GEOLOGY
We are indebted to His Honor, Mayor Amos V. Eaton, of
Anamosa, for the following in reference to the geology of the county.
Mayor Eaton is quite an industrious student of the natural history of
the county and State, and has succeeded, through his own efforts, in
collecting and arranging a valuable cabinet, comprising all the
important specimens of this portion of the State, and many valuable
specimens from other portions of the United States and the Canadas:
The geological formation of Jones County is almost wholly within the
Upper Silurian age and the Niagara period. The Devonian laps over upon a
small portion of Greenfield Township. The Upper Silurian exposure in the
State is something in the shape of a pyramid, with its base of about
fifty miles in width on the Mississippi River, and includes the county
of Clinton and a large portion of the counties of Jackson and Scott,
tapering to a width of not more than four or five miles on the Minnesota
line, in Howard County, with a length of 160 miles, extending northwest
and southeast. The thickness of the formation is set down at 350 feet.
In the early surveys of the State, the Niagara period was
divided into the Niagara and the Le Claire epochs and formations; but
subsequent surveys and examinations determined the fact that it properly
all belongs to the Niagara epoch. The rock of the formation is a
magnesia limestone, and, in an economic view, one of the most important
in the State. Prof. White makes the statement that it affords the best
nd greatest amount of quarry rock of any formation in the State of Iowa.
Wherever this rock is exposed in Jones County, it furnishes a great
abundance of material for the common uses of the inhabitants. The
exposure of this stone near Anamosa is of such wonderful regularity in
the stratification and such uniformity of texture that the stone can be
wrought into any desired shape or size with little expense. Some of the
stone come from their beds as smooth and even as though they had been
run through a planing-machine, not requiring the tough of the chisel.
Another very fortunate thing, there are no intervening strata of clay or
other material to impede the labors of the quarrymen. This stone weighs
about one hundred and fifty pounds per cubic foot, getting a little
heavier as you go down the quarry. The strength and durability of the
stone has been tested under all manner of conditions for years, and it
is all that could be reasonably expected of a limestone. Exposure to the
atmosphere improves it, making it harder. The analysis of the stone, as
given by Prof. White in his report, is as follows:
Insoluble in
acid .72
Ferrous and ferric acid .23
Calcium carbonate 57.32
Magnesium 41.21
Moisture .31
99.79
One noteworthy fact,
geologically, in relation to these special quarries, is that there is
hardly any fossil remains to be found in them, while they are quite
abundant in other places not far away. A few traces of coral are found,
and a formation that has not been determined as yet, although examined
by some eminent geologists. They are about one-half inch long and as
large as a knitting-needle; and, as far as can be seen, they are exactly
alike and often occur in innumerable numbers, in a single slab of stone.
The impression is more often, seen, however, and indeed it is not
certain whether they are fossils at all or not. A flint nodule of very
beautiful structure is found, being many times found in layers of
strata, and furnishing very unique cabinet specimens. Pockets containing
quartz and lime crystals frequently occur that are elegant in
appearance.
The surface soil of Jones County is composed of what
is termed drift and alluvial soils, the former largely predominating, as
the flood-plane or bottomland of the rivers is not great. Prof. White
estimates that 95 per cent of the land in Iowa is tillable, and Jones
County is quite equal to the average. If Prof. White's estimate of the
State is not exaggerated, there is probably no other area of territory
of the extent (55,000 square miles) in the world, that can furnish as
good and as large a per cent of tillable land as the State of Iowa.
The soil of the county possesses the ingredients and depth to make
it inexhaustible with fair dealing, and insuring its inhabitants an
agricultural wealth forever.
There is enough of good brick clay in
the county to furnish its inhabitants with brick for all time to come.
Any there is sand enough along the streams, that has been sifted from
the soil by the action of water, to furnish the requisite quantity for
building purposes, and an endless amount of stone that makes good
(quick) lime.
The county is almost destitute of minerals as far as
known; a few isolated specimens of iron ore have been found, and traces
of iron in the rock material are sometimes seen. As the Silurian age is
below the coal formations, it would be useless to look for coal in the
county.
The paleontology, or fossil remains, of Jones County has
been almost wholly neglected or overlooked by the State geologists, in
their surveys and reports, and very little has been written upon the
subject; and while we cannot claim as much of interest in this direction
as many counties of the State, still there is abundance of material to
interest the geologist. The Silurian formation is one of extreme age.
Some geologists of authority have put it down as having taken millions
of years in its formation. And as it was the first in which life began
to show itself on the globe-life in the simplest form-it is called the
age of mollusks, because they are so predominate. The word mollusk means
soft, and the animals are composed of a soft, fleshy bag, containing a
very simple digestive apparatus. Many of them are without eyes, and are
generally covered with a shell as a means of protection. The clam, snail
and oyster are familiar examples of this class, now living; but many of
the fossils now found are the remains of species now extinct.
However, the fossil remains of this county are composed quite as largely
of the class called radiates, which are quite as simple in structure,
and might be called the stepping-stone from the vegetable to the animal
kingdom. The corals and crinoids are examples of this class.
Much of
the rock exposure in the county is nearly destitute of fossils, while in
others they are very numerous. The following are the more common ones
found in Jones County:
Several species of the favosites corals
(honeycomb corals) are very numerous; two or three species of halysites
(chain corals); a number of syringoropora (pine coral); cyathophylloid;
stromatapora; chonophyllum (cup coral) and heliolites.
All of
the above are found in one locality along the Maquoketa River, a few
miles east of Monticello, in such quantities that wagon-loads may be
gathered of those that lie loose on the surface of the bluffs.
Other species of corals are found in various parts of the county, that
are more rare, and many that seem to be peculiar to this formation. Two
species, at least, of pentamerons are occasionally found, but are much
more numerous over the line in Linn County. Crinoid remains are very
common in many places.
One locality near Anamosa, on the
Wapsipinicon River, at Doan's Mill, the stone is entirely made up of
them, but it is so rotten and fragmentary in character that complete
specimens are obtained with difficulty. Enough of comparatively perfect
crinoid heads have been found to identify several species. The stone is
sufficiently made up of them to justly entitle it to the name of crinoid
limestone.
Fossil shells are not numerous, but several species,
both of the bivalve and univalve, have been found.
Trilobites
are very rare in this county, although in some of the Silurian
formations they are numerous; 500 species of this crustacean once
existed, all of which are now extinct. (Dana.)
During this
season, a point of rocks has been opened near the iron bridge across the
Buffalo at Fisherville, where the trilobites are quite numerous. The
quarrymen inform me they found at least 100 in number, and that they
only occur in one or two strata, as far as yet developed. Only three
other ones have been found in the county, to my knowledge.
Several ammonites have been found, but they are also rare; 900 species
of these animals once existed and are now extinct. (Dana.)
Several species of the orthoceras and also of the ormoceras are met
with, although they are not often found complete.
Specimens of
so-called iron-stone and agatized flint are often found, and, indeed,
the flint formations of the county often take on a wonderful variety of
forms and fantastic shapes. The variety called the jasper is frequently
found. Specimens of what is termed forest rock are sometimes found in
the quarries, and are thought by some to be fossil ferns. It is simply a
precipitate of oxide of manganese. Fossils of the vegetable kingdom are
not found to any extent whatever. A few pieces of petrified wood have
been found along the streams, but they are evidently foreign, and
brought here by the drift.
Much of that which is interesting to
the student of natural history might be written in reference to the
geology of Jones County, but the subject has not attracted sufficiently
the attention of the inhabitants to warrant anything further in a county
history. The geology of Jones County affords abundant opportunity to
those of her citizens who may desire to gain a practical knowledge of a
subject that has entirely revolutionized the thinking world during the
past half-century.
COUNTY ORGANIZATION
The county of Jones was named and its
boundaries designated at the session of the Wisconsin Legislature held
at Burlington in the winter of 1837-38. At that time, the country now
included in the State of Iowa belonged to, or was a part of, the
Territory of Wisconsin. There were but two counties west of the
Mississippi River in 1836-Des Moines and Dubuque. During the meeting of
the first Territorial Legislature, in 1836-37, Des Moines County was
subdivided, and, at the meeting of 1837-38, Dubuque County was lessened
by the creation of Clayton, Fayette, Delaware, Buchanan, Jackson, Jones,
Linn, Clinton and Cedar Counties. Gen. George W. Jones, of Dubuque, at
that time represented the Territory of Wisconsin in Congress. In his
honor was the county, whose history we write, named.
Only a part
of these counties were organized at that time. Jackson County was
equipped with an Organizing Sheriff in the person of William A. Warren,
of Bellevue. He was also, in a limited sense, made the Sheriff of Jones
and Linn Counties; and, for matters of court jurisdiction, Bellevue was,
during 1838 and a part of 1839, the capital of Jones and Linn Counties.
As election precinct was designated in each of these, and the report of
votes sent to Bellevue.
The first Territorial Legislature, after the
separation of Iowa from Wisconsin, met in Burlington November 12, 1838.
During the session, the county of Jones was organized.
The act
passed by the Legislature to organize the county of Jones was as
follows:
SECTION 1. Be it enacted by the Council and House of
Representatives of the Territory of Iowa, That the county of Jones be,
and the same is hereby, organized from and after the 1st day of June
next, and the inhabitants of said county be entitled to all the rights
and privileges to which, by law, the inhabitants of other organized
counties of this Territory are entitled; and the said county shall be a
part of the Third Judicial District, and the District Court shall be
held at the seat of justice in said county, or such other place as may
be provided until the seat of justice is established.
SEC. 2 .
That Simeon Gardner, of Clinton County; Israel Mitchell, of Linn County,
and William H. Whitesides, of Dubuque County, be, and they are hereby,
appointed Commissioners to locate the seat of justice in said county,
and shall meet at the house of Thomas Denson on the second Monday of
March next, in said county, and shall proceed forthwith to examine and
locate a suitable place for the seat of justice of said county, having
particular reference to the convenience of the county and healthfulness
of the location.
SEC. 3. The Commissioners, or a majority of
them, shall, within ten days after their meeting at the aforesaid place,
make out and certify to the Governor of this Territory, under their
hands and seals, a certificate containing a particular description of
the location selected for the aforesaid county seat; and, on receipt of
such certificate, the Governor shall issue his proclamation affirming
and declaring the said location to be the seat of justice of the said
county of Jones.
* * * * * * * * * * *
SEC. 6. The
Commissioners aforesaid shall receive, upon making out their certificate
of the location of the seat of justice of said county, each, $3 per day,
and also $3 for every twenty miles going to and returning from their
respective homes.
SEC. 7. Upon the presentation of the
certificate aforesaid to the Treasurer of Jones County, the Treasurer is
hereby authorized and required to pay the respective sums allowed by
this act out of any moneys in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated.
APPROVED January 24, 1839.
It seems that these men failed
to carry out the provisions of this act, and we find the county seat not
to have been located until the following year, or 1840. In the
Legislature of 1839-40, three other Commissioners were appointed as
follows: Thomas M. Isett, of Muscatine County; John G. McDonald, of
Jackson County, and Franklin Moffat, of Delaware County. The probability
is that only two of these men served the appointment. We find by the
County Commissioners' books that at the July meeting, 1840, Isett and
McDonald received $51 and $36, respectively, for their services in
locating the county seat. Col. Thomas Cox, of Bellevue, was the
surveyor.
The first election of county officers took place in
the fall of 1839.
Of the County Commissioners elected on this
occasion, only two appeared at the recorded meetings of the Board—Thomas
Denson and Charles P. Hutton. We have been informed that the third
Commissioner was H. G. Seeley.
William Hutton was the first
Clerk of the Commissioners' Court. Hugh Bowen was the first Sheriff of
Jones County. Clark Joslin was the first Recorder.
There were
three polling places at the election of 1839, and were said to have been
three precincts-Bowen Prairie, Walnut Fork and Farm Creek. The Judges of
the election of 1839 were Orvill Cronkhite, Eli Brown, I. H. Simpson,
William Clark, James Hutton and J. C. Raffety. The Clerks were Thomas S.
Denson, George H. Brown and D. G. Morgan.
It will be borne in
mind that an election had been held in September, 1838, or one year
previous, for the purpose of electing Representatives to the Iowa
Legislature. This was in the cabin of Barrett Whittemore. Only eleven
votes were cast, and a Representative, R. G. Roberts, was elected from
Cedar, Jones, Johnson and Linn.
The first recorded meeting of
the Commissioners' Court was held February 3, 1840. Their first act was
to appoint Hugh Bowen, Assessor in the place of Daniel Chaplin, who
refused to serve.
George Mefford presented a petition for a
certain county road.
It was ordered that the regular meeting of
the Board should be held thereafter at the house of Donald Sutherland
and until further ordered.
The Commissioners mentioned above as
locating the county seat made their report in favor of the northeast
quarter of Section 36, Township 85, Range 3 west, where they laid out a
town and named it Edinburg.
An act of Congress provided that, as
each new county was organized, the United States Government would grant
to the County Commissioners a quarter-section on which the county seat
should be located. Accordingly, we find from the book of original
entries, that on June 20, 1840, Thomas S. Denson and Charles P. Hutton,
as Commissioners of Jones County, claimed the quarter-section above
mentioned, being the northeast quarter of Section 36 in what is now
Wayne Township. This was within half a mile of the geographical center
of Jones County, and its central location was the argument which secured
for it the honor of being the first seat of justice.
The day
after Edinburg was laid out, Col. Thomas Cox, at the solicitation of J.
D. Walworth, came to the present location of Anamosa and laid out a town
which was called Dartmouth. This was never recorded, and of course came
to naught.
The first tax levy was made July 6, 1840, being 5
mills on each dollar of taxable property in the county of Jones, and a
poll tax of 50 cents upon each voter.
We find that Nov. 5, 1840,
Clement Russell paid into the county treasury $25, for the privilege of
keeping a grocery.
To those who have not been upon the border,
it may be a question why grocerymen in a new country should be so
heavily taxed. The initiated will understand that a frontier grocery was
simply a saloon of the lowest character, where whiskey was the only
article on sale, and which could be obtained at a reasonable price, in
any quantity from a glassful to a barrel.
The census of 1838
revealed a population of 241. In 1840, this number had increased to 475.
ELECTION PRECINCTS
At a meeting of the County Commissioners, July 6, 1840, Jones County
was divided into four precincts for electorial purposes as follows:
• Walnut Precinct, comprising Townships 83 and 84, in Ranges 1, 2
and 3 west of the Fifth Principal Meridian.
• Buffalo Fork Precinct,
comprising Townships 83 and 84, Range 4 west.
• Bowen Prairie
Precinct, comprising Congressional Township 86, Range 2, 3 and 4, and
Township 85, Ranges 3 and 4.
• Farm Creek Precinct, comprising
Township 85 and 86, Range 1, and Township 85, Range 2.
The civil
partition of Jones County in 1840, might, therefore, be represented as
follows:
• The Judges of Elections appointed at the time of
organizing the precincts were:
• For Bowen Prairie—William Dalton,
William Clark and Charles Johnson. Election to be held at the house of
Joseph E. Green.
• For Walnut—Moses Garrison, Isaac H. Simpson and O.
Cronkhite. Election to be held at the house of Norman Seeley.
• For
Buffalo Fork—John G. Joslin, Clement Russel(sic) and G. H. Ford.
Election to be held at the house of Clement Russell.
• For Farm
Creek—Joseph Peet, Hezekiah Winchell and John E. Lovejoy. Election to be
held at the house of Abraham Hostetter.
Bowen Prairie Precinct
was made Road District No. 1, with Franklin Dalbey, Supervisor; Buffalo,
No. 2, with Clark Joslin, Supervisor; Walnut, No. 3, with John Merritt,
Supervisor, and Farm Creek, No. 4, with George Mefford as Supervisor.
TOWNSHIP ORGANIZATION
- At
the meeting of the County Commissioners' Court, July 5, 1842, it was
resolved to organize the county into townships, which should have their
regular township officers and town government. The precincts were
accordingly changed into townships, without altering the boundaries.
• Rome was organized as a township July 5, 1842 with the same
boundaries as Walnut Precinct, given above, the first township election
to be held at the residence of N. B. Seeley.
• Fairview was
organized as a township July 5, 1842, with the same boundaries as
Buffalo Fork Precinct, given above.
• Washington was organized as a
township July 5, 1842, with the same boundaries as Farm Creek Precinct,
given above.
• Richland was organized as a township July 5, 1842,
with the same boundaries as Bowen Prairie Precinct, given above.
• Clay was organized as a township April 3, 1844, including what is now
known as Wyoming, that part of the present township of Clay which is
south of the Maquoketa River, all of Scotch Grove Township south of the
river, and a strip about one mile in width upon the eastern border of
Wayne Township, extending north, through Monticello, until it touched
the river. The first election was held at the house of John Southerland.
Monticello was organized as a township June 10, 1847, from Richland
Township, and included all of that town south of the Maquoketa River,
being most of the territory now occupied by Monticello, Wayne, Cass and
Castle Grove. (Note: Lovell township was organized as a separate
township about January, 1898 with the same boundaries as Monticello
township, the latter being included within Lovell township, the
corporation of Monticello being declared a separate township and called
Monticello township.)
Greenfield was organized as a township with
its present boundaries, being separated from Fairview, and corresponding
to Congressional Township 83, Range 4. The townships now known as Cass
and Wayne were separated from Monticello and attached to Fairview April
21, 1848.
• Hale was organized as a township in July, 1851, and
included the present towns of Hale and Oxford, which were on that date
separated from Rome. The first township election was held at the house
of Joseph Bumgarner.
• Jackson was organized as a township in July,
1851, and included the present towns of Madison and Jackson, which were
on that date separated from Rome. The first township election was held
at the house of Chas. Beam.
• Cass was separated from
Fairfield(sic) and organized as a township, with its present boundaries,
March 1, 1852. The first election was at the house of W. J. Beaks.
• Wyoming was separated from Clay Township February 8, 1854, and
organized, with its present boundaries, under the name of Pierce
Township, which was, a couple of years later, changed to Wyoming. The
first election was at the house of William Stuart. (Note: Pierce was
changed to Wyoming in 1857.)
• Castle Grove was separated from
Monticello and organized, with its present boundaries, January 1, 1855.
At the same date, Monticello Township was expanded across the river to
the northern boundary of the county, corresponding to its present
boundary, and including what had formerly belonged to Richland Township.
• Madison Township was organized, with its present boundaries, Jan.
1, 1855.
• Scotch Grove was separated from Clay and organized, with
its present boundaries, in February, 1855. The first election was held
at a schoolhouse.
• Oxford was separated from Hale Township and
organized, with its present boundaries, in March, 1855. The first
election was at the house of John Bryan.
• Wayne was set off from
Fairview Township and organized, with its present boundaries, March 5,
1856. The first election was at the house of O. G. Serivens.
It
will be observed that the last township was not formed until some
sixteen years after the organization of the county, and that certain
districts belonged at different periods, to quite a number of different
towns. Wayne Township, for instance, had belonged to Richland,
Monticello and Fairview previous to its organization as an independent
town. Each township now corresponds to the Congressional numbering,
rendering the political geography of the county as simple as a
chessboard.
FIRST COURT
The first court held in Jones County was presided over by Judge Thomas
S. Wilson, and was in session at Edinburg, the first county seat, March
22, 1841.
The grand jurors on that occasion were as follows:
Moses Collins, Thomas Dickson, Charles Johnson, B. Beardsley, William
Clark, Jackson Peak, Isaac H. Simpson, T. Crook, L. A. Simpson, Orvill Cronkhite, Joseph H. Merritt, S. I. Dunhan, H
Winchell, I. Tate, M. Lupton, J. C. Raffety, David Killham, A. Hostetter,
John G. Joslin, G. H. Ford, Henry Booth, C. C. Reed, Ambrose Parsons.
The petit jurors were F. Dalbey, Joshua Johnson, G. B. Laughlin,
Barrett Whittemore, J. E. Greene, Daniel Vance, Richard Cleveland, I.
Merritt, Moses Garrison, Alexander Staney, Jacob Cornwall, Benjamin
Chaplin, J. E. Lovejoy, P. H. Turner, W. H. Jones, Alvin Winchell, Harry
Hargodem, O Delong, C. Russell, James Spencer, George H. Brown, Clark
Joslin, Eli Brown, George H. Walworth.
The only indictment found
by the grand jury is recorded as follows:
UNITED STATES
VS
ROBERT SNOWDEN
Indictment for assault to commit great bodily
injury. A true bill.
Two cases came up for hearing, both being by
appeal from Justices' Courts. One was dismissed, and the other continued
until the next session of court. The first court continued two days. The
petit jury was not called.
The next
court was held September, 1841.
We find no record of a term of
court from September, 1845, till May, 1847. During this time, the county
seat was at Newport. In May, 1847, Judge Wilson presided at Edinburg,
and in September, 1847, at Lexington.
COMMISSIONERS'
ACTS
In April, 1841, we find $6 appropriated to Donald
Sutherland for rent of rooms in which the County Board had held its
meetings.
Henry
Hopkins was the first Prosecuting Attorney, and was allowed $34 for his
services, at the meeting of the Board in March, 1842.
October 3,
1842, was approved the Territorial road from Dubuque to Marion, on that
portion of it which was included in Jones County. James Butler and P.
