USA > Iowa > Warren County > The history of Warren County, Iowa, from its Earliest Settlementto 1908 > Part 36
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During the summer of our first settlement Nicholas Helms came from the settlement Bellfountain. in the east part of Marion county, settling in Dallas township. two miles from our settlement, he believing that he was the only white settler that far west of the Des Moines river. One day soon after. while in pursuit of a deer. he heard persons chopping in the timber west of him. he followed in the direction of the sound. and soon came to where my grand-father and sons were clearing a field. He rejoiced to find he was in a neighborhood. and a warm friendship was kindled from that day. that continned as long as they lived.
The first contracting parties for matrimony were Uncle Fielden Willis to Miss Lucinda Helms, daughter of the above named Helms. which took place the next year. 1847. the license being procured at Oskaloosa. if I am not mistaken. During this year my brother Henry H. Willis, was born on March 4th. being the first child born in the township. and about the fourth in the county. During these years of early settlement. I remember of my father occasionally going with a team of oxen to Missouri to mill. a distance of over one hundred miles.
But during the winter of 1847 and 1848, which was the winter that all of us old settlers remember as the deep snow winter. we grated corn for bread and made hominy during the winter. The snow was nearly four feet deep on the level. I remember during the winter of deep snow that the wolves became so hungry they would catch a pig when my father would be throwing clubs at them. The wild turkeys would come from the timber and eat with the hogs as regularly as we fed. I remember on one occasion my father killed a large gobbler with a club, but it was too lean to eat. I also remember during the deep snow of a man who was caught in the storm in the vicinity of where Afton is now located. and undertook to get back. and if possible find a settlement. He finally came to White Breast creek somewhere in the neighborhood of where Lucas now is. and he traveled down the stream on the ice, trusting to find a cabin. and after four days and nights he heard Ell Myers driving his cattle. He had made? he thought. about the last human effort. pushing his way in the snow. Mr. Myers took him into his cabin and found that he was badly frozen. He said he killed a turkey with his cane during his wanderings and ate it raw. Mr. Myers kept him a few days and then brought him to the home of my grandfather: Unele Greenbery Willis took him to the next settlement east of Knoxville. I think his home was in Illinois.
The settlers were never too busy to go from three to ten miles to help raise a cabin. A general good feeling existed. There was seldom a lawsuit those days. but if there was one every man went. On one occasion, a certain man swore out a warrant for the arrest of one Isaac Myers, now an honored citizen of bacona. for assault and battery. It became the duty of father. he being constable. to arrest Isaac, so he repaired to where he was at work in a field, and as they journeved toward Squire John Willis, two miles cast of bacona, they met the
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late E. G. Bartlett. Father deputized Bartlett to assist and told him that he thought he could see it in Isaac's eye that he intended to try to make his escape when he reached the timber. Bartlett also thought he could see that he intended to make an effort to escape, so when they arrived at the timber they peeled bark and tied Isaac's hands behind his back, and tied bark to each arm, and each one holding the bark on either side-my father being on a horse and Bartlett on foot -and in this way they delivered him to his majesty, Squire Willis' court. Every man in the county was already on hand when they arrived. The Squire made an examination of the papers, and said he found no cause for action, and would therefore release the prisoner. I think it was Bartlett who cut the bonds that bound the prisoner. Thus you see in those days they enjoyed sport more than to fine a man for small and trivial offenses.
I remember at another time my father and mother went to Unele John's to spend the evening, and put us children to bed with orders to go to sleep. Dnr- ing their absence two of our cows got into the cabin and chewed the blankets and quilts that covered us. Not being satisfied with what they had done they got the lid off of a box of clothing. chewing everything that came in their way. Among other things they got hold of a cotton handkerchief that had two twenty dollar gold pieces in it. It was too many for them. They spoiled the handkerchief. but when they struck the gold they spit it out, and from that time to the pres- ont I have been in favor of a gold standard.
I will add finther that Indians were numerous up and down the stream of White Breast and ever and anon could be seen the blue smoke as it went curling heavenward from their wigwams, or could be heard the war cry of some Camanche brave, or with bow and arrow he would put a stop to the speed of an antelope or deer that was seen senrrying across the hill tops.
