at last, and a little shed Where they shut up the lambs at night, We looked in and seen them huddles thar, So warm, and sleepy, and white, And thar sot Little Breeches and chirped, As pert as ever you see,
"I want a chaw of terbacker, And that's what's the matter of me."
How did he git thar ? Angels. He could never have walked in that storm,
They jest stooped down and toted him To where it was safe and warm,
And I think that savin' a little child,
And fotching him to his own,
Is a durn sight better business Than loafin' around the throne.
-JOHN HAY.
WASHINGTON TOWNSIIIP.
Washington township embraces the city of Indianola.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1908.
Justices of the Peace: E. W. Hartman, Indianola. J. R. Howard, Indianola.
Constable: T. N. MeKenry, Indianola.
Township Assessor: W. K. Crabbe, Indianola.
Warrants drawn on the Poor Fund:
L. E. Hiatt, Committee ou Poor $ 11.30
Food and Clothing 323.60
House Rent and Fuel 396.55
Medical Aid 112.35
Burial Expense 55.00
$898.80
Washington township was the largest in the county, containing seventy-two seetions. Sometime ago, it was divided and the city of Indianola was made to constitute Washington township. and the remainder was named Lincoln township.
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
WHITE BREAST TOWNSHIP.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1908.
Justice of the Peace: W. F. Clevenger, Lacona.
Township Trustees: C. S. Cochran, Lacona; R. A. Goode, bacona; J. J. Kessler, Lacona.
Township Clerk: R. E. Rogers, Lacona.
Township Assessor: E. E. Johnson.
Warrants drawn on the Poor Fund:
Food and Clothing $138.35
House Rent and Fuel
73.84
Medical Aid 5.50
Burial Expense
$217.69
Trustees Road Report :
Cash on Hand January 1st, 1907
$ 147.17
Received from County Treasurer
1,125.44
Other Sources
6.35
$1,278.96
Paid for Labor and Material
$1,209.70
Balance on Hand 69.26
$1,278.96
White Breast township, the southeast township of the county, is drained by White Breast creek. The surface is usually rough and broken; but most of the land is susceptible of cultivation. Indeed, some of the farms in White Breast township are equal to any in the county.
There is considerable coal in this township. The quality is equal to, if not superior, to any in the county. The vein is about two feet thick. An ex- perienced Welsh miner said: "The coal deposits in this part of Iowa are in pockets, or oblong channels, and are usually found near the larger streams. Going out on the divides between the streams, there is seldom, if ever, any coal found, especially none of the first vein; and the first vein in Warren county is seldom more than two feet thick. Approaching the divides, that is moving away from the streams, it gradually becomes thinner until it is finally exhausted. It is the opinion of experienced coal men, that there are other and better veins of coal lying below the first vein, which is the one that is being worked at present."
The chief business of the inhabitants of White Breast township is agricul- ture, stock raising, grain raising and fruit growing.
Martin and William Willis were the first settlers in White Breast town- ship, arriving in 1846. Henry II. Willis was the first child born in White Breast township, and the fourth born in the county. His birth was March 4,
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
1847. John W. Oxenrider taught the first school in the township in a log cabin, prior to 1855. The first schoolhouse was created on the southeast corner of section 28. in 1855, and Mr. Oxenrider was the first teacher to occupy the new schoolhouse. Anderson Willis, who still resides at Lacona. came to the township with his parents in 1846, when but two years of age.
The township was organized in 1851.
The first election was held at the home of John Willis, who was elected justice of the peace; William Willis, clerk ; Henry Willis, constable; James Pur- cell. Joseph Howard and Anderson Willis, trustees.
William Winning, Buck Townsend and a Mr. Henton were among the first settlers.
Rev. Joseph Howard, a Cumberland Presbyterian minister, preached the first sermon in the township in the home of Martin Willis, in 1847. Mr. Howard remained for some time in White Breast township, and then went to Marion county.
The first death in the township was the above named William Winning, which occurred in 1846. The next were A. Uleh and Mrs. William Willis.
The Indianola and Chariton branch of the C. B. & Q. system runs nearly through the center, from north to south, of White Breast township, giving the people excellent railroad facilities. This township has been recognized, in that two of its worthy citizens have been chosen to represent Warren county in the legislature, to-wit: John M. Lee was a member of the Fourteenth General As- sembly, and William J. Cochran of the Eighteenth.
Lacona, the only railroad station in the township, was laid out by Willis Clevenger and Samuel Myers in 1856.
At the last state census in 1905, it had a population of five hundred and fifty.
The following is condensed from the County Superintendent's report of the publie schools of White Breast township for the year ending July Ist. 1907.
LACONA GRADED SCHOOL.