Scott were the Commissioners appointed by the Legislature to view the
same.
The first licensed ferry of which we have record was
granted Adam Overacker, across the Wapsipinicon at Newport. The license
was for the consideration of $2, continued for one year from April 13
1847. A two-horse vehicle was charged 25 cents; one-horse, 12 ½ cents;
footman, 6 ½ cents, etc.
In order to fund the increasing
floating indebtedness, and to maintain the county warrants as near par
as possible, it was ordered, October 7, 1850, that the Clerk of
Commissioners' Court issue bonds of the county, bearing 10 per cent
interest, due in five years, the bonds to be for $50 each, and not to
exceed forty in number. These bonds were to be issued to any one who
would present the Treasurer's receipt for the amount of their face.
In 1851-1852, various State roads were surveyed and platted, among
which were highways from Anamosa to Bellevue; Anamosa to Garnavillo;
Clayton County; Cascade, by way of Canton, to Maquoketa; Cascade to
Garry Owen; Denson's Ferry to the house of Thomas McNally; Anamosa to
the Davenport and Marion road; Anamosa to Camanche; Fairview to Tipton.
COUNTY SEAT QUESTIONS
Almost every Western county has found
the location of a permanent seat of justice a vexatious problem. In this
respect, Jones County has not been an exception.
The
Commissioners appointed by the Legislature for the purpose of choosing a
site for the county seat fixed upon a spot one-half mile north of the
geographical center of the county, as has been elsewhere related. The
town here laid out received the name of Edinburg. As yet, we cannot say
with Burns:
"Edina! Scotia's darling seat!
All hail thy
palaces and towers!"
The palaces and towers did not grow. The
soil was obstinate. A quagmire was its only park; the wild prairie its
only scenery. A visitor thus describes it:
"Edinburg was a city
of grass. Its streets run in all directions. In fact, it was all street.
You could wander over its entire extent without getting sight of a
single wall, brick, stone or wood. The earth below and the blue vault
above were the only signs that the place was intended for human
habitation; and, as all cities require ornament of some kind, a
bounteous nature had planted there and reared a few scattering trees.
Such was Edinburg in the summer of 1840."
A log cabin was
erected as a Court House, commodious in size for the sparse population
of Jones County in that day, in which Judge Wilson dispensed the justice
meted out to Territorial settlers by the Federal Court. In April, 1841,
we find, by the Commissioners' record, that E. Sutherland was allowed
$140 for building this primitive capitol building, and, a few months
later James Spencer appears as claimant for $50 on account of work done
in rendering comfortable this same building.
Another log cabin
was erected by William Hutton, who was, at that time, Commissioners'
Clerk, as well as Clerk of the District Court. This cabin was occupied
as a dry-goods store and grocery, especially the latter, which was
stocked mostly with "corn juice." The store, not proving a profitable
investment, was soon abandoned, and the same enterprising Clerk erected
a two-story frame hotel, where he might entertain the Judge, jury and
witnesses by night after recording their doings by day. This hotel is
said to have been furnished with nothing save a few chairs; a sheet-iron
parlor stove; the public table made of two rough boards laid lengthwise;
and by way of night's lodging, a load or two of nice prairie hay, cut a
few hours previously, and pitched into the upper windows.
Edinburg appears to have had no advantages over a dozen other places,
save its central position. It manifested no signs of growth, and the
people became rapidly dissatisfied. Other towns were growing up in the
county, and it was but natural that the pioneers should prefer going to
some settlement when they visited the county seat, instead of journeying
out into the wilderness. No county officers made it his residence
throughout the year. William Hutton, the Clerk, lived at Farm Creek. The
Recorder was to be found at Fairview, and probate business received
attention at Cascade. This state of affairs bred discontent. Nobody was
satisfied, not even the county officers themselves. Finally, a petition
was sent to the Legislature for relief, and a bill was passed in that
body, providing that the Commissioners of Jones County should assemble
and name two places to be voted upon by the citizens, deciding in that
way their choice for county seat.
February 28, 1846, the
Commissioners held a special meeting at the house of George G. Banghart
for that purpose. By a species of playing into one another's hands, now
commonly known as log-rolling, the Commissioners arranged matters to
suit the individual preferences, and named the point now known as
Newport, and a place adjoining Cascade, on the south side of the river.
The latter was on the corner of the county, on the line, and between the
two places. Newport received the majority of the votes. The result was
viewed rather in the light of a joke. There was a solitary dwelling
where Newport was to be laid out, the cabin of Adam Overacker.
May 11, 1846, the County Commissioners held their first meeting at the
new seat of justice. The ground on which Newport was located was given
to the county by Adam Overacker, being a ten-acre tract described as Lot
2, Section 33, Township 84, Range 3 west. Here the town was duly
platted, and in July, at Sheriff's sale, twenty-eight lots were sold in
behalf of the county. The proceeds of this sale aggregated $30.12, or an
average of less than $11 per lot. The highest prize paid was $26 by Levi
Cronkhite.
Preparations were made here for the erection of a log
court house, and some of the timbers were placed on the ground, but
nothing was ever done toward its completion. The Commissioners rented a
room from Adam Overacker for their meeting, and made arrangements with
him to supply rooms to accommodate the court at the proper season.
When Judge Wilson reached the spot, he found there was no place
prepared for holding court, save in a room of the log shanty; saw no
other houses in the vicinity, and nought in view save trees and waving
prairie-grass, he got into his buggy and drove to his home in Dubuque.
No term of court was held during the time the county seat was at
Newport. The result of the election which fixed upon Newport was
generally looked upon as a joke. It satisfied no one except Adam
Overacker, and was much less suited to the needs of the county than
Edinburg. As soon as possible, the assistance of the Legislature was
again called in, and privilege was granted by that body to vote for a
county seat, according to their own inclinations. If this election
should not show a majority for any one point, a second election should
be held, in which the two places having the greatest number of votes in
the first election should be the only ones in the field.
On the
first election, in the spring of 1847, five points were returned, viz:
Lexington, Newport, Rome, Monticello and Scotch Grove. No votes were
given to Edinburg. Newport and Lexington stood highest, and in the
second contest, about two weeks later, a victory resulted in favor of
Lexington, whose name was afterward changed by authority of Judge
Wilson, of the District Court, to Anamosa.
After the election,
the Commissioners met June 10, 1847, at Edinburg. They adjoined till 7
o'clock, June 11, when they immediately took a recess to meet at 1
o'clock in the afternoon at Lexington. We might, therefore, say that
this town became the county seat between 7 A.M. and 1 P.M., June 11,
1847. The house of G. H. Ford was temporarily secured for court purposes
and the transaction of county business.
Lexington had been
surveyed by R. J. Cleveland, June 18, 1846, with Mahan & Crockwell as
proprietors. It was replatted, with provision for a public square, in
June, 1847, by H. Mahan, John D. Crockwell and G. H. Ford, who, in
accordance with a previous pledge, donated to the county of Jones fifty
lots of the new town and a public square. Of these lots, forty-eight
were sold at the July term of the Commissioners' Board, realizing to the
county $725.
The contract for building a two-story frame court
house was let to G. H. Ford at $800. This building was 30x40 feet, and
could not have been built at so low a price had it not been that most of
the necessary material was already donated to the county. This court
house was first occupied January 3, 1848.
Various attempts have
been made in later years to remove the county seat from Anamosa to a
more central locality.
In the vote of April 6, 1857, a contest
was waged between Anamosa and Madison, with a result of 1,024 to 717 in
favor of the former.
In the following year, an attempt to remove
the seat of justice to the northeast quarter of Section 1, Jackson
Township, failed of a majority by 33 votes. The ballot stood 1,278 to
1,245.
In October, 1874, the people were called upon to decide
between Anamosa and Center Junction. The contest was a bitter one, and
not without some fear on the part of the friends of Anamosa. The latter,
however, were successful by a vote of 1,993 to 1,592.
The court
house above mentioned, as built by G. H. Ford in 1847, was used by the
county until 1864. Some brick offices had also been erected, which
stood, with the court house, down in the part known as the "old town" of
Anamosa. Though the old building did good service for the county for
some eighteen years, yet it was not free from the gnawings of the "tooth
of time," and we find, in the midwinter meeting of the Board of
Supervisors, the following resolutions offered:
WHEREAS, H. C.
Metcalf has generously offered to Jones County suitable rooms for county
offices and a commodious hall in which to hold the District Court, for
the term of two years free of rent, with the privilege of using the same
three years longer for such rent as the Board of Supervisors may see fit
to allow, and
WHEREAS, The ruinous and dilapidated condition of the
building known as the Jones County Court House, now only renders it a
fit habitation for bats and owls, and as we, the representatives of
Jones County, do not desire longer to dispute possession with a class of
tenants whose claims are vastly superior to ours, therefore
Reso'ved,
That this Board accept said proposition and order a removal of the
public records as soon as said Metcalf shall make to the county a lease
of the aforesaid rooms, in accordance with the conditions above stated.
This resolution was finally adopted on the sixth day of the term,
January, 1864. The old Court House was sold at auction November 15,
1864, to E. B. Alderman for $250, and was moved up town.
The
rooms rented of Mr. Metcalf were occupied free of rent for two years,
when they were leased at the rate of $250 per year. The county offices
remained here until the fall of 1871, when they were removed to their
present location in Shaw's new block. The court room was removed to
Lehmkuhl's Block in January, 1871, the hall in Metcalf's building being
inadequate to needs of the county. For three years, the county rented
the rooms occupied by the county. During the time of the contest for the
county seat between Center Junction and Anamosa, the latter city in its
corporate capacity appropriated $3,000 and private citizens subscribed
$2,000 more, with which amount an $1,000 additional pledged, the entire
second floor of Shaw's Block and the Auditor's office on the first floor
were purchased and conveyed to the county of Jones, to belong to said
county so long as they were occupied for county and court purposed. In
the event that the county seat is removed from Anamosa, these rooms are
to revert to their former owners, the city and citizens of Anamosa.
THE COUNTY JAIL
Previous to the summer of 1864, Jones County was without a jail. Few of
her people seemed to have a desire to occupy such a structure, and there
was little need for one. In October, 1863, was submitted to the people
the question of building a Court House and Jail, and was defeated by a
vote of 1,348 to 656. In the following June, a petition was presented to
the Board of Supervisors, asking an appropriation for the purpose of
building a jail alone. The matter being referred to a committee, they
presented a report recommending "that the county appropriate the sum of
$2,000 for said purpose, provided the grounds on which to build the same
are donated and deeded in fee simple to the county. Said $2,000 to be
expended as set forth in said petition, under the charge of a competent
committee to be appointed by the Chairman of this Board, and that no
part of the aforesaid $2,000 shall be drawn from the county, nor shall
the contract for building said jail be let, until the said committee
certify to the Clerk of this Board that the citizens have subscribed and
paid unto said committee the sum of $1,000, and that said committee
proceed to select the grounds and erect said jail as soon as possible."
The report was adopted, and Supervisor E. B. Alderman, T. O. Bishop and
C. T. Lamson were appointed a committee to carry out the purpose of the
report.
The present site was immediately selected, and at a
meeting held in Anamosa June 13, 1864, $620 was raised by subscription
in about fifteen minutes. Several days later, the full amount necessary
was contributed and the jail erected forthwith.
Jones County
Jail is a two-story stone structure, about thirty feet square, and
containing three strong and secure stone cells. The remainder of the
building is occupied the jailer's apartment. A frame addition has
likewise been added to enlarge the dwelling portion.
The prison
accommodations of the present building are not commensurate with the
needs of the county, and before many years the jail will from necessity
be enlarged or its place supplied by a more commodious structure.
COUNTY AND LEGISLATIVE OFFICERS
We present, as a matter of
reference, a roster of the officials whom Jones County has been
delighted to honor since its organization. This list was compiled with
no small labor, and, in the absence of election records prior to 1852,
is not quite complete; but it can be relied upon, we believe, so far as
we have ventured to give it.
The pioneers will remember that
county affairs were first under the administration of a board of three
County Commissioners, viz.:
1839, Thomas S. Denson, Charles P.
Hutton and —— ——.
1840, Thomas S. Denson, Charles P. Hutton and H.
G. Seely.
1841, Charles P. Hutton, H. G. Seely and Thomas S. Denson.
1842, H. G. Seely, George H. Brown and Charles P. Hutton.
1843,
Ambrose Parsons, Charles P. Hutton and William Dalton.
1844, William
Dalton, Adam Kramar and Ambrose Parsons.
1845, William Dalton,
George G. Banghart and Adam Kramar.
1846, Adam Kramar, M. H. Hutton
and George G. Banghart.
1847, Washington Lamb, M. H. Hutton and
George G. Banghart.
1848, Charles L. D. Crockwell, Washington Lamb
and M. H. Hutton.
1849, C. L. D. Crockwell, Thomas McNally and
Washington Lamb.
1850, Thomas McNally, Thomas Green and C. L. D.
Crockwell.
Clerks of Commissioners' Court—1841–44, William
Hutton; 1844–47, Barrett Whittemore; 1847-51, C. C. Rockwell.
In
1851, the management of county affairs passed into the hands of the
County Judge, an office created at that time by the State Legislature,
in which was vested, substantially, all the powers previously held by
the Board of Commissioners.
County Judges—1851–55, Joseph Mann;
1855–57, G. C. Mudgett; 1857–59, J. J. Huber; 1859–61, William H.
Holmes.
In January, 1861, the office of County Judge was so
modified as to have jurisdiction only of probate and similar business.
The administration of county affairs passed into the hands of a Board of
Supervisors, composed of one Supervisor from each township. The Board
had four regular meetings annually.
Supervisors—1861, John
Russell, W. H. Hickman, Thomas J. Peak, M. C. Thompson, M. H. Nickisson,
Philo Norton, D. N. Monroe, Daniel Leery, H. T. Cunningham, William
Leech, Thomas Green, John Decions, Benjamin Freeman, A. A. Reilly,
William Hogg, Lawrence Schoonover.
1862, S. Hopkins, William H.
Hickman, D. Graham, T. O. Bishop, D. N. Monroe, L. D. Brainard, Benjamin
Freeman, A. A. Reilly, William Leech, Thomas McNally, H. T. Cunningham,
M. C. Thompson, P. G. Bonewitz, M. C. Walters, John McLees, Philo
Norton.
1863, P. G. Bonewitz, Philo Norton, Samuel H. Clark, M.
C. Walters, J. Tallman, Joseph Apt, S. Hopkins, David Graham, Franklin
Dalby, B. K. Bronson, A. S. Hale, John Waite, Thomas McNally, John
McLees, S. P. Southwick, T. O. Bishop.
1864, S. H. Clark, F. M.
Hicks, P. G. Bonewitz, Franklin Dalby, John Tallman, Joseph Apt, E. B.
Alderman, B. K. Bronson, Philo Norton, A. S. Hale, T. O. Bishop, S. P.
Southwick, James McDaniel, Leman Palmer, Thomas McNally, John Waite.
1865, S. P. Southwick, A. S. Hale, Leman Palmer, L. C. Niles, E. B.
Alderman, John Waite, W. H. Walworth, Franklin Dalby, John Thompson, S.
H. Clark, P. G. Bonewitz, — Blakeslee, Thomas McNally, Joseph Apt, James
McDaniel, T. O. Bishop.
1866, A. S. Hale, H. P. Southwick, J. W.
Jenkins, E. B. Alderman, T. O. Bishop, S. M. Johnson, L. C. Niles, John
Waite, J. Thompson, S. H Clark, P. G. Bonewitz, W. T. Fordham, A. H.
Marvin, Leman Palmer, Michael Kenny, F. Dawson.
1867, J. W.
Jenkins, T. O. Bishop, E. B. Alderman, S. M. Johnson, A. H. Marvin, P.
G. Bonewitz, H. Steward, W. T. Fordham, A. J. Dalby, A. G. Pangburn, G.
W. Lathrop, M. C. Thompson, William M. Starr, J. Sutherland, Francis
Dawson, Michael Kenny.
1868, M. C. Thompson, William M. Starr,
E. E. Brown, Joseph Cool, T. O. Bishop, A. J. Dalby, Anson Hayden, A. G.
Pangburn, A. A. Reilly, Francis Dawson, H. Steward, John Sutherland,
Michael Kenny, R. G. Bonewitz, W. T. Fordham, S. M. Yoran.
1869,
Hiram Steward, J. A. Crawford, John Wilson, E. E. Browne, H. C. Metcalf,
T. O. Bishop, P. V. Farley, A. Hayden, A. G. Pangburn, S. M. Yoran, A.
A. Reilly, B. Connell, John Sutherland, Michael Kenny, P. G. Bonewitz,
John Tasker.
1870, George W. Lovell, J. A. Crawford, John Tasker,
A. G. Pangburn, David Grafft, J. S. Lathrop, Ezekeil Oliphant, Hiram
Steward, M. C. Walters, Peter V. Farley, D. Gardner, A. A. Reilly, John
Sutherland, T. O. Bishop, Thomas McNally, H. C. Metcalf.
In
1870, the Supervisor system was changed so as to place the business in
the hands of three men, who should be chosen for a term of three years,
from the county at large, one new member entering each year, after the
manner of the former Commissioners.
1871, Hiram Steward, John
Tasker, S. Y. Yoran.
1872, A. G. Pangburn, S. M. Yoran, Hiram
Steward.
1873, Hiram Steward, John Waite, S. M. Yoran.
By vote of the electors of the county, it was carried, October, 1872, to
increase the number of Supervisors to five.
1874, J. A.
Crawford, Hiram Steward, G. G. Banghart, John Sutherland, W. J. Brainard.
1875, W. J. Brainard, J. A. Crawford, Joseph Cool, Hiram
Steward, G. G. Banghart.
1876, M. C. Thompson, F. Griswold, W.
J. Brainard, S. H. Clark, G. G. Banghart.
1877, S. H. Clark, M.
C. Walters, M. C. Thompson, H. C. Freeman, F. Griswold.
1878, F.
Griswold, H. C. Freeman, M. C. Thompson, S. H. Clark, M. C. Walters.
1879, M. C. Walters, S. H. Clark, H. C. Freeman, L. Schoonover, John
Bates.
Sheriffs—1839–44, Hugh Brown; September, 1844–46, M. Q.
Simpson; September, 1846–50, G. B. Laughlin; September, 1850–52, S. J.
Dunham; April, 1852, to September, 1853, F. M. Hicks; September,
1853–57, Samuel Lawrence; September, 1857, to January, 1860, N. S.
Noble; January, 1860-62, H. H. Metcalf; January 1862–68, David Kinert;
January, 1868–74, O. B. Crane; January, 1874–76, A. J. Byerly; January,
1876, P. O. Babcock, the present incumbent.
Clerks of District
Court—1841–48, William Hutton; September, 1848–50, John D. Walworth;
September, 1850–52, J. A. Secrist; September 1852, to April, 1856, W. W.
Wilson; April, 1856, to September 1856, David Kinert; September, 1856,
to January, 1861, E. T. Mullett; January, 1861–67, G. P. Dietz, January,
1867–75, J. C. Dietz; January, 1875, B. H. White, present incumbent.
Recorders—1841–42, Clark Joslin; September 1842–47, Edmond Booth;
September, 1847–49, William Sterling; September 1849–51, Ira. B. Ryan;
September 1851–53, Samuel T. Buxton; September, 1853–57, Jonas J. Huber,
September, 1857, to January, 1860, F. S. McKean; January, 1860–65, John
D. Walworth, January, 1865–69, J. S. Perfect; January, 1869–75, Richard
McDaniels; January, 1875, R. L. Duer, present incumbent.
Treasurers—Prior to 1865, the Recorder performed the duties of
Treasurer. January 1866–68, W. Cronkhite; January, 1868–74, L.
Schoonover; January, 1874–76, J. H. Dickey; January, 1876, Thomas E.
Patterson, present incumbent.
Auditors—A portion of the
Auditor's present duties were performed by the County Judge from 1861 to
1870. The first Auditor was elected October, 1869; January, 1870–74,
Charles Kline; January, 1874, Robert Doll, present incumbent.
County Superintendents—This office was established in 1859. January,
1860–62, B. F. Shaw; January, 1862–64, H. D. Sherman; January, 1864–66,
D. Harper; January, 1866–68, L. Carpenter; January, 1868–70, J. R. Stillman; January 1870–72, Alexander Hughes; January, 1872–74, E. B.
Champlin; January, 1874–76, G. O. Johnson; January, 1876, O. E. Aldrich,
the present incumbent.
Coroners—No record exists prior to 1851.
September, 1851–53, G. H. Ford; September, 1853–54, Alexander Rooney;
September, 1854–55, William Haddock; September, 1855–57, Alexander
Delong; September, 1857–59, M. H. Byerly; September, 1859, to January,
1864, E. Dalby; January, 1864–76, V. C. Williston; January, 1876–78,
George W. Birdsall; January, 1878, V. C. Williston, present incumbent.
County Surveyors—L. A. Simpson was, probably, the first to fill
this office. From his time until 1851, there is no reliable record.
September, 1851-53, Moses A. Clark; September, 1853–55, E. K. Johnson;
September, 1855–57, Lewis W. Stewart; September, 1857, to January, 1860,
George Welch; January, 1860–62, John Leery; January, 1862–64, Henry D.