I served in the army under Colonel P. P. Henderson, one of the earliest settlers of the county, and am one of four out of fourteen who survived the tortures of a rebel prison. But those days have long since gone. Instead of the smoke and din of battle, we now have the noise and hustle of commerce; instead of the smoke of the wigwams. we see the villages blooming as the rose; and instead of the deer and antelope, we see the cattle on a thousand hills. Let us all be glad for the extremely favorable conditions of today."
WIIITE OAK TOWNSHIP.
White Oak township is the same as township 75, north of range 24, west of the 5th P. M. of Iowa.
TOWNSHIP OFFICERS FOR THE YEAR 1908.
Township Trustees: C. W. Cox, Indianola ; Samuel Speer, Indianola.
Township Clerk: W. O. Friar, Indianola.
Township Assessor: Frank E. Willsey.
Warrants drawn on the Poor Fund: None.
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
Trustees Road Report :
Cash on Hand January 1st, 1907
$ 13.41
Received from County Treasurer 906.59
$920.00
Paid for Labor and Material
$919.42
Balance on Hand .58
$920.00
The following is condensed from the County Superintendent's report of the public schools for White Oak township for the year ending July 1, 1907 :
White Oak township has six sub-districts with a schoolhouse in each dis- triet, total value. $5,900. School was maintained during eight months of the year. Two male teachers were employed at an average compensation of $38.99 per month, and nine female teachers were employed at an average compensation of $37.63 per month. There were one hundred and eighty-seven persons of school age in the districts, and an average attendance of one hundred and nine. Average cost of tuition per month for each pupil, $2.02.
White Oak township stands by itself in this: it has no village within its borders, and but one church. The people generally have done their trading at Indianola. While this is not the best township in the county, it is by no means the poorest. There are many excellent farms, and judging from the appear- ance of the farms, the people are as prosperons as any in the county. The
land averages well in fertility and is adapted to both grains and grasses. It is believed by some experts that there are large coal interests in this township, but they have never been developed. The township is almost entirely drained by South river. The bottom lands on Sonth river. like those on Middle river and North river, are generally low and are subject to over- flows. Throughout the township the land is generally undulating and in some places quite hilly, but averages well. In an early day a part of this township was called "Hoosier Row," owing to the fact that many of the settlers came from the "Hoosier" state. But a more enterprising and publie spirited class of people cannot be found in central lowa, than the inhabitants of White Oak township. It is a little strange that there was no sufficiently ambitions man among the early settlers to engage in town making: but it seems the people were contented to go to the county seat or to other points to do their trading. There are some very large land owners in the township, among them is Harrison Ogle and T. K. Long. The farmers of White Oak township have given large attention to raising fine horses and blooded cattle. They early learned that the prosperons farmer must keep a large part of his land in grass. Some of the leading men of Warren county today, are natives of this township. It is quite noticeable that not only in Warren county, but throughout the state of Iowa, the farmers who have stayed by their farms and used ordinary diligence and industry, have ae- emulated a competence. The old adage. "A rolling stone gathers no moss." is as applicable today as it ever was : that other saying, "Three moves are equal
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
to a burnout." contains a practical lesson. Some years erops are poor; other years they are bountiful. The rainy seasons are interspersed with dry seasons. The man who expects continued ideal weather is bound to be disappointed; to take the average season in Warren county, the soil responds to the husbandman's touch in such a measure as to insure prosperity. From the first settlement in White Oak township, the inhabitants have been noted for their high regard of law and good order. Crime and contention have not flourished in this community. No perplexing lawsuits have agitated the people, but good citizenship has been the ideal to which the rising generations have been pointed; and these qualities of character have contributed to the well being of society in all the past history of this people. All lovers of rural life will find White Oak township a desirable place to live, especially is this true since the introduction of the telephone and the free delivery of mails. The northeast corner of this township is within one mile of Indianola, and the west line is within three miles of a railroad; hence, the township is not inconveniently situated so far as a trading point is concerned. James Langley, Andrew Reed, Daniel Braucht and John A. Jamison were among the first settlers in this township. In 1851, the Randolphs, the MeClures and the Parks came. The first school was taught in the winter of 1852-53, in a log cabin, by Elijah Bilbo. Mr. Bilbo is now residing in Indianola, a frail, but cheerful old man, waiting patiently for the final summons.