Lacona has one school building of four rooms, erected at a cost of three thousand dollars. They employ one male teacher at a salary of $75.00 per month ; and three female teachers at an average salary of $38.88 per month. The school year consists of nine school mouths. There are in this district one hundred and fifty-five persons of school age. The average attendance is one hundred and seventeen. The average cost of tuition per month is $1.47.
White Breast township, outside of Lacona, has nine sub-districts. Each dis- triet has a schoolhouse, erected at an average cost of $544.44. The average mmm- ber of months tanght, seven. One male teacher is employed at a salary of $33.33 per month; twenty female teachers at an average salary of $28.32 per month. There are two hundred and fifty-one persons of school age. The average attendance is one hundred and sixteen. The average cost of tuition per month for each pupil is $1.90.
bacona was incorporated December 5. 1881.
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
The following are the municipal officers: A. F. Clevenger, mayor; G. F. Kilden, clerk; W. J. Shupe, treasurer; Otis Cooke, marshal; W. J. Thorn, assessor. Conneilmen : Sam Oxenrider, Joe Mills, Charlie Fantz, Elmer Rodgers and D. W. Stanley.
CHURCHES.
The Lacona M. E. church was organized April 13. 1884, by M. A. Castle, an evangelist. with the following members: Robert B. Burnett, class leader ; Levi Fisher, steward; Mary Fisher, Ed. Baldwin, Elizabeth Baldwin, S. D. Kirkhart, Amanda Kirkhart, P. P. Steaman, Hattie Steaman, Mary E. Williams, Joseph Purcell. Emily Hayes, Cora Gibbons, Mary Purcell and Phoy Bartman.
The present church building was erected in 1889. and dedicated May 25, 1890 ; probable cost, $4.000. Present membership, one hundred and seventy-seven. The following pastors have served this church: S. N. Matheny. 1884; Daniel Lamont and Elmer E. Willey, 1885: Jesse P. Evans and Ed. W. Bartholomew, 1886; Alfred Knoll, 1887; W. B. Cox and Alfred L. Bates, 1888; A. E. Slothower, 1889; Carl Brown, 1890; George H. Bennett, 1891 and 1892; Theo. P. Newland, 1893 and 1894; G. W. MeCracken, 1895 and 1896; C. Alfred Carlson, 1897; Roscoe B. Hughes, 1898; Thomas G. Aten, 1899; Samuel Krell, 1900 and 1901 ; Jas. F. Bingaman. 1902; Frank B. Dnnn. 1903; C. C. Wilkins, 1904; A. D. Davis, 1905 and 1906; Louis Smith, 1907.
The Sunday school is in excellent condition, and has an enrollment of one hundred and fifty; W. H. Funk, superintendent. The Epworth League has a membership of thirty; Verna Shupe, president. The Junior League has a mem- bership of twenty; Alice Landis, superintendent. The Ladies' Aid Society has a membership of fifteen; Mrs. J. W. Shupe, president. The current expenses of this church last year were $800. and $100 contributed to benevolences.
CHRISTIAN CHURCH.
Was organized May 6. 1888, and their building dedicated December 16, 1888; M. L. Rose, pastor. C. II. Angle and wife, Dr. J. S. Starr, George Hayes and wife. James Lyons and wife and Evaline Starr were among those who organized this church. The parsonage was erected in 1904, at a cost of $850.00. This church has in active operation a Christian Endeavor Society and a Junior Endeavor Society, and a Ladies' Aid Society. The Bible School is in a pros- perous condition, and has a membership of one hundred and thirty.
UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.
Under the ministry of Rev. A. McCartney, a United Presbyterian church was organized in Lacona in 1867. This society prospered until it had fifty-one members-erected a neat frame church building, and purchased ten acres of ground for a parsonage, all of which was paid for. Subsequently. because of deaths and removals. the society was so weakened that the members remaining decided to abandon further services. and sold their property.
362
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
LAACONA BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
Hotel: A. J. Rogers, Proprietor.
General Stores: J. A. Payne. E. S. Baker, C. Konrad & Son, Wmn. Kessler. Meat Market: Scott Moon.
Restaurants : Dunshee & Son, F. E. Lott.
Blacksmiths : C. Konrad & Son. Frank Fahrer.
Livery Barns: Halton Bros .. JJ. G. Gray. C. A. Coles.
Jewelry : R. S. Landes.
Railroad Station Agent : J. B. Alter.
Furniture: G. H. Ackors.
Hardware: Shape Bros., C. L. V. Shope.
Harness and Buggies : Lewis Hoffman.
Lumber: Stewart & Co .. Keve Lumber Co.
Barber Shops: J. C. Jenkins, C. O. Shupe.
J. C. Jenkins, C. O. Shupe. Elevator : Wm. MeKinley.
Lacona Ledger: Mrs. Lottie M. Rodgers, Editor.