Smith; January, 1864-66, F. Merriman; January, 1866–72, D. L. Blakeslee;
January, 1872–74, R. O. Peters; January, 1874–76, T. J. Townsend;
January, 1876, O. Burlingame, present incumbent.
County
Judges—1851, Joseph Mann; September, 1855–57, G. C. Mudgett; September,
1857, to January, 1860, J. J. Huber; January, 1860–62, William H.
Holmes; January, 1862-64, John S. Stacey; January, 1864–70, D. McCarn.
Judges of District Courts—Thomas S. Wilson was Judge of the
District which included Jones County while Iowa continued a Territory,
1841–46. The county under State government became a part of the Second
District, over which James Grant, of Scott County, presided five years,
beginning April 5, 1847. T. S. Wilson, of Dubuque County, became Judge
in April, 1852. Jones became a part of the Eighth Judicial District
February 9, 1853. Of this district, the Judges have been as follows:
William E. Leffingwell, of Clinton County, elected April 4, 1853; John
B. Booth, of Jackson County, appointed 1854; William H. Tuthill, of
Cedar County, elected April 2, 1855; William E. Miller, elected October
12, 1858; Norman W. Isbell, elected October 14, 1862; Charles H.
Conklin, appointed August 19, 1964, and elected Nov. 8, following; N. M.
Hubbard, appointed November 15, 1865; James H. Rothrock, elected October
9, 1866; John Shane, came into office, January, 1876, and is now the
presiding Judge of the Eighth District.
In 1869, the business of
this Court was so great that a new Court was created called the Circuit
Court. The Judges have been, 1869, to January, 1873, Sylvanus Yates;
January, 1873, John McKean, now presiding.
LEGISLATIVE
REPRESENTATION
In October, 1844, the first Constitutional
Convention met in Iowa City. Jones County was represented by John
Taylor. The second Constitutional Convention met May 4, 1846, in which
Jones County was represented by S. G. Matson. Jones County sent A. H.
Marvin, of Monticello, to the third Constitutional Convention, which met
at Iowa City January 19, 1857.
In the Territorial
Council—1838–40, Cedar, Johnson, Jones and Linn Counties sent Charles Whittlesey; 1840–42, Jones and Linn Counties sent George Green; 1842–44,
Jones and Linn Counties sent John P. Cook; 1844–46, Jones and Linn
Counties sent William Abbe.
To the State Senate—1846–50, Jones
and Jackson Counties sent Philip P. Bradley; 1850–54, Jones and Jackson
Counties sent Nathan G. Sales; 1854–58, Jones County sent William H.
Holmes; 1858–62, Jones and Jackson Counties sent Joseph Mann; 1862–64,
Jones County sent W. H. Holmes; 1864–66, Jones County sent Ezekiel
Cutler; 1866–70, Jones County sent S. S. Farwell; 1870–74, Jones County
sent John McKean; 1874–78, Jones County sent George W. Lovell.
During the past session of the Legislature, Jones County had no Senator.
In the new apportionment, Cedar and Jones elect as senator together. The
Cedar County Senator holding over two years longer than the Jones County
official, the Senator from Cedar occupies the place at present. John
Russell was elected Oct. 14, 1879, to serve 1880–84, Jones and Cedar
Counties.
Representatives—1838–39, Robert G. Roberts; from
Cedar, Johnson, Jones and Linn Counties; 1839–40, George H. Walworth,
from Jones and Linn Counties; 1840–41, Harman Van Antwerp and George H.
Walworth, from Jones and Linn Counties; 1841–42, Samuel P. Higginson and
Thomas Denson, from Jones and Linn Counties; 1842–43, George H. Walworth
and John C. Berry, from Jones and Cedar Counties; 1843–44, George H.
Walworth and Robert Smythe, from Jones and Cedar Counties; 1844–46,
Joseph K. Snyder and John Taylor, from Jones, Linn and Cedar Counties;
1846–48, S. G. Matson and George F. Green, from Jones and Jackson
Counties; 1848–50, D. A. Mahoney and N. G. Sales, from Jones and Jackson
Counties; 1850–52, R. B. Wykoff and John E. Goodenow, from Jones and
Jackson Counties; 1852–54, John Taylor, from Jones County; 1854–56, W.
H. Holmes, from Jones County; 1856–58, W. H. Holmes, from Jones County,
and William Thomas, from Jackson and Jones Counties; 1858–60, H.
Steward, from Jones County, and W. S. Johnson, Jones and Jackson
Counties; 1860–62, John Taylor, from Jones County; 1862–64, O.
Whittemore and John Russell; 1864–66, John Russell and J. H. Fuller;
1866–70, John McKean and John Russell; 1870–72, John Russell and P. G.
Bonewitz; 1872–74, P. G. Bonewitz and John Tasker; 1874–76, John W.
Moore and G. O. Bishop; 1876–78, William T. Shaw and George W. Lathrop;
1878–80, S. M. Yoran; 1880–82, S. M. Yoran.
RAILROADS
The
first railroad in Iowa was commenced in 1854. Previous to this time, the
struggle for a railroad had begun in Jones County. May 2, 1852, had been
incorporated the Iowa Central Air Line Company, an organization which
for a number of years figured quite conspicuously in Central Iowa, and
which Jones County people have abundant cause to remember for years to
come, and with no grateful remembrance.
This Company was
incorporated at the date named, by the following persons, most of whom
are Iowa men:
Jonas Clark, John E. Goodenow, J. W. Jenkins,
Russel Perham, Alonzo Spaulding, Elisha F. Clark, Daniel Rhodes, David
Sears, Ira Minard, Charles Butler, Elisha C. Litchfield, G. S. Hubbard,
S. S. Jones, S. M. Hitt, George W. Waite, William Ferdman, L. H. Bowen,
O. Emerson, George Greene, A. F. Steadman, D. M. McIntosh, Isaac Whittam,
N. B. Brown, S. D. Carpenter, D. W. King, N. W. Isbell, Charles Nye,
Thomas J. McKean, L. D. Jordan, E. Vanmeter, Dan Lothian, M. E. McKenny,
S. C. Bever, William Haddock, J. H. Fisher, H. C. Metcalf, W. H.
Eldridge, Porter Sargeant, E. A. Wood.
The purpose of the
corporation, as set forth in the articles, were "the construction,
operation and use of a railroad with double or single track, and with
all necessary appendages, branches and extensions. The main trunk or
continuous line of said road was to commence on the Mississippi River,
at or near Sabula, and run thence westerly on or near the Forty-second
Parallel of latitude to the Missouri River, and ultimately thence
westerly through the South Pass to California.
The stock of the
Air Line Company was to be $10,000,000, with the privilege of increasing
it. A survey was made through to the Missouri River, passing through
Maquoketa, Anamosa, Marion, Cedar Rapids, Marshalltown, and crossing the
Missouri River just west of Onawa. Negotiations were opened up for a
land grant and not much else was done for several years An act of
Congress, of May 15, 1856, granted to the State of Iowa upward of three
million acres of Government lands, to be expended in building railroads.
The act provided to give a company building a road from Lyons to a point
at or near Maquoketa, and thence west on the line of the Air Line road
to the Missouri River, every alternate section designated by odd numbers
within six miles on either side of the line of road, and where the land
within this distance was already sold or pre-empted, the State was to
select an equivalent amount of land within fifteen miles on either side
of the road.
The grant from the Legislature to the Iowa Central
Air Line Company provided that the line should be definitely fixed and
located before April 1, 1857, and that if the road did not have
seventy-five miles completed prior to December 1, 1859, or did not have
the road completed before December 1, 1865, that all unsold lands should
revert to the State.
The land grant to this and other roads gave
a tremendous impetus to railroad building in Iowa for several years. The
land grant to the Air Line Company alone was estimated by its President
at 906,480 acres. The report of June 2, 1858, represents $1,210,000 as
already expended upon the road, most of which was disbursed in securing
the lands of the Company.
The projected line was to cross Jones
County, passing through both Wyoming and Anamosa. The county in its
corporate capacity was called upon for help, and before the land grant
had been secured, in June, 1853, almost immediately after the formation
of the Company, a petition was presented to the County Judge, asking for
a vote subscribing $80,000 stock in the new Company, to be paid in
county bonds drawing 8 per cent interest. These bonds were to be
liquidated by an annual tax of 1 per cent. The proposition was carried
by a vote of 459 to 240.
The stock, however, was not subscribed
nor the bonds issued until June 15, 1856, following the Congressional
land grant, nor were the bonds delivered even at that time. December 25,
1856, an agreement was entered into between G. C. Mudgett, County Judge,
and S. S. Jones, President of the Air Line Company, providing that the
bonds should be issued only so rapidly as the work was carried on in the
limits of the county of Jones.
At that time, the stock of the
Railroad Company was above par, and it was agreed on the part of the
corporation, that if the county would relinquish all right to the
divided upon the stock of the Company, that the latter would agree to
pay the interest upon the county's bonds. This would simply amount to
the county of Jones lending her name as security to the railroad, which,
in the roseate hue hanging over railroad prospects, was a very small
favor. Stock of the Company, to be held in trust for the county, was
immediately delivered to three Trustees-N.G. Sales, of Anamosa; Robert
Smythe, of Marion, and Jas. Hazlett, Sr., of Lyons.
Under this
agreement, the work of grading was immediately commenced in Jones
County, and, in a short time, $54,000 of county bonds had been issued.
It is a well-known fact that the Air Line Company failed on
account of reckless management and open rascality on the part of the
President and other officers. The magnificent land grant of the company
was of itself sufficient to have completed the enterprise to the
Missouri River, and the Company would also have received cordial help
from cities and citizens all along the line. Nothing was done. The
affair was a suicide. December 1, 1859, the time when the road should
have seventy-five miles of road completed or forfeit the grant, came
around, and not a mile of iron had been laid, and the magnificent gift
of the Government passed into the hands of the Cedar Rapids & Missouri
River Railroad.
Of course, the Air Line Company never paid a
cent of interest upon the bonds of the county. Suits were entered in the
United States Court by bondholders against the county of Jones in
default of the payment of interest. The plaintiff secured judgment.
Forty-six of the fifty-four thousand dollars bonds were held by
David J. Lake, of Chicago. In May, 1865, a compromise was effected by
the county's paying Lake seventy cents on the dollar due, principal and
interest. Six thousand more were redeemed about the same time from other
parties at nearly the same rate. One bond, held by G. W. Bettesworth,
was settled by the payment of $1,920.70, principal and interest, on the
part of the county, while Bettesworth surrendered the bond and conveyed
4,590 acres of land to Jones County, which afterwards sold at such a
figure as to prove a good investment. The fifty-fourth bond was canceled
some years later.
About 1852, there was projected a road from
Dubuque to Keokuk, by way of Anamosa, Marion and Iowa City. This
departure from a direct line gave to the enterprise the vulgar name of
the "Rams-Horn." An incorporation was formed, with the Langworthys of
Dubuque, Lincoln Clark and William T. Shaw among the leaders. This road,
as originally laid out, proved a failure, but along part of its line was
built the Dubuque Western.
On the occasion of the completion of
this road to Anamosa, the following notice of it appeared in the Anamosa
Eureka:
"Friday evening, 9th of March, year of grace 1860, was a
joyous time in Anamosa.
"'Punctual as lovers to the moment
sworn,'
and punctual to the hour of 8 o'clock, came in the first
train of cars from Dubuque. A crowd was at the depot, and the welcome
was deep and cordial.
"The road was commenced in July, 1857. In
October following, came the revulsion throughout the country; but the
work continued through the winter, and subsequently struggled on, now
and then, amid the trying stringency of the money market until last
autumn, when, by a money arrangement with C. W. Theo. Krausch, the late
Chief Engineer of the New York & Erie Railroad, the entire
superintendency was transferred to him, and most nobly has he performed
his task, proving his high competency as a railroad builder and manager.
"Prominent among the men to whom we are indebted for this great
and glorious work, we are bound to accord all honor to L. H. Langworthy,
F. S. Winslow, H. A. Wiltse, E. Stimpson, H. Gelpcke and C. W. Theo.
Krausch, of Dubuque, with W. T. Shaw, of Anamosa. Others, too, have
aided us most effectively in the trying hours of the past two years. To
Mr. Shaw we at this end of the line are largely indebted. His cool and
ready clear-sightedness, as a liberal stockholder and Director from the
beginning, has contributed, in a great measure, to the success of the
project."
At the time of the breaking-out of the war, the road
was being pushed westward toward Marion, and W. T. Shaw was
superintending the construction. On the day that Mr. Shaw received his
commission as Colonel of an Iowa regiment, he dismissed the men he had
employed, and, abruptly as Putnam left the plow, proceeded to the field
in service of his country. The building of the road was at a standstill
for several years, and was not completed to Marion until about 1865. The
present terminus of the road is Cedar Rapids.
Ten thousand
dollars in bonds of the city of Anamosa were voted to aid the Dubuque
Western road in building, but only a fraction of these were ever issued.
Farmers and citizens along the line aided liberally by subscriptions.
The road has several times changed hands and names, passing into
possession of bondholders, and, in 1878, to the Chicago, Milwaukee & St.
Paul Railroad Company. It has been known by the names of Dubuque
Western, Dubuque, Marion & Western, the Dubuque & South-Western, and,
finally, as a part of the Western Union Division of the Chicago,
Milwaukee & St. Paul.
It should have been stated, in connection
with the early history of this road, that on May 9, 1857, the question
of taking $100,000 stock, by issuing county bonds to that amount, was
submitted to the people and lost by a vote of 567 to 828. A similar
proposition was defeated in August of the same year, by a vote of 716 to
368.
Quite a number of railroads projected in Jones County
existed only on paper, and, except as companies or paper corporations,
had no existence at all. Among the first of these, one was formed to
build a road from Cascade to Anamosa, to connect at the former place
with the great North-Western Railway projected through that point. A
meeting was held December 9, 1856, at which Articles of Incorporation
were adopted and the following persons elected a Board of Directors: S.
W. McMasters, John Lorain, L. C. McKinney, A. S. Chew, S. S. Merrill, G.
W. Trumbull, T. J. Chew, James Hill, William P. Wightman, W. S. Hall, N.
G. Sales, Joseph Mann, C. L. D. Crockwell. The road was never begun, and
the corporation soon collapsed.
With greater pretensions was
organized, March 19, 1857, the Wapsipinicon & St. Peters Valley Railroad
Company, whose purpose was to build a continuous line of road, to
commence at Anamosa and run thence northwest through Quasqueton,
Independence and Fairbanks, and thence northwesterly to the north line
of the State. The capital stock was fixed at $5,000,000.
This was
intended as a feeder to the Air Line route, and was looked upon as a
very probable enterprise in the palmy days of the Air Line bubble. The
people of Jones County were given an opportunity, in May, 1857, to
decide whether the county, in its corporate capacity, should take
$100,000 stock in the Wapsipinicon & St. Peters Valley Railroad. The
voters said nay, the scheme being defeated by a vote of 1,067 to 375.
The first officers of this Company were: D. S. Davis, President;
Wm H. Gibbs, Vice President; E. C Bidwell, Secretary; H. P. Henshaw,
Treasurer; D. S. Lee, Attorney; Directors-F. C. Patterson, Rufus
Connable, P. A. Brooks, L. W. Hart, S. V. Thompson, N. G. Sales, G. H.
Ford, J. S. Dimmett.
January 12, 1859, were adopted Articles of
Association of what was called the "Anamosa Branch of the Tipton
Railway," for the purpose of building a branch to Tipton. The five
Directors elected were Wm T. Shaw, David Graham and H. C. Metcalf, of
Anamosa, O. Cronkhite and D. A. Carpenter, of Rome.
The partly
graded road-bed, between Lyons and Maquoketa, of the exploded Air Line
road, found its way into the Mississippi, Maquoketa & Western Company.
In March, 1870, the Midland Company was organized at Des Moines, to
build a road from Clinton to Maquoketa, with the probability that it
would go farther west. The Mississippi, Maquoketa & Western sold the
road-bed and franchise to the Midland for $18,000. The cars were running
into Maquoketa in December, 1870. A fortunate rivalry springing up
between the Chicago & North-Western, the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy
and the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, entitled the cordial support of
the first-named road to the Midland. William T. Shaw was President until
March, 1871, at which time the road passed under complete control of the
Chicago & North-Western Company, though a separate organization is still
maintained. The road was immediately pushed on from Maquoketa to
Anamosa, being completed to the latter place in October, 1871. The
citizens of the latter place subscribed about $35,000 in stock, though
little was paid, and Fairview Township voted to its aid a 3 per cent
tax, amounting to nearly $15,000.
At present writing, the
Midland is building further west, through with what objective point it
is not known. It ceases to be a Jones County enterprise.
The
Sabula, Ackley & Dakota Railroad was projected especially by the
citizens of Ackley and Sabula, and was designed as a western branch to
connect with the Western Union road at Savanna, Ill. The building of the
road commenced in 1870. The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, jealous of
the progress of the Midland road, lent its aid to the building of the
Sabula, Ackley & Dakota. A bitter rivalry sprang up between the two
enterprises, and each did what they could to injure the progress of the
other. The North-Western came out first in the race, at least so far as
the building of the road was concerned. When the cars were running into
Anamosa over the Midland, the western terminus of the Sabula road was at
Preston, only about twenty miles from its starting-point. In the summer
of 1872, the road was completed to Rome, in Jones County. The western
terminus of the road, which now belongs to the Western Union Division of
the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Company, is Cedar Rapids. The road
traverses the southern tier of townships of Jones County, passing
through a most excellent piece of country.
The Davenport & St.
Paul Railroad was a Davenport enterprise, whose chief spirit was its
President, Hon. Hiram Price. This road passes through Wyoming and
Monticello. Cascade made a determined effort to secure the road from
Wyoming to that point, but in vain. The cars over this line were running
into Wyoming December 22, 1871. The road is gradually nearing the
northern line of the State, and will, doubtless, in time, bring Jones
County in direct connection with its proposed northern terminus, St.
Paul. The line has been recently purchased by the Chicago, Milwaukee &
St. Paul Company. The corporation, therefore, own and operate three
lines of road traversing Jones County, viz., the Sabula, Ackley &
Dakota, Davenport & North-Western, and the Dubuque & South-Western, or,
in all, a total of seventy miles of road.
In April, 1868, a
company was organized under the name of the Anamosa & North-Western
Railroad Company, whose object was to build a road from Anamosa
northwest, along the Wapsipinicon Valley, to the northern boundary of
the State. The incorporators were James Jamison, James Ironside, R. N.
Soper, F. Braun, William T. Shaw, J. S. Stacy, D. S. Lee, C. R. Scott,
Charles E. Kent, J. H. Fairchild, E. C. Downs, A. Hunsicker, C. W.
Hastings, H. J. White, M. McGlathery.
The interest which might
otherwise have been enlisted in this enterprise was directed into other
channels by new and unexpected developments in railroad building, about
this time. The project was, therefore, unsuccessful.
The
assessment returns of Jones County show the number of miles of railroad
within its limits to be as follows:
Iowa Midland 20.80 miles
Dubuque & Southwestern 19.71 miles
Davenport & St.
Paul 30.80 miles
Sabula, Ackley & Dakota 25.55 miles
Total 96.86 miles
COUNTY FINANCES
The financial condition of Jones County is most
satisfactory. A conservative management has been the policy of her
financiers, whose care has ever been to keep the county from becoming
involved in debt. The unfortunate loan to the Air Line Railroad, of
which mention is elsewhere made, has been the only serious calamity
which has ever occurred affecting the county treasury. The County
Treasurer's report, in June, 1879, shows a balance on hand in each of
the various funds in the keeping of the county. There are no outstanding
warrants demanding payment, and county orders are at par. The county has
no bonds outstanding. No money of importance has ever been invested in
county building, the Court House now occupied being the gift of Anamosa
and different citizens, as has been elsewhere mentioned.