THE PLEASANT HILL METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHI.
This church was organized in 1852: The Randolphs. the MeClures and the Bilbos and others took part in the organization. At first they worshiped in private houses, and later in a schoolhouse. The first pastor was E. L. Briggs, who made his headquarters at Indianola. At an early date this became a very prosperous and interesting society. The society continued to worship in the schoolhouse until 1871, when a church building was erected at a cost of $2,000 during the pastorate of Michael Sheets. The appointment was sometimes in one circuit and sometimes in another. For the last fifteen years it has been in Spring Hill circuit.
In 1901 the church was rebuilt at a cost of $2,000. It is a very neat and comfortable building, and answers the purposes for which it was erected. W. O. Friar is the Sunday school superintendent. The Sunday school enrollment is seventy. The current expenses of the Sunday school. $30. The Epworth League has an enrollment of twenty-three, with Miss Nellie Sayre, president. Mrs. Emma Hutt is president of the Ladies' Aid Society. During the year past this society has raised over $150. The present membership of the church is ninety-five. The incidental expenses of this church for the last year were $127. The benevolent collections amounted to $150. Paid on pastor's salary last year, $195. The present pastor is Benjamin R. Van Dyke.
JOHN W. KERN.
In the spring of 1854, while pioneer enstoms were still lingering, and the large majority of the prairie lands lay undisturbed by the white man's plow,
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IHISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
Dr. Jacob II. Kern, of Alto, Indiana, cast his lot with the early settlers of White Oak township, many of whom had known the doctor in Alto, where he had been their family physician. For ten years he farmed and practiced medicine. The people were glad to have their old doctor among them. Ilis distinguished son, who is now (July, 1908,) the candidate for vice president on the democratic ticket-the running mate of W. J. Bryan, was then five years old. He attended the public schools during the winter seasons, such as other boys did. Several of his schoohnates still reside in the county, and well remember their school asso- ciation with young Kern. Ile was a slender figure with a large head. A glance at him was sufficient to impress one with the positiveness of his character. He was noted for his excellent memory. At fourteen he had a reputation for spell- ing and declaiming. The readiness with which he committed poems caused his school fellows to stand in awe before him. However, there was nothing in his boy-life that brought out any special prophecies of his future greatness. Mr. Kern is now regarded as a very learned man in the law, but whatever his scholar- ship, the foundations of his education were laid among the "Hoosiers" in White Oak township. Dr. Kern was the best educated man in the community ; he took newspapers and magazines, and had the largest library among the settlers, and both he and his wife up to the time of her death, gave John the best instruction they were capable of, and omitted no opportunity to push him forward and show him off to the best advantage. They believed in John, and did not under- estimate his possibilities. They expected him to become all that he is. John W. Kern's contact with the sturdy pioneers, and with nature herself, and with the processes of planting civilization, were superb environments for the development of the choicest qualities of an American citizen. During the doctor's residence in Iowa, the mother of the now noted John W. Kern, died and was buried in what the people call "Hewitt's graveyard." Since John W. reached his majority, he has twice visited his mother's grave. Those who accompanied him the last time to the tomb say his remarks were touching and beautiful. The man who stands at his mother's tomb twenty-five years after her demise and weeps, is human, and in that act gives the best possible proof of the presence of divinity in humanity.
GREAT CHANGES.