Poultry and Eggs: E. S. Chittenden.
Contractors: Parkins & Lyons, C. C. Clevenger & D. M. Cornell, R. E. Fogle & N. G. Coles.
Horse Buyers : T. H. Murray, Low Goode, Fletcher & Bassett.
Physicians : G. E. Hatfield, W. D. Stumbaugh, Jacob Starr.
Veterinary : H. L. Stewart.
Postmaster: Win. Thorn.
There are five rural free delivery routes from bacona, numbers one, two. three and four were established May 1st. 1902; and number five was established January 1. 1906.
J. A. Cleveland, of Lacona, was the first owner of an automobile in Warren county. Four other parties in Lacona now own and use automobiles.
LODGES.
Inter-Ocean Lodge No. 152. A. F. & A. M., was granted a charter June 7. 1860. The name was at that time Newburn Lodge, and the lodge was located at Newburn, being moved to Lacona in 1880, and the name changed in 1882. The present officers are: G. E. Hatfield, W. M .; HI. K. Bliss. S. W .; D. A. Byers. J. W .; G. F. Tildon, S. D. : Robert MeGee. J. D. : II. M. Wilson. Secretary ; R. E. Rogers, Treasurer; C. S. Scott, Tyler ; S. F. Moon, S. S .; C. II. Oxenrider. J. S. The present membership is forty. and the lodge meets Tuesday evening on or before the full moon.
I. O. O. F.
Lacona Lodge No. 530. A charter was granted in October, 1891, to R. T. Elson, J. B. Alter. A. J. Highee. F. D. Goode and C. W. Stanley. The lodge now numbers about seventy members, owns property worth abont $1,500. The present officers are: Loraine Goode. N. G .: Sanford Shields, V. G. ; W. F. Clevenger. Secretary : C. W. Stanley. Treasurer.
363
IIISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
G. A. R.
G. A. R. bacona Post No. 309. Was organized sometime about 1888. The present membership is only about sixteen. The present officers are: W. F. Clevenger. Commander; Wm. Humphreys. Adjutant : Simon Beaty, J. V. C .; C. S. Lott. Officer of the Day ; A. J. Rodgers. Quartermaster ; W. A. Willis, Chaplain.
YOEMEN.
Lacona Homestead No. 114, was organized October 22nd, 1902, with abont thirty members. Present officers are: Win. Oxenrider, Foreman ; John Bassett, M. of S .: Carrie Williams, Correspondent: T. M. League, M. of A .; Mrs. John Shupe. Chaplain. Present membership, about sixty-five.
EASTERN STAR.
Olive Chapter No. 269 Order of the Eastern Star, was granted a charter January 9. 1900. The present officers are: Mrs. Carrie Funk, W. M .; H. M. Wilson, W. P .; Mrs. Eva Shupe, A. M. ; Mrs. Sadie Goode, Secretary ; Mrs. N. B. Gray, Treasurer; Miss Belva Oxenrider, Conductress; Miss Lela Fogle, Assist- ant Conductress. Meets Tuesday after the full moon.
REBEKAH.
Rebekah hodge No. 277, was organized in 1896. It now has sixty-four mem- bers. Present officers: Julia Shape, N. G .; Mary Fantz, V. G .; Mrs. C. W. Stanley. Secretary ; Mrs. Eva Shupe, Treasurer.
M. W. A.
bacona Camp, No. 6166, M. W. A., at Lacona, was organized in 1899, with eleven members. The present membership is eighty-three. This lodge meets the second and fourth Saturday evening in each month. The present officers are : V. C., J. J. Kessler; W. A., W. W. Sones; Clerk, L. L. Williams; Banker, R. E. Rodgers; Escort. W. A Oxenrider; Watchman, A. K. Jones; Sentry, H. R. Kessler ; Managers, Harry Bliss, II. M. Wilson and W. J. Shupe.
The following interesting article appeared in the Lacona Ledger :
WHITE BREAST IN 1843.
Interesting sketch of old times by W. A. Willis.
"My father, William Willis, and his brother. Martin Willis, were the first settlers in White Breast township; having made a temporary settlement in the year 1843. They were here again in 1844, and again in 1845, making them possibly the first white men in the county, although Mr. Parmelee is acknowledged to be the first ; he also made temporary settlement in the county in 1843.
They removed with their famiiles from Davis county, Iowa, in the year 1846, before I was quite two years old, fifty-three years ago this spring; my unele and grand-father arriving soon after this, making the first settlement in 1846, in this, White Breast township.
364
HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
The nearest neighbor we had was on the Des Moines river ten or twelve miles east of where Knoxville is now located. There were also a few settlers in the neighborhood of where Hartford is now located. but neither settlement knew anything of the location of the other. we were. therefore, of no benefit to each other in the way of neighborship.
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