The
report of the County Auditor for the year ending January 5, 1879, shows
the expenses of county government for 1878, to have been as follows:
| Supervisors | $ 777.59 |
| Salaries of officers | 4,400.00 |
| Witnesses | 2,138.70 |
| Jurors | 3,490.00 |
| Attorneys and reporters | 1,193.50 |
| Sheriff, bailiffs and janitor | 1,286.33 |
| Jail expenses | 961.40 |
| Justices and Constables | 1,607.00 |
| Poor, outside poor farm | 2,658.15 |
| Fuel, lights, repairs to county
buildings, etc. | 691.28 |
| Assessors, Township Clerks and Trustees | 1,759.90 |
| Postage and express | 134.05 |
| Books and stationery | 797.40 |
| Printing | 1,779.53 |
| Superintendent of Schools | 958.07 |
| Election expenses | 456.20 |
| Bounty on wild animals' scalps | 242.00 |
| Township Collectors | 1,140.59 |
| Poor Farm | 2,557.96 |
| Paid Benton County in Johnson case | 208.00 |
| Copying mortgage index | 175.00 |
| Clerks' fees, criminal cases | 52.25 |
| Settlement of title to Coleman lots | 40.00 |
| Miscellaneous | 4.10 |
| | --------- |
| | $29,509.00 |
| Deaf, dumb and insane | 405.45 |
| Insane Hospital | 1,515.56 |
| Bridges | 14,473.44 |
| | --------- |
| Total | $45,903.45 |
The assessment for 1879, as corrected by the Board of Supervisors, we
give by townships. To this 5 per cent has been added by the State Board:
TOWNS AND TOWNSHIPS |
Acres of Land |
Assess'd value of Land |
Assess'd value of Town Lots |
Personal Property |
Total |
| Cass | 22908 |
$196073 | $ ......... |
$57745 | $253818 |
| Castle Grove | 22755 | 204825 | 495 | 58864 | 264184 |
| Clay | 22280 | 181939 | 3619 | 40828 | 216386 |
| Fairview | 21701 | 205132 | 4504 | 64229 | 273865 |
| Greenfield | 22645 | 206484 | 5165 | 106796 | 318445 |
| Hale | 22850 | 193742 | ......... | 70778 | 264520 |
| Jackson | 22228 | 183207 | ......... | 30869 | 214076 |
| Madison | 22106 | 206709 | 19655 | 79396 | 305760 |
| Monticello | 22022 | 215217 | 514 | 52976 | 268707 |
| Oxford | 22253 | 189269 | 14330 | 88254 | 291853 |
| Richland | 22911 | 171422 | 4665 | 38662 | 214749 |
| Rome | 22172 | 200925 | ......... | 58873 | 259798 |
| Scotch Grove | 22443 | 198765 | 1036 | 51331 | 251132 |
| Washington | 22866 | 166508 | ......... | 36421 | 202929 |
| Wayne | 22575 | 206312 | 5205 | 71282 | 282799 |
| Wyoming | 22200 | 191498 | 9060 | 62615 | 263173 |
| Anamosa | ......... | ......... | 170225 | 98036 | 268261 |
| Monticello, town | ......... | ......... | 158466 | 146614 | 305080 |
| Olin | ......... | ......... | 28887 | 20890 | 49777 |
| Strawberry Hill | ......... | ......... | 15110 | 2604 | 17714 |
| Wyoming, town | ......... | ......... | 66600 | 71254 | 137854 |
| Totals | 358915 | $3108027 | $507536 | $1309317 | $4924880 |
The assessment of railroad property is as follows:
|
Number of Miles in County |
Assessed Value per Mile |
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul
Western Union Division
Davenport & North-Western
Iowa Midland |
45.26
30.63
20.80 |
$2,300.00
2,500.00
2,000.00 |
The tax levy for 1878-79 was as follows: State tax, 2 mills; county
school tax, 1 mill; county tax, 4 mills; bridge tax, 3 mills; poor tax,
1 mill; total, 11 mills.
Of the permanent School fund which the
wisdom of our early State government provided, to assist the various
counties in maintaining free schools, there is in the hands of Jones
County—most of which is loaned out on real estate—$58,756.53. The
apportionment of the permanent fund to Jones County for the past year
was $4,063.14. The annual interest upon the funds placed in the care of
Jones County is greater than her share of the yearly apportionment.
STATISTICS—SOCIAL AND AGRICULTURAL
A steady growth has
marked the progress of Jones County from the date of its organization.
No feverish haste is perceptible, but that constant influx of population
and wealth, which forbids all thought of relapse or disaster, and gives
an air of permanence and stability to every place or institution to
which it is peculiar. This is strikingly illustrated by a comparison of
the census reports since 1838. The population has been as follows: 1838,
241; 1840, 475; 1844, 1,112; 1846, 1,758; 1848, 1,779; 1849, 2,140;
1,850, 3,007; 1,851, 3,400; 1852, 4,201; 1853, 6,075; 1856, 9,835; 1859,
13,475; 1860, 13,306; 1863, 13,495; 1865, 14,376; 1867, 16,228; 1869,
18,113; 1870, 19,731; 1873, 18,930; 1875, 19,166.
A steady
growth has marked the progress of Jones County from the date of its
organization. No feverish haste is perceptible, but that constant influx
of population and wealth, which forbids all thought of relapse or
disaster, and gives an air of permanence and stability to every place or
institution to which it is peculiar. This is strikingly illustrated by a
comparison of the census reports since 1838. The population has been as
follows: 1838, 241; 1840, 475; 1844, 1,112; 1846, 1,758; 1848, 1,779;
1849, 2,140; 1,850, 3,007; 1,851, 3,400; 1852, 4,201; 1853, 6,075; 1856,
9,835; 1859, 13,475; 1860, 13,306; 1863, 13,495; 1865, 14,376; 1867,
16,228; 1869, 18,113; 1870, 19,731; 1873, 18,930; 1875, 19,166.
Subjoined we give an abstract of the population of Jones County, taken
from the census report of 1875. This is not given as a true
representation of the population of towns at the present time, but may
be valuable as a matter of reference now, or fifty years hence:
| TOWNS AND TOWNSHIPS |
POPULATION |
Total Pop. |
Number of Families |
Male |
Female |
Colored |
| Cass | 394 | 378 | 3 | 775 | 166 |
| Castle Grove | 375 | 332 | ... | 707 | 126 |
| Clay | 543 | 419 | ... | 962 | 169 |
| Fairview | 594 | 579 | ... | 1,173 | 220 |
| Greenfield | 604 | 487 | ... | 1,091 | 178 |
| Hale | 528 | 460 | ... | 988 | 187 |
| Jackson | 415 | 385 | ... | 800 | 150 |
| Madison | 510 | 487 | ... | 997 | 167 |
| Monticello | 474 | 435 | ... | 909 | 159 |
| Monticello Town | 760 | 825 | 2 | 1,587 | 332 |
| Oxford | 506 | 468 | 1 | 975 | 201 |
| Richland | 387 | 353 | ... | 740 | 134 |
| Rome | 651 | 629 | 1 | 1,281 | 254 |
| Scotch Grove | 421 | 400 | ... | 821 | 137 |
| Strawberry Hill Town | 59 | 66 | 5 | 130 | 30 |
| Washington | 422 | 365 | ... | 787 | 140 |
| Wayne | 581 | 554 | ... | 1,135 | 210 |
| Wyoming | 504 | 510 | ... | 1,014 | 181 |
| Wyoming Town | 331 | 358 | ... | 689 | 157 |
| Anamosa Town | 814 | 784 | 7 | 1,605 | 356 |
| Total | 9,873 | 9,274 | 19 | 19,166 | 3,654 |
The population of the incorporated towns during the years 1870, 1873 and
1875 are given as follows:
NAME OF TOWN |
1870 |
1873 |
1875 |
| Anamosa | 2083 | 1656 | 1605 |
| Monticello | 1337 | 1335 | 1587 |
| Wyoming | ... | ... | 689 |
| Strawberry Hill | ... | ... | 130 |
The post offices in 1875 were Anamosa, Blue Cut, Bowen's Prairie, Castle Grove, Clayford, Clay Mills, Fairview, Hale Village, Highland Grove, Johnson, Langworthy, Martelle, Olin, Onslow, Oxford Mills, Oxford Junction Scotch Grove, Viroqua and Wyoming.
| Number of acres of improved land in 1875 | 208,907 |
| Number of acres of unimproved land in 1875 | 63,298 |
| Number of acres of natural timber in 1875 | 52,546 |
| Number of acres of planted timber | 473 |
| Number of voters in 1875 | 4,180 |
| Number of voters born in Germany | 283 |
| Number of voters born in Scotland | 133 |
| Number of voters born in Ireland | 614 |
| Number of foreigners not naturalized | 176 |
BRIDGES
Jones County, traversed as it is by the North and
South Maquoketa and Wapsipinicon Rivers, has been obliged to expend in
the building of bridges sums which to other counties would seem almost
marvelous. Not only have these larger streams made heavy drafts upon the
county treasury, but numerous creeks have demanded a steady expenditure
of the public funds to render them passable. It has been the custom of
the Board of Supervisors usually to make appropriations in part for the
building of bridges, expecting the remainder to be raised by
subscription. Thus an appropriation would be made with the understanding
that the citizens most interested in the bridge would subscribe and pay
$1 to every $2 expended by the county, or $1 to every $3 of the public
funds. Wooden bridges only were erected for a time, but a longer-sighted
policy has of late years led to the building of substantial iron
superstructures.
The first bridge of importance in the county
was thrown across the Wapsipincon near where the Anamosa Cemetery now
is. This was on the old Military road from Dubuque to Iowa City. The
bridge was built by the Government, at an expense of $2,900, Calvin Reed
being the contractor.
In 1857, $2,000 was appropriated by the
County Judge to assist in bridging the South Maquoketa, and $1,800 to
span the Wapsipinicon at Overacker's Ferry.
A bridge was built
at Metcalf's and Graham's Mills, across the Wapsipinicon, in 1862-63, at
a cost of $2,500, of which the county paid one half.
A bridge at
Oxford's Mills was built in 1865, with A. A. Reilly as contractor, at a
total cost of $4,674, of which the county paid about one-half.
In November, 1864, $2,000 was appropriated toward building a $3,000
bridge at Monticello.
In 1865, a bridge was built at Newport,
for $3,900, of which $2,350 was contributed by the county, and the
remainder raised by subscription. In 1872, this was replaced by an iron
bridge, built by the King Bridge Company, and costing $13,500.
A
bridge over Walnut Creek, at Rome, was built at an expense of $2,528.50.
An appropriation was made in November, 1868, to bridge Buffalo
Creek, at Fremont's Mills, at a cost of $3,000, two-thirds to be paid by
the county.
In January, 1869, $3,000 was appropriated for the
bridging of the Wapsipinicon, near Ballou's stone quarry, in Hale
Township. A subsequent appropriation of $2,450 was made in the following
year. The entire cost of the bridge was near $8,000.
Appropriations were made in 1870, for bridges at Corbet's Mill and Clay
Mills, each to cost near $3,000, of which the county would pay
two-thirds, the remainder to be raised by subscription.
An iron
bridge was built across the south fork of the Maquoketa River, near
Walter's Mills, in June, 1871.
In the winter of 1872-73, the
bridge at Monticello was taken out by the ice, and a superstructure of
iron was substituted by the Massillon Bridge Company, in the summer
following. The iron bridge across the Wapsipinicon at Anamosa, was
completed by the Ohio Bridge Company, during the same season.
The bridge at Supple's Mills was completed in 1875, at an expense of
$6,654.46. The contractors were Kline, Wybel & Co., and Z. King & Co.
The iron bridge across the Buffalo at Fisher's Mills, completed
in 1878, cost $9,620.42.
The bridge at Olin, completed in
October, 1877, by the King Bridge Company is a substantial structure and
cost Jones County $9,737.53.
TIMBER, HEDGES, ETC.
To
encourage the cultivation of trees, orchards and hedges, the Board of
Supervisors, at the June meeting, 1878, resolved that $100 should be
deducted from the assessment of each person having planted and
cultivated an acre of forest trees, with not less than five hundred
trees per acre; also, a deduction of $100 for each half-mile of
two-year-old hedge, and $100 for each acre of fruit trees duly
cultivated and planted; provided always, that in each case the owner
send to the Board a general statement of the manner of planting and
cultivation.
CENSUS OF 1840 AND DEAF MUTES
We quote from
an article published in the "Annals of Iowa," October, 1871, written by
Edmund Booth, of Anamosa, for more than twenty years the editor of the
Eureka. Mr. Booth, though usually classed among deaf mutes, is not
really such. He lost his hearing when a mere lad, and has the power of
speech in a limited way. He was educated at the Hartford Institution for
the Deaf and Dumb, and was subsequently, for seven years, a teacher in
that institution. He writes:
"In the spring of 1840, the site of
what is now Anamosa did not contain a human dwelling of any kind. At the
distance of a mile or more therefrom, and at a point now called
Fisherville, there stood a log house, about 18x20 feet in size, owned by
a company engaged in building mills, such as were needed by frontiersmen
for grinding or sawing. The company consisted of Timothy Davis, of
Dubuque; Gideon H. Ford and George H. Walworth, the first and last named
being subsequently know in Iowa politics. There being no house within
five miles of the place, Mr. Walworth brought two of his sisters from
their home in Illinois to aid in housekeeping. One of these sisters was
a mute from New Hampshire, and educated at the Hartford institution.
Another mute, a young man, also educated at the same school, Mr.
Walworth found at Alton, Ill., and brought on, as a skillful carpenter.
The name of this young man was L. N. Perkins.
"In May or June of
the year above indicated, a brother-in-law of the writer, Col. David
Wood, of Springfield, Mass., arrived with his family, and with him I
decided to erect a frame dwelling-the first frame dwelling erected in
the county-on the site of what afterwards became the town of Anamosa.
The frame was prepared at the mills near the log house aforesaid, and in
June or July we proceeded to dig the cellar.
(Note-In this
connection it may be interesting to the reader to know that the second
marriage license in Jones County was issued July 25, 1840, to Edmund
Booth and Mary Ann Walworth, and that they were married on the following
day, by John G. Joslin, Justice of the Peace, who, in the absence of
other form of marriage ceremony, made use of the printed service of
Queen Victoria to Prince Albert, which appeared about that time in the
newspapers, the queen having married, February 10 previous. Doubtless a
very quiet wedding, as neither of the parties most interested could hear
a sound, nor could Miss Walworth speak a sentence.-Editor.)
"One
day, while engaged in the latter occupation, in company with Perkins,
whom I had hired for the purpose, no other person being present, the
Sheriff of the county, Hugh Bowen, came along in his usual way, on
horseback. He stopped, dismounted, drew a roll of papers from a tin
case, and entered our names, places of nativity, etc., in the census of
1840. Having performed this duty, the Sheriff remounted his horse and
proceeded to the log house before mentioned. While he was entering our
name and all the et ceteras, I noticed that his paper was printed in the
form usual upon occasions of this kind, and that he placed the proper
figure under the head of deaf mutes. The taking of the census was
completed throughout the country, and was in due season printed and laid
before Congress and the public. Many persons now living will remember
the storm which the publication of this census brought up. John Quincy
Adams, ex-President and then member of the Lower House at Washington,
and others, as well as the newspapers, attacked it fiercely as having
been manipulated in the interests of slavery. John Tyler was President,
through the death of Harrison, and John C. Calhoun was Secretary of
State. The office of Secretary of the Interior had not been created, and
the Census Bureau had charge of census affairs subject to the control of
the Secretary of State. The abolition war was raging in Congress and
out, the Southern politicians and Northern tools declared slavery
divine-the best possible condition for the blacks. To prove the truth of
this latter assertion, the census returns had been so falsified as to
show that a far greater proportion of the free blacks of the North were
variously afflicted with physical infirmities than was the case with the
enslaved blacks of the South; but possibly because there were not enough
blacks in some of the Northern States or because the fraud might be too
easily detected, or because Southern statesmen in their ignorance of the
real state of things in the North, supposed Northern mutes were
generally uneducated, as those of the slave-holding States, the mutes of
the North were very liberally classed in the published returns as deaf,
dumb, blind, idiotic, insane and colored!
"While the feeling on
this subject of falsifying the census was at its height, I received a
copy of the Hartford Courant, in which was a communication, probably
written by Mr. Weld, the Principal, or some one of the teachers, giving
the localities of the former pupils of the Hartford institution, and now
published by the Government as colored and overwhelmed by all the ills
that can afflict humanity. The mutes of Jones County, Iowa, that is, the
three mentioned above, I learned now for the first time, were down in
the archives of the Government, and for the information of the coming
ages down to the end of time, described as 'deaf, dumb, blind, idiotic,
insane, colored.'
"There are those who are readily irritated at
trifling annoyances, but bear great misfortunes with a quiet philosophy
or a stolid indifference. The statement just quoted was too atrocious,
too extravagant and too absurd for indignation. It brought greatly to my
recollection the wrathful exclamation found in Shakespeare:
"'Get
thee glass eyes,
And, like a scurvy politician, seem
To see the
things thou seest not.'
"Years passed until 1847, and the
Territory of Iowa had become a State. The subject of a school for deaf
mutes within our borders had occasionally crossed my mind and been
dismissed as untimely. As a Territory, nothing could be done save in a
private way. Iowa, as a State, could make provisions whereby mutes might
have equal educational privileges with hearing children. But the State
was neither populous nor wealthy enough to embark in costly schemes, and
I therefore wrote to Thomas Officer, Principal of the Institution for
the Education of the Deaf and Dumb, at Jacksonville. Ill., to ascertain
whether, and on what terms, his school would receive and educate the
mutes of Iowa. His answer was favorable; the terms, I think, $100 a year
for board and tuition. This was during the early part of the session of
1848-49 of the Iowa Legislature.
"On receiving Mr. Officer's
answer, I immediately wrote to Dr. Nathan G. Sales, then representing
our county in the Lower House, requesting him to inaugurate and press
through a bill authorizing the sending to the school at Jacksonville
such Iowa mutes as were of educational age, and before they became too
old to enjoy the advantage, at the same time stating that our new
commonwealth was too young and not sufficiently advanced in population
or ability to start a school of our own. Incidentally, and as a
tolerable good joke, though at my own expense, and never dreaming of the
use to which the Doctor would put it, I told him that by the census of
1840, all the mutes of Jones County were bound up in calf, laid away in
the Government Library and published to the world as, 'deaf, dumb,
blind, idiotic and insane niggers,' asking his opinion at the same time,
as a physician, whether it was possible for a person to be at once
idiotic and insane? In this letter I enclosed the one from Mr. Officer.
"The Doctor, as he afterward told me, read my letter in open
session and there was a general laugh, as well there might be. He
brought in a bill making provisions for the education of the mutes and
blind of the State, but met with opposition on the score of poverty. He
therefore resorted to strategy. There was a bill providing for a sword
for some officer who had distinguished himself in the Mexican war. The
Doctor compared the extravagance of this motion with the necessity of
assisting to the afflicted of the State, and secured the passage of the
bill through the House.
"The bill became a law and appropriated
$50 per year to every mute sent to the institution at Jacksonville, the
parents or friends to pay the balance necessary to make up the $100
required annually. It was the best that could be done at the time.
"In the spring of 1849, I went to California and returned in 1854.
On inquiry, I found that the law had been so changed as to allow each
mute $100 annually in the Illinois school. During my five years of
absence, the State had grown remarkably in population and wealth, and
now I thought the time had come for a school of our own. With this view,
I again wrote to Mr. Officer, the Principal of the Jacksonville
Institution, for data regarding the number of our pupils, etc., and
hinting at the establishment of a school in Iowa. Trouble in one of my
lungs, resulting from lung fever during student days, forbade my taking
the work of teaching on myself. I therefore wrote to David E. Bartlett,
who was conducting a private school of mutes at Poughkeepsie, N. Y.,
stating how the matter stood and suggesting to him to come and start a
school at Iowa City, then the capital of the State. Mr. Bartlett had
formerly been a fellow-teacher with me in Hartford, and I knew him to be
abundantly qualified, he being by nature a hearty enthusiast in his
profession, and having the love and respect of his pupils and all the
mutes of his acquaintance. To my great regret he declined the proposal,
pleading 'age and seventeen little responsibilities'-meaning his pupils.
Knowing no other teacher of mutes outside of the regular institutions
worth having, and knowing also that no teacher, properly qualified,
naturally and otherwise, connected with any established institution
would sever such connection for what might appear a Don Quixotic
adventure into a frontier State, I concluded to wait until near the time
of the assembling of the next Iowa Legislature, and then, by letter or
some other means, enlist a few of the prominent men of Iowa City in the
project, induce them to bring the matter before the Legislature and
obtain an appropriation for the founding of an Iowa Institution for the
Education of the Deaf and Dumb, to be located at the capital of the
State. A foundation of this kind once laid, I knew there would not be
the slightest difficulty in finding any one of the best teachers in the
older institutions to take charge of it.
"While I was waiting
the lapse of a few months, the Iowa City papers informed me that a Mr.
Ijams, of the Jacksonville institution, had appeared with the intention
of starting a school for mutes. Prominent men in Iowa City enlisted in
the project. The Legislature responded favorably, and success crowned
the effort. At the first State Fair held at Iowa City, I attended and
called at the institution a half-hour every morning before the fair was
fully opened.
"When it was proposed in the Legislature to erect
a new building and give the school a permanent location, Dr. Sales
suggested to me to get up a movement in favor of its removal to Anamosa.
'No,' I replied, 'public institutions are liable to mismanagement and
abuse by those in charge, and it is essential to have this school at the
State capital, where it will be under the immediate eye of the
Legislature and the State officers.' The institution went to Council
Bluffs."
The sketch shows that, directly and indirectly, the humane
and complete provisions now in existence for the care of deaf mutes in
Iowa were, in their beginnings, the result of the efforts of Jones
County men.
POLITICAL
Jones County has been, since 1856, a
Republican County. The new party movement in 1874, called the
Anti-Monopoly movement, formed an alliance with the Democratic party,
which, in 1873, elected their ticket by from 300 to 400 majority. Some
of those on the ticket had previously been Republicans. They were
opposed, however, by the regular Republican nominees, and their success
was, of course, a defeat to the opposite party.
The formal
organization of the Republican party was on the 5th day of January,
1857, at a meeting held in Anamosa on that date, of which C. L. D.
Crockwell was Chairman, and George Higby, Secretary.