Changes are constantly taking place in all parts of the country, in all things material. Many of these changes come so gradually that they are scarcely per- reivable. It is only by taking a period in the past, say ten, twenty or forty years ago, instituting a comparison between that period and the present, that one can fully appreciate the changes that have taken place. Mention has already been made in this history of the changed methods of farming. The chief busi- ness of the farmer a few years ago, was to raise and market grain. When the first railroads were built through Warren county, at every station, elevators were erected, and grain buyers were on hand to purchase and ship corn and small grains. Today, at most of these stations, the elevator has been torn away or stands unoccupied. Farmers have learned by experience, that stock raising is much more profitable than grain raising; and that the grain makes a heavy
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
draft upon the land. Farms that are undulating, if cultivated every year, will soon be ent up with ditches and the soil will wash away. The late meeting of the governors at the call of President Roosevelt, to consider the conservation of the natural resources of the country, probably, did not overlook the drain made upon the soil by constant cultivation. Anyway it is one of the most important sub- jects for both public and private consideration before the American people. In this new state of Iowa, many farms are almost worthless, because the soil has been permitted to wash away. The entire inhabitants of this and other countries must look to the farming class for bread and meat. The soil ought to be im- proved day by day, rather than impoverished. Upon the whole, the farmers are the most prosperous class of laborers in this country; but this prosperity cannot continue if the soil is allowed to lose its life-giving properties.
The prosperity of the farmers is seen most clearly in their dress. A genera- tion ago, the farmer wore a heavy brogan shoe and a light loose garment called the "warmus," which answered the purpose of a coat. In the winter season he wore heavy boots with his pant legs inside the boots. Today, the average farmer is well dressed, not only neatly, but comfortably dressed, and makes a good appearance anywhere. In the first settling of Warren county, the very year that it was organized, the California gold mines were discovered, and all eyes turned in that direction. Multitudes of gold seekers began to press their way across the plains, then called the "American desert," in search of the shining dust. They are called today the "Forty-niners." It was a great help to Warren county and other portions of Iowa and the west. These tourists with their large teams of horses and oxen, made a market for corn and hay, vegetables and meats, a market that came to the very door of the farmer in many instances. In due time that craze for gold subsided, and that means of travel by teams was dis- placed by the great passenger trains, making the trip now in four days that required in 1849, three to four months. The question might be asked what has taken the place of this travel by teams? Now, every community throughout this part of the country furnishes more or less tourists for California, and for other parts of the south and west. These tourists, however, are not hunting for gold as the "Forty-niners" were, but are seeking milder climate for the winter, seeking the land of sunshine and flowers, instead of the cold. gloomy December of the north. In other words, the latter class of tourists are out to spend money for comfort and pleasure, rather than seeking fortune by the untold sacrifices of 1849. The changed conditions in our civilization may be seen in the fact that in '49 the Iowa farmers were reaping the harvest; while today, it is the people of California and other parts of the southwest who are the beneficiaries. Indeed the tourist crop is the most profitable harvest reaped in southern California. If it were not for the tourist, there would be a general collapse all over the south- west. They have come to be as dependent upon the tourist crop as the people of Switzerland. There is another class of tourists beside the pleasure seekers, that is the health seekers. A few years ago, invalids were not seeking relief by a change of climate; but today they are going into the south and west in great mul- titudes. Whether they are benefited sufficiently to justify the ontlay is not the question. The hope stimulated by the search justifies all the expense and effort.
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
In many points in the south and west, the inhabitants look askance at the incom- ing invalid, and especially those who are afflicted with the "white plague." All this tourist travel is benefiting somebody, and injuring but few, if any. The railroads profit by it. the hotels and boarding houses and business in general. Those who have the money can do no better than to spend it in travel. It is true that touring like everything else, goes in tidal waves. If the Jones go to Long Beach, that will influence the Smiths and Browns, and they in turn will influence others, until a large number are on the way to the land of sunshine and flowers.