A committee
to report plan of organization was appointed, composed of A. H. Marvin,
of Monticello; Thomas S. Hubbard, of Castle Grove; W. S. Niles, of
Madison; H. O. Brown, of Clay; and J. S. Dimmitt, of Fairview. The
following resolution was reported and adopted:
WHEREAS, We have full
confidence in the national organization of the Republican party, and
believe that we should use all honorable means for the triumph of its
principles; therefore,
Resolved, That the Republicans of Jones
County adopt the following course for an organization in said county:
First, That there be a Central Committee of three appointed, residents
of Anamosa, who shall constitute a Board, whose duty it shall be to call
meetings, conventions, etc., in this county, and shall attend to the
distribution of tickets at elections; second, that an Executive
Committee of one from each township be appointed to co-operate with the
Central Committee, and to call meetings in their several townships;
third, that the Central and Executive Committees shall elect from their
number a President, Treasurer and Secretary.
W. J. Henry, C. L. D.
Crockwell and J. S. Dimmitt were chosen Central Committee.
The
Township Executive Committee was appointed, composed of Milo Q.
Thompson, of Cass; George Higby, of Castle Grove; John Russell, of Clay;
Pratt R. Skinner, of Fairview; Thomas Goudy, of Greenfield; C. F. Lewis,
of Hale; M. H. Byerly, of Jackson; John Niles, of Madison; A. H. Marvin,
of Monticello; Jas. Kent, of Oxford; A. G. Brown, of Pierce (now
Wyoming); Barrett Whittemore, of Richland; Dr. Carpenter, of Rome; John
E. Lovejoy, of Scotch Grove; G. C. Mudgett, of Wayne.
A. H.
Marvin and W. S. Holmes were first delegates, chosen to represent Jones
County in the Republican State Convention of 1857.
The Greenback
movement has not elicited many supporters in Jones County. Forty-four
votes were cast for Peter Cooper in 1876, which is probably a fair
measure of the strength of the soft-money element at that time. They
have no newspaper organ in the county, and have never ventured to
nominate a county ticket.
The Presidential vote of each campaign
is a pretty good index to the political bias of a community. We give the
returns in Jones County since 1852: 1852-Pierce, 338; Scott, 266; Hale,
22; 1856-Fremont, 964; Buchanan, 663; Fillmore, 10; 1860-Lincoln, 1,453;
Douglas, 1097; 1864-Lincoln, 1,530; McClellan, 941; 1868-Grant, 2,400;
Seymour, 1,277; 1872-Grant, 2,285; Greeley, 1,237; O'Connor, 4;
1876-Hayes, 2,591; Tilden, 1,763; Cooper, 44.
An abstract of
votes at the election of 1876 and 1878 will be a matter of interest.
| VOTE OF 1876-78 |
TOWNSHIPS |
1876 PRESIDENTIAL |
1878 |
R.B. Hayes |
S.J. Tilden |
SECRETARY OF STATE |
CLERK OF COURT |
J.A.T. Hull (R) |
E.M. Farns-worth (D) |
B.H. White (R) |
J.M.D. Joslin (D) |
| Cass | 123 | 70 | 88 | 34 | 81 | 42 |
| Castle Grove | 91 | 99 | 88 | 105 | 94 | 98 |
| Clay | 106 | 62 | 87 | 56 | 88 | 55 |
| Fairview | 405 | 323 | 347 | 233 | 376 | 207 |
| Greenfield | 112 | 119 | 88 | 117 | 90 | 115 |
| Hale | 166 | 45 | 120 | 30 | 125 | 25 |
| Jackson | 72 | 113 | 61 | 95 | 63 | 90 |
| Madison | 209 | 35 | 193 | 44 | 199 | 38 |
| Monticello | 331 | 234 | 319 | 193 | 331 | 181
|
| Oxford | 101 | 102 | 86 | 107 | 87 | 106 |
| Richland | 59 | 96 | 65 | 85 | 66 | 84 |
| Rome | 225 | 103 | 162 | 92 | 181 | 84 |
| Scotch Grove | 142 | 26 | 81 | 31 | 82 | 30 |
| Washington | 6 | 161 | 5 | 120 | 5 | 120 |
| Wayne | 173 | 40 | 117 | 33 | 119 | 31 |
| Wyoming | 270 | 136 | 234 | 81 | 272 | 42 |
| Totals | 2591 | 1763 | 2141 | 1456 | 2259 | 1348 |
LYNCH LAW
In the early part of the month of December, 1857,
Hiram Roberts, a reputed thief, counterfeiter and desperado, fell into
the hands of the Vigilance Committee, about four hundred strong, near
Red Oak Grove, in Cedar County. Roberts was brought into Walnut Fork, in
Jones County, tried by the committee, found guilty and hanged.
We have made diligent inquiry in reference to the hanging of Roberts,
and, from what we can learn, the parties engaged in the transaction
deserve to be severely censured. It is stated by some who resided in the
county at the time, and had a full knowledge of the facts, that before
the arrest of Roberts could be made, he being armed at the time, a
pledge was made to him that in case he would peaceably surrender, he
should be taken to the county seat and there allowed a fair and
impartial trial. If this be true, and there seems to be good reason for
believing it, the action of the Committee was decidedly an outrage, for
which they deserve to be severely reproached. We are told by one who was
a member of the Committee, that the protest of many was entered at the
time, but without effect. Whatever may have been the character of
Roberts, the pledge of the Committee was binding and ought to have been
so regarded. In justice to those who executed this man, it is proper to
state that this portion of the State of Iowa was, at that time, infested
with a set of outlaws and horse-thieves, and that severe measures were
imperative to the end that the country might be safe, and purged of
desperadoes. Again, it is affirmed that courts of justice had frequently
been sought, but failed to be a means of redress. Juries feared to
condemn men whom they believed guilty, lest they might soon suffer in
loss of life or property.
Without doubt, the Vigilance Committee
was a means of doing much lasting good in the country, but in the case
of having made a solemn pledge, we can but think it incumbent upon them
to have faithfully kept the same.
A TORNADO
On Sunday,
June 3, 1860, a most terrible tornado passed over Linn, a portion of
Jones, Clinton and other counties in Iowa and Illinois, resulting in
serious loss of life. Greenfield and Rome Townships were in the path of
the whirlwind, in Jones County, where nine persons were killed.
The following account of the casualties were given in the Anamosa
Eureka:
"W. Allen's family, living in the house of William
Robinson, was killed, and the house blown to atoms. The family consisted
of Mr. and Mrs. Allen, one boy, seven years old, and two little girls,
aged five and two years. John Niles, of Cedar County, had stopped at
Allen's house a short time before the storm, and was also killed. Mr.
Allen and Mr. Niles were alive when found, but died shortly after. The
others were instantly killed and horribly mangled. Mr. Allen was found
about five rods north from where the house stood. Mrs. Allen lay
twenty-five rods to the southwest; one girl thirty-three rods southwest,
and the other, sixty-five rods to the southeast; the boy was about forty
rods distance from the house, in the same direction. One of the sills of
the house, sixteen feet long and eight by ten inches was found about
thirty rods west, buried thirteen feet in the soil of the prairie.
"Here the storm was most destructive. The ground was literally
plowed up, covered with rails, stakes, etc., standing upright, some of
them buried half their length in the ground. The grass was cut shorter
than it could have been with a scythe.
"Nine head of horses,
thirteen head of cattle and twelve of hogs' were found dead on one
eighty-acre lot, and nearly as many more were taken from the same land
badly injured. Dead dogs, rabbits, cats, domestic and prairie chickens
were also found.
"Charles Robinson's house was blown down, his
property destroyed and his family injured to some extent. Andrew Pettit
suffered the loss of his house. The family were saved by taking refuge
in the cellar. Schoolhouses in Subdistricts No. 6 and No. 4, in
Greenfield Township, were demolished. William Khol lost both house and
barn, though the family escaped with but slight injury.
"G. W.
Lattimer's house was blown down and his family severely injured. Jacob
Cole was left homeless, and mourns the severe injuries of two children.
E. M. Nickerson's dwelling was carried entirely from the foundations,
but without injury to its inhabitants. M. H. Nickerson's house was
carried away. The family were, fortunately, absent. Isaac Staffy's home
was destroyed, and his family somewhat injured.
"In Rome
Township, Mr. Piper's house was swept from its foundations, and two of
his children killed. Mr. Piper suffered a double fracture in his arm,
and his wife experienced some severe bruises. His barn was unroofed and
almost completely destroyed. A heavy lumber wagon near his barn was
entirely demolished, and the iron-work twisted and bent in almost every
shape.
"Elisha Miller lost his house, crops, etc. His son,
twelve years of age, was killed, and his wife badly injured. Samuel
Cook, a young man living with Mr. Miller, was severely maimed. N.
Bernard's house was entirely destroyed, and his family more or less
afflicted by physical suffering. The houses of Mr. Scoles, William May
and William Brockelhurst were completely demolished.
AN EXPENSIVE
FUNERAL
The following incident is taken from the Anamosa Eureka
of February 24, 1860:
"Last week, a man hailing from Washington
Township, in this county, called on the County Judge and presented a
bill of $26 for burying a pauper. The Judge remarked that he thought the
bill rather high, and asked for the items.
"The man said he paid
$10 for the coffin, $2 for the shroud and $1.50 for digging the grave.
"What other expenses were there?' asked the Judge.
"We
bought three gallons of whisky, some tobacco, coffee, tea and sugar.'
"Well,' said the Judge, 'I will allow you the amount of your claim
for the coffin, shroud and digging the grave, but the other things
cannot be paid for by the county.'
"The applicant replied that
he was authorized by the Township Trustees to purchase the whisky and
other article for a wake, and he thought the county ought to pay the
claims.
"The Judge refused to make the allowance and the
claimant departed, threatening to sue the Trustees for the amount."
WAR HISTORY
If there is any one thing more than another of
which the people of the Northern States have reason to be proud, it is
of the record they made during the dark and bloody days of the war of
the rebellion. When the war was forced upon the country, the people were
quietly pursuing the even tenor of their ways, doing whatever their
hands found to do-making farms or cultivating those already made,
erecting homes, founding cities and towns, building shops and
manufactories-in short, the country was alive with industry and hopes
for the future. The people were just recovering from the depressions and
losses incident to the financial panic of 1857. The future looked bright
and promising, and the industrious and patriotic sons and daughters of
the Free States were buoyant with hope-looking forward to the perfecting
of new plans for the securement of comfort and competence in the
declining years of life; they little heeded the mutterings and
threatenings of treason's children in the Slave States of the South.
True sons and descendants of the heroes of the "times that tried men's
souls"-the struggle for American independence-they never dreamed that
there was even one so base as to dare attempt the destruction of the
Union of their fathers-a government baptized with the best blood the
world ever knew. While immediately surrounded with peace and
tranquility, they paid but little attention to the rumored plots and
plans of those who lived and grew rich from the sweat and toil, blood
and flesh of others; aye, even trafficked in the offspring of their own
loins. Nevertheless, the war came, with all its attendant horrors.
April 12, 1861, Fort Sumter, at Charleston, South Carolina, Maj.
Anderson, U. S. A., Commandant, was fired upon by rebel arms. Although
basest treason, this first act in the bloody reality that followed, was
looked upon as the mere bravado of a few hot-heads, the act of a few
fire-eaters whose sectional bias and freedom hatred and crazed by
excessive indulgence in intoxicating potions. When, a day later, the
news was borne along the telegraphic wires that Maj. Anderson had been
forced to surrender to what had at first been regarded as a drunken mob,
the patriotic people of the North were startled from the dreams of the
future, from undertakings half completed, and made to realize that
behind that mob there was a dark, deep and well-organized purpose to
destroy the Government, rend the Union in twain, and out of its ruins
erect a slave oligarchy, wherein no one would dare question their right
to hold in bondage the sons and daughters of men whose skins were black,
or who, perchance, through practices of lustful nature, were half or
quarter removed from the color that God, for His own purposes, had given
them. But "they reckoned without their host." Their dreams of the
future, their plans for the establishment of an independent confederacy,
were doomed from their inception to sad and bitter disappointment.
Immediately upon the surrender of Fort Sumter, Abraham
Lincoln-America's martyr President-who, but a few short weeks before,
had taken the oath of office as the nation's chief Executive, issued a
proclamation calling for 75,000 volunteers for three months. The last
word of that proclamation had scarcely been taken from the electric
wires before the call was filled. Men and money were counted out by the
thousands. The people who loved their whole Government could not give
enough. Patriotism thrilled and vibrated and pulsated through every
heart. The farm, the workshops, the office, the pulpit, the bar, the
bench, the college, the schoolhouse-every calling offered its best men,
their lives and their fortunes in defense of the Government's honor and
unity. Party lines were for the time ignored. Bitter words, spoken in
moments of political heat, were forgotten and forgiven, and, joining
hands in a common cause, they repeated the oath of America's
soldier-statesman, "BY THE GREAT ETERNAL, THE UNION MUST AND SHALL BE
PRESERVED!"
Seventy-five thousand men were not enough to subdue
the rebellion. Nor were ten times that number. The war went on, and call
followed call, until it began to look as if there would not be men
enough in all the Free States to crush out and subdue the monstrous war
traitors had inaugurated. But to every call for either men or money,
there was a willing and ready response. And it is a boast of the people
that, had the supply of men fallen short, there were women brave enough,
daring enough, patriotic enough, to have offered themselves as
sacrifices on their country's alter. Such were the impulses, motives and
actions of the patriotic men of the North, among whom the loyal sons of
Jones County, Iowa, made a conspicuous and praiseworthy record.
The compiler has sought to secure a continuous record all the patriotic
meetings of the people of the county in the order in which they took
place, but as many meetings were held of which no record was kept,
except in the faithful breasts of loyal men and liberty-loving women,
the war history must be more or less fragmentary, and, in a great
measure, not as satisfactory as he had hoped to have made it. He has
searched all the files of newspapers published in the county at the
time, and the result of his research is given below. He feels gratified
to state that enough has been secured to testify most emphatically to
the unbounded heroism and lofty patriotism of the loyal citizens of
Jones County during the days of the nation's darkest forebodings. No
county in the State sent out braver men, and no State in the Union can
boast of a more glorious record.
UNION MEETING
Pursuant
to notice, the citizens of Jones County, irrespective of party,
assembled in mass convention at the Court House, in Anamosa, on
Saturday, the 19th day of January, 1861, at 11 o'clock A. M.
On
motion of Dr. N. G. Sales, Messrs. Davis McCarn and E. V. Miller were
appointed Temporary Chairmen, and Matt Parrott and J. L. Sheean,
Secretaries.
On motion of W. G. Hammond, Esq., the Chair was
empowered to appoint a committee of five on Permanent Organization, and
appointed as such Committee Messrs. W. G. Hammond, N. G. Sales, George
W. Field, C. Chapman and C. T. Lamson.
E. Cutler, Esq., moved
that the convention adjourn for one week-the late storm having prevented
an attendance from the other parts of the county. Lost.
On motion of
O. Burke, Esq., the Chair appointed O. Burke, J. J. Dickinson, S. T.
Pierce, E. Cutler and J. Mann as a Committee of Resolutions. The
Committee assembled at the time designated.
The Committee on
Permanent Organization reported as follows: President, G. W. Field; Vice
Presidents, Messrs. J. Mann, W. H. Holmes and F. S. McKean; Secretaries,
Messrs. John S. Stacy and J. L. Sheean-which report was received and
adopted.
The Committee on Resolution, not being ready to report,
the convention was addressed by N. G. Sales, W. G. Hammond and others.
The Committee on Resolutions appeared, and, through S. T. Pierce, Esq.,
reported the following preamble and resolutions:
WHEREAS, The
people of Jones County, in mass convention assembled, without
distinction of party, believing that the present unhappy condition of
our country demands the immediate and serious attention of every good
citizen and patriot; and, further, believing that it is idle and
impolitic to discuss the causes of present calamities, but most
expedient to search for a remedy which will cure our present
difficulties and secure to us permanent and national tranquility, and to
that end and for that purpose we will divest ourselves of party feelings
and sectional prejudices, in order to best promote and secure present
and future harmony and union; therefore,
Resolved, That we are
unwilling now to abandon or in the least endanger the Union of the
States, which has existed so long with such unprecedented results, both
as to our individual and national happiness and prosperity.
Resolved, That the Federal Government is one of limited power derived
solely from the Constitution, and the grants of power made therein ought
to be strictly construed by all departments and agents of the
Government. Resolved, That we are in favor of the equality of the States
in the distribution of all benefits and burdens of our Government, and a
prompt, energetic and impartial administration of all constitutional
laws; and upon this principle we stand, hoping and demanding of our
Senators and Representatives in Congress that they will make every
effort in their power to effect an equal, liberal and equitable
adjustment of present national difficulties.
Resolved, That we
love and cherish the Government under which we live, and hold in high
esteem and regard our brothers of the Southern States, and regret that
there are mutual subjects of complaint and differences existing between
the Northern and Southern sections of our confederacy, and believe that
our differences can be better settled in the Union than out of it, and
that such difficulties and differences can be arranged and settled if a
mutual spirit of forebearance and good will is exercised by both our
Northern and Southern brethren, and that it is a right and a duty we owe
to each other to make just concessions to restore peace and harmony
between the different sections of the country.
Resolved, That,
in the words of James Buchanan, "resistance to lawful authority, under
our form of Government, cannot fail, in the end, to prove disastrous to
its authors;" that we therefore appeal to our Southern brethren to cease
such resistance and to submit the questions in dispute between us to the
Constitutional authorities of our common country.
Resolved,
That, in the noble stand taken by Maj. Anderson in defense of the flag
of our Union and the property it should protect calls for the admiration
and respect of every lover of his country.
On motion of N. G.
Sales, the report of the Committee was received and the Committee
discharged. Moved that the resolutions be voted on separately. Lost.
On motion of W. H. Holmes, the resolutions were adopted. N. G. Sales
moved that the proceedings of the convention, with the resolutions
adopted, be published in the Anamosa Eureka and the Marion Democrat.
Carried. S. T. Pierce moved that a copy of the proceedings and
resolutions of this convention be forwarded to each of our Senators and
Representatives in Congress. Carried.
On motion, the convention
adjourned sine die. John S. Stacy and J. L. Sheean, Secretaries.
THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS' RESOLUTIONS OF LOYALTY, JUNE 6, 1861
The Supervisors of Jones County closed their labors Thursday, June 6,
1861, by passing the following:
WHEREAS, The great American
nation has, under the kind guidance of Almighty God and a patriotic and
liberty-loving people, safely passed through eighty-four anniversaries
without the hand of a domestic traitor having been raised to overthrow
the noble fabric of constitutional liberty raised by the patriots of the
Revolution;
AND WHEREAS, In the present year of grace, 1861, and
on the eve of the eighty-fifth anniversary of our national independence,
we see, for the first time, numerous and thoroughly organized traitors
raising their fratricidal hands with a view to force the dismemberment
and overthrow of the best government on the earth, we deem it expedient
to call upon the whole people of Jones County to come together on the
approaching 4th day of July, and, with united hearts and hands manifest
their devotion to the nation, its unity, and the principles of the
Declaration of Independence; therefore
Resolved, That the Board
appoint a Committee of citizens from each township, and request them to
make all necessary arrangements for the celebration of the eighty-fifth
anniversary of American Independence.
Resolved, That we
recommend that the citizens of the whole county assemble at the grove
half a mile south of the center of the county, in the northeast corner
of Jackson Township, and bring with them such provisions and lumber as
will be sufficient to provide tables and refreshments for all.
Resolved, That the Committee be requested to provide a band of music,
powder and speakers for the occasion.
Resolved, That the
following individuals in the various townships are hereby appointed a
Committee to make all necessary arrangements; and they are requested to
meet on the ground where said celebration is proposed to be held, on the
20th day of June, at 10 o'clock A.M., and there take such action as to
them may seem proper: Names of Committee-Cass, E. B. Alderman; Castle
Grove, Thomas J. Peak; Clay, John Russell; Fairview, N. G. Sales, C. C.
Buell; Greenfield, Elias V. Miller; Hale, Don A. Carpenter; Jackson,
Daniel N. Monroe; Madison, John Niles; Monticello, W. H. Walworth;
Oxford, Milo C. Lathrop; Richland, Isaac Willard; Rome, Charles H. Lull;
Scotch Grove, A. J. Allen; Washington, Thomas McNally; Wayne, Noah
Bigley; Wyoming, James A. Bronson.
Resolved, That the sum of one
hundred dollars, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby
appropriated from the county treasury for the purpose of providing music
and powder.
Thus it is seen that the Board of Supervisors of
Jones County, in 1861, were decidedly loyal and eminently patriotic.
PATRIOTIC MEETING IN ROME
A Union meeting was held in the
grove near the village of Rome, on the 24th of May, 1861. The citizens
of the town and vicinity turned out en masse. The meeting came to order
by electing Ezra Carpenter, Esq., Chairman.
A patriotic and
soul-stirring address was delivered by the Rev. O. E. Aldrich, which was
received with frequent demonstrations of applause by the people. After
the address, three cheers were given for the Union, with a vim that
spoke love for our country and death to traitors. A company of Home
Guards at this time was nearly full. E. C. Rigby was the Secretary at
the above meeting.
THE COUNTY FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION
A grand county celebration of the Fourth of July, took place in
pursuance of the resolutions and suggestions of the Board of
Supervisors, made at their June meeting in 1861. The celebration was on
Thursday, the 4th of July, 1861.
The perilous condition of the
country brought men of all parties together to observe the anniversary
of our national birth, and to repeat anew their vows to freedom. Early
in the morning, teams, singly and in companies, began to throng from all
parts of the county toward the point which had been designated by the
Board of Supervisors, near the center of the county. At 10 o'clock, A.
M., the scene was the strangest of the kind ever encountered in the
West. The road ran along a high ridge, and on both sides of it and on
each of the wide and gently sloping spurs, shooting out every few rods,
were horses, wagons, buggies, carriages, men, women, children and babies
by the thousands; and, in every direction, the American flag floated in
the light and refreshing breeze, which, with the shade of the
sufficiently abundant oaks, tempered the heat of a warm summer day. Such
an assembly in a city is common enough, but this was an assembly in the
wilderness. Not a house, not a sign that man had touched nature here was
visible, save in the few brief days' labor of the Committee of
Preparation. It was a fitting place wherein to assemble on such a day
and for such a purpose, when the nation was in its life and death
struggle for existence.
The Committee of Arrangements had done
as well as could be hoped for in the short time allowed them, and better
than could have been expected. On the rather steep slope of a spur,
north of the road, a staging had been erected facing up the slope, and,
in front of this, seats sufficient to accommodate, perhaps, one thousand
persons. Back of the stage, and at the bottom of the ravine, a well had
been dug some ten or more feet deep, and, at the bottom, a barrel fixed.
It was a comical sort of a well, but it served the purpose, in a
measure, for some hours.
On another ridge and back of the wall,
stood the six-pounder, manned by the Wyoming Artillery Company, in gray
shirts, under Capt. Walker. The other military companies were the Canton
Company, Capt. Hanna; they wore red military coats, were armed with
rifles and were fine looking; the Rough and Readys, of Rome, Capt. L. A.
Roberts, with blue military coats, white pants and glazed caps,
sixty-five men, also fine looking; Carpenter's Company, Rome, Capt.
Carpenter, eighty men, with gray coats, likewise made a fine appearance;
the Greenfield Company, mounting eighty men, John Secrist, Commander;
these were in frock coats and wore white plumes; they, too, showed well,
and still more in drill and fitness for the most desperate fighting; the
Scotch Grove Guards, from Scotch Grove, Capt. Magee, formed a large
company; these wore no uniforms, but their appearance indicated they
were the right men for fighting. There were six companies of young men,
all formed and drilled, in the space of three months. It appears that
all these entered the army in due time and did good service.
The
proceedings at the stand were patriotic and entertaining. During the
reading of the Declaration of Independence, the general attention was
close, and the responsibilities of the hour seemed to impress all minds.
The singing, with the Marshal waving the star-spangled banner to the
words, was very effective. The address was by Mr. Utley—a good Union
speech, and was very generally approved. Music by the various military
bands was abundant and lively. The picnic that followed was much enjoyed
by all who partook of the dainties provided for the occasion. The
military went through with some of their exercises and then the
proceedings of the afternoon began, which consisted of speeches from
different persons, when, owing to a want of an abundant supply of water,
the vast assembly was disbursed at a much earlier hour it otherwise
would have been.
It was evident that the loyalty of Jones County
could be relied upon, and that her citizens were ready to do their full
duty in crushing out treason.
INCIDENTS OF ENLISTMENT
Up
to the 19th of July, 1861, Jones County had sent no company of its own
to the war, but had contributed many of its best citizens to companies
raised in adjoining counties.
At least a half-dozen men went
into Capt. Leffingwell's mounted company. Four went from the village of
Bowens Prairie, viz., Howard Smith, Orin Crane, Theodore Hopkins and
Isaac White. Their departure for the seat of war was the occasion of a
very pleasant scene which occurred at their rendezvous in the beautiful
grove near the residence of Otis Whittemore. The Home Guards of that
town, under command of Lieut. Isaac Willard, escorted them some miles on
their way, after a solemn leave-taking and addresses by Messrs. Bates,
Searle, Johnson, O. Whittemore, Willard Briggs and Hopkins. Rev. Mr.
Searle was with the mounted escort, and offered, on horseback, a prayer
that was alike impressive in itself and in the circumstances and
situation of its delivery.
Mr. White had not volunteered with
the rest, but sat watching the proceedings, when Curtis Stone, Esq.,
rode upon a fine horse, the best he owned. "If I had that horse," said
White, "I would go too." "Take it," was the reply. "It is yours." No
sooner said than done. White vaulted into the saddle and started to
fight for his country.
Here is another incident, which we take
from the Dubuque Times (dated in July, 1861):
"A Patriotic
Clergyman- A gentleman from this city has been enlisting men in Jones
County for the cavalry company of which Col. Heath is Lieutenant. In
Scotch Grove Township, a young man enlisted and went to a clergyman to
buy a horse. The reverend gentleman said he had no horse to sell for
this war, but, pointing to the best one he had, 'There's one,' said he,
'which you are welcome to.'"
Such patriotism is praiseworthy.
FIRST COMPANY OF VOLUNTEERS
About the 10th of August, 1861,
William T. Shaw, Esq., who had been appointed Commissary by the
Governor, was notified that a company of volunteers would be accepted,
and he immediately went to work to raise it. The various companies of
Home Guards were invited to come to Anamosa, and on Monday, the 12th of
August, twenty-eight wagons came in from Rome, Hale, Jackson and Madison
Townships, bringing a company under Capt. Carpenter. Tuesday, some
eighteen or twenty wagons arrived from Scotch Grove, with thirty-five
men, under Capt. Magee, and accompanied by thirty ladies. This latter
company was met at the depot by those who came the day previous and the
Greenfield Home Guards, who escorted them to the Fisher House, the
Scotch Grove ladies falling into the procession behind, and remaining in
line with them until dismissed for dinner.
In the afternoon, a
meeting was held at the City Hall, for the purpose of filling the
company, electing officers, etc. But, unfortunately, a split occurred in
regards to the destination of the company. The Scotch Grove boys said
they volunteered under a promise to be taken to Washington, and did not
want to go anywhere else, while Mr. Shaw had orders for the company to
proceed to Davenport, from whence they were to go to Missouri. The
Scotch Grove boys and fifteen volunteers from Bowen's Prairie finally
withdrew, declaring they would make up another company.
The
company under Capt. Carpenter remained, and most of them signed the
muster-roll. The election resulted in the unanimous choice of D. A.
Carpenter for Captain. The company not being full, men were sent out to
drum up recruits, and at the time of starting, the company numbered
sixty-three men.
Thursday morning was the time fixed upon for
the departure of the company. At an early hour, the friends of the
volunteers came pouring into town by hundreds. The men were formed into
line in front of the Fisher House, and each one was presented with a
Testament by the Jones County Bible Society, Rev. Mr. Eberhart making a
few appropriate remarks during the presentation.
Mr. Buell was
then called upon, and briefly addressed the company, giving them some
good advise, wishing them God-speed and a safe return, and bidding them
farewell.
The company was then marched to the depot, where was
assembled the largest crowd seen in the town for a long time. Many
ladies were present through the entire morning and up to the moment the
cars started. There were many sad faces and a few cheerful ones; many
tears, and some manly tears, too, were shed. The boys took their seats,
the conductor gave the word, and the cars and their precious load were
off.
Thus the first Jones County company was formed and took its
departure for the seat of war.
GRAND TURN-OUT OF MILITARY AND CITIZENS
Monday, the 19th of
August, 1861, was an epoch in the history of Jones County. If any one
had ever doubted the patriotic feeling of its citizens, they could no
longer do so. The fires of patriotism burned brightly in their bosoms,
and their devotion to the cause of civil and religious liberty was
clearly evinced by their ardor in responding to the call of their
country, and showed, beyond a doubt, that the noble blood of '76 was
still coursing in their veins; and they were prepared, if necessary, to
shed their blood for the preservation of those rights and that liberty
which were won by the blood and sacrifices of our fathers. It had been
announced that on Monday, the 19th inst., the company of Jones County
volunteers, under Capt. Harper, would meet at the picnic grounds near
Monticello, and be presented with a flag by the ladies of Bowen's
Prairie. About noon, the volunteers from Scotch Grove, Clay and
vicinity, began to arrive at Monticello accompanied by a large concourse
of friends. After partaking of dinner provided by the landlord at
Monticello, the procession, consisting of sixty-four teams, proceeded to
the grounds with banners flying and drums beating. Upon arriving at the
grounds, the procession from Bowen's Prairie was seen winding its way
into the grove, consisting of volunteers, people, colors and music. The
two processions soon formed themselves around the speaker's stand, and
the meeting was organized by calling John D. Walworth to act as
President. An appropriate and eloquent prayer was then offered by the
Rev. Mr. Bates, of Cascade. Mr. Clark then sang the "Red, White and
Blue." After the song, Miss Emma Crane, in behalf of the ladies of
Bowen's Prairie, then presented the company with an elegant flag
accompanied by the following address:
"Jones County Volunteers:
As the representative of and in behalf of the ladies of Bowen's Prairie,
I appear before you holding in my hand the emblem of our country's
purity, liberty and greatness-the Stars and Stripes. I have the honor
and pleasure of bestowing upon you and consigning to your charge this
banner, as the free gift of the ladies of Bowen's Prairie; and, upon
your reception of this simple favor, may I be allowed the privilege of
briefly expressing the sentiments of its donors; and I would especially
impress upon your minds the idea that I come not fresh from the
school-girl's sanctum, with a labored essay of fairy scenes and flowery
fields, to quite your minds to a standard of peaceful home life. No! I
come to speak to you of the agitated state of your country, in which
woman feels, or should feel, the same spirit of animation that governs
your purposes and actions. And if, in thus assuming this prerogative, my
language should seem uncouth or lack versatility, I hope I may receive
the charitable indulgences of all, for, you must be aware, to
communicate upon a topic that very seldom falls to the lot of a woman,
and in a time and under circumstances that have never before presented
themselves to the women of our country, is an effort that demands the
tongue of excellences.
"We now look upon you in a military
capacity, organized as a band of soldiers, and each of you more or less
animated by the enthusiasm that universally pervades every true American
heart at this time. While looking out upon the scene before you, of
mighty convulsions, an extensive civil war threatening the very
foundation of the noble institutions of our government upon which our
individual prosperity is based, we come to ask of you: What is the
standard of your enthusiasm? Is it a lofty standard of public morality?
Do pure and exalted conceptions of truth and justice pervade your
hearts? We shall acknowledge nothing less than this from each of you.
You want our reason? You shall have them. This is no time for idle
speculations or timid misgivings. For a score or more of years the
mighty sluice-ways of political corruption have been opening and
swelling, fed and fostered by an arbitrary disposition on the part of a
few, to curtail and crush out the noble privileges enjoyed by the
masses, till the people see looming fires of destruction in the
distance, and awake at once to a sense of their danger and act as
exigency dictates. Our country's traitors are aroused, and announce
their right to destroy the Union, and they have placed themselves in an
attitude to carry out their intentions at the point of the bayonet.
* *
* Soldiers! We have put to you one plain question, and we will now
submit one still plainer. Are you afraid to fight? If so, you are not
worthy recipients of that flag which was purchased, and that dearly, by
blood; and it must be sustained and protected, however difficult, by the
same element, else look at the result-the country broken and ruined in
all her institutions, and naught left but here and there the segments of
what it once was * * * We have too much confidences in you and in our
country's defenders to suppose that such a state of things can ever
exist in our land. Here we see men ripe with patriotism, sound in
sentiment, full of vigor, quick in conception to thus early see and do
their duty and their country's need, full of pride, ambition and native
dignity, freely responding to their country's call. And now, soldiers,
divesting myself of every disposition to flattery, we have reason to
feel proud of you-Jones County has reason to feel proud of you-that thus
you so willingly enroll yourselves, and freely leave your homes, your
firesides, your parents, brothers, sisters and families to support your
country's flag. Now take this flag, and may its folds proudly wave above
your heads wherever your country calls! Let no dishonor ever stain this
emblem, and in advance upon the foe may it be found in the van! Take it!
Go with willing hearts! Defend! Sustain it! Bring it back untarnished!
Then look for happy homes and ever-greeting friends."
The
presentation address was replied to by Capt. Harper, on behalf of the
company, in a few appropriate remarks, thanking the ladies for their
beautiful gift, and pledging themselves to bear it aloft in the van and
to defend it while one was alive to uphold it, and return with it or on
it. Rev. Mr. Bates, of Cascade, was then called upon, and made an
eloquent speech in behalf of the Union and the Constitution, and, among
other things, urged the necessity not only of praying, but fighting.
Rev. Mr. Russell addressed the crowd in a few appropriate remarks upon
the necessity of maintaining the Government and sustaining law and order
at any sacrifice and at any cost. Rev. Mr. Benton, of Anamosa, also
spoke to the volunteers words of encouragement, and assured them of the
sympathy and confidence of their friends, and maintained that the cause
for which they were engaging to fight was a righteous one and must be
triumphant.
In accordance with a resolution of the Jones County
Bible Society, a Testament was presented to each of the volunteers, in
behalf of the Society, by the Rev. James. McKean, of Scotch Grove. In
making the presentation, Mr. McKean briefly addressed the company,
urging each to be governed by the precepts taught in that book. John
Russell, of Clay Township, replied in behalf of the company. Appropriate
remarks were made by the Chairman, urging the duty of volunteering for
the defense of our country, our dearest rights and our blood-bought
principles. The recruits then fell in and were marched to the table,
where they and a large number of others partook of a bountiful
collation, prepared by the generous-hearted people of Bowen's Prairie.
After partaking of refreshments, a large portion of the crowd
dispersed, while some remained to listen to other patriotic addresses.
The day was one long to be remembered by the patriotic citizens of Jones
County, and fraught with bursts of enthusiasm for Liberty and Union.
Capt. Harper's company was the second sent out from Jones County.
FLAGS PRESENTATION AND DEPARTURE
Monday, the 4th of
November, 1861, witnessed a large turn-out of the inhabitants of Anamosa
and vicinity to attend two flag presentations; one to Capt. Buell's
company and one to Capt. Warner's company, and the departure of Capt.
Buell's company for camp at Davenport, Capt. Warner's company having
already left for the same place the week previous.
Early in the
morning, teams and people began to come, and Capt. Buell's company
formed in front of the Fisher House, under First Lieut. Calkins,
preceded by the Anamosa Brass Band, and next by the ladies who got up
and were to present the flags, and followed by the soldiers in ranks,
the procession marched to the hill west of the depot, where the
ceremonies took place.
The Committees were: For Capt. Buell's
company-Mrs. L. A. Eberhart, Miss Eliza Isbell and Miss Emma May;
Standard Bearers, Miss Emma May and Miss Lecia Hopkins. For Capt.
Warner's Company-Mrs. P. Smith, Miss Carrie Heacox and Miss Emma Crane;
Standard Bearers, Miss Alice Crane and Miss Marcia Crane. Miss Eliza
Isbell presented the flag to Capt. Buell's company, with the following
eloquent remarks:
CAPT. BUELL: It is with intense emotion that we
are called to mingle in these passing scenes. That the present state of
our country requires the sacrifice of such a noble band of men, is a
fact which thrills our hearts with pain. Yet we greatly admire that
lofty patriotism which leads you thus to turn away from the comforts and
endearments of home to serve our country. It requires far more than
ordinary devotion to the cause of freedom, and it is in token of our
appreciation of such devotion that we present to you these our national
colors. Never have we loved the Stars and Stripes as we do now. They
have indeed become a bond of union between the hearts of all true
American freemen, and never will we yield our glorious standard to the
hand of tyranny or oppression.
We give it to you, knowing that
you love it, that you will protect it, that you will fight until our
flag shall wave from North to South, from shore to shore of our loved
and native land. Our patriotic enthusiasm is aroused as we begin to
realize the glory of those deeds which have been accomplished under the
shadow of our national banner. But it is mingled with thoughts of
indignation against those who trample it in the dust.
From our
hearts we bid you God-speed in the contest between liberty and
despotism.
* * * * * * * * * *
Then accept this humble
offering from the ladies of Anamosa: and whilst you are engaged in the
strife abroad, we, with weaker hands, but with patriotic hearts, will
plead with the Invisible One in behalf of those who defend our rights,
and for the speedy triumph of our holy cause. That the shield of the
Eternal may be your defense, that each one of you may return to your
homes, crowned with the glory of successful warfare, that you may yet
behold this nation restored to prosperity, and so purified by this
fearful struggle as to become a fit model to the nations of the earth,
is a prayer in which our inmost souls shall daily join. But should any
of these proud forms be laid low by traitors' hands, it will be falling
nobly. Our grateful hearts shall cherish the memory of your patriotism,
and if you are as faithful in the service of God as we believe you will
be in that of your country, it will be passing away with earthly laurels
on your brows to unfading crowns above.
Capt. Buell responded in a
feeling manner, thanking the ladies for their beautiful gift, and
pledging himself to defend it to the best of his ability. Three cheers
were then give for the ladies of Anamosa, three more for the Stars and
Stripes, and three more for the Jones County Volunteers.
The
next flag was now brought forward and presented to Capt. Warner, who had
tarried behind his company for a few days. Miss Carrie Heacox made the
presentation in few but feeling words, as follows:
CAPT. WARNER:
In behalf of the ladies of Anamosa, I present you this flag, and with
it, I assure you, go our spontaneous sympathies and our heartfelt
considerations for you and yours. Go, brave men, to defend the American
flag and the sacred rights guaranteed to us by our glorious
Constitution. With you go our fervent prayers and fondest hopes that you
may return with this flag victorious, and that it may ever wave over the
land of the free and the home of the brave. God bless you, Captain, and
your noble-hearted men. We bid you an affectionate farewell.
Capt. Warner thanked the ladies in behalf of his company, for the flag,
and said they would always hold them in grateful remembrance.
The flags were got up handsomely by the ladies of Anamosa, and the
historian takes pleasure in recording the event to their honor. The
presentation, and, in short, the whole affair, showed the depth and
intensity of the feeling which pervaded the whole community, in regard
to the war and its objects. The cars had now arrived from Springville;
the noble boys and their officers entered, and away they went toward the
seat of war.
FAREWELL SUPPER
A number of Masons and Odd
Fellows having joined the companies which had left the county recently,
the members of the two Orders united in getting up a supper for the
brothers who were going to the war. The supper came off on Friday
evening, November 1, 1861. The members, with a large company of ladies,
met in Odd Fellows' Hall about 8 o'clock, J. H. Fisher, Esq., acting as
Chairman. After music by the Anamosa Band and singing by Messrs. Shaw,
Lamson, Holmes and Smith, Capt. Buell was called for, who came forward
and made a brief but eloquent and patriotic address.
Lieut.
Calkins was then called for, and made a short address.
From this
place, those present repaired to the City Hall, where three long tables
were spread with the substantials and delicacies.
After all had
satisfied their hunger, the Chairman announced that J. D. Walworth had
been appointed Toast Reader. The following were the toasts and
responses:
The Iowa Volunteers—May they all prove as brave as the
Iowa First.
Response, Three cheers for the Iowa First.
Iowa-A model to the State of our Union in hearty response to the call of
freedom, and in her devotion to science and literature.
Col. W.
T. Shaw—May he command the confidence of the brave men he is appointed
to lead.
Response by Capt. Buell.
Music-The inspirer of
our most hallowed religious and patriotic emotions; a source of most
exalted pleasure, and one which exerts the most powerful influence upon
the destiny of a nation.
Song by Messrs. B. F. Shaw, Lamson,
Holmes and Smith.
The Iowa Volunteerss—May they put a full—May they put a full Dott
to the rebellion.
Response by Robert Dott.
May the fair
hands which prepared this sumptuous repast receive ample reward by
enjoying the satisfaction that brave hearts have gone forth better
prepared for the existing emergency.
Response by John McKean.
The Iowa Volunteers—May Heaven's blessing be theirs.
Response by Rev. S. A. Benton.
Our Country's Arms—The fair arms
of daughters and the fire-arms of her sons; may the embrace of the one
ever be the reward of an honorable use of the other.
Response by C.
T. Lamson.
After singing Burns' Farewell, the company dispersed.
SANITARY COMMISSION
The ladies of Wyoming met November 20,
1861, for the purpose of organizing a society auxiliary to the "Army
Sanitary Commission of the State of Iowa," having for its object the
relief of the sick and wounded in hospitals.
Mrs. W. H. Holmes
was called to the chair, after which the following officers were
elected: Mrs. O. B. Lowell, President; Mrs. A. W. Pratt, Vice President;
Mrs. J. R. Stillman, Secretary; Miss Martha White, Treasurer; Mrs. A. G.
Brown, Depositary.
Committee to Solicit Contributions-Mrs. J.
McDonough, Mrs. J. DeWitt, Mrs. J. Richards, Mrs. R. Freeman, Mrs. D.
Hedgeboom, Miss R. Huckle, Miss L. Gilbert and Miss R. Green.
The society voted to meet Tuesday afternoon of each week for the purpose
of making such articles as are needed in the hospitals and to receive
donations for the same object.