In all the villages there are many retired farmers. Of late years, when a farmer finds his phyiscal strength failing, he sells or rents his farm or turns it over to his sons, and moves to town. In many cases, he does not find town lite as satisfactory as he anticipated. He finds that it costs a great deal more to live than he expected; the things that he forecasted would afford him most pleasure and occupy his time and attention, soon lose their attractions, and he becomes dissatisfied. In the town there is no substitute for the interest awakened by growing erops, and herds and flocks of domestic animals. Town life compared to farm life is dull and uninteresting. The farmer finds that his current ex- penses are larger than he expected them to be, and he begins to economize in every possible direction. He can generally be counted on to oppose any improve- ment that will increase taxes. Very few farmers having lived in town two or three years, would vote for the installation of an electric light plant, water works or sewerage, or anything else that would increase taxes. If the farmer has sold his farm and loans his money. he soon ascertains that his taxes in town are more ' than double what they were when he resided on his farm. Take this illustration. The farmer and his wife are beginning to feel the burden of age. They decide to leave the farm and move to Indianola. They have an average farm of one hum- dred and sixty aeres, and are able to buy a humble home in town. If they sell the farm and loan the money. they will find that it will take one-third of their income to pay taxes. If they rent the farm it will require more than one-third of the rent to pay their taxes and to make the necessary repairs. Is it strange that the old man complains of high taxes? Iowa people are reckless in voting upon themselves taxes. The reasonable limit was long since passed on the line of tax-voting. Leaving the farm and moving to town in a large majority of cases. does not contribute to the contentment of declining years.
Formerly the country church was the center of interest in rural neighbor- hoods. Not only religious services and Sunday School were held in the country church, but often lyceums and political meetings and other public gatherings. Today. in many places, the country church is neglected. is not held in the esteem that it once was, and in too many places it is entirely abandoned. It is true there are communities where the country church is splendidly maintained. and continues to fill the old time requirements.
The country school in many places is losing its interest. The farmers' sous and daughters are turning to the town schools where there are greater social privileges and better facilities. It was hoped by many that the rural free de- livery and telephone would make country life more attractive, and revive the country church and schools ; but all this remains to be wronght ont and settled in the future.
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HISTORY OF WARREN COUNTY
A great change has come over the streams of Iowa, from the Des Moines river down to the small creek. They have not that steady flow that characterized them in the early settlement of the country. They are either frightfully high or distressingly low. In time of rain, the water rushes into the streams and the flood appears. When the rain ceases, it has soon gone out of the streams and they are dry sand bars. In '49, Middle river was an excellent mill stream. Its water power was of incalculable value, but not so now. In the wet season it overflows its bottoms and carries destruction in its course in a manner unknown in the early days. The cause of this may be found: first, the forests have been largely destroyed, the soil has been packed by tramping, the flat lands have been tiled and ditched, until in the rainy season, the water soon finds it way to the stream and brings on the flood to be followed by a dried up stream-bed.
TEMPERANCE.
The use of intoxicating liquors has more to do with the social conditions of the American people than any other one thing. The people of Europe can use strong drinks without going to the excess that characterizes the drinking people of America. Up to this time, the philosophers have been unable to give a satis- factory explanation of this phenomena. There is nothing that so hinders physical development, so impairs the intellect and threatens human life as the excessive use of strong drinks. Indeed, it is wise to say that any use of strong drinks as a beverage is excessive. The human body and the human mind are better off without the use of alcoholic drinks. In the first settling of lowa, intoxicating liquors were bought and sold as freely as corn or potatoes. The man with a barrel of whiskey could be found in every village, and at almost every cross roads. It was not long, however, until the more thoughtful people began to realize the ruinous effects of drunkenness in the new state of Iowa.
About 1850, temperance societies were formed in many places and the sub- jeet of prohibition became a topic of conversation among all classes. There were men of intellectual power arrayed on both sides of the question. The doctrine of "personal liberty" was promulgated, at that time, with as much zeal and earnestness as it ever has been sinee. Prohibitionists contended that alcohol ought to be put out of the reach of the people. It was not long, however, umtil the subject was into polities; and there it has remained until this day. If it could have been eliminated from politics, and the people acted on the subject of prohibition, independent of all political affiliations, the question would have been settled permanently long, long ago. In 1855, a wave of prohibition swept the country. All of the New England states except Massachusetts, and the states of New York, Delaware, Michigan, Indiana and Iowa adopted prohibition in some form or other. The subject was in politics, and it was not long until the states mentioned began to relent, one after another, until Maine stood alone as a pro- hibition state. The foreign voters claimed that they had been accustomed, in their native country, to use the lighter beverages, such as wine, beer and ale, and that they must have these drinks; that it was not only necessary to satisfy their appetite, but it was necessary to promote their health ; and so they threatened the
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