The ladies of Monticello formed a
"Soldiers' Aid Society" at about the same time with the following
officers:
President, Mrs. E. P. Kimball; Vice President, Mrs. C.
E. Wales; Secretary, Mrs. J. Reiger; Treasurer, Mrs. N. Comstock;
Depositary, Mrs. G. S. Eastman. Directors-Mrs. W. H. Merriman, Mrs. J.
L. Davenport and Mrs. G. S. Eastman.
Committee of
Solicitations-Mrs. T. C. West, Mrs. H. Rosa and Mrs. J. P. Sleeper.
The Society met every Wednesday afternoon.
An efficient
organization was organized at Anamosa also, about the same time, with
the following officers:
President, Mrs. O. P. Isbell; Treasurer,
Mrs. B. F. Shaw; Secretary, Miss Elizas Isbell.
Committee on
Supplies-Mrs. L. Eberhart, Mrs. Israel Fisher, Miss Mary Work.
Committee on Forwarding-Mrs. L. Dietz, Mrs. E. Littlefield, Miss Eliza
Isbell.
These societies did much good and the supplies forwarded
at sundry times were properly appreciated by the sick and wounded in the
hospitals. A number of other similar organizations were instituted in
different parts of the county and almost numberless meetings held. The
amount of good done by these organizations throughout the country to
alleviate the sick and wounded can hardly be estimated.
FLAG
PRESENTATIONS TO THE IOWA NINTH BY THE BOSTON LADIES
On the 3rd
of August, 1862, the Boston ladies made a flag presentation to the Ninth
Iowa Regiment; and, as a goodly number of Jones County soldiers did
noble service in that regiment, we record the details of the event in
the Jones County History.
The presentation of colors to a
company or regiment by its friends and neighbors had become a common
occurrence, but this presentation, by the ladies of Boston, to a
regiment in the wilds of Arkansas, a thousand miles distant and near the
extreme Western frontier-and that, too, to men who were personally
strangers to the donors-was an event as honorable to the boys of the
Ninth as it was rare.
Capt. Wright, of Company C, sent the
following account to the Independence Guardian:
CAMP OF THE NINTH
IOWA
HELENA, August 3, 1862
To-day has been a proud and
glorious day for the Iowa Ninth. At 2 o'clock this afternoon, we were
called into line, not to fight, but to receive one of the finest stands
of regimental colors in the army of the Southwest, presented us by the
ladies of Boston, Mass.
The regimental flag is white silk on one
side and crimson on the other. On the white side is beautifully
inscribed, in gilt letters "Pea Ridge, Ark., March 7 and 8, 1862." In
the center, held by two greyhounds, is the scroll with the words, "Iowa
Greyhounds." This is over the eagle, which is in the center of the flag,
with the Iowa coat of arms, all of which is encircled with a beautiful
gold border. On the other side, handsomely embellished in gold letters,
are the words, "From your countrywomen of Massachusetts," with the coat
of arms of the old Bay State, and the words, "Pea Ridge" again inscribed
on the field under the coat of arms, with the same border. On the
flag-staff is a fine gold-bronzed eagle, with a splendid gold tassel in
his mouth. The staff is so arranged that the flag can be detached by a
spring and folded in a moment, making it very convenient, if you with to
fold it in a hurry.
The other is the national flag, with its
blue field and its broad stripes, one large star in the center of the
field, encircled with thirty-four more in a gold ring or border, and the
words "Pea Ridge, March 7 and 8, 1862," inside the circle-the flag-staff
and tassel the same as the other.
* * * * * * * * * *
Need I tell you that we were proud when those beautiful flags were
unfurled to the breeze, to be carried forward to victory by the Iowa
Ninth? If you could have seen those patriotic tears roll down the cheeks
of our brave boys, while our noble Colonel, with a heart almost too full
for utterance, was replying to the patriotic sentiment of the mothers
and sisters of Massachusetts, you would join with me in saying the flag
is in safe hands.
COPY OF THE ADDRESS OF BOSTON LADIES ON PRESENTATION OF FLAGS
Our Countrymen-Soldier of the Ninth Iowa Regiment:
We desire to present you with these, our national
colors, as an evidence of our interest in you as soldiers of the Union,
and as a token of our grateful admiration for the valor and heroism
displayed by you on the memorable field of Pea Ridge.
* * * * *
* * * * *
We have anxiously looked for tidings of you, from
those early September days when you were first assembled at Camp Union,
to the cold, dark days of the late winter; and, although the order
onward was long delayed, yet, when it came, so readily did you obey it
that we found it no easy task, even in our imagination, to keep up with
the "double-quick" of the "Iowa Greyhounds" The memory of the patient
devotion with which you have unfalteringly borne toils, fatigues, hunger
and privation, and the recollection of your brave and gallant deeds on
the 7th and 8th of March, 1862, will long be treasured in our hearts;
and, although we think with sorrow of the sad price of such a victory,
and the unbidden tears must flow at the thought of the brave hearts now
stilled forever, yet we feel a pride in the consciousness that her noble
sons feel no sacrifice to great for their and our beloved country.
God bless the Union! God bless you and all soldiers of the Union
armies! Is the fervent prayer of your countrywomen of Massachusetts.
BOSTON, Mass., July 10, 1862.
William Vanderver, Colonel of
the regiment, made reply, addressing the soldiers of his command in a
brief but pathetic and patriotic style.
ANOTHER OFFERING FROM
JONES COUNTY
Thursday, August 14, 1862, was another day of
unusual interest to Monticello and to the citizens of Jones County.
On the day mentioned, the recruits enlisted under Farwell and Jones,
of Monticello, and Blodgett of Bowen's Prairie, came swarming in from
Monticello, Bowen's Prairie, Scotch Grove, Wayne, Cass, Castle Grove and
other towns, and proceeded across the river at Monticello, to Clark's
Grove, where preparations had been made to receive them. They were
attended by the Anamosa Band, several bands of martial music and a crowd
of citizens numbering nearly two thousand.
Here the crowd
listened to speeches from Rev. Mr. Dimmitt, Prof. Hudson and many
others. Dinner was served and a good time was had, and a large number
added to the enlistment-about forty enrolling themselves and becoming
soldiers for the Union. Patriotic feeling ran high and could not endure
expressions of rebel sympathy. A few citizens, who would have been at
home in a more southern latitude, became very obnoxious by their
disloyal criticisms. Some of these were "interviewed" this day
by a concourse of incensed Unionists, and were compelled, by hempen
persuasion, to take the "Oath of Allegiance." One prominent
offender escaped by aid of a fleet horse and gathering darkness; a few
were taken from their beds at midnight, but safely returned, after being
impressively sworn to loyalty and Unionism. The soldiers would have
committed violence, had they not been restrained by their newly elected
officers.
An election was held and resulted in the choice of the
following officers: Captain, S. S. Farwell, of Monticello; First
Lieutenant, Rev. F. Amos, of Scotch Grove; Second Lieutenant, James G.
Dawson, of Wayne; Orderly, F. H. Blodgett, of Bowen's Prairie.
THE DRAFT
Notwithstanding the unbounded enthusiasm and the large
number of volunteers, it became necessary to resort to forcible
enlistments in Jones County.
The following table shows how many
men each township had failed to raise in order to fill its quota up to
December 12, 1862, and how many had been raised in excess of quota; also
the number of men required to be raised in each township by draft or
volunteer enlistment by the 1st of January, 1863:
TOWNSHIP |
Deficit |
Excess |
Number to be Drafted |
| Cass | 4 | ...... | 1 |
| Castle Grove | 22 | ...... | 7 |
| Clay | 25 | ...... | 8 |
| Fairview | 4 | ...... | 1 |
| Greenfield | 26 | ...... | 9 |
| Hale | ...... | 5 | ...... |
| Jackson | 5 | ...... | 2 |
| Madison | ...... | 7 | ...... |
| Monticello | 4 | ...... | 1 |
| Oxford | 4 | ...... | 1 |
| Richland | 23 | ...... | 8 |
| Rome | ...... | 8 | ...... |
| Scotch Grove | ...... | 10 | ...... |
| Washington | 14 | ...... | 5 |
| Wayne | 10 | ...... | 3 |
| Wyoming | ...... | 36 | ...... |
| | 141 | 66 | 46 |
It will be seen by the above table, furnished by S. F. Glenn, Draft
Commissioner of Jones County at the time, that Wyoming carried off the
banner, and Scotch Grove was next in furnishing volunteers.
THE
FLAG OF THE NINTH IOWA
After the Vicksburg campaign, the flag
presented to the regiment by the Massachusetts ladies having become
tattered and torn in the bloody strife, was returned to its donors as
evidence that it had faithfully served its purpose. While the Ninth was
on its way home to enjoy a brief furlough, as re-enlisted veterans,
another flag reached them from the ladies of the old Bay States. On this
flag were the following inscriptions:
"Ninth Iowa
Volunteers—1863—from Massachusetts." "Pea Ridge, March 7 and 8, 1862."
"Chickasaw Bayou, Dec. 29, 1863." "Arkansas Post, January 11, 1863."
"Jackson, May 14, 1863." "Vicksburg, May 19 and 22, and July 4, 1863."
The excitement growing out of the prospect of a draft was such
that volunteer enlistments continued to such an extent that no draft was
had until about the 1st of November, 1864. The number drafted was not
large and those who were thus made soldiers, proved themselves brave and
valiant men. It is proper to state, also, that it was afterward
ascertained that the quota of the State was full at the time the draft
was ordered, and therefore, ought not to have been made.
WASHINGTON'S BIRTHDAY AT ANAMOSA
The 22d of February, 1864, was
made the occasion of a festival in honor of the veteran soldiers who
were at home at the time, on a short furlough. The morning opened with
beautiful weather and so it continued through the entire day, the only
drawback being mud to the depth of one to three inches, where the snow
had disappeared. In the afternoon the people and soldiers came in on
foot, on horseback and in wagons. At 5 o'clock, the soldiers came into
Odd Fellows' Hall, under charge of their officers, and an address of
welcome to the Iowa Veterans was made by W. G. Hammond, and the response
by Capt. McKean, of Company D, of the Ninth.
A sumptuous supper
was then served at City Hall, and at least six hundred persons partook
of the repast. Still there was enough and to spare, and basketfuls were
gathered up and distributed to widows and others, with whom fortune had
dealt more or less unkindly.
After supper, the hall of the Odd
Fellows was again full. The following were the toasts on the occasion:
The Day we Celebrate.
Response by C.
R. Scott
The Iowa Ninth—The heroes of
Pea Ridge, Chickasaw Bayou, Arkansas Post, Jackson, Vicksburg, Lookout
Mountain and Missionary Ridge.
Response by cheers and band.
Iowa—Many daughters have done virtuously,
but thou hast excelled them all.
Response by G. W. Field.
The Patriotic Dead—Green be their graves,
sweet their rest and hallowed their memory.
Response by the
choir.
The American Union—What God
hath joined together, let no rebel put asunder.
Response by
Judge McCarn and band.
The Union Army—May
its distinguishing characteristics be fortitude in the hour of disaster,
courage in the hour of danger and mercy in the hour of victory.
Response by John McKean.
The American Eagle.
Response by the choir.
Abraham Lincoln—Like
Washington, first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his
countrymen.
Response by Rev. O. W. Merrill.
The following volunteer toast was handed in
by John Peet:
The American Eagle—May
she conquer all her foes and establish a permanent resting-place in the
center of our Union, with her wings extending from the Atlantic to the
Pacific, holding the stars and stripes in one of her talons and the
sword of justice in the other, and in her beak the Declaration of
Independence, as a surety to the oppressed of all nations that here they
can find protection; and may her tail be expanded over some Northern
cavern where rebel sympathizers and Tories may hide from the sight of
historians, that our history may not be tarnished by a record of their
infamy.
Altogether, the day passed and terminated happily to all
concerned.
THE FOURTEENTH IOWA INFANTRY
The Fourteenth Iowa
Volunteer Infantry was organized by authority of the War Department,
under a call for 300,000 troops for three years, and mustered into
service on the 6th of November, 1861.
Previous to the completion
of the muster of the regiment, three companies, A, B & C, were detached
and sent on service to Fort Randall, Dakota Territory, where they
remained until the fall of 1862, when authority gave organization to
three new companies in lieu of those detached. On the 27th and 28th of
November, 1861, the command-seven companies-embarked for Benton
Barracks, and remained in this camp of instruction until the 5th of
February, 1862, when they again embarked for Fort Henry, Tenn., and
arrived there on the 8th. On the 12th, they took up line of march for
Fort Donelson, Tenn., and were in the engagement on the left of the
army, daily, the 13th, 14th and 15th. Remained at Fort Donelson until
the 7th of March, and embarked for Pittsburg Landing, and arrived there
on the 18th inst. On the 6th of April, the army was attacked, and the
Fourteenth moved out in position on the left of the Fourth Brigade,
Second Division Army of the Tennessee. The regiment was engaged from 7
o'clock A. M., until 5:40 P. M., when the command was surrendered by
Brig Gen. Prentiss to the enemy as prisoners of war, and were held as
such until the 12th day of October, 1862, when they were released on
parole, sent to Benton Barracks for re-organization, and declared
exchanged November 19, 1862. On the 31st of March, 1862, two new
companies, A and B, joined the regiment. Left Benton Barracks, April 10,
1863; embarked on board of transports for Cairo, Ill., where they
remained until June 21, during which time they were joined by Company C,
a new company, when they embarked for Columbus, Ky. On the 22d of
January, 1864, the regiment moved on board a transport for Vicksburg,
Miss., where it was assigned to the Second Brigade, Third Division,
Sixteenth Army Corps. Was on the expedition that went from Vicksburg to
Meridian, Miss., in the month of February, 1864, under command of Brig.
Gen. Maj. Sherman, and on the expedition up Red River, Louisiana, in the
months of March, April and May, under command of Maj. Gen. Banks. Was in
the battle of Fort De Russey, March 14, and the battle of Pleasant Hill,
La., April 9, 1864, and battle of Yellow Bayou, Louisiana, May 18, 1864.
The regiment was in the battle of Lake Chicot, Arkansas, June 6,
1864, and arrived at Memphis, Tenn., June 10 1864. Four companies left
Jefferson Barracks September 25, by rail for Pilot Knob, Mo., and were
in the battle of Pilot Knob September 27. The remainder of the regiment
left Jefferson Barracks October 2, with Gen. A. J. Smith's army, in
pursuit of the rebel, Gen. Price. Returned to St. Louis, Mo., November
2, arrived at Davenport, Iowa for muster-out, November 2, 1864.
The Fourteenth Regiment was largely made up of Jones County boys, and
commanded by Col. W. T. Shaw, of Anamosa.
RE-UNION AT MONTICELLO,
AUGUST 14, 1865
Monday, the 14th of August, 1865, was made
memorable to the citizens of Jones County by reason of the Soldier's
Re-union on that day, at Monticello. The exercises took place in the
grove north of the river, and on the identical spot where three years
before Company H, of the Thirty-first Iowa, was organized. Company H
displayed a trophy, as a memento of the rebellion, a large flag,
captured in Columbia, S. C., on the 17th of February, 1865, when the
company entered that city.
The arms and accouterments of Capt.
Alderman's Company, brought in boxes on the train, having arrived on the
ground, the soldiers of Company H and some others were soon engaged in
arraying themselves. The "boys in blue" were here entirely at home. They
chatted, laughed and joked during the process, and worked with a perfect
abandon and as though they were still in the woods of Alabama and
Georgia. This work accomplished, the drums, in another part of the
grove, beat the roll-call, and the soldiers streamed along through the
crowd, closely followed by the lighter legs of the children, and these
by the grown people. Two lines of soldiers were at once in position.
Maj. Farwell. Capt. Burdick and Capt. McKean were the officers in
command. The soldiers, about eighty in number, went through guard
mounting and inspection, and were intently watched by the spectators;
this over, the boys were drilled for a time, greatly to the admiration
and pleasure of many spectators. The drill over, the boys marched to the
old position in front of the benches, and, after some additional
exercises, stacked arms. The speaking was then commenced. W. H. Walworth
was President of the day, who offered introductory remarks.
Prayer by Rev. Mr. Kimball.
Music by the band.
Welcome
address by W. H. Walworth.
Response by Lieut. Amos.
Music by the Monticello Glee Club.
Address by Capt. M. P. Smith,
of Company C, Thirty-first Iowa.
Music by Anamosa Brass Band.
Picnic dinner
AFTERNOON
Martial music.
Volunteer toasts and responses:
"Resolved, That our late war was
only the supplement to our Revolution with England, and has only
completed the work of establishing the inalienable rights of humanity
and justice between man and his fellow-man."
Responded to by
Prof. J. Nolan, of Cascade.
"Jeff Davis-Occupying an elevated
position in the South, may he occupy a still more elevated position in
the North."
Responded to by Rev. Mr. Buttolph.
"What the
soldiers fought for, may we all remember."
Response by Capt. O.
Burke, Company B, Fourteenth Iowa Veteran Volunteers.
Rev. Mr.
Miller, of Cascade, Prof. Allen, of Hopkinton, and Elder Kay and Lieut.
Hill, of Cascade, also spoke with good effect. Mr. A. Gilbert spoke
feelingly. He had lost two sons in the war, one being shot dead, and the
other dying in a rebel prison. The addresses, one and all, were
appropriate and fitting to the time and the occasion.
A general
rejoicing was had that the war was ended and peace restored.
COL. WILIAM T. SHAW, OF ANAMOSA
The name of this gentleman is so
identified with the history of Jones County, particularly its military
history, that a brief biographical sketch of that distinguished soldier
and citizen seems altogether apropos.
Col. William Tuckerman
Shaw was born September 22, 1822, at Steuben, Washington County, Me. He
was the son of Col. William N. Shaw and Nancy Stevens, his wife, of the
above place, and, after receiving his education in the Maine Wesleyan
Seminary, went to Kentucky as a teacher; but the war with Mexico
breaking out, he enlisted in the Second Kentucky Infantry Regiment, Col.
McKee, commander. He served to the close of the war, participating in
the memorable battle of Buena Vista, and was in the thickest of the
fight on the hill-slope and ravine where it raged with greatest fury.
After the declaration of peace, he aided in clearing our Southwestern
borders of hostile Indians who were annoying the border settlers.
Having obtained a reputation for noble daring, he was chosen, in
1849, as the leader of the first party which crossed the Plains to
California, leaving Fort Smith, Ark., via Santa Fe. The party consisted
of thirty-six men, from New York, Kentucky, Louisiana and Arkansas.
After returning, he made another trip, starting from Council Bluffs,
and at this time had but a single associate, but made the journey in
safety.
In 1853, he came into Jones County and settled at
Anamosa, where he still resides.
At the outbreak of the rebellion
in 1861, he was among the first in Jones County to buckle on the sword
to fight for the Union. On the 24th of October of that year, he was
elected Colonel of the Fourteenth Iowa Infantry Regiment, which owed its
organization very largely to his instrumentalities. A history of the
regiment is give elsewhere.
Col. Shaw distinguished himself in
every engagement in which his command took part, as an able and
efficient commander. He was advanced to the command of the Second
Brigade, Third Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, and it is historic that
it was owning to his indomitable courage and military skill that the
army of Gen. Banks was saved from utter defeat and capture in the Red
River expedition. It was on this memorable occasion that Col. Shaw
acquired the title of "Grim Fighting Old Shaw."
After the Red
River expedition, his command was sent to assist in driving the rebel
Gen. Price out of Missouri, and was successful in so doing.
His
term of service having expired, he was relieved by the following order:
HEADQUARTERS RIGHT WING SIXTEENTH ARMY CORPS, HARRISONVILLE, Mo.,
October 29, 1864.
Special Order No. 132
I. Col. W. T. Shaw,
Fourteenth Iowa Infantry Volunteers, is relieved from command of the
Third Division, Sixteenth Army Corps, and will forthwith rejoin his
regiment at Davenport, Iowa. The Quartermaster will furnish
transportation for himself and authorized servants.
II. In
relieving Col. Shaw from the command of the Third Division, prior to his
being mustered out, it is but an act of justice to an energetic,
thorough and competent officer to say that for the last fifteen months
he has been in this command, as commanding a post, brigade and division,
and in every position has performed the incumbent duties faithfully and
well, with an ability that few can equal, with courage, patriotism and
skill above question. The service loses an excellent officer when he is
mustered out. By order of
J. HOUGH, A.A.G. MAJ. GEN. A. J. SMITH
As Col. Shaw was about to part with his compatriots in arms, the
officers of his command presented him with a costly sword and
scabbard—one of the most beautiful and tasteful weapons ever made. He
returned to his home at Anamosa, Iowa, and has ever since been engaged
in farming, banking, rail-roading and real-estate business. Many of the
public enterprises of Jones County are largely the result of the energy,
skill and perseverance of Col. Shaw.
SOLDIER'S MEMENTO—LEFT-HAND
WRITING
In the latter part of the year 1867, W. O. Bourne,
editor of the Soldier's Friend, New York, and others, offered premiums
for the best specimens of left-hand writing by soldiers who had lost
their right arms in the war of the rebellion. The premiums were awarded
in October of that year. There were ten premiums of $50 each, and each
premium being named after some distinguished general or admiral, thus:
Grant Premium, etc. Each soldier obtaining a premium was awarded also by
an autograph letter from the officer from whom the premium was named.
The only Iowa soldier who received a premium of this nature is Morgan
Bumgardner, Company B, Ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and a resident of
Jones County. He was awarded the Sheridan Premium.
The following
is the letter of Gen. Sheridan:
FIFTH AVENUE HOTEL, October 3,
1867
To Morgan Bumgardner, Company B, Ninth Iowa Volunteer Infantry:
It is gratifying to me to inform you that the manuscript
prepared by you has been selected for the Sheridan Premium, offered by
William Oland Bourne, editor of the Soldiers' Friend, New York.
I am happy thus to recognize the success of a soldier who has lost his
right arm for his country. In the battle of life before you, remember
that the true hero may sometimes suffer disaster and disappointment, but
he will never surrender his virtue or his honor.
Cordially
wishing you success and reward in life. I am yours, etc.,
P. H.
SHERIDAN, Major General U. S. A.
HORRIBLE MURDER IN JONES COUNTY
On Sunday, the 19th of September, 1858, Sheriff Newton S. Noble
received information that an atrocious murder had been committed in
Washington Township. The Sheriff immediately repaired to the place of
the murder and succeeded in arresting the murderer.
The murdered
man was a Mr. Keneily, an Irishman, and Ned Penderghast the murderer.
The crime was the result of the too free use of the "ardent." These two
men were at work mowing, when, having drank too freely, a quarrel
ensued, and resulted in the killing of Keneily by Penderghast with a
scythe. A Mr. Clancy was badly wounded by the blow that caused the death
of Keneily, he (Clancy) standing near at the time. A good deal of
excitement prevailed, and there was much talk of lynching Penderghast,
but he was taken to Marion by the Sheriff and confined in jail to await
trial. There was no jail in Anamosa at the time. In due time,
Penderghast was tried in the District Court at Anamosa, convicted of
manslaughter, and sentenced to serve at hard labor for two years in the
State Penitentiary at Fort Madison. He was taken to Fort Madison by
Sheriff Noble, there to serve his time; returned to Jones County and
soon after died.
OLD SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION
According to
previous announcement, the Old Settlers of Jones County assembled in the
City Hall, Anamosa, on Wednesday, April 4, 1866. The meeting was
organized by appointing, Dr. N. G. Sales, Chairman. Dr. S. G. Matson was
chosen Secretary, and T. E. Booth, Assistant Secretary. The object of
the meeting was stated by Mr. Otis Whittemore.
On motion, a
Committee of three was appointed to draft a Constitution and By-Laws for
the government of the Association, to-wit: C. T. Lamson, Dr. S. G.
Matson and Otis Whittemore.
While the Committee was out, Mr.
John Merritt, being called upon, gave a brief history of his early life.
He came to Jones County in January, 1837. In the June following, he
selected a claim near Rome. He afterward returned to New York, and, in
1839, again started West, by water, bringing his family with him. He
arrived near where Clinton now is, and had not a dollar in his pocket!
Those who are acquainted with Mr. Merritt will appreciate the contrast
in his financial affairs at that time and now. After much trouble and
delay, he succeeded in reaching his claim, where he, like many others of
the pioneers of the county, by perseverance and frugal industry,
attained wealth and comfort for his old age. At the conclusion of the
remarks of Mr. Merritt, the Committee reported a Constitution and
By-Laws for a permanent organization, and the following officers were
chosen for the ensuing term:
President, S. G. Matson; Vice
President, Otis Whittemore; Secretary, J. D. Walworth; Treasurer, C. T.
Lamson.
The following gentlemen were elected Vice Presidents at
large:
Cass Township, John Powell; Fairview Township, Joseph A.
Secrest; Greenfield Township, E. V. Miller; Hale Township, L. A.
Simpson; Monticello Township, Thomas J. Peck; Rome Township, Timothy
Stivers; Richland Township, Barrett Whittemore; Scotch Grove Township,
John E. Lovejoy; Washington Township, Thomas McNally; Wayne Township,
Daniel Soper; Wyoming Township, Thomas Green. (All the townships were
not represented.)
The following named persons were present at
the meeting: N. G. Sales, S. G. Matson, John Merritt, Henry Koffitz, J
Clark, E. Brown, B. Chaplin, D. Graham, O. Whittemore, G. H. Ford, J.
Hutton, N. B. Homan, H. Booth, I Fisher, W. W. Hollenbeck, J. D.
Walworth, C.T. Lamson, S. F. Glenn, A. Sutherland, J. E. Lovejoy, G. L.
Yount, S. Kelly, G. Brown, E. Brown, H. C. Metclf, J. Powell, E. Booth,
Benjamin L. Matson, J. Graham, T. E. Booth, H. Hollenbeck, C. W.
Hollenbeck, B. Brown.
Another meeting was not held until the 2d
of September, 1875. The following are the minutes of their doings at the
time:
The old settlers of Iowa, residing in Jones County, met in
the observatory of the exhibition hall, on the Fair Grounds, to the
number of about twenty.
Short remarks were made by Whittemore,
Russell, Marvin, Rynerson, Stivers and McKean. On motion of Rynerson,
the Secretary was instructed to procure the book and funds of the old
organization of J. D. Walworth, of Boston, Mass.
On motion of
Pangburn, voted an Executive Committee be appointed, consisting of
Whittemore, Russell, Marvin, Rynerson and Moulton, to draft a
Constitution and By-Laws for the society, and report at next meeting.
The President gave notice that there would be a meeting of the Committee
at Moulton's office, on Saturday afternoon, the 18th inst. On motion of
Judge McKean, voted to adjourn, subject to the call of the President for
a permanent organization.
Names of those present, their
nativity, and the year they came to Iowa:
B. Whittemore, New
Hampshire, 1837; Edmund Booth, Massachusetts, 1839; Thomas Green,
Indiana, 1840; Timothy Stivers, New York 1840; R. J. Cleveland,
Massachusetts, 1841; William Brazleton, Illinois, 1842; E. V. Miller,
Ohio, 1843; Otis Whittemore, New Hampshire, 1843; William Cline, New
York, 1844; Elijah Pangburn, New York, 1845; R. A. Rynerson, Kentucky,
1845; John Young, England, 1848; A. D. Kline, Virginia, 1849; Richard H.
Simpson, ____ ____ ____; J. C. Austin, Vermont, 1850; John Russell,
Scotland, 1852; S. S. Farwell, Ohio, 1852; John White, Pennsylvania,
1852; David Ralston, Virginia, 1853; M. M. Moulton, New Hampshire, 1854;
John McKean, Pennsylvania, 1854; Robert Dott, Scotland, 1854; Dr. T. E.
Mellett, Indiana, 1855; A. G. Pangburn, New York, 1855; A. H. Marvin,
New York, 1855; John Clark, Pennsylvania, 1855.
OTIS WHITTEMORE,
President
M. M. MOULTON, Secretary
THE ADDITIONAL
PENITENTARY AT ANAMOSA
On the 8th of May, 1872, the Penitentiary
Commissioners, Messrs. Martin Heisey, formerly Warden of the State
Penitentiary at Fort Madison, William Ure, of Linn County, and Maj. F.
L. Downing, of Oskaloosa, inspected several sites talked of for the
location of the Anamosa Penitentiary building. The Commissioners were
accompanied by Messrs. John McKean, John Tasker, B. F. Shaw, C. H. Lull,
Dr. N. G. Sales, T. W. Shapley, E. C. Holt, G. W. Field, J. S. McClure
and others. The tract first examined in the south half of the southwest
quarter of Section 3, and at the time was the property of Dr. N. G.
Sales, except ten acres owned by R. N. Fowler.
Having made an
examination of this tract, the party returned by way of what was known
at the time as the thirteen-acre tract talked of for a county fair
ground, lying within the northwestern limits of the corporation. An
examination of this tract over, the party returned to the Fisher House.
At 1 o'clock, a complimentary banquet was given in honor of the Hon.
John McKean, Hon. P. G. Bonewitz and Hon. John Tasker, the Jones County
members of the General Assembly, as a recognition of their efforts in
behalf of the Penitentiary project, and also in honor of the
Commissioners, who were present for the first time in official capacity.
At the conclusion of the banquet, Senator John McKean called the house
to order, and Capt. E. B. Alderman was made Chairman.
Messrs. H.
C. Metcalf, C. H. Lull and R. N. Fowler were appointed a committee to
act for the city of Anamosa with the Penitentiary Commissioners, in
matters pertaining to the location of the Penitentiary buildings, and
other things coming within the province of the Commissioners as to the
city of Anamosa. T. R. Ercanbrack, Milton Remley and J. L. Sheean were
appointed a committee, and reported resolutions expressive of the
sentiments of those present toward the Jones County members and others,
for their efforts and services in behalf of the penitentiary project.
The report was unanimously adopted, after which the meeting adjourned,
and the Commissioners took their departure for a tour of observation to
the prisons of other States.
About the 4th of June, 1872, the
Commissioners met and located the Penitentiary just northwest of the
town, on the ground in the angle formed by the Dubuque & Southwestern
Railroad and the public highway leading from Anamosa to Fisherville. A
subscription of $3,500 was raised by the citizens to purchase such lands
as were not donated. Dr. Sales donated twelve lots, and sold two more at
$50 each. On the west side of the Buffalo, the Doctor donated thirty-six
acres, and sold twenty-five acres for $1,250, the citizens paying for
the same. The Doctor also gave the right of way over his land to the
quarries, as did also Mr. Israel Fisher. The first quarry bought by the
State lies three mils west of the land donated to the State. This quarry
includes twenty acres within boundaries, more or less being suitable for
the purpose for which it was purchased. The second quarry comprises a
tract of eighty acres, a large part of which is underlaid with the
finest building-stone. The latter was the well-known and valuable quarry
of Messrs. Krause, Shaw & Weaver, which had been running for years, and,
at the time, was owned by Dr Sales.
The State has 100 acres of
land at the quarries, sixty-one acres of pasture or tillable land in the
forks of the Buffalo, and fifteen acres for the Penitentiary
buildings-in all, about 175 acres. The State paid to Dr. Sales for the
quarries, $15,000; the citizens paid to him, $1,250; Orrin Sage, of
Ware, Mass., donated one block of ten lots for the buildings, and other
lots were purchased by the citizens to the full amount of their
subscriptions, and donated by them to the State. The State thus secures
more than was called for in the bill for its location, to wit: Ten acres
of stone quarry, at a cost not to exceed $15,000, and seventy acres for
penitentiary and other purposes. The pledges of the citizens to the
State were fully carried out, we are glad to record, to the honor of the
people of Jones County.
The plan of the new Penitentiary was the
work of L. W. Foster & Co., and the proper authorities approved the
same, at Des Moines, about the 1st of September, 1872.
The
following is a synopsis of the plan adopted: The structure is to be of
cut stone, 636x933 feet on the ground. In the center of the front is the
Warden's house, 50x60 feet and five stores high, the last a tower whose
summit is 112 feet above the base. These apartments will be furnished in
comfortable and substantial style. In the rear of the Warden's house is
the guardhouse, 20x40 feet in size, and in the rear of that the guards'
rotunda, 50x50 feet. Opening off from the rotunda to the right and left
are the cellrooms, each 52x190 feet, and each containing 320 cells. In
the rear of the rotunda is the dining-room, 50x120 feet. Over this
apartment are the chapel, schoolroom, library and hospital, all
connected with the center building by an inclosed corridor. All the
rooms are well lighted and fully ventilated. The grounds are to be
inclosed with a stone wall twenty-two feet high, six feet thick at the
base and four feet thick at the top.
Whoever remembers the State
Penitentiaries of forty years ago, will readily see and appreciate the
vast progress made in a single generation in providing for the prisoners
a dining-room, chapel, library and schoolroom. Such things were
undreamed of by lawmakers not many years ago.
The work on the
buildings was commenced on the 28th of September, 1872. A good degree of
progress has been made, and, at present writing, there are cells and
accommodations for about two hundred convicts, who are employed in the
quarries and in labor at stone-cutting and construction labor. The
cells, dining-room, cook department, chapel and hospital are now in what
is to be one of the workshops, when the additional buildings are
completed. About 20 per cent of the work necessary to the completion of
specifications laid down in the plan is already accomplished, and the
work is progressing nicely under the present management. The building,
when completed, will be an imposing structure, one of the largest and
most thoroughly modern, in all of its appointments, of any prison in the
country. When completed, the Warden's house, prison cells, guards' hall,
entrance hall to the dining-room, will be in the shape of a cross, and a
guard standing in the center of this hall can see to the extremity of
either wing. A provision is made whereby the guards mount the wall from
the outside, and avoid the necessity of passing among the prisoners in
mounting guard. The buildings, shops and walls, will be built of stone
obtained from the State quarries, elsewhere described, and the labor is
done by the prisoners.
On the 13th of May, 1873, twenty convicts
were transferred from the Penitentiary at Fort Madison, and with these
there have been received, up to present writing, 606 convicts; 435 have
been discharged, by reason of expiration of term of service, by pardon
and other causes, leaving in the prison 171 prisoners. A few have
escaped during this time, but are counted with the 435.
Of the
Commissioners first appointed, Mr. Heisey was made Acting Warden and
served in that capacity until the 1st of April, 1876, when the Hon. A.
E. Martin, of Delhi, was made Warden, and still continues in that
position. The financial affairs during Mr. Heisey's administration seem
to have been somewhat defective, as disclosed by an examination of the
books. We understand that an investigation has been had, and that a
final adjustment was made with the State of Iowa, and Mr. Heisey
exonerated from any criminal negligence while acting in the capacity of
Warden.
The accommodations for prisoners, to the number now
held, are passably commodious, and as healthful as it is possible to
make them under the circumstances. The prisoners are kindly treated, and
most excellent discipline secured by firm and judicious treatment. The
present officers are:
Hon. A. E. Martin, Warden.
L. B. Peet,
Acting Deputy Warden.
W. H. Pearson, Clerk.
L. J. Adair,
Physician.
Mrs. A. C. Merrill, Chaplain.
Lew Kinsey,
Turnkey.
Number of guards, twenty-one.
Mr. Martin not
only insists that each one shall be faithful to the purposes for which
he is appointed, but likewise is always on hand to give personal
supervision to all matters of importance.
Mrs. A. C. Merrill is
the only lady chaplain of a similar institution in the United States,
and is eminently satisfactory to the officers, and universally popular
with the prisoners. With the assistance of some of the citizens of
Anamosa, she conducts a good Sabbath school each Sunday morning, after
which the chapel exercises continue for the space of an hour. The
convicts who are well enough are required to attend chapel service, but
volunteers compose the Sunday-school scholars. In addition to the
devotional and singing exercises at the chapel service, a sermon is
delivered by some one-Mrs. Merrill frequently acting in this capacity
herself-or some one is invited to deliver a didactic discourse. From a
small beginning a library of upwards of 700 volumes has been secured,
and the prisoners-a goodly number of them-thoroughly interested in
reading. The books are mostly standard works, and reflect credit upon
those who have made the selections from time to time. Those in the
hospital are well and kindly cared for. The treatment of the sick is
both rational and scientific.
Very little punishment is
necessary, for the rules of discipline are so reasonable that only the
most obstinate and willful could refuse to obey them. Out of seventy-six
last discharged, forty-six gained a full reduction in time by reason of
good conduct. Most of the others gained nearly full time, losing a few
days only. Everything in and about the building is neatly and cleanly
kept, and bears a cheerful and healthful appearance.
An
examination at sundry times of the management of affairs warrants the
conclusion that the interests of the State at this institution are
carefully guarded. Mr. Pearson, the clerk, is an accurate and faithful
accountant, and the books of the institution are kept by the most
approved methods.
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History of Jones County, Iowa
Western
Historical Company, 1879.
Û
History of Jones County, Iowa
Western
Historical Company, 1879.
The county of Jones was named and its
boundaries designated at the session of the Wisconsin Legislature held
at Burlington in the winter of 1837-38. At that time, the country now
included in the State of Iowa belonged to, or was a part of, the
Territory of Wisconsin. There were but two counties west of the
Mississippi River in 1836-Des Moines and Dubuque. During the meeting of
the first Territorial Legislature, in 1836-37, Des Moines County was
subdivided, and, at the meeting of 1837-38, Dubuque County was lessened
by the creation of Clayton, Fayette, Delaware, Buchanan, Jackson, Jones,
Linn, Clinton and Cedar Counties. Gen. George W. Jones, of Dubuque, at
that time represented the Territory of Wisconsin in Congress. In his
honor was the county, whose history we write, named. 
• The Judges of Elections appointed at the time of
organizing the precincts were: 
• Rome was organized as a township July 5, 1842 with the same
boundaries as Walnut Precinct, given above, the first township election
to be held at the residence of N. B. Seeley. 
• Clay was organized as a township April 3, 1844, including what is now
known as Wyoming, that part of the present township of Clay which is
south of the Maquoketa River, all of Scotch Grove Township south of the
river, and a strip about one mile in width upon the eastern border of
Wayne Township, extending north, through Monticello, until it touched
the river. The first election was held at the house of John Southerland.
Monticello was organized as a township June 10, 1847, from Richland
Township, and included all of that town south of the Maquoketa River,
being most of the territory now occupied by Monticello, Wayne, Cass and
Castle Grove. (Note: Lovell township was organized as a separate
township about January, 1898 with the same boundaries as Monticello
township, the latter being included within Lovell township, the
corporation of Monticello being declared a separate township and called
Monticello township.)
Greenfield was organized as a township with
its present boundaries, being separated from Fairview, and corresponding
to Congressional Township 83, Range 4. The townships now known as Cass
and Wayne were separated from Monticello and attached to Fairview April
21, 1848.
• Hale was organized as a township in July, 1851, and
included the present towns of Hale and Oxford, which were on that date
separated from Rome. The first township election was held at the house
of Joseph Bumgarner. 
• Cass was separated from
Fairfield(sic) and organized as a township, with its present boundaries,
March 1, 1852. The first election was at the house of W. J. Beaks.
• Wyoming was separated from Clay Township February 8, 1854, and
organized, with its present boundaries, under the name of Pierce
Township, which was, a couple of years later, changed to Wyoming. The
first election was at the house of William Stuart. (Note: Pierce was
changed to Wyoming in 1857.)
• Castle Grove was separated from
Monticello and organized, with its present boundaries, January 1, 1855.
At the same date, Monticello Township was expanded across the river to
the northern boundary of the county, corresponding to its present
boundary, and including what had formerly belonged to Richland Township.
• Scotch Grove was separated from Clay and organized, with
its present boundaries, in February, 1855. The first election was held
at a schoolhouse. 
The name of this gentleman is so
identified with the history of Jones County, particularly its military
history, that a brief biographical sketch of that distinguished soldier
and citizen seems altogether apropos. 
At the outbreak of the rebellion
in 1861, he was among the first in Jones County to buckle on the sword
to fight for the Union. On the 24th of October of that year, he was
elected Colonel of the Fourteenth Iowa Infantry Regiment, which owed its
organization very largely to his instrumentalities. A history of the
regiment is give elsewhere. 
II. In
relieving Col. Shaw from the command of the Third Division, prior to his
being mustered out, it is but an act of justice to an energetic,
thorough and competent officer to say that for the last fifteen months
he has been in this command, as commanding a post, brigade and division,
and in every position has performed the incumbent duties faithfully and
well, with an ability that few can equal, with courage, patriotism and
skill above question. The service loses an excellent officer when he is
mustered out. By order of 
Whoever remembers the State
Penitentiaries of forty years ago, will readily see and appreciate the
vast progress made in a single generation in providing for the prisoners
a dining-room, chapel, library and schoolroom. Such things were
undreamed of by lawmakers not many years ago. 
The work on the
buildings was commenced on the 28th of September, 1872. A good degree of
progress has been made, and, at present writing, there are cells and
accommodations for about two hundred convicts, who are employed in the
quarries and in labor at stone-cutting and construction labor. The
cells, dining-room, cook department, chapel and hospital are now in what
is to be one of the workshops, when the additional buildings are
completed. About 20 per cent of the work necessary to the completion of
specifications laid down in the plan is already accomplished, and the
work is progressing nicely under the present management. The building,
when completed, will be an imposing structure, one of the largest and
most thoroughly modern, in all of its appointments, of any prison in the
country. When completed, the Warden's house, prison cells, guards' hall,
entrance hall to the dining-room, will be in the shape of a cross, and a
guard standing in the center of this hall can see to the extremity of
either wing. A provision is made whereby the guards mount the wall from
the outside, and avoid the necessity of passing among the prisoners in
mounting guard. The buildings, shops and walls, will be built of stone
obtained from the State quarries, elsewhere described, and the labor is
done by the prisoners. 
On the 13th of May, 1873, twenty convicts
were transferred from the Penitentiary at Fort Madison, and with these
there have been received, up to present writing, 606 convicts; 435 have
been discharged, by reason of expiration of term of service, by pardon
and other causes, leaving in the prison 171 prisoners. A few have
escaped during this time, but are counted with the 435. 
The accommodations for prisoners, to the number now
held, are passably commodious, and as healthful as it is possible to
make them under the circumstances. The prisoners are kindly treated, and
most excellent discipline secured by firm and judicious treatment. The
present officers are: