History of Linn County Iowa / From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time [1911]
Author: Luther Albertus Brewer; Barthinius L. Wick
Date: 2013-02-27T00:00:00+00:00
Keywords: Registers of births; etc. -- Iowa -- Linn County; Linn County (Iowa) -- History; Linn County (Iowa) -- Biography

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Title: History of Linn County Iowa

Author: Luther Albertus Brewer

Barthinius L. Wick

Release date: February 27, 2013 [eBook #42220]
Most recently updated: October 23, 2024

Language: English

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*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY IOWA ***

History of Linn County Iowa

Luther A. Brewer

History
of
Linn County Iowa

From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time

BY
LUTHER A. BREWER
AND
BARTHINIUS L. WICK
Members Historical Society of Linn County, Iowa

CEDAR RAPIDS
The Torch Press
1911

Copyright 1911 by
Luther A. Brewer

THE TORCH PRESS
CEDAR RAPIDS
IOWA

TO THE MEMORY OF OUR
HONORED PIONEERS

INTRODUCTION

The history of Linn county is covered by the events of only a few years, if compared with the history of communities east of the Mississippi. The space of one life-time embraces all that has happened here since the first white man looked upon our goodly heritage. True, that life has been prolonged beyond the scriptural three score and ten years. Robert Ellis, who came to this community more than seventy years ago, and who was one of the very early settlers, yet lives in a hale and vigorous age on land he "claimed" at that time.

But if the history of the county does not cover many years, it yet is a history crowded with happenings of interest, some of the incidents being more or less stirring.

History is defined as a record of the past. It does not concern itself with the present. It has been the purpose of the editors of this volume to treat somewhat at length of the early days in the county. Those conversant with events occurring prior to the Civil war are rapidly moving on, and it is high time that their recollections of beginnings here were gathered and put in permanent form.

This has been attempted—how imperfectly done no one realizes more keenly than we realize it. But like little Mary Wood of the story, we have done the best we could in the few months given us to prepare the pages which follow. We have done some things which need not be done again by any one who follows us. We have made definite some things in our history as a county that heretofore have been matters of uncertainty. It is felt that the present volume will make an excellent starting point for some future chronicler.

The task of the historian has been an arduous one—far more arduous than can be imagined by any save those who have done similar work. Withal the task has been one of pleasure and of inspiration. The pursuit of knowledge in this instance has really been a delight.

We have been taught many things by our work that add to the sum of the pleasures of living in a day crowded with all the conveniences of the twentieth century. Our respect for the courageous pioneer men and the equally courageous and self-sacrificing pioneer women of our county has been placed high. Nobly did they suffer, enduring privations now undreamed of, and never complaining that theirs was a hard lot. We stand with uncovered heads and with a reverent feeling in their presence.

It is not possible to make due acknowledgments to all those who aided in gathering the material in this volume. Many who came here in the early years of the county have been consulted, and always with profit. The drudgery of the work of making this book has been greatly lessened by their courtesy and their help. We thank them all. Some of them have been credited with their assistance in the narrative itself. In addition to the names mentioned in the text we desire to give thanks for aid and counsel to N. E. Brown, perhaps the best posted man in Cedar Rapids on the early history of the city; to Ed. M. Scott, for most valuable aid in the preparation of the chapter on banks and banking; to Capt. J. O. Stewart and Col. W. G. Dows for appreciated assistance in the writing of the chapter on our military history; to Carle D. Brown, of the Commercial Art Press, who gathered most of the illustrations for the volume; to W. F. Stahl, for aid in giving the history of the United Brethren church in the county. Robert Ellis, Mrs. Susan Mekeel, Mrs. Susan Shields, Mrs. Elizabeth Hrdlicka, Augustus Abbe, J. H. Preston, C. G. Greene, J. S. Ely, Wm. Smyth, C. F. Butler, L. W. Mansfield, and many others have assisted in gathering much valuable material concerning the lives of the pioneers.

Much that has been gathered concerning times far removed from the present, is from "hearsay," hence it has been difficult to be certain as to the correct facts in some instances. Inaccuracies may be found, but these are due to unavoidable omissions, largely on the part of those who have related these happenings and not from any sense of bias or prejudice.

All prior county histories have been consulted as well as the early state gazetteers, Andreas' Atlas, Carroll's History, History of Crescent Lodge, History of the Bench and Bar of Iowa, History of the Courts and Legal Profession, Proceedings of the Linn County Historical Society; and the files of the newspapers published in the county in an early day. It is needless to add that the early city directories have been largely used with reference to the business men of Cedar Rapids in the early days.

References to persons have been confined to mere statements of facts and have been free from undue flattery on the one hand and from anything derogatory on the other. The members of the legal and medical professions have been referred to at some length for the reason that the lawyers and doctors were important factors in pioneer days, both in the organization of the county and in the promotion of the various enterprises in our towns.

Trusting that this history may be of some value in preserving material which ere long would pass beyond reach of preservation, this work is respectfully dedicated to the early pioneers of the county, whose lives and careers the authors have attempted to describe in the following pages.

Luther A. Brewer
Barthinius L. Wick

CONTENTS

Chapter I The Birth of Iowa | 1
Chapter II The First Inhabitants | 3
Chapter III Iowa Historically | 13
Chapter IV Iowa and Her People | 17
Chapter V The Geology of Linn County | 24
Chapter VI Beginnings in Linn County | 31
Chapter VII William Abbe, First Settler | 51
Chapter VIII County Seat Contests—First Railroad in County | 57
Chapter IX The Old Settlers' Association | 66
Chapter X Postoffices and Politics | 82
Chapter XI The Physicians of the County | 86
Chapter XII The Material Growth of the County | 92
Chapter XIII Rural Life | 98
Chapter XIV A Hero of the Canadian Rebellion | 101
Chapter XV The Newspapers of the County | 106
Chapter XVI The Bohemian Element in the County | 121
Chapter XVII The Early Marriage Record | 127
Chapter XVIII Historic Roads and Other Monuments | 142
Chapter XIX Some of the Old Settlers | 145
Chapter XX Early Linn County Lawyers and Courts | 169
Chapter XXI Chatty Mention of Bench and Bar | 177
Chapter XXII The Schools of the County | 194
Chapter XXIII Historical Sketch of Cornell College | 201
Chapter XXIV History of Coe College | 215
Chapter XXV The Old Blair Building | 232
Chapter XXVI Some of the Old Cemeteries | 242
Chapter XXVII Early Experiences in Stage and Express | 244
Chapter XXVIII Linn County Libraries | 248
Chapter XXIX Wages and Prices in County from 1846 to 1856 | 253
Chapter XXX Some of the First Things in Cedar Rapids and Linn County | 256
Chapter XXXI Society in the Early Days | 261
Chapter XXXII Southern Influence | 267
Chapter XXXIII Some Township History | 270
Chapter XXXIV Lisbon and the United Brethren Church | 291
Chapter XXXV County and District Politics | 298
Chapter XXXVI Cedar Rapids | 307
Chapter XXXVII Beginnings of Churches and Fraternities in Cedar Rapids | 395
Chapter XXXVIII Catholicism in Linn County | 401
Chapter XXXIX Linn County Statistics | 416
Chapter XL The Bridges across the Cedar at Cedar Rapids and Early Steamboating on the Cedar River | 420
Chapter XLI Banks and Banking in Linn County | 435
Chapter XLII Roster of County Officers | 451
Chapter XLIII History of Marion, the County Seat | 460
Chapter XLIV Linn County in War | 470
Chapter XLV Odds and Ends of History and Reminiscence | 479
FOOTNOTES | End

ILLUSTRATIONS

Luther A. Brewer | Frontispiece
B. L. Wick | 4
Lewis Field Linn | 8
A Scene on the Cedar River at Cedar Rapids in the Fifties | 12
Residence of Isaac Carroll in 1839 | 12
An Early Land Deed | 16
Shepherd's Tavern | 20
Geological Illustrations | 24
The Astor House | 28
Double Log Cabin built by William Abbe | 32
First Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids in 1851 | 36
Residence of Williston Jones | 36
Daniel Seward Hahn | 40
Linn County Scenes | 44
Going Shopping | 48
Indian Scenes | 48
Former Pastors United Brethren Church, Lisbon | 52
Samuel W. Durham | 56
Some Early Members United Brethren Church, Lisbon | 60
Present Day Scene | 64
An Old Land Receipt | 64
Steamboat on Cedar, 1887 | 64
Dr. John F. Ely | 68
John A. Kearns | 72
A. J. Reid | 72
C. S. Howard | 72
William Stick | 72
The Vardy House, Cedar Rapids | 76
Franklin Block and Residence of P. W. Earle | 76
The Listebarger Cabin, Cedar Rapids | 76
Mr. and Mrs. Godfrey Quass | 80
Mr. and Mrs. William Giddings | 80
Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Millburn | 80
Mr. and Mrs. W. A. Lacock | 80
J. P. Glass | 80
F. A. Helbig | 80
Prof. H. H. Freer | 84
Rev. Geo. B. Bowman | 84
Joseph Mekota | 84
W. F. Severa | 84
Dr. J. S. Love | 88
J. H. Vosmek | 92
Fr. T. J. Sullivan | 92
Dr. E. L. Mansfield | 92
Hon. James Ure | 96
Judge J. H. Rothrock | 96
J. J. Daniels | 96
L. J. Palda | 96
Bridge at the Palisades | 101
The Palisades of the Cedar | 101
Barney McShane Cabin | 104
Cabin in "Cracker Settlement" | 104
United Brethren Church, Lisbon | 108
Main Street, Mount Vernon | 108
Alexander Laurance | 112
Old M. E. Church, Mount Vernon | 116
Street Scene in Lisbon | 116
School at Fairfax | 120
Methodist Church at Fairfax | 120
The Chapel, Cornell College | 124
Carnegie Library, Mount Vernon | 124
United Presbyterian Church at Scotch Grove | 128
Wood-Burning Engine, 1879 | 128
Main Building, Cornell College | 132
South-Hall, Cornell College | 132
Henry Bruce House, Springville | 136
First Springville Band | 136
The "Old Sem" Cornell College | 140
Bowman Hall, Cornell College | 140
Butler Park at Springville | 144
Business District at Springville | 144
Picnic at Home of Geo. L. Durno, Springville, in 1884 | 148
Illinois Central Depot, Central City | 148
Methodist Church, Center Point | 152
South Main Street, Troy Mills | 152
M. E. Church, Troy Mills | 156
Mill at Prairieburg | 156
At Old Settlers' Reunion, Marion | 160
A Park Scene in Marion | 160
Court House, Marion | 164
Wapsie River and Mill at Central City | 164
Isaac Butler | 168
Public School at Springville | 172
Methodist Church, Springville | 176
Home of J. F. Butler, Springville | 176
Methodist Church at Palo | 180
Scene at Springville | 180
Early View of Springville | 184
First Store in Springville | 184
Lutheran Church, Lisbon | 188
Main Street, Lisbon | 188
Presbyterian Church at Springville | 192
The Butler Farm at Springville | 192
Cornell College in 1865 | 200
A Street Scene in Marion | 204
The Daniels Hotel, Marion | 204
Rev. Samuel M. Fellows, A. M. | 208
Commercial Hotel, Center Point | 212
Bridge over the Cedar at Center Point | 212
W. F. King, LL. D. | 216
Main Street from the North, Fairfax | 220
Main Street looking West, Central City | 220
An Old Grave at Springville | 224
Rev. J. B. Albrook, D. D. | 224
Prof. Harriette J. Cook | 224
Mrs. Margaret McKell King | 224
Baptist Church, Central City | 228
Old Barn at Central City | 228
James E. Harlan, LL. D. | 232
Congregational Church, Central City | 236
Christian Church, Central City | 236
Scene at Troy Mills | 240
Mill and Dam at Coggon | 240
High School, Central City | 244
Bridge Over Wapsie at Central City | 244
T. S. Parvin | 248
West Rowley Street, Walker | 253
Main Street, Prairieburg | 253
Main Street, Springville | 256
Quaker Meeting House at Whittier | 256
Whittier | 256
Main Street, Central City, from the South | 261
General Store at Covington | 261
Upper Wagon Bridge, Central City | 264
Henderson Bridge, Central City | 264
Baptist Church, Prairieburg | 268
Milwaukee Bridge, Covington | 268
The "Old School," Coggon | 272
South Side Main Street, Coggon | 272
Scene on the Cedar at Cedar Rapids | 276
Birdseye View Looking East, Cedar Rapids | 276
Cedar River Dam, Cedar Rapids | 276
Quaker Oats Plant, Cedar Rapids | 280
Street Railway Station at Bever Park, Cedar Rapids | 280
View of Cedar Rapids from the Island | 288
Railroad Yards at Cedar Rapids | 288
Father Flynn, Cedar Rapids | 296
Public and Commercial Buildings in Cedar Rapids, 1910 | 300
Birdseye View of Cedar Rapids in 1868 | 304
Father Svrdlik, Cedar Rapids | 307
Birdseye View of Cedar Rapids in 1889 | 312
Federal Building, Cedar Rapids | 320
Auditorium, Cedar Rapids | 320
Part of Zoo in Bever Park, Cedar Rapids | 328
A Scene in Bever Park, Cedar Rapids | 328
Sixteenth Avenue Bridge, Cedar Rapids | 336
First Street, corner Second Avenue, in 1869 | 336
First U. B. Church West of Mississippi River | 344
Coe College Buildings | 352
Sinclair Packing Plant, Cedar Rapids | 360
Black Hawk | 366
A Winnebago Indian | 366
The Slave Dance of the Sac and Fox | 366
Cedar Rapids Country Club House | 368
George Greene Square | 368
Riverside Park, Cedar Rapids | 368
Cedar Rapids in 1856 | 369
The Old Blair Building | 371
Montrose Hotel, Cedar Rapids | 376
S. C. Bever | 384
Thomas Gainer | 384
E. D. Waln | 384
Rev. Elias Skinner | 384
J. M. May | 392
Capt. A. Bowman | 392
E. M. Crow | 392
Father Lowry | 401
St. Wenceslaus Church, Cedar Rapids | 404
St. Wenceslaus School, Cedar Rapids | 404
The Late Very Reverend Dean Gunn | 408
Quaker Oats Train | 412
Scene on Cedar River | 412
St. Patrick's Church, Cedar Rapids | 412
Mercy Hospital, Cedar Rapids | 416
Judge N. M. Hubbard | 422
Views along the Cedar River | 424
Park Views in Cedar Rapids | 432
In and Around Mt. Vernon | 436
R. D. Stephens | 440
Addison Daniels | 440
J. B. Young | 440
I. M. Preston | 440
S. S. Johnson | 444
Thos. J. McKean | 448
N. W. Isbell | 448
William Greene | 448
O. S. Bowling | 448
Independent Hose Company, Cedar Rapids, 1875 | 452
City Residences, Cedar Rapids | 456
View of Marion, 1868 | 460
James E. Bromwell, Sr. | 464
T. M. Sinclair | 468
J. O. Stewart | 468
Col. T. Z. Cook | 472
Some Early Currency | 476
Street Views in Cedar Rapids, in 1910 | 480

MAPS

Linn County | 1
Showing Black Hawk Purchase | 184
Showing Des Moines County Subdivided | 185
After the Sac and Fox Cessions of 1837 | 190
Late Division of Black Hawk Purchase | 191
Showing the two Cessions as at Present Divided | 197
Reproduction of the First Map of Cedar Rapids (part 1) | 316
Reproduction of the First Map of Cedar Rapids (part 2) | 316

MAP OF LINN COUNTY

CHAPTER I

The Birth of Iowa

Iowa is known as a prairie state. Prairie is a French word and signifies meadow. It was the name first applied to the great treeless plains of North America by the French missionaries who were the first white men to explore these regions.

As yet scientists have not been able to explain the origin of the prairies. Different theories have been advanced, but the interesting problem is without satisfactory and conclusive solution.

Agassiz, the scientist, maintained that America is not the "new world." "Hers was the first dry land lifted out of the waters," he wrote; "hers the first shores washed by the ocean that enveloped all the earth besides; and while Europe was represented only by islands rising here and there above the sea, America already stretched one unbroken line of land from Nova Scotia to the far West."

Iowa, also, was born, had a beginning sometime. Just how many years ago this interesting event took place it is difficult to approximate. Prof. Samuel Calvin, state geologist, says that "geological records, untampered with, and unimpeachable, declare that for uncounted years Iowa, together with the great valley of the Mississippi, lay beneath the level of the sea. So far as it was inhabited at all, marine forms of animals and plants were its only occupants."

The soils of the state were produced by the action of the ice in what is known as the glacial period. We are told how by Professor Calvin:

"Glaciers and glacial action have contributed in a very large degree to the making of our magnificent State. What Iowa would have been had it never suffered from the effects of the ponderous ice sheets that successively overflowed its surface, is illustrated, but not perfectly, in the driftless area. Here we have an area that was not invaded by glaciers. Allamakee, parts of Jackson, Dubuque, Clayton, Fayette, and Winneshiek counties belong to the driftless area. During the last two decades deep wells have been bored through the loose surface deposit, and down into the underlying rocks. The record of these wells shows that the rock surface is very uneven. Before the glacial drift which now mantles nearly the whole of Iowa was deposited, the surface had been carved into an intricate system of hills and valleys. There were narrow gorges hundreds of feet in depth, and there were rugged, rocky cliffs, and isolated buttes corresponding in height with the depth of the valleys.

"To a person passing from the drift-covered to the driftless part of the state, the topography presents a series of surprises. The principal drainage streams flow in valleys that measure, from the summits of the divides, six hundred or more in depth. The Oneota, or Upper Iowa River, in Allamakee county, for example, flows between picturesque cliffs that rise almost vertically from three to four hundred feet, while from the summit of the cliffs the land rises gradually to the crest of the divide, three, four or five miles back from the stream. Tributary streams cut the lateral slopes and canyon walls at intervals. These again have tributaries of the second order. In such a region a quarter section of level land would be a curiosity. This is a fair sample of what Iowa would have been had it not been planed down by the leveling effects of the glaciers. Soils of uniform excellence would have been impossible in a non-glacial Iowa. The soils of Iowa have a value equal to all of the silver and gold mines of the world combined.

"And for this rich heritage of soils we are indebted to great rivers of ice that overflowed Iowa from the north and northwest. The glaciers in their long journey ground up the rocks over which they moved and mingled the fresh rock flour from granites of British America and northern Minnesota with pulverized limestones and shales of more southern regions, and used these rich materials in covering up the bald rocks and leveling the irregular surface of preglacial Iowa. The materials are in places hundreds of feet in depth. They are not oxidized or leached, but retain the carbonates and other soluble constituents that contribute so largely to the growth of plants. The physical condition of the materials is ideal, rendering the soil porous, facilitating the distribution of moisture, and offering unmatched opportunities for the employment of improved machinery in all of the processes connected with cultivation. Even the driftless area received great benefit from the action of glaciers, for although the area was not invaded by ice, it was yet to a large extent covered by a peculiar deposit called loess, which is generally connected with one of the later sheets of drift. The loess is a porous clay, rich in carbonate of lime. Throughout the driftless area it has covered up many spots that would otherwise have been bare rocks. It covered the stiff intractable clays that would otherwise have been the only soils of the region. It in itself constitutes a soil of great fertility. Every part of Iowa is debtor in some way to the great ice sheets of the glacial period.

"Soils are everywhere the product of rock disintegration, and so the quality of the soils in a given locality must necessarily be determined in large measure by the kind of rock from which they were derived.

"From this point of view, therefore, the history of Iowa's superb soils begins with first steps in rock making. The very oldest rocks of the Mississippi Valley have contributed something to making our soils what they are, and every later formation laid down over the surface of Iowa, or regions north of it, has furnished its quota of materials to the same end. The history of Iowa's soils, therefore, embraces the whole sweep of geologic times.

"The chief agents concerned in modifying the surface throughout most of Iowa since the disappearance of the latest glaciers have been organic, although the physical and chemical influences of air and water have not been without marked effect. The growth and decay of a long series of generations of plants have contributed certain organic constituents to the soil. Earth worms bring up fine material from considerable depths and place it in position to be spread out upon the surface. They drag leaves and any manageable portion of plants into their burrows, and much of the material so taken down into the ground decays and enriches the ground to a depth of several inches. The pocket gopher has done much to furnish a surface layer of loose, mellow, easily cultivated and highly productive soil. Like the earth worm, the gopher for century after century has been bringing up to the surface fine material, to the amount of several tons annually to the acre, avoiding necessarily the pebbles, cobbles and coarser constituents. The burrows collapse, the undermined boulders and large fragments sink downwards, rains and winds spread out the gopher hills and worm castings, and the next year, and the next, the process is repeated; and so it has been for all the years making up the centuries since the close of the glacial epoch. Organic agents in the form of plants and burrowing animals have worked unremittingly through many centuries, and accomplished a work of incalculable value in pulverizing, mellowing and enriching the superficial stratum, and bringing it to the ideal condition in which it was found by the explorers and pioneers from whose advent dates the historical period of our matchless Iowa."

The last invasion, we are informed, was from 100,000 to 170,000 years ago—somewhat prior to the recollection of the "oldest inhabitant."

CHAPTER II

The First Inhabitants

Who were Iowa's first inhabitants is a question of some interest. Archeologists tell us that there have been found in the Mississippi Valley the remains of two distinct prehistoric races. The first human skulls discovered resemble those of the gorilla. These skulls indicate a low degree of intelligence. The first inhabitants were but a grade above the lower animals. They were small in body, and brute-like in appearance.

Next came the "mound builders." There are evidences that these had some degree of intelligence. Copper and stone implements have been found in the mounds. Whether they built towns and cities or tilled the soil is not known. Pieces of cloth discovered in the mounds would indicate some knowledge of the arts. Their number, their size, color, customs—all are lost to us. We know they existed, and that is all. Several of these mounds have been explored in Iowa. They are found in the eastern parts of the state from Dubuque to Burlington. Many interesting articles have been found in them—sea shells, copper axes and spools, stone knives, pottery, pipes carved with effigies of animals and birds. Skeletons and altars of stone were unearthed a few years ago in some of these mounds, and in one were discovered hieroglyphics representing letters and figures of trees, people and animals.

These mounds have also been discovered in the central part of the state, the valley of the Des Moines river being especially rich in them. Sometimes they are in groups, as though built for defense. It has been suggested that probably the conquerors of the mound builders were the immediate ancestors of the Indians.

When on June 25, 1673, Marquette and Joliet fastened their frail craft to the west bank of the Mississippi river where the Iowa enters it in Louisa county,[A] the only people living in what is now Iowa were the American Indians. When these venturesome explorers came ashore and ascended a slight eminence they beheld a scene of rare beauty. As far as the eye could carry they looked over an expanse covered with green grass waving in the gentle wind like the billows of the sea, with here and there a grove of oak, elm, walnut, maple, and sycamore. All was peaceful, calm, and restful; the stillness of the desert prevailed. That the country was inhabited was indicated by a thin column of smoke which arose some few miles inland from a small grove. The travelers soon reached the spot. There they found a small company of Indians in a village on the banks of the stream. The Indians were probably the more astonished of the two parties. They looked with wonder upon the strange beings who had come among them so unceremoniously and unannounced. It was probably their first view of the white man. Recovering somewhat from their astonishment, they made overtures of friendship by offering the pipe of peace.

It was soon discovered that the band was a portion of the Illinois tribe. Marquette had enough acquaintance with the language of this tribe to enable him to hold an intelligent conversation with his hosts. He told the Indians who their visitors were, and why they were there. He expressed the great pleasure he and his companions took at meeting some of the inhabitants of that beautiful country. They in turn were given a cordial welcome by the Indians, one of the chiefs thus addressing them:

"I thank the Black Gown Chief [Marquette] and his friend [Joliet] for taking so much pains to come and visit us. Never before has the earth been so beautiful, nor the sun so bright as now. Never has the river been so calm or free from rocks which your canoes have removed as they passed down. Never has the tobacco had so fine a flavor, nor our corn appeared so beautiful as we behold it today. Ask the Great Spirit to give us life and health, and come ye and dwell with us."

This was an eloquent speech and demonstrated the sincerity of the welcome.

Marquette and Joliet were then invited to a feast which meanwhile had been made ready by the squaws. Afterwards Marquette wrote a description of this banquet, and it is of interest to reproduce it here:

"It consisted of four courses. First there was a large wooden bowl filled with a preparation of corn meal boiled in water and seasoned with oil. The Indian conducting the ceremonies had a large wooden spoon with which he dipped up the mixture (called by the Indians tagamity), passing it in turn into the mouths of the different members of the party. The second course consisted of fish nicely cooked, which was separated from the bones and placed in the mouths of the guests. The third course was a roasted dog, which our explorers declined with thanks, when it was at once removed from sight. The last course was a roast of buffalo, the fattest pieces of which were passed the Frenchmen, who found it to be most excellent meat."

The Frenchmen were so delighted with the beauty of the country and the hospitality of the Indians that they remained with their friends six days. They explored the valleys, hunted and fished and feasted on the choice game they captured. The natives did all they could to make their stay one gay round of pleasure. They welcomed the coming guests with genuine hospitality, and when they could keep them no longer speeded them on their way in the true spirit. Six hundred of them escorted Marquette and Joliet to their boats and wished them bon voyage.

This discovery attracted but little attention at the time in Europe, and many years passed before what is now known as Iowa appears in history.

THE MOUND BUILDERS

The Mound Builders, from what information we have been able to obtain, must have lived in the Mississippi valley and at one time or another way back in some remote age they must have resided on what later became Iowa. Chronology is not definite as to when or how the Mound Builders arrived in the new world. It is merely speculation when one says that traditions point to a time two or three thousand years ago when the Mound Builders resided in the Mississippi valley and lived in villages and towns. It is true, that in various parts of the old world records have been found of other races which have preceded the races of which history has any definite record. As the North American Indians had no written language prior to the arrival of the Europeans, their traditions, consequently, go back but a short time at best.

It is true that there have been found on the American continent various bones of animals which no longer exist, and there have been found relics of a race of men who were far different from the Indians as the whites found them on their arrival. In North America these pre-historic races have been called Mound Builders, and they have been the first inhabitants of the vast plains of what later became the United States. Still, it may be possible that the Mound Builders may have driven out or exterminated some other preceding race of people, who had dwelt in this country for ages before the Mound Builders made their entrance into what is known as the New World. Who knows?

B. L. WICK

In Johnson's Encyclopedia, Vol. 1, page 125, one finds the following: "Remains of the Mound Builders are spread over a vast extent of country. They are found on the sources of the Alleghany, in the western part of the state of New York, and in nearly all the western states, including Michigan and Iowa. They were observed by Lewis and Clark on the Missouri a thousand miles above its junction with the Mississippi. They lined the shores of the Gulf of Mexico from Texas to Florida, whence they extended through Alabama and Georgia into South Carolina. They are especially numerous in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Missouri, Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and Texas. Many of these remnants were evidently designed as works of defense or as large towers in war. No inconsiderable number appear to have been formed as sepulchre monuments or as places of burial for the dead, while others seemed obviously to have been constructed as temples or places of worship or sacrifice."

While Linn county and Iowa have not as many mounds of as much interest as, for example, the Circle Mound in Ohio, still there are a number of mounds found in eastern Iowa and a number in Linn county which would appear to have been constructed by Mound Builders, or, at least, by some pre-historic race long since extinct. Some mounds found near Palo would indicate that they must have been constructed a long time ago, for even trees of large dimensions have been found growing on top and around these mounds. The remnants certainly give evidence in places as though they had been constructed for religious purposes, which evidently is true of nearly all such remnants which have recently been discovered in Yucatan and Mexico.

Some stone implements and ornaments have been found in some of these mounds. These implements are all flint spear and arrow heads and have been worked with much care and skill. Some pottery has also been discovered, at times ornamented and at other times very coarse. Some copper implements have been found of a kind and quality as discovered in the copper region of Lake Superior, which, undoubtedly, have been worked by the Indians and perhaps by the Mound Builders. No bones have so far been discovered to indicate that the Mound Builders had the use of any domestic animals. Very seldom have human skeletons been found, which might attest to the fact that these had been dug ages and ages ago. No tablets of any kind have been discovered, which might indicate that the Mound Builders had at no time a written language.

Science has held that the Mound Builders were an agricultural people and compared with the Indians much more civilized, and that the Mississippi valley was densely populated until the arrival of the Indians. Whether the Indians exterminated them or they were driven away, or they voluntarily removed from this part of the country is still a debatable question.

"If it is really true that there were pre-historic peoples, then the oldest continent would be, in all probability, the first inhabited; and as this is the oldest continent in the formations of the geological period, and as there are found relics of man in England in identically the same strata as are shown in Linn county, why may we not reasonably expect to find relics of man—relics as old as any—in Linn county? If man once existed here, why may he not have always existed here? It is certainly unreasonable to think young Europe should alone have early relics of man.

"What place the Mound Builders are entitled to in the world's history, since they have left no relics but mounds of earth, which mounds are probably funeral pyres or places of sepulchre, we can simply conjecture. We believe some rude carvings on slabs have been exhumed at Grand Traverse, Michigan, Davenport, Iowa, and Rockford, Illinois. These carvings may have reference to the sun, moon and stars; we believe the savants favor such an interpretation. As to where he lived, careful geological study of his mound may some day determine. He was a link in the chain of man's existence; tracing it to its source we may discover some hitherto unknown facts regarding man's origin, or the ancient history of America. This continent may have been more intimately connected with Asia than is at present considered....

"Compare the average life of these nations with the age of the Cedar valley; compare historic age with Cedar valley, whose channel has been cut down through the rocks between one and two hundred feet. Look at these old Devonian rocks, with their fossils as fresh as of yesterday. Look at the clay soil that overlies the rocks. Has it been changed in fourteen hundred or in six thousand years? Now look at those mounds that are on the crests of so many ridges, and say how old they are! Forests of giant trees have come and gone over them, how many times? Those mounds were built by the people known as the Mound Builders. What of their life? What of their age? What of their history? We have the mounds, and substantially the mounds only. But these mounds are an interesting study of themselves. We have not observed these mounds only in the valley of the Cedar river, above and below Cedar Rapids; our observations find them in positions as follows:

"LOCATION OF MOUNDS NEAR CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA

No.

Location

Sec.

Twp.

Range

Number
of
Mounds

1 | N. W. 1/4 S. W. 1/4 | 35 | 83 | 7 | 11
2 | S. 1/2 S. E. 1/4 | 16 | 83 | 7 | 14
3 | S. 1/2 N. W. 1/4 | 16 | 83 | 7 | 11
4 | N. W. 1/4 N. E. 1/4 | 17 | 83 | 7 | 3
5 | N. 1/2 N. W. 1/4 | 20 | 83 | 7 | 11
6 | E. 1/2 | 18 | 83 | 7 | 11
7 | W. 1/2 | 18 | 83 | 7 | 11
8 | N. W. 1/4 N. W. 1/4 | 24 | 83 | 7 | 12
| | | | | ———
| Total | | | | 84

"No. 1 has eleven mounds, situated on the crest of a divide. The general direction of locations is from north to south, or south to north. The correct location, I believe, is from south to north; that is, they point to the north. These mounds are now raised about three feet above the level, and are uniformly thirty feet in diameter. Counting from the south, the sixth and seventh are generally within a few feet—come very near touching each other; the others are as near as, may be, two diameters apart. These remarks will apply to No. 2, No. 3, No. 5 and No. 6. No. 2 has eleven in a line (as No. 1,) and then three mounds to the east appear to be parallel, and may have had the remaining eight removed by cultivation. No. 4 is on the bottom—second bench land; are a little larger in size; the others, to make out the eleven, may have been destroyed by cultivation. No. 7 has eight in position, and then a valley intervenes, and the three additional, making the eleven, are on the ridge next to the north. No. 8 has twelve. They are on the crest of a divide which passes around the head of a deep ravine, and follow the divide at the angle. Most of these mounds (No. 8) have been lately opened, but we think no relics were found. We have been careful to find the place that the earth composing the mounds was taken from. Generally, the banks of a near ravine indicate, by their shape, the place. Under the strongest sunlight, in a mound cut through the center, we could detect no indication or difference in the clay to show that it had been removed or disturbed, or that there had been any remains in it to discolor the clay in their decomposition.

"Let it be observed that the mounds are substantially north and south in line of location. They are eleven in number, uniform in size, and, I believe, cover every ridge in the vicinity of the rapids of the Cedar having the direction sufficient in length on which the mounds could be placed. They are built in the locality the least likely to be disturbed, and in the shape and of the material the most enduring. There certainly was intelligence displayed in their location and in the selection of the material of which they are constructed, as well as in the design of their form and positions. There may have been more mounds than these, but these are all that are left—all that are left of that race which might have sent from their number emigrants to people the new land, to the far west, the last continent, fresh and vigorous from the ocean, the newest born, the best then adapted for man's material and mental development."—History of Linn County, 1878, p. 319.

J. S. Newberry, in Johnson's Cyclopedia, says:

"From all the facts before us, we can at present say little more than this, that the valley of the Mississippi and the Atlantic coast were once densely populated by a sedentary, agricultural and partially civilized race, quite different from the modern nomadic Indians, though, possibly, the progenitors of some of the Indian tribes; and that, after many centuries of occupation, they disappeared from our country at least one thousand, perhaps many thousands of years, before the advent of the Europeans. The pre-historic remains found so abundantly in Arizona appear to be related to the civilization of Mexico; and the remains of semi-civilized Indian tribes now found there are, perhaps, descendants of the ancient builders of the great houses and cities whose ruins are found there."

Researches concerning ancient mounds have been carried on in a most scientific manner by Dr. Cyrus Thomas. His chief work and research have been embodied in a monograph of over 700 pages and found the 12th Report of the government publications.

Major J. W. Powell, whose studies of this subject have been considered authoritative, in his Pre-historic Man in America has the following to say:

"Widely scattered throughout the United States ... artificial mounds are discovered which may be enumerated by thousands and hundreds of thousands. They vary greatly in size. Some are small so that half a dozen laborers with shovels might construct one of them in a day, while others cover acres and are scores of feet in height. These mounds were observed by the early explorers and pioneers of the country.... Pseud-archeologists descanted on the Mound Builders, that once inhabited the land, and they told of swarming populations who had reached a high condition of culture, erecting temples, practicing arts in metals and using hieroglyphics.... It is enough to say that the Mound Builders were the Indian tribes discovered by the white men. It may well be that some of the mounds were erected by tribes extinct when Columbus first saw the shores, but they were kindred in culture to the peoples that still existed.... Pre-Columbian culture was indigenous, it began at the lowest stage of savagery and developed to the highest and was in many places passing into barbarism when the good queen sold her jewels."—J. W. Powell, quoted in Larned, Vol. I, p. 45.

Thus scientists do not agree whether or not the Mound Builders were closely akin to the Indians. However recent investigators seem to agree with Thomas and Powell that the early inhabitants were much like the later denizens of the American prairies in their mode of life and means of subsistence, in their weapons, arts, usages, and customs, in their institutions and physical characteristics, they were the same people in different stages of advancement.

John Fiske, one of the scholarly writers on American history, has the following to say on the early races in the United States:

"Whether the Indians are descended from this ancient population or not, is a question with which we have as yet no satisfactory method of dealing. It is not unlikely that these glacial men may have perished from off the face of the earth, having been crushed and supplanted by stronger races. There may have been several successive waves of migration of which the Indians were the latest."—Fiske's Discovery of America, Vol. I, p. 15.

"The aboriginal American, as we know him with his language and legends, his physical and mental peculiarities, his social observance and customs, is most emphatically a native and not an imported article. He belongs to the American continent as strictly as its opossums and armadillo, its maize and its golden rods, or any number of its aboriginal fauna and flora belong to it."—Ibid., p. 20.

An Iowa investigator, C. L. Webster, some years ago examined several mounds on the banks of the Cedar river near Charles City and "found the skulls small which would show an extremely low grade of mental intelligence."—American Naturalist, Vol. 23, p. 1888.

This may go to show that the early inhabitants were different from the nomadic Indians that the first whites saw as they landed on the bleak shores of New England in the eleventh century.

Most writers on this subject are led to believe that we have conclusive evidence that man existed before the time of the glaciers and that from primitive conditions he has lived here and developed through the same stages which may correspond to the development of primitive man in Europe and Asia. Whether the first settlers in Iowa then, were Mound Builders, or Indians, or some other race may never be known, for a certainty. It is enough to say, that man existed and lived on what has become known as Iowa many, many centuries ago, and he left few if any remains which can testify to his stage of development or to his mode of living. This is no doubt true, that man existed in Linn county countless ages ago, but whether it was a different race, or simply the Indian race at a different stage of development may never be known and thus will always remain a mystery.

INDIANS

When the first white settlers located in Linn county the Red Men still occupied the land, and even after treaties had been fully ratified, Indians were slow to give up these choice hunting places along the Red Cedar and the Wapsie. It is needless to say that the rights of Indians were not protected and they invariably were set aside and driven away as fast as possible. Still nearly all of the early settlers were very friendly toward the Red Men, and in return received many favors from their hands. Of course, the Red Men were jealous of the whites, who gradually kept coming in and drove the Indians away. The Indians who most frequented this part of Iowa after the settlement by whites were the Sac and Fox and Winnebagoes. The Winnebagoes were a remnant of a warlike tribe, and at one time in Wisconsin were very powerful. These joined with the Sac and Fox in the Black Hawk war and were driven across the Mississippi river after the signing of the treaty of peace.

LEWIS FIELD LINN

The pioneers in this county from necessity had to be friendly with the Indians. Many of the early settlers were able to speak the Winnebago language, such as the family of William Abbe, the Edgertons, the Usher family, the Crows, and many others. The Winnebagoes lingered around in this part of Iowa in the thirties and forties, when they were finally removed to Minnesota, much against their own wishes. But the Indians, rightly in this respect as in many others, were not considered, for the white men ruled and looked out for their own selfish interests and did not consider the side of mercy, justice or the rights of the weak as against those of the strong.

The Winnebagoes were considered a hardy race and respected by the whites, who showed them many favors. While the Winnebagoes had fought in the war of 1812 under Tecumseh and had sided with Black Hawk, perhaps reluctantly, in the war of 1832, they were rather friendly toward the whites, although they very much objected to disposing of all their lands east of the Mississippi river by the treaties of 1825 and 1837, when they were removed to Iowa. In Linn county they remained for a longer or shorter period of time along the rivers such as the Cedar and the Wapsie, and especially around Cedar Lake, along the Palisades, in Linn Grove, Scotch Grove west of Cedar Rapids, and in other places where there was much timber. While they were at times heartless and cruel, their relations on the whole with the early settlers in Linn county were those of friendship, and they showed the whites many favors in the early days when the scattered pioneer families were unable to acquire sufficient food during the winter months to subsist upon. The Indians always helped the whites, and frequently went out hunting, bringing back a deer, fowls, or prairie chickens, which they divided among their own people and the whites. They early became fond of the dishes made by the white women, such as hominy, honey cakes, johnny cakes, and other delicious dishes found in the homes of the early settlers on the frontier. In no instance has it been reported that any white woman was ever assaulted by any Indian in this county. In many of the cabins of the early settlers there could be found only women and children, the husbands having left for the river towns to bring back provisions, and this fact was frequently known to the Indians. The early pioneer women used to say that they feared the rough border ruffian more than they did these traveling bands of Indians, who never assaulted anyone or ever carried away property by stealth, as the border ruffians were frequently accused of doing.

The story of the Winnebago tribe of Indians can not be passed without some notice. The name Winnebago is said to mean "the turbid water people," and they are closely related to the Iowas, Otoes, and the Missouri tribes. They used to call themselves the Hochangara, meaning "the people using the parent tongue," thus, perhaps, intending to convey that they were the original people from whom others sprang. They are first mentioned in the Jesuit Relations of 1636 and 1640. It is said that they were nearly annihilated by the Illinois tribes in early days and that the survivors fled back to Green Bay in 1737 and that they resided on the banks of Lake Superior but once more drifted back to Green Bay and towards Lake Winnebago, stretching southwest towards the Mississippi river. On one of the islands in the lake which bears their name they made their abiding place for a number of years and here they buried their dead and dwelt in peace around their fire places.

In 1825 the population was estimated to be 6,000. By the treaties of 1825 and 1832 they were compelled to cede their lands to the government, certain tracts of land being reserved on the Mississippi river near what is now known as La Crosse. Here they suffered from several visitations of smallpox, which plague is said to have carried off nearly one-fourth of their number.

From 1834-35 they were removed to Iowa and lived along the many rivers in the northeastern part of the Territory as far as the banks of the Cedar and the Wapsie rivers. White settlers came in, driving the Red Men out: hunting became poor and the Indians could not subsist and they were again removed to the Blue Earth reservation in Minnesota in 1848. On account of the Indian outbreaks in 1863, committed by the Sioux tribe, and in which the Winnebagoes took no part, they were again removed to the Dakotas, where several hundred perished from cold and hunger. There are now only about 1,200 under the Omaha and Winnebago agency in Nebraska, and about 1,500 in the state of Wisconsin.

The Sac and Fox were also the early neighbors of the whites in this county. The Fox was an Algonkian tribe, first found on the lakes, and who were driven south by the Ojibwa where, for self protection, they united with the Sacs and have been since known as Sacs and Foxes. They were always friendly to the British, joining them in the Revolution as well as in the war of 1812. After the Black Hawk war they were removed to Iowa and from here removed again to the Indian Territory from 1842-46. Many of the tribes kept coming back to their old hunting ground and finally they were permitted to remain on the Iowa river and provision for them was made by the legislature. About 400, known as the Muskwaki, are still found, survivors of some of the early wanderers in eastern Iowa in the early thirties. The Sacs and Foxes and the Winnebagoes were always on friendly terms with the whites and were sworn enemies of the Sioux.

Mrs. Susan Shields, a daughter of William Abbe, was on intimate terms with the Winnebago Indians, who used to gather at her father's home on Abbe's creek frequently. She learned to speak the Winnebago language, and remembered seeing many wigwams, or tepees as they were called, at the lower end of what is now Cedar Rapids. She speaks of the Indians as being kind to her and that her first playmates were Indian girls of her own age. Her brothers also played with the Indian boys and they learned to ride Indian ponies and to shoot with bows and arrows. No trouble ever arose among the young of both races in these days; rather the white boys were envious to see the liberties granted the Indian boys and how they were permitted to roam any place at pleasure, never having any chores to do.

Robert Ellis understood more or less of the Indian jargon, and still speaks of his many escapades among the Sioux, the Winnebago, and the Sac and Fox. At one time, about 1839, some 300 Winnebagoes were camped on what is known as McCloud's Run. It was late in the fall and very cold; word came in the night that the Sioux were coming to exterminate the tribe. At once they broke camp and forded the river near the mill dam, first getting the women and children across. The white settlers were frightened. By nine o'clock the next morning the camps were up on the west side of the river and the gay young bucks had brought in thirty-eight deer which had been shot during the early morning, which were served to the hungry lot who had worked all night. While the Sioux had been in the neighborhood no attack was made upon the Winnebagoes at this time.

Mr. Ellis also relates that he and two friends camped one night on the Cedar above Waterloo, where they were hunting. One morning in mid-winter a party of Sioux came to the cabin. They could do nothing but invite the Red Men in and offer them provisions and anything they had. While the Indians kicked against the whites killing their game, the friendliness of the whites seemed to satisfy them, and they left their new found friends in possession of their camps. After this discovery by the Sioux Mr. Ellis and his friends made a hasty retreat, not wanting to meet their dusky companions again when they might return in larger numbers.

Mr. Ellis relates another incident of his life among the Indians. He came to an Indian camp near Quasqueton on his way to Ft. Atkinson and had to spend the night in the camp. Unfortunately nearly all of the Indians were drunk and insisted on killing every one. The squaws, who were sober, and a few of the old men, got Mr. Ellis to help, and all the drunken bucks were tied so they could scarcely move. Mr. Ellis then retired, and in the morning all were sober and untied, and then the squaws and the old men who had been sober started in to get gloriously drunk. Mr. Ellis wanted to hire an Indian to show him the way to West Union, but the Indian shrugged his shoulders and replied, "wolf eaty you." Mr. Ellis started out alone afoot over the snow covered prairie on a cold winter day and finally reached a cabin late at night, nearly overcome from cold. He still believes he would have perished if it had not been for the words of the old Indian which kept ringing in his ears all day and which added courage to his exhausted spirits.

At one time a large number of Muskwaki Indians were camping near Indian creek, and as the winter was severe and snow deep the Indians were out of food. They came to the home of Susan Doty, who gave them the best and only thing she had—hominy—which she warmed on the fire and gave to the Red Men, who expressed their thanks by grunting and continually asking for more, till the entire supply was exhausted. From that time, when the Indians returned from the hunt with a deer or two Mrs. Doty was always remembered with a good share of game.

When the Indians lost ponies they would go to the old settlers like Usher, N. B. Brown, the Hunters, Oxleys, or Dotys, asking them to assist in catching the thieves. One day Usher and Brown came to Doty's with an Indian chief who had lost his pony. Hunter was also called in, and off the party started in pursuit of the horsethief, who was caught near Viola and who made himself scarce at once, for he was branded as an outlaw by the Indians, who would shoot him at sight. The Indian was more than happy in getting back his pony. These men who were willing to help the Indians were sure to get anything they cared for which could be procured by the red brother. A white man who would help an Indian to recover stolen property was forever a friend of the Indians of the tribe.

The Indians in Linn county during the thirties and forties dressed in skins, lived in tepees, and owned ponies; all wore government blankets and had guns, also procured from the government. The men and women dressed much the same. The women carried home the game, looked after the tepee, made maple sugar, which was traded to the whites for sugar, flour, and woolen goods. Flour especially was much relished by the Indians. The localities much frequented by the Indians were along the Red Cedar and Wapsie rivers, Cedar lake, Indian creek, the Palisades, Linn Grove, Scotch Grove, and Prairie creek. In these places they would remain for weeks at a time, when they would all pull up and leave on some hunting trip, not returning till in the fall or spring of the year. Where they went to no one knew, and where they came from no one inquired. But the Red Men in early days in this county were all treated with due courtesy by the whites, who, in turn, were spared by the Indians. The best of feeling always existed among the whites and Indians.

The Sioux very seldom came into this part of Iowa. William Abbe and Robert Ellis were the agents for the government in supplying the Winnebago Indians at Ft. Atkinson with food, thus these men were well acquainted with the Winnebagoes, who, in turn, were on terms of friendship with the Sacs and Foxes. The Winnebagoes, like the other tribes, became addicted to the use of fire water to such an extent that they would sell their guns and ammunition for whiskey. One of the early experiences of W. H. Merritt as a young store keeper at Ivanhoe was to clean out the store single-handed of a crowd of drunken Indians who intended to take possession of the store for a sufficient length of time at least till they could consume the large quantity of whiskey stored therein, but they had not figured on the courage of the young man who later distinguished himself during the Civil war. Young Mr. Merritt drove out the intruders and saved the store, as well as the property of the company for which he worked.

Many of the old settlers tell stories of the quantity and variety of food these wandering tribes of Indians were capable of consuming, which seemed to be beyond the comprehension of the white man. Mr. Ellis relates how he and William Abbe were notified to forthwith procure beef cattle for an Indian conference at Ft. Atkinson. These men promptly drove a large number of young cattle to Ft. Atkinson from Linn county, and the Indians consumed in a very short time rations which were expected to have lasted for several weeks.

Others have left records of straggling bands of Indians who were fed at some pioneer cabin and consumed quantities of food at a sitting several times more than the ordinary white man could eat in a week. But then it must be remembered that these Indians did not have their regular meals three times a day, by any means. They seemed to go for days and for a week without eating much of anything, and when a feast was set before them they did full justice to the repast.

The Indians had an abnormal fondness for sweets. The making of maple sugar, especially in Wisconsin, had been one of the industries of the aborigines; a little was always made in Iowa. The season for sugar making came when the first crow appeared; this occurred about the first of March, while there was yet snow on the ground. As a substitute for sugar the Indians were very fond of honey, and it was said by the early settlers that the squaws could smell a bee tree further than anyone else. These bee trees were claimed by the Indians, and woe to the white man's son who by stealth or otherwise would encroach upon the Indian's rights in this regard.

While the Indians were called cruel and merciless during the Black Hawk war and later, the pioneers of Linn county found them friendly, hospitable, devoted and loyal friends. Many instances have been cited how the Red Men risked their own lives even to assist their white friends. While they never forgave an injury, they never forgot a deed of kindness.

A SCENE ON THE CEDAR RIVER AT CEDAR RAPIDS IN THE FIFTIES

RESIDENCE OF ISAAC CARROLL IN 1839

CHAPTER III

Iowa Historically

We take the liberty of quoting here a chapter from "The Louisiana Purchase," by C. M. Geer, in The History of North America, Vol. VIII, edited by Guy Carleton Lee, and published by George Barrie & Sons, Philadelphia, 1904. It gives in brief space the more important historical facts connected with the formation of the State.

"The governmental experiences of Iowa before its admission into the Union as a State were many and varied. Its discoverers were the missionary priest Jacques Marquette and the explorer Louis Joliet, who were living at St. Mary's, the oldest settlement in the present State of Michigan. On May 13, 1673, with five Canadian boatmen, these two men left on an exploring expedition, and on June 25, 1673, landed near the mouth of Des Moines River.[B] By right of discovery France claimed jurisdiction over the country thus visited until 1763, when the Territory was ceded to Spain. On October 1, 1800, it was ceded with the rest of Louisiana Territory from Spain back to France. On the 30th of April, 1803, it was in turn ceded to the United States by France as a part of the Louisiana Purchase.

"These changes of government had little effect upon what was to constitute the future State of Iowa, because the Indians remained in almost undisputed possession. Although discovered and claimed by France in 1673, no attempt at settlement was made until 1788, when Julian Dubuque, a Canadian, obtained from Blondeau and two other Indian chiefs a grant of lands. This claim was twenty-one miles long and extended from the Mississippi westward nine miles. The grant was confirmed, in a qualified way, by Carondelet, Spanish governor at New Orleans. Dubuque engaged in mining and trading with the Indians, making his headquarters at the place which now bears his name. The question of the validity of his claim to this great tract of land came before the United States Supreme Court in 1854, and the decision of that body was that his grant was only a temporary license to dig ore.

"In 1799, a trading post was established on the Mississippi within the present territory of Iowa. This settlement and the one at Dubuque were abandoned, so that Iowa was practically an unknown and undesired country at the time when it came under the control of the United States in 1803. It was at that time Indian territory, occupied by the Sacs, Foxes, and Iowas, with the still more warlike Sioux on the north and east.

"On the 31st of October, 1803, a temporary government was authorized for the recently acquired territory. By Act of Congress, approved March 26, 1803, Louisiana was erected into two Territories and provision made for the administration of each. The upper part was known as the District of Louisiana and included Arkansas, Missouri, and Iowa. This was placed temporarily under the jurisdiction of the Territory of Indiana. On July 4, 1805, all this northern district became the Territory of Louisiana, with a separate Territorial government. The legislative power was vested in the governor and three judges to be appointed by the President and Senate. This condition continued until December 7, 1812, when the Territory of Louisiana became the Territory of Missouri. In 1821, Missouri was admitted into the Union, and this admission of Missouri carried with it the abolition of the government of Missouri Territory, so that for a time Iowa was without any government. It is a question how much law remained in force in Iowa after the admission of Missouri. It is probable that the only civil law in force was the proviso of the Missouri bill, which prohibited slavery north of thirty-six degrees thirty minutes north latitude. No provision was made for that portion of the Territory of Missouri until June 28, 1834, when Congress attached the present State of Iowa, together with other territory, to the Territory of Michigan.

"On July 3, 1836, it was included in the newly organized Territory of Wisconsin. On June 12, 1838, the Territory of Iowa was constituted by Act of Congress. This Territory included 'all that part of the present Territory of Wisconsin which lies west of Mississippi River and west of a line due north from the sources or headwaters of the Mississippi to the territorial line.'

"From the time of the purchase in 1803 up to the date of the organization of the Territory in 1838 there had been a gradual increase in the knowledge of this land and a growing appreciation of its value. There had been parties of hunters and trappers who made temporary settlements on the banks of the Mississippi in the period from 1820 to 1830. It was not till steam navigation was established on the Mississippi that there grew up a demand for Iowa lands. Southeastern Illinois and northwestern Missouri were settled and the pioneers naturally looked to the equally desirable lands in Iowa. Various exploring expeditions also contributed to a desire to settle in the territory. Lewis and Clark added to the knowledge of its western borders by their expedition in 1805. Pike in the same year traversed another part of the Territory, and these explorers brought back accounts of its great fertility and of its desirability for settlement.

"The government established a broad strip of neutral ground between the Sioux in the north and the Sacs and Foxes in the south to keep these tribes at peace, and in 1830 acquired lands on the Missouri to be used as Indian reservations. Here and there in the Iowa Territory were white men who had gained the friendship of the Indians and lived with them. There were trading posts of the American Fur Company and miners at Dubuque, who were licensed by the government to work at that point. Iowa remained the home of the Indians until the close of the Black Hawk War, when General Winfield Scott, on September 15, 1832, concluded a treaty of peace with the Sacs and Foxes, by which the Indian title was extinguished to that part of land known as the Black Hawk Purchase. This was the eastern part of Iowa and extended along the Mississippi, from Missouri on the south to the 'Neutral Grounds' on the north, and westward a distance of fifty miles. It contained about six million acres and was to be surrendered by the Indians on June 1, 1833. This gave the first opportunity for the legal settlement of Iowa by citizens of the United States.

"June 1, 1833, was fixed as the day on which the Indians were to be removed from the Black Hawk Purchase and the lands opened for settlement. The would-be settlers came in large numbers to the banks of the Mississippi, ready to cross and get the choice of the land. United States troops kept guard on the western shore of the river and prevented any persons from entering the Purchase before the appointed time. At precisely twelve o'clock, midnight, June 1st, there was a wild rush of settlers from East and South and the settlement of Iowa was begun.

"There was a rapid increase in population until the separate Territorial government was established, June 12, 1838. The first capital was Burlington, and the place of meeting of the legislature was in a church. Robert Lucas was appointed Territorial Governor, and William B. Conway, Secretary. The Territorial Legislature met on November 12, 1838. Burlington continued to be the seat of Territorial government till 1841, when Iowa City became the capital.

"The Territory of Iowa had a heated dispute with the State of Missouri over the boundary line between the two. Missouri's northern boundary was the parallel of latitude passing through the rapids of the river Des Moines. There were two rapids, eight or ten miles apart, and the dispute was as to which of these was meant, Missouri insisting upon the northern and Iowa on the southern one. Each government tried to enforce its authority. In the attempt to do this, Governor Boggs, of Missouri, called out the militia; then Governor Lucas, of Iowa, called out his soldiers. Five hundred men were under arms. On the petitions of Iowa and Missouri, Congress authorized a suit to settle the controversy, which resulted in a decision favorable to Iowa.

"Further treaties were made with the Indians by which additional land was gained for settlement. A large tract of land was opened to settlers on May 1, 1843, and on the preceding night there was a rush of land seekers similar to that which had occurred ten years before; over a thousand families settled in the newly opened lands within twelve hours.

"The very rapid increase in population led to a demand for statehood. On July 31, 1840, the Territorial Legislature passed an Act by which it called for a vote of the people on the question of assembling a constitutional convention. In August the vote was taken, resulting in the defeat of the proposition by a vote of two thousand nine hundred and seven to nine hundred and thirty-seven. Another vote was taken in 1842, resulting in the same way, but on February 12, 1844, the suggestion of a constitutional convention met the approval of the majority of the electors, and without waiting for a Federal Enabling Act a Constitution was adopted by a convention which met at Iowa City, October 7, 1844, and finished its work November 1st of the same year. This Constitution was submitted to Congress by the Territorial delegate.

"Here again there was the effort to balance a northern and southern State. Maine had been admitted into the Union in 1820, and Missouri in 1821; Arkansas in 1836, and Michigan in the next year. Now, it was proposed to admit Florida with Iowa. At this time Florida was much below the required population. The Congressional debate on the subject was a long and interesting one and brought out clearly the growing jealousy between North and South. This feeling was especially strong at this time because of the probability that several southern slaveholding States might be formed from Texas.

"There was furthermore a dispute of considerable importance over the general boundary of Iowa. The Constitution submitted to Congress by the Territorial delegate provided that the boundary should be as follows: 'Beginning in the middle of the main channel of Mississippi River opposite the mouth of Des Moines River; thence up the said River Des Moines in the middle of the main channel thereof, to a point where it is intersected by the old Indian boundary line, or line run by John C. Sullivan in the year 1816; thence westwardly along said line to the old northwest corner of Missouri; thence due west to the middle of the main channel of Missouri River; thence up in the middle of the main channel of the river last mentioned to the mouth of Sioux or Calumet River; thence in a direct line to the middle of the main channel of St. Peter's River, where Watonwan River (according to Nicollet's map) enters the same; thence down the middle of the main channel of said river to the middle to the main channel of Mississippi River; thence down the middle of the main channel of said river to the place of beginning.'

"An amendment was proposed in Congress which substituted the following in place of the boundary as given above: 'Beginning in the middle of St. Peter's River, at the junction of Watonwan or Blue Earth River; with the said River St. Peter's running thence due east to the boundary line of the Territory of Wisconsin in the middle of Mississippi River; thence down the middle of the last-named river with the boundary line of the Territory of Wisconsin and state of Illinois to the northeast corner of the state of Missouri in the said River Mississippi; thence westwardly with the boundary line of said State of Missouri to a point due south from the place of beginning; thence due north to the place of beginning in said St. Peter's River.'

"Of especial interest was the attitude taken by Samuel F. Vinton, representative from Ohio, in regard to the admission of Iowa. He believed that the Western States should be small in area in order that the West might not be deprived of its share in the government of the nation. It seemed to him that the policy so far pursued in the West had been wrong because the States were so large that they were sure to contain two or three times as large a population as the Atlantic States. There was at the time a provision under consideration that Florida might be divided, when either East or West Florida should contain a population of thirty-five thousand. Vinton contended that if Florida was to be divided, there should be a provision for dividing Iowa, because it was safer to give political power to the West than to the Atlantic States, for the West was the great conservative power of the Union. He stated that though the spirit of disunion might exist in the North and in the South, it could not live in the West, because the interests of the West were inseparably connected with both, and it would hold the two sections together, because it had no prejudice against either North or South and, what was of greater importance, the West was a grain growing country, and so must look equally to the manufacturing North and the cotton growing South for its market. Therefore the West must be conservative whether it wished to be or not. Vinton believed that instead of five there should have been at least twelve States in the old Northwest, and that to partly offset this injustice, small States should be formed west of the Mississippi. After considerable debate in the House, the bill for the admission of Iowa passed that body and was transmitted to the Senate, which it passed March 3, 1845.

"After a vote for admission, the constitution was submitted to the people of Iowa, who made serious objections to it. One objection was directed against the small salaries to be paid, which, it was feared, would result in getting only inferior men for official positions. The restrictions on banks and corporations proved an unpopular feature. The limitation placed upon the extent of territory claimed by Iowa was unsatisfactory to many, though the State would still have an area of forty-four thousand three hundred square miles. This reduction of area was the greatest objection, so that when the vote was taken many who were in favor of statehood voted against forming a state of such reduced area, and the Constitution was rejected by a vote of seven thousand and nineteen to six thousand and twenty-three.

"The governor called a special session of the legislature, and a bill for the re-submission of the constitution was passed over his veto. This was defeated by the people in August, 1845. On January 17, 1846, an Act was passed which provided for a new constitutional convention. This body came together in May and adopted a new constitution which did not differ greatly from the earlier instrument. The boundaries given in it were a compromise between those originally asked by the people and those granted by Congress. The matter was actively discussed in Congress when the new constitution with the changed boundaries came before that body, but the arguments were essentially the same as those previously advanced. An exciting campaign followed in Iowa, and the constitution was adopted, August 3, 1846, by a small majority. On the 4th of August the president signed the bill which settled the boundary question in accordance with the second constitution, and an Act was passed December 28, 1846, by which Iowa was admitted into the Union."

AN EARLY LAND DEED FROM THE U. S. GOVERNMENT

CHAPTER IV

Iowa and Her People

"In all that is good Iowa affords the best."

Thus a few years ago wrote one of our state's most distinguished citizens.[C]

And his utterance found a ready response in the hearts of the men and women of our fair land, so that today the expression is an axiom. Every Iowan believes firmly in its truth.

There is no fairer land under the benevolent sun. Here plenty reigns, and prosperity has her home. Cheerful industry has redeemed the land that once was the home of wild animals and untamed savages. Iowa's waving corn fields; her meadows of luxuriant grass; her hills dotted with magnificent houses and barns; her landscape made more picturesque by the presence of fattening herds; her school houses and higher centers of learning on almost every hill; the smoke from the busy industries of her thriving cities and villages; her soil the most fertile of any known; her waste land less than that of any other equal area; her percentage of illiteracy the lowest; her mineral resources abundant; her numerous streams affording water power inferior to none—all these things and more rightly tend to make Iowans proud of their State.

Now, as a half century ago, Iowa offers "to the lawloving and the temperate; to the enterprising, the vigorous, the ambitious, a home and a field worthy of their noblest efforts."[D] She throws open to the world her exhaustless stores of wealth, her golden opportunities, and says: "Behold your reward."

N. H. Parker, writing more than a half century ago, drew this glowing picture of the future Iowa:

"As the immigrant mother leads her sons and daughters into the undeveloped paths of wealth—as civilization elevates a race out of the sloughs of semi-barbarism—as national prosperity exalts a land—or as science raises the human intellect from darkness into dazzling light—thus Iowa, with rapid strides, ascends the precipitious sides of prosperity's mountain range, bearing her sons and daughters to loftier, and still loftier peaks, and revealing to their gaze still wider and richer vistas. And the summit of this range she will never reach; for her onward progress cannot be stayed, until her arterial streams are dry—until the agricultural life-blood in her veins has ceased to flow, until her great metallic heart has been emptied. Upon the topmost summit, then, Iowa will never stand, for through countless ages yet to come, her progress—that must be forever onward—must be upward also."[E]

The people of Iowa do not stand still. Not satisfied with present achievements, they go forward, doing well to-day the tasks that are theirs, and striving earnestly to make the future better and more glorious than the past.

We can not do better here than by quoting a toast to the future of Iowa given some years ago by O. J. Laylander, a loyal son of the state:

"In the few minutes allotted to this toast scant justice may be awarded so worthy a theme. We love you, O Iowa, lusty child, resting in the mighty arms of the Missouri and the Father of Waters, laughing beneath the warm kisses and the love tears of gentle May; crying aloud to all the world: 'See how I grow! How strong I am! How happy and healthy and beautiful!'

"Iowa is glorious now. The great, green carpets, fresh from the springtime cleaning, shimmer in the glorious sun. The broad, black belts of loam await with open pockets the hiding of the golden grain. Living, glowing mines of gold stud the prairies' endless velvet folds. The countless castles of the farm are bound into great bundles by the sounding wire. Above every door that opens upon honest toil is inscribed in letters of gold the motto, 'Rich, rich, rich.'

"Such is Iowa today in its wealth of land and stock. Each year the unfailing field fills the bins to bursting and grows the meat for millions.

"Material Iowa, with great leaps, has gone forward in the world's race. Manifest destiny was misread by even the wisest of our grandfathers. Even thirty years ago no prophet dared choose the gorgeous hues necessary to a true picture of the Iowa of to-day.

"Yet not alone in industrial lines has Iowa set the pace for the states. In politics she has crowded New England off the stage, and bold Ohio sits quietly at her feet. In literature and in arts she stands unashamed. Comfort and culture walk hand in hand, and happiness is a perennial contagion.

"Some fifty years ago there came to Iowa a sturdy boy. Today he calls his own one thousand billowy acres which have risen in value in steps of ten until one hundred thousand dollars would not tempt him to yield his title. One June afternoon he sat on his piazza in sweet reverie. He reviewed the wonderful development of the grand old state, and sent his imagination in search of greater possibilities. From the hedge the thrush poured forth a song of love. The humming bees thrust their honeyed tongues into the flowers on the trellis at his side. The south wind was heavy with fragrance brushed from the blooming bushes. All nature conspired to steal the old man's senses and soon reverie gave way to sleep and dreams, and this, they say, was the dream: He dreamed that it was the year nineteen hundred and forty-one, and he was celebrating his hundredth birthday. He had seen comfort and culture become as common as the summer sun. Literature and art had countless country devotees. People had ceased to hurry, and worry was unknown: and then he dreamed that he died, and sought admission at the golden gate. To his amazement he was halted and informed that he was at the wrong place. Greatly grieved, he parleyed with the guard: 'I never wittingly did a human soul a wrong. I was rich, but it was not my fault. Why must I, who have always tried to do my duty, go to hell?' 'No one said anything about hell,' was the reply. 'To the annex—the second gate to the right. You Iowa people complain so much about celestial conditions and make so many comparisons with Iowa that we have concluded to colonize you a few thousand years and send you all back to Iowa.'

"That the future of Iowa shall be such that if you shall not wish to come back, you shall at least wish to stay as long as possible, is my sincere desire."[F]

Calhoun made the assertion on the floor of the United States Senate that he had been told that "the Iowa country has been seized upon by a lawless body of armed men." Senator Ewing, of Ohio, and Senator Clay, of Kentucky, had received similar information, the former asserting that he would in no way object to giving each rascal who crossed the Mississippi to the westward one thousand dollars if by that means he might get rid of him. And these distinguished statesmen were not alone in this view. To many in the east the first comers to the territory were "land robbers," "idle and profligate characters," "fugitives from justice," "lawless intruders," and worse. They were squatters "who feared neither the laws of God nor man."

Doubtless those who made these assertions were honest and sincere. They believed that only the most desperate characters, the outcasts of decent communities, had the hardihood to explore this terra incognita. They could not comprehend how persons living in settled communities, and surrounded with many of the comforts of life, could be so fool-hardy as to leave all these things for the sake of making a new home in a wilderness inhabited only by wild animals and wilder and more dangerous Indians.

But there is another side to the picture. Personal observation is always more to be depended upon than hearsay testimony. One of the most trust-worthy of the early writers on Iowa is Lieut. Albert Miller Lea. He had spent some years in the "Ioway District"; he had made a tour of observation across the state; he had most excellent opportunities for observing and studying the character of our first settlers. His testimony cannot be impeached, for he was a man far above the practice of deceit. In his Notes on the Wisconsin Territory, particularly with reference to the Iowa District or Black Hawk Purchase, published in 1836, he gives this vivid and truthful picture of our early inhabitants:

"The character of this population is such as is rarely to be found in our newly acquired territories. With very few exceptions, there is not a more orderly, industrious, active, pains-taking population west of the Alleghenies, than is this of the Iowa District. Those who have been accustomed to associate the name of Squatter with the idea of idleness and recklessness, would be quite surprised to see the systematic manner in which every thing is here conducted. For intelligence, I boldly assert that they are not surpassed, as a body, by an equal number of citizens of any country in the world.

"It is a matter of surprise that, about the Mining Region, there should be so little of the recklessness that is usual in that sort of life.... This regularity and propriety is to be attributed to the preponderance of well informed and well-intentioned gentlemen among them, as well as to the disposition of the mass of the people."[G]

Two years later another personal observer says: "He who supposes that settlers ... who are now building upon, fencing and cultivating the lands of the government are lawless depredators, devoid of the sense of moral honesty, or that they are not in every sense as estimable citizens, with as much intelligence, regard for law and social order, for public justice and private rights ... as the farmers and yeomen of New York and Pennsylvania ... has been led astray by vague and unfounded notions, or by positively false information."[H]

These people knew the pioneers, and their testimony is entitled to credence. As a class even the "Squatters" were not idle, or vicious, or ignorant. They were young men, strong and hardy, full of courage and adventure. "There was not a better population on the face of the earth," is the testimony of Senator Benton. "They made roads," says Prof. B. F. Shambaugh, superintendent of the Iowa State Historical Society, "built bridges and mills, cleared the forests, broke the prairies, erected houses and barns, and defended the settled country against hostile Indians. They were distinguished especially for their general intelligence, their hospitality, their independence and bold enterprise. They had schools and school houses, erected churches, and observed the Sabbath.... The pioneers were religious, but not ecclesiastical. They lived in the open and looked upon the relations of man to nature with an open mind. To be sure their thoughts were more on 'getting along' in this world than upon the 'immortal crown' of the Puritan. And yet in the silent forest, in the broad prairie, in the deep blue sky, in the sentinels of the night, in the sunshine and in the storm, in the rosy dawn, in the golden sunset, and in the daily trials and battles of frontier life, they too must have seen and felt the Infinite."[I]

No greater tribute has ever been paid to the pioneers of our state than that given by a distinguished native of the state, Hon. Robert G. Cousins, on Iowa Day at the Trans-Mississippi Exposition at Omaha on Sept. 21, 1898. The following extracts from that masterly oration are worthy of preservation here:

"I have asked five of the ablest and most noted Americans what they regard as the chief thing or leading feature of the Trans-Mississippi region and they have invariably answered, 'Its men and women.' The other day I met one of the oldest settlers of eastern Iowa—one of those original, rugged characters whose wit and wisdom have lightened the settlers' hearts and homes for many a toilsome year—one of those interesting characters who never bores you and whom one always likes to meet—a man whose head is silvered and whose countenance is kind—and I asked him what he regarded as the principal feature of our Trans-Mississippi country, and he replied: 'Well, I'm no scholar, but I've been round here nigh onto sixty years and I reckon 'bout the most important thing is the folks and the farms.'

"Iowa became a separate territory, with the capital at Burlington, in 1838, and was admitted into the Union in 1846, and has been in it ever since. It makes little difference whether it was first settled by the whites at Dubuque for mining purposes in 1788, or, for trading purposes, at Montrose, in 1799, or opposite Prairie du Chien, in 1804 or 5, or in Lee county at Sandusky in 1820, or on the lower rapids at what is now known as Nashville, in 1829; or whether the first settlements for general purposes were made at Burlington and Davenport in 1832. The main fact is that it was well settled—not by dyspeptic tourists nor by invalids who had come west out of curiosity and New Jersey, nor by climate seeking dilettanti with two servants and one lung—but by the best bone and sinew of the middle states, New England and the old world. I do not know that there were any dukes or lords or marquises or duchesses, but there were Dutch and Irish and Scotch and Scotch-Irish and English and Americans, and they had home rule right from the start—at least they had it in the first school which I attended. The men and women who settled the Hawkeye state were not those who expected to go back 'in the fall,' or as soon as they could prove up on their claims. They were stayers. They were not men to be discouraged by winter or by work. They were men who knew that nobody ever amounted to much in this world unless he had to. Most of them began simply with the capital of honesty, good health and their inherent qualities of character. They built their cabins in the clearings and, watching the smoke curl up in the great, wide sky, felt just as patriotic for their humble rustic homes as e'er did princes for their castles or millionaires for mansions grand.

"To build a home is a great thing. It doesn't matter so much about the dimensions. 'Kings have lived in cottages and pygmies dwelt in palaces,' but the walls of a home always add something to inherent character. In the formation of character there are always two elements, the inherent and the adventitious—that which we bring with us into the world and that which our surroundings give us. Somebody said 'there is only a small portion of the earth that produces splendid people.' Our pioneers got into a good place. They had left doubt sitting on a boulder in the east and packed their things and started for the west. Rivers had to be forded, trees to be felled, cabins had to be built—the rifle must be kept loaded—so much the better, there was self-reliance. Corn and coffee had to be ground, and on the same mill—so much the better, there was ingenuity. Teeth had to be filled, and there was no painless dentistry. Disease and injury must be dealt with, and the doctor fifty miles away. Life must be lightened, lonely hearts must be cheered, and the old friends and comrades far back in the states or maybe away in fatherland, and the cheering letter tarrying with the belated stage coach—hold fast, thou sturdy denizen and gentle helpmate of the rich and wondrous empire, infinite goodness guards thee and the fertile fields are ready to reward.

SHEPHERD'S TAVERN
Erected in 1838, Looking West. The First House in Cedar Rapids. Present Site of Y. M. C. A.
COURTESY CARROLL'S HISTORY

"Ah, pampered people of the later generations, when you imagine modern hardships, think of the courage and the trials and the ingenuity of pioneers when there were no conveniences but the forest and the axe, the wide rolling prairie and the ox team, the great blue sky, the unsolved future and the annual ague! Complain of markets in these modern times and then think of your grandmother when she was a blooming bride, listening through the toilsome days and anxious nights for the wagon bringing home the husband from a distant market with calico and jeans purchased with dressed pork sold at a dollar and a half a hundred, and maybe bringing home a little money, worth far less per yard than either calico or jeans. Maybe it is all for the best, human character was being formed for the development of a great and loyal and progressive state to shine forever among the stars of the federal union....

"Civil government in Iowa proceeded with its rapid settlement. The pioneer became a model citizen. He knew the necessity for the laws that were enacted. He did not feel oppressed by government. He had experienced the losses of robbery and larceny and knew something of the embarrassment and inconvenience of being scalped. There was no hysteria about trusts and combines because they had practiced combinations themselves for mutual protection. If any one would learn the true genius and exemplification and philosophy of self-government, government of and for and by the people, let him study the records of pioneer life, the institutional beginnings, and the evolution of their laws. It would be worth our while on some suitable occasion when time permitted to talk over the interesting incidents attending the administration of justice in the early days of Iowa, the incidents of its territorial legislatures, the birth and growth of its statehood and the character of its officials. But the greatness of our state is not contained in any name. Its official history is the exponent of its industrial life and character. Its greatness is the sum total of its citizenship. In order to be just, John Jones, the average citizen, must be mentioned along with our most illustrious officials. Somebody said that the history of a nation is the history of its great men, but there is an unwritten history which that averment overlooks. The growth of a state is the progress of its average citizen. The credit of a commonwealth is the thrift of its John Jones and its William Smith, and the character, prosperity and patriotism of the individual citizen is the history of Iowa.

"The population of 97,000 which she had when admitted into the union had increased to 754,699 at the close of the Civil war. Of these about 70,000, almost one-tenth of the population, were in the war—a number equal to nearly one-half of the voters of the state. Who made the history of Iowa during that great struggle of our nation's life? John Jones, the average citizen, whether he carried a musket helping to put the scattered stars of state back into the constellation of the Union, or whether he toiled from early dawn to lingering twilight in the fields or in the shop. The best civilization is that which maintains the highest standard of life for its average citizen.

"Since the Civil war the state of Iowa has increased in population to almost 2,225,000 of people, and most of the time has had the least illiteracy of any state in the Union. Doubtless for that we are indebted to many of the older states, whose enterprising and courageous citizens constitute so large a portion of our population. With but a century of statehood and with an area of but 55,475 square miles, the state of Iowa produces the greatest quantity of cereals of any state in the Union. As long ago as the last federal census, taken in 1890, it produced more corn, more oats, more beef, more pork than any state in the Union. Not long since I was introduced to a gentleman from New York city. He said, 'Oh, from Iowa—ah—let me see, that's out—ah—you see, I'm not very well posted on the geography of the west.' 'Yes,' I said, 'it's out there just across the Mississippi river. You can leave New York about noon and get your supper in Iowa the next evening. It might be worth your while to look it up. It's the state which produces more of the things which people eat than any other state in the Union. It has more miles of railroads than your state of New York, more than Mexico, more than Brazil and more than all the New England states combined.'

"The value of Iowa's agricultural products and live stock in round numbers for the year 1892 was $407,000,000, to say nothing of her other great and various industries and enterprises. She produced that year 160,000,000 pounds of the best butter on earth of the value of $32,000,000. The Hawkeye butter ladle has achieved a cunning that challenges all Columbia. The Iowa cow has slowly and painfully yet gradually and grandly worked her way upward to a shining eminence in the eyes of the world. The state of Iowa has on her soil today, if nothing ill befalls it, ninety million dollars' worth of corn. The permanent value of land is estimated by its corn-producing qualities. Of all the products of the earth, corn is king and it reigns in Iowa.

"Industry and nature have made the state of Iowa a creditor. Her soil has always been solvent and her system of farming does not tend to pauperize. She is a constant seller and therefore wants the evidence of the transaction to be unimpeachable. She has more school teachers than any other state except the Empire state and only three and six-tenths per cent of her population are illiterates. The state of Iowa has yielded the greatest dividends on her educational investments. She has become illustrious on account of her enlightenment. She has progressed further from 'primitive indifferent tissue' than the land even of Darwin himself, and in her escape from protoplasm and prejudice she is practically out of danger. Marked out in the beginning by the hand of God, bounded on the east and west by the two great rivers of the continent, purified and stimulated by the snows of winter, blessed with copious rainfall in the growing season, with generous soil and stately forests interspersed, no wonder that the dusky aborigines exclaimed when they crossed the Father of Waters, 'Iowa, this is the place!' Not only did the red men give our state its beautiful and poetic name, but Indian nomenclature runs like a romance throughout the counties and communities. What infinite meaning, what tokens of joy and sadness, of triumph and of tears, of valor and of vanquishment, of life and love and song there may be in these weird, strange words that name to-day so many of our towns and streams and counties: Allamakee, Chickasaw, Dakota City, Sioux, Pocahontas, Winneshiek, Keosauqua, Sac, Winnebago, Tama, Nodawa, Competine, Chariton, Comanche, Cherokee, Waukon, Muchakinock, Washta, Monona, Waupeton, Onawa, Keota, Waudina, Ioka, Ottumwa, Oneska, Waukee, Waucoma, Nishnabotna, Keokuk, Decorah, Wapello, Muscatine, Maquoketa, Mahaska, Ocheyedan, Mississippi, Appanoose, Missouri, Quasqueton, Anamosa, Poweshiek, Pottawattamie, Osceola, Oskaloosa, Wapsipinicon.

"Ere long some westland genius, moved by the mystic inspiration of the rich and wondrous heritage of Iowa nativity, may sing the song of our legends and traditions, may voice in verse the wondrous story of his illustrious state. Maybe somewhere among the humble homes where blood and bone and brain grow pure and strong, where simple food with frugal ways feeds wondering minds and drives them craving into nature's secrets and her songs—somewhere along the settler's pathway or by the Indian trail where now the country churchyards grown with uncut grasses hide the forms of sturdy ancestors sleeping all in peaceful ignorance of wayward sons or wondrous progeny—somewhere where rising sun beholds the peasantry at early toil and leaves them in the mystic twilight ere their tasks are done, where odors of the corn and new-mown hay and vine-clad hedges by the shadowy roadside linger long into the night-time, as a sweet and sacred balm for tired hearts—somewhere, sometime the song of Iowa shall rise and live, and it will not omit the thought of that gifted son who said: 'Iowa, the affections of her people, like the rivers of her borders, flow to an inseparable union.'"

CHAPTER V

The Geology of Linn County

BY WILLIAM HARMON NORTON, PROFESSOR OF GEOLOGY IN CORNELL COLLEGE

It is said that a certain county in Kentucky, underlain by limestone, always goes democratic; while a county adjacent, underlain by sandstone, is as invariably republican. Certain it is that a deal of politics, economics, and history depends at last analysis more or less upon the processes past and present which belong to geology and physiography. The rocks, the minerals they contain, and the water they store, the hills and valleys into which they have been carved, and the soils to which they weather, largely control the industries, locate the cities, and outcrop even in the social, intellectual, and moral life of the people. The metropolis of Linn county, for example, owes its name and place to the rapids of the Cedar, and the rapids find ultimate cause in the fact that some millions of years ago nature stopped laying a softer rock upon the ocean bed and deposited upon it one of more resistant texture. In the eastern part of the county the Chicago & Northwestern Railway runs for very good and sufficient reasons where once rested the edge of a long tongue of glacial ice, and west of Cedar Rapids its route is determined by the course taken by the turbid floods issuing from the melting glaciers. The streets of Mount Vernon and several of the main highways of the county do not lie with the points of the compass but follow the direction of flow of ancient ice-streams. The distribution of forest and prairie is due to geologic causes. The values of farm lands are markedly affected by the same influences, and we can even point out a little area which differs from its surroundings in its inhabitants and in their literacy, language, architecture, manners, and morals, primarily because it belongs to what geologists classify as the deeply dissected loess-covered Kansan drift sheet.

The inductive history of Linn county, reasoned out from what we have learned of the lie of the land, the shapes of hills and valleys, the soils and subsoils, and the underlying rocks, is a wonderfully long one. The first chapter that has been opened to inspection in the geologic record of our area is that of the deepest rocks probed by the first deep well drilled at Cedar Rapids. At a depth of 2,150 feet from the surface—1,417 feet below the level of the sea—the drill encountered a hard red siliceous rock which may be taken as the equivalent of the Sioux Quartzite, which comes to the surface at Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and at Baraboo, Wisconsin. This well known building stone is used in a number of the business blocks and private residences of Cedar Rapids, as for example in the old office building of the Republican. Belonging to the Algonkian, an era so remote that its age must be reckoned in scores if not in hundreds of millions of years, the quartzite at the bottom of the deep well tells of time inconceivably remote when Linn county was part of a wide sea floor on which red sands were washed to and fro and finally laid to rest in thick deposits of sandstone. Tilted and folded and hardened by pressure, the Algonkian rocks were uplifted from the sea to form dry land of mountainous heights. After the lapse of ages the old land sunk beneath the sea, and again and again with intervals of uplift and subaerial erosion there were laid upon it sea muds, impure limestones, and thick sandstones during a long succession of geologic aeons. Samples of these deposits can be seen in the well drillings preserved in the Y. M. C. A. at Cedar Rapids and in the collections of Cornell College. For many millions of years Linn county was thus sometimes land and sometimes sea, but neither land nor sea was tenanted by aught but the humblest of living creatures. These ancient deposits concern us because they are the aqueducts by which artesian waters of purest quality are brought to our doors from their sources far to the northward in other states.

INDEPENDENCE SHALES on C., R. I. & P. Ry. below Cedar Rapids

BLUFF AT KENWOOD PARK

EXPOSURE OF BRECCIATED LIMESTONE IN MILWAUKEE CUT AT LINN JUNCTION

"THE BLOW OUT," PALISADES
A FIRST SETTLER, NEAR MT. VERNON
PALISADES

The most recent of the formations which are pierced by the drill, but which do not come to the surface within the limits of the county, is the Maquoketa shale, reached in the eastern townships at a depth of somewhat more than 300 feet. This impervious bed of altered clay stops the descent of ground water, which thus is stored in large quantities in the overlying limestones and supplies some of the important wells of the county such as that of the town of Mount Vernon. At the time when these sea clays were laid, eastern Iowa was under sea, but so near was the low lying land to the north and east that vast quantities of mud were brought in by its rivers forming deposits nearly 300 feet in thickness.

THE SILURIAN

With the lapse of ages physical conditions changed and Linn County was covered with a warm shallow coral sea in which were laid the massive limestones which now form the country rock in the eastern tier of townships. In some of the quarries one may see the ripple marks into which these coral sands were heaped by the pulse of the waves, and one may pick out of the rocks casts and moulds of ancient sea shells, corals, and trilobites, which formed the highest forms of life then tenanting the Iowa seas.

The lowest beds of the Silurian belong to the Hopkinton stage, and are exposed along the Buffalo. At Hill's mill and at Nugent's quarries some layers are crowded with a characteristic fossil—a plump bivalve shell as large as a walnut, which goes by the name of Pentamerus Oblongus. The Gower stage of the Silurian rests upon the Hopkinton and embraces two types of rocks distinct in their appearance and uses. The LeClaire phase of the Gower is a hard, brittle, crystalline, magnesian limestone, or dolomite. Normally blue-gray in color, it is often oxidised to buff. It is well exposed at Viola and on the Cedar river from the Cedar County line to a mile or so beyond the Upper Palisades, southwest of Bertram. The LeClaire forms mounds in places reaching fifty and even eighty or ninety feet in height in which little semblance of bedding structures are to be seen. Here and there the rock is conglomeratic, consisting of rounded masses of the rock cemented by a less resistent matrix. The cavernous recess in the rock wall of the Palisades, misnamed the Blowout, is due to the solution of the weaker matrix and the dislodgement of the rounded masses. The rock may consist also of angular broken blue-gray fragments in the matrix of a buff and friable limestone sand. Again, the mounds, at least in part, may be made up of massive limestone with little trace of structure of any sort. On the sides of the mounds and merging into the conglomeratic or other structures the rock of the LeClaire often is stratified and the layers dip outward at angles surprisingly high. In places these tilted layers may show sharp folds. The rock of all structures is fossiliferous. Even the broken fragments of breccia are porous with moulds of minute fossils which have been removed by solution. The massive rock is largely made up in places of stems of crinoids—stone lilies which grew in the greatest profusion in these quiet waters—and the tilted layers may be made of casts and moulds of unbroken shells of little bivalves. Occasionally the saucer shaped tail and head-shields of a characteristic trilobite are found piled together and unbroken. Coral are very common in this ancient reef rock, a form resembling honeycomb being especially noticeable. And as one floats down stream at the base of the cliffs he can hardly fail to notice large tapering segmented shells, either straight or slightly curved, representatives of the cephalopod mollusks.

The picturesque rock walls of the Palisades, which rise perpendicular for as much as ninety feet from the water's edge, are due primarily to the great resistance of the LeClaire rock, due to its chemical composition—for dolomite weathers far less rapidly than a non-magnesian limestone—and to the fewness of those planes of weakness called joint-planes. The joints of the LeClaire are distant and vertical. The stone breaks down, therefore, in immense blocks where undercut by the river which leave for ages the scarp behind them as a vertical wall.

Because of its qualities the LeClaire is one of the best lime rocks in the country. The impurities of the clay, the iron and silica which it contains, may run as low as one-third of one per cent. The large per cent of carbonate of magnesia present makes it a cool lime, slow to slack and slow to set, and it is to such limes that architects, masons, and plasterers now invariably give preference over the so-called hot limes burned from non-magnesian limestones. The hardness and durability of mortars made from the LeClaire rock limes approaches that of cement, and after thirty-five or forty years of weathering, joints in mason work seem almost as fresh as when first struck.

The extreme hardness of the rock and the slowness with which it weathers make it specially valuable for crushing for macadam and ballast.

The Anamosa phase of the Gower limestone is typically exposed in the large quarries at Anamosa and Stone City, Mount Vernon and Waubeek. It is a light buff or yellow limestone, with constant, parallel, and horizontal or gently inclined laminated layers. The limestone is soft to work but hardens on exposure. The saw encounters no obdurate materials and the chisel finds the fracture even and regular. Bedding planes are so even and smooth as to be at once ready for the mortar with little or no dressing. Much of the stone can be split horizontally to any desired thickness, while the distant joints permit the quarrying of blocks beyond the facilities of transportation or any possible use. Many layers are so homogenous that they can be wrought into fine carvings.

As a dolomite the stone is far more resistant than a purer limestone. In the Mount Vernon cemetery tombstones of this material, whose dates run back to the forties and early fifties, have been so little affected by superficial decay that the tool marks are almost as fresh as when the chisel left them; while marbles of half their age have broken down into ruin.

The Silurian rocks of the county measure about 300 feet in thickness. They are confined pretty closely to the townships of the eastern tier, but extend beyond their limits up the valleys of the Cedar and Wapsipinicon.

THE BERTRAM LIMESTONE

As the Silurian limestones sink below the surface because of the westward dip, they are succeeded by a bed of rock, named from its outcrop at Bertram, and found along Big Creek as far north as Paralta and Springville. This is a heavily bedded gray rock which weathers almost white. At a number of places along Big Creek it forms picturesque cliffs, and hillsides covered with huge boulders of disintegration. At one point it is seen to overlie the Anamosa beds of the Silurian, and several exposures are known where it is succeeded by the Otis limestones of the Devonian. But as it contains no fossils, so far as is now known, it can not be said to which of the two ages it belongs.

THE OTIS LIMESTONES

The lower beds of the Otis, as exposed at the base of the Otis quarries, along the Cedar south of Cedar Rapids, at Springville, and at Coggon, consist of soft magnesian limestones, fossiliferous with many moulds of small bivalve shells of Devonian age. These pass upward into drab non-magnesian limestones carrying the principal fossil of the magnesian beds in considerable numbers. The upper limestones of the Otis differ within rather wide limits. The most common type is seen at the base of the high cliff at Kenwood on the right bank of Indian Creek—a hard, brittle ringing and thinly laminated limestone. Often it has been subjected to strains under which it has broken, and has been re-cemented with little displacement of the parts. Occasionally it is brown, and highly crystalline.

THE INDEPENDENCE

At the Kenwood cliff the eight feet of the Otis at the base is succeeded by thirty feet of buff shale and clayey limestones—a formation known as the Independence from its discovery in a shaft sunk at that city. The Independence is exposed at many points near Cedar Rapids both on Indian Creek and on the Cedar. On the Wapsipinicon it is well seen at Cedar Bluff (sec. 24 Spring Grove Tp.), at the "Wolf's Den" a mile up valley, and again in the railway cut north of Coggon. In the long cut of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway west of Linn Junction the Independence is seen in one place as a blue clay shale carrying a number of fossils characteristic of the shaft at Independence, but elsewhere the formation is unfossiliferous in the natural exposures so far studied.

Wherever found the Independence contains nodules of silica, which may reach a foot in diameter, and often angular fragments of the same material which may be as fine as sand. The formation is marked by irregularities of deposition, channel cutting by drift currents, lenses of calcerous material, and rapid lateral change in the form and constituents of the rock. All of these characteristics point to the deposition of this formation in a shallow sea near shore.

Indeed, some of the beds were apparently laid in marshes such as are now found along low ocean shores. Thin seams of coal formed in the Independence were once peaty deposits preserved by the presence of water from the decay which returns dead vegetable matter to the air. In 1871 such a seam of coal, not exceeding an inch in thickness, was found at a depth of ninety feet in a well on the farm of Mrs. C. Hemphill, near LaFayette. Pieces of the coal were taken to Cedar Rapids and Marion. A mining company was formed, and without seeking for any expert advice from geologist or mining engineer, and without any tests of the extent and thickness of the seam, a shaft was sunk after the precious fuel. Water was encountered in such quantities that expensive pumping machinery was used, and in all several thousand dollars were wasted in a search which any competent geologist could have told was foredoomed to failure.

THE DAVENPORT LIMESTONES

The sea over eastern Iowa deepened after the deposition of the Independence, for there was now deposited upon its floor limestones in place of shales. The lowest of these, known as the lower Davenport beds, are hard, compact, and of finest grain, and so far as known are unfossiliferous. The upper Davenport is a tough, gray, semi-crystalline limestone which contains an assemblage of fossils of many species. Highest of these are the first vertebrates to appear in Iowa so far as our records go. Fishes which swam over our area left to be imbedded in the limestones their hard enameled teeth and fin spines. The most common of the Devonian fishes was a small shark.

In several other counties the lower and the upper Davenport limestones retain the attitude of their deposition. But everywhere in Linn county they have been broken into bits and re-cemented, forming breccia. These brittle rocks could hardly give way to such immense stresses without causing sharp and violent vibrations to run through the crust of the earth, and we may therefore list great earthquakes as a part of the history of our area in Devonian times.

The best exposure of the breccia beds is that of the cut of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway west of Linn Junction. The brittle lower Davenport has here been broken and rebroken into a mass of small sharp-edged fragments, while the tough heavily bedded upper Davenport ledges have been fractured to large blocks, which sliding on each other have smoothed and grooved their sides. The breccia beds may be seen in the upper eleven feet of the Kenwood cliff, at Troy Mills, and in the cliffs along the Wapsipinicon valley as far down as near to Central City.

THE CEDAR VALLEY LIMESTONES

The Otis, Independence, and Davenport limestones form a group called the Wapsipinicon, from its outcrop along the river of that name in Linn county. The remaining limestones of the Devonian are grouped together under the name of the Cedar Valley. These consist of limestones of various types, sometimes crowded with fossils, and sometimes destitute of any trace of ancient life. They occupy the western townships of the county.

THE CARBONIFEROUS

At the close of the Cedar Valley stage the sea retreated westward from our area, and Linn county became dry land. For long ages its rocks were covered with rich soils supporting a luxuriant vegetation, probably tropical in its aspect. We know that running water channelled this ancient land, for when at last in Pennsylvanian (Coal measure) time the land sunk slowly beneath the sea, there were deposited in such channels clays and sandstones, which perhaps are only remnants of wide sheets of similar deposits now removed by denudation. A mile and a half south of Marion (southeast quarter of section 12, Rapids township) a well twenty-three feet deep penetrated a bed of dark shale which carried leaf impressions of a number of ferns characteristic of the undergrowth of the Carboniferous forests. A third of a mile southeast of Lisbon, and again about two miles south of the same village, at Bertram at the east end of the railway bridge, and on the old county road between Cedar Rapids and Marion, are exposures of sandstone which in some instances contain fragments of the logs drifted from perhaps distant uplands and water-logged and sunk in these ancient sand beds. The Bertram outlier contains many rolled coral fragments and worn bits of shells of the Devonian, included in Carboniferous deposits, much as the same fossils may now be found in the river deposits of the present age in the sand bars of the Cedar.

MESOZOIC AND TERTIARY

For a succession of geologic ages our county, in common with eastern Iowa, seems to have remained dry land, for no deposits of the sea are found upon it. On both sides of the continent mountain ranges of Alpine height were uplifted, and during the immeasurable years worn down, grain by grain, to flat and featureless plains. But no deformations are recorded in our county history and the lands seems to have remained so low that little erosion was possible. We are permitted to conceive that over our savannas in Mesozoic times there roamed monstrous reptiles of strange shapes, such as are known to have existed in adjacent states. In the later ages of this era it is not impossible that during the great submergence which brought the Cretaceous sea over the Great Plains from the Arctic to the Gulf, including western Iowa, our area also may have been inundated and huge swimming reptiles such as are found in the deposits of Kansas and Nebraska may have disported themselves where now our rich farm lands lie open to the sun, while in the air featherless cold-blooded creatures larger than any bird winged their way on leathery pinions.

THE ASTOR HOUSE
Erected by John Young in 1839, Looking South The Second House in Cedar Rapids
COURTESY CARROLL'S HISTORY

During the millions of years which are included in the Tertiary ages Linn county was undoubtedly dry land. On our grass lands pastured a succession of strange and uncouth mammals evolving into higher and higher forms. Among these denizens of the county were probably herds of pig-like creatures, three toed horses little bigger than foxes, and ancestral monkeys swarming in the trees, for such are known to have existed in other states. But these chapters in the history of the county can not be written from any local records.

THE GLACIAL EPOCH

The warm climate of Tertiary times changed slowly to one of arctic cold. The winters lengthened and the summers becoming ever cooler and yet cooler failed at last to melt the winter snows. Vast sheets of glacial ice, such as that which shrouds Greenland today, covered much of the continent. The geologic panorama thus presents our area as buried beneath one after another of slow-moving glaciers hundreds of feet thick. The proofs of their existence are found in almost every cutting which goes below the soil. Any quarry will show the rock deeply rotted and pitted by long preglacial decay. Here and there upon its surface will be found remnants of the deep red residual clays, the subsoils of preglacial times. Upon these clays formed from the decaying rock rest stony clays in which clay, sand, and stones faceted as only glacier ice can facet, are mingled pell-mell together, as only glacier ice can mingle. Occasionally is found the unmistakable track of the glacier left on the underlying rock scraped smooth and marked with parallel scorings, as at the north end of the cut of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway at Linn Junction.

The glaciers also brought from ledges of granite and other crystalline rocks in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Canada the boulders which form a conspicuous feature in some of our prairie landscapes. These, the "first settlers," traveled to their destinations far more leisurely than any ox carts of the immigrant pioneers; for the glaciers can not have moved faster at most than fifty feet a day, and probably at less than a tenth that rate, judging by the rates of motion of present glaciers.

The ice sheets of the glacial epoch plastered the county thick with the stony clays which they dragged along in their basal layers. The thickness of these glacial deposits probably averages from fifty to one hundred feet. Old valleys cut in rock by Tertiary rivers were buried wholly from view, as, for example, one extending north from Prairieburg; and the farmer now plows his corn in fields which lie two and three hundred feet above the channels of ancient rivers. In places the old valleys were left to be re-occupied by the rivers. Such are the reaches of wide valley of the Cedar south of Center Point. In other places the rivers were diverted wholly from their ancient beds and made to flow in new channels which they have not yet had time to widen and deepen to their ancient measures. Such are the narrow rock bound valleys of the Wapsipinicon south of Troy Mills and of the Cedar at the Palisades.

On the final retreat of the glaciers waters from the melting ice swept over the county, leaving deposits of sand on the lower lands and in the valleys. Since the glacial epoch the rivers have cut their beds a score of feet and more below the deposits of glacial floods and in many places, as near the Ivanhoe bridge, remnants of these ancient flood plains are left as terraces or "benches" or "second bottoms." At Bertram the sands deposited by glacial waters near the mouth of Big Creek stand about fifty feet above the level of the river.

THE LOESS

A large part of the county is covered with a deposit of fine yellow silt called loess. Dry, it crumbles into powder at a finger touch; wet, it is somewhat plastic and can be moulded into brick and tile. On the hill and uplands the loess is thickly spread, adding in places at least forty feet to their elevation. Over the lowlands it is thin or absent. This yellow earth has been and is to be of greater value than mines of yellow gold. It is of inexhaustible fertility. It contains abundant mineral plant foods, partly constituent, and partly brought up into it by ground water; and these foods are so finely pulverized as to be of readiest solution and absorption by the roots. In wet weather the loess mantle absorbs the rainfall like a sponge; in months of desert drouth, like those of the summer of 1910, it returns the water to the surface, like a wick, to preserve the crops from failure.

A disadvantage of the loess lies in the readiness with which it washes. The forest which once covered nearly all the uplands protected the soil from wash by means of its mattress of roots and the thick prairie sod was equally efficient where hill slopes were grassed over. But where forests have been thoughtlessly cut down, and steep slopes turned to plow land, it is but a few years until the brown top-soil is all washed away and the fields in spring when freshly plowed are as yellow as a deep cut in road or brick yard. The foot path in the pasture or the furrow of the plow becomes a gully in a single heavy rain, and unless checked soon becomes a gulch scores of feet in width.

By accenting the height of the ridges the loess also adds to the scenery of the county. Our area lies in a part of east central Iowa where the stony clays deposited by ancient glaciers accumulated in long ridges and belts of upland rising many feet above the intervening undulating plains. Because of the alternation of ridge and lowland no part of the state except the valley of the Upper Mississippi has so beautiful and wide and varied prospects. Over more or less of their course the rivers of the county have cut their channels lengthwise in the ridges, thus giving rise to the bold scenery of the Wapsipinicon above Central City, and of the Cedar near Mount Vernon. Some of these picturesque reaches of river and cliff and forest slope should surely be converted into county parks in the near future and preserved for the gratification of all coming generations. Unless this is done we may expect that the forests will be cut down and the hill slopes gashed with countless gullies; while the lichened rocks of the river cliffs fringed with fern and tamarisk will give place to unsightly quarries.

While Linn county was sheeted with glacier ice, no life of any sort was possible within its limits. But during the long interglacial epochs which intervened between the ice invasions, forests grew and animals now extinct roamed over our hills and plains. Among these early inhabitants may be mentioned extinct horses and the giant proboscidians, the mammoth, and the mastodon. These returned to the area after the final retreat of the ice and their remains are found in the peat bogs and river gravels. In the earliest of the interglacial epochs it is quite probable that some of the gigantic groundsloths of South America made their home here, since they are known to have done so in the western counties of the state. No traces of man have been found in the glacial deposits of Iowa, nor have any indubitable evidences of his presence in glacial times been found in North America. Sometime, we know not when, roving tribes of Indians set foot within our area, and geology gives place to archeology. And when the white man appeared, inductive history ends and there begins the history of tradition and written records.

CHAPTER VI

Beginnings in Linn County

The Black Hawk war, though confined to the state of Illinois, made an epoch in the history of Iowa. It was the last of the many Indian wars, and was concluded by a cession of much of the valuable lands of Iowa to the government. Reports of the war had stirred up more or less enthusiasm as to the future of the west, and settlers began to come soon after the war had ended. Many of the officers, and others who had taken part in the war, became the government agents and officials in various capacities in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa. The government also, through its representatives in congress, planned great things for the west in opening canals and roads, while rivers were made navigable and steamship traffic opened up.

One must not be led to believe that Iowa was the only part of the west which grew so rapidly. The growth was general, it is true, but Iowa seems to have grown more rapidly than any other of the territories between 1836 and 1846.

Illinois was admitted as a state in 1818; Missouri three years later; next came Iowa in 1846, while Wisconsin, which had been explored in 1639, was not admitted to statehood till 1848; and Minnesota, settled as early as 1680, and having a fort built in 1820, was not admitted to statehood till 1858. Thus, it would appear, that Iowa remained a territory for a shorter period of time than any other of the western states located in the Mississippi valley, but, of course, there is reason for this. It was a prairie state, in the first instance, and on the east was bounded by a great waterway and by a state teeming with an aggressive population, many of whose people soon crossed the borderland even before the government had made proper surveys and thrown the land open to settlement.

Henry Dodge was appointed governor of the new Territory of Wisconsin in 1836, Iowa at that time being a part of Wisconsin. With the exception of a few settlements of white people along Lake Michigan and in the mining region around Dubuque there were few, if any, white settlers. Governor Dodge's work was largely with the Indians, in making contracts and ceding lands to the government. Settlers were coming in constantly and a demand for a survey of the lands was made from time to time. Survey of the public lands in Iowa was begun in the fall of 1836. Great preparations for the land sales were made. These were to take place in Dubuque and Burlington in November, 1838. The settlers who had arrived on these lands for some time prior to its survey arranged among themselves to select an arbitration association, each township making a register of all claims, and choosing one representative to attend the land sales, giving him authority to bid off the lands selected by each claimant.

A. C. Dodge was appointed the first registrar of the land office at Burlington, and George W. Jones the first surveyor-general of Iowa. One of the surveyors-general in the early '40s was no other than Judge James Wilson, of Keene, New Hampshire, a son of a Revolutionary soldier, and himself a lawyer of more than ordinary ability, a judge, and at one time a member of congress. He was appointed by General Harrison, an old friend.

At the first convention which met at Burlington in November, 1837, for the purpose of organizing a separate territory of Iowa, were the following delegates from Dubuque county, which, at that time, included a part of what later became Linn county: P. H. Engle, J. I. Fales, G. W. Harris, W. A. Warren, W. B. Watts, A. F. Russell, W. H. Patton, J. W. Parker, J. D. Bell and J. H. Rose. The convention in its petition to congress asserted that there were 25,000 people in that portion of Wisconsin Territory known as "The Iowa District;" that houses had been erected; that farms were cultivated, and still people could not obtain title to their lands, and asking that the part west of the river be set aside as a separate territory. This was one of the most important conventions held on what became Iowa soil, and congress at once took action to make such provisions as were thought wise and expedient.

Linn county was established by an act of the legislature of the Territory of Wisconsin approved on December 21, 1837. The county was regular in shape, but four townships larger than its neighbors on the north and east, which were created at the same time. The boundaries received at this time have not been altered. The spelling of the name was Lynn, although it was spelled in the body of the act itself Linn; it took its name from Dr. Louis F. Linn, United States senator from Missouri, who was appointed to that office in 1833 and who was a friend and admirer of President Jackson, and much interested in the development of the west.

The eastern part of Linn county, perhaps one-third, had been part of the original county of Dubuque since 1834, the boundary line running from the southeast corner of the county in a northwesterly line a little to the west of the middle in the northern part of the county. Linn county then embraces within its limits two Indian land cessions. The eastern part was acquired from the Sac and Fox Indians by the treaty of September 21, 1832, known as the Black Hawk Purchase; the western part, or the other two-thirds, was acquired by treaty of October 21, 1837. The fourteen counties created by an act sub-dividing Dubuque county into new counties, which was approved October 21, 1837, were as follows: Dubuque, Clayton, Jackson, Benton, Linn, Jones, Clinton, Johnson, Scott, Delaware, Buchanan, Cedar, Fayette, and Keokuk. While most of these counties were established outright the wording of the act relating to Dubuque county implies that it was looked upon as the former county reduced in size, which was not correct, as this land from which these counties were laid out also included much of the Sac and Fox cession made after Dubuque county had been formed and laid out, and which county had not been ceded to the United States government.

These boundary lines were reduced in size later; however the boundaries of Dubuque, Delaware, Jackson, Jones, Linn, Clinton, Cedar, and Scott have remained as they were laid out at the time. The Territory of Iowa was created by an act of congress approved June 12, 1838.

Among the bills passed by the first legislature, which met during the winter of 1838 and 1839, was the following: "An Act to Organize the County of Linn, and establish the Seat of Justice thereof.

"Section 1. Be it enacted by the Council and House of Representatives of the Territory of Iowa, that the county of Linn be and the same is hereby organized from and after the 10th 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 of said county, or such other place as may be provided until the seat of justice is established.

"Section 2. That Richard Knott, Lyman Dillon and Benjamin Nye be and they are hereby appointed Commissioners to locate the seat of justice in said county, and shall meet at the house of William Abbe, on the first 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.

DOUBLE LOG CABIN
Built by Wm. Abbe, Linn County's First Settler

"Section 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 situation of the location selected for the aforesaid county seat; and on the receipt of such certificate, the Governor shall issue his proclamation affirming and declaring the said location to be the seat of justice of said county of Linn.

"Section 4. The Commissioners aforesaid shall, before they enter upon their duties, severally take and subscribe an oath before some person legally authorized to administer the same, viz: I, ............, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I am not, either directly or indirectly, interested in the location of the seat of justice of Linn County, nor do I own any property in lands, or any claims, within the said county of Linn. So help me God. (Signed) A. B., etc.

"Section 5. If, at any time within one year thereafter, it shall be shown that the said Commissioners, or any of them, received any present, gratuity, fee or reward in any form other than that allowed by law, or before the expiration of six months after the Governor's proclamation, declaring the said seat of justice permanent, become interested in said town or any lands in its immediate vicinity, the Commissioner or Commissioners shall, upon conviction thereof by indictment in the District Court of the county in which he or they may reside, be guilty of a high misdemeanor, and be forever disqualified to vote at any election or to hold any office of trust or profit within this Territory.

"Section 6. The Commissioners aforesaid shall receive, upon making out their certificate of the location of the seat of justice of said county, each two dollars per day, and also three dollars for every twenty miles going and returning from their respective homes. Approved January 15, 1839."

Two of the Commissioners named in the act, Richard Knott and Benjamin Nye, accepted the trust, meeting at the house of William Abbe, two and one-half miles west of what is now Mount Vernon.

The Commissioners located the county seat in the middle of the county and named it "Marion," in honor of one of the Revolutionary generals. The Commissioners reported to the governor of the territory the completion of their work, and Governor Robert Lucas proclaimed the county of Linn duly established.

For election purposes Linn county was attached to Cedar, Johnson, and Jones, the first polling precinct being located at Westport, which had been laid out by Israel Mitchell with the expectation that this would be the county seat, Mr. Mitchell believing that the county seat should be located on the river, and that that location would be near enough the center for all practical purposes.

In October, 1838, the entire county composed one precinct, and thirty-two ballots were cast for candidates for the legislature. Charles Whittlesey was chosen for the senate and Robert G. Roberts for the house. The first county election was held in August, 1839, when three commissioners were selected at Westport—L. M. Strong, Peter McRoberts, and Samuel C. Stewart. This body had the same powers as was later conferred upon the county supervisors. This commission first sat as a body officially September 9, 1839, in the log house of James W. Willis. Hosea W. Gray was sheriff and acted as clerk of the court until a clerk was duly appointed.

The minutes state:

"The Board proceeded to the appointment of a Clerk. Thereupon it was ordered that John C. Berry be and is hereby appointed to the office of Clerk of the Board of Linn County Commissioners.

"Ordered. That the county seat of Linn County be and is hereby called and shall hereafter be known and designated by the name of Marion."

At this session W. H. Smith and Andrew J. McKean were appointed constables for the county. Jonas Martin was appointed road supervisor, his district embracing all the land east of Marion and west of Big creek and east on the Marion and Davenport roads crossing Big creek. "It was also authorized that as Linn County had no safe place for the keeping of criminals that Sheriff Gray contract with the Sheriff of Muscatine County for the keeping of one Samuel Clews, and that the Sheriff borrow funds to pay for the support and keeping of said Clews while in confinement."

It seems that the board met monthly and the county was divided into three voting precincts as follows: One at William Abbe's, known as Sugar Grove Precinct, with the following judges: William Abbe, John Cole, and John McAfferty; one at Marion, with James W. Bassett, Henry Thompson, and Rufus H. Lucore, judges; one at Michael Greene's, with Michael Greene, James Cummings, and Bartimeas McGonigle, judges.

At this time Ross McCloud was appointed county surveyor and was ordered to make the survey of the county seat and report, which he did, and also to lay out additions, which was done. A county jail was also ordered erected in January, 1840, and the contract for the building of the same was let to William Abbe and Asher Edgerton for the sum of $635.00; the first money raised by sale of lots in Marion was applied on the contract for the erection of the jail.

THE FIRST SURVEY

The first survey was made in 1838, being all of Jones county and townships 84, 85, and 86 north, in range 5, west, in Linn county. This was made public in the newspapers and many settlers came in, taking the best lands that had been surveyed and squatting on the other land which they knew would soon be open for settlement. Linn Grove was an ideal place, and here in an early day a large number settled. The sale of lands in the county was advertised to take place in January, 1840. On account of the difficulties of transportation, the settlers petitioned to have the same postponed until the summer of that year, which petition was granted. George Greene, who had been a school teacher near Ivanhoe and even at that time was a man of no ordinary ability, was asked to see what could be done in changing the place from Dubuque to Marion. Mr. Greene volunteered to go to Washington and lay the matter before congress, or the men in charge of the land department. After some time he succeeded in his mission and won the grateful respect of his fellow pioneers, saving them a great deal of money. Thus, for a time, Marion was a United States land office, and the people of Linn county who had little money to spend could claim their lands without much trouble.

THE FIRST COURT HOUSE IN THE COUNTY

The first court house built in the county was a log structure for the use of the pioneers. This structure was erected during the years 1840 and 1841. As there was no money in the county treasury and as the court house was needed, the settlers donated their labor. They cut the logs, hauled them to Marion, and constructed the building, the roof being of shakes and the floor of puncheons. Among those who helped erect this first seat of justice were James and John Hunter, the Stambaugh brothers, James and Elias Doty, and others. The first case, it is said, tried in this court house was one brought against James Doty for jumping a claim on the west side of the river, adjoining the claim of Robert Ellis, the question being whether or not a man erecting a bark building and claiming the land had complied with the law. The jury was impaneled and a trial had which lasted for some time. When the case went to the jury the judge and all vacated so that the jury could use the small room in arriving at a decision. The jury was out the afternoon and all night, and at ten o'clock the next morning they reported that they were unable to agree. During all this time they had had nothing to eat, and the water they had to drink was very poor. Upon this jury sat James Hunter, one of the first settlers of the county, who was the only stubborn one to hold out in favor of Doty. He used to tell later that he felt that he could never look James Doty in the face if he should consent to such a verdict as the other eleven had framed up against him. The case was tried at a subsequent term when the jury decided in favor of Doty, to the effect that while he was later than the claimant in making his claim he was a bona fide settler with the intention of becoming a permanent settler.

The next court house built in Marion was a frame structure still standing just west of the present brick building, and now used as a hotel. The present brick court house was erected by George W. Gray, the brick superstructure being built by Peter D. Harman, of Bertram, father of Warren Harman, of Cedar Rapids. Much of the carpenter work was done by that old pioneer, recently deceased, William Patterson, father of W. D. Patterson, of Cedar Rapids.

The first jail was erected in January, 1840, the contract for the building being awarded to William Abbe and Asher Edgerton for $635.00. The building was finished by May 1st of the same year. The first moneys raised by sale of lands were applied on this contract.

At the July session, 1849, the county was divided into three districts as follows: the townships of Washington and Fayette composed District No. 1; Franklin and Brown composed District No. 2; and Marion and Putnam District No. 3. At the July session, 1840, the board of commissioners began to discuss the question of township organizations. A vote of the county was ordered at the next election to determine the voice of the people; the election took place in August of that year and resulted in favor of the proposition.

Lists of townships are as follows: Marion, Franklin, Washington, Fayette, Putnam, and Brown established in 1841; Linn and Rapids, 1843; Otter Creek, 1844; Buffalo and Maine, 1848; Monroe, 1849; Spring Grove, 1853; Clinton, 1854; Jackson, 1855; College, Bertram, Boulder, and Fairfax, 1858; Grant, 1872; and Cedar, 1906.

THE JUDICIARY

The first records of the district court held in Linn county are dated Monday, October 26, 1840, Iowa Territory, Linn county. Pursuant to an act of the legislature of the territory, approved July, 1840, the district court of the United States and also for the Territory of Iowa met at Marion in said county on Monday, October 26, 1840. Present: The Hon. Jos. D. Williams, judge of the second judicial district for the territory; W. G. Woodward, district attorney of the United States for the district of Iowa; R. P. Lowe, prosecuting attorney for the second judicial district; H. W. Gray, sheriff of the county of Linn; S. H. Tryon, clerk of the district court; Lawrence Maloney for the marshal of the territory.

The following grand jurors were among the best known settlers: Aaron Usher, Samuel Ross, James Leverich, D. W. King, Israel Mitchell, W. H. Chambers, William Donahoo, Dan Curtis, W. T. Gilberts, G. A. Patterson, Isaac Butler, John Goudy, J. A. Gibson, Joe Barnett, Asher Edgerton, William Chambers, O. L. Bolling, Dan J. Doty, and Joseph Warford. As bailiff of the grand jury served Perry Oxley, one of the best known settlers.

The petit jurors were: D. A. Woodbridge, Isaac Carroll, G. W. Gray, B. McGonegal, John McCloud, Thomas Goudy, J. W. Willis, John Long, J. W. Margrove, Ira Simmons, John Crow, Joe Carroway, Steve Osborn, H. B. Mason, O. R. Gregory, John Nation, Thomas Maxwell, and George Yiesly.

One of the early cases of record is that of A. Moriarty vs. N. G. Niece. One of the early jury trials was that of H. C. Dill vs. John Barnett: one of the first criminal cases was that of Territory vs. W. K. Farnsworth, indicted for starting a prairie fire; the jury returned a verdict of "not guilty."

The probate docket is a very small volume but is filled with entries of much historical interest concerning the old citizens of the territory. Among a number of entries can be found the following: In the estate of A. Coles, claim filed and allowed November 8, 1842; in the estate of Thomas Gray, claims allowed in 1844; in the estate of J. Barnett, claims allowed in 1843 in favor of Israel Mitchell in the amount of $4.50; in the estate of John Crow, claims allowed 1842, as well as against the estate of Elias Doty, administered upon in 1843 by M. J. Doty and Jos. Crain, administrators. The estate of A. L. Ely takes up a number of pages.

The first default case seems to be listed for the October term, 1840, that of James D. Stockton vs. Stephen Osborn, et al, the claim being assigned by John O. Gray to plaintiff. The next case was that of Thomas W. Campbell and Perry Oxley vs. John Barnett, which was a transcript from J. G. Cole, a justice of the peace. R. P. Lowe acted as district attorney, while Isaac Butler was foreman of the grand jury.

The first entry made by a native of a foreign country to become a citizen of the United States was made by Peter Garron, stating that he was then a resident of Linn county and that he was formerly a subject of Scotland of the United Kingdom of England and Ireland, and that it was his intention to renounce allegiance to Queen Victoria and become a faithful citizen of the United States.

The first divorce action was brought by Dyer Usher against Mary Usher at the October term, 1842, but it seems that the notice of publication was not served as ordered and no decree was granted.

The first decree of divorce granted was that on the petition of Mrs. Parthena C. Hewitt vs. Abraham Hewitt, rendered at the March term, 1844.

CIRCUIT COURT

Pursuant to an act of the legislature of Iowa, approved April 3, 1868, the county of Linn became part of the second circuit of the eighth judicial district, the circuit consisting of Cedar, Linn, and Jones counties, Hon. S. Yates, of Cedar, being elected judge.

The first term was held at Marion January, 1869, when W. G. Thompson appeared as prosecuting attorney and A. J. McKean as clerk.

The legislature in a few years changed the boundaries of this circuit, making it composed of Cedar, Linn, Johnson, Jones, Iowa, Tama, and Benton counties. It was known as the eighth district of the circuit and district courts. John McKean was judge of the circuit court and John Shane, of Vinton, judge of the district court.

By an act of the legislature the circuit court was abolished and Linn county was incorporated into a district composed of Linn, Cedar, and Jones counties with three judges.

NOTED AND EXCITING TRIALS

Linn county has had its share of noted trials, and many are the pages which may be gleaned from its musty records to show how treachery, cowardice, and selfishness have here, as in many other places, played their parts. It is not best to uncover many of these pages, as it would perhaps add nothing to the general information or be of any value except as historical relics of a former age.

One of the first murder cases in the county, at least as far as known, was that of Nathan Carnagy who was brutally assaulted by James Reed in Marion in 1847. Reed had been drinking heavily and got into a quarrel with Carnagy about some old trouble. Reed was arrested, tried before a jury, and acquitted.

Another case was that of the killing of Pat O'Connell by Samuel Butler in 1865, the affair growing out of a dispute over some property interests. The parties met on a public highway, a quarrel ensued with disastrous results. The jury in this case also returned a verdict of "not guilty."

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, CEDAR RAPIDS, COMPLETED IN 1851

RESIDENCE OF WILLISTON JONES, WHERE COE COLLEGE WAS BORN
FROM CARROLL'S HISTORY

John Akers was murdered in a saloon in Cedar Rapids in 1864 by one Decklots; the jury returned a verdict of "guilty." This sad affair was due to liquor, both parties being more or less under its influence at the time the quarrel began.

There are a number of murder cases of an appalling nature on record; sometimes a conviction and sometimes an acquittal resulted.

On the civil side of the calendar can be found many cases attracting attention, sometimes on account of the charges made, at other times on account of the large amounts of money involved. In this forum magnificent addresses were heard, and no lawyer practicing at the Linn county bar was ever a miser of his eccentricities, whatever they might have been. Most of them had the thread of the attorney in their nature and took to oratory like a duck to water, and most of them in these early pioneer days went in to win the jury at all hazards, possessing the power to stir the heart and to make their personality felt.

THE ERA OF THE OUTLAW

Along the American frontier were always found the outlaws; sometimes they outnumbered the honest settler and sometimes not, depending more or less upon conditions. Outlaws preferred to hover on the frontier where courts of justice were unknown and where the sons of toil, busy with making a living, had no time to defend themselves against outlawry. Some of these outlaws had committed theft and robbery and were living upon this borderland of civilization, knowing that it would be perfectly safe under assumed names. Others came here for the special purpose, knowing it was easier to make a living by theft than by honest toil. Thus, the Linn county frontier at an early date was infested with this class of people, and for a number of years the rights of the people had to be protected by associations organized for this purpose, and made up of the best class in the community, until such a time as law and order could be enforced by decrees of court and by penitentiary sentences.

When the first white settler came into the Red Cedar valley there were only two counties fully organized west of the Mississippi, with the exception of the state of Missouri. These counties were Dubuque and Des Moines. They extended from a flag station at Fort Armstrong back into the country forty miles, and from the Missouri line to a line running westward from Prairie du Chien in Wisconsin. It was a large tract of country, and offered secure hiding places for law violators. In this wild country, along rivers where the timber was thick, hiding places for the outlaw were offered, and when settlers did come in the outlaw did not like to remove, and, consequently tormented the actual settler and frequently took by stealth or force such personal property as he wanted.

In the early day the country bordering on the Cedar river was flooded with counterfeiters, and it is stated that this counterfeit money was so well made that it was difficult to tell which was the good money and which the bad and, in fact, at times it seems that the good money was a scarce article. No one was able to tell where this counterfeit money came from, but it is supposed very little, if any, was made here but that it was imported from other places and distributed by "healers" on a percentage basis. While a cry was raised against counterfeit money, only the government could handle such cases and very little was done to start proceedings. Now and then the government attorney would bring a case or two, but as a rule the defendants were generally released by a jury, many of whom were friends of the parties accused.

It was not until horse stealing became prevalent that the people arose in arms against the outlaw and formed associations called "anti-horse thief" associations. It was a difficult thing at first to prosecute, as the gang was well organized and had a perfect system of stations, agents, signs, and signals. The members of these gangs which infested Cedar, Jones, and Linn counties in the early days dressed better than the honest farmer, were more charitable, and in the day time, at least, were looked upon as the most respectable persons in the community. They were shrewd and cunning in their business transactions, and hedged themselves in such a way as to escape detection and exposure for a long time. These "free booters" and plunderers would move from county to county and from community to community if things got a little hot and they feared exposure. In counties where they were in the majority they would intimidate and scare the actual settlers, even if these knew positively that depredations had been made. And frequently the honest settler who attacked and complained was forced to leave the country instead of the outlaw who had many friends who came to his rescue. Many a man who was known to make a complaint before a grand jury, to a prosecuting attorney, or judge would be trailed by a company of outlaws, threatening letters would be written against himself and members of his family, that his buildings would be destroyed by fire if he persisted in bringing suits or attempted to file an information of any kind against any members of the band.

A few of these men who were at least accused of being members of these various gangs of counterfeiters, horse thieves and other desperadoes may be mentioned.

Perhaps the most noted ones were the members of the Brodie gang, composed of John Brodie, and his four sons—John, Jr., Stephen, William, and Hugh—who came into Linn county in 1839 and were among the first settlers in this county. They were natives of Ohio. Some had lived in Michigan for a time, and before coming here had commenced their career of villainy. On account of some misdemeanor they were driven from Clear Ford on the Mohican river in what is now Ashland county, Ohio, in 1830 or 1831, and sought refuge for a time in Steuben county, Indiana. Here they remained for a couple of years when they became so notorious as to arouse the country against them, and they fled westward in about 1835 and found their way into what was known as the Rock river country, or Brodie's Grove, Dement township, Ogle county, Illinois. In this part of Illinois at this time the country was completely under the control of outlaws and desperadoes, and here the Brodies found congenial companionship.

Early in 1839 the Brodies gang were driven out by an organized society called the "regulators," composed of law abiding people who insisted upon law enforcement. They then drifted westward and located in Linn county. From this time on for a number of years there was scarcely a term of court but that one or more members of this family was arraigned for trial on some criminal charge or other.

Sam Leterel, Christian Gove, James Case, also known as Jim Stoutenberg, McConlogue, Squires, McBroom, and others were members of this gang. McConlogue resided for a time at Cedar Bluffs, later removing into Johnson county where Morse is now located. Stoutenberg resided at times with McConlogue and at times with Squires. A number of others associated with the gang and lived on the borders of Linn and adjoining counties and went by various names. Where they came from no one knew and they dropped out of sight if there was any danger of arrest and conviction.

In 1839 John Goudy and his son-in-law, Thomas McElheny, and a son settled in Linn county, and it was noised abroad that the family was very wealthy. To ascertain whether or not they had money, some time in April, 1840, a man by the name of Switzer was sent to visit the Goudys under the pretense of wanting to borrow money, the real object being to ascertain whether or not the parties kept money and whether or not he could obtain a pretended loan. The loan was declined for some reason or other, but it is supposed that Switzer learned enough in his talk with the Goudy family to know that they had money and there would be a chance to make a good haul. The gang went up along the Cedar river on the west side and crossed the river about where Goudy's home was. Here McConlogue had some conversation with a person who knew him. About midnight of a day in April the door of the Goudy cabin was forced open and the inmates awoke to find themselves surrounded by five burglars who threatened their lives if they did not give up their money. Old Mr. Goudy replied that he had but little money, only $40.00, and that they could find that in his vest pocket. The vest was searched and the money found. They insisted that he had more and demanded it. The old man persisted that it was every dollar he had, or that was about the house. The leader of the gang then ordered the house to be searched and directed the occupants of the beds to cover their heads at once. In the shuffle for places Mrs. McElheny, a daughter of Goudy, recognized Switzer, who had been there to borrow the money a few days before, and also another member of the gang who was well known by the family. In the search for money a purse containing $120.00 belonging to a daughter, Hannah, was found by the burglars. In an old leather belt used by Mr. Goudy there was also a $100.00 bill which the robbers overlooked or could not find in their hurry to search the house.

They became very angry at not finding any more money, having expected to find $9,000.00 which Mr. Goudy was reported to have had in the house at the time. The robbers on leaving the house cursed every member of the family, and seemed much put out at the haul they had made. Captain Thomas H. Goudy, a married son, lived near his father's cabin. He had been a captain of militia in Ohio and his uniform was hanging upon the wall. The robbers seeing this remarked "a military officer must be a rich man," and his money was demanded, but they received nothing, and after turning over everything in the house and finding only some provisions, they left Goudy and went to the cabin of William F. Gilbert, another prominent settler in the neighborhood, who was also supposed to have considerable money. On the night in question Gilbert had stopping with him three men, the mail carrier who operated a stage between Dubuque and Iowa City, and two others. In the Gilbert house, as in the other house, the cabin consisted of only one room with several beds, and on this night Mrs. Goudy and her children occupied one bed, the strangers another bed, while Goudy and the mail carrier slept on the floor by the fire. The entrance of the robbers was so sudden that before the occupants knew what was going on they were covered with guns and clubs, and their money was demanded. Goudy rallied to defend his home, and so did the mail carrier who slept near the door. Both men were knocked down and the cheek bone on one side of the mail carrier's face was smashed completely by a blow from a club wielded by one of the robbers.

The house was thoroughly searched and the drawer of a box which was supposed to be opened by a secret spring known to no one but members of the family was forced and a $50.00 bill and some $30.00 or $40.00 in change were found and taken. While all the older members were frightened Mr. Goudy's son, during the plundering, arose in bed and recognized a neighbor—one Goodrich, who lived but a half mile distant—as one of the robbers. This neighbor had up to this time been looked upon as a respectable man. It was he who opened the drawer as quickly as though he was one of the family. The robbers secured as their share of the booty this night about $240.00. A young daughter of Mr. Goudy, who remembered well that night, was later married to Judge John Shane, of Vinton, a well known jurist and a most excellent judge.

This wholesale robbery stirred the whole country, and Captain Thomas Goudy especially, being a military man, insisted that now it was high time for the people to arouse themselves and if the officers of the law refused to do anything then the settlers would take the law into their own hands and start something going. Thomas and his father went to J. W. Tallman at Antwerp and Colonel Prior Scott at Pioneer Grove for advice and counsel, and especially to apprehend one Wallace who was implicated in this robbery. Colonel Scott went among his people and organized a "mutual protective association," the settlers hunted up their rifles and shot guns, and the organization was ready to begin work. Wallace had fled, but pursuers were on his track and he was apprehended in Illinois City in Illinois, ten miles above Muscatine, by a citizen named Coleman and turned over to Thomas Goudy and his party. Coleman's reputation in the vicinity was not the best and he had been suspected of harboring outlaws, but it was stated on account of some difficulty in the division of spoils he and Wallace had had a falling out and hence Wallace's easy capture.

A warrant was taken out for the arrest of Switzer, and when Wallace was returned Switzer was also arrested and a preliminary examination was held before John G. Cole, one of the first justices of the peace in Linn county. Both of the parties were held to bail. Their cases came on for trial at Tipton at the October term, 1841, of the district court.

James W. Tallman, a resident of Antwerp, accompanied by several neighbors, started out to arrest Switzer, a large man and an ugly one. Switzer resided near Halderman's mill. At two o'clock in the morning a posse surrounded Switzer's home. He refused to open the door and they waited till daylight before he was taken in custody. Switzer's cabin was a perfect arsenal, there being guns, pistols, and ugly knives scattered all around.

Later James Stoutenberg, also known as Jim Case, was arrested at McConlogue's as an accomplice and member of the gang. He was taken into the woods near McConlogue's and examined in the court of "Judge Lynch" in order to obtain a confession from him, and he was finally tied to a tree and severely flogged. He was never seen alive again. Some assert that he left the country, and others that members of the party carried him to the Cedar river, tied him to a stone raft and left him to his fate.

McConlogue was also arrested as being a member of the gang in the robbery, but he established an alibi. Being satisfied that he was guilty of helping to plan the robbery, the pioneer settlers, duly aroused, tried him by rules not known in the ordinary law court. He was sentenced to be hanged, but finally it was agreed that this sentence should be changed to whipping, and that each one of the citizens should give him five lashes on the bare back, and if that failed to bring a confession as to the particulars of the robbery and the extent and names of the gang, then he should be whipped the second time until he died. Blows continued to fall upon his quivering and bleeding back until he implored for mercy and promised to reveal all he knew about the robbery and the operations of the "free booters." He admitted having knowledge of the Goudy robbery and that he received as his share of the booty $25.00. He also admitted that Wallace was the leader of the gang at this time and that Switzer was another member of the gang of five men who perpetrated the robbery. The members of the association after this confession let him go, but first applied a solution of salt on his lacerated flesh, followed by an application of slippery elm bark to remind him of the ordeal he had recently passed through, and which he never forgot. At this time McConlogue was under indictment in Johnson county for assaulting a man named Brown with intent to rob him; on this charge he was tried and sent to the penitentiary.

Goodrich, a neighbor of the Gilberts, who had taken part in the robbery and who had been recognized by the latter's son, was also horse whipped and gagged at the same time but he refused to answer any questions and denied having taken part in the robbery. Soon after this he removed from the county and was never heard of afterwards.

McConlogue's admission implicated McBroom, who had been known for some time previously as one of the brightest men of the gang, and who was also supposed to be a lawyer. He was also caught and whipped nearly to death near what is known as Scott's mill, without making any confession, but with threat that if anything more was heard of any attempted robbery of any kind by any member of the gang everyone, including himself, would be swung up to the first oak tree. It is needless to say that he immediately left the country and was never heard of again.

DANIEL SEWARD HAHN
One of the First Settlers in Linn County

William Stretch, an old settler, many years afterwards made a trip down the Mississippi and there in one of the river cities, either New Orleans or Memphis, he met and recognized McBroom who had been so severely flogged on the banks of the Cedar river. McBroom claimed that he had lived an honest life since removing from the Cedar river and he begged Stretch not to say anything about it, at least in his new home. Stretch agreed to this, but investigated to ascertain whether or not McBroom had told the facts, and found that he was a respectable citizen, one of the leaders in that city, and had accumulated a fortune—between forty and fifty thousand dollars.

Another member of the gang, a cousin of the Brodie boys, and in many ways a bad fellow, was overtaken in Washington township, this county, while driving and there shot by a band of what was known as "regulators" or members of the "anti-horse thief association." Seventeen bullets had penetrated his body. Who had a hand in this act is not known, although the members are said to have belonged to some of the first families of the county. When Wilson was caught he was passing through the county with a team of stolen horses which had been brought from the eastern part of the state.

The trial of Switzer, who had been indicted for burglary in 1840, was transferred on a change of venue from Linn to Cedar county. It came up at the October term of the district court, Joseph Williams presiding. George McCoy was sheriff and William Knott was his deputy. The following named persons, all well known settlers, sat on this jury: C. Kline, William Morgan, Elias Epperson, Abe Kiser, Porter McKinstry, P. Wilkinson, J. S. Lewis, John Lewis, William Denny, W. H. Bolton, Peter Diltz, and Samuel Gilliland.

Considerable excitement prevailed at this trial. Switzer was represented by able counsel who put up a great defense. Mrs. McElheny and other members of the family unmistakably identified Switzer as the person who had been there before to borrow the money and who was one of the leaders on the night of the robbery. Switzer tried to prove an alibi, and had a number of people who swore that he had been at another place on the night of the robbery. It is said that the jury was out two days and two nights and during this deliberation Switzer tried to approach Knott by saying that he wanted help and that as soon as Knott found out the jury had found him guilty he asked him to give him some sign by taking a handkerchief out of his pocket. What he would have attempted then is not known. Knott refused, the jury disagreed, eleven standing for conviction and one for acquittal.

During the trial a large grey horse was hitched in front of the building used as a court house, for what purpose no one ever understood, nor did any one know who was the owner of the horse. Switzer had a number of friends who hung around the jury and around the court house during the trial. As the jury came out one of the jurors had a handkerchief protruding from the side pocket of his coat. Switzer recognized the signal. With the nimbleness and quickness of a bare back rider he jumped on to the horse and darted away like a cyclone. Knowing the proposition Switzer made to Knott there seems to be some reason to believe that this member of the jury had given Switzer the sign. When the jury reported they were unable to agree, Switzer's friends started out to find and convey to him the result, but could not find him until the day following, when they found him concealed among some of the timber along Sugar creek.

Another warrant was issued for his arrest, but there was some delay in serving this notice and in the meantime he made his escape. In 1852 William Knott was in California and there met Switzer at Carson river in Nevada territory and had a conversation with him. Switzer admitted that he had been in a very tight place when he was under arrest in Cedar county, and he asked Knott to convey his best wishes to the juror who had hung out in his favor. Mr. Knott ascertained that Switzer's morals had not changed any on account of his removal. In 1874 Judge John Shane and his wife visited California, and upon inquiry at Vallejo ascertained that Switzer lived in that vicinity, and although a very dissolute and reckless man and feared by all, he had accumulated a handsome fortune. He also discovered that the sons were following in the footsteps of their father, and that one of them was under indictment for having killed a man.

At the time of the Switzer arrest and trial for the Gilbert robbery a civil suit had also been brought against him for the recovery of the money and a judgment was obtained. Judge Shane consulted an attorney and tried to get a transcript of his judgment in order to collect the same, but for some reason the records could not be found and the judgment could not be transcripted. Switzer died in California in 1877.

One of Switzer's best friends and a hanger-on at the court, a desperado, surrounded by a number of fellows of the same type, was Christopher Burns. He carried revolvers and bowie knives and wore a gentleman's cloak of the old style thrown loosely about his shoulders. The sheriff, his deputy, and a number of men surrounding them also carried arms, and in case the jury had returned a verdict of "guilty" it was Burns's intention, no doubt, to rescue his friend and a bloody battle would have taken place. Burns left the country immediately and was shot by a neighbor in a quarrel on the upper Missouri river in 1845.

The whipping of McBroom, Case, and others, and the arrest of Switzer and his flight put a stop to these outrages, so from 1841 to 1855, while many suspicious persons still lived in the community, they were more guarded in their movements than before, and these desperate acts did not take place, although for many years after this a good horse was not always safe property to keep in the country.

EARLY SETTLEMENT

From History of Linn County, 1878

It seems that the first store was located at Westport where there was a barter trade carried on with Indians. W. H. Merritt ran a store at Ivanhoe in 1838, which was located on the government road. John Henry seems to have operated the store at Westport, but whether he bought this from Wilbert Stone is uncertain. It is stated that William, or Wilbert, Stone, sold his store or had one at Westport about 1837 where he did some trading with the Indians. He must have been there as early as 1837 because he sold out his interest to John Henry and removed further up to what became Cedar Rapids, and had been living there for some time when Robert Ellis found him on the west side of the river upon his arrival in May, 1838.

None of the land at that time had been surveyed, so all the rights the people had were known as "squatter" rights, which they sold as any other land, and which would give them the privilege of filing on it when the land would get into the market. Much of this land was handled that way. The southeastern and eastern part of the county were first settled, and then settlements were made along the Cedar river, which would be natural for the reason that people had to use the river more or less in keeping in communication with other places.

It would be impossible to give the names of all the early settlers for the reason that some only remained a short time and moved away again and the names of these have been lost. A few only can be mentioned to give the reader an idea of where and how certain towns were staked out and buildings commenced. The Linn county lands first came into the market in March, 1843, and not till then, did the settlers come in any large numbers. All were anxious to get free lands. The town sites were laid out as follows, though they were only squatter's rights: Westport in July, 1838, by Israel Mitchell; Columbus (Cedar Rapids), September, 1838, by William [or Wilbert] Stone; Ivanhoe, October, 1838, by Anson Cowles; while the town site of Cedar Rapids was laid out by N. B. Brown and others August 4, 1841. The first plat, however, recorded was by the father of Elias Doty. This was recorded after the land had come into market, when Westport was re-named Newark, and was filed November 12, 1844.

The tide of civilization gradually flowed westward from the Mississippi river. The regular chain of progress is clearly shown, and forms a portion of the history of Linn county. Young men pushed bravely ahead, claiming rights to unsurveyed lands, expecting in a short time a rise in values and big money in their holdings. Many of these men were single and never intended to make this, or any other community, their permanent home. All they wanted was to pick out the best claims, erect shacks, hold them down until men with families came, who had a little money and were willing to pay so as to get a home at once. Many of these young venturesome spirits frequently in six months or a year would pick up from $500.00 to a couple of thousand for a claim, depending somewhat upon the improvements made. At times these squatters would erect fairly good log houses and stables, and dig a well or two, and would also put in a little garden stuff—potatoes and the like—so as to keep the family partly, at least, over winter. Crops and all improvements would go with the bargain. Many of these men drifted farther westward and undoubtedly lived nearly all their lives on what might be known as the border land of civilization. They preferred this kind of life, and whenever a community was settled up it lost all interest for the original pioneer; he wanted and preferred to live among frontier ruffians; would fight if he had to, and would always defend himself against any intruder. These men enjoyed this kind of a life and thrived upon it, and all they cared for was a little money, good times, and the freedom they so much craved and which the frontier afforded.

"While it is true that those who located in this county in the years 1837 and 1838 came from the east, it is also certain that this section would not have been reached so early in this century had the lands immediately west of the Mississippi been unselected. It was, and still is, the desire of genuine pioneers to find a spot beyond the confines of civilization, no matter how crude the outlying stations may be."

The first settlement of whites in Iowa had been at Dubuque, where Dubuque and his followers worked the mines at that place. This at one time was a great center of attraction, but as the government restricted settlers from coming in, they were driven back until treaty arrangements were made with the Indians, who were the owners of the land upon which the mines were located. These men who first came as miners early saw the exceeding beauty and fertility of the Iowa lands, and thus news was spread among the people of the east before the Iowa lands were thrown open for settlement. Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois were by this time pretty much settled up, and so was Missouri and nearly all the land adjoining the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. Thus it was that as soon as the word came from the government that part of Iowa was thrown open to settlement adventurous men and brave women soon began to cross the Mississippi and to settle in various parts of what was then so well known as the Black Hawk land. There were no roads in those days, not even trails, and consequently a person did not dare to venture out on the prairie, but he generally followed some stream so that he could find his way back to the starting place, at least.

Most of the people who came west to settle had no idea of where to locate or of the condition of the Iowa lands. They were bold, fearless, and determined, as well as resolute, and they pushed on until they found a locality which suited their fancy and here they pitched their tents and lived in their wagons until suitable log cabins were erected.

Prior to 1829 there was not even a ferry established at any regular point on which to cross the river into Iowa; even the miner, Dubuque, when he wanted to re-cross to the Illinois side had to borrow an Indian canoe. The familiar Du Bois, who came early into Illinois in Joe Davies county, trading with the Indians, had no other means of crossing the river than in Indian canoes. By the latter part of 1829 one John Barrel was commissioned to maintain a ferry at Rock Island, which at that time was within the confines of Joe Davies county, which extended for miles and miles along the river, like Dubuque county on the west side of the river. Col. George Davenport also obtained a permit to run a ferry from Davenport across the river, the ferry charges being fixed by the commissioners so that there could be no hold-up. The following charges were made, which must have been pretty high for the people of small means in those days:

| Man and horse | $25.00
| Horses or cattle, per head, other than cattle yoke | .37½
| Road wagon | 1.00
| For each horse hitched to said wagon | .25
| Each two-horse wagon | .75
| Each two-wheeled carriage or cart | 1.00
| One-horse wagon | .75
| Each hundred weight of mdse., etc. | .06

To avoid paying this ferry charge a great many of the settlers started early in the spring and would cross the river on the ice and thus save this additional expense. William Abbe and his family, and many others who settled in Linn county, at least those who were familiar with the ferry charges, crossed on the ice.

George Davenport established a trading post as early as 1831 at the mouth of Rock creek, and another on the east side of Cedar river just above Rochester a short time later. Thus, gradually, there extended a system of small stores in the bayous, creeks, and rivers where trading was carried on mainly with the Indians. The settlers who came generally followed these trails and would be helped and advised where to go and where to find the best roads, and also as to whether or not the Indians in the immediate vicinity of the stores were hostile or friendly.

Block houses had also been erected near these frontier stores for protection in case of Indian outbreaks.

Another trading point was that of Rockingham which was laid out as early as 1835, and in the early forties considered one of the best villages in the territory. It was to this place the early settlers came up to 1841-42 to trade, as well as to Muscatine and Davenport.

The settlers who came late during the summer of 1838-39 were unfortunate in case they were unable to get enough hay for their stock, for the winters were very cold and there were no provisions or food to be purchased, and many a family along the Cedar river in Linn and Cedar counties during these years endured some severe trials. Money was scarce, provisions of all kinds high, and no trading posts nearer than those at Davenport, Muscatine, and Rockingham. It is said that Robert Ellis and Philip Hull came to William Abbe's on their way to Muscatine to get provisions in the fall of 1838. William Abbe gave them $15.00—all the money he had—and with tears in his eyes told them to buy what they could, for that he did not know what would become of his wife and children when that was gone, for it was all the money he had in the world. They were absent about two weeks, and brought back as much provisions as they could buy with what money they had, and by hunting during the winter they got along and helped William Abbe. In the forties William Abbe secured government contracts, and then became a well-to-do man. Robert Ellis was a partner with Abbe many times in supplying the outposts with provisions.

LINN COUNTY SCENES

Many families during the latter thirties and the early forties experienced some hard times in Iowa. To make the situation and surroundings still more difficult the creeks and sloughs between the settlements were treacherous quagmires in which wagons going for or returning with provisions were sure to settle in up to the hubs, and when once in the mud there was no way to get them out except by unloading or by going to the nearest store for help, which would be many miles away. Sometimes the assistance of two or three additional yoke of oxen was secured to pull out the wagon.

The winters of 1837-38-39 and 40 began early, snow falling to the extent of a foot or two as early as the latter part of October, and it increased as the winter advanced. There was no thaw in January, and the settlers were completely shut in until about the middle of April. Then the snow all melted away and the streams were swollen so as to be impassable. Thus it was impossible to get to any place for food or for provisions until way into the summer. Consequently the settlers experienced many hardships, and much of the stock died from sheer starvation. As early as possible in the spring the settlers would unite and start off for Muscatine, Dubuque, or Rockingham for provisions, and on their return would help the needy settlers who had no opportunity to get away. Sometimes these journeys were undertaken on foot, when two or three would start off with knapsacks to get the necessary foods and medicines, and would return as soon as possible.

It is wonderful what the old settlers endured—how they walked a distance of 100 miles in less than two days. Robert Ellis walked from Michigan to Iowa; he walked to Dubuque, Muscatine, Davenport, and Burlington many times, while it is said of William Abbe that he walked easily 60 miles a day without being very much exhausted. Then, again, when roads were impassable for wheeled vehicles they would ride horseback, leading sometimes one horse to be used as a pack horse to bring back provisions.

To show with how much difficulty the early settlers toiled to get a foothold in Linn county, it might be well to state the story of the life of Edward M. Crow, who, as a young man, in 1837 came into the county to a place near where is now located Viola. He was only 21 years of age, and came west from Chicago, having previously come from Indiana. He stopped first in Illinois and having heard of Iowa, came here in search of cheap land. He was accompanied by James Dawson and James Gillilan, the latter owning a team of horses. They constructed ferry boats of their own on which to cross the river. The other two parties got tired and left. Crow later found Dawson in Illinois. They travelled over much of Iowa, back and forth, mostly on foot; sometimes together, sometimes setting out in different directions alone. Finally, both Dawson and Crow united in Jones county, staking out a claim in Linn county in July, 1837. Returning to Fox river, Illinois, again in quest of provisions, they did not come back to Linn county until in August of that year, when Ed and Garrison Crow and James Dawson began their settlement, erected a cabin and cut some hay for the winter. They were without food, and had to make another trip to the borders of civilization for provisions for the winter. The monotonous months of winter rolled by, Crow's party subsisting by hunting as best they could.

A number of settlers came into Brown township during the early years, such as Jacob Mann, David Mann, his brother, William P. Earle, Asa Farnsworth, and many others. John Crow, father of Ed Crow, John Lynn, O. Bennett, Charles Pickney, Benj. Simmons, Solomon Peckham, and Alexander Rhotan were emigrants who settled here in 1838. All those who came that year and have been definitely corroborated, or who were there as real settlers, were the following: Samuel C. Stewart, Peter McRoberts, John Afferty, William Abbe, Israel Mitchell, Will Gilbert, J. G. Cole, Hiram Thomas, Joseph Carraway, Jacob Leabo, John Henry, J. Wilbert Stone, Osgood Shepherd, wife, father and several children, Robert Ellis, O. S. Bolling, Mr. Ashmore, W. K. Farnsworth, Robert Osborn, Thomas Campbell, Perry Oxley, Will Vineyard, James Hunter, J. J. Gibson, Robert Deem, Michael Donahoo, William Chamberlain, Mr. Williams, Mr. Evans, J. B. Sargent, John Sargent, A. J. McKean, John Scott, H. W. Gray, S. H. Tryon, Anson Coles, Andrew Safely, Rev. Christian Troup, D. S. Hahn, Hiram Bales, Asher Edgerton, Peter Roland, John Stewart, J. E. Boyd, Philip Hull, John Young, Mr. Granger, L. H. Powell, John McCloud, Mr. Kemp, Listebarger brothers, and many others.

The Hoosier Grove settlement was made in 1838, being in Putnam township; Isaac and Abner Cox and John Holler, and several others, settled here that year.

During the year 1839 Otter Creek was settled by Stevens, Michael Greene, Bart McGonigle, Henry Nelson, William Chamberlain, Dr. J. Cummings, Will Sullivan and Perry Oliphant.

Dyer Usher and Joel Howard ferried people across the Mississippi near Muscatine in the summer of 1839. These men died near Covington a few years ago. Usher always claimed that he was on the site of Cedar Rapids as early as 1836 and located west of the river two years later. The young men could make no money in a new country, and while they took claims they frequently left for civilization to earn a little money. So it might have been that Usher was a bona fide resident of Linn county, while he could get no employment nearer than Muscatine.

A number of persons settled early around Cedar Rapids in the timber a few miles from town. William Knowles located on what is known as Mound Farm in 1839 and gave this up to the Brodie family, consisting of parents, five sons and three daughters. The names of the sons were Hugh, John, William, Steven, and Jesse. Rev George R. Carroll speaks of the family as having an unsavory reputation. The family removed further north when some of them at least were accused of being notorious horse thieves.

Joel Leverich next became the owner of Mound Farm, a person who had somewhat of a history in the early days of politics in the county. In 1843-44 this property was purchased by George Greene.

A number of people lived along the trail between Marion and Cedar Rapids. Among those well known not already mentioned may be named Ambrose Harlan, Dave Woodbridge, J. E. Bromwell, J. P. Glass, Rufus Lucore, John and Will Hunter, Thomas Hare, Will Willis, and many others.

We quote the following from directories and gazeteers published years ago. These statements may not be correct in some details, but the facts were obtained from some who were doubtless familiar with them.

Thus Wolfe in his Cedar Rapids and Kingston directory of 1869 speaks of John Mann, of Pine Grove, as the first settler in Linn county, he coming in 1838, and of the first marriage in the county as that of Sarah Haines to Richard Osborne, in 1839, and the first death as that of Mrs. Haines, an elderly lady who died from an accident in July, 1838.

He further speaks of the first store in Westport as that of Albert [should be John] Henry in 1838. It is thought that Stone also carried on some store or trade with the Indians before this. He speaks of the second store as being operated by W. H. Merritt in 1839. This should be 1838, as is seen from Merritt's letter to S. W. Durham, found in another portion of this volume.

The first claim of land in Cedar Rapids was made by William Stone, in 1838, who built a cabin on the banks of the river on Commercial street, now First street. Is this the Shepherd cabin, and was this so-called first tavern erected and occupied by Stone, who later was compelled to vacate it and give up his claim? Mr. Wolfe also speaks of the first saw and grist mill built by Brown in 1842, the second flour mill built by Alex Ely in 1845, and the first woolen factory erected by Brown in 1845. Miss Legare built a saw mill in 1851.

As late as 1869 Wolfe speaks of eight flour and saw mills being operated in and around Cedar Rapids. He speaks further of two woolen factories and the steam bakery of I. H. Shaver & Co., and of the Fish paper mill, manufacturing 300 tons of paper annually. The directory speaks of the American Express Company having an office here as early as 1859, with W. B. Mack as the first local agent.

The editor also mentions that the learned professions were represented by ten clergymen, thirteen doctors, and about fifteen lawyers.

He also mentions J. Bell's stage line running daily between Iowa City, Solon, Western, and Cedar Rapids, and also of a line to Vinton.

The following as seen by a traveller may be of interest. It is from A Glimpse of Iowa in 1846, by J. B. Newhall, Burlington, Iowa, W. D. Skillman, publisher, 1846:

"Linn county has become proverbial for the excellence of its soil, its salubrity of climate, abundance and admirable adaption of woodlands to the wants and convenience of the settler. The prairies are remarkably fertile, and of moderate extent; the timber equally and amply apportioned, generally of full growth, consisting, principally, of red and white oak, black and white walnut, linn, sugar, maple, etc. Linn county is famous for its extensive sugar orchards, from some of which 500 to 1,000 weight have been annually made. It is well watered by the Red Cedar and its tributaries, affording abundance of mill power, much of which is already improved.

"Marion, the seat of justice, is located near the center of the county, about four miles east of the Cedar, at the edge of a beautiful grove, on a gentle prairie roll. It contains several stores, a commodious hotel, postoffice, various mechanical establishments, and is a place of considerable importance."

The modern traveler speaks of broad meadows, of rich corn fields, and of large manufacturing interests. This traveler of sixty-five years ago speaks of timber which has disappeared and of maple sugar orchards which makes us wonder what they were like.

From Bailey & Hair's Iowa State Gazetteer, 1865, we gather these facts:

"The county of Linn is so named in honor of a distinguished senator of the United States, the Hon. Louis F. Linn, of Missouri. It is situated centrally in the eastern half of the state, and from fifty to sixty miles west of the Mississippi river.

"It was defined by act of the Territorial Legislature of Wisconsin, at its session of 1837 and '38; that Territory then including the whole of Iowa within its jurisdiction. The county limits were the same as they now remain, consisting of twenty Congressional townships, containing an area of 720 square miles. It is bounded on the north by Buchanan and Delaware counties, east by Jones and Cedar, south by Johnson and west by Benton. It is now divided into nineteen civil townships, as follows: Bertram, Boulder, Brown, Buffalo, Clinton, College, Fairfax, Franklin, Fayette, Jackson, Linn, Marion, Maine, Monroe, Otter Creek, Putnam, Rapids, Spring Grove, and Washington.

"The county was duly organized by the Board of County Commissioners at their first session held September 9th, 1839, at the farm house of Mr. James W. Willis, one-half mile north of the present town of Marion. The board consisted of Samuel C. Stewart, President, Peter McRoberts, and Luman M. Strong, Commissioners; Hosea W. Gray, Sheriff; and John C. Berry, Clerk.

"This Board also approved the selection of the county seat, which they ordered to be called Marion; divided the county into election and road districts; and appointed Andrew J. McKean and William H. Smith, Constables. Of the officers and persons above named, but two, Messrs. Gray and McKean, remain residents of the county, the latter being the present Clerk of the District Court.

"The first white settler in this county was John Mann, who erected his cabin on Upper Big Creek, in Linn Grove, in the month of February, A. D., 1838. He was an emigrant from the mountainous region of southwestern Pennsylvania. He was an honest, industrious, unlettered, rude sort of man. Subsequently he built a small flouring mill. A great flood in the spring of 1851 carried away his mill and himself together. The unfortunate man was drowned, and his body recovered only after several days had elapsed. The flood was unprecedented, and was thought to have been caused by a water spout. The Little Creek is said to have risen twenty feet in about as many minutes.

"The next permanent settler was John Crow, a North Carolinian, who made his home near the east line of the county on the Wapsipinicon river, in April, 1838. He was a very gentlemanly person, of more than ordinary intelligence, wealth and enterprise. He died about five years afterwards, much respected. His son, Edward Crow, Esq., now a member of the Board of Supervisors of this County, and other descendants remain. During the summer of 1838 the settlements gradually extended in the east part of the county. The only persons now recollected, of that early period, as remaining, are John Gibson, of Mount Vernon, and Andrew J. McKean, and Hosea W. Gray, of Marion. The first family west of Big Creek was that of Jacob Leabo, from Kentucky. The first west of Indian Creek was that of James W. Bassett, from Vermont. The first Justice of the Peace was John McAfferty, commissioned in 1838. The first Judge of Probate was Israel Mitchell, a Tennesseean, now residing in Oregon. The first Sheriff was Hosea W. Gray. The first Clerk of the District Court was Joseph Williams, a Pennsylvanian: now said to be in the military service at Memphis, Tennessee.

"The first officiating minister was the Rev. Christian Troup, a German Lutheran, who preached regularly in his own cabin near the mouth of Spring Creek every Sunday during the latter part of the summer of 1838. The first marriage was that of Richard Osborn and Sarah Haines, in the spring of 1839. The first birth was that of a daughter of Mrs. Samuel McCartney, in July, 1838. The first death was that of Mrs. Haines, an invalid elderly lady, who died from the effects of an accidental fall in July, 1838. The second was that of James Logan, an Irishman, who was killed by the caving in of a well which he was excavating in Marion, July, 1840.

"The first selected town site was called Westport, of which Israel Mitchell was proprietor. It was near the present site of the village of Bertram, and was selected in July, 1838. This was afterwards abandoned. The next in order of time, was called Columbus, built by William Stone, in September, 1838. He abandoned his town the next spring, there being only a single log cabin. The site was that occupied by the present city of Cedar Rapids. The next was Ivanhoe, by Anson Cowles, in October, 1838, since vacated. The fourth was Marion, the present county seat, in April, 1839.

"The first election was held at Westport in October, 1838, that being the only poll opened for the county. The only candidates were for members of the Assembly; thirty-two votes were cast. The first member of the General Assembly elected from this county was the Hon. George Greene, member of the Legislative Council, elected in 1840. The first store opened was at Westport, by Albert [John] Henry, in the fall of 1838. The second at Ivanhoe, in the spring of 1839, by Col. William H. Merritt.

GOING SHOPPING IN THE EARLY DAYS
FROM CARROLLS'S PIONEER HISTORY

INDIAN BOYS

INDIAN TEPEE

LATER INDIAN HOUSE

INDIAN GRAVE

"The first celebration was on the 4th of July, 1839, at Westport, Judge Mitchell, Orator. There was a dinner, toasts, and a ball, whereof William H. Smith, Andrew J. McKean and H. W. Gray, were managers.

"The fifth decennial census of the United States was taken in 1840, in this county, by H. W. Gray, Deputy Marshal. The population was 1,342. The influx of settlers for the next three years was quite rapid, during which time the population reached probably three thousand. The largest proportion of the emigration was of Southern origin. The early settlers were plain, honest, hospitable people, not much accustomed to legal restraints, and rather impatient of the slow process and technicalities of the law. As usual, in all new countries, they were annoyed by vagabonds, who flocked into the settlements, calculating on impunity in their depredations, on account of the inefficiency of the police regulations. A rude justice was not unfrequently meted out to offenders without recourse to legal forms, or the intervention of courts.

"In common with all frontier settlements, the first settlers here were poor; they were obliged to transport their produce in wagons mostly, to the Mississippi River, at points sixty or seventy miles distant. When reached at such disadvantage the markets were very low, consequently the accretions of wealth were slow, and were mainly invested in the homestead of the farmer. The discovery of gold in California with the resulting emigration, opened a good market for the farmers at home. Afterwards, eastern emigration, with the building of railroads, connecting the people with eastern markets, greatly accelerated the prosperity of this county as well as all other parts of the west. The financial crisis of 1857 interposed a check to this onward career of prosperity. It was but temporary, however, and the people had fully regained their former standing when the rebellion commenced.

"It is felt that a county which contributed one general, and fifteen field officers, with more than two thousand volunteers in defense of the Union, without draft or conscription, and without seriously lessening its productive energies, has an assured basis of future greatness and prosperity. A basis which nothing short of the entire upheaval and destruction of the foundations of human society shall be able to disturb."

In Guide, Gazetteer and Directory of the Dubuque & Sioux City Railroad, Dubuque, Bailey & Wolfe, 1868, we read of Cedar Rapids:

"The first settlement here was made in the year 1838 by William Stone, who erected a log cabin on the bank of the river in the rear of No. 1 North Commercial street. The same year Osgood Shepherd, a supposed leader of a band of outlaws, jumped Stone's claim and took possession of the cabin, and held it until the year 1841, when he sold three-fourths of his interest to N. B. Brown and George Greene, H. W. Gray, A. L. Roach, and S. H. Tryon, for the sum of $3,000.

"In 1842 he sold the remainder and soon after disappeared from the country. N. B. Brown came here in 1840, when Mr. Brown and Judge George Greene became proprietors of the water power.

"In 1841 the town was laid out and named from the rapids in the river. The first frame dwelling was erected by John Vardy and is still standing at 62 Brown street, corner of South Adams. The building known as the Old Postoffice Building, North Washington street, was built for a store by N. B. Brown, the same year. P. W. Earle's residence, 29 Iowa Avenue, was the first brick building, and was erected by Mr. Earle in 1849. Wm. Dwyer built the first hotel in 1847. This was destroyed by fire in January, 1865.

"The work of constructing a dam across the river, was commenced by N. B. Brown, July 4th, 1842, though much of the material had been prepared prior to that date. Mr. Brown commenced the erection of a saw mill, and also of a grist mill the same year, and both were completed the year following. A second saw mill was built in 1851.

"The second flouring mill was built by Alexander Ely in 1844-5. The first woolen factory was also built by N. B. Brown in 1847. In 1855 a city charter was obtained, and at the first charter election, Isaac N. Whittam was elected Mayor. Railroad communication with the Mississippi was opened in 1859, from which time the growth of the city in wealth and population has been rapid and constant.

"A superior water power has attracted a large interest in manufactures of various kinds. As early as 1840 one of the first settlers determined to apply his energies to the improvement of the water power, and soon after a dam was thrown across the river, a saw mill built, and other improvements followed, till now there are located here five flouring and custom mills, one saw mill, one paper mill, two woolen mills, and one fanning mill and separator manufactory."

CHAPTER VII

William Abbe, the First Settler in the County

William Abbe, we believe, was the first white settler to locate a claim within the boundaries of Linn county. He came as early as the summer of 1836, from near Elyria, Lorain county, Ohio, seeking a location, coming via Rock Island. He followed the Red Cedar river as far as the present site of Mount Vernon, where he staked out a claim adjoining a little creek, which to this day goes by the name of "Abbe's Creek." He returned to his home in Ohio and in the winter of 1837 he again crossed the Mississippi with his family on the ice as early as February of that year, according to his daughter's statement, and in April reached the location he had selected the previous year on Abbe's creek. Here he erected one of the first cabins in the county, being about 12×14 feet square, and covered with birch bark, having no floor. In this little cabin the family lived all summer. In the fall he erected a large double log house with three large rooms and an upstairs which was reached by a ladder from within. On this creek the family lived for five years where Mr. Abbe owned four hundred acres. He disposed of this farm and removed a short distance south of Marion where he purchased another farm where he lived till he removed to Marion.

William Abbe was born in Connecticut April 19, 1800, being of English descent. When a young boy he removed to the state of New York. He was married to Olive Greene in 1824 and by her had four children: Lucy, Lois, Andrew, and Susan. Lois Abbe died young, Lucy Abbe died many years ago, Andrew Abbe passed away at San Juan, California, in 1902, and Susan Abbe-Shields now resides at Hollister, California.

William Abbe brought his wife and children to Linn county in 1837; his wife died in 1839 and was buried in a cemetery located near the farm on which he settled, about two miles northwest of Mount Vernon. He married a second time on September 13, 1840, his wife being Mary Wolcott, also from Ohio, and by her he had two sons, born at Marion: Augustus Wolcott Abbe and William Alden Abbe. William Alden Abbe died several years ago; his widow and one child, a daughter, reside in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Augustus Wolcott Abbe, an old soldier, resides in Toledo, Iowa, and has a family of eight children.

Mrs. Susan Shields was born in 1830 and was about seven years of age when she came to Linn county. She was married to John Harman March 16, 1848, who died shortly afterwards, and she later married John Shields, a resident of Vinton, Iowa. In an interesting letter on early Linn county days she writes as follows:

"There were no white people for a long time after we landed in Linn county; when they did come my mother used to let them come and stay there until they would find a place to suit them; it was always a free home for the immigrants. When we first went there I was but a child seven years old. The men I remember most were Robert Ellis, one of our first acquaintances, and Asher Edgerton, the former being with us a long time when the country was new. Of course we had men come in, such as horse thieves, and my father had some of them chained up in one of our rooms for safe keeping until they could be tried, as there was no jail for some time in Linn county.

"I went with my father to Marion, a little place then with one or two houses and a jail. We carried an iron trap door for the jail; it was in two rooms, one upstairs and one downstairs. There were two men in the dungeon at the time; we took the door for this jail. My father was a justice of the peace for awhile; he was also a member of the state legislature when the capital was located at Iowa City. Later father sold our place on Abbe's Creek and purchased another on the old Marion road, of about three hundred acres, further north; there was a lovely creek, a grove of maple trees was on one side and a boundless prairie on the other side. The Indians used to come in the spring of the year to camp and make sugar; I have seen as many as five or six hundred at a time camped near our house in the timber; they always made it a camping ground at our place and they seemed to be very fond of my father, who was kind to them and who spoke and understood the Winnebago language.

"I remember well the first time I went to Cedar Rapids with my father; this was in the early '40s; there were five hundred Winnebago Indians camped there at the time. I had played with the Indians so much that I could talk the Indian language as well as themselves, so they had me to talk for them. There were only one or two white settlers there at the time. By the way, I was the first school teacher they had in Cedar Rapids; I think it was about in 1846; I still have the certificate issued to me by Alexander Ely, who was superintendent at the time. After residing on this place a short time my father disposed of his farm and removed to Marion; he also lived for some time at Dubuque where he held a government position in the Land Office, I think. The breaking out of the gold fever in 1849 caused him to get excited and he left for California, leaving the family at Marion.

"My father was a born pioneer; although born in Connecticut he went to New York when the country was new, and then to Ohio, and later came to Iowa. In California he never mined gold, but teamed and speculated; he was there about two years, returning to Iowa in 1851, remaining in Iowa only a short time when he returned to California with his son, Andrew. My father died in Sacramento, California, February 15, 1854, when about to go to Iowa to bring his family to California, and he is buried in Sacramento."

This interesting letter from a real Linn county pioneer more than seventy years of age gives only an idea of the hardships of pioneer life, and what this woman has endured as a daughter and wife of the first settlers.

William Abbe's widow, Mary Wolcott, continued to reside in Marion with her family until August 27, 1861, when she died, universally respected by all who knew her.

Mr. Abbe was an old time democrat and as such was in the state senate session, having the honor to appoint Robert Ellis postmaster of the senate, as a reward of friendship and good will. Mr. Abbe also was a justice of the peace for some time, was appointed commissioner to locate state roads, had the contract for the erection of the first jail at Marion, and was otherwise a very useful citizen. He was also master of the first Masonic lodge at Marion, and one of the best known and best educated men in Linn county up to the time of his removal to California. For a number of years Mr. Abbe was the only person in the county having ready money, loaning the same to his friends for the purchase of their claims. He held government contracts for the delivery of meat and provisions to the Winnebago agency at Fort Atkinson and to the troops at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and at other places, and thus was acquainted with many of the military officers in the Black Hawk war and with the Indian chiefs and braves of the Winnebago tribe, as well as the Sac and Fox Indians. It is said that William Abbe conversed freely with the Winnebago Indians, and frequently acted as an interpreter when matters of importance came up between members of the tribe and the white settlers; he was always a friend and protector of the Indians and frequently helped them in securing their just rights when they had been robbed by the white free-booters, hunters and trappers.

FORMER PASTORS UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH, LISBON

William Abbe was a kind and generous man, and his home was always open to the people who came into Linn county at an early day to seek homes. It is also said that Mrs. Abbe was an excellent cook and many of the old surveyors would ride several miles out of their way to get a meal at the Abbe homestead, for the latch string of the Abbe home was always out.

Mr. Abbe rode horseback a great deal and would be gone for weeks at a time, and while he was away the family lived quietly at home awaiting for days for his return when provisions were frequently scarce and when the snow drifts generally were large. During the first two seasons there were very few crops grown, and consequently the father was kept busy earning a livelihood, the family subsisting mostly on the chase. He traded provisions with the Indians, at times bringing home large quantities of honey which was used as sugar in sweetening black coffee as well as in place of butter on the hard johnny cake.

His son, Augustus Abbe, born on Abbe's creek in 1841, later a member of the 9th Iowa Infantry, now a retired farmer residing at Toledo, Iowa, tells the following of his father's life and history:

"There was not a time in my life when I do not remember the Indian children. I played with them constantly. Those were my only playmates in the early days. I learned a little of the Winnebago language, and got along very well. My half sister, Susan, spoke it fluently, as well as my father. I remember when I was about five or six years old a number of Indians were gathered in our house and I climbed a post, sitting on the same to watch the redskins race their horses. One of the chiefs, one that had the most gaudy clothing on, rode by very fast and picked me off the post and put me in front on his saddle, going at full gallop; he rode a long ways down through the prairie and my mother expressed much anxiety, but my father came out and stood there and watched for me to return. After awhile the Indian came back and put me safely down in front of the house, to my mother's joy—I, all the time laughing, thinking that I had had a good time. The Indian said to my father, 'papoose no 'fraid.' That pony ride I shall remember as long as I live.

"I also remember my father going away for two or three weeks at a time, and my mother fixing up his lunch for the journey. He had a pair of saddle bags filled with papers and other articles. I still remember when he put on moccasins, overshoes, and a buffalo overcoat of some kind; he would bundle up securely, kiss us good-bye and start off across the prairie at full speed. Many a time I cried, as I wanted to go along, but on these long journeys I was refused this pleasure for my father would not neglect business even for the sake of pleasing his son whom he loved dearly.

"I also remember Robert Ellis, the Ashertons, Willitts, Clarks, and many others who came to our house and talked way into the night about trips they had taken over the wide prairies of Iowa. Our cabin was full of people most of the time; they would come in late in the night and in the morning, much to my surprise, I would find a number of people at breakfast, I not knowing when they came during the night. I never knew or heard of my mother making any charge for keeping anyone over night, whether they were strangers or acquaintances, whether they were poor or rich made no difference; whatever she had she would divide with a traveller or other stranger who came to her hospitable home.

"I do not know that my mother understood much of the Indian language, but she was kind to them and the squaws used to sit on our door steps more than once. She gave them food that she had prepared, sweetened with honey which they liked very much.

"I remember going to Marion with my father many times when it was a very small village with a jail which my father always pointed out as having built. He also taught me that I must do right or else I might have to stay in that jail or some other jail if I did not. These lessons were certainly deeply impressed on me for life. I remember, also, when we removed from Marion to Dubuque. I think that was in 1847, and we remained there for some time, but I think less than a year, when we removed back to Marion. My father held a government position there in the land office, I think.

"My two uncles, Charles and Eliezar Abbe, resided in Ohio, one later removing to Michigan. The latter visited my father frequently. He was related, also, on his wife's side, to Ed Clark, an early settler in Linn county. These men were much taken up with the country and we had hoped that they would come here to locate, but they did not.

"I also, with my father, visited Cedar Rapids many times, and I do not believe I was more than five or six years of age, hardly that, when I first saw Cedar Rapids, where I was much interested in the dam and the mills. The town then consisted of a few log houses along the east bank of the river. The remainder of the town was a mass of sand burrs, weeds, and timber, and along Cedar Lake and along the river large numbers of Indians were camped, especially up along the Cedar Lake and along what is now known as McCloud's Springs. In this locality several hundred Indians would camp in the winter and spring of the year, trapping, hunting, and trading skins with the whites for red clothing, guns, and ammunition. They would hang around the flour mills during the day time where there were always a lot of people gathered.

"My mother was a member of the Lutheran church, which church she now and then attended, but there were not many churches in that day. My father was not a church member.

"I remember my sister, Susan, teaching one of the first schools in Cedar Rapids, much to the satisfaction of the members of our family. In politics my father was a stanch democrat and an admirer of Andrew Jackson. He also became acquainted with most of the officers who remained in the west after the close of the Black Hawk war, on account of his government employment in which he was engaged. He was also personally acquainted with the persons who had charge of the Winnebago school, as well as those in charge of Fort Atkinson. Nearly all the people who rode horseback from Iowa City to Dubuque came by way of Mount Vernon, and would generally stop over night at our home. I remember my father and the strangers talking over politics until way into the night, and still remember many of these discussions as to the future of Iowa and as to the political aspirations of the various parties. My father took a lively interest in politics, as well as in the development of the west, and when it was settled up he had a longing for starting another pioneer settlement. He used to say when the land was pretty much taken that it was too close, he had to get away, as he wanted more room. By training and environment he was a true pioneer and full of enthusiasm for the upbuilding of a pioneer country.

"When he was away in California we were much interested in his letters and we all wanted to go. When our father returned we asked him all sorts of questions about the gold camps of the west, and what he had experienced, and we spent whole evenings listening to his conversations. He did not take us at that time, but wanted to seek out an ideal location and get settled before he took us out there. But the day never came, and we never saw him again when he left on his second trip to California in 1852. All that we knew was that my mother received a letter from a Masonic order in Sacramento that the order had taken care of him in his sickness and had seen that he received a suitable burial. He was sick only a short time and none of his old friends was with him when he died. Robert Ellis came to Sacramento looking for his old neighbor and heard to his sorrow that his friend had died only a week before. He came into Sacramento from the camps on the American river.

"After my father's death my mother resided in Marion with her family where she died August 27, 1861, at the age of fifty-eight years. As I felt downhearted at the time I joined the army and went to the front. November 29, 1865, I was joined in marriage to Cynthia Walker, daughter of an old Linn county pioneer.

"My father was also sheriff of Linn county. However, of this there does not seem to be any record, as I have been informed. He may have been appointed sheriff to fill a vacancy, or he may have been a deputy, I am not certain about that, but I know he was acting, at least, in the capacity of sheriff and caused the arrest of a number of horse thieves and other alleged criminals. My father was over six feet tall, straight as an arrow, rather slender, but very active, and I never saw a horse that he could not mount and ride at any time without the least effort.

"We used cattle for plowing, but generally kept also several horses, but these were used to drive and ride and not to work very much.

"I believe that among the early settlers of the '30s and '40s my father had the good will of all law-abiding citizens. He was affable to strangers and true as steel to his friends, and was universally respected."

William Abbe will be remembered as one of the most prominent of his day and generation in Linn county, for his kindness, his uprightness, his never wavering from the path of right. Whether amid the influences of the home circle or surrounded by the temptations of the mining camp, he was always the same sturdy, upright citizen, wanting to do right and helping his fellow men who were more unfortunate than himself.

One of his old and true friends, speaking of his long deceased friend, expressed words of deepest feeling which can be only expressed in the well known stanzas:

"Green be the turf above thee,
Friend of my better days,
None knew thee but to love thee,
None named thee but to praise."

While a great many are now of the opinion that William Abbe was the first actual settler within the confines of Linn county, a number are still of the opinion that Daniel Seward Hahn was the first settler. He came here, accompanied by his wife, Parmelia Epperson Hahn. John J. Daniels, an old settler in Linn county, and a son of Jeremiah Daniels, who came to Linn county in 1844, was pretty good authority on the subject of the early settlers. In a number of conversations had with him on this subject and from what he wrote for the Annals of Iowa, Vol. VI, p. 581, and for the Iowa Atlas, 1907, it is gathered that he was of the opinion that Daniel Hahn was the first actual settler, at least the members of the Hahn family, of whom there are a number still living in Linn and adjoining counties, claim that their ancestor, Daniel Hahn, should be awarded the honor. In the Annals of Iowa Mr. Daniels has the following:

"Daniel Hahn and his brother-in-law, Charles Moberly, came to Linn county in the spring of 1837, made a claim and built a cabin upon it, did some breaking, and in August removed with wife and five children from Mercer county, Illinois. At this time there was no house in Linn county to his knowledge."

This, Mr. Daniels says, was the statement made to him and others in the lifetime of Daniel Hahn.

This may be true, that in the early day very little, if any, social intercourse was had among the early settlers and no one paid any attention to time or place, and it might be that Mr. Abbe, Mr. Hahn, and Mr. Crow might have settled at the same time, one never having known that the others had located here.

Quoting from Mr. Daniels's articles, the following might be stated:

"Edward M. Crow came to the county in July, 1837, in company with his brother, locating near Viola where they made a claim and erected a shanty; they remained there only a few days, returning to Fox river to obtain provisions, having decided to locate in the county. In the latter part of August Edward Crow and his brother and James Dawson began to work on their new possessions; about this time there came also two other pioneers by the name of Joslyn and Russell; they remained in the crude cabin during the winter and their time was spent mostly in hunting, tanning pelts and trading with the Indians. Their cabin was erected at the edge of what was known as the 'Big Woods' in Brown township."

Thus it would seem that William Abbe in point of time was the first actual white settler to locate a claim and later to settle on this claim with his family, within the confines of Linn county. True, hunters and trappers may have been here earlier, but no actual bona fide settler, as far as we have been able to ascertain. The testimony of Mrs. Susan Shields, a daughter still living, would seem to suffice as to the time when the great river was crossed and as to the time the family came to Linn county.

HON. SAMUEL W. DURHAM
Honored Pioneer

CHAPTER VIII

The County Seat Contests—First Railroad in the County

The county seat of Linn county was established at Marion by a board of commissioners consisting of Lyman Dillon, Ben Nye, and Richard Knott. As the years rolled by the question arose as to the removal of the county seat to Cedar Rapids, where it seems that it was needed, being what was then known as the commercial metropolis of the county. The people of Marion insisted that that city was the center. While there was more or less feeling in the county over the county seat fight, the legislature of Iowa in 1850-51 created the office of county judge, which was designed to and did succeed the former legislative bodies of the several counties of the state. The judge had the same powers possessed by the board of supervisors which controlled the affairs of the county later. Among the rights and privileges peculiar to the office was that most important one of submitting to the people the question of raising money for the purpose of repairing and erecting buildings for the use of the county officers. (See Code of 1851.)

In 1855 James M. Berry was county judge, and a shrewd fellow he was. In pursuance of the law, and what he thought his duty, Judge Berry took steps to erect a jail and a fireproof building for the use of the county officers. These buildings were contracted for by a firm at Mt. Vernon, Ohio, in the spring of that year. Then the people arose in arms as to the high-handed methods of Judge Berry. Political questions were lost sight of in the court house struggle. Speakers were employed pro and con. Judge Berry's term of office expired January 1, 1856, and a successor was to be elected in August of 1855. Marion put up Judge Berry for re-election, while Cedar Rapids put up Rev. Elias Skinner, a well known Methodist preacher who had traveled about the county and who was well known by everyone as an aggressive fighter and a man who believed in what he did and would have things his way if possible. The canvass was in the aggregate with Judge Berry at 1,233 votes, while Skinner showed up with 993 votes, the judge being re-elected by a majority of 240 votes, thereby affirming by a referendum vote his policy.

Reverend Skinner is still living at Waterloo, and not long ago the writer had a conversation with him about this the most famous fight that has ever occurred in Linn county over the removal of the court house. Mr. Skinner just laughed and said he put up a good fight, but the other fellow had the votes.

In 1871 another court house fight was had, but the board held that because of many names of voters being on both petitions these petitions were defective.

In the spring of 1872 another petition was brought out for the re-location of the court house and an endless number of names were again filed pro and con. Much money was spent on both sides; again the Cedar Rapids faction was beaten, some preliminary steps were taken for an appeal but the appeal was stricken from the docket.

Another attempt was made by Cedar Rapids for a change of location of the court house a few years ago, and again the petitioners lost out, and that case has been pending on the court docket but no action has been taken, so that it has for the fourth time been lost, much to the surprise of the citizens of Cedar Rapids and to the satisfaction of the people of Marion and a large portion of the northern part of the county who have always stood out for Marion in the fights on the re-location of the county seat.

THE FIRST RAILROAD IN LINN COUNTY

While it may have been charged at times that Iowa was slow in getting in touch with railway builders, it must be borne in mind that the first railroad to be built in the United States upon which a steam engine was used was constructed in 1829; but very little was done until about 1833-34. By 1835 there were not over 100 miles of road in active operation within the confines of the entire country. Up to 1841 not a mile of track had been laid in any of the following states: Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan. By the end of 1848 there were only twenty-two miles of tracks laid in Illinois, eighty-six in Indiana, and none in Wisconsin or Missouri.

Traffic so far had been exclusively by river, lake, canal, or in wagons. Much money had been expended in opening up rivers for steamboat traffic and more or less had been voted to build roads and dig canals. But over such a large stretch of country it was impossible for the nation to do much.

As early as 1837 many citizens of Iowa and others began to agitate for a transcontinental line of railroad to run from the Atlantic states to the Pacific, and for a grant of land by congress for this purpose. Asa Whitney, of New York, an able and public spirited man, had written much in the papers proposing such a project. There was of course at that time more or less speculation as to just where such proposed railroad might pass. The southern senators proposed a road through St. Louis and across Missouri to Kansas. There was a spirit of rivalry at this time. When Chicago began to get its growth the far-sighted people of that city saw that it would be in the interests of Chicago to have the line go directly west and through Iowa, and thus cut out a dangerous rival.

The Chicago press henceforth always favored a direct route through Iowa. As early as 1838 G. W. Jones, then delegate in congress from Wisconsin, secured an appropriation of $10,000, which was expended in making a survey from Lake Michigan through southern Wisconsin.

Now the people of Iowa became active. They wanted a railroad from the lakes west, and this could only be secured by public or state aid. The legislature of 1844 joined in a petition to congress asking a grant of public land to the Territory of Iowa to aid in the construction of a railroad from Dubuque to Keokuk. The grant was to consist of alternate sections extending five miles in width on each of the proposed roads or its equivalent in adjacent government lands.

During the winter of 1844-45 a convention was held at Iowa City where nearly all the counties of the territory were represented by wide-awake young men in the interest of this railway promotion. Several proposed lines were agitated and as some of these lines did not start at any place and went to no place many of these projects failed.

The first grant of public lands in Iowa for transportation was not for railroads but for improving navigation on the Des Moines river. It was made in 1846. Strong then was the prejudice against railway promotion, and little faith did the public men in congress put in this so-called wild speculation.

The people of Iowa were so enthusiastic in the way of railway building and in the promotion of enterprises that they even ignored old political standards. It would appear that when the subject of the training of the candidates was looked into it, it depended more on what use such person would be for the work of getting a railway grant than how he would vote on the tariff or on the rights of South Carolina.

The following letter, written May 28, 1848, by W. H. Merritt to S. W. Durham, an old friend and fellow democrat, shows plainly the attitude of one of the leading men of the party, then living at Dubuque, but who had formerly resided at Ivanhoe and hence was one of the early men in Linn county. He mentions Preston (Colonel Isaac Preston), and gives his reasons for not wanting him. The Leffingwell mentioned was the well-known W. E. Leffingwell, who formerly resided at Muscatine, then Bloomington, and later removed to Clinton county. He was an eloquent lawyer and a popular man. He was later defeated by William Smyth for congress in this district. Bates and Folsom were both prominent Iowa City men, and well known in political circles for many years. Judge Grant was the noted jurist of Davenport, and was a well-known railroad promoter who had much influence in early years in Iowa.

In this letter Mr. Merritt suggests George Greene as a candidate from Linn county. There is no doubt that if at this time Mr. Greene had been selected, he would have carried the district and made an enviable record as a statesman, and no doubt on account of his judgment and his keenness in business, he would have obtained from congress such favors as would have amounted to much good for Iowa in the first stages of her statehood. The letter does not show whether or not Mr. Greene had consented or would consent to such a course, although it has been stated that he most likely would have consented to have made the canvass. For congress the whigs nominated this year, 1848, D. F. Miller for the first district and Tim Davis for the second district. The democrats nominated for the first district William Thompson, and for the second district Shepherd Leffler. The whigs were strong, the total vote for president at the November elections being, Cass, democrat, 12,093; Taylor, whig, 11,144; Van Buren, free soiler, 1,126.

Leffler was elected, and Miller on a close vote contested the election of Thompson before congress. The committee on elections declared the seat vacant. Leffler, who was elected after an exciting canvass, was a native of Pennsylvania, who came to Iowa Territory in 1835. He sat in the first constitutional convention in 1844, and two years later was elected to congress by the state at large, and hence in 1848 he had the inside track. In 1856 he was again a candidate but was defeated by Tim Davis, his old whig opponent of 1848. In 1875 he was a candidate for governor against S. J. Kirkwood, and was defeated. He died at Burlington in 1879. He had been one of the trusted leaders of his party for many years.

The letters from W. H. Merritt and George Greene show what interest these men had in the railroad enterprise.

LETTER FROM MERRITT

Dubuque, May 28, 1848.

"Strictly confidential.
"Friend Durham:

"Having retired from the editorial tripod I find more time to devote to my friends in the reflective and agreeable exercise of correspondence than formerly. Since my second return to Iowa it would have been highly gratifying to my feelings had I been so situated in business as to have employed a portion of my time in personal communication with my friends, in viewing scenes connected with the early settlement of Iowa, and in witnessing the numerous monuments reared to attest the prevailing, the restless and resistless enterprise of the Anglo-American. In 1838, when I first pitched my tent at Ivanhoe, Linn county had but few white inhabitants, possessed but few attractions for one accustomed to the society of one of the old Federal colonies, and was entirely destitute of political or judicial organization. Everything that the eye could behold appeared in a rude state of nature. Vast prairies which extended for miles presented no evidences of civilization, no familiar sound like that of the woodman's axe appeared to interrupt the solemn stillness of an uninhabited wilderness. The marks of wild beasts and wild men were now and then visible and the similitude was striking between the two, as though both were born to the same sphere of action and subject to the same laws of being. A sort of wildness and sacred stillness seemed to pervade the whole atmosphere. Reclining upon a buffalo robe in my tent, reflecting upon the varied scenery without and quietly listening to the solemn murmurs of the Cedar, I thought I could perceive visions of earthly happiness for the man of true genius nowhere else to be found. The longer I remained upon the spot, the more it endeared itself to my affections, and the less I thought of cultivated society and the dazzling beauties of wealth, and its primeval companion, aristocracy. Nature seemed to be decked in her nuptial dress and wild beasts danced to and fro with a festive heart to the harmonious notes of a troop of forest birds.

"Circumstances forced me to leave that consecrated spot after a year's residence, and once more become a victim to the cold restraints and relentless laws of civilization. For five years was I bound by stern necessity to a habitation worse than a prison, and associated with men as little to be admired for their social qualities of character as the cannibals of old. To be engaged in merchandising among a people whose only article of faith was 'cheat and grow rich,' and whose friendship could be secured only by corrupting the morals and lacerating the heart of the innocent, was a pursuit little to be desired by one whose heart had been consecrated to a different field of enterprise and nourished by the sacred impulses of the West. Be assured I escaped from this thralldom as soon as I could, and never to this hour has my mind enjoyed that repose that it did when seated upon the banks of the Cedar and surrounded by the beautiful scenery of Ivanhoe. I experienced a kind of maternal affection for the spot, a mystic tie instinctively chains my mind to its early history, and a magic like that which bound Blennerhasset to his favorite island in the Ohio seems to pervade every recollection connected with its name and its founder.

"But I must abandon this subject, or I shall trespass upon the time and space designed for another, and convert what was intended for a political letter into a literary bore. As you manifested a friendly solicitude when here that I should take up my residence in Linn county when my studies were finished, I thought it not out of place to remind you where my inclination would lead me.

"I would speak privately to you upon the subject of a candidate for congress in this district. I understand that Mr. Preston of Linn is to be a candidate; that Leffler will be a candidate; Leffingwell of Bloomington and Bates and Folsom of Iowa City. Leffler I do not believe can be nominated. I think he has acted in bad faith with his constituents. Leffingwell has no chance, although he has the untiring vigilance of S. C. Hastings to support him. Preston I fear has no chance. He is deceived by Hastings and I fear erroneously counts upon the delegation from Dubuque. We have appointed eight delegates. I am one. I have spoken to them all and find that every man is in favor of giving the nomination to Linn County for the reason that the interest of Linn is identical with that of Dubuque in properly agitating and ultimately constructing the Railroad from this to Keokuk, but they will not support Preston because they have no confidence in his ability.

"One thing is very certain, Friend Durham, and that is that we must elect a man who is identified with this great railroad improvement. Preston would no doubt do all in his power, but he fails to unite that confidence in his favor necessary to give him the nomination. Leffler would no doubt do what he has done, give Davenport the preference. Leffingwell as a matter of course would feel but little personal interest in a railroad running through the interior of the state and forty or fifty miles removed from his immediate constituency, to whom he is more nearly allied and intimately associated in political friendship. All residing upon the banks of the Mississippi and in its immediate vicinity, except those at Keokuk and this point, are opposed to any grant by Congress for this railroad, and I can hardly conceive that it reflects any dishonor upon them as a community or as private individuals, for they are no doubt influenced like all men from natural and selfish impulses. But with Mr. Leffler the case is far different. He was elected to represent the wishes and interests of one entire community of people, eight-tenths of whom have a direct and vital interest in the success of this enterprise. He is requested and repeatedly urged by petition and memorial to give it his earnest support. But he pays no regard to their solicitations until a scheme in which he is more directly interested is matured, forwarded to him, and he puts it upon its passage through Congress. At least six weeks before a single step was taken in aid of the Davenport road in this state, petitions were forwarded to Mr. Leffler for the Dubuque and Keokuk road. In truth no move was made for the Davenport road until Judge Grant returned from Washington City, which was some twelve days after the Legislature had convened, and after the petition had gone from this place, Cascade, from your town, a memorial from the legislature, and the convention had been held at Iowa City, at which, if I mistake not, you were present. Under this state of facts I cannot but regard Mr. Leffler as hostile to this road, in which case our delegation cannot support his claim.

SOME EARLY MEMBERS UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH, LISBON

"As to Bates and Folsom of Iowa City, we regard them as feeling an equal interest in both roads, both proposing to pass through Iowa City. Under these circumstances what policy does it become us to adopt? Emphatically to select a candidate upon the proposed line of road. Can you not bring forward some man besides Preston? Mr. Boothe and some three or four of our leading men have suggested to me that if Linn county should bring forward G. G. [George Greene], he would get the nomination and be elected by an overwhelming majority. Mr. G. is absent and I know not whether it would suit him if conferred. He is in feeling and interest emphatically a Linn County man, but whether such a proposal would strike him favorably or meet with his sanction are questions which I am unable to solve. I think if sent to Congress he would be a working man and would be very active towards procuring an appropriation for the said road. He feels, as does every Linn county man, a very deep interest in the enterprise. I wish you would give this subject a candid investigation and then write me upon the subject.

"I have been solicited to become a candidate for the Legislature. I have peremptorily declined. I feel no particular aspirations for office. I desire to give my time to the study of the law. You will recollect that I have introduced the name of Mr. Greene to your notice without his knowledge and entirely upon my own responsibility.

"Our families are all well. Mr. Greene has been absent between three and four weeks. Remember me to all friends and believe me, your obedient servant and faithful friend,

Wm. H. Merritt.

"P. S.—Will you be so kind as to inform Wm. Greene that Mr. Bonson is anxiously waiting for that two yoke of oxen, which George contracted with him for. He wants them immediately.

Respectfully yours,

"Wm. H. Merritt."

Mr. Merritt was a man of ability and prominent in the democratic party up to the time of his death. As candidate for governor in 1861, against S. J. Kirkwood, with four other candidates claiming to run on the democratic platform, Mr. Merritt received 43,245 votes out of a total vote cast of 108,700. This testifies to Mr. Merritt's popularity among the people of Iowa.

LETTER FROM GEORGE GREENE

"Dubuque, March 3, 1847.

"Dear Durham:

"I find that I cannot without great injury to my business here, leave until next week; but still I am very anxious to see the work go on. If you like my suggestion of finishing Jo's [Joseph Greene] contract first in order to expedite the arrival of the money it will be as well to have Wm. [Greene] send Andrew or some other person out to bring the field notes in. I propose the finishing of Jo's first because it can be done soonest. It will not require so long to plat the work in the S. G.'s office, and it will not interfere with the operations of Mr. Ross, who will take the field at the time, or soon after, you do. He wrote Mr. Wiltse that he should return to the work as soon as the snow decayed sufficient to justify. If any, he has done but very little in the T.s south of the one you have to correct. You may get any one you please to go out in my or Jo's place at our expense. The weather may not suffer you to start out before I come down, which I think will be early next week. You will take my horse, wagon, or anything else of mine that you may need. Mr. Wiltse thinks you had better make all your calculations before going upon the ground. He thinks you can do it more correctly and with a great saving of time and expense.

"If you should consider it necessary you can employ Major McKean to go in our place; though I should think Andrew or some other good hand will do as well. If you should see fit to adopt my plan I will be at Cedar Rapids at the time the notes reach there and will bring them on immediately to Dubuque. Out of the money first received we will of course pay off the balance of the expenses of the surveys. You can show this to Wm. and Jos.

"Yours truly

GEO. GREENE.

"S. W. Durham, Esq.,
"Marion,
"Linn Co.,
"Iowa."

The following is a report of the railroad meeting held at Marion in 1850 in which nearly all the public-spirited men of the city took part:

RAILROAD MEETING, MARION, NOVEMBER 30, 1850

Meeting called to order by appointing P. W. Earle chairman and J. Green, secretary.

On motion of W. Smythe, Esq., Resolved that a committee be appointed to report names of delegates to attend the State Rail Road Convention to be held at Iowa City on the .......... day of December next.

Committee appointed by chair, H. W. Gray, Sausman, Dr. Ely, Hill of Putnam, Ashlock, Griffin, Mills of Marion.

Maj. McKean was called for to address the meeting. He proceeded to do so in an appropriate address.

On motion of Hon. G. Greene, Resolved that the delegates appointed to attend the State Rail Road Convention form themselves into a Rail Road Association and draft articles of said association for the advancement of the Dubuque & Keokuk Rail Road.

The committee appointed to report names of delegates to attend State Convention through H. W. Gray report the names of the following persons as delegates:

T. J. McKean, Hon. G. Greene, Dr. Jacob Williams, W. P. Harman, Esq., Ed. Railsback, Mr. Steadman, E. D. Waln, Freeman Smythe, J. J. Nugent, E. Jordan, Dr. Brice, Col. I. Butler, Robert Robinson, Jas. M. Berry, Isaac Cook, Esq., John C. Berry, A. R. Sausman, N. W. Isbel, Esq., P. W. Earle, Esq., William Smythe, Esq., Dr. J. F. Ely, Dr. Carpenter, Hon. S. W. Durham.

Which report was by substituting the name of H. W. Gray in place of W. Smythe, Esq., adopted.

On motion of I. Cook, Esq., If any fail to attend they appoint a substitute.

On motion of Dr. Carpenter, Resolved that the secretary inform absent delegates of their appointment.

On motion of Hon. G. Greene, Resolved that the delegates shall assemble in a separate convention if they shall deem expedient after the action of the State Convention to advance the interest of the Dubuque & Keokuk Rail Road.

Messrs. Cook, Esq., and Hon. G. Greene being called for, addressed the meeting in appropriate addresses.

On motion the meeting adjourned.

J. Greene, Secretary.

The getting of a railroad into Cedar Rapids then was the much talked of scheme, and many people believed that this would also end in failure as many other paper railroads had ended before. But the men at the head of this company were men who had a standing in the financial world and were in touch with the big banks of the country. They did not rely on the taxes voted or on empty promises, for if these failed they would still go on with the work. It is needless to add that this company, like all others, got as much tax as possible and changed the location of the route according to the amounts of bonuses offered. When the road entered Cedar Rapids it was the beginning and the end in the long struggle for railroad supremacy in the county, and decided for all times the supremacy of the river city over the county seat. The latter without a railway could do nothing more than sit down and wait till such a time as some company saw fit to extend a line across the state through other points.

For the air line known as the Iowa Central Air Line, the citizens of Linn county voted in June, 1853, the sum of $200,000 to aid in the construction of the road. In 1856 congress voted a grant of land to the state of Iowa to aid in the construction of four roads across it, including one on the line of this company. The legislature in extra session conferred the land on this road in case it was completed. A contract was let to a New York concern to complete the road to Marion, a distance of eighty miles. On account of the financial crash in 1857 the contractors failed to raise the money and to go on with the work. While the people were sore over this failure another company began building from Clinton west and had completed forty miles during the year 1858. It came as far as Lisbon by the end of this year, and this was the first railroad station within the borders of Linn county.

The Dubuque and Southwestern was extended through to Cedar Rapids in 1865, just six years after the Northwestern road had laid its track to the river and had trains running. This caused Cedar Rapids to become at that early day a sort of railway center, and opened up a new territory towards Dubuque. It was not a success financially till it was absorbed by the Milwaukee road in May, 1878.

The following letter from one of the first employes will be of interest in this connection:

"Lamar, Mo., Sept. 5, 1910.

"The Dubuque and Southwestern track was laid to Springville in the year 1859 or 1860. Mr. Jessup was president, and J. P. Farley, superintendent and manager. Mr. McConnell was road master. He owned a farm near Langworthy. I remember the first regular train was composed of one mail, express and baggage car combined, and one flat-top coach. The engine pulling the string was named 'Prairie King,' a little 14 by 16 or 18 inch cylinder. The track was laid with about 50 pound English T rail. The road had at this time three engines besides the 'Prairie King,' viz: the 'Prairie Queen,' still smaller than the King, the 'Anamosa,' and the 'Monticello,' which was of the Rogers make of engines, the other three being of Mason manufacture. The conductor, Archie Cox, engineer, Ace Owens, and Baggagemaster Watson came to our house for supper and boarded with our folks until they could get accommodations at the Bruce house, and I went the next day on the train as the first newsboy. I was still newsboy when Vicksburg was taken. I then went to the army and stayed until after the war closed. I went on the road again after the war as fireman, brakeman, and baggageman. About 1870 I was promoted to conductor and stayed with the company until 1875. After Archie Cox quit the road Frank Farley took his place, and when the road was extended to Cedar Rapids, two or three years later, they put another train on, one leaving Cedar Rapids in the morning and one leaving Farley Junction in the morning. After they put on the second train Charley Farley was conductor of that train and George Farley was agent at the station at Cedar Rapids. Pat Cunningham was roadmaster for several years, and James Rollo was master mechanic and engineer for ten or twelve years. Our first stock cars were flat cars and when we got an order for a stock car we would take a flat car to the shop and put stakes and slats on in order to hold the stock while in transit.

C. H. Branch."

One of the most important occurrences in the county was when on June 15, 1859, the first railroad made its entrance into Cedar Rapids and once and for all made the town the chief city in this part of the state.

This was accomplished after many failures and after much money had been expended for surveys and in other ways. The following from men still living, who remember the affair, will give the reader an idea as to how jubilant all were on the day of this celebration:

George C. Haman was at that time running a drug store at about the same location he has now. The corner of First avenue and First street was then occupied by what was called Greene's hotel, and Mr. Haman occupied a store room in the south side of the building. He remembers distinctly the big celebration held in honor of the first train to arrive.

Mr. Haman said, as near as he could remember, that the town of Cedar Rapids had a population of about 1,500 people at that time and a big celebration was inaugurated and carried out. People from the surrounding country came to town to see the train come in, and the Indians on the reservation at Tama almost turned out enmasse to see the great piece of machinery that they had heard so much about but had never seen. The day was a great holiday, much of the regular business being suspended and the people turned out in their best clothes to celebrate what was to them the greatest day in the history of the city.

The train pulled into the city to the tune of hundreds of voices, that contained but little harmony but plenty of volume. Arms, hats and handkerchiefs were waved in accompaniment, displaying a due appreciation for the beginning of what was to make Cedar Rapids the beautiful and prosperous city that it is. A railroad was what was needed and it was now theirs.

The terminal of the road was about where the packing house is now located, and it was a couple of years before an extension was made, the track being laid as far as the location of the cereal mills, which at that time was an enterprise yet to come.

Mr. Haman says that one incident is fixed indelibly on his memory, and that was the big dance that was held that night. He was obliged to remain at the store during the day and did not get to see the train come in, but he attended the dance which continued until sunrise the next morning. He was a single man and as was the custom had his lady friend with him and was obliged to send her home in an omnibus, the then prevailing means of transportation about the city, as it was time to open the store and he did not have time to accompany her home. The dance was held in what was known as Daniels hall, located where the Masonic Temple now stands.

Another who has recollections of the great event is Emery Brown and it was in conversation between Mr. Haman and Emery Brown that these facts were collected. The road was extended to Cedar Rapids from Clinton, where connection was made to Chicago. There was no bridge across the Mississippi river at that time and the trains were ferried across the river by means of a large, flat ferry boat.

A PRESENT DAY SCENE IN LINN COUNTY
COPYRIGHT BY BAYLIS

AN OLD LAND RECEIPT

STEAMBOAT ON THE CEDAR, 1887

In order to secure the railroad the town was obliged to give $100,000 to the railroad company. Stock was issued in payment. James L. Bever was another man in business here at that time and he made it a point to purchase all this city stock he could, which proved to be to his advantage. The road was later leased by the Northwestern and finally purchased.

With reference to this road a Linn county biography offers the following:

"The organization under which this line came into Cedar Rapids was the Chicago, Iowa and Nebraska Railroad company, which was organized at Clinton in January, 1856. There were several railroad prospects about this time formulating in Clinton, or in places having a close proximity to the Mississippi. Finally all the railroad enterprises extending westward from the river united in the Chicago, Iowa and Nebraska railroad. When that company commenced their operations, it was expected it would have the co-operation of the Galena company. Failing to receive this it pressed forward its work unaided, and by the latter part of 1857 had the track laid as far as the Wapsipinicon river, a distance of thirty-six miles. In July, 1858, it was laid as far as Clarence, Cedar county, and in December, the same year, the road was completed to Lisbon, sixty-four miles from Clinton. The following June (1859) the locomotive steamed into Cedar Rapids, a distance of eighty-two miles from the Mississippi. There was great rejoicing here and the event was duly celebrated.

"It was a most important event to Cedar Rapids for it was the termination of a struggle for railroad supremacy in the county.

"In 1862 the road was leased to the Chicago and Northwestern company, and before the lease expired it had secured control of it. Work was resumed on the extension (for which the Cedar Rapids and Missouri Railroad company was organized), and pushed with vigor. It was completed across the great state of Iowa to Council Bluffs in 1867, where it made connections with the Union Pacific."

CHAPTER IX

The Old Settlers' Association

A vigorous Old Settlers' Association has been maintained for several years, the meeting being held at Marion. Following are lists of the officers since its beginning in 1891 to date, of the members and the death roll:

OFFICERS

- 1891
- Chas. Weare, president, Cedar Rapids
- J. C. Davis, secretary, Marion
- A. J. McKean, treasurer, Marion
- 1892
- I. P. Bowdish, president, Waubeek
- J. C. Davis, secretary, Marion
- A. J. McKean, treasurer, Marion
- 1893
- Wm. Cook, president, Marion
- J. C. Davis, secretary, Marion
- A. J. McKean, treasurer, Marion
- 1894
- Wm. Cook, president, Marion
- J. C. Davis, secretary, Marion
- A. J. McKean, treasurer, Marion
- 1895
- Robert Ellis, President, Cedar Rapids
- J. C. Davis, secretary, Marion
- A. J. McKean, treasurer, Marion
- 1896
- J. S. Butler, president, Springville
- J. C. Davis, secretary, Marion
- A. J. McKean, treasurer, Marion
- 1897
- John Lanning, president, Lafayette
- Z. V. Elsberry, secretary, Marion
- A. J. McKean, treasurer, Marion
- 1898
- John J. Daniels, president, Bertram
- J. C. Davis, secretary, Marion
- E. A. Vaughn, treasurer, Marion
- 1899
- John Ashlock, president, Center Point
- Z. V. Elsberry, secretary, Marion
- E. A. Vaughn, treasurer, Marion
- 1900
- E. A. Vaughn, president, Marion
- Z. V. Elsberry, secretary, Marion
- James Oxley, treasurer, Marion
- 1901
- M. P. Smith, president, Cedar Rapids
- John Cone, secretary, Marion
- James Oxley, treasurer, Marion
- 1902
- Chas. Kepler, president, Mt. Vernon
- Fred Knowlton, secretary, Marion
- James Oxley, treasurer, Marion
- 1903
- P. G. Henderson, president, Central C'y
- Jas. W. Bowman, sec. and treas., Marion
- 1904
- J. C. Davis, president, Marion
- M. W. Courtney, sec. and treas., Marion
- 1905
- J. C. Davis, president, Marion
- M. W. Courtney, sec. and treas., Marion
- 1906
- M. P. Smith, president, Cedar Rapids
- J. C. Davis, sec. and treas., Marion
- 1907
- A. B. Dumont, president, Marion
- J. C. Davis, sec. and treas., Marion
- 1908
- Garry Treat, president, Marion
- J. C. Davis, sec. and treas., Marion
- Ben R. Reichard, acting sec, Marion
- 1909
- A. M. Secrist, president, Marion
- T. J. Davis, sec. and treas., Marion
- 1910
- Alex Torrance, president, Springville
- F. J. Cleveland, sec. and treas., Marion
- 1911
- Marshall Oxley, president, Marion
- F. J. Cleveland, sec. and treas., Marion

MEMBERS

Names preceded by a star note those who have died since joining the association.

1837
*Crow, Edward M., Anamosa
Ellison, Mary, Mt. Vernon
*Hahn, Daniel S., Mt. Vernon
McKee, Daniel, Kenwood
1838
Clark, Edwin, Marion
*Clark, Luther, Mt. Vernon
*Clark, David, Martelle
Elson, Melissa T., Marion
Ellis, Robert, Cedar Rapids
*McKean, A. J., Marion
McCoy, J. F., Center Point
McManus, Jennie, Springville
White, Rebecca, Bertram
1839
Baker, Mary J., Cedar Rapids
Barber, Orpha, Marion
*Beall, Dorcas, Marion
*Beeler, Fred, Marion
*Beeler, Nancy, Marion
Beeler, Sarah, Marion
Brockman, Rizpah L., Marion
*Bromwell, J. E., Sr., Marion
*Busenbark, Agnes, Mt. Vernon
Barret, Amelia, Waubeek
*Brown, Horace N., Springville
*Brown, Mrs. H. N., Springville
*Burge, Jeremiah, Mt. Vernon
Corbley, Sarah, Paralta
Carroll, I. W., Cedar Rapids
*Carroll, Geo. R., Cedar Rapids
*Clark, Ormus, Marion
*Cone, Byron, Marion
Cone, Geo. W., Marion
*Cone, Oliver B., Marion
Cronk, Amy, Robins
*Dill, Thomas, Ely
*Gray, G. A., Marion
*Hare, Thomas, Marion
*Higgins, Anna E., Central City
Hogland, Francis, Center Point
Ives, Elihu, Marion
*Ives, John, Marion
*Kramer, Andrew, Marion
Kramer, Isaac, Marion
Kramer, Lewis, Marion
Kramer, Wm. D., Cedar Rapids
*Lewis, L. D., Mt. Vernon
*Lewis, Thomas, Palo
*Lucore, Sarah A., Marion
*Lutz, Ann M., Marion
*Lutz, Barnette, Cedar Rapids
*Manley, Nancy, Linn County
Martin, Giles R., Marion
Martin, James A., Jesup
*McElhinney, Robert, Lisbon
Mentzer, Charlotte I., Marion
*Oliphant, Edward, Center Point
*Patterson, Geo. A., Marion
*Perkins, Geo. C. Anamosa
Railsback, John, Palo
*Strong, Christena L., Kenwood Park
Torrence, Caroline N., Cedar Rapids
*Usher, Dyer, Covington
Usher, Henry A., Covington
Usher, Hiram, Covington
Usher, Rosanna, Covington
*Webber, Sarah, Lisbon
White, L. C., Alburnette
*Wilson, Ira G., Marion
*Yeisley, Geo., Mt. Vernon
Yeisley, Oliver, Mt. Vernon
1840
Anderson, James C., Bertram
Ashlock, John M., Center Point
*Bardwell, T. S., Marion
Boxley, Jno. S., Cedar Rapids
*Bishop, J. H., Springville
*Brazelton, Samuel C., Coggon
*Butler, J. S., Springville
Butler, Mrs. J. S., Springville
*Carnegy, John, Marion
Clark, Barbary E., Mt. Vernon
*Clark, Oliver, Mt. Vernon
*Darr, Mary Jane, Cedar Rapids
*Dodd, Silas W., Randolph
Dodd, C. M., Randolph
Dunlap, A. T., Springville
*Durham, Samuel W., Marion
*Gray, John W., Marion
*Gray, Richard, Marion
Gray, W. W., Marion
*Hagerman, Mrs. A., Toddville
Hemphill, Rachel, Alice
*Ives, Hannah, Marion
Jordan, Mrs. L. E., Kenwood
McBride, Kenwood
*McElhinney, Clara, Lisbon
McKinney, Mose E., Waubeek
McIntyre, Elizabeth, Lisbon
McDonald, Mrs. M. H., Cedar Rapids
Oliphant, John, Toddville
Osborn, John H., Center Point
*Oxley, Joseph M., Marion
*Patterson, Wm. J., Cedar Rapids
*Reynolds, Nathan, Marion
*Smyth, Robert, Mt. Vernon
Speake, J. B., Walker
*Squires, Milton, Center Point
Stambaugh, Rachel, Bertram
Stewart, Mrs. M. M., Cedar Rapids
Thomas, Richard, Marion
Thompson, Samuel D., Marion
*Thompson, Lucretia, Marion
Williams, Mary J., Marion
1841
Bardwell, Eliza A., Marion
*Beall, Jeremiah, Marion
Clark, Cyrial H., Central City
*Cone, John, Marion
Courtney, Joel M., Marion
Doty, Elias, Bertram
Dutton, Louisa, Marion
*Durham, Mrs. E., Marion
Elson, Mrs. Andrew, Fairfax
Glover, Mary, Marion
*Gray, Mrs. Emeline, Marion
Harvey, Edna A., Marion
*Hemphill, Johnson, Alice
Hemphill, N., Alice
*Hunter, J. G., Cedar Rapids
Kearns, Catherine, Springville
Larrabee, W., Kenwood
Listebarger, Maria, Cedar Rapids
McQueen, J. C., Prairieburg
McKee, Sarah, Kenwood
*Mentzer, Joseph, Tacoma, Wash.
*Oxley, Albert, Marion
Oxley, James, Marion
Plumley, Susan, Waubeek
Pletcher, Catherine, Robins
Pletcher, Catherine, Marion
Preston, Edmond C., Cedar Rapids
Preston, J. H., Cedar Rapids
*Rhoten, Sarah J., Viola
Richards, Daniel, Palo
*Richardson, D. M., Mt. Vernon
*Ristine, Henry, Cedar Rapids
Snyder, Mary B., Cedar Rapids
*Ure, William, Fairfax
*Vaughn, E. A., Marion
*Waln, E. D., Mt. Vernon
*Waln, Mary J., Mt. Vernon
Ward, George, Center Point
Willard, Mrs. L. L., Center Point
1842
Alexander, J. S., Marion
Bardwell, L. P., Mt. Auburn, Cal.
Blackmar, Mrs. E. E., Marion
*Brockman, James A., Marion
Brockman, J. L., Missouri
*Cheadle, Dean, Marion
Combs, Wm. H., Cedar Rapids
*Combs, Harriet F., Cedar Rapids
Gillilan, N. C., Central City
*Goudy, J. C., Mt. Vernon
*Goudy, W. H., Mt. Vernon
*Greer, John M., Marion
*Greer, Mary, Marion
Grove, Jennie R., Mt. Vernon
*Harmon, Peter D., Cedar Rapids
Harmon, Speare, Bertram
*Higley, M. A., Cedar Rapids
*Higley, W. W., Cedar Rapids
Hollenbeck, C. W., Cedar Rapids
Holmes, Geo. W., Cedar Rapids
Holmes, Mrs. Eliza, Marion
Howard, Matilda, Cedar Rapids
*Hunter, John, Marion
*Hunter, William, Cedar Rapids
Irish, Mary, Springville
King, Rebecca, Marion
Knapp, G. W., Bertram
McDowell, Catherine, Cedar Rapids
*McCall, David, Martelle
*Parks, Mrs. L., Cedar Rapids
Powers, Eliza J., Elmont
*Reinheimer, Valentine, Marion
Robins, John W., Robins
Williams, Mary J., Cedar Rapids
Winter, Clarissa D., Marion
*Woodcox, Newman, Mt. Vernon

DR. JNO. F. ELY
An Early Pioneer in Cedar Rapids

1843
*Breed, R. A., Martelle
Daniels, Mary A., Marion
Fleming, Sarah E., Alburnett
*Fuhrmeister, A. J., Ely
Gray, W. O., Jewel City, Kan.
Hall, Oliver S., Marion
Haas, Wm., Central City
*Hollan, Samuel, Cedar Rapids
Hollan, Susan, Cedar Rapids
*Howard, Paine, Cedar Rapids
*John, Mrs. L. J., Mt. Vernon
Kemp, Zenophon, Marion
*Knapp, John F., Bertram
*Lillie, Eulalia L., Marion
Mann, Alva, Paralta
McKinnie, Lovina, Waubeek
Metcalf, H. S., Cedar Rapids
Morrison, J. B., Cedar Rapids
Parkhurst, Mrs. L. K., Marion
Peet, W. R., Viola
Rench, Melinda, Center Point
Snyder, Sarah A., Bertram
1844
Anderson, Mary E., Palo
Birch, Victoria A., Marion
Clark, Geo., Covington
Clarke, George, Cedar Rapids
Combs, Mrs. H. E., Cedar Rapids
Cone, Caroline, Marion
Cooper, Mrs. Chloe, Marion
*Cordes, Mrs. C., Mt. Vernon
*Daniels, John J., Bertram
*Emmons, Emeline, Bertram
Gray, James M., Marion
*Harris, Wm. M., Marion
Hoffman, John, Lisbon
*Johnson, John, Mt. Vernon
*Jordan, Chandler, Waubeek
Kepler, Chas. W., Mt. Vernon
*Kepler, Conrad, Mt. Vernon
*Kepler, John W., Mt. Vernon
Kershner, F., Ely
Knapp, Asa P., Cedar Rapids
Lacock, Mrs. C. A., Mt. Vernon
Miller, C. L., Cedar Rapids
*Oxley, James M., Springville
Penrose, Lewis, Shellsburg
*Pisel, Susanna, Marion
Porter, Mrs. R. H., Robins
Robertson, P. P., Marion
Secrist, Mrs. A. M., Marion
Snyder, Sarah A., Bertram
Stinger, F. B., Marion
*Stinger, Philip, Mt. Vernon
Thompson, W. C., Marion
Waterhouse, M. J., Coggon
1845
*Becker, Francis, Marion
*Beckner, Elizabeth, Marion
*Beckner, John, Marion
Beckner, Miss Rebecca, Marion
*Beall, Elizabeth, Marion
*Beall, Sarah J., Cedar Rapids
Bice, Mary C., Troy Mills
*Black, Isaac, Marion
Courtney, Mary A., Marion
*Cooper, Joseph, Marion
Cooper, Polly P., Marion
Cumberland, M. E., Alice
*Dumont, A. B., Marion
*Dumont, Julia A., Marion
Fernow, Ann, Marion
*Glass, John P., Cedar Rapids
Gray, Sarah M., Marion
Hale, Mary S., Cedar Rapids
Howard, William, Cedar Rapids
Hopkins, A. C., Cedar Rapids
Heaton, Peter A., Central City
*Leffingwell, Mrs. B., Marion
Marshall, L. S., Central City
Marshall, Warren S., Central City
McKean, Sarah P., Marion
McLaughlin, Cassa, Marion
*McShane, John, Springville
Murphy, M. F., Cedar Rapids
Nott, Lydia L., Marion
*Nuckolls, Susanna, Viola
*Ovington, T. S., Marion
Ovington, Mrs. T. S., Marion
Oxley, Sarah, Marion
*Paul, Alexander, Marion
Paul, George, Springville
Perry, Sarah E., Central City
Pugh, John, Troy Mills
*Robins, Isabella, Marion
Smith, Mary A., Cedar Rapids
*Stone, Sarah J., Springville
*Stone, Zephny, Springville
Wightman, Joanna, Marion
1846
*Albaugh, Daniel, Robins
Alexander, Lenora, Marion
Baker, Elmira, Marion
Beeler, J. M., Marion
*Bigger, Francis, Marion
*Clark, Sabra G., Mt. Vernon
Coffits, John, Cedar Rapids
*Daniels, Martha R., Bertram
*Daniels, Preston, Marion
Daniels, Samuel, Marion
Gillette, Charles A., Lisbon
*Gott, Willis S., Marion
*Guzzle, Daniel, Marion
Hein, A. A., Marion
Harman, Warren, Cedar Rapids
Hart, Geo. B., Viola
Hayes, Mrs. L. C., Marion
Hayes, J. B., Marion
Huffman, James M., Marion
Jordan, Geo. L., Springville
Keenan, H. G., Marion
Martin, Sarah, Center Point
McShane, Frank, Springville
Minehart, Mrs. John, Central City
Palmer, Mary, Marion
Sigworth, Mrs. M. P., Anamosa
Smyth, Margaret, Mt. Vernon
Starbuck, Laura, Marion
Stentz, Esther, Paralta
*Thomas, James, Lafayette
Wood, Wm. W., Viola
1847
Ackley, DeWitt C., Viola
Bascom, Lizzie, Lisbon
Bennets, Susan, Paralta
*Brenneman, A., Marion
*Charles, J. F., Cedar Rapids
Dicken, Isaac, Toddville
*Ely, John F., Cedar Rapids
Floyd, Elizabeth, Lisbon
*Gillilan, Elizabeth, Viola
*Hoover, Jonathan, Lisbon
Hershey, Henry, Lafayette
Hurshey, Margaret, Viola
*Johnson, S. S., Cedar Rapids
Keithley, J. W., Prairieburg
Kurtz, C. H., Marion
*McManus, Joseph, Palo
Miller, Samuel, Robins
Moors, Mrs. C., Viola
Neidig, Nancy, Mt. Vernon
Newton, Geo. W., California
Oxley, Perry, Marion
Perkins, Elizabeth, Anamosa
Ristine, John M., Cedar Rapids
Ringer, B. H., Lisbon
Shields, Mattie E., Cedar Rapids
*Stewart, Wm., Cedar Rapids
*Stone, J. D., Springville
Torrance, Alexander, Springville
*Wickham, S. J., Troy Mills
Wickham, Mrs. S. J., Troy Mills
1848
*Adams, Fannie, Lafayette
Blair, Elizabeth, Cedar Rapids
Blessing, Wm., Cedar Rapids
*Busenbark, John, Marion
Burch, Leroy, Cedar Rapids
Burch, Mrs. M. V., Cedar Rapids
Cook, Letita, Marion
Cone, Mrs. John, Marion
Clark, W. O., Mt. Vernon
*Glass, I. O., Cedar Rapids
*Gray, Mattie Jane, Marion
*Granger, Amelia, Marion
*Howe, Joseph A., Marion
Hazzlerigg, Francis, Viola
Hemphill, Barbara, Lafayette
Hastings, W., Marion
Johnson, William, Cedar Rapids
*Jones, Harriett, Springville
*Jones, Pierson, Springville
Kinley, D. R., Marion
Kennedy, C. B., Cedar Rapids
Klenknecht, Laura, Mt. Vernon
Kurtz, D. H., Cedar Rapids
Morrison, Louisa, Cedar Rapids
McCleary, Margaret, Marion
Oxley, Henry C., Marion
*Patmore, Mary J., Mt. Vernon
Reynolds, Jap, Marion
Rickard, W. S., Cedar Rapids
Russell, Geo. W., Walker
Scott, David, Mt. Vernon
Strite, Mary C., Springville
*Thomas, Jeremiah, Mt. Vernon
*Travis, Daniel, Mt. Vernon
*Wallace, D. R., Marion
Wallace, John C., Marion
*Wilson, John, Marion
*Weare, Charles, Cedar Rapids
Wilson, Mrs. C. M., Troy Mills
1849
*Anderson, J. S., Cedar Rapids
*Bolton, A., Paralta
Bryan, Mrs. Louisa, Center Point
Clark, Margaret J., Marion
*Cooper, Wm., Marion
*Dean, Preston S., Marion
*Dorwart, David, Cedar Rapids
Ford, E. P., Central City
*Fullerton, Geo. E., Marion
*Gillilan, D. C., Central City
Grove, S. N., Marion
Hence, Mary, Lafayette
Hahn, E., Mt. Vernon
James, Mehitable, Viola
Jordan, Mrs. E. A., Springville
Keyes, A. J., Marion
Kyle, Isaac, Mt. Vernon
*Kyle, John, Mt. Vernon
*Kyle, L. B., Mt. Vernon
Langsdale, Wm. I., Center Point
Langsdale, Julia A., Center Point
*Martin, Almira, St. Paul
Milner, Sarah A., Marion
Miller, Mrs. C. L., Cedar Rapids
McFarland, J. G., Mt. Vernon
Null, Mary E., Cedar Rapids
*Nugent, J. J., Coggon
*Oxley, Wm., Delta, Idaho
Parker, Mrs. B. F., Cedar Rapids
Quass, Barbara, Cedar Rapids
Quass, Godfried, Cedar Rapids
Shanklin, Mary A., Viola
Swan, John P., Marion
Taylor, John, Toddville
Taylor, M. V., Marion
*Vannote, B., Cedar Rapids
White, Elizabeth, Springville
*White, Hosea, Springville
*Wickham, B. P., Marion
Wilson, Mrs. Eva, Marion
1850
*Andrews, C. C., Marion
*Andrews, Geo. H., Coggon
*Alderman, E. B., Riverside, Calif.
Beall, Mrs. James M., Cedar Rapids
Beall, Wm. E., Marion
*Blessing, Henry, Lisbon
Biggs, E. W., Marion
*Booze, Geo., Robins
*Brown, John, Central City
Bressler, A. P., Cedar Rapids
*Carbee, John P., Springville
Daniels, A. L., Marion
Dunn, Amelia, Springville
Ellison, Wm. G., Mt. Vernon
Enders, Fred, Cedar Rapids
Esgate, D. W., Mt. Vernon
Evans, Buel, Central City
Fitzgerald, Geo., Center Point
*Floyd, Martin, Lisbon
Furstenmaker, N., Prairieburg
*Gardner, Amanda, Marion
Goodyear, Anna B., Mt. Vernon
Garretson, Mrs. Angela W., Marion
*Henderson, Mrs. P. G., Central City
Graham, Josiah, Cedar Rapids
Holland, I. W., Center Point
Hoover, Mary, Lisbon
Kramer, Valinda, Marion
*Kelsey, J. C., Cedar Rapids
Lacock, Nira, Martelle
Minehart, John, Central City
Oxley, J. T., Marion
Piper, Martha A., Cedar Rapids
Parmenter, Mrs. Lyda, Marion
Reinheimer, Jacob, Marion
Rollins, Rachel, Viola
Rundall, G. W., Viola
Scott, James R., Marion
*Smith, C. E., Marion
Smith, Daniel, Central City
Smith, Joseph, Central City
Stewart, J. O., Cedar Rapids
Stookey, Mary E., Bertram
*Taylor, Ernestine, Marion
*Wagner, Wm., Central City
*Wilson, Dr. E. D., Troy Mills
Wilson, Rebecca J., Lafayette
Willard, Mary G., Marion
1851
Arnold, Sarah, Cedar Rapids
Baker, J. A., Ely
Baker, John, Marion
*Barnard, Asher, Springville
*Berry, Robert, Bertram
*Breed, Ira, Martelle
*Breed, C. W., Martelle
Carbee, Mrs. J. P., Springville
Cardis, Christian, Mt. Vernon
Clarke, Caroline, Covington
Cook, Mary C., Marion
*Cook, Wm., Marion
Cumberland, H. C., Alice
*Dunlap, John, Springville
Evans, James, Paris
Fernow, C. G., Marion
Finson, Ida, Central City
Fitzgerald, Jas. B., Cedar Rapids
Fleming, James, Marion
Hale, Mary S., Cedar Rapids
Hall, Mrs. Ida, Marion
Hall, J. J., Cedar Rapids
Hazeltine, E. D., Center Point
Hendryxson, F. M., Marion
Hill, Mrs. A. T., Cedar Rapids
Shinn, Joab R., Marion
Slife, James, Martelle
Smith, Wm. A., Mt. Vernon
*Smith, C. G., Springville
Smyth, Wm., Cedar Rapids
Sprague, Mrs. R. C., Cedar Rapids
Stinger, Eliza E., Mt. Vernon
Strawn, N. P., Shellsburg
Stuart, Geo. W., Cedar Rapids
Taylor, Mrs. S. V., Marion
*Thompson, H. J., Marion
Thompson, Christina, Marion
*Torrance, H. F., Mt. Vernon
White, John R., Bertram
Wilson, R. J., Lafayette
Wilson, W. M., Lafayette
Wright, George J., Waubeek
JOHN A. KEARNS Came Here in 1853
A. J. REID Who Came Here in 1852
C. S. HOWARD Came in 1843
WILLIAM STICK Came in 1853
1852
*Anderson, G. H., Waubeek
Anderson, Gerselda, Waubeek
Andrews, Elizabeth, Waubeek
Ashlock, G. W., Lafayette
Bever, James L., Cedar Rapids
*Beechley, Jesse, Mt. Vernon
Biggs, E. F., Troy Mills
*Bixby, Jesse C., Marion
*Black, John, Marion
Black, Mrs. John, Marion
Bromwell, M. E., Marion
Brown, John B., Marion
Brown, T. C., Mt. Vernon
Brown, F., Prairieburg
Burns, Hannah, Robins
Buchanan, George, Cedar Rapids
*Bunting, Eli, Marion
Clark, Francis M., Mt. Vernon
Coleman, Martha, Marion
Coenen, Sophia, Marion
*Cone, Mary A., Marion
*Crosby, Alice G., Central City
*Dance, L. F., Lafayette
*Denny, John Q., Waubeek
Denny, Mrs. John Q., Waubeek
Dutton, J. Q. A., Marion
Evans, Adam, Paris
Evans, James, Paris
Freeman, John, Paris
Gilblaith, John, Fairfax
Hall, Mary A., Coggon
*Hansell, Hannah, Marion
*Hansell, Jos. A., Marion
Helbig, F. A., Lafayette
Hill, Deborial, Cedar Rapids
Hill, James, Cedar Rapids
Holloway, John C., Marion
Houver, Sadie E., Marion
Hogland, P., Center Point
Houston, A. P., Coggon
*Irish, Joel S., Springville
Ives, Lawson L., Marion
Keller, John, Cedar Rapids
*Kendall, W. J., Marion
Lanning, John, Lafayette
Legore, John, Cedar Rapids
*Legore, James E., Cedar Rapids
Leigh, John B., Mt. Vernon
Lincoln, Fannie A., Cedar Rapids
Listebarger, I. C., Cedar Rapids
Listebarger, Maggie, Cedar Rapids
McArthur, M. E., Palo
*McShane, Jacob, Paralta
Miller, Acquilla, Cedar Rapids
*Mills, Mahlon, Central City
Perkins, Chas. E., Anamosa
Paul, Arthur, Springville
Pifer, Martha A., Center Point
*Reinheimer, Paulina, Marion
*Reece, David, Troy Mills
Rhoten, John H., Portland
Riger, J. C., Lisbon
*Rose, R. P., Lisbon
Shaver, Margaret, Fairfax
Jordan, Geo. E., Marion
Knapp, Henry, Bertram
Lanning, Margaret J., Lafayette
*Long, David P., Paris
Mills, Julie L., Central City
*Mills, Mrs. Lucy, Central City
Manahan, A., Center Point
Manahan, Mrs. A., Center Point
Maudsley, Mrs. S. M., Cedar Rapids
Morse, Mary E., Riverside, Calif.
McShane, Geo., Springville
Newlin, Geo., Viola
*Nott, B. H., Marion
Nott, J. H., Marion
*Nott, R. H., Marion
Oxley, R. S., Marion
Oxley, Margaret, Marion
Pletcher, Amos, Marion
Paul, Mrs. M. J., Springville
Post, Geo. W., Viola
*Pollock, John, Springville
Rhoten, Rilla, Portland, Ore.
Rundall, S. W., Marion
Shanklin, A. T., Waubeek
Shanklin, F. M., Viola
Sherwood, Jos. B., Viola
Smith, Caroline, Marion
*Smith, Darwin, Marion
Smith, Rachel M., Marion
Smith, Louisa, Cedar Rapids
*Snouffer, J. J., Cedar Rapids
Snyder, Marion D., Bertram
Tathwell, Josie, Marion
Webb, Alice A., Marion
Webb, Milas, Marion
Webb, Sophia, Marion
West, Mrs. J. B., Marion
White, Augustus, Cedar Rapids
*Whitenack, J. W., Marion
Whitenack, Mrs. J., Kenwood Park
*Wilson, John, Marion
Wilson, Jno. M., Cedar Rapids
Young, Lewis, Lisbon
1853
*Anderson, J. S., Cedar Rapids
Benedict, L. D., Cedar Rapids
Berry, Nancy, Bertram
Beechley, N. K., Cedar Rapids
*Bishop, Seth, Central City
*Bolton, Susan, Paralta
Booth, L. G., Marion
Breneman, Mrs. S. A., Marion
*Brown, W. H., Springville
Brown, Mrs. W. H., Springville
Bruner, Emma, Cedar Rapids
Burt, Mrs. L. W., Cedar Rapids
Buttolph, Edwin, Cedar Rapids
Calvert, Amanda J., Springville
Certain, Wilson, Marion
*Cornell, J. D., Springville
Cory, Abel L., Marion
*Cory, Daniel M., Marion
Cory, Samuel E., Cedar Rapids
Coulter, John, Cedar Rapids
Crawford, Geo. E., Cedar Rapids
Crogan, Thomas, Cedar Rapids
Crowl, Jacob, Marion
Dixon, Mrs. Harriett, Cedar Rapids
Evans, Hattie, Central City
Fawley, Hannah, Springville
Fawley, Samuel, Springville
*Fitzgarrald, W. F., Marion
Fleming, Julia, Alburnett
Floyd, Jacob, Center Point
*Forsythe, H. M., Cedar Rapids
Forsythe, Mrs. H. M., Cedar Rapids
Goudy, Mrs. L. A., Marion
Goldsberry, W. N., Central City
*Graul, Daniel, Lisbon
*Harris, Richard, Marion
*Hayden, Z. L., Cedar Rapids
*Henderson, J. W., Cedar Rapids
Hendrickson, F. M., Center Point
Hall, O. S., Marion
Hunter, Harriet E., Marion
Johnston, Mary, Mt. Vernon
*Kearns, John A., Springville
Kyle, W. H., Mt. Vernon
King, Wm., Cedar Rapids
Lamson, Eva, Marion
Lathrop, Virgil A., Marion
*Lockhart, Robert, Cedar Rapids
Lord, Clara, Fairfax
Marsh, Harriett, Robins
*McAfee, D. T., Marion
*Mentz, Michael, Cedar Rapids
Mentzer, Samuel, Center Point
Metcalf, Mrs. C. P., Cedar Rapids
Mohler, Mary S., Lafayette
Moreland, John, Central City
McCrelles, Z., Central City
Myers, W. H., Cedar Rapids
Oliphant, Permelia, Toddville
Oxley, Marshall, Marion
Pennington, J. M., Alburnette
Phelps, Sarah B., Covington
Rickard, C., Cedar Rapids
Ring, W. C., Center Point
Schultz, Chas., Marion
Scott, T. W., Marion
*Smith, John T., Cedar Rapids
Smith, Dr. J. H., Cedar Rapids
Smyth, Jay J., Marion
*Stark, Laurance, Marion
*Stentz, Peter A., Springville
Stick, Wm., Lafayette
Stockberger, John R., Marion
Thompson, Wm. G., Marion
Thoring, Samuel, Bertram
Treat, Mrs. D. J., Marion
*Wagner, Geo., Toddville
Ware, Mary E., Coggon
Weed, Egbert, Marion
*White, Crawford, Marion
Whitenack, Sarah J., Marion
*Wilson, Polly, Marion
White, James F., Alburnette
White, N. J., Marion
Wilson, John H., Marion
*Yount, Broxton, Mt. Vernon
1854
Adams, Margaret, Marion
*Armstrong, W. B., Marion
Austin, Wm. A., Marion
Bartleson, J. M., Center Point
Bauman, Simon H., Mt. Vernon
Bombardner, Mrs. C., Cedar Rapids
Beach, B. F., Mt. Vernon
Bedell, Elwood T., Springville
Bice, Isaac, Troy Mills
Bice, James, West Prairie
*Bishop, Henry O., Waubeek
*Blackmar, Augustus, Marion
Blodgett, Simpson, Central City
*Braska, Louise, Marion
Braska, C. W., Marion
*Busby, Geo., Marion
Busby, B. C., Marion
Butcher, A. P., Paralta
Cadwell, Edwin, Cedar Rapids
*Cadwell, Mary, Covington
Cairns, W. A., Ely
*Camburn, J. H., Cedar Rapids
Caraway, John S., Bertram
Carlin, Geo. W., Cedar Rapids
Carpenter, Mary A., Cedar Rapids
*Carsner, Mathias, Marion
*Conklin, Chauncey, Prairieburg
Cornell, Amy, Springville
Cory, James, Robins
Cutler, Eva G., Central City
*Davis, Geo. A., Jr., Central City
*Davis, J. C., Marion
Davis, Jas. H., Central City
Dawley, Darius, Cedar Rapids
Dawley, John, Marshalltown
*DeWitt, J. V., Martelle
Edgerly, Geo. C., Central City
Elrod, Jonathan, Marion
Ellis, Martha, Cedar Rapids
Ellis, Levi, Springville
Fay, H. H., Troy Mills
Fitzgerrald, Mary A., Cedar Rapids
*Floyd, Geo. W., Marion
*Ford, B. S., Marion
Ford, Margaret, Marion
Fowler, S. J., Marion
Goodlove, W. H., Marion
*Goldsberry, Mrs. A. M., Marion
Groll, Geo. F., Marion
*Gitchell, Chas. G., Waubeek
Heaton, Mary A., Central City
Heaton, Olive, Cedar Rapids
*Heaton, Samuel, Cedar Rapids
Henderson, Henry, Coggon
Henderson, P. G., Central City
*Hess, Abraham, Marion
*Heer, Mary, Marion
*Hollis, Elizabeth C., Marion
Huston, Chas. A., Waubeek
Huston, James M., Waubeek
Johnson, Wm., Marion
*Jones, Wm., Marion
Kaiser, John L., Marion
Kennedy, C. B., Marion
Kennedy, Mrs. C. B., Marion
Kimball, Emma J., Springville
Kinkead, Alexander, Springville
*Kleinknecht, Geo., Mt. Vernon
Klumph, V. G., Marion
Knowlton, Fred, Seattle, Wash.
Knickerbocker, W. B., Cedar Rapids
*Lacock, Joab, Mt. Vernon
Lacock, Wm. A., Martelle
*Lillie, Mary, Marion
Lord, Clara, Fairfax
Lord, Lydia, Cedar Rapids
Lord, Robert, Cedar Rapids
Lutz, John E., Kenwood
Manson, Dwight, Marion
*Marshall, S. H., Viola
*Marshall, Mrs. S. H., Viola
*Martin, F. M., Center Point
Mason, Edwin R., Marion
McIntyre, Z., Mound City, Kans.
McKay, John M., Cedar Rapids
*McFarlin, J. J., Mt. Vernon
McLord, Maggie, Central City
Melton, Nancy, Marion
Melton, P. T., Marion
*Moody, Philip, Cedar Rapids
Mentzer, B. F., Marion
Mentzer, Mrs. B. F., Marion
*Mentzer, C. C., Marion
Miles, L. W., Marion
*Miles, Geo., Robins
Moles, Robert M., Paris
*Myers, J. V., Mt. Vernon
Neff, M. K., Mt. Vernon
Nye, John W., Cedar Rapids
Odell, Lewis H., Mt. Vernon
Oxley, Mrs. H. C., Marion
Palmer, H. G., Marion
Parr, Geo., Cedar Rapids
*Pearson, Geo., Springville
Pearson, Hanna K., Springville
Pearson, Mary, Springville
Pearson, O. J., Springville
*Pearson, Thomas, Springville
*Pearson, Wm., Springville
Pearson, Margaret A., Viola
*Penn, Rebecca T., Viola
Penn, R. R., Viola
*Penn, S. J., Central City
Penn, Wm. B., Central City
Platner, Henry C., Mt. Vernon
Plumly, Chas. O., Waubeek
*Reece, Henry, Troy Mills
Reece, Lucia, Troy Mills
Rhoten, Chas. W., Viola
Rich, Allie, Marion
*Richard, D. H., Cedar Rapids
Riley, Allie, Marion
*Ross, James G., Marion
*Reynolds, J. W., Center Point
Rogers, Mary C., Cedar Rapids
Runkle, Abraham, Lisbon
Runkle, A. J., Cedar Rapids
*Samson, E. L., Marion
*Samson, Catherine, Marion
*Scott, J. B., Marion
*Scott, Mary E., Marion
Secrist, Alice, Marion
*Simpson, S., Marion
Sawyer, Ebner, Central City
Sheets, Geo. W., Palo
Smith, John, Cedar Rapids
Smith, S. G., Cedar Rapids
Swollom, M., Solon
Snyder, Elias, Cedar Rapids
Snyder, Michael, Mt. Vernon
*Snyder, Thos. G., Robins
Stentz, Peter, Paralta
*Staddon, James, Marion
Stratford, John, Palo
Strite, Levi, Anamosa
*Stowe, Leonard, Marion
Swan, Emma, Marion
Taylor, D. C., Central City
*Thomas, O. E., Cedar Rapids
Treat, Garry, Marion
*Vance, Willis, Cedar Rapids
Walser, John, Marion
Weeks, W. H., Coggon
Whitcomb, Mary E., Marion
Withers, Caroline, Marion
*Williams, Mrs. M. C., Marion
Wilson, Thomas R., Waterloo
*Wiggin, Geo. W., Waubeek
*Wink, Samuel, Lisbon
Wilson, Wm., Lafayette
Winsor, James R., Walker
*Yearick, Dr. S. W., Cedar Rapids
1855
Adams, A., Lafayette
Adams, Hudson, Marion
*Ashlock, Geo. W., Center Point
Ashlock, J. M., Center Point
Ashlock, Margaret J., Center Point
Basset, Thomas, Cedar Rapids
Beall, Della N., Marion
*Becks, John, Marion
*Beatty, Andrew, Mt. Vernon
Bever, Rachel F., Viola
Beechley, N. K., Cedar Rapids
Biggs, E. J., Troy Mills
Bigsby, Mary A., Marion
Black, Mrs. John, Marion
Blodgett, Austin, Central City
Blodgett, Maria L., Central City
Blodgett, Sarah F., Waubeek
Bowdish, Sarah F., Waubeek
Brown, W. L., Viola
*Buck, Daniel, Cedar Rapids
Burchell, Sarah M., Marion
*Burtis, Wm., Marion
Burroughs, N. E., Marion
Busenbark, Alfred, Marion
*Burtis, Elizabeth B., Paris
*Bumgardner, Geo., Cedar Rapids
Cain, Sallie, Palo
Cain, S. W., Palo
Chambers, Mrs. J. M., Cedar Rapids
*Collin, Henry A., Mt. Vernon
Cone, Sarah E., Marion
*Cook, Geo., Marion
Cook, Mrs. Geo., Marion
Crosby, A. T., Central City
Davis, L. L., Cedar Rapids
Davis, Minnie C., Marion
Dean, Rachel M., Marion
*Dix, A. W., Coggon
*Dix, Sylvanus, Coggon
*Dunn, Pheobe C., Marion
*Dunn, Wm., Marion
*Elrod, Kate, Marion
*Ellsberry, Z. V., Marion
Emmons, Wm., Marion
*Elrod, F. M., Bertram
Evans, Adam, Paris
Evans, E. H., Marion
*Fairchilds, J. H., Coggon
Finson, Lee R., Central City
Ford, Frank, Central City
Glover, Agnes, Marion
Glover, Wm. C., Marion
*Granger, Earl, Marion
*Gray, Martha J., Marion
Grant, John, Marion
Gray, S. E., Marion
Goodyear, A. E., Mt. Vernon
*Hahn, Elias S., Lisbon
*Harkness, Margaret, Marion
Hale, E. S., Cedar Rapids
*Hale, Josiah, Cedar Rapids
Hale, John P., Cedar Rapids
*Hawk, John, Marion
Helbig, Fred A., Lafayette
Hayden, Elma Jane, Bertram
Henry, Lizzie, Robins
*Houver, Sadie C., Marion
Hunter, W. H., Cedar Rapids
Inks, Mrs. L. A., Mt. Vernon
Inks, M. L., Mt. Vernon
Ives, John J., Marion
*Jackson, J. W., Springville
Jeffries, A., Troy Mills
Jeffries, Elizabeth, Troy Mills
Johnson, James, Cedar Rapids
Kearn, Joseph, Marion
Kettering, A., Marion
Kinkead, Geo., Springville
Kinkead, Mary J., Springville
Knapp, Henry J., Bertram
Lewis, T. J., Cedar Rapids
Lamson, Wm. H., Marion
Lewis, Chas., Orange City
Lilly, Joseph, Cedar Rapids
Marshall, Lucretia, Central City
Martin, Rilla H., Troy Mills
Martin, Thos. C., Robins
Mason, F. P., Toddville
McFarland, Wm., Mt. Vernon
McDowle, W. K., Cedar Rapids
McKean, Allen B., Marion
Milner, Wm. T., Marion
Mills, Sylvester N., Marion
Mitchell, Mrs. Eliza, Marion
Moorhead, James, Marion
*Moorhead, Joseph, Marion
*Myers, John A., Lisbon
Morrow, L. E., Marion
Newlin, Geo., Viola
Neff, A. G., Mt. Vernon
North, G., Mt. Vernon
*Oakley, M. M., Marion
Oakley, Susan M., Marion
Oxley, John C., Troy Mills
Oxley, Marguerite, Marion
*Parmenter, M., Marion
Parmenter, S. A., Marion
Paul, Mrs. Alex, Marion
Patmore, Henry, Marion
*Pfeiffer, Christopher, Marion
Potter, Mary A., Marion
Petty, Chas. H., Mt. Vernon
Porter, H. G., Central City
Potter, Charlotte, Walker
Potter, J. B., Marion
Ray, John H., Palo
Robins, J. D., Robins
Rogers, Mary C., Cedar Rapids
Schafer, Jacob, Fairfax
Schultz, Henry, Marion
Sisam, Henry, Walker
Smith, Martha G., Cedar Rapids
Smith, Milo P., Cedar Rapids
Smith, Rebecca, Central City
*Smith, Robert, Mt. Vernon
Smyth, Robert, Marion
*Snyder, A., Center Point
Stark, Andrew, Cedar Rapids
Stark, Mary, Cedar Rapids
*Stephens, Louisa, Chicago
*Stookey, Levi S., Marion
*Sutzin, Elizabeth, Marion
*Sutzin, Henry, Marion
Tordoff, Geo., Marion
*Tomlinson, Joe, Cedar Rapids
Van Fossen, J. R., Marion
*Vosburg, Eva, Marion
Ware, E. L., Coggon
Webb, Alice A., Marion
Whitcomb, Calvin, Marion
*Whitenack, Joseph, Marion
Whitenack, Mary J., Marion
*Whitney, Joseph, Prairieburg
Wiggins, James, Waubeek
*Wilson, John, Marion
Wilson, L. L., Center Point
*Willis, A. L., Coggon
*Winsor, F. E., Marion
Winter, Stillman L., Marion
Winans, H. W., Springville
*Yost, C. A., Center Point
Yost, F. M., Center Point
Young, Louis, Minneapolis
Young, Mrs. J. B., Minneapolis
*Young, S. K., Mt. Vernon
*Yuill, James, Cedar Rapids
1856
*Alexander, Anna A., Marion
*Ayers, Lyman M., Cedar Rapids
*Allen, M. B., Marion
Bailey, Anna C., Springville
Barrett, T. M., Waubeek
Barry, W. H., Bertram
Beach, Lucy, Mt. Vernon
Berryhill, Kate M., Marion
Bishop, Louise, Waubeek
Blackford, John, Marion
Boudinot, E. V., Western College
*Bowman, Benjamin, Marion
Bowman, Eliza, Marion
Bowdish, I. P., Waubeek
Bowdish, J. W., Des Moines
Bowdish, Sarah A., Waubeek
THE VARDY HOUSE, CEDAR RAPIDS

FRANKLIN BLOCK AND RESIDENCE OF P. W. EARLE
First Brick House in Cedar Rapids

THE LISTEBARGER CABIN, CEDAR RAPIDS
Showing Semi-Centennial Exercises in 1906

Bowdish, S. L., Waubeek
Bowdish, S. L., Central City
Booze, Leander, Cedar Rapids
Brown, R. C., Marion
Brock, R. G., Cedar Rapids
Brundt, Rosalia, Waubeek
Bunting, M. E., Marion
Bunting, C., Marion
Busby, Cora C., Marion
*Byram, Seth, Paris
Cottle, Eliza, Marion
*Cronk, J. T., Marion
*Davis, Wm. C., Martelle
Dawson, Daniel K., Marion
*Dingman, D. A., Cedar Rapids
Dripps, Geo., Martelle
*Elliott, J. J., Marion
Elliott, M. L., Grand Rapids, Mich.
Elsberry, Sarah J., Marion
*Emberson, Andrew, Marion
*Emberson, John, Marion
*English, Josie P., Waubeek
Etzel, Levi, Alburnette
Everhart, S. S., Mt. Vernon
Fordyce, C., Cedar Rapids
Fordyce, Kate, Cedar Rapids
Gibson, B. W., Marion
Gibson, James, Springville
*Gibson, J. K., Marion
*Gibson, Lewis, Marion
*Gill, Jacob A., Marion
*Gilchrist, C., Walker
*Giffen, James D., Marion
*Giffen, Thomas M., Marion
*Giffen, Wm. M., Central City
Gooley, Mrs. F. E., Central City
*Grauel, John, Marion
Halstead, W. C., Prairieburg
Harvey, Mrs. A., Cedar Rapids
*Hatch, E. K., Central City
*Hays, J. D., Palo
Hoentz, Philip, Marion
Howe, M. W., Marion
Huffman, James M., Marion
*Huffman, Mrs. J. M., Marion
Johnson, O. S., Springville
Jones, Mrs. L. E., Marion
Jones, Mrs. M. B., Marion
Knickerbocker, E. H., Fairfax
Kerns, Valentine, Paralta
*Kettering, J. H., Lisbon
*Kinkead, James, Springville
Kelsey, H. M., Cedar Rapids
*Kirkpatrick, James, Mt. Vernon
Kramer, W. S., Marion
Lake, Mrs. E., Marion
Leonard, John, Kenwood
*Lapham, H. M., Cedar Rapids
Lentz, Lucia A., Cedar Rapids
Lillie, Ida L., Marion
Lord, Thomas, Fairfax
*Lyons, Amos, Alburnette
*Mack, Mrs. W. B., Cedar Rapids
Maier, Jacob, Lafayette
*Marshall, Alex S., Marion
Martin, Electa, Marion
Mason, Mary E., Marion
*Mathes, Anna, Marion
*Mathes, Ben, Marion
McCalley, Luncinda, Marion
*McConahy, F. A., Marion
McCalley, Marshall, Marion
McKean, E. W., Marion
McKean, Mrs. General, Marion
McKean, Phebe L., Marion
*McKeel, A. M., Fairfax
*Mefford, Sarah, Cedar Rapids
Meeker, Henry, Central City
Meeker, Henry R., Central City
Miner, Samuel, Cedar Rapids
Mobey, F. B., Palo
Moles, John D., Central City
Moore, C. R., Viola
Moore, Wm., Viola
Moore, Wm. K., Springville
Nash, Isaac, Springville
Newlin, H. N., Viola
*Needles, Geo. H., Kenwood
*Null, J. M., Cedar Rapids
*Owen, Luther P., Marion
Owen, Rachel, Waubeek
Parkhurst, Mary E., Marion
Perkins, Mary C., Marion
Pearson, L. H., Viola
Pherrin, M. C., Springville
Pherrin, Will H., Springville
Platner, Henry C., Mt. Vernon
Plummer, Talbert, Marion
Post, M. C., Viola
*Rahn, B. G., Marion
*Rahn, Rebecca, Marion
*Rathbun, Nelson, Marion
Reichard, Ben R., Marion
*Reichard, J. G., Marion
Richard, Emma T., Cedar Rapids
Robertson, Frank B., Viola
*Rogers, W. H., Covington
*Runkle, Adam, Lisbon
Sanborn, J. W., Center Point
*Schrimper, Fred, Cedar Rapids
Schadle, Jacob, Springville
Schadle, Mrs. Jacob, Springville
Scott, H. A., Marion
*Shakespear, A. B., Springville
Schantz, Geo. W., Cedar Rapids
*Shaver, I. H., Cedar Rapids
Smith, A. W., Cedar Rapids
Smith, Henry B., Cedar Rapids
Spencer, Ellen J., Cedar Rapids
Stilson, Luther, Cedar Rapids
Stilson, Eleanor, Cedar Rapids
Stinger, Harriet, Marion
Stinson, E. B., Marion
Tanner, T. C., Palo
Taylor, E. P., Marion
Thomas, James, Marion
Thomas, Wm. A., Cedar Rapids
Thompson, Augusta, Martelle
Thompson, Geo., Mt. Vernon
*Thompson, Geo. W., Mt. Vernon
Thorn, Wm. A., Cedar Rapids
Travis, Mrs. R. J., Marion
Usher, J. P., Cedar Rapids
*Wallace, Leroy, Cedar Rapids
Ware, A. J., Coggon
*Waterhouse, Henry S., Coggon
Webb, S., Center Point
Winsor, H. C., Walker
Wright, Charles, Paralta
Wynn, Geo. W., Cedar Rapids
Wood, Chas. C., Paralta
1857
Atwood, John E., Troy Mills
Barrett, Philip, Central City
Bennett, Clara Waubeek
Berry, Almanda R., Bertram
Bowdish, Laura E., Waubeek
Burnett, A. C., Alburnett
*Carpenter, Nancy M., Marion
Davis, A. F., Central City
Davis, H. E., Central City
Chesmore, Mrs. E. E., Coggon
*Gritman, John F., Springville
Gritman, J. C., Springville
Gritman, Hannah B., Springville
Henderson, Hannah, Coggon
Henderson, Geo., Cedar Rapids
Heller, Chas., Lisbon
*Hickey, John, Marion
Ingham, E. A., Marion
Kirkpatrick, R., Mt. Vernon
*Leach, A. P., Marion
*Leach, Harriet, Marion
Listerbarger, Frank, Marion
Lutz, George, Kenwood
Manahan, E. G., Kenwood
Mentzer, Geo. W., Robins
Mentzer, S. W., Robins
Mentzer, B. W., Robins
Marshall, C. H., Marion
Newman, C. R., Cedar Rapids
Patterson, U. L., Central City
Pearsole, C., Walker
Phelps, H. H., Covington
Phillips, F. M., Coggon
Powers, Mary E., Paris
*Rawlins, Samuel, Viola
Richards, Mrs. E., Cedar Rapids
Robbins, Anna, Martelle
*Robinson, John, Marion
Rundall, J. C., Viola
*Simkins, Allen G., Marion
Simkins, James T., Marion
Snyder, Jacob, Alburnette
*Snyder, Martha, Mt. Vernon
Stoneking, J. R., Marion
Stoneking, T. C., Marion
Ubel, F., Cedar Rapids
Vaughn, Elizabeth P., Marion
Vaughn, L. P., Marion
*Warner, E. A., Waubeek
Warner, Laura, Waubeek
Webb, Chas., Center Point
White, Editha, Marion
Whitney, G. F., Prairieburg
Withers, Frank B., Marion
Williams, T. T., Marion
Wilson, DeWitt C., Viola
Witter, F. E., Mt. Vernon
1858
Bromwell, J. E., Marion
*Brubaker, Hattie A., Cedar Rapids
Chrisman, Mary J., Alburnett
*Coenen, Joseph, Marion
Collin, Alonzo, Mt. Vernon
Grauel, Sarah, Marion
Gibson, J. W., Marion
Good, Henry, Kenwood
Kemp, E. L., Marion
Lake, C. S., Marion
*Love, J. S., Springville
*Mack, Walter B., Cedar Rapids
*McKean, J. B., Marion
Minehart, L. E., Central City
Moore, Jos., Cedar Rapids
Rudolph, S. L., Cedar Rapids
Strite, Mrs. Mary E., Springville
Stoneking, M. E., Marion
Ware, Milo L., Coggon
Whitenack, E. P., Robins
1859
Blakely, I. M., Paris
Breed, M., Des Moines
Cline, Isaac, Anamosa
Fleming, Wm., Alburnett
Forest, R. D., Central City
Greer, Annetta, Marion
*Hood, John B., Waubeek
King, Mary A., Cedar Rapids
McCorkle, C. A., Toddville
Owens, Carl N., Marion
*Vanlst, M., Toddville
Vanote, M., Toddville
Vaughn, Laura, Marion
*Wilson, Jas. B., Marion
West, I. N., Mt. Vernon
Yount, D. W., Marion
1860
Applegate, W. H., Marion
Cline, M. M., Olin
Cline, E. B., Springville
Dows, Col. W. G., Cedar Rapids
Everhart, Ida E., Mt. Vernon
Johnson, I. V., Marion
Knapp, J. W., Marion
*Lillie, Geo. A., Marion
Mann, Mrs. Alice, Springville
Mann, Lucy, Springville
Matheny, T., Toddville
O'Herron, Mrs. Maggie, Marion
Parker, Emma Murray, Marion
*Secrist, Chas. V., Marion
Seaton, B. F., Marion
1861
*Burns, Abbie, Central City
*Burnside, Geo. W., Coggon
*Freisinger, D., Marion
Garnett, J. C., Marion
*Hollis, C. M., Marion
Hartley, S. H., Cedar Rapids
McDowle, E. E., Cedar Rapids
Kinknead, Margaret, Springville
Petticord, Sarah, Mt. Vernon
Scott, Ed M., Cedar Rapids
Secrist, Albert M., Marion
*Secrist, Susan B., Marion
Tathwell, E. E., Cedar Rapids
Thomas, Mary J., Marion
Winter, W. S., Marion
1862
Goodlove, Mrs. S., Central City
Smith, Mrs. Olive, Marion
Torrence, Nellie B., Marion
Weis, H. J., Marion
Wickham, W. F., Waubeek
1863
Cherry, Jos., Walker
Cherry, Susan, Walker
Christman, L. B., Springville
Daniels, J. F., Cedar Rapids
Davis, W. L., Cedar Rapids
Deacon, C. J., Cedar Rapids
Freer, H. H., Mt. Vernon
Gibson, Mary L., Marion
Gill, Chas., Marion
Hagerman, R. H., Toddville
Newland, H. N., Marion
Oxley, Mrs. James, Marion
*Palmer, Wm. A., Paralta
Palmer, E. E., Cedar Rapids
Spencer, Chas. H., Cedar Rapids
1864
*Aldrich, Mrs. Hannah, Cedar Rapids
Carpenter, Claude, Marion
Carpenter, W. B., Marion
Doolittle, E., Central City
*Dodge, G. F., Fairfax
Fernow, Owen S., Marion
Fishell, P. H., Marion
Garrison, Edwin, Marion
Hindman, D. R., Marion
*Hindman, Mrs. M. J., Marion
Hall, S. M., Cedar Rapids
Horton, W. R., Marion
Horn, W. R., Cedar Rapids
Horn, F. M., Marion
Horn, J. W., Cedar Rapids
*McClain, W. H., Marion
Murray, S. G., Marion
Shumack, V. G., Marion
Snyder, Geo. L., Marion
Travis, Jas. B., Marion
Weis, Louis, Marion
1865
Booth, John M., Marion
Burns, S. C., Marion
Burns, G. W., Marion
Burke, Mary, Marion
Faulk, Jonathan, Marion
Gilmore, David, Marion
Horn, Jennie, Cedar Rapids
Hunter, Mrs. Samuel, Robins
Karmody, Wm., Springville
Kearns, Mrs. E. E., Springville
Mann, J. H., Marion
Perry, W. J., Central City
Searls, J. M., Cedar Rapids
Searls, Mrs. J. M., Cedar Rapids
Savage, Mack, Coggon
Starbuck, J. A., Marion
Sternberger, Mary, Lisbon
*Voss, Christian, Marion
Tanner, Addie, Palo
Wilson, A. H., Springville
White, L. E., Marion
Wiltsey, M., Center Point
Wiltsey, Mrs. C. V., Center Point

MR. AND MRS. GODFREY QUASS
Came in 1849

MR. AND MRS. WM. GIDDINGS
Came in 1852

MR. AND MRS. ISAAC MILLBURN
Early Settlers

MR. AND MRS. W. A. LACOCK
Came in 1854

J. P. GLASS
Early Pioneer

F. A. HELBIG
Came in 1853

1866
Armstrong, S. G., Cedar Rapids
Baird, M. O., Palo
Birdsall, C. H., Marion
Calder, C. A., Cedar Rapids
*Coquillette, A. C., Coggon
Good, Jas. W., Cedar Rapids
Isaacs, J., Walker
Johnson, Adelade L., Marion
Johnson, Oliver S., Marion
Lessard, Clara A., Heber, Ark.
Malone, Mrs. Fannie, Springville
McAllister, John, Cedar Rapids
*Powers, E. D., Elmont
Redmond, John, Cedar Rapids
Scott, H. A., Marion
Teeters, M. J., Marion
Todd, Geo. W., Marion
Ward, F. K., Cedar Rapids
Ward, Mary E., Cedar Rapids
*Weller, W. L., Cedar Rapids
Witwer, B. H., Cedar Rapids
Wolf, G. P., Cedar Rapids
1867
Anderson, Lew W., Cedar Rapids
Cleveland, F. J., Marion
Coquillette, A. W., Coggon
Graves, J. G., Cedar Rapids
Healey, L. M., Cedar Rapids
Howard, T. C., Cedar Rapids
Kassler, Mrs. Peter, Marion
Lopata, Ernest, Mt. Vernon
Minor, R. L., Marion
Nagle, Jacob, Marion
Plummer, Amos, Springville
Taylor, H. N., Marion
Wing, Martha, Cedar Rapids
Yapels, J. C., Sutton, Neb.
Yapels, Mrs. R. C., Sutton, Neb.
1868
Foster, E. F., Cedar Rapids
Francis, Mrs. P. H., Cedar Rapids
Hamilton, J. T., Cedar Rapids
Jenkins, Mrs. C. P., Cedar Rapids
*Jenkins, L. E., Cedar Rapids
Kubias, Frank, Cedar Rapids
Michel, J. B., Marion
Robinson, J. D., Marion
Watt, John R., Cedar Rapids
Wild, David, Springville
Wild, Mary A., Springville
Wenig, Geo. K., Cedar Rapids
1869
*Barnhill, Joseph, Marion
Barnhill, Sarah E., Marion
Benley, Charity, Viola
Biggs, C. W., Marion
*Bourne, N. P., Cedar Rapids
Clogston, Anna M., Marion
*Clogston, T. P., Marion
Fernow, F. P., Marion
Hart, T. J., Center Point
*Rowe, J. D., Marion
*Rowe, Mrs. J. D., Marion
Sailor, Geo. D., Springville
Shellhammer, D. W., Springville
1870
Anderson, John B., Cedar Rapids
Donnan, W. J., Cedar Rapids
Emerson, C. P., Cedar Rapids
Fitzgerald, R. N., Marion
Plattenburger, P. L., Lisbon
*Powell, J. J., Cedar Rapids
Ring, H. C., Marion
1871
Senninger, P. W., Marion
Yocum, Edd, Springville
1872
Beck, C. C., Marion
Berry, J. C., Fairfax
Emmerson, J. W., Cedar Rapids
Holsinger, J. B., Marion
Maudsley, Mrs. John W., Palo
Plummer, Mrs. C. C., Mt. Vernon
Parker, Mary E., Marion
Reiter, A. J., Marion
Rubek, Joseph, Marion
Scott, Bently, Marion
Scott, Chas. M., Marion
Stark, Eliza J., Marion
Swem, Edd L., Cedar Rapids
1873
Coenen, Wm., Marion
Courtney, Marlin W., Marion
Carroll, C. D., Marion
Healy, E. T., Cedar Rapids
Holmes, Frank, Marion
Scott, Sadie J., Marion
Johnson, Edward, Cedar Rapids
Johnson, Maggie, Cedar Rapids
1875 and Later
*Bach, Mrs. C., Marion
Busby, Geo. E., Marion
Buzza, Geo., Marion
Coenen, Ben, Marion
Davis, T. J., Marion
Dennis, A. Z., Walker
Dennis, Mary L., Walker
Gates, Elizabeth, Marion
Gates, W. A., Marion
Hall, J. E., Marion
Jellison, Ernest C., Marion
Johnson, M. F., Marion
Kassler, Peter, Marion
LaGrange, Dr. J. W., Marion
Love, Richard, Marion
Mercer, B. H., Marion
Parker, Edd Jr., Marion
Parsons, Effie, Marion
Perrin, Ruth G., Springville
Rathbun, D. W., Marion
Sargeant, D. E., Marion
*Sergeant, Harriett M., Marion
Sikora, Otto, Cedar Rapids
Taylor, Mrs. J. S., Cedar Rapids
Unangst, J. H., Marion
Vannote, W. A., Cedar Rapids
Webber, Thos., Marion
White, Mary Alice, Marion
Recent Members Enrolled
Allen, Geo. W., Bertram
Bailey, J. M., Marion
Burgess, Martin, Marion
Busby, Fred K., Marion
Canedy, Leroy, Marion
Careir, J. E., Marion
Clark, P. O., Marion
Cunningham, Mrs. F. A., Marion
Daniels, J. D., Springville
Deacon, Syloid M., Cedar Rapids
Dill, Isabelle, Cedar Rapids
Grommon, Chas., Marion
Heir, A. A., Marion
Hess, J. T., Marion
Holland, J. W., Center Point
Holland, Mrs. R. A., Center Point
King, J. E., Marion
Maddo, Wm., Marion
Maudsley, J. W., Palo
Miller, Thos., Marion
Mitchell, C. E., Marion
Mitchell, John, Jr., Marion
Murray, Mrs. R. C., Marion
Nihill, Lizzie, Cedar Rapids
Schultz, P. F., Marion
Straley, A. W., Marion
Temow, E. L., Marion
Temow, Mrs. E. L., Marion
Turner, John B., Cedar Rapids
Turner, Mary B., Cedar Rapids
Van Tossen, Mrs. A. L., Central City

CHAPTER X

Postoffices and Politics

The following may be of some interest, especially as to the names of the persons mentioned by S. W. Durham as proper persons with whom to consult on matters bearing upon the political issues of the day. It also shows how they fought for postoffices then as they do now, and how careful and shrewd these old fellows were in getting in touch with their constituents. According to a letter from the assistant postmaster-general, Dr. Brice is not deserving of the office, and George Melton is recommended. This was referred to S. W. Durham, as well as the change of the name of the postoffice from Lindon to Springville. It was signed by fifty-eight citizens of Springville. A. C. Dodge was born in 1812, the son of Henry Dodge. He was in congress until the territory became a state, and with G. W. Jones became one of the first two senators from Iowa. Mr. Dodge remained in congress till 1855 when the democratic party lost control of the state and a union of all the other parties elected James Harlan to succeed him. Senator Dodge was later minister to Spain. He died in 1883, having won the respect and confidence of all political parties. The letters show how carefully the friends of Dodge kept him in touch with political conditions in every township in his district.

The assembly met at Iowa City on December 4, 1848. G. W. Jones was a candidate against Judge T. S. Wilson, who lost by a majority of one. Dodge had no opposition in his own party and received the unanimous nomination. The democratic party in this session had a majority on joint ballot. He no doubt had been busy, and had his friends keep him posted on the course of events. This list no doubt was furnished him for the purpose of keeping in touch with the electors and to give him an opportunity to select postmasters in accordance with services rendered. The letters give some the name whig, which would go to show that all the remainder could be relied upon as democratic in their beliefs.

The list has names of a number of men who later became noted lawyers, doctors, and shrewd business men.

The Marion postoffice was not always a plum to fight over, as it has been of late. It was first established in 1839 at the home of L. M. Strong, a farmer and tavern-keeper within the present confines of the county seat. L. Daniels came in 1840 to start the first store, and he in turn became the postmaster for a time till he gave it up to John Zunro, who with Mr. Hoops started a grocery store and wanted the postoffice so as to have people coming in now and then.

Marion, Linn County, Iowa, December 30, 1848.

Hon. A. C. Dodge,

Dear Sir: In compliance with your request I have the pleasure to forward the following names of suitable persons in this county to be addressed by you:

Center Point P. O.: Jonathan Osborne, William B. Davis, James Downs, Samuel C. Stewart, Thomas G. Lockhart, James Chambers, E. B. Spencer, W. A. Thomas, Dr. S. M. Brice (Whig).

Lafayette P. O.: Samuel Hendrickson (Co. Com.), Nathan Reynolds, Duff Barrows, Smith Mounce, Perry Oliphant (Whig), John Wisehart, Abel E. Skinner, William Hunt, William Chamberlain, Paddock Cheadle.

Marion P. O.: And. D. Bottorff, Esq., V. Beall, Alpheus Brown, Esq., Richard Thomas, Perry Oxley, Wm. H. Chambers, Nathan Wickham, Wm. L. Winters, Wm. M. Harris, Albert Kendall, Elihu Ives, Iram Wilson, Jno. Millner, Seth Stinson, Wm. Smythe, Frederick Beeler, Elisha Moore, Robert Jones, J. P. Brown, Orlando Gray, Daniel Harris, Jno. S. Torrence, Jno. Riley, James M. Berry, Thomas S. Bardwell, Wm. Hunter, Geo. A. Patterson, Captain Benj. Waterhouse, L. D. Jordan, Chandler Jordan, M. E. McKenney, Jos. Clark, Samuel Powell.

Springville P. O.: Col. Isaac Butler, Horace N. Brown, Jos. Butler, Ezekiel Cox, Esq., Wm. Brohard, Squire Rob, Geo. Perkins, Jas. Butler, Geo. House, Harvey Stone, Wm. Evans, Edward Crow, John Johnson.

Ivanhoe P. O.: Robt. Smythe, Mr. Bunker, Dan'l Hahn, Henry Kepler, And. J. McKean, J. Briney, —— Hoover, Hersia Moore, And. R. Sausman, A. I. Willits, C. C. Haskins, —— Cook, Jos. Robeson, Dr. Jno. Evans, John Stewart, —— Mason, Thos. McLelland.

St. Julian P. O.: And. Safely, Esq., (Co. Com.), —— McShane, Jas. Scott, Preston Scott, Jno. Scott, Jos. Conway, Geo. Hunter, David McCall, John Emmons.

Hollenback P. O.: Edward Railsback, Jno. Cue, Doctor Williams, Dan'l Richards, Thomas Lewis, Geo. Slonecker, Lawrence Hollenback.

Cedar Rapids P. O.: Jos. Greene, Jno. L. Shearer, C. R. Mulford, Jno. Hunter, Esq., Joel Leverich, —— Klump, E. T. Lewis, N. B. Brown, David W. King, Jason C. Bartholomew, Stephen L. Pollock, —— Nelson, Dr. Ely, Jno. Weare, Sen., Jos. McKee, Thos. Railsback, Abel Eddy, Mr. Simms.

Post Office Department
Appointment Office, Aug. 9, 1854.

Sir:

S. M. Brice, the Postmaster at Center Point, County of Linn, State of Iowa, is said not to have deserved the appointment. The late P. M. recommends George Melton.

Before submitting this case to the Postmaster General, I have to request the favor of any information you may possess, or be able conveniently to obtain, respecting it.

I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully, &c.

Horatio King,

First Assistant Postmaster General.

Hon. A. C. Dodge,
U. S. Senator.
Endorsed:
(Private)
Dear Friend:

Please enquire into the matter herein referred to & let me know the result & greatly oblige,

Truly your friend,

A. C. Dodge.

S. W. Durham, Esq.

Dr. S. M. Brice was located in Center Point about 1840-41, going there from Cedar Rapids. He remained but a short time. Dr. Brice was a whig in politics, and Center Point had always been strongly democratic. He was the first postmaster of the village.

The objections set out in the letter must have been political for he was considered a wide-awake and estimable man in every particular.

Post Office Department,
Appointment Office, July 22, 1854.

Sir:

A. P. Risley, the Postmaster at Springville, County of Linn, State of Iowa, with 58 citizens, recommends the change of site and name of the office to Lindon.

Before submitting this case to the Postmaster General, I have to request the favor of any information you may possess, or be able conveniently to obtain, respecting it.

I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully, etc.,

Horatio King,

First Assistant Postmaster General.

Hon. A. C. Dodge,
U. S. Senator.
Endorsed, The same of this, etc.,
greatly
oblige
Yours truly,
A. C. Dodge.

S. W. Durham, Esq.

In 1842 the first postoffice was established in the township known as Brown by Isaac Butler. It was the third postoffice in the county and was known as Springville. Mail was received on horseback weekly. A. P. Risley opened a store in 1845 and became postmaster. He is the person referred to in the letter of Senator Dodge. Mr. Risley sold out and removed a mile east of the town, and with A. E. Sampson laid out a new town called Lindon. A postoffice was secured though not without a fight, and the town of New Lindon assumed the airs of city life. A hotel and blacksmith shop also kept the town alive for the time, but it died like other towns when the railroad was secured by Springville, and the booming town of Lindon has been for many years a good corn field and a rich pasture. Sterling became postmaster at Springville after Risley. He was succeeded by John Hoffman.

THE CEDAR RAPIDS POSTOFFICE

While Joseph Greene was postmaster he also acted as the first storekeeper of the town, and it is related of him that he carried his mail in his hat. The following, written by J. L. Enos, in the Cedar Valley Times, may give the reader an idea of the postoffice situation up to the close of the Civil war. He writes as follows:

"The postoffice was established in 1847 and Joseph Greene appointed postmaster. Mr. Greene was removed on a change of administration, and L. Daniels appointed to succeed him. Homer Bishop was the third incumbent and held the office through a succession of years, giving very general satisfaction. At the commencement of Lincoln's administration Mr. Bishop was removed, and in accordance with a mistaken and dangerous policy which promotes men of a particular class or profession in places of trust, without regard to their moral or any other qualifications—J. G. Davenport, until then the editor of the Cedar Valley Times, was appointed.

"Those acquainted with Davenport did not suppose he would be able to present satisfactory bonds but after some little delay he succeeded in procuring them and in due course of time took possession of the office. (Though a republican in politics, Mr. Davenport had to appeal to democratic friends for these bonds. J. J. Snouffer was one of them and shared in the subsequent loss.)

PROF. H. H. FREER
Mt. Vernon

REV. GEO. B. BOWMAN, D. D.
Founder of Cornell College

JOSEPH MEKOTA
Cedar Rapids

W. F. SEVERA
Cedar Rapids

"A large number of clerks (?) was found necessary and it became evident that the office was managed with great recklessness. Money was lost through the mail when sent to the nearest postoffice on the route, and money sent to persons in the city from adjacent offices never came to hand. Postage stamps were borrowed from neighboring offices and return payment obtained with great difficulty, and in some cases there was a refusal to pay—because as he (Davenport) said, he had already paid the amount borrowed. He was at last removed, and on settling up the affairs of the office, there was found to be a shortage to the amount of fifteen hundred dollars. His bondsmen went to work and finally succeeded in effecting a credit on a part of the amount and had the satisfaction of paying about one thousand dollars, which had been stolen from the government by this arch swindler. After minor swindling operations he absconded, thus relieving the city of the most bare-faced falsifier and swindler that has infested the city since the time of Shepard & Co., in the early day.

"George M. Howlett, the present incumbent, was appointed his successor and makes an efficient officer. In the spring of 1865 Cedar Rapids was designated as a money order office, commencing operations as such on the 3d of July following. This enlarges the responsibility of the office and great care is necessary to keep all things right—though the blanks furnished make the work simple in honest hands."

L. Daniels was another of the early postmasters. He, also, was a merchant, and so was Homer Bishop, his successor in office. It was not until J. G. Davenport became postmaster that the postoffice got into politics. In fact it was no plum worth having till about the time of the Civil war. A number of prominent men have since that time held the postoffice—such as Captain W. W. Smith, Charles Weare, Alex. Charles, Geo. A. Lincoln, W. R. Boyd, and W. G. Haskell, the present incumbent.

A. C. Taylor relates how, when he came to Cedar Rapids, he carried on his jewelry store in the postoffice building, his store being located on the alley, in the rear of where the Masonic Temple now stands. The postoffice at Cedar Rapids soon outgrew the first government building, erected in the '90s, and the second was completed in 1909 at a cost of $250,000.

If a person asked for his mail in the olden days more than once a month he was considered too important, and the postmaster would gently remind him that he had no legal right to bother a man more than once a month, at least, about such a small matter as a letter. The postoffice during the past sixty-three years has grown to enormous proportions, till it now takes the entire time of a score of people to expedite the handling of the mails.

CHAPTER XI

The Physicians of the County

BY FREDERICK G. MURRAY

Among the first doctors who located in and around Marion should be mentioned S. H. Tryon, F. W. Tailor, and James Cummings. These men came before 1840. They were followed by T. S. Bardwell and L. W. Phelps. Dr. Tryon at least came as early as 1838 and was for many years a well-known public character. He acted as county clerk and held many posts of honor.

Dr. J. K. Rickey bought John Young's claim in Cedar Rapids as early as 1841 and must have been located in that vicinity at that time. What became of him is not known, and whether or not he engaged in the practice extensively is doubtful. There were not many whites there in those early days and it is a question if any had the time or inclination to be very sick. In case they were it was no doubt homesickness, for which a doctor has so far been unable to offer any permanent cure.

The first doctor who came to Cedar Rapids was inclined to blow his own horn. J. L. Enos, the editor of the Cedar Valley Times, has the following to say: "Once when he had returned from Muscatine he claimed to have lost forty pounds of quinine in one of the streams below the Cedar. Constable Lewis once called on him with an execution to secure a judgment. The doctor threw off his coat and prepared for a fight. The constable seeing his opportunity seized the coat and made away with it and found therein sufficient money to satisfy the debt."

Profiting by the example, later comers have avoided fights and have tried to pay their debts.

In the correspondence between S. W. Durham and A. C. Dodge in December, 1848, the following named doctors are referred to: S. M. Brice (whig), Center Point; Ivanhoe, Jno. Evans; Hollenback P. O., Dr. Williams; Cedar Rapids P. O., J. F. Ely.

Thus during 1848 the above named persons must have been residents and practicing physicians in their respective localities. Dr. Brice was the second doctor in Cedar Rapids. Later he moved to Center Point. These men were no doubt slated as candidates for postmasters. Dr. Brice later acted as postmaster at Center Point.

A history of the medical profession in Linn county must be largely made up of a list of names, as the intrinsic work of the medical practitioner is scarcely a fit subject matter for the casual reader.

What seems to be the earliest date in connection with which there is mention of a physician in the county annals is 1841, in which year Dr. Magnus Holmes came to the town of Marion from Crawfordsville, Indiana. Promising to be of great value to the community, Dr. Holmes passed away a short time after his arrival. Dr. Henry M. Ristine, father of Dr. J. M. Ristine, of Cedar Rapids, was a brother-in-law of Dr. Holmes, and came to Marion from Indiana in 1842. Another of the very earliest practitioners was Dr. Sam Grafton, who was located on the Cedar river at Ivanhoe bridge, on the old military road from Dubuque to Iowa City. Just when he came is not known; this was one of the earliest settlements in the county and he had practiced there for some four years previous to 1847, in which year he fell a victim to a typhoid epidemic. Dr. Amos Witter was one of the first physicians in Mt. Vernon. He passed away in 1862 at the age of fifty-five, having been several years a member of the legislature. In 1886 there was still living in Viola a Dr. S. S. Matson, who had practiced there since 1845. He graduated from the University of Vermont in 1832, the same year in which Dr. Elisha W. Lake, an early Marion physician, graduated from the Ohio Medical College. These two men are in point of graduation the oldest men the county has had. In northeastern Linn the first physician was Dr. Stacy, who lived on the Anamosa and Quasqueton road near Boulder church. He was a brother to the late Judge Stacy, the pioneer promoter of the Dubuque & Southwestern Railroad. Some of the other early practitioners were Dr. E. L. Mansfield, who came to Cedar Rapids or Kingston in 1847; Dr. J. M. Traer, who made Cedar Rapids his home from 1847-51; Dr. J. F. Ely, who came to the same place in 1848; and Dr. S. D. Carpenter, who came in 1849.

Dr. Shattuck, of Green's Mills, now Coggon, Drs. Lannin and Byam, of Paris, Drs. Patterson and Mitchell, of Clark's Ford, now Central City, and Dr. Young, of Prairieburg, were all pioneer doctors in their respective communities. Dr. T. S. Bardwell, who became a leading physician of Marion, settled on a farm in that vicinity in 1840, making his residence in the county date back farther than that of any other medical man except S. H. Tryon.

A rather incomplete business directory of Cedar Rapids in 1856 gives the following as physicians: S. C. Koontz, J. H. Camburn, W. D. Barclay, J. W. Edes, Smith & Larrabee, R. R. Taylor.

A complete city directory published in 1869 gives the names of the following: C. F. Bullen, J. H. Camburn, G. P. Carpenter, J. P. Coulter, J. W. Edes, Mansfield & Smith, Freeman McClelland, John North, Israel Snyder, C. H. Thompson, W. Bollinger, J. C. May. Of these, Dr. Camburn and Dr. Edes were prominent in their profession for many years. Dr. R. R. Taylor was a Virginian, who went to reside in Philadelphia about the time of the Civil war. Dr. J. C. May was a druggist as well as a very popular physician. He was a brother of the late Major May, of island fame.

A medical and surgical directory of Iowa for 1876 gives the first authentic list of doctors in Linn county to which access has been had. A list of fifty is given as in active practice in the county at that time. Only six of these remain: Dr. George P. Carpenter, dean of the profession in Cedar Rapids; Dr. G. R. Skinner, of Cedar Rapids; Dr. T. S. Kepler, of Mt. Vernon; Dr. Hindman, of Marion; Dr. Edwin Burd, of Lisbon; and Dr. F. M. Yost, of Center Point. The last of these, Dr. Yost, class of 1853 University of Pennsylvania, is the oldest living practitioner in the county. His two sons are now associated with him in his work. One other, Dr. J. H. Smith, of Cedar Rapids, has not been in practice for many years but preserves a close relation to his old calling through his presidency of the board of directors of St. Luke's Hospital. The two Doctors Sigworth are still living near their old neighborhood, having retired to Anamosa.

A registry of all physicians practicing in the county was begun in the county clerk's office in 1880-1881. It started with sixty-four names, probably the full number of those in active practice at the time. Since then about 230 additional doctors have been registered, and of this total of nearly 300 about 125 are now practicing in the county.

At Western some of the early physicians were Dr. Crouse, Dr. W. B. Wagner, Dr. Miller, all of whom preceded Dr. J. C. Schrader who removed to Iowa City. Dr. J. C. Hanshay located here in 1863 and Dr. Favour in 1877. Dr. Patterson was the first doctor in Bertram, in 1857. Dr. J. Stricklippe was an early doctor and druggist at Palo, and Dr. J. W. Firkin was the second doctor at Vanderbilt, later known as Fairfax. His son, Edgar Firkin, is now a popular druggist there. Dr. U. C. Roe came to Fairfax in 1864 for the practice of medicine. He also sold drugs. The business finally drifted into a grocery store, as it seems that the settlers preferred sugar and prunes to pills and quinine.

Among names of note in the early history of these parts are those of several medical doctors whose prominence came along lines outside of their professional work. Dr. John P. Ely's name is prominently connected with the early business enterprises and later growth of Cedar Rapids. The doctor was called in the year he finished his medical studies in New York to the management of commercial and manufacturing interests in this county. The growth of these drew him gradually from the excellent practice for which he at first found time. To the close of his life, however, Dr. Ely kept himself well informed on the progress of scientific medicine. Perhaps the first autopsy in this locality was performed by Dr. Ely in the interests of both science and sobriety, if early annals are authentic, the subject having been in life notorious for his potations.

Dr. Eber L. Mansfield along with a large medical practice found time to build up successful business and real estate interests on both sides of the river at Cedar Rapids.

Dr. Seymour D. Carpenter left the practice after the Civil war and became active and highly successful in the building and financing of railroads in this state and further south. Dr. Carpenter is still living in a hale old age in Chicago.

Dr. Freeman McClelland, a talented graduate of Jefferson Medical College, won for himself enviable popularity and influence through his editorship of the Cedar Rapids Times. The flavor of his writings and rare personality are an enduring remembrance with all who knew him.

Dr. J. T. Headley, the eminent platform lecturer, at present living retired in Philadelphia, is said to have first hung out his "shingle" in Cedar Rapids.

Dr. G. W. Holmes, son of Dr. Magnus Holmes, of Marion, after finishing at Bellevue, went as a medical missionary of the American Board to Persia, where in addition to his other work he became royal physician to the Crown Prince, afterwards Shah of Persia. Dr. Holmes passed away in June, 1910.

Linn county sent a number of doctors to the army during the Civil war. The following list is as nearly accurate as to men and organizations as it was possible to make it:

Dr. H. M. Ristine, surgeon 20th Iowa Infantry.

Dr. J. F. Ely, surgeon 24th Iowa.

Dr. J. H. Camburn, surgeon 16th Iowa Infantry, also 6th Iowa Cavalry.

Dr. Freeman McClelland, surgeon 16th Iowa Infantry.

Dr. H. M. Lyons, surgeon 16th Iowa Infantry.

Dr. John F. Smith, assistant surgeon 65th Illinois Infantry.

Dr. G. L. Carhardt, surgeon 31st Iowa.

Dr. J. C. Shrader went from near Western College, this county, with the 22d Iowa Infantry as captain and later as surgeon.

Dr. Amos Witter, surgeon 7th Iowa Infantry.

Dr. T. S. Bardwell served as first assistant surgeon with the 6th Iowa Cavalry, Col. Carskadden of Marion, notably in an expedition against the Indians who were threatening the Nebraska and Dakota frontier, the male portion of the settlers there being largely absent in the Union army.

Dr. Seth Byam, of Jackson township, was surgeon in the U. S. army.

Dr. Seymour D. Carpenter, surgeon U. S. A., during the four years of the war.

Of those who served otherwise than as surgeons, Dr. J. P. Coulter was lieutenant colonel of the 12th Iowa Infantry. He afterwards was active in city and county politics and held several official positions, and distantly related to him was the late Dr. A. B. Coulter, in whose untimely passing away the community lost one of its most promising professional men.

Dr. G. R. Skinner, who came to Cedar Rapids in 1871, spent four years in the Civil war, leaving the service with a captain's commission.

Dr. W. H. French served through the war in the 89th Illinois Infantry.

THE LATE DR. J. S. LOVE, SPRINGVILLE

Of those men whose distinctly professional work brought them especial esteem, space will allow for the mention of only a few.

Perhaps for no other one of their brethren did the Linn county profession award so universal preference as to Dr. Henry Ristine. Pioneer, patriot, and public-spirited citizen, he was first and before all a doctor, combining in generous measure the traits and faculties that make an eminently successful surgeon, with culture and genial sympathies. It could be truly said of him that he adorned his profession. His portrait hangs in St. Luke's Hospital along with that of the late Judge Greene, whom he ably seconded in the work of founding that institution. Jurist and surgeon alike believed in the hospital as the workshop without which the doctor could not do his best work, and their efforts accomplished much toward the establishment of medical and surgical justice to the physically afflicted, a form of service that deserves more and more public recognition in every community where moral justice to the criminally accused is so amply facilitated by the courts of law.

Among other well remembered physicians were Dr. J. S. Love, of Springville, Dr. James Carson, of Mt. Vernon, Dr. D. McClenahan, of Cedar Rapids, and Dr. G. L. Carhardt, of Marion. Beginning at an early date and devoting themselves exclusively to their practice till advancing age forced retirement, they all four typically exemplified in their respective communities the life of the family physician. They were, none of them, modern doctors, but they lived not only to see but to rejoice in the day of modern medicine. Long after they had ceased from practice they kept up attendance at medical society meetings, keenly alive to the advancements of medical art and scientific research there discussed. They were resourceful men, and they had labored faithfully and well with the art available in their day, how often futilely none felt more keenly than themselves. The realization that modern methods promised control of much that had baffled them seemed to lighten the burden of their declining years. Their abiding interest and faith in the future things of medicine was an inspiration to their successors.

Of medical organizations in Linn county the oldest is the Union Medical Society, founded as the Linn County Medical Society at Mt. Vernon in 1859 by Drs. Love, Ely, Ristine, Carson, and Lyon. Dormant during the war, it resumed in 1866 and ran till 1873, when its name was changed to the Iowa Union and it became a district society, taking its membership from half a dozen or more counties and centering in Linn and Johnson counties. It still meets twice a year at Cedar Rapids, occasionally at Iowa City for scientific work. Its officers now are: president, C. W. Baker, Stanwood; secretary, F. G. Murray, Cedar Rapids; treasurer, C. P. Carpenter, Cedar Rapids.

The present Linn County Society was organized in Cedar Rapids in 1903. It holds meetings twice a year and is the unit of the State and American Medical Associations. One of its members, Dr. G. E. Crawford, is the outgoing president of the Iowa State Medical Society. Its present officers are: president, Dr. A. B. Poore; secretary, Dr. H. W. Bender; treasurer, Frank S. Skinner.

There are other local organizations at Mt. Vernon and Cedar Rapids. The Practitioners' Club of the latter place meets once a month for discussion and action upon medical subjects of special interest to the members. Its officers are: Dr. H. S. Raymer, president; H. E. Pfeiffer, secretary; G. P. Carpenter, treasurer.

St. Luke's Hospital at Cedar Rapids has already been mentioned. It was founded in 1883. On its consulting staff are Drs. G. P. Carpenter, J. M. Ristine, G. R. Skinner, G. E. Crawford, A. B. Poore, and A. H. Johnson. It has an attending staff of younger men. The hospital has seventy-five beds, having recently added a new and completely appointed maternity department. Mercy Hospital, ninety beds, founded at Cedar Rapids in 1902 and housed in its spacious new building in 1904, is under the care of the Sisters of Mercy. These finely equipped institutions serve Cedar Rapids, Marion, the railroad systems and their contributing territory with facilities for the best of medical, surgical and maternity work. Few realize the large amount of free humanitarian work they accomplish every year. Together with Linn county's own excellent infirmary north of Marion they represent in a material and public way the present status of medical art, science, and humanitarianism in the county. Personally and privately these are represented by the 125 active practitioners of medicine.

It will be noted that the names of only a few of these have been mentioned and then only incidentally. The scope of this sketch does not allow adequate individual reference to the remainder. Nor is this the place to record contemporary progress. The lives of all the present members of the profession belong not to the past but to the future history of medicine in Linn county. The attached list gives the names of the practicing physicians in Linn county in 1910:

Adams, Ernest, Central City
Anderson, P. O., Cedar Rapids
Bailey, F. W., Cedar Rapids
Bailey, H. H., Cedar Rapids
Beardsley, D. E., Cedar Rapids
Bender, H. W., Cedar Rapids
Bliss, C. S., Cedar Rapids
Bradley, W. J., Cedar Rapids
Brown, C. T., Cedar Rapids
Burd, Edwin, Lisbon
Busta, Chas., Cedar Rapids
Byerly, A. J., Coggon
Carhart, Wm. G., Marion
Carpenter, G. P., Cedar Rapids
Carroll, Frank, Cedar Rapids
Carson, Geo. A., Mt. Vernon
Childs, Edward P., Cedar Rapids
Cogswell, C. H., Cedar Rapids
Cogswell, C. H., Jr., Cedar Rapids
Crawford, A., Mt. Vernon
Crawford, G. E., Cedar Rapids
Crawford, J. L., Cedar Rapids
Crew, Arthur E., Marion
Dando, G. A., Marion
Davis, J. L., Alburnette
Downs, J. W., Paris
Dvorak, Jos. F., Fairfax
Ebersole, F. F., Mt. Vernon
Eilers, Paul G., Alburnette
Fisher, C., Central City
Fitzgerald, Wm., Cedar Rapids
French, Chas. H., Cedar Rapids
French, W. H., Cedar Rapids
Gardner, Jno. R., Lisbon
Gearheart, G. W., Springville
Graham, J. DeWitt, Springville
Groff, H., Cedar Rapids
Gross, H. G., Cedar Rapids
Hamilton, John, Cedar Rapids
Hayes, L. C., Cedar Rapids
Hasner, C. T., Cedar Rapids
Heald, Clarence, Cedar Rapids
Hill, M. W., Mt. Vernon
Hindman, D. R., Marion
Hogle, Geo., Mt. Vernon
Hogle, Kate Mason, Mt. Vernon
Houser, Cass T., Palo
Hubbard, W. A., Cedar Rapids
Hubbell, S., Cedar Rapids
Ivins, H. M., Cedar Rapids
Jicinsky, J. Rudis, Cedar Rapids
Johnson, A. H., Cedar Rapids
Johnson, B. R., Cedar Rapids
Kegley, E. A., Cedar Rapids
Keppler, T. S., Mt. Vernon
King, W. S., Cedar Rapids
Knox, J. M., Cedar Rapids
Krause, Chas. S., Cedar Rapids
Kresja, Oldrich, Cedar Rapids
Keech, Roy K., Cedar Rapids
Ladd, F. G., Cedar Rapids
La Grange, J. W., Marion
Lee, J. A., Lisbon
Lindley, Thos. H., Cedar Rapids
Lindsey, Harry A., Walker
Lord, Richard, Cedar Rapids
Lowrey, N. J., Ely
Loy, J., Cedar Rapids
Manahan, Chas. A., Center Point
Mantz, R. L., Cedar Rapids
Martinitz, S. V., Cedar Rapids
McConkie, Jas. J., Cedar Rapids
McConkie, W. A., Cedar Rapids
Meythaler, A. J., Coggon
Miller, W. B., Center Point
Moorehead, Jas., Marion
Morrison, Wesley J., Cedar Rapids
Munden, R. E., Cedar Rapids
Muirhead, Geo. S., Marion
Murphy, Jas. J., Cedar Rapids
Murray, F. G., Cedar Rapids
Nash, E. A., Troy Mills
Neal, Emma J., Cedar Rapids
Netolicky, W. J., Cedar Rapids
Neuzil, W. J., Cedar Rapids
Newland, M. A., Center Point
Owen, W. E., Cedar Rapids
Petrovitsky, J. C., Cedar Rapids
Pfieffer, H. E., Cedar Rapids
Poore, A. B., Cedar Rapids
Raymer, H. S., Cedar Rapids
Richardson, E. F., Cedar Rapids
Richardson, J. F., Cedar Rapids
Ristine, J. M., Cedar Rapids
Robinson, J. B., Mt. Vernon
Ross, Alice I., Whittier
Ruml, W., Cedar Rapids
Safley, Agnes Isabel, Cedar Rapids
Sheldon, B. L., Cedar Rapids
Skinner, Frank S., Marion
Skinner, Geo. C., Cedar Rapids
Skinner, G. R., Cedar Rapids
Spencer, W. H., Cedar Rapids
Spicer, S. S., Cedar Rapids
Stansbury, G. W., Western, C. Rapids
Sherman, D. F., Cedar Rapids
Swab, C. C., Cedar Rapids
Swett, P. W., Cedar Rapids
Tiffany, D. E., Cedar Rapids
Van Duzer, F. H., Cedar Rapids
Walk, F. D., Walker
Walker, H. L., Cedar Rapids
Ward, J. A., Waubeek
Webb, Sula M., Cedar Rapids
Whitmore, Clara B., Cedar Rapids
Wilkinson, L. J., Prairieburg
Wolf, John M., Mt. Vernon
Wolf, Thos. L., Mt. Vernon
Woodbridge, Ward, Central City
Woodruff, L. F., Cedar Rapids
York, N. A., Lisbon
Yost, C. G., Center Point
Yost, B. B., Center Point
Yost, F. R., Center Point

CHAPTER XII

The Material Growth of the County

In scarcely any locality has the material growth been so fast and substantial during the past seventy years as in Linn county. Old residents who have returned after a period of twenty-five to thirty years mention this fact, and what is true of the cities and towns is perhaps much more true of the rural districts in general.

William Abbe erected a bark cabin for the use of his family the first summer, after he came here, and built a log house that fall for his winter abode. Ed Crow, C. C. Haskins, and others also erected very frail cabins during the first year they lived within the confines of the county. John Henry, it is said, built a small store-building facing the river in the squatter town of Westport in 1838. It was a frame building about 14 x 18, scarcely high enough for any of the Oxley Brothers (who were very tall men) to enter. He also erected a small dwelling house near the store-building, which, if anything, was smaller than the store-building. All the lumber in these buildings, except the window frames and the sills, were cut in the timber adjoining the river; even the roof was cut out of rough boards, with a broad saw. The nails used were brought from Muscatine, as well as a few hinges, and the windows. These buildings were torn down in 1860. The Shepherd Tavern was also a rude log building, as was the John Young house, which was afterwards used as a hotel, with additions added later.

G. R. Carroll, in his Pioneer Life, mentions the first cabin erected by his father, Isaac Carroll, in 1839. It took about ten days to erect an ordinary cabin. "It stood on the east side of the road near Mr. Bower's nursery on the boulevard one and a half miles from the river. It was a very primitive looking structure, 16 x 18 perhaps, with what we called a cob roof, made of clapboards with logs on top to hold them in place. It was quite an agreeable change from our tent and wagons when we entered this new cabin, although there was not a great deal of room to spare after our goods were unloaded and the nine members of the family were gathered within its walls. When the table was spread there was no passing from one side to the other, except as we got upon our hands and knees and crawled under."

Mr. Carroll also speaks of the second house, which was erected the same fall on the same premises. "It was, however, not to be a common kind of a cabin, it was to be a somewhat ambitious structure for the time, in fact it was to be the best house in Linn county, and when completed, it enjoyed that distinction. It was said, that there was nothing in the county that equalled it. The dimensions of this house were 14 x 16, a story and a half high. There were in the walls of this house between fifty and sixty white oak logs, most of them quite straight and free from knots. The ends of the logs were cut off square and the corners were laid up like square blocks, care being taken to cut off enough at the ends to allow the logs to come as close together as possible so as to leave but little space for chinking and plastering when it came to the finishing up. The only boards about the entire building were in the door which I think were brought with us on top of our wagon-box, which was of extra height. The joists above and below were made of logs, the upper ones squared with a broadax. The casings of doors and windows, and the floors above and below, were made out of bass wood puncheons. Slabs were spread out of the logs and then hewn out with a broad axe and the edges were made straight by the use of the chalk line. The gable ends were sided up with clapboard rived out of oak timber three or four feet long, and then shaved off smooth like siding. The rafters were made of hickory poles trimmed off straight on the upper side, and strips three or four inches wide were nailed on the sheeting. Upon these strips shingles made of oak eighteen inches long and nicely shaven, were laid. The logs of the walls in the inside were hewn off flat, and the interstices between were shingled and plastered with lime mortar, the lime being burned by my father on Indian Creek. There were three windows below of twelve lights each, with glass 7 x 9, and a window in each of the gable ends of nine lights, which furnished light for the room above. The fire place was built up of logs on the outside and lined with stone within, and the chimney was built of sticks split out about the size of laths and plastered with clay, both inside and outside."

J. H. VOSMEK
Cedar Rapids

FATHER T. J. SULLIVAN
Cedar Rapids

DR. E. L. MANSFIELD
An Early Cedar Rapids Physician

The description of this house gives the reader an idea of one of the most up-to-date houses built before the year 1840. During the past sixty years many commodious farm houses have been erected, having all the modern conveniences installed, such as heating, lighting, together with bath privileges connected with sanitary plumbing. It is said that the late S. C. Bever installed the first furnace in a dwelling house in Linn county, and many people came from over the county to see such a furnace work. Now, not only cities and towns, but farm residences have installed furnaces and other kinds of heating plants, so that which was a novelty fifty years ago is very ordinary today.

The farmers in Linn county early began to invest their surplus money in farm machinery. William Ure drove an ox team to Chicago and brought back a McCormick reaper, which was the first reaper brought into the county, as far as is known. At least it was the first reaper used and operated in and around Scotch Grove. The neighbors said that Ure was foolish and it would surely break him up, but inside of one season it paid for itself. In and around Stoney Point one of the first threshing machines was used; a very small machine which was staked fast on the ground, without a straw-carrier, and operated by horsepower, which was placed on the ground loose and had to be hauled from place to place on a truck. In Linn Grove, Brown township, Washington township, and in other localities, many of these crude reapers and crude threshing machines and corn shellers were seen in operation during the season. Frequently the people who purchased these early machines lost money. The machinery was not always recommended, and sometimes the farmers were not mechanics skilled enough to make repairs when needed. A number got fooled on the first wire-binders and on the check-rowers, as well as on some of the early mowing machines, and many lost heavily in early days on thoroughbred horses and full-blooded cattle. But after all, the spirit of progress was abroad in the community, and in spite of failures, it did a great thing for the people who became interested. The advent of the reaper no doubt changed farming methods in this country. It is said that "the struggle for bread ceased when the reaper was put on the market." At least it placed the struggle for existence on a higher level. Certainly when a machine was invented that could do the work of five or six men and be depended upon, such a machine was worth having, and it soon paid for itself.

The manufacturing of farm machinery in Linn county was not a financial success, as is shown by the failure of the Williams Harvester Works, the Ogden Plow Works, the Star Wagon Works, and many other enterprises, but the spirit displayed by those who were willing to put their money into these untried enterprises, showed the mettle and the ingenuity that many of these early settlers had. People profited by these failures, made a study of the subject, and in course of time these men who lost at times on some investment or purchased machinery which was not suitable to the country, became owners of magnificent farms and up-to-date farmers by long experience.

The early corn cribs and granaries were generally built of rails, the kinks filled in with straw or hay. They of course had to be rebuilt every fall, and more or less grain was wasted. The rail corn crib was superseded by long board cribs generally built on the ground without any foundation. These cribs, when empty, were generally blown about the premises and had to be hauled back and propped up before they could be used in the fall. The farmers of Linn county frequently visited in Illinois, and there found models for economical corn cribs. They also read the farm journals, and it was not long until our farmers erected the modern corn crib and granary with gasoline engines, dumps, and elevators. These cribs were substantially built on cement foundations with cement floors, and with a driveway large enough and wide enough to house several wagons and three or four buggies at one time. The early corn crib, it is true, cost little or nothing, but they were a source of expense and annoyance, and much grain was wasted. The modern corn crib, as now erected, is built for a life time, but at a cost of from two thousand to three thousand dollars, which would have been a sum impossible to raise by the early settler, who generally paid the government price on his land by disposing of skins which he prepared during the winter, and who went barefooted in summer for the reason that he had no money to buy shoes and no time to make moccasins for himself or his children.

Thus the early farmer housed his horses and cattle in straw stacks during the winter and in the timber during the summer. Sometime a hay thatched stable was erected for the use of the horses. He milked his cows out on the snow in winter, and expected them to yield a fair supply of milk on a diet of slough hay and dry corn stalks, and would drive them to water to some creek or river once a day, using an ax with which to cut a hole in the ice. These stables would leak in spring and summer and had to be rebuilt nearly every fall. All hay was stacked outside and nearly half of it would rot during the rainy season. But hay was cheaper than lumber and for that reason a man had to figure on putting up enough hay during the summer, and take into account the waste. It was not till after the Civil war that many barns were built, and then only the rich farmer could afford them. Not till the '70s and '80s did the craze for barn building come, and now nearly every farm of any size, and nearly every farmer of any financial standing, has a good substantial barn, as well as machine sheds, all of which improvements may cost from three thousand to ten thousand dollars.

In the early days many farmers were fooled or taken in on the creamery proposition, as many of these small country creameries failed. The people then began to study the cow and the cost of producing milk and butter. True the first attempts were not a success, but the butter and milk of Linn county have during the past twenty-five years made many of the farmers wealthy. It used to be, that if the cows could keep down the grocery bill that was well done, but now, many a farmer gets a monthly milk check of from fifty to seventy-five dollars, which not only pays the grocery bill, but generally the hired man as well. But then the price of butter has increased from six cents to thirty, which makes a difference. The butter has also gradually become a better quality, and is really worth more. It is taken care of now, while in the pioneer days the cream was left out doors during the hot summer and the rancid butter was placed in a shallow slough well so as to be kept cool. It was generally not fit to use and was traded at the store for dried prunes, brown sugar, and dried herring. Thus, while the farmer may not have given the merchant much, the merchant certainly did not give the farmer anything of much value in return for his farm produce.

During the past twenty years no class of people have fared better financially than the farmers, and no class of people have become more enlightened on the subject in which they are engaged than the farmers. This may be due to several reasons. The farm journals have no doubt done much in stirring up a local pride in the vocation of farming. The farm journal has taught the farmer not to be ashamed of his calling; that while he may be called a "Rube" in some localities, he is an intelligent, up-to-date, wide-awake man, who knows what is going on in the country; is familiar with political questions and interested in the welfare of the country and of the state in which he resides. During the past twenty years the farmer, especially in Linn county, has traveled much. He has attended the county and state fairs where he has seen the latest inventions in machinery. He has attended nearly all of the exhibitions held in the country from Chicago to Seattle, and has come in contact with farmers from other sections of the country as well as with financiers and men of affairs. He has traveled much on land excursions and has learned to study and understand the nature of the soil. While it is true, that these various journeys have taken some time and money, yet they have made the farmer an up-to-date man, familiar with all sides of human life, and he has discovered, after all, that he is one of the most fortunate men in the country, and financially better off than many a city brother who may wear broadcloth and a boiled shirt, but whose bank account is generally depleted. The Linn county farmer has learned during the past twenty-five years to know himself and to understand and respect the class to which he belongs. No one can become a successful person in any line of business unless he is proud of the line of work in which he is engaged. The farmer has learned this secret, and he is not ashamed to tell anyone, that he is a Hawkeye farmer, owning his own farm and caring for his own property. The Iowa farmer has kept up with the procession, and he certainly is as intelligent, as wide-awake, and as shrewd and keen as the merchant, the banker, and the professional man in his business dealings. But he came to Iowa at the proper time, and for that reason he had the advantage of the old settlers who came to New England or to Jamestown. These men came ahead of their time and before things were ripe for such settlement. The bread tools of the Virginia pioneer were the same as those of the Indians whom they despised and wanted to drive out. The first settlers of Iowa came with the advent of the reaper, when a boy fifteen years of age could cut the grain with ease, which several sturdy men had to do before with the sickle and the scythe.

We seem to think that we have had the modern inventions for ages, but the first white settlers in Linn county, whoever they may have been, knew nothing of matches; of stoves as we know them; of the telegraph or the telephone or electric lights. They did not have modern corn cultivators or stirring plows. All these so-called modern appliances have been invented since the advent of the first settler in this county. But it was not long after these inventions came into use, until some enterprising individual or firm introduced them into Linn county. It is said that it was at a Shriner meeting on the old State Fair Ground, which is now Central Park, Cedar Rapids, that electricity was first used in this county, and people came for many miles to watch this peculiar light, which some thought could only be accounted for on the ground that the operator was in close connection with the Evil One. Barnum, with his show, also exhibited electric lights to the consternation of the vast crowds that came to see his circus, and it was one of the chief attractions during the first year. People came many miles to listen and talk through a telephone, and now every up-to-date farmer has an instrument installed in his own house.

In a material way the settlers in Linn county have succeeded beyond the expectation of the most sanguine. Thrift and prosperity can be seen on every hand. The various farmers' alliances, elevator companies, banking companies, creamery companies, old settlers' unions, and all these have brought the men over the county in closer touch with each other and the farmers of the whole county have learned to appreciate the marvelous benefits derived from social intercourse. It has made them broader and more liberal minded toward one another.

The first real census of the county was made in 1840 by H. W. Gray, who found 1,373 men, women, and children here. There were no less than 200 people who celebrated the 4th of July at Westport in 1838, but these may not all have belonged to the county. There was a rapid influx of people, and by 1845 it has been estimated that no less than 4,000 had declared Linn county their permanent home. The men who came here in the early days knew nothing of luxuries, for it is said that there were not over twenty buggies in the county and not to exceed two pianos. The gold excitement took many of the bright young men away, most of whom never returned. The census of 1850 shows that there were 5,444 people in the county, further demonstrating that the land seekers were still coming despite the fact that many residents must have left for the gold fields of California. By 1860 fully 19,000 residents claimed the county as their home. At the first election in the county 39 votes were cast. In 1875 there were more than 7,000 voters, and this number has gradually increased till the votes cast in 1908 were 6,558 republican, 5,008 democratic, 220 prohibition, and 121 scattering, making a total vote of 11,900. Long ago the farming districts were filled up and the country portions have not grown in population. The demand for pioneers has ceased, and the growth henceforth will be in the cities and towns, and not in the country until such a time as the cities will be compelled to expand or the people congregating therein will be enabled to seek the country to make a living. There may also come a time when the large farms will be divided up among members of the family and when it will pay better to farm on a small rather than on a large scale. If the land can be subdivided into small tracts, as in many parts of Europe, Iowa and Linn county will be able to feed a much larger population and at greater ease than can the exhausted lands of the old countries.

The soil in Iowa is as rich today and will if well cared for produce more today than it did some forty years ago. The farmers will now devote more of their time to make the farms yield more and not in the purchase of more lands as heretofore. What the modern farmer is now up against is better markets, cheaper freight charges, more local manufacturing, and increased commercial conveniences.

For many years after the lands were taken up and cultivated the farmers were unable to get rid of their products. There were no other markets than the local ones. Robert Ellis had tried the experiment of running flat boats down the river and had returned without any profits. Holmes, the Higley Brothers, Daniels, and others built flat boats at Ivanhoe and shipped wheat in the early spring down the Cedar and made a little money. But there was more or less risk, and much labor was expended, and the returns were not always satisfactory. Many teamed and hauled dressed pork, wheat, and barley to the Mississippi river, mostly to Muscatine, but after the driver returned and figured up his expenses and the cost of a few groceries and a calico dress for the wife, he had little left with which to pay interest and tax on the land.

The farmer was kept busy in paying taxes and breaking up and fencing more land. To do these things and keep his family was all he could hope to accomplish. The business man who had come here was without funds, and interest rates were high. He could not borrow enough to carry out his scheme of factory building, as he had expected. Saw mills and grist mills were erected so as to supply the local trade with enough materials for building, and enough food to live on, but that was all. The cost of transportation was high, and the cost of anything like luxuries was so great that it was out of the question to purchase any. As late as 1855 there were no markets and no means to ship anything out except by flat boats early in the spring of the year when the water was high. N. B. Brown started the first woolen mill as early as 1848. This was later disposed of to the Bryan family, but the mill never was a real success. There was no demand for the goods and the expense was too high to ship the raw products in and the finished products out. To haul any amount in a farm wagon a hundred miles over poor roads, subject to all kinds of weather, is not a success to the hauler nor to the man who hires him.

HON. JAMES URE
A Fairfax Pioneer

JUDGE JAMES H. ROTHROCK

J. J. DANIELS
Early Linn County Official

L. J. PALDA
Cedar Rapids

Even after the railroad was brought to Cedar Rapids the people did not realize that there was any other but a local market for any product. During the early years of the war, from 1862-3, the people awoke to a realization that it would pay to get in touch with a larger market, and the Chicago prices on stuff began to be quoted. R. D. Stephens built an elevator at Marion and began sending corn to the river. Cattle and hogs began to go up in price, and soon the people realized that the railroad was not built to carry passengers only, but freight as well, and that on a large scale.

In 1866 the number of acres assessed was 452,486, and the land, exclusive of towns and villages, amounted to $3,012,754. The assessment for Linn county in 1878 was 449,774 acres, $5,127,133. The actual valuation in 1855 was about three and one-half millions, while in 1900 the taxable valuation of the county was something over twelve millions.

Butter and cheese making were at one time businesses which made the farmers much money, but not till they learned how to prepare good butter and get a market established for it. Soon agents came to Iowa looking over the crops, and presently few towns were without local agents who handled stock and grain on a commission basis.

Henceforth it was the Chicago market and not the local market that governed, and the railroads were loaded down many seasons of the year in hauling train load after train load of corn and wheat and cattle and hogs, the property of the Iowa farmers. Iowa became in a short time the food producing state in the Mississippi Valley and has so remained till this day.

It was the productiveness of the soil, the manner in which the soil was prepared and the prices for farm products that made the land valuable. And it was the outside market that made farm produce worth the price it was for a local market cannot do this. The Chicago market has become the world market on many commodities, and lucky is the person who owns lands within a safe radius of such a market.

CHAPTER XIII

Rural Life

The rural life of the pioneers in Linn county was much the same as it was in any of the adjoining counties in eastern Iowa. The settlers were intelligent, young, active, and enthusiastic, believing in the future of the new State. The men were able to do nearly all kinds of mechanical work without any help or assistance, while the women were equally dextrous in spinning, weaving, and doing all kinds of house work. They were all clad in homespun and no false standards were maintained by the so-called well-to-do.

Wheat was the product for many years until the pest took it, and Indian corn was grown. It was soon found that wheat was expensive to raise, as seed was high, the cost of harvesting expensive, and frequently a shower or a storm when the wheat was ripe destroyed a great deal of it, so the farmer's summer work at times would be entirely gone. It cost less to raise corn, and in course of time a market was found for it, although it scarcely ever sold for more than 30 cents a bushel.

"In ye olden times" master and servant had no trouble. They ate at the same table, worked side by side during the day, and it was a sort of partnership affair throughout the season from the early spring until the crops were gathered in the fall. During the entire season the hired man had handled scarcely a dollar and he had taken up at the village store on credit in the master's name goods that would not exceed in value ten or fifteen dollars. While it has been often stated that in the pioneer days the men were overworked and underpaid, which might be true in part, still during these formative years, when everything was new, and there were no classes, all settlers were on the same level—socially and financially. It was not long until the hired man had worked long enough to get sufficient money to make a first payment on a farm, and in a few years the renter became a land owner and well fixed.

The scattered settlers during the early years of their residence in Linn county relied on their own ingenuity for everything they needed; thus, they were their own blacksmiths, cabinet makers, carpenters, tanners, stone masons, and shoe makers. They would tan their own leather, shoe their own horses and oxen, make their own crude harness, and get along and be satisfied. While they would depend on the village blacksmith and on the wagon maker, roads were impassable in the spring of the year and a yoke of oxen was not the swiftest means of getting to and from a town twenty-five or thirty miles away. Hence a farmer who had any ingenuity at all, would rather do his own work in a crude way, than have to go to town to get anything repaired which was broken.

Much amusement was also had in the early days in the various communities where men and women enjoyed meeting together at social functions. There were quilting bees, spelling schools, barn raisings, log rolling, debating schools, singing schools, and many other gatherings which frequently ended with a barn dance or a house warming supper, provided by the host and hostess.

The winter season in "ye olden times" was not an easy time of it by any means, for the pioneers went to the timber early in the morning and would stay all day and until late at night, cutting wood, making rails and getting big logs to the saw mills. It mattered not what was the kind of weather, the young man would start off to the timber with the thermometer frequently at from twenty-five to thirty below zero. Sometimes it would be pleasant in the morning when they started out, but frequently a severe blizzard would come up before night, and many were the frozen hands and ears they would bring home to thaw out late at night, having been out all day in the most severe weather. But as soon as it was over it was forgotten, and the next day or the next week the young man would again repeat the same performance.

While the men were strong, active, and hardworking, the women were equally active, persevering and industrious. The girls always took care of the milk and butter; the straining of the milk was done by the slough well or in a dark mud cellar, with no stone in it, and which always kept caving in until the entire house had to be put on pillars. The wife frequently had the family washing out by sunrise and the hired girl, if the family could afford one, would work side by side with her mistress and would do both inside and outside work if needed. No one was afraid to work: in fact they were all proud of what they had accomplished.

There were not many varieties of dishes on the table in pioneer days, and still the settlers had plenty of good, wholesome food, and were always hungry. Salt pork, johnny cake, honey, and game were the customary foods of the farmer in ye olden times. They scarcely ever tasted fresh meat from spring until fall, unless some of the boys shot a little game now and then. The settlers were companionable, good natured, and contented. They traded cattle, horses, mules, and at times farms, only now and then would trouble arise as one would accuse another of smart dealings, and a lawsuit would ensue. It is related of an itinerant preacher who purchased a yoke of oxen from one of the deacons in the church, that while he was testing the oxen on a hot Sunday driving to church with his family, the yoke squatted down in a mud hole and remained there and it was impossible to move them at all. The preacher spied the deacon coming to church and was not slow in telling him what he thought of him as well as the oxen he had sold him. The deacon was not at all worried but replied, "parson, you must not forget to swear at 'em, that is the only thing they know," and drove on as though not at all offended by the remarks of the preacher.

In the early days the farmers had no cisterns, no wind mills, no deep wells. Rain water was gathered in barrels which dried up in summer and froze solid in winter, so the house wife had scarcely any rain water either summer or winter. The well was generally a ten foot shallow well dug down by the slough, poorly planked, and frequently it caved in; another well was dug much in the same manner as the old one, the new well soon meeting with the same ending as the former one.

There were few, if any, barns in the olden times and straw thatched sheds and stables were universally used. These stables were moved frequently for the reason that the farmers failed to haul out the manure which accumulated, finding that it was easier and cheaper to move the stable than to haul away the manure. Nearly all of the hay was stacked out doors and had to be cut and hauled away in order to be fed to the cattle.

The farmers were slow and backward in many things. They possessed no spirit of restlessness and took things coolly, relying, it seems, on the old adage which says that "he who drives with oxen also gets there." While they early built fairly good houses, they were slow in erecting buildings and comfortable places for their horses and cattle, and it was many years before they began to erect sheds and buildings for their machinery. Wagons without spring seats sold at from $100.00 to $125.00; reapers and mowing machines were very expensive and they were generally only a few of these in each neighborhood. The household furniture was cheap and simple; there were no such things as furnaces or hard coal burners. Mostly old stoves were in use for the burning of wood, and these perhaps were second hand, or at least had seen better days.

The young man in pioneer days generally started out in life with an ox team, a breaking plow, and a wagon. The wages for breaking were from $1.00 to $2.00 an acre, and when he was not breaking he would often be running a threshing machine or working in the saw mill or in the timber getting out logs. When ox teams were used for breaking, it took one to drive and one to hold the plow in the ground. A person generally broke more land than he could fence, and it was no use to sow wheat and not fence, for in those days the law permitted cattle and horses to run at large.

Corn was not cultivated on the new ground to any extent, except that each one raised enough corn for his own use but no more. The corn was generally put in by hand, plowed only once or twice with a single shovel plow pulled by one old nag.

In the early days all the cooking was done by the open fireplace; such an article as a stove was not much known. Corn bread and pork, with rye coffee, formed the average bill of fare at the wayside inn and at the farm house. The boarders actually preferred pork to venison; they got tired of game—it was so plentiful. Many a pioneer farmer could shoot from five to ten deer near his door before breakfast.

In ye olden times nearly everyone would attend church, especially in summer. While many did not belong to any church, yet they were all interested in it. They supported the churches to the best of their ability. The influence of the country church did much in making this a county which still shows the effect of the early training and of the efforts of itinerant preachers and laymen who went from place to place visiting the scattered congregations. Such preachers as Troup, Searles, Ingham, J. Hodges, Hayden, Twing, Maxin, Dudley, Rankin, Boal, Cunningham, Keeler, Phelps, Roberts, Jones, Elias Skinner, Father Emmons and many of the early itinerant ministers did much to build up churches in this county. Then there were a number of laymen in various denominations who maintained in part some of the associations themselves, such as Tom Lewis, Levi Lewis, Chandler Jordan, Henry Rogers, and the Kurtzes, Runkles, Shueys, and many of the early settlers in and around Lisbon. The community around Mt. Vernon was also much influenced by the college atmosphere and by the itinerant preachers who visited the scattered members in Franklin township. These are only a few of many such communities where an interest was kept up in the small country churches where large congregations gathered weekly for meditation and for prayer. Many old pioneer families did much to help the church.

One can converse with the old pioneer now, and he still loves to recall the old times, the old haunts and the wayside places. It was by some rail fence that a rural maiden had whispered to him as a young man, that the pain in her heart no human touch but his own could heal. It was here loved ones had spoken as they chattered away in childish whispers, when he came home from ended labors, and it was here that he took his family on Sunday to the little church where they all bowed silently in prayer, full of the faith and the hope which made his heart strong and his footsteps light. The simple mode of living in Linn county in an early date made strong men and courageous women. They were brought up to withstand the temptations of life and to despise the false veneer of a later generation. They lived up to the ideals of their way of thinking, and left sturdy families who grew up in the simple ways of the pioneer, themselves dutiful sons and daughters of the old settlers who came here in any early day to make homes for themselves and their descendants.

Truly, the pioneers should be remembered for what they accomplished, for well might they sing with the poet:

"Fading away like the stars of the morning,
Losing our light in the rising sun;
Thus would we pass from the earth and its toiling
Only remembered by what we have done."

BRIDGE AT THE PALISADES

THE PALISADES OF THE CEDAR

CHAPTER XIV

A Hero of the Canadian Rebellion

What promised to have been a war to death in Linn county in the early '40s terminated because one of our old settlers, then a young man, said what he knew to be the fact and was willing to back it up with force. The interesting story is as follows: Political dissension had prevailed in Canada since 1820, and an open rebellion broke out in 1837. In lower Canada it began among the French settlers who wanted equality and their rights as Frenchmen, while in upper Canada it was brought about by leaders of the radical party insisting on a democratic form of government. The rebellion was lead by Lyon Mackenzie, a native of Scotland who had taken up journalism in Canada. The spirit of rebellion extended also into the United States, and many so-called filibusters joined the insurrectionists from a spirit of adventure. The papers mentioned in lengthy articles these so-called leaders, one especially being given much notoriety, one William Johnson, who, after the rebellion was put down, lived on one of the Thousand Islands in the St. Lawrence and evaded capture. His daughter, Kate, it was said, brought him food and the soldiers were unable to locate the hiding place of this rebel who defied the government militia.

Robert Ellis met this so-called Bill Johnson at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, in 1842. Johnson asserted with a great deal of gusto that he had escaped from the Islands and was going to make his home among the free people out on the borders. He was accompanied by a woman he claimed to be his daughter who received as much attention as the valiant soldier himself. Johnson drifted into Ft. Atkinson and finally located on a claim two miles above Quasqueton, on the north bank of the Wapsie river. Here he became a sort of feudal lord, told exaggerated stories about his valor, and was surrounded by a number of frontier soldiers who claimed to have fought in the war of 1812, as well as in the Canadian rebellion. For a time Captain Bill Johnson was idolized as no other person in this part of Iowa, and it is certain that his daughter Kate was laid siege to by more than one border hero under the guise of suitor.

It was not long until the arrogant ways of Captain Bill Johnson, who jumped a claim, offended an old settler by the name of Henry Bennett, who resided near Quasqueton, and who was one of the first settlers in that community. Attempted arrests were made pro and con, but the Bennett party was successful and they drove Captain Johnson out of the community, after a sound flogging. He drifted into Marion and put up at the Phillips Hotel, telling stories of Bennett's abuse, how his property had been taken, and how he had been driven out of the county like a criminal. He wanted redress. The good people of Marion believed these stories, and soon a company was organized and provided with weapons of war to surround Bennett and demand restitution. A number of the old settlers of Marion were mustered into this company, such as George Patterson, Col. Durham, and others of the well known residents. It was in the winter of 1843, but that did not keep any of the company away from a forced march to Quasqueton. Bennett had friends and admirers also, and being made aware of the proposed attack he fortified his camp, laid in a supply of food, and had his guns ready. The attacking party demanded restitution, but the old man shook his head and told them to come on. The besiegers had to camp out, while Bennett's followers were well housed and warm. Finally the attacking army ran out of provisions, and after a council of war in which the peace loving spirit prevailed, they decided to return to the quiet haunts of Marion.

Johnson still kept up his abuse of Bennett and his friends, and when that did not satisfy would resort to tales of his wonderful escapades on the St. Lawrence and how he had evaded the British officers with the assistance of his daughter, Kate. The good people at first entertained him as a guest, and he was always willing to accept of their hospitality, but stories were circulated that this so-called daughter, Kate, was not his daughter at all. But Bill Johnson still remained, having a number of supporters.

One night Robert Ellis entered the Phillips Hotel while Johnson was heaping abuse on the Bennett party and on the courts of Iowa, telling Gen. James Wilson, who was surveyor-general of the territory, the story of his abuse. He said, that the day before he and his crowd had tracked Bennett as far as Delhi where the party escaped, being assisted by William Abbe, a prominent settler of Linn county. This was too much for Ellis, and he replied as follows: "That is not true, as Wm. Abbe drove from Ft. Atkinson with me, and we arrived in Marion today, and we were together all of the time." Johnson was full of "wrath and cabbage." He arose and in a much injured manner said, "You might as well call me a liar as to say that," to which Ellis replied, "If that suits you any better I can call you a liar, because that is what you are, if you want us to believe what you have been saying here tonight. You have been telling lies about my friend Abbe." Johnson pulled off his coat and was about to strike him, when Mr. Ellis spied a hickory stick in the wood box. With that he went after Johnson, who quietly retreated, put on his coat, engaged in conversation with Wilson, and the matter for the time dropped. The story leaked out that this Canadian boaster was nothing but a coward, and there were grave doubts as to whether or not he was the person he claimed to be. Finally so much opposition arose against him that he left Marion—much to the satisfaction of the people of the county for they had seen and heard things which reflected against Johnson's relations with his so-called daughter.

In 1849 Robert Ellis drifted into the gold camps of Sacramento Valley on the American river, and who should he find out there but the daughter of Bill Johnson, now the wife of one of the miners. He learned that Bill Johnson had drifted into Southern Iowa and Missouri, where he assumed his old attitude, expecting free board and considerable consideration, but the pioneers in that community had to be "shown" and cared not much for what Johnson had been; the question was what he was then. A suitor in Mahaska county came to see his alleged daughter, but Bogus Johnson opposed and threatened him with dire disaster if he came within shooting distance. The suitor was not at all scared, having lived on the frontier longer than Johnson. The woman may have regretted the double life she had been living, and perhaps with her assistance—no one knows—Johnson was killed in a quarrel by the suitor, it was alleged, and prosecutions followed. The suitor and Kate after a long trial then drifted to California, and there Robert Ellis found them and heard the story that Captain Bill Johnson, once the terror of this part of Iowa, was a bogus Bill Johnson, and the light haired Kate was not the Kate of story and fiction at all. If it had not been for the obstreperous Bennett on the Wapsie and for the hickory stick in the hands of Robert Ellis bogus Bill Johnson might have terrorized this community much longer than he did.

Another story was also told shortly after Johnson left by one of Johnson's henchmen, an old soldier, which shows the bad character and disposition of Johnson. William Abbe, one of the early settlers, and at one time a member of the legislature of Iowa, being in the employ of the government, having a contract to deliver provisions at Ft. Atkinson, was about to return to his home in Linn Grove, which fact was known to Johnson. The soldier related after Johnson's hasty departure that he and Johnson had entered into an agreement to blackmail Abbe and get some money out of him by inviting Abbe to remain in the Johnson cabin over night and then to threaten Abbe that he had assaulted the daughter of Johnson while accepting of his hospitality. Johnson was to remain in hiding while the soldier was set out on the trail to watch for Abbe and invite him to the cabin. This was done and the soldier sat out in the timber watching for Abbe during the afternoon and evening, but fortunately Abbe failed to make his appearance as expected and the deep laid plan fell through.

Bill Johnson, whatever he may have been, was certainly an expert in his line and seemed to ingratiate himself into the good graces of many prominent people. He obtained the assistance and help of Governor Chambers, as well as Surveyor-General James Wilson, and many others in the various law suits which he had with the members of the Bennett party. General Wilson, as is well known, was a native of New Hampshire and on account of the personal friendship of Daniel Webster had been appointed to this office by President Harrison. Webster had intended to slate his friend Wilson for Governor of Iowa, but Harrison had appointed his private secretary and former aide-de camp, Colonel John Chambers. Thus General Wilson had to accept the only vacancy left, that of surveyor-general. On his trip over Iowa, General Wilson was accompanied by his daughter, Mary E. Wilson, better known as Mrs. John Sherwood, who later became one of the best known writers and society women on two continents. It was at Marion, according to the report of Robert Ellis, that Johnson first met General Wilson and that the friendship sprang up between them, and it seemed as though Johnson had known a number of Wilson's relatives and a great many of the prominent men in New England. It is thought, of course, that Johnson imposed upon General Wilson and no doubt used the names of parties he had known of in some way to further his own selfish purposes.

The following may be quoted from the History of Washington County. Vol. I, p. 326, as told by H. A. Burrell:

"A Mahaska county murder case of Job Peck, the murderer of Wm. Johnson, came here on a change of venue September 9, 1843; it was a melodrama: A cultivated Canadian revolutionist, a beautiful girl Kit claiming to be his daughter, horsethieves, etc., being the personæ dramatis, an elopement and kidnapping constituting the action of the piece. The Canuck was shot in his cabin and a lover of Kit was held for the crime. Kit was spirited to Pittsburg, Pa., and the lover proved an alibi; he had married Kit near Fairfield. While in jail here he did not know his bride's whereabouts nor for several months after, but he finally found her with fine people. They lived near Oskaloosa for years when they went to California. Who she was, was never known; she denied that Johnson was her father; he may have been her husband. After Peck's death she married again and had a noble family and was called the Queen of the Thousand Isles—in oil business. Johnson was the subject of state correspondence between the United States and England. A British subject, he revolted, turned renegade and spy in 1812, and robbed the mails to get information. Both countries offered a reward for him and he fled to the Isles."

How much truth there is in the above it is difficult to say. It is at least based on hearsay. Colonel Durham knew Johnson well and was one of his friends in the Quasqueton affair, and Robert Ellis also knew him, as well as the members of the Abbe family. Whether Johnson was a Canadian or a citizen of the United States or had anything to do with the war of 1812 is uncertain. At least in Linn county he claimed to be the Bill Johnson of Canadian fame. For that reason he introduced this young woman as his daughter to carry out the story, as the original Johnson did have a daughter who carried news as well as food to him in his hiding.

To supplement the above account may be mentioned the following from the "Early History of Dubuque," as written by L. H. Langworthy, and printed in the Iowa Journal of History and Politics, July, 1910:

"In 1843 a most ludicrous affair occurred. A villainous fellow palmed himself upon the people of Buchanan county as the renowned patriot and celebrated hero of the Thousand Isles, Bill Johnson. This man, with his daughter Miss Kate Johnson, was suspected, it seems, of being any other than the far-famed Canadian patriot, by the citizens of Buchanan county, who thought fit to take Johnson out in the night, tie him to a tree and whip him severely with fifty lashes on his naked back. The offenders were arraigned before Judge Wilson. The court house was crowded by hundreds of eager spectators who listened with intense interest to the proceedings: all anxious to see the laws of our country administered faithfully. The prisoners' names were Evans, Spencer, Parrish, and Rowley, charged with burglary and riot. It appeared that these defendants accompanied by several other white men and five or six Indians after lynching Johnson, ordered him and his daughter to pack up their goods and be off in two hours, and not to return at the peril of their lives. Great sympathy was felt for this Johnson and the two tender females of his household, who were thrown out in the depth of winter and obliged to travel twenty-five miles over a cold and bleak prairie; so cold that it froze one of the lynchers themselves to death, another lost his feet, and several others were severely frozen. The citizens here declared that Johnson looked as if he was born to command, and betokened in every action that he was the same old Bill Johnson, the hero of the Thousand Isles, the Canadian patriot, and the great friend of human liberty and republican institutions; while all the young bloods of the town declared that Miss Kate Johnson was a very intelligent and interesting young lady, with rare accomplishments, agreeable manners and the worthy daughter of a gallant sire. The case was conducted on the part of the prosecution by James Crawford and General James Wilson; on the part of the defense by James Churchman and I. M. Preston: the counsel on both sides in their speeches were truly eloquent, they were fine efforts of legal talent, and so great was the interest taken in this trial that the ladies attended in goodly numbers until a late hour at night, determined to hear all the proceedings and speeches to which the occasion gave rise. Miss Kate Johnson received great attention and unequalled admiration as the celebrated heroine and daughter of the renowned patriot of the Thousand Isles. The jury after being out a short time returned a verdict of guilty; one was sentenced to the penitentiary for two years and the others to a fine of two hundred dollars, which imprisonment and fines however were afterwards remitted; for lo, and behold! the next thing we hear of the hero of the isles, is that he has grossly imposed himself upon the citizens of the place, he being a different man altogether from the Bill Johnson whom he represented, of a different name and style of character, a great thief and scoundrel. Letters were received showing these facts. The next news received from him by our crestfallen beaux of Dubuque, was that a Mr. Peck, a respectable man in Mahaska county, the place to which the family had removed, fell in love with Johnson's daughter, the heroic Kate, who returned his love. But old Bill would not give his consent to the marriage. So the two turtles fled to an adjoining county where they were united in bonds matrimonial. It was some time before the reputed father knew where his reputed daughter had gone. But as soon as he did, he pursued her and entered the house of Peck with pistol in hand and took her away unmolested. But a few days afterwards while Johnson was sitting in his own house he was shot through the heart with a rifle ball from between the chinks of the logs. Peck was arrested, but on trial acquitted. The lineage of the heroine was traced back to an obscure family in Ohio, her history and romance closing alike in contempt and infamy.

BARNEY McSHANE CABIN
Built in 1847 Near Springville

CABIN IN "CRACKER SETTLEMENT"
NEAR MT. VERNON

"The young swains, and especially the editorial gallants, who were so greatly enamored with the charms of Miss Katherine Johnson while in our city, often rallied each other afterwards on the subject; and some who appeared from their newspaper eulogies to be the most moon-struck while the romance lasted, and had written the largest amount of very soft poetry on the lovely daughter of the hero of the Thousand Isles, were the first to forget the object of their adoration. Alas for the fickleness of man's affection and the mutability of his attachments."

The above tells the story of how much trouble the various communities in Iowa had with bogus Bill Johnson and the various interpretations of the life and character of the outlaw and his alleged daughter. Mr. Ellis still insists that his interpretation of the life and character of this outlaw is as he tells it and no one perhaps knew the principal characters better than he did. Mr. Ellis was the first one who met Johnson in Wisconsin as he was about to emigrate into Iowa. He was one of the actors in the occurrence at the Phillips House in Marion, he was the old friend and companion of William Abbe and knew most of the men in the Bennett party, such as Evans, Parrish, Rowley, and others, and he met in California many years afterwards the heroine who had become the wife of Peck and there had a conversation with both of them. Mr. Ellis is of the opinion that when Johnson suddenly left Marion he went, to Missouri and later drifted back into Mahaska county, Iowa, where he was murdered. It was thought that Kate knew more about the murder than she let on, but living a life as she had lived it would not be best for her to tell all she knew of the various transactions with her so-called father. So far as Mr. Ellis ascertained Kate had reformed and carried herself in goodly repute among the miners of the far west where she was then known, it is said, at times as the Queen of the Thousand Isles. Her husband, it is stated, was a reputable person and had always stood well in the community up to the time of the Johnson murder, and what part, if any, he took in that no one ever knew.

Bogus Bill Johnson is said to be buried in an unknown grave in Mahaska county and no stone has ever been found that marked his last resting place.

Kate, Queen of the Thousand Isles, sleeps in one of the mountain valleys of the Sierras on the Pacific slope and no one knows just when she died or where she was buried. The dual lives of the characters in this drama ended as all such lives do end, in infamy and disgrace.

CHAPTER XV

The Newspapers of the County

BY FREDERICK J. LAZELL

From the days of the early settlers until now the newspapers of Linn county have been among the most potent factors in the upbuilding of the community. They have been, as a rule, constructive newspapers. Their mission has been to build up, to help their communities grow in wealth and influence. The newspapers of the county have been noted for their sagacity and their breadth of vision, their conservatism and their tolerance. They have exerted a strong and a wholesome influence upon this and adjoining counties. In the state at large their influence for good has not been small.

The old adage that the good die young has not been true of Linn county's newspapers. The best papers today are those which were started in the earliest days of the various towns in this county. They have prospered as their respective communities have prospered. Their publishers and editors have been, for the most part, men with personal and property interests in their respective communities. That is why they have been builders and boosters. Linn county's proud position among the counties of the state, commercially, intellectually, and politically, is largely due to the fact that men of ability and integrity have worked and written and fought for the things they knew would be helpful to their constituents. And this is as true of the weekly newspapers as it is of the daily press. Very few counties in the state have had such an able corps of newspaper writers.

There were some weaklings, papers which were born and soon died. There have been a few freak newspapers. But not many. There have also been many able, brilliant young newspaper men who did good work in the Linn county editorial and newspaper offices for awhile and then left for larger fields of labor. Some of the county's ablest politicians and some of its most prominent business men have occasionally dabbled in newspapering, for the sake of some party or some pet project they were anxious to push through. That was in the earlier days. There has been very little of it in the county of late years.

In the main the newspaper men of the county have been men to the manner born, with a knowledge of the business from the ground up, men to whom the smell of printer's ink is as essential to their enjoyment of life as the scent of the sea to a sailor. If, as Elbert Hubbard tells us, art is the expression of man's joy in his work, then nine-tenths of the newspaper men of Linn county have been real artists, for they have stuck to their papers when they might have made heaps more money in some other line of business. But this love of the work so characteristic among the brethren of the Linn county press doubtless has something to do with the fact that their readable papers are read and quoted by the readers of other papers, from one end of the state to the other.

No chronological list of the newspapers of Linn county has been published, but it is interesting and instructive, and worthy of preservation in permanent form:

1851 The Progressive Era, started by D. O. Finch, in Cedar Rapids.

1852 The Prairie Star, started at Marion by A. Hoyt. Same year the name was changed to the Linn County Register, by J. H. and G. H. Jennison.

1854 Name of the Progressive Era changed to the Cedar Valley Times. J. L. Enos assumes control.

1856 Cedar Valley Farmer started in Cedar Rapids by J. L. Enos. This was a monthly agricultural paper.
Cedar Rapids Democrat, started at Cedar Rapids by W. W. Perkins & Co.

1857 The Voice of Iowa, started at Cedar Rapids by J. L. Enos. Later this was called the School Journal.

1863 Linn County Register bought by A. G. Lucas, who changes its name to the Linn County Patriot.

1864 Linn County Patriot bought by Captain S. W. Rathbun, who changes its name to the Marion Register.

1865 The Franklin Record, started at Mt. Vernon by J. T. and J. S. Rice.

1866 The name of the Franklin Record changed to the Mt. Vernon Citizen; passes into the hands of H. S. Bradshaw.

1867 The Cedar Rapids Atlas, started by A. G. Lucas. Lasted three months.

1868 Western World, started at Cedar Rapids. Republican in politics. J. L. Enos, editor.
Linn County Signal, started in Marion by F. H. Williams.
Cedar Valley Times changes its name to the Cedar Rapids Times.

1869 The Slovan-Ameriky, started in Cedar Rapids by J. B. Letovsky.
Linn County Signal moves to Cedar Rapids.
The Daily Observer, started in Cedar Rapids by J. L. Enos and T. G. Newman, father of A. H. Newman.
Linn County Hawk-Eye, started at Mt. Vernon by J. T. Rice. Purchased the same year by S. H. Bauman, and its name changed to the Mt. Vernon Hawk-Eye.

1870 The Daily Observer, which had been started as a democratic paper, changes its name to the Cedar Rapids Republican, and changes its politics to correspond.

1871 The Linn County Pilot, started by C. W. Kepler at Mt. Vernon.

1872 Name of the Cedar Rapids Republican changed to the Daily Republican.
Linn County Signal becomes the Linn County Liberal.

1873 The Lotus, started at Center Point by J. F. Wilson & Co.

1874 The Linn County Pilot moved from Mt. Vernon to Marion by A. Beatty.
The Linn County Liberal moves from Marion to Cedar Rapids and takes the name of the Standard.
The Sun started at Lisbon by J. W. Zeigenfus.

1876 The Center Point Mirror, started at Center Point by T. J. Metcalf and S. M. Dunlap.

1879 The Iowa Staats-Zeitung, started at Cedar Rapids by A. Hunt.
The Iowa Farmer, started at Cedar Rapids by Alex Charles.
The Independent, started at Springville, editions also being printed for Prairieburg and Central City.
The Stylus, started at Cedar Rapids by Ralph Van Vechten.

1882 The People, started at Cedar Rapids by A. J. Huss.
The New Era, started at Springville by J. F. Butler, passing the same year into the hands of C. S. Shanklin.

1883 The Walker News, started at Walker by David Brant.
The Daily Gazette, started in Cedar Rapids by Otis & Post.

1884 The Gazette Company organized in March and takes over the Daily Gazette. In July all the stock purchased by Fred W. Faulkes and Clarence L. Miller.
The Saturday Evening Chat, started in Cedar Rapids by A. J. Huss.
The Linn County Pilot becomes the Marion Pilot, Rev. J. W. Chaffee, editor.

1886 The Linn County Independent removes to Marion.

1888 Kvinden og Hjemmet, monthly illustrated magazine for the Norwegian and Danish women in America, with a Swedish edition, Quinnan och Hemmet, started at Cedar Rapids by N. Fr. Hansen.
The News-Letter, started at Central City.

1889 Town Topics, started in Cedar Rapids by Ernest A. Sherman.
The Monitor, started at Coggon.

1891 Saturday Record, started in Cedar Rapids by Sherman & Hatmaker.

1894 The Herald, started at Lisbon by W. F. Stahl.

1893 The Record, started at Mt. Vernon by Lloyd McCutcheon.

1902 Iowa Post brought to Cedar Rapids from Iowa City by Henry Gundling.

1903 The Tribune, established by the Cedar Rapids Federation of Labor.

1906 The Cedar Rapidske Liste, Bohemian humorous weekly.
The Optimus, started at Cedar Rapids by E. C. Barber.

1909 West Side Enterprise, started December 30th by W. I. Endicott, owner and publisher.

Much of the early history of Linn county, and more especially of Cedar Rapids, is interwoven with the history of the Progressive Era, which afterwards became the Cedar Rapids Times. The Progressive Era was established by D. O. Finch in 1851. It was democratic in politics and claimed to be devoted to the interests of Cedar Rapids and Linn county. It was a seven column, four page paper, and rather a credit to the town at that time. Worse papers have been published since.

It was but a short time until Mr. Finch had all the newspaper experience he wanted. Joseph Greene then purchased the paper and ran it until 1854. During this time Ezra Van Metre, James J. Child, Esq., and James L. Enos were successively its editors.

James L. Enos had something to do with nearly every paper that was started during the early days of Linn county. He loved the smell of printer's ink. The types had a fascination for him. He delighted to see his thoughts reproduced in print. In September, 1854, he and F. Augustus Williams purchased Mr. Greene's interest in the Progressive Era. They changed the name to the Cedar Valley Times. They changed the politics of the paper from democratic to the new Americanism of that time. Then came the organization of the republican party. Like other adherents to the American party living in the north, the editors of the Times cast in their lot with the new republican party and warmly advocated and defended the principles on which it was founded.

One J. G. Davenport figures also in the early history of the Times. He had acquired an interest in the paper, and during the campaign he was its nominal editor, although there were not wanting those who declared that he had not the ability to write a three line notice of a church supper, let alone an editorial. Anyway, he made the Times his stepping stone into the postmaster's seat, and his conduct of that office was such that an investigation of his shortages followed. His bondsmen, one of whom was the late J. J. Snouffer, made good the loss, and shortly afterwards Davenport, after some more operations of a minor character and similar nature, left Cedar Rapids.

They were rare old political fighters in those days. Politics, rather than news, was the chief end and aim of the owner of a newspaper. When Greene, Merritt & Co. closed out Davenport, having held a bill of sale on the Times office, the Times was made the personal organ of Colonel William H. Merritt in his campaign against Kirkwood. To do this it had to change from republicanism to democracy, but it waged a hot fight, Colonel Merritt being its editor. However, Kirkwood was elected and in 1862 C. M. Hollis purchased the Times and he made great success of it up to 1866 when he disposed of the paper to Ayers and McClelland.

UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH, LISBON

MAIN STREET, MT. VERNON

Much might be written about some of the old printers who helped to publish those early Linn county newspapers. There has been a host of them and they have included some notable men. One was no less a personage than Mr. Rosewater, of the Omaha Bee, who once worked as a journeyman printer in the office of the Slovan-Americky. It was when he was on his way to the west. Some of the old printers have long since passed away. One of the latest of them was Stephen M. Jones, who died at Hampton four years ago. Concerning his work here in Cedar Rapids, Captain J. O. Stewart, himself one of the veteran printers of the state, writes interestingly as follows:

"Stephen Jones commenced to learn the trade in the Progressive Era office in this city, in the year 1851, serving a four years' apprenticeship, at the end of which time he went to Vinton and worked in the Eagle office, at that time conducted by Fred Layman, I believe. The office of the Progressive Era was located on the corner of First street and Third avenue, where the Warfield-Pratt-Howell wholesale building now stands, and was the first paper published in Cedar Rapids. It was an old frame building erected by the Greene brothers and formerly used as a store room. At the time of this story the lower floor front was used on Sundays by the Episcopal church for service, the printing office was overhead and the back part, three stories, including basement, was used as a store room for dressed hogs. 'Steve,' as he was called, and your correspondent were what was known as 'printer's devils.' After some years residence in Vinton Steve got about a wheelbarrow load of material and started his paper in Hampton and christened it the Hampton Chronicle, which is still among the live, able newspapers in Iowa. He was later appointed postmaster of Hampton, which position he held for twelve years.

"There is one other who would rank with us if he is still living, and he was a few years ago, on his farm near Lone Tree in Johnson county. His name is Dan Shaffer. Dan, with a Mr. Foster, whose first name I have forgotten, were employed in the office doing the work on the Iowa Supreme Court Reports by Justice George Greene, formerly of this city. This was a book of some 600 or more pages and an edition of 500 volumes. This book can be found on the shelves of many of the Iowa lawyers, especially the older practitioners. This work was all done on a Washington hand press and 500 impressions was considered a good day's work. Steve's principal business, until he was relieved by the writer, was to ink the forms from which the impressions were made. This was done by passing over the type forms two large rollers made of glue and molasses, leaving and returning onto a large wooden roller revolved by a crank at one end, which process equally distributed the ink which was applied to the two rollers by a still smaller one and designated the 'brayer'—old printers will recognize the article. For nearly two years this was the principal part of the writer's duties, interspersed with hunting up and down the banks of the river dragging out floating slabs that got away from the saw mills up at the dam, for fuel for the office, the proprietors being too poor to buy cordwood at $1.75 per cord. The paper was published by Dan O. Finch who later became distinguished as a lawyer of high ability. The last I knew of him, a few years ago, he was still living, making his home with a son some place on the Pacific coast,—Seattle, I believe. The other publisher was William Williams, son of Chief Justice Williams of this state. The material was owned by the Greene brothers. Some time later the Era office was moved to the building that stood on the corner where the Rudolph store now is. The proprietors changed hands pretty often, and finally the paper came into the hands of Robert and LeRoy McCabe, older brothers of the famous Chaplain Charles C. McCabe, who then clerked for Greene Bros. in their store under the printing office. The Masonic lodge room was in the third story of this building. While the McCabe brothers conducted the paper your correspondent graduated and started out as a full fledged journeyman printer. It may be of interest to the craft of the day to give your correspondent's salary. The first year he was to receive $35, second $50, third $75, and the fourth the princely sum of $100. Out of this he was supposed to pay his board and furnish his clothing. The first job he secured after his apprenticeship was $10 per week and pay his own board. This was in the year 1856.

"The tramping jour. printers of those days, like Bret Harte's Heathen Chinee, were peculiar. As a class they were the best of workmen; bright and intelligent, knowing the 'art preservative' thoroughly, but possessed of that roving disposition so common to all printers of that time, and many of them given to drink. They would work for a time and get a little ahead and then get on a 'toot' and seek newer fields. They often resorted to peculiar methods to procure a job. I recall an incident while I was yet the 'devil' of the Era office. It was on the day we were moving the office to the new quarters. The heavy press and material had to be skidded from the second floor to the ground through a large door in the front of the building. When the heavier part of the press was partly down a rather tall, strong built, intelligent looking man put in an appearance. He watched the process for a short time not saying a word. Finally he took from his pocket a slip of dirty paper and wrote on it 'don't you need some help?' and handed it to the proprietor, Mr. Robert McCabe. He was asked if he could talk. His reply was simply by signs indicating that he was deaf and dumb. He proved an excellent help and stayed for more than three months, never indicating that he could speak. He was a skilled printer, but cross and particular, and often we 'devils' called him hard names to his face. But his time had come and he must have his periodical, and he did. He threw his money to the kids on the streets and had a jolly time, never once indicating he could speak. About the third day he came into the office and took Mr. McCabe to the lodge room above and wrote: 'What will they do to me if I talk?' Being assured that he would not be harmed and to the astonishment of the boss he reached out his hand and exclaimed, 'How are you, Bob?' The same surprise was waiting for the rest of us, and you may be assured we 'devils,' who had been giving him such choice names, were looking for a chance to hide. He soon left and I never heard of him again.

"As I have said, the publishers changed often, and for some time after the McCabe brothers left the paper it was hard to tell just who did manage the paper, the Greenes owning the material. After many vicissitudes, which all the papers of that early day had to pass through, it fell into the hands of Joseph Davenport, a practical printer who associated with him James L. Enos, well known and well remembered by the earlier settlers, who changed the name of the paper and re-christened it the Cedar Valley Times. Later it was changed to the Cedar Rapids Times, and was, after changing hands many times, finally owned by Dr. McClelland and L. M. Ayers, who published it for years, when it finally died of old age, owned and published by Dr. McClelland. The old Progressive Era was the original progenitor of your present Daily Times."

Full of interest are those old files of the Times which deal with the beginning of the war period in the history of Linn county. There is the description of a "democratic field day" in Cedar Rapids, October 10, 1860, when Stephen A. Douglas came over from Iowa City and spoke to the multitude. Bands came from Vinton and Mt. Vernon; drum corps from Bertram and Cedar Rapids. A local merchant bought a barrel of good whiskey, diluted it sufficiently to accommodate the capacity of the six thousand who made up the audience, sold all of it and counted the meeting as the best thing which ever had happened in Cedar Rapids. There was a parade of the "Wide-awakes" that night, and the visiting bands remained over to furnish a part of the inspiration. There were big posters, beginning with the couplet

"O, dinna ye hear the slogan, boys?
'Tis Douglas and his men."

That gave the editor of the Times an opportunity to write the first scare head which ever appeared in a Cedar Rapids newspaper. With the true newspaper instinct he remembered that slogan and used it for a sting at the end of the headline. This was the headline the week of the election:

"ELECTION OVER

ABRAHAM LINCOLN IS PRESIDENT-ELECT

Shout the Glad Tidings, Exultingly Sing; Old Abe is Elected and Cotton Ain't King—Secession Rebuked—Popular Sovereignty Now Here—Fusion Worse Confounded—The Bell Tolling for the Dead—Union Preserved—Dinna Ye Hear the Slogan."

Mr. C. M. Hollis, who was editor of the Cedar Valley Times from 1862 to 1866, gives an illuminating insight into the history of Linn county during the early days of the war:

"My office in Cedar Rapids was naturally the meeting place of politicians. There the men who controlled or sought to control got together and talked plainly. And the plain talk of politicians is very different from the phrasings which they use in public speeches. It was thus that our Linn county leaders reasoned. 'This war is becoming something in which the whole people have intense interest. They will judge of men from the fact of participation or opposition. When the struggle is over the men who control in politics will be those who have been soldiers.' And so these men went after commissions. They were wise and far-seeing and reaped reward of their prudence as well as of their valor. I saw the commission of one Linn county man made out for the majoralty in an Iowa regiment, not only before the regiment had been organized, but even before a single company had been raised. I saw another for a colonelcy, fixed out ahead in the same way, by reason of political grace and pull. Not but what these men, and others, made good officers. I am only explaining the reasoning which prompted some of them to enter service, and the means which were most efficacious in securing prominent places.

"And after a time it was considered that to get a high commission was tantamount to drawing a big political prize. Men were thus rewarded for their assistance given to successful candidates, and opponents found their way to army prominence beset with many obstacles. You know that a movement was started in Linn county to defeat Kirkwood for governor for the second term. This developed considerable strength, and a ticket was nominated with William H. Merritt of Cedar Rapids at its head. Merritt had been lieutenant-colonel of the First Iowa, and his was known as the 'fusion' ticket. It was an attempt to combine 'war democrats' and some elements of the republican party. Kirkwood was successful, and those men who had sought his defeat were, naturally, persona non grata with the state government. When commissions were going they were not remembered. Seymour D. Carpenter was one of these. But he did finally become surgeon of a regiment, because there was crying need for surgeons. Then when he was away from gubernatorial influence promotion was rapid, and the doctor was given a position as medical director of a department. Ellsworth N. Bates was another who suffered because of participation in the anti-Kirkwood movement. Mr. Bates persisted, however, and his merits and standing could not be ignored. He was elected captain of a company. With his regiment he served with more than usual credit, until he sickened and came home to die. There were others in Cedar Rapids and in Linn county who had similar experiences. Some of those who are still living, if they would but give full statements, would verify my remark that the proportion of politics mixed with the patriotism of those times was greater than is generally known.

"Speaking of Ellsworth N. Bates recalls to mind one whose name deserves to be remembered in Cedar Rapids and in Linn county. He came to the town fresh from college. He was a real scholar and a man of rare natural abilities. He had the art of making friends—of gaining and retaining esteem of all who knew him. He was one of the very best public speakers I have ever heard—quick to respond to varying occasion, with ready thought and a phenomenal command of language. His choice of words and use of appropriate imagery made his addresses models of their kind. As a lawyer he met with instant success. He represented Linn county in the legislature, and was acknowledged as a strong man among the law-makers. He made a splendid fight for the state senatorship candidacy, against H. G. Angle. He was assistant secretary of the second constitutional convention of Iowa. When the war broke out he was one of those who did much to rouse sentiment for support of the government. Then he raised Company A of the Twentieth, and proved himself a real soldier in camp and field. When he came home, near to death, he had lost none of his old enthusiasm. He and I were intimate friends, and to me he told his plans for the future. Had E. N. Bates lived, I know that he would have ranked among the real statesmen of Iowa. As it was he accomplished more and had greater influence upon contemporaneous affairs than many whose deeds are very carefully preserved."

Mr. Hollis also tells us how newspapers were made in that awful period of the nation's history:

"We were not sensationalists in those days. The events that we had to chronicle needed no trickery of headlines or large type to command attention. Here are the lists of dead and wounded in an Iowa regiment at the battle of Winchester," and the old editor opened a file of the Times for 1864-65. "Do you think it needed a flaming poster effect to secure reading of that column? There are the names of friends and neighbors. To some of the readers of that paper those names represented their dearest ones. Those who had brothers or fathers, or sons or sweethearts in that regiment read over the battle lists with a fearful anxiety. We were giving weekly chronicle of facts—they have not yet been arranged into the order of definite history. When we wrote editorials it was not pretended that we understood all there was to the struggle. Only when and where we caught the partial views or grasped the immediate meaning of some development we gave our opinions. These may have been prejudiced by our personal sentiments or our political affiliations, but I believe, as a rule, the editorial utterances of those years were from the souls of the writers and had the ring of sincerity. And, with but few exceptions, the newspapers of Iowa were loyal. They directed or seconded loyal sentiment on all occasions. Few of the editors of those weeklies gained wealth or distinction, but they deserve to be remembered for a splendid work. They, too, are among 'the forgotten worthies.' It cost money to run even a weekly paper during the war years. When I began as publisher of the Times print paper cost $6 a bundle; before the war was over I was paying $16 for the same quality and amount. And wages ran up and up, as printers were more difficult to secure; until I was paying double what I had first found necessary."

At the close of the war the newspapers of the county began to turn their attention to other evils. A wave of temperance sentiment swept the county, and some of the editors were foremost among the fighters. The county was aroused by the great amount of crime. Much of it emanated from Cedar Rapids. "Can we expect," asked one writer in Cedar Rapids, "peace and quiet in a place of 3,000 inhabitants which supports not fewer than nineteen liquor establishments and several houses of ill fame and does not support a single reading room nor a public library?"

ALEXANDER LAURANCE
Long Prominent in Cedar Rapids

Then, as now, the newspapers were the best "boosters" of their respective communities. They were the first to point out the advantages in each community and to suggest ways in which natural advantages might lead to commercial growth and civic prosperity. Thus a writer in a Cedar Rapids paper, after enumerating and commending the progress made by the town since its organization, dwelt upon the value of the water power, pointed out how the woolen mills then in operation might be made more effective. There was an abundance of timber around Cedar Rapids at that time and he advocated the establishment of saw mills in the city. He saw no reason why staves should be brought all the way from Michigan to Cedar Rapids, when they might as well be manufactured here at home. He advocated that a packing house be established in this city, instead of shipping the hogs from Cedar Rapids to Chicago and then shipping the meat back. "This is only one item that would keep thousands of dollars in our town that now go out," he argued. He wanted a hub and a spoke factory, a fanning mill factory, and as for a "paper mill there is no better point in the state."

History moves in ever repeating cycles and some of the things for which this old editor fought are still needed today in Cedar Rapids and in other towns of Linn county. But each cycle is better than the last. Proof of this is seen in the dispute which was waged over freight rates less than a decade after the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska Railway had been built into this city. The grain rates from Cedar Rapids to Chicago were thirty cents a hundred pounds and the noise of protest which was made then was quite similar to the noise which is sometimes

THE NEWSPAPER GRAVEYARD

The newspaper graveyard was established very early in the history of the county and it is still claiming its victims. Among its early victims was the Cedar Rapids Democrat. It was issued by W. W. Perkins & Co. Somehow or other, democracy never flourished greatly in the Linn county newspaper field, and the early democratic editors had not learned the art of switching to a "progressive" side. So their papers died. The Democrat lived a year and a half. It deserved a better fate, for it was well edited and printed.

In 1853 a monthly agricultural paper called the Cedar Valley Farmer was commenced by James L. Enos. It lived through the first volume, but a grave was opened for it before it had reached the tender age of two years.

The Voice of Iowa was commenced in January, 1857, under the auspices of the Iowa Teachers and Phonetic associations, James L. Enos editor-in-chief, assisted by a board of corresponding editors. It was continued through two volumes and was then merged with another journal.

In the autumn of 1864 A. G. Lucas & Co. commenced the publication of the Cedar Rapids Atlas. In January, 1865, it was changed to a weekly. Then it was enlarged. Its place in the newspaper graveyard was prepared a few weeks later. The editor and publisher had gone to study the geography of other fields, but he did not take his debts with him. The office was sold to satisfy them. This so weakened the shoulders of the Atlas that it was not strong enough to hold up.

The Western World was born into a cold and unresponsive world, and soon it joined the ranks of the dear departed.

Then came the Linn County Signal which its authors hoped would be a signal success. But its signals became tangled and it failed to kick over the goal of success. It kicked the bucket instead. T. G. Newman, the father of A. H. Newman of the Cedar Rapids Candy Company, purchased the remains. From them he made the office of the Daily Observer, with J. L. Enos as editor. From the Observer came the Cedar Rapids Republican. This was in 1870. In 1902 there was re-born the Cedar Rapids Times. The father Republican and the strong and lusty son Times are both in the full vigor of their powers, and this evolution of the two powerful dailies from the amoeba-like weakly Signal is the most conspicuous example of newspaper evolution and the survival of the fittest on record.

The present Cedar Rapids Times is not to be confounded with the Cedar Rapids Weekly Times which had such a long and prosperous growth under the management of Editor Hollis, and later of the good Doctor McClelland. The Weekly Times lived until the death of Doctor McClelland, and it was a power for good. Then came two gentlemen from Milwaukee who converted it into a daily. They had a great run as long as their cash and their credit held out. And they were good newspaper men, too. But they drew nearer and nearer the gateway to the great and yawning newspaper graveyard. There were many mourners in Cedar Rapids when the Times was buried. It had been purified before its death by its conspicuous work in a great tent revival conducted by an evangelist, M. B. Williams. This revival the other dailies refused even to mention. The Times had a great deal of broadcloth endorsement. But the eulogies proved to be its premature obituaries. Cash came slowly. Advertising was coy. With the fall of the leaves came the death of the Times. The Gazette bought up the household furnishings, the subscription lists and the good will. But the Times was buried, and the ghost of competition which had haunted the Gazette office was laid until the owners of the present Evening Times resurrected the name amid a riot of red ink during the strenuous municipal campaign of 1902.

STANDARD HAD A LONG LIFE

The Cedar Rapids Standard, like the Cedar Valley Times, had a long life. It was first established in Marion in 1868, as the Linn County Signal, by F. H. Williams. The following year it was removed to Cedar Rapids, and Thomas G. Newman became the owner. In 1872 the name was changed to the Linn County Liberal, and the office was moved back to Marion. In 1873 James T. Simpkins became editor. The following year the plant made a final trip to Cedar Rapids and was changed to the Standard. For a long time it flourished, having a number of owners and editors. Among them were Thomas G. Newman, C. E. Heath, A. H. Newman, D. H. Ogden, H. A. Cook, Frank L. Millar, and in June, 1880, Charles H. Playter, of the Des Moines Daily Leader, came to town and bought a half interest of Mr. Millar. The firm name became Millar & Playter. This partnership continued until the fall of 1885, when Mr. Playter bought out his partner and became the sole owner. In the fall of 1886 Mr. Playter sold the Standard to S. B. Ayers, who conducted it through the triumphal period of Iowa democracy, when Horace Boies sat in the gubernatorial chair. It was a strong democratic paper and had a large patronage in Linn county at that time. Later L. S. Saner became the editor. But the hard times came. Rightly or wrongly they were blamed on the democratic party. Republicanism triumphed; McKinley was elected. The Standard of the democratic party was trailed in the dust. It soon died and took its place in the Cedar Rapids journalistic graveyard.

The Marion Pilot was established in 1871 at Mt. Vernon, as the Linn County Pilot, and C. W. Kepler was editor. In 1874 the office was removed to Marion and the paper was owned by Beatty & Whittits. It continued under this management for several years and was one of the strong republican papers of the county. In 1884 it was purchased by the Rev. J. W. Chaffee and its name was changed to the Marion Pilot. He built up a good paper, putting it in the front rank of the weekly papers of the state. But with his passing from the editorial chair and the rapid rise of the daily press in Cedar Rapids and its rival county seat newspapers its power and prestige waned. In 1906 it yielded up the ghost and was assigned to an honored place among those that have passed on.

The Good Ones Which Remain

THE DAILY REPUBLICAN AND THE EVENING TIMES

As narrated above, the Daily Republican is the outgrowth of the daily Observer. In 1872 the Observer was transferred to the Republican Printing Company, and the name, which at first was the Cedar Rapids Republican, was changed to the Daily Republican, the present name of the paper.

A daily and weekly issue was published and the paper grew rapidly. For a time it was edited by William B. Leach. In 1877 it passed into the hands of the Republican Printing Company, who put in a great amount of capital and enlarged the office. There were many editors during this period. In March, 1881, the office was leased to J. R. Sage and D. G. Goodrich, with an option of sale within a year. During this period the paper was changed from an evening to a morning issue and an Associated Press franchise was secured, giving the paper full news service.

Before the lease had expired Messrs. Sage and Goodrich had exercised their right to purchase the plant. On March 1, 1882, it was transferred to J. R. Sage, Johnson Brigham, Fred Benzinger, and H. P. Keyes. This quartette reorganized the old Republican Printing Company, with J. R. Sage as president. Nearly two years later Mr. Sage transferred his interest to Mr. Brigham, and later on Messrs. Keyes and Benzinger transferred their interest to L. S. Merchant. Messrs. Brigham and Merchant conducted the paper, Mr. Merchant as business manager and Mr. Brigham as editor, until 1892, when Mr. Brigham sold his interest and went to Des Moines to start the first Iowa literary magazine, the Midland Monthly. Mr. Sage had previously gone to Des Moines to become the director of the Iowa weather and crop service.

Mr. Brigham's interest was purchased by Luther A. Brewer, who had been assistant business manager, W. R. Boyd, who had done some editorial work for the paper while living at home in Cedar county, and by L. S. Merchant. The paper was at the beginning of what seemed to be an uninterrupted period of ownership and prosperity when death suddenly claimed Mr. Merchant in 1894. Mrs. Merchant retained her husband's interest and the paper went on as before and waged a fight against free silver in the campaign of 1896 which made it nationally prominent. Mr. Brewer in the meantime had built up a very large job printing and book binding department.

In 1898 the entire plant was sold to H. G. McMillan, of Rock Rapids, at that time United States district attorney, and Cyrenus Cole, who had for many years been associate editor of the Iowa State Register. Mr. Boyd became postmaster at Cedar Rapids, but Mr. Brewer remained with the paper as its business manager for some time. An evening edition, the Evening Times, was started in 1902, and made a rapid growth. It now has the largest circulation of any daily paper in Cedar Rapids.

In 1907 Mr. Brewer left the business and opened up a big book-making plant of his own known as The Torch Press. In July of the same year however, The Torch Press bought out the interest of Mr. McMillan and the Daily Republican and the Evening Times have since been owned and published by Messrs. Brewer and Cole. The substantial building on Second avenue which had been erected during the regime of Messrs. Brigham and Merchant proved far too small and the property was sold. A large and modern newspaper and book-making building, four stories high, was erected at the corner of Fourth avenue and Third street, the present home of the Daily Republican, the Evening Times, The Torch Press Printery and Bindery, and The Torch Press Book-shop, which latter is managed by William Harvey Miner and is the biggest and most largely patronized book shop west of Chicago.

THE EVENING GAZETTE

There is not a great deal of "history" concerning the Cedar Rapids Evening Gazette, which has been one of the conspicuous successes among Iowa daily newspapers since it was started in 1883. On June 10 of that year, the daily Gazette was founded by Messrs. Otis and Post. A weekly issue of the paper was started at the same time. In March, 1884, the Gazette Company was organized, and in July of that year the entire stock was purchased by Messrs. Fred W. Faulkes and Clarence L. Miller. The paper has had the same ownership ever since that time. The late editor Faulkes was a pungent and versatile writer, and under his editorial management the Gazette rapidly rose to a commanding position in the Iowa newspaper field. It began as a republican newspaper. But after the memorable Frank D. Jackson campaign in 1893 Editor Faulkes became estranged from Governor Jackson and some of the other leaders of the republican party. Thereafter he was inclined to espouse the cause of democracy and the Gazette came to be regarded as the democratic newspaper of Linn county. Still later it grew more independent, in matters of politics.

Since the death of Fred Faulkes the Gazette has been published under the supervision of its business manager Clarence L. Miller. Like the other dailies of the city it has abandoned the weekly field.

THE SATURDAY RECORD

The Saturday Record is the outgrowth of a little amateur paper started away back in 1879 by Ralph Van Vechten, at present vice-president of the Continental and Commercial National Bank of Chicago. He was then a student with a taste for printer's ink and he started a little literary paper, known as the Stylus. Soon after that he was joined by Arthur J. Huss, and the two of them ran the Stylus. In the spring of 1882 Mr. Van Vechten went into his uncle's bank. The paper passed into the hands of A. J. Mallahan, and after a little time was temporarily discontinued. But Mr. Huss gained new courage and perhaps new capital. September 10, 1882, he started the Cedar Rapids People. It continued as a seven column folio until March, 1884, when it was bought by Fred Benzinger and R. Baer and its name changed to the Saturday Evening Chat. July 1, 1887, Fred Benzinger bought out Mr. Baer's interest and ran the paper for a number of years until he went to Chicago, where for a time he was one of the prominent figures on the old Chicago Times-Herald. Then the paper was acquired by B. R. Hatmaker, forever famous because of the sobriquet for Cedar Rapids which flashed into his mind one dreamful day—"The Parlor City."

In 1889 Ernest A. Sherman came to this city and was city editor of the morning Republican for a while. In February. 1891, he started Town Topics. He ran it until late in the spring of that year and then he consolidated with Hatmaker's Saturday Record. He became the editor, and Hatmaker was business manager until 1892 when Mr. Sherman bought the whole business. Since that time the Record has been a permanent feature in Cedar Rapids, the largest and neatest of the weeklies, being printed in quarto form on book paper with many illustrations and spicy comment on "mentionable matters" of Cedar Rapids, with all the local news well edited.

THE IOWA POST

The Iowa Post was founded in April, 1881, at Iowa City. After passing through the hands of several owners, it was purchased in March, 1902, by Henry Gundling of Chicago and brought to this city. Mr. Gundling changed the paper from a weekly to a semi-weekly and in an incredibly short time he had trebled the number of his subscribers. Mr. Gundling had a high school education in Germany, followed by an apprenticeship there of three years. He had sixteen years experience in Chicago and he has travelled extensively on three continents. He is, therefore, thoroughly equipped as an editor and this accounts for the high standard of his paper which is eagerly read by a very large constituency in this and adjoining counties and especially at the colony of Amana.

OLD M. E. CHURCH, MT. VERNON

STREET SCENE IN LISBON

THE WEST SIDE ENTERPRISE

The West Side Enterprise is one of the latest newspapers in the Linn county field, having been started December 30, 1909. But it is one of the liveliest as well as one of the latest. W. I. Endicott is the owner and publisher, and he is a whole newspaper force in himself. Every issue of the Enterprise contains something which makes somebody sit up and take notice. It is a paper devoted to the work of booming the west side; but it is read on both sides of the river by an ever increasing number of readers.

IOWA STAATS-ZEITUNG

The Iowa Staats-Zeitung was established in the year 1879 by A. Hunt, who continued as publisher and editor for many years—until he retired from the newspaper business. The paper was then bought by John Young and afterwards sold to the Charles Stoudt Printing Company, who came from Des Moines to Cedar Rapids to make their home. The company consists of Charles Stoudt, the publisher, and E. J. Stoudt, editor. The paper is one of the largest German weeklies in the state, publishing from twelve to twenty-four pages each issue and going all over the state. It guarantees to have the largest circulation of any German paper published in Iowa.

OTHER CEDAR RAPIDS PAPERS

Several other Cedar Rapids newspapers ought to be mentioned. The Cedar Rapids Listy, a Bohemian humorous paper, was established in 1906. Fr. Hradecky is its editor and publisher. The Optimus is a republican weekly edited by E. C. Barber, and is a most uncompromising foe of democracy in all its form. It was established in 1906. The Slovan-Ameriky is a democratic Bohemian paper, one of the oldest, for it was established in 1869 and has held the even tenor of its way since that time through the sunshine and storm of democracy. John B. Letovsky & Sons are the editors and publishers, and they have been putting out a good paper week in and week out, year after year.

The Tribune is the organ of the Federation of Labor in Cedar Rapids. It was started in 1903 and has had a remarkable success. Its first editor was G. F. Taylor who gave the paper a great start and it is now edited by R. G. Stewart, who fills its columns full of gingery stuff week after week and shines best when there is a big political scrap on hand.

THE MARION REGISTER

In 1852 one A. Hoyt came all the way from New York to blaze the way of modern journalism on the prairies of Iowa. He established a paper called the Prairie Star. But the Star didn't shine long. Mr. Hoyt found Iowa so different from old New York. Like the wise men of the east, after he had let go of most of the treasures he brought with him he retraced his steps to the east and the paper passed into the hands of J. H. and G. H. Jennison. They were Whigs with a big W and they renamed the Star as the Linn County Register.

When the republican party was organized, the Linn County Register became one of its most able and enthusiastic advocates in the county. The late Judge N. M. Hubbard was in active politics at that time and during that memorable campaign he conducted the Register. Ah, "thim were the days." The judge was a past master in the art of "skinning" an opponent. That was the method of political fighting in those days and no editor ever had a sharper knife than Judge Hubbard. He used to say in later years that it was one of the most enjoyable periods of his whole life.

"I made the paper grow," he said. "Everybody wanted to get it to see whose hide was put on the fence that week."

The judge lived to tell the tale, but after the fun was all over and the battle had been won he decided that railroad law practice was more profitable than editing a newspaper. The Register passed back into the editorship of J. H. Jennison. The next year Robert Holmes became its editor and subsequently its proprietor. He held this position for five years and it was five years of the most important period in the history of the county. Mr. Holmes successfully conducted the paper through the great struggle of the Civil war, and up till 1863 when he sold it to A. G. Lucas. Its name was then changed to the Linn County Patriot.

In September, 1864, there came from Cedar county, a young soldier-lawyer, S. W. Rathbun. He purchased the plant and changed the name of the paper to the Marion Register. He has been editor of the Register ever since that time. He has a few more gray hairs, a few more wrinkles, and a bit more avoirdupois than he had then, but he still wields a trenchant pen, still makes the Register a readable and interesting paper. It has been one of the most influential papers among the weekly press of Linn county, and has always been firmly republican.

THE MARION SENTINEL

The Marion Sentinel was originally called the Springville Independent, being established at Springville in the year 1879 by Fred Chamberlain, who afterwards served as county superintendent of the schools of Linn county. It was a seven-column folio, independent in politics, the forerunner of the independent papers of the county. It grew rapidly, and by 1884 had increased to a twelve-page paper. An edition was also published for Prairieburg, and one for Central City. In 1885 it had a circulation of 1600. It met with some reverses in 1886 and on July 1 of that year it was moved to Marion and its name changed to the Linn County Independent. Mr. Chamberlain made a big success of it in Marion. The name of the paper was then changed to the Marion Sentinel. Later O. M. Smith was taken into partnership. The paper then changed from an independent to a democratic paper, and has remained democratic until the present time, the only simon pure democratic paper in Linn county at the present time.

In July, 1891, Mr. Smith sold the paper to Mr. J. J. Galliven, at that time employed as train dispatcher for the Milwaukee railroad. He conducted it for less than three months, selling it on September 19, 1891, to its present owner, T. T. Williams. During the greater part of the time since then C. S. Shanklin, one of the ablest political writers of the state, has been in charge of the Sentinel's editorial page. The paper is one of the brightest and newsiest in the county.

THE MT. VERNON HAWKEYE

That splendid Linn county paper, the Mt. Vernon Hawkeye, was established January 1, 1869, by J. T. Rice, as the Linn County Hawk-Eye. Mr. Rice was well known in the early history of the county, and in late years was a resident of Denver, Colorado, where he died within the past year.

The Hawk-Eye was bought by S. H. Bauman on June 1, 1869, within five months after the paper was established, and its name was changed to the Mount Vernon Hawk-Eye. Mr. S. H. Bauman continued the business and was joined in partnership by his son, A. A. Bauman, January 1, 1892. On July 1, 1899, S. H. Bauman retired entirely, and the paper was then conducted by his sons, A. A. and Fred A. Bauman. This partnership was dissolved November 17, 1909, since which time the paper has been published by A. A. Bauman.

The paper has always been republican in politics and has never been shaken by the winds of temporary popular prejudice or passion. It has had an abiding conviction of political honesty and integrity and it has been conducted on a high plane. It has rendered good service in the building up of Mt. Vernon and the county generally.

THE WALKER NEWS

The Walker News was established as a seven-column folio in February, 1883, by David Brant, at present the owner and editor of the Iowa City Daily Republican. He continued as owner and editor for seven years, and then the paper passed to the hands of Charles A. Durno, Mr. Brant going to Cedar Rapids to become city editor of the Gazette.

In July, 1891, Mr. Durno sold a half interest in the business to C. O. and J. Barry, who, in January, 1892, acquired the remaining half interest, Mr. Durno retiring. Mr. Durno was later appointed to a position in the government printing office at Washington, D. C, and died in that city a few years ago. The Barrys are still in possession of the News, which is one of the brightest and most influential newspapers in the county.

THE CENTER POINT JOURNAL

The Center Point Journal is a republican weekly, owned and edited by J. A. Mahuran, one of the ablest of the Linn county newspaper men. The paper has had its ups and downs and for a time it was chiefly noted for its ardent campaign for a fishway in the dam across the Cedar river at Cedar Rapids. That was during the days of Editor Barber.

The Journal grew out of the Lotus which was started at Center Point, May 15, 1873, by J. F. Wilson & Co. T. J. Metcalf was its first editor, and he filled the leaves of the Lotus with spice and sweetness until 1874 when W. T. Baker took charge and subsequently committed suicide. But that was not the fault of the Lotus. The office was then sold to H. A. Cook, of Cedar Rapids.

In 1876 T. J. Metcalf and S. M. Dunlap purchased the plant and changed the name of the paper to the Center Point Mirror, the first issue appearing November 18. Then Mr. Metcalf bought out Mr. Dunlap's interest, and afterwards G. L. Wilson became the owner, changing its name to the Courier-Journal. M. A. Oxley and Charles F. Floyd afterwards bought the paper and it finally reached the hands of its present owner.

THE SPRINGVILLE NEW ERA

Springville is one of the best of the Linn county towns and it has one of the best of the Linn county papers, the Springville New Era. Its first issue appeared August 9, 1882. It was a six-column folio, independent in politics, and was established by J. B. F. Butler. In November, 1882, C. S. Shanklin became its editor. At this time it was changed to a six-column quarto. It became a democratic paper but lately grew towards independence in politics, a growing tendency among modern newspapers. There were some more changes of ownership and finally the paper was purchased by O. E. Crane, its present publisher and editor, under whom it has risen to a popularity and prosperity never before attained.

THE LISBON HERALD

Lisbon has one good weekly, the Herald. The Sun was the first paper having been started August 27, 1874, by J. W. Zeigenfus. It was not a success at the start, or at least it did not bring in the coin of the realm rapidly enough to suit its proprietor, and he soon sold it to C. J. Weatherbee. He held it for a few weeks and sold it to W. T. Baker. Baker managed it admirably for a time but he later shot himself through the head in his office and for a time the paper was conducted by W. L. Davis for his widow. Then the Rev. Dewalt S. Fouse became its editor and did some good work upon it. So did A. M. Floyd, one of the best of Linn county's newspaper men. But finally the Sun went down.

The Herald has been vigorous and active and prosperous since it was established in 1894 and it was never so prosperous as now. Under the able management of Will F. Stahl the paper has grown in size and in circulation and every issue is filled with up-to-date news and interesting comment. It is a paper of which Lisbon should be proud.

CENTRAL CITY NEWS-LETTER

Situated in a valley of entrancing beauty, the valley of the Wapsie river, Central City is one of the most beautiful towns in Iowa and it certainly is one of the most up-to-date. Much of its growth and its prestige is due to the fact that for many years it has had a first-class newspaper. The Central City News-Letter, which was started in 1888, has had a line of able men as its editors and they have all done their best to make the city grow. None of them ever worked harder at it than E. S. Weatherbee, who is the owner and the editor of the paper, the postmaster, the mayor, and an all-around booster for his town.

THE COGGON MONITOR

Since 1889 Coggon has had a newspaper, the Coggon Monitor. It has had a number of owners, but it is established on a firm basis. Clarence Cole was the editor until April of this year, when he sold the paper to William Crosier.

THE MT. VERNON RECORD

In 1893, the Mount Vernon Record was established and it has had a successful and gratifying growth under the management of Lloyd McCutcheon, its publisher and editor. Advertising came slowly at first, as it always does to a new paper, but at present the merchants of Mt. Vernon are giving it good support. The paper has been "progressive"—strongly progressive in its editorial policies and there are many progressives in that neighborhood who have backed it.

SCHOOL, FAIRFAX

METHODIST CHURCH AND PARSONAGE, FAIRFAX

CHAPTER XVI

The Bohemian Element in the County

It is not the purpose of this history to note in especial manner all the different nationalities that have entered into the making of our cosmopolitan population. America is peopled by sturdy men and women who have come to this land of opportunity and freedom from all the civilized nations of the world. It is the amalgamation of these different races and peoples that has done much to give us our sturdy citizenship. Driven from their old homes by persecutions or the desire to better their condition, they have come to America and have helped populate our prairies and develope our cities. They have needed the opportunities here given them, and we have needed them in our work of erecting on this continent a nation that shall be an example to all the nations.

By far the largest and most important element of foreign extraction represented in Linn county is the Bohemian. Some of our townships are almost entirely populated by these progressive immigrants and their descendants, and a goodly percentage of the residents of Cedar Rapids trace back their Slav ancestry to old Bohemia. These people have always made good citizens. They possess the desirable faculty of adapting themselves readily to new environments. Without destroying their own vigorous vitality, they grasp quickly the best there is in our thought and mode of life. They have borne nobly their share of the burdens incident to the establishment of new centers of civilization and of progress. They have acted their part in our civic life. They have adapted themselves to and have adopted our institutions. They have helped and are helping to make the county and the city centers of growth and prosperity. Trained through the years in habits of economy, and forced through necessity to keep up these habits, their life here has often been an incentive to others to go and do likewise. Lovers of the home, their ambition is to possess their own abiding place, and that as quickly as possible. The Bohemians are not renters. They are a class of home owners, and nothing is so potent for stability in any community as this trait on the part of its people. They are indeed a thrifty people, such as every state and county and city gladly welcome. Their buildings, though many of them may be small, are substantial in their character. The gardens and the grounds surrounding the dwellings in the towns and cities are neatly kept and attractive to the eye. Their farms are well tilled and as a result grow rapidly in productiveness and value.

Our Bohemian citizens bear their part in the administration of public affairs. And they always make good in the positions in which they are placed. They have helped make our city councils; they have been men of ability and of influence on our school boards. They are numbered among our successful merchants and bankers. Indeed, there is scarce a line of human endeavor in which they have not been represented by men of capacity and of worth.

At the request of the editors of this history Joseph Mekota, himself a splendid representative of a splendid people, contributes the following sketch of the Bohemian people to this volume:

The history of the Bohemian people in Linn county does not differ greatly from the general history of this people in our country. Driven from their native land, on account of political persecution and official oppression, they sought America as the haven of liberty and opportunity. They brought with them an abundance of patience, industry, perseverance, and hope. Their beginning was full of hardships, privations, and obstacles. Their chief capital was their health and willingness to toil, and their ability to stand hardship. These were their native heritage. Coming to this country poor, unacquainted with its customs, its language, and its laws, their beginning had but few silver linings.

Despite these inauspicious surroundings these early pioneers were contented and happy. Physical and material hardships and trials were cheerfully borne for the joys and sweetness of political and religious liberty. Under the broad and clear skies of the religious, political, and intellectual tolerance of America they felt the realization of the unfulfilled dreams of the glorious but unsuccessful struggles of their ancestors a century ago. Such a fine spirit towards the highest ideals in life and civilization, combined with inexhaustible energy and patience in industrial pursuits, has made this people loyal to our institutions and useful to the development and progress of our country.

The early settlers came to this county with teams and wagons. At that time there were no railroads west of the Mississippi river. Many of them came from Caledonia, Wisconsin, with ox teams. Others came by railroad as far as the Mississippi river. One member of a family who came here in 1855 said: "They dumped us out at Muscatine and from there we hired teams and conveyances to take us to Cedar Rapids. We moved south of the city and lived under a tree that summer. When we wanted to buy anything we took a sample of the article in one hand and the amount of money we wished to expend in the other and would show that to our neighbors and make them understand what we wanted."

These early settlers devoted themselves to agricultural pursuits. Most of them located on or near timber lands so that they would have plenty of fuel. Fuel was very scarce in their native land, and it was easier to build their sheds if they were in the timber. The prairies at that time were not desirable for location. A large portion of College township, which is now the best farming country in the state of Iowa, at that time was full of marshes, and high grass, and strong winds prevailed so that the early settlers avoided the prairies and located in timber districts.

The early Bohemian settlers came to Linn county about the years 1852 and 1853. So far as known, the following families were among the early pioneers: The Ligr family about the year 1852 settled east of Ely. John Posler, in the year 1853, also located about eight miles southeast of the city. In 1854 or earlier, Paul Korab and his family settled about one mile east of the present town of Western, where also settled at that time John Witousek. The Korab family came here with an ox team from the state of Wisconsin by way of Dubuque. That year, 1854, Jacob Polak located about ten miles southeast of Cedar Rapids, and with him was Joseph Sosel. These families also came with teams from the state of Wisconsin. Anton Sulek located in the north part of Johnson county in 1854, and he afterwards lived near Hoosier Grove in this county on a beautiful, elevated spot called "Hradek," and meaning "Little Castle." Many other families came in 1855 and settled along the border line between Johnson and Linn counties, in College and Putnam townships. The numbers that came were not great, and it was not until after the Civil war that large numbers of these people came to this county.

Among these people Joseph Sosel was a character of distinction. His scholarly attainments combined with his love of intellectual and political freedom easily made him the leader among his people. He was a political exile. He took an active part in the uprising of Bohemian students in the year 1848. This movement was for more political rights and broader freedom for the people in Bohemia. The uprising did not meet with success, and for his patriotic activity a price was set upon his head by the Austrian government. With many other students, who were in the same predicament, he escaped to this country. With him came Karel Jonas, who afterwards became lieutenant-governor of the state of Wisconsin; and with them also came Vojtech Naprstek, who left a name in Bohemian history that is known to every Bohemian.

In this locality Mr. Sosel rendered many valuable services to his countrymen; being able to talk the English language, he became their legal and business adviser. He was loyal to his countrymen, and at all times insisted that they should learn and observe the customs of their new country. He served faithfully the interests of his people, and his memory will forever be kindly remembered by them for the many and useful services which he faithfully rendered.

Up to the time of the Civil war, the Bohemian immigration was slow, but from those that were here quite a number enlisted from this county to preserve the integrity of their new country. Among those known who enlisted were the following: J. F. Bednar, Frank Renchin, Frank Peremsky, Joseph Wencel, Joseph Podhajsky, John Maly, Joseph Zahradnik, Charles Bednar, Joseph Horak, Wesley Horak, Frank Dolezal, Joseph Dolezal.

After the Civil war Cedar Rapids became a prominent center of Bohemian population. Many came direct from their own country, others came from neighboring states, and still others came from the surrounding country in this state. So that at all times this city always had a large percentage of people of Bohemian origin, larger than any other city of its size in the state of Iowa. In the county they settled in Putnam, College and Franklin townships. From the year 1866, after the Prussian war in Austria, to 1880 were perhaps the banner years of Bohemian emigration to this country. These people all located in the city or southeast of the city. There are today in Cedar Rapids about 8,500 inhabitants of this nationality and about 2,500 more in other parts of the county. They are now scattered all over the county, but large and heavy settlements are in Putnam and College townships, these being almost exclusively settled by Bohemians. There is a large settlement in Fairfax township, and there are settlements in Franklin, Bertram, Boulder, and Grant townships.

In agriculture they are successful farmers. No better improved farms, no better buildings, no better systems of farming exist in any other part of the state than in the communities settled by these people. They are progressive and up to date in all matters. They are hard working people and devoted to the interests of their farms.

In Cedar Rapids they have also played an important part. A large majority came to this country very lightly endowed with worldly goods, but they were strong in health and body and not afraid to work. A very large percentage of these people belong to the laboring class. The women in the families worked as hard, if not harder, than the men. The first ambition of these people after their arrival in this country was to own a home. The father would work, the mother would work, and the children would work in order to buy and pay for a home. A great many of them bought vacant lots and improved them by erecting neat and comfortable dwellings. At times it was claimed they took their children out of school too early in order that they might work. In the early times there existed circumstances which could not very well avoid this situation. The wages were low; families as a rule were large and in order to pay for a home and in order that the debts be paid, and to meet expenses, it was necessary in many cases to press the children into service. This custom became somewhat contagious among the men, women, and children. One family was bound to earn and make as much money as its neighbors, and therefore had to have as many members of the family working. It is a source of congratulation that this custom, which had been one of necessity, is now losing ground among the ranks of this nationality and their children are kept in school as long as any children among other American people.

The Bohemian people from the very first held tenaciously to their mother tongue. While they were loyal to our public schools and other institutions, they took steps to preserve and cultivate the mother tongue among themselves and their children. As early as 1868 a society called the "Reading Society" was organized. The purpose of this society was to cultivate the Bohemian language; give aid to Bohemian schools; furnish the best books of Bohemian literature to the people of our city, and in every way possible to promote and awaken the love for Bohemian language and history among the people. It was a center of national life and spirit. In this laudable purpose the Reading Society of Cedar Rapids has met with unparalleled success.

The society today owns a fine library of nearly 3,000 volumes of the best works of history, art, and literature in the Bohemian tongue. Besides this, the Reading Society has always been helpful, and largely instrumental in starting, promoting, and encouraging other organizations of national character.

The Bohemian people are fond of the theatre and theatrical performances. At about the time that the Reading Society was organized, they started an association for the purpose of giving theatrical performances in the Bohemian tongue. The plays given were popular and successful, and on many occasions there was displayed splendid histrionic talent among the members of this dramatic club. Their performances were always clean, instructive, and educational. Today we have in Cedar Rapids two large dramatic associations whose performances are a credit to our city and its people.

In the matter of education, the Bohemian people always took an active part. Besides having their children attend the public schools, they took opportunity to have them taught in the Bohemian language during their vacations and sometimes on Sundays. This was so from their earliest settlement. At first one or two rooms in a public school building were used. Later on a building costing over $8000.00 was erected for this purpose. The building stands on the corner of Second street and Tenth avenue. This building has the honored distinction of being the only building in our whole country built and used exclusively as a Bohemian school.

Another institution that has brought fame and favor to our city in educational circles, is the Council of Higher Education. This was founded here in 1902. It is an organization whose object it is to furnish honor loans without interest to poor but promising boys and girls of Bohemian origin to secure a college education. Since its organization this institution has aided many young men and women who were without sufficient means to secure a college education. Last year it had sixteen students it was aiding in the various state universities and colleges. Its operation is nation wide. It has students in New York, Michigan, Illinois, Texas, Nebraska, and Iowa. The funds of the institution are gathered by popular subscriptions among individuals and societies. Its scope covers every state in the Union where there is a Bohemian settlement. The institution has achieved wonders in encouraging young men and women of Bohemian nationality to attend universities and colleges.

In musical circles the Bohemian people have distinguished themselves from early times. In the beginning when the Bohemian settlers came to this city they organized a musical society. This formed a nucleus for one of the most famous musical bands in the state. Kouba's National Band achieved state wide reputation; this band has always been composed of a large percentage of Bohemian musicians.

In the material development of Cedar Rapids the Bohemian people have done their full share. In the ranks of labor they are known as honest, industrious, peaceable, and orderly. They are very largely employed in all the big industrial institutions of our city. They command the confidence and respect of their employers. This nationality is also well represented in every line of business in our city. All the professions are represented. When we consider that less than two generations ago their ancestors came here with bare hands and not knowing the English language and unacquainted with the customs and without any particular advantages, except those of honesty and willingness to work, it is remarkable that such strides forward have been made by this nationality in the realms of labor, business, and the professions.

THE CHAPEL, CORNELL COLLEGE

CARNEGIE LIBRARY AND SPEER MEMORIAL FOUNTAIN, MT. VERNON

In religious work the Bohemian people of Linn county have accomplished splendid results. With the first settlers in this county, the Catholics of this city had a place of worship. From its modest beginning there grew one of the largest congregations in the city. And what enthusiastic and untiring workers this church has! The congregation consists very largely of the laboring class, but they have accomplished wonderful results. A splendid church building; a large parochial school; an assembly hall and a new parsonage are the reward of the patience and perseverance among the members of this congregation. St. Wenceslaus church of Cedar Rapids with its manifold work and influence is a great honor to the people of Linn county.

Way back in the late sixties, on a beautiful and secluded spot on Hoosier Creek, about one-half the distance between the present site of Ely and Western, there was erected a small church of the Reformed Evangelical denomination. There a band of devout men and women met to worship in the simple manner of the Moravian brothers. Their leader and minister was a man of grace, of purity of character and rare and scholarly attainments. His name was Frank Kun. He was a great preacher and a great teacher. For a time he held the chair of Greek and Latin at Western College, but as his congregation increased he devoted all his time to his people. His congregation was entirely of the rural class. He loved his people and in turn was loved by them. His congregation was one of the best Bohemian congregations in the United States; his sermons were masterpieces of art and beauty, full of religious fervor, stately dignity and depth. His memory will forever be revered by the people of Linn county. This church is still there; broadening its sphere of work it now has two branches, one in Johnson county, and one in Linn county, the last being the old Baptist church in Putnam township.

In Cedar Rapids the Bohemian people have three protestant churches: the Fourth Presbyterian, the Bohemian Methodist, and the Reformed church; all three are prosperous. All of them have large and substantial memberships and all of them are fortunate in having strong, capable, and popular men as ministers. Under the wise and liberal policies of these leaders these churches are doing excellent work among the Bohemian people.

There is a large, respectable element of the Bohemian population that does not belong to any church organization. They are not opposed to churches, nor to religion, but do not affiliate with any church organization. They believe that every one should be permitted to think and believe as he pleases in matters of faith. In the Bohemian language they are called "Svobodamysli." This word does not mean Free Thinkers. "This Bohemian word is made up of two words 'Liberty' and 'Mind,' and it means the broadest toleration for the religious beliefs and opinions of others; and further it means that you should give the widest latitude to the religious beliefs and forms of worship of your neighbors, and that they should do the same to you; and it further means that you should honor and respect the religious views and professions of your neighbors and they should do the same by you."

No sketch of the Bohemian people in Cedar Rapids and Linn county would be complete without referring to the Sokols. This is a society whose purpose is physical culture. The society is well represented in Cedar Rapids, and has among its members some of the best all around athletes in this country. In 1909 a team of six men of this organization captured the first prize at the National Contest in New York city of the Bohemian Sokols Society in the United States. The society owns a fine building and gymnasium here. It is an old organization, dating back to about the time when the Reading Society was organized, at that time being a branch fostered by the Reading Society. The society has several instructors of physical culture and gives to boys and girls, and young men and young women, a thorough course in gymnastics.

The Bohemian people of this city are thoroughly and actively interested in the principle of modern fraternalism. Among this element the fraternal orders and societies find much favor and popularity. There are very few men and women of this nationality who do not belong to at least one fraternal order, and there are many who belong to a half dozen fraternal orders. In fact the Bohemian element in the city of Cedar Rapids is honey-combed with lodges, orders, and societies of fraternal character. The Reading Society, already mentioned, was the nucleus, from which, as time went on, manifold ramifications sprang, finally developing into an extraordinary number of fraternal societies and lodges.

At first these societies were more of a national spirit and character, but later the insurance feature became an important part. The Bohemian people have great faith in fraternal insurance. The next thing after a home is acquired, fraternal insurance is provided. Some of the societies are exclusively for men, and some are exclusively for women, but the tendency of the last ten years is to permit both sexes to become members of the same lodge. This too has its advantages, and if fraternal orders are to be more than mere insurance companies, a greater diversity of membership, greater benefits and advantages will flow from them. All the orders and lodges are in a prosperous condition. Three fine and capacious halls have been built and there is need and place for them all.

The C. S. P. S. hall was built in 1891, the Z. C. B. J. hall was built in 1908, and the Sokol hall in 1908. There is a Bohemian hall in Ely, Iowa. The Z. C. B. J. is a large and flourishing fraternal order whose supreme lodge has been located in Cedar Rapids since its organization in 1897. This in English is called the Western Bohemian Fraternal Association, and it is doing business in ten or twelve states in the Union.

In 1885 there was an Odd Fellows lodge instituted, whose members are all Bohemians, and whose rituals and work are in the Bohemian language. This lodge has the distinction of being the only Bohemian Odd Fellows lodge west of the Mississippi river. The spirit of fraternalism has had a remarkably good influence upon the character and intelligence of the Bohemian people. The financial benefits to the widows and children flowing from these societies may be great, but the moral, intellectual, and educational benefits to the members are immeasurably greater.

In the United States there are many Bohemian communities and settlements. In some of the eastern cities the settlements are very large, for instance in Chicago there are 100,000 Bohemians; in New York about 40,000; in Cleveland about 40,000; and there are very large settlements throughout Minnesota, the two Dakotas, Nebraska, Kansas, and Texas.

In intelligence and educational advancement, in the broad scope and high ideals of modern fraternalism, in social progress and in business and industrial enterprise, and in the professions, the Bohemian people of Linn county and Cedar Rapids rank foremost among all the Bohemian communities in the United States. This is a recognized fact among other Bohemian communities and cities in our country. We are proud of the fact that our city has won the beautiful title of "Parlor City," but more proud should we be of the fact that in all the Bohemian communities and large centers of Bohemian population from New York to California, Cedar Rapids is known as "The Bohemian Athens of America."

CHAPTER XVII

The Early Marriage Record

An interesting book in the office of the county clerk at Marion is the first marriage record kept in the county. Through the courtesy of County Clerk William Dennis we are enabled to give below a record of marriages that took place in the county from 1841 to 1855. The names and the dates have been transcribed with care, though it is possible some names here printed are not correct in every particular, due to the inability to read the writing in the record. As a rule the penmanship of our early clerks was distinct and readable. This is true in especial manner of the incumbency of Hosea W. Gray, who was clerk during most of the years covered by this transcript.

The book consulted in the preparation of this chapter contains both the licenses granted and the returns of the marriages. In a few instances the names in the licenses are different from those given in the returns.

A thing to be noted in this early marriage record is the youth of many of the parties. In many instances the records show the marriage of young girls of 15 and 16 years.

A number of licenses are recorded, but there is no evidence in the book that the marriages were ever celebrated, due doubtless to the failure of the officiating clergyman or justice to make the proper returns.

Many names familiar in the early days appear in this record. And it is valuable not only because it lists those pioneers who here set up their household gods soon after they arrived in the county, but also because it gives the names of the early ministers and justices of the peace in Linn county.

In this record book are recorded the licenses of the ministers of the gospel who were authorized to perform the marriage ceremony. Here are some of the names, many of them doubtless familiar to the survivors of that time:

Reverends John Hodges, Michael Summer, John Stocker, William C. Rankin, Israel C. Clark, F. R. S. Byrd, James L. Thompson, Warren B. Morey, Salmon Cowles, Isaac Searles, Henry Reed, Christian Troup, John Hindman, Allen Johnson, Uriah Ferree, James M. Fanning, Peter Robinson, Joel B. Taylor, Daniel Worthington, Luther McVay, S. H. Greenup, Duff C. Barrows, Absalom A. Sellers, Charles D. Gray, John S. Brown, John Walker, Edward R. Twining, Jacob Miller, Joshua B. Hardy, James S. Fullerton, Robert Miller, Stephen Porter, Solomon T. Vail, Abner Corbin, Richard Swearingen, George B. Bowman, David Wanerich, Nelson Rathbern, Almiron R. Gardner, John Hayden, J. N. Seeley, J. H. Harrison, Danforth B. Nicholas, John W. Boal, Isaac Whittimore, Bennet Roberts, E. D. Olmsted, Wesley R. Blake, Nelson A. McConnel, Elder Noah Willson, Deacon Pliny B. Yates, William Sayler, John Williams, Solomon Kern, Charles N. Morbeley, John Demoss, George P. Smith, Lucas C. Woodford, Alexander Colwell, Samuel Farlow, Williston Jones.

Here is the record of marriages covering the period noted:

- 1841

- July 25, Joseph Crane to Agnes Bogard, by C. W. Phelps, J. P.

- August 26, James E. Bromwell to Catherine Gray, by Rev. J. M. Hummer.

- October 18, John Hunter to Hannah Barbary Hines, by Calvin W. Phelps, J. P.

- October 30, John Mann to Mary Mann, by C. W. Phelps, J. P.

- November 3, A. Safely to Margaret Hunter, by John Stewart, J. P.

- December 1, Julias Allen Peet to Ester Ann Crow, by Rev. Thomas P. Emerson.

- December 7, Aaron Moriarty to Hannah Ross, by Thomas Goudy, J. P.

- Dec. 12, Samuel Ross to Mary Vaughn, by John Stocker.

- ——, Charles Roe to Phebe Putnam, by C. W. Phelps, J. P.

- 1842

- January 16, James Cummings to Mary Ann Dorsey, by D. W. King, J. P.

- January 18, Nathan Cochran to Eliza Ann Nichols, by C. W. Phelps, J. P.

- February 19, James Leverich to Hannah Brody, by Aaron Usher, J. P.

- March 8, William B. Hampton to Mary Ann Van Zant, by John Stewart, J. P.

- April 3, Jacob Minton to Charlotte Lewis, by Aaron Usher, J. P.

- April 17, Alfred Williams to Elizabeth Oliphant, by James M. Denison, J. P.

- April 18, Franklin Kimble to Lidia Bristol, by C. W. Phelps, J. P.

- April 24, David Rickey to Mary Coon, by Rev. John Stocker.

- May 22, Harvey Dwyer to Elizabeth Bartlett, by C. W. Phelps, J. P.

- May 29, Robert C. Cregg to Mary E. Dowing, by Rev. Wm. C. Rankin.

- August 25, David Willson to Mercy Brody, by C. W. Phelps, J. P.

- September 22, Casper Nick to Christena Briney, by John Stewart, J. P.

- October 9, James Huntington to Aurilla Archer, by Thomas Goudy, J. P.

- November 21, John Henderson to Manilla N. Howard, by L. M. Strong, J. P.

- December 1, William B. Harrison to Emma Osborn, by Thomas Lockhart, J. P.

- December 24, Andrew Jackson McKean to Abah Day, by Rev. Jesse L. Bennett.

- December 27, Joseph Jackman to Mary Ann Hall, by Rev. Jesse L. Bennett.

- 1843

- January 1, Daniel Morland Peet to Sally Eliza Tryon, by Rev. Jesse L. Bennett.

- January 11, Wm. Stephen Trimble to Martha Drunnin, by Joseph Hale, J. P.

- January 20, Mark Jostin to Elizabeth Hale, by Rev. Thos. P. Emmerson.

- February 8, Edward L. Hays to Mary Elizabeth Kramer, by Rev. John Stocker.

- February 26, Joseph Mounts to Maria Christian Shoe, by Rev. Jesse L. Bennett.

- March 2, Hugh Brody to Joanna Osborn, by James M. Denison, J. P.

- March 12, Charles Pinckney to Amanda Brown, by Rev. Jesse L. Bennett.

- March 21, Edwin Birdwell Spencer to Martha Davis, by James M. Denison, J. P.

- April 17, Harry Oliver to Elizabeth Jane Bigger, by John Hunter, J. P.

- April 18, John King to Martha Matilda Torrence, by L. M. Strong, J. P.

- April 23, Philip Steinbaugh to Elizabeth Frileigh, by L. M. Strong, J. P.

- April 27, James M. Denison to Mary Jewel, by Hartsell Hittle, J. P.

- April 30, John Robbins to Margaret Ann Fagg, by Rev. Jesse L. Bennett.

- May 7, Gamaliel Walker to Sarah Catharine Winton, by Rev. Israel L. Clark.

- May 16, Nathaniel McBride to Christeen Kramer, by Rev. Wm. C. Rankin.

- June 1, Nelson Crow to Eliza Lane, by Isaac Butlar, J. P.

- June 26, Solomon Peckham to Harriet Brown, by James Gilliland, J. P.

- June 26, Edward R. Birney to Catharine Cummings, by John Wolf, J. P.

- July 9, Samuel Brazelton to Martha Freeman, by David W. King, J. P.

- July 16, Lyman D. Bardwell to Sarah Kinsinger, by David W. King, J. P.

- August 22, Hugh Simmons to Hannah Simmons, by Rev. Wm. C. Rankin.

- September 5, Hiram Joslin to Sarah Jane Hale, by Thomas Goudy, J. P.

- September 14, Chambers Thompson to Rachael Barr, by L. M. Strong, J. P.

- October 8, Thomas Hose to Eliza Jane Willis, by Rev. Isaac Searles.

- October 12, Thomas Lewis to Elizabeth Davis, by Hartsell Hittle, J. P.

- October 20, Alexander F. Camp to Mary Wilcox, by John Wolf, J. P.

- November 16, Seth Baker to Prudence Higley, by Warren E. Morey.

- November 19, Thomas Gainer to Catharine Lewis, by David W. King, J. P.

- November 21, John Corey to Margaret Smyth, by Rev. Salmon Cowles.

- December 7, Calvin W. Phelps to Mrs. Mary Stall, by A. Simmons, J. P.

- December 8, John McD. Bromwell to Rebecca Milner, by L. M. Strong, J. P.

- December 13, Samuel W. Durham to Ellen Wallcott, by L. M. Strong, J. P.

- December 25, William Brazzleton to Ruth Minton, by L. Lewis, J. P.

- December 26, Samuel W. D. Cone to Mary Dodd, by L. M. Strong, J. P.

UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, SCOTCH GROVE

C. &. N. W. WOOD BURNING ENGINE, 1879

1844

January 1, William Williams to Mary Angeline Nordyke, by L. M. Strong, J. P.

January 25, Oliver Vanderwork to Maria S. Elliott, by Thomas Goudy, J. P.

February 7, N. B. Brown to Catharine Craigo, by L. Lewis, J. P.

February 22, Thomas S. Downing to Caroline A. Keys, by James L. Thompson.

February 29, Horace Metcalf to Mary Jane Hollenbeck, by L. M. Strong, J. P.

March 28, Bral Dorsey to Eliza Jane Railsback, by David W. King, J. P.

April 7, James Ely to Lavina Beeks, by Horace N. Brown, J. P.

April 17, William Heaton to Elizabeth Sutton, by Horace N. Brown, J. P.

April 18, Garrison Crow to Mary A. Simmons, by Freeman Smith, J. P.

April 23, Hiram Deem to Helen Mary Barnett, by John David, J. P.

April 26, William Cress to Jane Cumming, by John David, J. P.

April 28, George A. Patterson to Eliza Jane Emmons, by John David, J. P.

May 19, George Cantonwine to Mary Malinda Lewis, by Isaac Searles.

May 20, Timothy Stivers to Elizabeth Baugh, by Nelson Rathbun, M. M. C.

May 30, Alonzo Heaton to Rebecca Heaton, by John Davis, J. P.

July 21, John F. Cumbertin to Rilla Oliphant, by John Hunter, J. P.

July 25, John L. Berry to Mary Williams, by David W. King, J. P.

August 7, Joseph E. Boyd to Elizabeth Smith, by John David, J. P.

August 8, Joseph Usher to Lydia Mariah Williams, by John Hunter, J. P.

August 27, William A. Corson to Cynthia Vaughn, by Jesse N. Seeley.

September 5, William A. Waller to Adaline A. Shipman, by John Hayden, G.M.

Sept. 27, William Hamilton to Agnes Matilda Hunter, by John Hunter, J. P.

October 3, Charles Hinkley to Mary Helms, by Perry Oliphant, J. P.

October 10, Joseph Derbin to Melissa Kirkpatrick, by Daniel Rogers, J. P.

November 28, William Greene to Louisa M. Higley, by John M. Baals.

December 8, John S. Cully to Nancy Mounts, by John Hayden, M. G.

1845

January 13, Joseph T. Berryhill to Jane Butler, by John Hunter, J. P.

January 15, Alexander Thompson to Marion Davis, by Hartzell Hittle, J. P.

February 2, Amariah Hagerman to Angeline Gray, by John David, J. P.

February 18, Joseph Lichteberger to Mary K. Holeman, by John Hayden, M.G.

February 19, Joseph R. Strawn to Tabitha Lewis, by D. B. Nichols, P. G.

February 27, Joseph Williams to Mary M. Lucore, by Rev. J. Hayden.

Feb. 27, Ferdinand Kershner to Elizabeth Rogers, by Rev. Isaac Whittemore.

March 2, John Eicher to Hannah Cox, by Rev. Israel Clark.

March 6, Orlando N. Gray to Rosina Pratt, by Rev. Isaac Whittemore.

March 16, Claiborn G. Worrall to Mrs. Ellen Connor, by John David, J. P.

March 20, Chauncy Leverich to Marilla Usher, by John Hunter, J. P.

March 31, John S. Torrence to Cephina Wilson, by John David, J. P.

April 10, Daniel Robbins to Pricilla Gray, by Rev. John Hayden.

April 17, Lister W. Hays to Anna Gritton, by Hartzell Hittle, J. P.

April 20, George W. Utley to Maria Jane Sawyer, by Henry Weare, J. P.

May 4, George Cochran to Susan Gunn, by Elijah Evans, J. P.

July 3, James M. Burge to Sarah A. E. McRoberts, by Nelson Rathbun, M.M.C.

July 16, Michael Zimmerman to Sarah Barclay, by Elias Rogers, J. P.

July 20, David Mann to Mary Ann Whitlatch, by Thomas Goudy, J. P.

July 31, Robert M. Forsyth to Amanda McCartney, by E. Evans, J. P.

July 31, William N. Downing to Armena Applebee, by E. Evans, J. P.

August 21, James Bell to Dorcas Martin, by Rev. John Hayden.

August 27, Henry Rea to Martha L. Miller, by Rev. S. W. Ingham.

September 4, Thomas McClelland to Ruth Ann Baugh, by Elijah D. Waln, J. P.

September 7, Caleb S. Hendrix to Mary Hemphill, by Hartzell Hittle, J. P.

September 7, Robert Fairly to Sarah Thomas, by John Hindman, J. P.

September 9, James A. Dyer to Elizabeth Minton, by Hartzell Hittle, J. P.

October 8, William R. Lewis to Mary I. Cofman, by Rev. John Hayden.

October 8, Wilbert L. Lewis to Emily Cofman, by Rev. John Hayden.

November 6, Thomas Craig to Martha Smyth, by Solomon Cowles, D. D. M.

November 6, Frederick Jordan to Mrs. Adaline Firkins, by Uriah Ferrie.

December 9, Michael Hine to Mrs. Catharine Hack, by Uriah Ferrie.

December 25, Joseph A. Secrest to Sarah Osbourn, by Hartzell Hittle, J. P.

December 28, John B. Cutler to Martha Heaton, by John David, J. P.

1846

January 1, O. P. Weeks to Margaret Archer, by John Hindman.

January 1, Joseph Moulin to Sarah Goudy, by Uriah Ferrie.

January 4, William M. Stockton to Ann Eliza Gilbreath, by E. D. Waln, J. P.

January 25, Luke Taylor to Nancy Ann Dawson, by Rev. James M. Fanning.

February 2, John Hindman to Emily Weeks, by Rev. A. W. Johnson.

February 15, Thomas Jones to Jane Antrim, by Rev. A. W. Johnson.

February 25, Benjamine Cobb to Sarah Holman, by Rev. A. W. Johnson.

March 11, John C. Van Allman to Nancy Holler, by J. Kirkpatrick, J. P.

March 12, William Hunt to Nancy Maria McLaughlin, by E. D. Waln, J. P.

April 2, Hezekiah Starbuck to Mrs. Villamina Rice, by E. D. Waln, J. P.

April 4, Asa White to Amanda F. Davidson, by Peter Robinson.

April 12, Silvester P. Lyon to America Campbell, by E. D. Waln, J. P.

April 14, Harrison Usher to Lucy Bevens, by John Hunter, J. P.

April 30, Milton Squires to Eliza J. Mounts, by A. E. Skinner, J. P.

May 9, Hiram Usher to Lucinda Williams, by John Hunter, J. P.

June 14, Elmyrrh Howard to Elizabeth Boyle, by Ezekiel Cox, J. P.

June 20, Thomas Donahoo to Sintha M. McClelland, by Rev. A. W. Johnson.

June 21, William J. Berry to Violet Wagoner, by H. W. Gray, J. P.

June 27, William Potter to Jane Elizabeth Fowler, by John Hunter, J. P.

July 26, John Evans to Mrs. Christiana Nick, by E. D. Waln, J. P.

August 9, George W. Metcalf to Mary Howard, by Elijah Evans, J. P.

September 3, Jacob Harris to Betsy Staats, by John L. Shearer, J. P.

September 3, Elijah Staats to Sarah Ann Cox, by John L. Shearer, J. P.

September 15, George White Gray to Zernah Williams, by H. W. Gray, J. P.

October 25, Alexander F. Camp to Mrs. Catharine Knapp, by E. D. Waln, J. P.

November 5, Walter L. Brockman to Margaret Cummings, by E. D. Wain, J. P.

November 8, Horace N. Brown to Sarah Jane Lewis, by Rev. Joel B. Taylor.

November 25, James Robb to Mary Patteson, by Rev. Burnett Roberts.

November 26, John Harris to Elizabeth Cox, by John L. Shearer, J. P.

December 25, Joel White to Sarah A. Garretson, by William Chamberlin, J. P.

December 26, Richard Miller to Elizabeth Sargent, by Wm. Chambers, J. P.

1847

Jan. 3, Ephraim T. Lewis to Margaret G. McKinney, by Rev. Joel B. Taylor.

January 21, Samuel L. Wallace to Elizabeth Coffman, by Rev. A. W. Johnson.

January 29, Isaac McCoffen to Rebeckah Beeler, by Rev. Joel B. Taylor.

February 14, Hiram Heaton to Susannah Nealy, by Rev. Joel B. Taylor.

March 18, Stephen L. Pollock to Marilla Lucore, by Rev. Joel B. Taylor.

March 24, Joel B. Taylor to Mary S. Ferree, by Rev. Henry W. Reed.

March 25, Barney Riley to Kesiah Ramsey, by John Hunter, J. P.

March 25, Phillip Beamer to Harriet Ramsey, by John Hunter, J. P.

April 1, William Gardner to Mrs. Sarah Gritten, by Hartzell Hittle, J. P.

April 1, Laurence Hollenbeck to Delila Lewis, by E. Evans, J. P.

April 4, William A. Skinner to Mariette B. Hendricson, by Rev. Joel B. Taylor.

April 5, John Rath to Wilhelmina Reinheimer, by John Hunter, J. P.

April 15, Hugh Martin to Sarah E. Blakesly, by Rev. Joel B. Taylor.

April 22, Norman W. Isbell to Elizabeth Pinch, by Rev. Joel B. Taylor.

May 2, William Davy to Charlotte Willis, by B. S. Knight, J. P.

May 3, Robert P. Stuart to Asenith B. Soesbee, by Rev. John Himman.

May 26, John Zumbra to Angeline Eggleston, by Rev. John B. Taylor.

May 27, James B. Thomas to Elizabeth Neighbour, by Wm. Chamberlin, J. P.

June 2, Chandler Jordan to Sarah D. Waterhouse, by L. S. Jordan, J. P.

June 8, Levi H. Mason to Eunice Ann Smith, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

July 1, Warrington G. Conden to Margaret E. Shaw, by Rev. Joel B. Taylor.

July 10, Abel E. Skinner to Mary Marshall, by Rev. John Walker.

July 12, Jonathan R. Peatt to Omina Gray, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

July 19, Aquilla Campbell to Rachael Daniels, by E. D. Waln, J. P.

July 27, Dyer Usher to Rosannah Harris, by John L. Shearer, J. P.

August 12, Andrew F. Brockman to Pernetta A. Gott, by Rev. Bennett Roberts.

August 15, James Berry to Sarah Pattison, by Rev. Joel B. Taylor.

August 26, John S. Dolerhide to Harriet Cooper, by Rev. Bennett Roberts.

August 17, William M. Stuart to Phebe Ross, by Rev. Bennett Roberts.

August 29, Thomas Dill to Nancy Seargeant, by E. D. Waln, J. P.

September 16, John Mason to Hannah B. Railsback, by John Cue, J. P.

September 23, William G. Darr to Mary E. Arford, by B. L. Night, J. P.

October 4, Stephen Cook to Sarah Ann Isham, by Andrew J. McKean, J. P.

October 7, Andrew Hollenbeck to Susannah Yates, by Rev. D. Worthington.

October 7, Henry H. Baker to Lavina Crosberry, by H. W. Gray, J. P.

October 9, Noah Wilson to Mary House, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

October 9, John Cress to Lydia Neighbour, by Thomas Lewis, J. P.

October 14, Christopher Amose to Sarah Tee, by Hartzell Hittle, J. P.

October 18, David M. Richardson to Eliza J. Goudy, by Andrew J. McKean, J. P.

October 19, John Bomgardner to Lucy Mariah Davis, by W. Chamberlin, J. P.

October 19, Oliver Clark, Jr. to Barbary Ellen Brice, by E. D. Waln, J. P.

November 1, Joseph Bigger to Frances Runner, by A. D. Battorff, J. P.

November 16, Harmon Boyd to Issabella Grafton, by Rev. Bennett Roberts.

November 19, John Shane to Hannah P. Goudy, by Rev. D. Worthington.

November 18, James Scott to Hulda Newton, by E. D. Waln, J. P.

December 21, Jacob B. Romine to Mrs. Jaurespa Harris, by Rev. Jas Fanning.

December 23, William L. Waln to Frances Burge, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

December 30, Peter Moriarty to Sarah Osborn, by Rev. Jas. M. Fanning.

1848

January 1, Josephas Stites to Sarah Burnett, by Ezekial Cox, J. P.

January 9, Henry Hunter to Roann Beckner, by Hosea W. Gray, J. P.

January 9, George A. Patterson to Hazeah Jones, by Rev. Bennet Roberts.

January 9, Joseph Usher to Harriet Williams, by John Hunter, J. P.

January 19, Nelson Usher to Pheba Vinson, by John Hunter, J. P.

February 4, Martin Bennett to Sabitha Conrad, by W. Chamberlin, J. P.

February 12, Benjamin Dewit to Hannah Ann Boid, by Rev. Bennet Roberts.

February 20, Henry Tee to Rachel Stuart, by Rev. Duff C. Barrows.

February 22, Asa White to Ann Eliza Stone, by Rev. D. Worthington.

March 16, John Harmon to Susan A. Abbee, by Hosea W. Gray, J. P.

March 18, Valentine Wrath to Mariah Jane Utley, by John Hunter, J. P.

March 30, James L. Stevens to Minerva Andrews, by Rev. D. Worthington.

March 30, Daniel Carlan to Eliza Ann Shaw, by Rev. D. Worthington.

March 31, Joseph Waln to Ann Kinly, by Rev. John Hindman.

March 31, Alexander Paul to Aurilla Rood, by A. D. Battorff, J. P.

April 10, Henry Cress to Elizabeth Skinner, by Rev. Jno. Walker.

May 4, Henry Hemphill to Emaline Wickum, by Rev. D. Worthington.

May 6, Amos D. Morse to Mrs. Bethany Campbell, by Salmon Cowles, V. D.

May 11, Jeremiah Burge, Jr., to Sarah Ann Archer, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

May 16, George Smith to Sarah Torrence, by Hosea M. Gray, J. P.

May 18, Conrad G. Darr to Bethira Ellen Hill, by E. D. Waln, J. P.

May 29, John Rundall to Sarah Ann Storm, by Rev. S. H. Greenup.

June 1, Isa Helm to Margaret J. Campbell, by Rev. Duff C. Barrows.

June 4, James Knuckles to Susannah Heaton, by Rev. S. H. Greenup.

June 8, Samuel Yule to Sarepta E. Clark, by Lemuel D. Jordan, J. P.

June 20, Geo. Washington Gray to Prudence M. Berry, by Rev. D. Worthington.

June 25, John Burge to Harriet Harless, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

July 8, Luther McShane to Hester Willyard, by A. D. Battorff, J. P.

July 16, John Wood to Elizabeth Jane Jaquett, by Ezekiel Cox, J. P.

July 16, John G. McLoud to Martha Jane Vardy, by Rev. Bennet Roberts.

August 17, Carmi Marshall to Mary E. Hazelrigg, by Isaac Butler, J. P.

August 20, Benjamine Hoover to Sarah Ann Bressler, by Elder A. A. Sellers.

August 31, David McCall to Eliza Jane Boxwell, by E. D. Waln, J. P.

August 30, Abel Grove to Catharine Knoflock, by E. D. Waln, J. P.

September 5, Thomas J. McKean to Sarah A. Gray, by A. D. Battorff, J. P.

September 15, Wm. A. Thomas to Sarah A. Campbell, by Rev. Duff C. Barrows.

September 28, James Nelson Howe to Margaret Hemphill, by L. Myers, J. P.

October 5, James Poyner to Sarah Scott, by A. D. Battorff, J. P.

October 5, Godfrey Heine to Lucy Barter, by Rev. D. Worthington.

October 9, Darius M. Ross to Eliza Jane Stewart, by Rev. Bennet Roberts.

October 26, William S. Rolff to Anna M. Wolf, by Andrew J. McKean, J. P.

November 12, Henry Bressler to Mary Ann Seimiller, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

Nov. 13, Edw. Crow to Mrs. Narcissa E. Bowman, by Rev. Lucas C. Woodford.

Nov. 14, Lawrence Hollenbeck to Mrs. Prudence Millburn, by John Hunter, J. P.

November 30, Turner McIntire to Elizabeth Gray, by Rev. D. Worthington.

November 30, John C. Goudy to Amelia Jordan, by Rev. Lucas C. Woodford.

December 14, Robison Conwell to Caroline Butler, by Isaac Butler, J. P.

December 21, Dennis Tryon to Huldah Clark, by Andrew J. McKean, J. P.

December 25, Alfred A. Holman to Lavinia J. Smith, by Rev. D. Worthington.

MAIN BUILDING, CORNELL COLLEGE

SOUTH HALL, CORNELL COLLEGE

1849

January 4, John Stanley to Ann Maria Freeman, by Rev. D. Worthington.

January 9, H. Austin to Mrs. Sarah Sutton, by L. D. Jordan. J. P.

January 16, Henry D. Rogers to Lucinda K. McRoberts, by Rev. Alex Caldwell.

January 18, Aaron Van Dorn to Elizabeth Boylan, by Rev. D. Worthington.

January 18, John M. Robb to Permelia V. Axtell, by Rev. Bennett Roberts.

January 18, Greenbury Doss to Elizabeth Cook, by A. D. Battorff, J. P.

January 21, Abraham T. Darr to Mary Jane Hill, by E. D. Waln, J. P.

Feb. 1, Samuel D. McCally to Bartheba McClelland, by Rev. Alex Caldwell.

February 4, Abel E. Skinner to Mrs. Mary A. Nation, by A. J. Ward, J. P.

February 11, Samuel D. Thompson to Lucetta Wilson, by Rev. Bennet Roberts.

February 12, Preston Daniels to Mary Ann Keys, by Rev. Bennet Roberts.

February 15, Barney Riley to Elizabeth Nation, by Abraham J. Ward, J. P.

February 17, Thomas M. Rose to Turza Ann Knapp, by E. D. Waln, J. P.

March 1, Orson Lewis to Elizabeth Nicholls, by A. D. Battorff, J. P.

March 1, William W. Hastings to Elizabeth A. Vankirk, by John Hunter, J. P.

March 11, Simeon D. Loveless to Sarah Weiser, by Rev. J. M. Westfall.

March 27, Joseph C. Tilton to Harriet C. Eggleston, by Rev. D. Worthington.

March 28, John Barkley to Elizabeth J. Barkley, by Rev. Lucas C. Woodford.

April 2, Lyman Wordan to Elizabeth McGaflick, by Rev. Williston Jones.

April 3, William Clark to Sarah House, by Isaac Butler, J. P.

April 5, Ebenezer Hull to Mehitable Jacques, by Thomas Lewis, J. P.

April 5, Francis M. Leabo to Harriet Bryant, by A. D. Battorff, J. P.

April 8, Wm. W. Woods to Polly Whitlatch, by Ezekiel Cox, J. P.

April 10, John Perkins to Christiana Forsyth, by Rev. D. Worthington.

April 19, Jeremiah Beall to Mrs. Elizabeth Whitely, by A. D. Battorff, J. P.

April 22, Jonathan Kees to Rebecca Wickham, by A. J. Ward, J. P.

April 29, Wm. M. C. Kirkpatrick to Elizabeth Irons, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

April 29, Nathan Chapman to Margaret House, by Isaac Butler, J. P.

April 30, David Barrows to Susan Jane Rhodes, by Duff C. Barrows.

May 1, Joseph Current to Margaret Hunter, by Lewis Meyers, J. P.

May 6, Samuel F. Hook to Sarah Jane Kennedy, by Rev. W. Jones.

May 6, Janus Martindale to Ann Myers, by Isaac Butler, J. P.

May 14, Wm. H. Harland to Sarah E. Leffingwell, by Rev. D. Worthington.

May 27, Richard Barber to Orphia Clark, by Rev. Samuel Farlow.

May 27, John Craig to Frances Burge, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

June 10, Joseph Mentzer to Maria Hollenback, by A. D. Battorff, J. P.

June 11, Ira P. Aldrich to Martha Maria Leverich, by Geo. P. Smith.

June 14, Edw. H. Oliphant to Samantha A. Ankrom, by Rev. D. Worthington.

June 20, James C. Alexander to Susan Smyth, by Rev. A. M. Stewart.

June 21, Thomas Baldwin to Jane Ann McClelland, by Hosea W. Gray, clerk.

July 1, Abel Groves to Abigail Miller, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

July 1, James Dill to Martha Harbert, by A. D. Battorff, J. P.

July 1, Joshua S. F. Briney to Rhoda M. Wolfe, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

July 4, Luther Abbe to Permelia Edson, by Rev. D. Worthington.

July 5, Chauncey Blodgett to Phebe Doty, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

July 8, Calvin Newman to Mary Ann Howard, by Isaac Butler, J. P.

July 12, Benjamine Wisner to Mary J. McKnight, by Salmon Cowles, V.D.M.

July 28, Homer Bishop to Elizabeth Smith, by Rev. D. Worthington.

August 7, James W. Fee to Tabitha Osborn, by Samuel M. Brice, J. P.

August 13, Buonaparte Stansberry to Nancy Jane Johns, by Lewis Myers, J. P.

August 14, Joshua Morford to Elize Jane Gibson, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

August 16, Wm. P. Henderson to Lydia Cox, by Wiley Fitz, J. P.

August 19, Samuel Heaton to Rebecca Heaton, by Rev. Samuel Farlow.

August 27, John Vardy to Mrs. Nancy A. Praigg, by Rev. Williston Jones.

September 6, Richard Gray to Martha Jane Scott, by Rev. J. B. Hardy.

September 7, Wm. Cahoon to Miranda Cook, by Frederick Kindley, J. P.

October 4, Robert Holmes to Eliza Keys, by Rev. Bennet Roberts.

October 4, Dean Cheedle to Ruth Ives, by Rev. Bennet Roberts.

October 8, Frederick Fisher to Joanna Henrietta Ruhl, by Rev. Williston Jones.

October 18, Otho S. Bowland to Adalina Frazee, by Rev. R. Swearengen.

October 25, Samuel Bressler to Isabella Seimiller, by Rev. John S. Brown.

November 1, Joseph B. Kyle to Sarah Samantha Goudy, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

November 2, Geo. Washington Roberts to Polly A. Cue, by Thomas Lewis, J. P.

November 4, James C. Traer to Marcia W. Ferguson, by Rev. J. B. Hardy.

November 5, Edw. L. Pierce to Romelia Peet, by Frederick Kindley, J. P.

November 15, Henry C. Oliphant to Martha Jane Moore, by Duff C. Barrows.

November 18, Raphael Cheedle to Evaline R. Ankrom, by Rev. J. B. Hardy.

November 22, Wm. Hunter to Nancy McRoberts, by Rev. Charles D. Gray.

November 29, Wm. I. Burge to Sarah Ann Burge, by Lewis Myers, J. P.

December 6, George Ives to Hannah Jones, by Rev. Bennet Roberts.

December 20, Samuel Miller to Hannah L. Howe, by A. D. Battorff, J. P.

December 27, Geo. D. McLaughlin to Capa Morford, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

1850

January 3, Walter L. Brockman to Ellen Worrell, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

January 24, James M. Oxley to Mary Jane Reneau, by Rev. J. B. Hardy.

January 24, Solomon Moriarty to Jane Osborn, by A. D. Battorff. J. P.

February 21, Wm. F. Howe to Barbara Miller, by A. D. Battorff, J. P.

February 28, David N. Glass to Polly Johns, by Rev. R. Swearengen.

March 7, Andrew Moffatt to Catharine Smith, by James S. Fullerton.

March 12, Wm. V. Lagorgne to Elizabeth B. Austin, by Rev. S. T. Vail.

March 16, Albert Russell to Climena J. Gray, by Rev. J. B. Hardy.

March 17, Samuel Stony to Sarah T. Robinson, by Lewis Myers, J. P.

March 30, Volney Carpenter to Susan M. Usher, by John Hunter, J. P.

April 9, Morgan S. Parks to Lydia Gentry, by A. D. Battorff, J. P.

April 12, Asa L. Harrow to Sarah Ann Troup, by Rev. John S. Brown.

April 12, Nathan M. Donahoo to Susan Shafer, by Rev. John S. Brown.

April 15, Levi W. Johnson to Ann Maria Kirkpatrick, by Rev. R. Swearengen.

April 25, John Harris to Mrs. Elizabeth Harris, by A. D. Battorff, J. P.

May 14, John Heilman to Mrs. Mary Ann Carman, by Rev. Bennet Roberts.

May 28, John B. Ives to Hannah Jane Wallace, by Rev. Bennet Roberts.

June 4, Joseph S. Carson to Phebe Vaughn, by James S. Fullerton.

June 23, David Hunter to Luray Ann Reynolds, by A. D. Battorff, J. P.

June 24, Harry G. Thomas to Alvira M. Andrews, by A. D. Battorff, J. P.

July 4, Christian Neidig to Nancy Huber, by Rev. Jacob Miller.

July 4, George Bayley to Sarah J. Goudy, by James S. Fullerton.

July 6, Seymour D. Carpenter to Sarah L. Weare, by Rev. Williston Jones.

August 15, Charles D. Gray to Candace Smith, by Rev. Robert Miller.

August 22, Miron Bunce to Elizabeth McAfferty, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

August 22, David Myers to Elizabeth Carbley, by John Emmons, J. P.

August 26, Bartley Openchain to Nancy Morse, by J. M. Williams, J. P.

August 27, Gilman Wells to Catharine Priest, by Wm. L. Winter. J. P.

August 29, Henry Seimiller to Deborah A. Falkingburg, by Rev. D. Wenerich.

August 29, Wm. Jordan to Margaret Montgomery, by Rev. J. Williams.

August 30, Nathaniel A. Abbott to Margaret J. G. Stewart, by J. S. Fullerton.

September 2, Joseph Robinson to Hannah Sanders, by Wm. L. Winter, J. P.

September 5, Henry Cummins to Mary Ann Hamilton, by Rev. Williston Jones.

September 7, Seneca Townsend to Nancy Fussle, by Henry Wagner. J. P.

September 19, James Jennings to Emily Gash, by Daniel Albaugh. J. P.

September 21, Hiram Ross to Eliza M. Palmer, by Rev. J. Williams.

September 27, Daniel Cory to Elizabeth Morford, by James McClelland, J. P.

October 12, Ira G. Wilson to Eve Montgomery, by Rev. J. Williams.

October 17, Samuel Veach to Mariah Jane Parks, by Rev. Duff C. Barrows.

October 24, Wm. Stewart to Eliza Lucore, by Rev. Williston Jones.

October 30, Win. M. Stewart to Mary C. Watkins, by Rev. Bennet Roberts.

November 6, John Bozenbareck to Lucy S. Martin, by Rev. Edw. M. Twineing.

November 7, Harvey G. Higley to Anna Bishop, by Rev. Bennet Roberts.

November 10, G. W. Bressler to Hadessa Thompson, by Rev. G. B. Bowman.

November 17, Joseph Thomas to Isabel Johnson, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

November 21, Benjamine Lapham to Ann E. Evans, by Wm. Cooper, J. P.

November 30, Michael C. Paul to Nancy Wiekam, by Rev. Stephen Porter.

December 10, Alfred Thomas to Elizabeth Lewis, by J. M. Williams. J. P.

December 10, Alfred Thomas to Elizabeth Lewis, by J. W. Williams, J. P.

December 14, Isaac Grimes to Eliza A. Cox, by Adam Berry, J. P.

December 19, Wm. M. Torrence to Jane L. Commons, by James S. Fullerton.

December 26, Richard Abbott to Phebe Reonalds, by Wm. L. Wenter, J. P.

December 30, Edwin Rogers to Emily J. Williams, by N. C. Gage, J. P.

1851

January 1, David Brooks to Jane Morgan, by Daniel Albaugh. J. P.

January 9, William Anderson to Rachel Harvey, by J. M. Williams, J. P.

January 12, Orsemas Lebo to Catharine Daniels, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

January 14, Hiram Brooks to Martha Hendrickson, by Rev. J. Porter.

January 14, George W. Gray to Harriet Stone, by Rev. Williston Jones.

January 14, Willis S. Gott to Elinor Carr, by James B. Thomas, J. P.

February 6, Walter Hilton to Sophia Frager, by N. C. Gagesby, J. P.

February 16, Orlin S. Harding to Margaret Morehouse, by Fred. Kindley. J. P.

February 18, Wm. S. Reed to Jane E. Gagesby, by Rev. John Williams, Jr.

March 7, Charles Robinson to Elizabeth T. Runels, by Jas. B. Thomas. J. P.

March 21, N. W. Matson to Sarah Romine, by Rev. N. D. McConnell.

March 24, Warren Payne to Catharine Freeland, by Rev. Jas. Keeler.

March 25, Wm. H. Carpenter to Mrs. Susannah Wilsey, by John Cue, J. P.

March 31, John Lash to Harriette Belt, by James McElhenna, J. P.

April 3, John Nicholas to Anna Lewis, by Daniel Albaugh, J. P.

April 6, Joel S. Austin to Elizabeth Metcalf, by J. H. Walton, J. P.

April 9, Nathan M. Day to Hannah Bearly, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

April 16, Charles H. Johnson to Lucy Clark, by John Cue. J. P.

April 27, Oran J. Draper to Elizabeth Haddon, by C. N. Moberly, S. B. P.

May 4, John Daniels to Martha Rindley, by Frederick Rindley, J. P.

May 4, Jonathan J. Nugent to Roxina E. Ford, by Rev. N. A. McConnell.

May 6, Wm. H. Bristol to Mariett Jones, by Rev. Williston Jones.

May 9, Simon Roll to Catharine Keller, by Rev. Sol. Kern.

May 10, M. S. Oxley to Nancy Poyner, by John Emmons, J. P.

May 11, Joseph Brison to Elizabeth Remington, by John R. Speake, J. P.

May 15, William Lutz to Dulybella Sedwick, by Rev. Zenas Covil.

May 25, James W. Gaeby to Cynthia A. Hobart, by Rev. James S. Fullerton.

June 1, Samuel Soesbe to Mary A. Chapman, by A. J. McKean. J. P.

June 23, T. J. Speak to Mary Chambers, by Wm. A. Thomas. J. P.

June 24, John Boxwell to Elizabeth Houston, by A. J. McKean. J. P.

June 28, Jacob Pugh to Harriet Dollerhide, by Wm. Cooper, J. P.

July 3, John Ellison to Rachel Curtis, by A. J. McKean. J. P.

July 3, James Curtis to Mary Johnson, by A. J. McKean. J. P.

July 8, George Henderson to Jannet Thomas, by Rev. John A. Vance.

June 8, Jacob Hogland to Harriet Hollenbeek, by J. M. Williams, J. P.

July 10, Jeremiah Campstock to Mary B. Johnson, by Rev. G. B. Bowman.

July 10, John F. Rogers to Martha W. Elliott, by Andrew Perry. J. P.

July 13, Nathan C. Gillilan to Mary Heaton, by L. D. Jordan, J. P.

July 24, Johnson Gardner to Esther A. Tolman, by W. A. Thomas, J. P.

August 14, Wm. Freeman to Nancy Jane Plant, by Rev. A. J. McConnell.

August 14, Daniel M. Funk to Barbary Blessing, by Rev. G. B. Bowman.

August 17, Samuel Justin to Mrs. Lydia Servenson, by Jas. B. Thomas, J. P.

August 19, Jas. McAfferty to Alma Jane Willcox, by Rev. Geo. B. Bowman.

August 28, N. B. Batterson to Emma L. Akers, by James S. Fullerton.

August 31, Jonathan B. Keys to Hariet A. Smith, by Wm. Cooper, J. P.

September 1, Alpheus McIntire to Cordelia M. Phelps, by Rev. Wm. Philips.

September 2, Sylvester McKean to Mary Ann Kyle, by James S. Fullerton.

September 10, Edwin White to Emily Edkins, by Rev. J. W. Williams.

September 14, John Manley to Susanna Kirkpatrick, by Adam Perry, J. P.

September 16, Daniel O. Finch to Ellen M. Calder, by Rev. James Keller.

September 16, Joseph Green to Eliza Denison Harvey, by Rev. James Keller.

September 18, Irvin Wilcox to Eliza McClelland, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

September 18, George R. Peet to Sarah A. Parsons, by Rev. J. Williams.

September 24, James Bliss to Lutitia Osborn, by James S. Fullerton.

October 2, Thos. Jacobson to Sarah M. Heaton, by Rev. E. W. Twining.

October 2, Fielden Travis to Patsa Campbell, by John Emmons. J. P.

October 12, Thomas Newel to Frances A. Allensworth, by Rev. D. C. Barrows.

October 12, John W. McDaniel to Miranda Willson, by John Emmons, J. P.

October 15, Sam'l H. Minear to Lucy Davis, by John Emmons. J. P.

October 17, John McCartney to Eliza J. Caldwell, by N. W. Isbelle, co. judge.

October 30, John Brison to Elizabeth Speaks, by Rev. Edw. W. Twining.

November 19, Parson Jones to Harriet Phelps, by Fredk. Rinley. J. P.

December 14, Joseph S. West to Susannah Hawn, by J. E. Kurtz, J. P.

HENRY BRUCE HOUSE
Springville, Built in 1855

FIRST SPRINGVILLE BAND

1852

January 1, Peter Betzer to Catherine Gibson, by Rev. S. W. Kern.

January 4, Isaac B. Reed to Mariah Vanderwork, by Rev. G. B. Bowman.

January 4, D. S. Brown to Amanda M. Hunt, by David Albaugh, J. P.

January 20, Thomas Milborn to Levisa Gower, by Wiley Fitz, J. P.

January 23, Alexander Renfaw to Amanda Andrews, by Rev. Solomon W. Kern

February 12, Emerson E. Barter to Esther McKnight, by Rev. J. S. Fullerton.

February 15, Jesse Turner to Matilda Grandon, by Isaac Butler, J. P.

February 18, Jonathan Hess to Nancy Mann, by Isaac Butler, J. P.

February 24, Hannibal B. Davis to Elizabeth Acres, by Rev. J. S. Fullerton.

February 27, Horatio P. Smith to Mary Severson, by J. M. Williams, J. P.

March 16, J. C. McConnell to Sophronia Harrington, by Rev. E. W. Twining.

March 23, Samuel Craig to Miranda Cheedle, by Rev. G. B. Bowman.

March 25, John Hemphill to Elizabeth Thompson, by Rev. Elias Skinner.

March 25, Oran Strewn to Emil A. Doolittle, by Rev. Williston Jones.

March 25, Wm. F. Travis to Mary P. Willson, by Rev. E. W. Twining.

April 1, Hiram Beals to Catharine Stinger, by Rev. E. W. Twining.

April 7, Eber L. Mansfield to Lucy A. Warriner, by Rev. John Williams.

April 7, Milo Bunce to Mary Ann Carnahan, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

April 15, Wm. Kellernan to Elizabeth Allensworth, by John R. Speak, J. P.

April 18, Isaac Robinson to Mary J. Daugherty, by Daniel Albaugh, J. P.

May 1, John Rundall to Lydia Gregg, by Rev. Orlin Harding.

May 6, George W. Harvey to Sarah R. Wolfe, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

May 11, Horatio Morse to Miranda Smith, by John Palmer, J. P.

May 11, Jacob Lanning to Sarah A. Yambret, by Rev. Elias Skinner.

May 12, Thomas Allbones to Elizabeth Kirby, by N. C. Gagely, J. P.

May 13, Abraham Ward to Nancy J. Lanning, by Rev. E. Skinner.

May 13, Abraham Ward to Nancy Jane Lanning, by Rev. Elias Skinner.

May 30, Luther H. Keys to Frances Nelson, by Rev. E. W. Twining.

May 31, Alexander McKinnon to Martha Mathews, by James B. Forsythe.

June 2, James McFarland to Hannah J. R. Walton, by Rev. O. S. Harding.

June 10, Alex Glover to Susanna Frager, by Rev. N. A. McConnell.

June 10, Joseph Myers to Sarah Dickall, by Rev. E. W. Twining.

June 22, Albert Sytezman to Julia Ann Walker, by W. A. Thomas, J. P.

June 24, Morris Neighbor to Laura Ann Hollenbeck, by Wm. A. Thomas, J. P.

July 4, Clark Draper to Barbary Hesberger, by Rev. Elias Skinner.

July 6, John Carnes to Dorcas Robinson, by John Palmer, J. P.

July 15, Richard M. Jones to Mary E. Tyler, by John Palmer, J. P.

July 25, John Winter to Christina Martin, by Rev. John H. Yambert.

August 14, Gordon B. Parish to Laura S. Hughes, by Rev. E. W. Twining.

August 19, Albert Taylor to Martha Hampton, by Rev. N. Rathburn.

August 31, Samuel Worthan to Polly Frager, by Rev. N. A. McConnell.

September 1, Hiram Jenkins to Elizabeth Sawyer, by Rev. E. W. Twining.

September 2, Cephas Dood to Catharine Swan, by Rev. J. S. Fullerton.

September 5, Wm. McLelland to Sally Ann Shanklin, by Rev. O. S. Harding.

September 9, David Eckley to Mary Nihart, by N. C. Gageby, J. P.

September 15, M. H. E. Higley to H. E. Emery, by Rev. James S. Fullerton.

September 26, Frederick Enders to Rachel M. Carnes, by N. C. Gageby, J. P.

September 30, Absalom Lanning to Nancy Hemphill, by N. C. Gageby, J. P.

October 14, Thomas Hill to Mary L. Connay, by Rev. G. B. Bowman.

October 18, Wm. Prosser to Cirena Bickerstaff, by Rev. O. S. Harding.

October 21, William Oxly to Henrietta Benham, by Rev. N. A. McConnell.

October 26, Samuel Cole to Mary Shaffer, by Daniel Runkle.

November 14, James Johnson to Silvie Bliss, by Rev. John C. Ward.

November 16, John Walser to Hannah Metcalf, by N. C. Gageby. J. P.

November 21, Nelson Van Nott to Susanna McAfferty, by Rev. G. B. Bowman.

November 28, Wm. J. Lewis to Joanna Blackburn, by Thomas Lewis, J. P.

November 30, Joel Courtney to Mary Ann Keynon, by John Emmons, J. P.

December 7, Washington R. Given to Emaline Chester, by Rev. G. B. Bowman.

December 23, John Chambers to Emeline Reynolds, by W. A. Thomas, J. P.

December 26, Jacob Shanklin to Sarah Bollinghouse, by Rev. Orlin S. Harding.

1853

January 27, Jonathan Pipes to Mary Laughrey, by N. O. Gageby, J. P.

February 3, Edward Pugh to Ester Mann, by N. W. Isbell, county judge.

February 10, John Busenbark to Agnes Martin, by Rev. G. N. Jannison.

February 14, Amos Nicholas to Ruth Ransen, by Thomas Taylor, J. P.

February 20, Simon S. Wickham to Hannah Conner, by Rev. E. D. Olmsted.

February 24, John McArthur to Julia A. Straley, by Rev. Williston Jones.

February 27, Wm. H. Warren to Rosina Neel, by E. F. Williams. J. P.

March 9, Lysander Jones to Mary Straley, by Rev. Williston Jones.

March 12, Jos. N. Kirby to Mary Ann Remington, by Alfred Wright.

March 13, Waller C. Brooks to Martha Brooks, by Benj. Harris. J. P.

March 24, Joseph Carnahan to Susan A. McLaughlin, by A. J. McKean. J. P.

March 27, Daniel Smith to Anna M. Bruner, by Rev. David Winrich.

March 27, Janus Ship to Rebecca Barkly, by Rev. James B. Burch.

March 31, David Giger to Margaret J. Montgomery, by John C. Ward.

March 31, Lewis House to Elizabeth Clymour, by Rev. Williston Jones.

March 31, Daniel A. Newman to Lucinda Ennis, by Daniel Albaugh. J. P.

April 19, James Holman to Phebe Blodgett, by G. H. Jennison.

April 21, John W. Gray to Emeline Oxley, by Rev. G. H. Jennison.

April 27, John Barr to Syntha Ann White, by Rev. John C. Ward.

May 5, David Blakely to Julia A. Carroll, by Rev. Williston Jones.

May 5, Mathias Kirshner to Irene Arrasmith, by Philip Smith, J. P.

May 8, Henry Eaton to Sophia Hollister, by David W. Ring, J. P.

May 12, Moses Albaugh to Sarah Wilyard, by Daniel Albaugh, J. P.

May 15, Christopher Foremaster to Caroline Rhinehamer, by N. C. Gageby, J. P.

May 15, John W. Courtney to Margaret Runan, by Rev. James B. Burch.

May 22, Henry Busenbarreck to Judith Scott, by Rev. G. H. Jennison.

May 25, Nathaniel Harris to Matilda Allis, by Rev. G. B. Bowman.

May 26, Wm. B. Torrance to Nancy Rozel, by Rev. Hiram J. Burley.

May 26, Fra A. Steadman to Eliza J. Foster, by Philip Smith, J. P.

May 30, Joseph Parker to Rachel More, by Wm. L. Winter, J. P.

June 9, Gabriel Carpenter to Mariah Clifton, by Rev. Charles A. Gray.

June 12, John Carbie to Sarah G. Hampton, by Jos. Leonard. J. P.

June 19, Wm. Lineback to Margaret A. Hutchison, by Rev. D. Runkle.

June 23, Ezra P. Morehouse to Rachel Jordan, by Rev. J. H. Jennison.

June 23, Joseph Brown to Susan C. Snow, by Benj. Harris, J. P.

June 25, James W. Freeman to Jerusha Jones, by N. C. Gageby, J. P.

June 29, Joal A. Doty to Mary E. Rollfe, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

June 29, Oradon Lebo to Amanda Newton, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

June 30, John Millse to Lucy A. E. Coleman, by N. C. Gageby, J. P.

August 17, George Clark to Syrena Taylor, by Wm. Phelps, M. G.

August 25, Frederick G. Mason to Mary McAferty, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

September 4, Lanty Johnson to Narcissa Davis, by Rev. N. A. McConnell.

September 13, Hiram Deem to Sarah Jane Vandorn, by Rev. Williston Jones.

September 13, Jos. Morford to Barbary A. Welshimer, by Rev. J. R. Marshon.

September 26, Lorenz P. Warren to Elizabeth Hamilton, by N. C. Gagely, J. P.

September 29, Richard Wood to Effy Putnam, by Isaiah Booth, J. P.

October 2, David Bedell to Minerva Holler, by Isaiah Booth, J. P.

October 4, Jackson Quick to Nancy Ann Shanklin, by Rev. James S. Fullerton.

October 20, John C. Summers to Mary Smith, by Benjamin Harris, J. P.

November 1, Havir B. Sawyer to Permelia Andrews, by Rev. Rufus Ricker.

November 4, Orrin H. Smith to Eliza Pisel, by Rev. G. B. Bowman.

November 13, Robt. T. Holman to Mary E. Kepler, by Rev. G. B. Bowman.

December 6, John Minehart to Rachel Slife, by Wm. Wagner, J. P.

December 8, Simon Tuttle to Margaret Elliott, by Rev. G. B. Bowman.

December 22, John Miller to Emily Callahan, by Rev. N. A. McConnell.

December 28, Miron N. Nickerson to Sophia L. Snow, by Rev. John C. Ward.

December 29, Isaac D. Worrall to Nancy A. Thompson, by Rev. G. H. Jennison.

1854

January 1, John C. Mackey to Sarah Grubis, by Wm. A. Thomas, J. P.

January 4, Luther Stinson to Elinor Coleman, by N. C. Gageby, J. P.

January 17, Wm. Neely to H. Louisa Roberts, by Rev. Jas. R. Marshon.

January 19, Madison Fee to Phebe M. Wright, by J. K. Speake. J. P.

January 19, George Booze to Elizabeth Straley, by Rev. Rufus Ricker.

January 31, Thomas Flathers to Meralda McMillan, by Joseph Leonard, J. P.

February 1, Philip Hoglan to Mary J. Cress, by John Carr, J. P.

February 4, Henry Philips to Mary J. Harless, by Rev. J. K. Young.

February 5, Geo. W. Harron to Margaret E. Schoonover, by Wm. Wagner, J.P.

February 7, Abraham McAfee to Elizabeth J. Glison, by Rev. John T. Tate.

February 26, Massom Metcalf to Augusta Egleston, by N. C. Gageby. J. P.

March 2, Joseph W. Baker to Mary Jane Davy, by Rev. Josiah Jackson.

March 2, Jesse Tryon to Mary L. Cron, by John Carr, J. P.

March 9, Jacob Grey to Catherine Leabo, by Rev. E. Skinner.

March 9, Martin Floyd to Elizabeth Hoover, by Rev. Jacob Newman.

March 9, Chesley L. Brockman to Rizpah Lucore, by Rev. Rufus Ricker.

March 12, Truman J. Peet to Mary Ann Connis, by Rev. J. F. Tiry.

March 13, David Morgan to Charlott West, by Benj. Harris, J. P.

March 16, Edwin Clark to Charlotte Thomas, by Rev. G. B. Bowman.

March 16, Henry B. Hollenbeck to Emily C. Smith, by Rev. H. J. Busby.

March 19, Martin Perrigo to Arvilla Griffin, by Benj. Harris.

March 22, Wm. P. Hazlett to Margaret W. Kyle, by Rev. James S. Fullerton.

March 22, George C. McCorckle to Ardelia Yates, by Rev. H. I. Burley.

March 26, Milton Monroe to Elizabeth Terrill, by Rev. Rufus Ricker.

March 29, Chas. E. Pollard to Fanny M. Hakes, by Rev. James S. Fullerton.

April 2, Simeon Burge to Elizabeth Archer, by Rev. S. K. Young.

April 13, Alexander Noble to Rebecca McFarland, by Rev. O. S. Harding.

April 16, Julius Griffing to Mary D. Ellis, by Wm. P. Gardner, J. P.

April 16, Alfred Davis to Maria Palmer, by Rev. N. A. McConnell.

April 19, John G. Tennant to Esther Hill, by Benj. Harris, J. P.

April 23, Volney Leverich to Elizabeth Griffin, by Wm. J. Gardner, J. P.

April 25, Robert Berry to Nancy Thorington, by Rev. E. Skinner.

May 3, Richard Aucutt to Louie Homer, by Rev. Elias Skinner.

May 4, Addison Stewart to Cyrena Axtell, by Rev. James S. Fullerton.

May 4, Walker Terrill to Jane T. Crue, by N. W. Isbell, by County Judge.

May 12, Jacob McShane to Mary Milyard, by Rev. G. B. Bowman.

May 14, Spencer C. Coleman to Belinda Kairns, by James Coleman. J. P.

May 18, David Berry to Phebe McVay, by John Cue, J. P.

May 25, Charles Cooper to Mary White, by Rev. Rufus Ricker.

May 30, John Plummer to Mary Harshenberger, by James W. McKnight, J. P.

May 30, Samuel Berry to Louisa Biggs, by Rev. Williston Jones.

June 1, Absalom Sims to Mary L. Wadsworth, by Rev. E. Skinner.

June 2, Daniel Myers to Matilda Burly, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

June 8, Wm. D. Letzenberg to Lydia Crawford, by Rev. J. V. Dewitt.

June 8, Charles S. Kabler to Saloma Crawford, by Rev. J. V. Dewitt.

June 10, Taylor H. Tedford to Colesta Morris, by Benj. Harris, J. P.

June 11, Henry Sutser to Emily Kelly, by T. J. Speake, J. P.

June 28, Hugh Torrance to Rhoda Dyke, by Rev. G. B. Bowman.

June 28, A. B. Mason to Mary Cone, by Rev. Rufus Ricker.

June 29, John T. Hollenbeck to Mary Hepker, by John Cue. J. P.

July 2, Henry Chamberling to Fanny Stine, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

July 2, James H. Swain to Priscilla Walker, by John Plummer, J. P.

July 4, Joseph S. Butler to Mariah Renau, by A. P. Risley, J. P.

July 9, Frederick Helbig to Anna Hilman, by Daniel Albaugh, J. P.

July 13, Daniel Bigler to Catharine Mikesell, by John Weare, J. P.

July 19, Joseph B. Limback to Lucy A. Donahoo, by A. J. McKean, J. P.

July 27, John M. Bailey to Emily Stoddard, by Rev. J. V. Dewitt.

July 28, William Lockhart to Catharine Miller, by Thos. G. Lockhart, J. P.

August 2, George W. Osborn to Mary E. Rucker, by Rev. S. W. Kern.

August 3, Benjamin Hampton to Caroline Shipman, by Rev. Elias Skinner.

August 6, James S. Carpenter to Mary E. Klumph, by Rev. Williston Jones.

August 12, E. D. Hazeltine to Mary Mitchell, by Thomas G. Lockhart. J. P.

August 17, Enoch White to Adaline A. Waller, by Jas. M. Berry, Co. Judge.

August 24, Francis Smart to Louisa Williams, by J. W. McKnight, J. P.

August 29, Frederick to Joanna Bryan, by Rev. Jas. S. Fullerton.

August 31, Christian Martin to Mary Barrer, by Jas. McKnight, J. P.

September 7, Uriah Rumbaugh to Mary Ann Sutton, by Rev. John P. Fay.

September 12, John Thompson to Mary Rogers, by Rev. E. Skinner.

September 17, John Ringer to Barbary Hershey, by Rev. S. K. Young.

September 17, Wm. B. Penn to Elizabeth S. Pearson, by Rev. Orlin S. Harding.

September 28, George Howard to Lovinia I. Grigg, by Joseph Leonard, J. P.

September 28, James Pennington to Elizabeth Pence, by Rev. A. Manson.

September 30, Isaac Kinley to Mary A. Houghton, by Rev. J. V. Dewitt.

October 5, Ira Neal to Mary Fink, by Francis McShane, J. P.

October 8, John T. Stewart to Charlotte L. Barter, by Rev. Rufus Ricker.

October 8, Wm. Reynolds to Lucretia Vannote, by Rev. Asher Cattrell.

October 10, Lowell Daniels to Harriet S. Weare, by Rev. A. Manson.

October 12, James W. McAfee to Rachel Beerley, by Rev. A. Manson.

October 12, Richard Scott to Priscilla Cox, by Rev. John P. Fay.

October 13, Thos. W. Stephens to Sarah E. Fenlaw, by Rev. John Hindman.

October 17, James Vanness to Nancy A. Whipple, by Rev. J. V. Dewitt.

October 22, John N. Smith to Charlotte Smith, by Rev. Rufus Ricker.

October 23, Cyrus Ross to Mary A. Stoddard, by Rev. A. Manson.

October 24, Charles Cameron to Mary Pardee, by James M. Berry, Co. Judge.

November 2, Morgan L. Parsons to Sarah Beckner, by Rev. A. Manson.

November 2, John Pugh to Charlotte Thurston, by Daniel Albaugh, J. P.

November 2, Samuel M. W. Hindman to Jane McAlester, by J. Shanklin, J. P.

November 5, John B. Leigh to Elizabeth A. Leigh, by Rev. Alfred Peek.

November 7, Killion Lichteberger to Martha Gidons, by Rev. Williston Jones.

November 8, Elson Ford to Mary McQueen, by John B. McQueen, J. P.

November 9, Harvey Cook to Sarah Carnaga, by Rev. J. V. Dewitt.

November 9, Samuel H. McClure to Ellen Fay, by A. J. Ward, J. P.

November 9, Charles Cary to Christina Whitmire, by John Weare, J. P.

November 12, Charles Hahn to Almira Wolfe, by Rev. Asher Cattrell.

November 19, Manley Morgan to Sarah Barber, by Wm. P. Gordon, J. P.

November 20, John Holman to Rebecca Tarlow, by Rev. E. Skinner.

November 21, Geo. K. Mifford to Eunice A. Austin, by J. M. Berry, co. judge.

November 22, Peter Fritz to Barbary Kale, by James Coleman, J. P.

November 23, Elijah W. Gregg to Polly A. Barkley, by A. P. Risley, J. P.

November 23, Thomas W. Wells to Martha I. Combs, by Rev. N. A. McConnell.

November 28, John Morrison to Ellen Tedford, by Benj. Harris, J. P.

November 29, Orrin E. Thomas to Irene Nuckolls, by Rev. Rufus Ricker.

December 7, Edw. Bedell to Mary Hampton, by Joseph Leonard, J. P.

December 7, Robert Rogers to Mary Jane Thompson, by Rev. E. Skinner.

December 12, Wm. H. Coombs to Harriet A. Brown, by J. M. Berry, co. judge.

December 19, Sidney Williams to Celia Oxley, by Rev. Rufus Ricker.

December 25, Daniel Cavin to Mary H. Ellsworth, by Rev. Samuel Goodale.

December 28, Geo. W. Garretson to Almira Corporan, by W. P. Gardner, J. P.

Dec. 31, Wm. H. H. Flemming to Ann E. Eliza Eastman, by Thos. Taylor, J. P.

—— Jesse Beechley to Harriet Craig, by Rev. G. B. Bowman.

THE "OLD SEM", CORNELL COLLEGE

BOWMAN HALL, CORNELL COLLEGE

- 1855

- January 3, John O. White to Mary A. Metkeff, by Levi H. Mason, J. P.

- January 3, Enoch Irish to Rhoda J. Dodd, by Rev. J. S. Fullerton.

- January 4, David Stambaugh to Sophia Boyce, by Thomas G. Lockhart, J. P.

- Jan. 9, Ladurnia Larrabee to Amanda S. Renfrew, by Rev. Williston Jones.

- January 24, Greenberry Daniels to Susan Doty, by Rev. Elias Skinner.

- January 25, Jonathan Simpson to Isabella McCaughey, by Rev. Daniel Runkle.

- January 27, Wm. Croghan to Cornelia Ellis, by Wm. P. Gardner, J. P.

- January 28, Thomas Skales to Lucy Serton, by Rev. Rufus Ricker.

- January 31, Henry Ogan to Charlotte Cress, by Thomas Taylor, J. P.

- February 19, Jas. Richardson to Elmira Blanchard, by J. M. Berry, co. judge.

- March 1, Wm. Wilson to Jane Thompson, by Rev. Daniel Runkle.

- March 9, Jacob Cress to Lucy Ann Porter, by Thomas Taylor, J. P.

- —— Wm. Winsor to Rachel Leatherman, by John Plummer, J. P.

- —— George Justin to Sarah Chandler, by John Plummer, J. P.

- —— A. I. Allen to Ann Eliza Kaufman, by Rev. J. T. Tate.

- —— James Biggs to Margaret Mitchell, by Rev. Rufus Ricker.

- —— Byron Rice to Hannah C. Colder, by Rev. C. C. Townsend.

CHAPTER XVIII

Historic Roads and Other Monuments

In the early days it was essential to establish means of communication between points. Where there were no navigable rivers the legislatures, and even congress, passed certain acts establishing roads. The Territorial legislature which met in Burlington in 1838 and 1839 among many other road laws approved the following passed January 25, 1839:

"That Isaac [Israel] Mitchell, of Linn county, Iowa, John G. Fay, of Cedar county, and Jonathan Pettibone, of Muscatine county, be and are hereby appointed commissioners to lay out a road commencing at Bloomington, Muscatine county, thence to Rochester and Cedar county and thence to the county seat of Linn county. That said commissioners, or a majority of them, shall meet at Burlington on the first Monday of May next to discharge their duties."—Section 3, p. 461, Laws of Iowa.

"It is further enacted that Alfred Carter, Warren Stiles and A. F. Russell, of Scott county, be and are hereby appointed commissioners to lay out a territorial road commencing at Davenport, Scott county, thence to Hickory Grove, thence to Poston's Grove, thence to Red Oak Grove, thence to Pioneer Grove, thence to Big Linn Grove, thence to the seat of justice of Linn county, said commissioners to meet, or a majority of them, to discharge their duties at Davenport on the first Monday of May next."—Section 8, p. 462, Laws of Iowa.

A number of these laws were passed laying out what were known as "territorial and state roads." For example, there was the well known Dubuque-Iowa City road passing through Anamosa, Springville, and Mount Vernon. Then there were the two well known roads passing through Marion, one known as the Toledo road running nearly directly west of Cedar Rapids to Toledo, and a road much travelled in the early day; the other road branched from the Toledo road about four miles west of the city and was an angling road known in this county as the Marengo road, the State road, as well as the Des Moines road, which also was laid out over high ground in nearly a straight angling line to Marengo, and then west through Brooklyn, Grinnell, and Newton to Des Moines. This road was used much by the forty-niners crossing the state for the gold fields of California, and now and then some farmer has picked out of his field where the old road has been changed little horse shoes, shoes used for oxen, hammers and hatchets, and other utensils which had been left or lost by the early gold seekers.

There were two roads between Cedar Rapids and Marion well known in the early days, one called the old Marion road and the other running about where the street railway now runs.

Another road which was much used in the early days was known as the Cedar Rapids and Center Point road. It was much travelled by all people from the north part of the county.

Another road was the Marion-Mt. Vernon road, as well as the Western road, and the Mt. Vernon-Ivanhoe Bridge road leading to Iowa City.

The Code of 1851, referring to the State roads, directs that these roads shall be maintained by the respective counties but that such State roads shall not be discontinued or diminished in size.—Sections 557, 558, Code of Iowa, 1851.

At this time roads were under the supervision of the county court. Later they came under the supervision of the county supervisors.

For many years it was believed that a certain hill overgrown by trees near the Milwaukee tracks in the edge of Kenwood had been a fortification erected by the United States government in the early days for defending the settlers from Indian attacks.

A school house was later erected on or near this locality and was known as "Ft. George School House." Many of the old settlers remembered this locality and called it the old fort. An investigation was made and the following letter written by Samuel W. Durham explains itself:

"The house was built by a man by the name of George, of German descent, and afterwards bought and occupied by Ambrose Harland who gave the little irregular tract and house the name of Ft. George in honor of its first owner and its having the appearance of being constructed to resist, not Indians, but cold winds as they swept up Indian creek. Harland was a character, born in Kentucky, removed to Crawfordsville, Indiana, and was the sheriff of that county. This was the home of Lew Wallace, the author of Ben Hur, and also the home of Henry S. Lane who first named Abraham Lincoln as president in a convention in Chicago in 1860. Harland moved to Linn county succeeding Hosea W. Gray as sheriff, and was succeeded by me in that office. He was a six-footer and large and would fight, but once fell heavily before Perry Oxley's huge fist."

The person who erected the house which appeared like a fort was no other than George Hesing, who owned the land and was a peculiar character in his day. He did plant cottonwood trees around the house and also scraped up dirt so as to keep out the wind and snows as much as possible from his yard. In a few years the trees grew up and the rubbish accumulated, and they gave the place the appearance and made it look like an old abandoned fortification. It is said that a certain Mr. Willard having charge of the erection of a school house near this location named it the "Ft. George School House," which name it bore as long as it stood there.

A number of plats have been filed in the recorder's office at Marion, and these have again been transcripted for public use, but before towns could be platted a number of towns were staked out before the land was laid out and surveyed by the government; of these plats we have no record. The first plat was, no doubt, that of Westport, located on the banks of the Cedar river and near Bertram. This was staked out by Israel Mitchell July 4, 1838. Ivanhoe was laid out some distance below at the present Ivanhoe bridge in the same year. Another town was staked out by J. Wilbert Stone along the Cedar river at the lower rapids within the corporate limits of the present Cedar Rapids. There is no record of any plat of this town. In 1844 Westport was again platted as Newark by James M. Doty. This is the first recorded plat and seems to have been filed November 21, 1844, by John Zinbar, recorder. (See Vol. A, p. 301, Lands.) This is now a corn field and has long since been vacated.

New Linden was another town platted in the early days; this plat was filed by P. S. Embree, surveyor, April 15, 1853, being property owned by A. E. Simpson and A. P. Risley and located on sections 27 and 28, township 84, range 5, Brown township. This, also, now is nothing but a corn field.

Another was the plat of New Buffalo in the town of New Buffalo which is filed in Vol. 4, p. 217, of the Land Records of Linn county; this has also been vacated.

The plat of the town of Mayfield was made by J. M. May and filed for record in Vol. 143, p. 624. It bordered on the Cedar river and embraced lot 4 and part of section 34, township 83, range 7. It also has been abandoned, although May's twenty-five additions, re-plats, etc., made by Major May, are still parts of additions to Cedar Rapids. Major May was a man of enthusiasm, and speculated, believing, with Colonel Sellers, that in every enterprise he undertook there would be millions, but he died a poor, unknown and disappointed man.

Many of the old town sites have been vacated, and many of the old postoffices and country stores which one found throughout the county in the early fifties can no longer be found on the map. From Iowa as It Is, published in 1855, at page 153 we find the following notices concerning Linn county towns and postoffices: Spring Grove, Boulder, Central Point, Cedar Oak, Newark, St. Julien, Ivanhoe, and Hoosier Grove, besides such towns as Cedar Rapids, Palo, Marion, and Mount Vernon. The book also mentions Iowa Conference Seminary, with a three story building, and with Rev. S. N. Fellows as superintendent.

N. H. Parker in his Handbook of Iowa, issued in 1856, mentions a few more new towns not mentioned in the previous list, as follows: Fairfax, Lisbon, Lafayette, Mon Diu, Necot, Oak Grove, Prospect Hill, St. Mary, Springville, and Valley Farm. This author also speaks of the newspapers published in the county, the Register at Marion, and the Times, the Farmer, and the Democrat at Cedar Rapids.

Another handbook of the state, published by J. G. Mills, of New York, in 1857, mentions the towns set out in the handbook of a year previous and adds the new town of much promise by the high-toned name of Paris, located in Jackson township, near the present town of Coggon.

Few, if any, today can locate those villages and towns which sprang up from time to time over the county, and which long since have passed out of history and memory.

Of the newspapers published at that time only the Marion Register has continued to be issued. The others have passed away and one does not now know who were the editors and publishers of these early attempts at journalism in the pioneer days. These newspapers, no doubt, did much in keeping open the spirit of the people and in advertising the state.

BUTLER PARK AT SPRINGVILLE

BUSINESS DISTRICT OF SPRINGVILLE

CHAPTER XIX

Some of the Old Settlers

It is, perhaps, impossible to say even now with any degree of certainty, who was the first actual settler in Linn county. However, it is not very difficult to mention at least some of the early settlers. It is said that Dyer Usher and James Ames came up the Cedar river as far as the rapids on a hunting expedition as early as the spring of 1836; how long these men remained in what later became Linn county is not known, but it is not likely that they stayed very long. We have pretty good evidence that later during the summer came Daniel C. Doty, his two sons, James, and Elias, and nephew, Jacob Crane, as far as Bertram and viewed the country expecting to locate when land was thrown open for settlement. Mr. Doty was born in Essex county, New Jersey, in 1764, had early drifted west to Cincinnati, and by boat had come down the Ohio and up the Mississippi, landing at what is now Muscatine. His children were born in Ohio. They followed the Cedar river until they struck what became later Linn county to locate claims. There were no settlers here, and they found no people with whom to converse, but figured that here would be a good location to get cheap land when this land was opened for settlement. They returned to Ohio for their families, expecting to return the following spring, but they did not, in fact, return for three years on account of the financial depression. Israel Mitchell staked out the town first called Westport in July, 1838, which town was later called Newark, named in honor of Newark, New Jersey, where the family originally came from. Here Elias Doty, Jr., was born in October, 1841. Elias Doty, Sr., erected the first sawmill on Big creek in 1841, in the erection of which mill he was killed in the raising of the timbers. Daniel Doty, Sr., had the following sons, to-wit: James, Elias, John, and Daniel, all young men who early drifted west. Daniel C. Doty, the father of these sons, was never a resident of this county, but simply came here to find homes for his children. He died in Ohio in 1849; the widow died in Ohio in 1863 at the advanced age of ninety-eight.

James Doty, born in 1809, was the first real pottery maker in Iowa. He had learned the trade in Ohio. This crude pottery building was standing on the old homestead up to within a few years ago. At the time of his death, January 17, 1847, he had over three hundred jars, jugs, crocks, etc., ready for delivery. In this early day there was great demand for such merchandise as it was something every farmer had to have, and it could only be obtained in a few places and at high prices on account of the transportation.

Another Linn county pioneer well known in the early days was Israel Mitchell, who staked out the town of Westport in 1838. Mr. Mitchell was born in Kentucky, January 15, 1796, the son of Moses Mitchell, of Scotch descent, and on the mother's side, Elizabeth Grant, of Welsh descent, and a near relative of Daniel Boone, the Indian fighter. As a young man Israel Mitchell attended a Kentucky college and graduated therefrom. He studied for the ministry, but gave that up on account of his voice, and later took a course in medicine, but gave up the practice, as his step-daughter, Mrs. Slavin, writes, "because he was too tender hearted." He had studied law as well as surveying. After his marriage he removed to Ohio in the early '20s with his wife and two children, viz: Angeline and John Mitchell. He soon drifted into Indiana, and from there he removed to Wisconsin, working in the lead mines near Apple river in the southwest part of the state as surveyor. From Wisconsin he came by way of Dubuque to Linn county in the spring of 1838 in company with John, James, and Chamber Hunter, and Jacob Leabo. They all settled on the banks of the Cedar river in sections 32 and 33, township 83, range 6. Mr. Mitchell was a widower at this time and he and his children stayed with the Leabo family. At Marion he married Mrs. Mary Ross, nee Mary Arnold, a native of Princeton, New Jersey, on November 7, 1845, Esquire Goudy, one of the first justices of the peace, performing the marriage ceremony according to the territorial laws of Iowa. Of this marriage were born five children: Luther H., Caroline, Israel, Boone, and Maris Morton. By her first marriage Mrs. Ross had four children. She died in Oregon in 1858.

Mr. Mitchell sat on the first grand jury summoned in the county, was one of the first justices of the peace in the county, and was also the first probate judge. He acted as a frontier lawyer, did more or less surveying, at which he was an expert, and in many ways was a most useful man to the community. Mr. Mitchell was a true southerner, his home was always open, and he did much entertaining. He spent much of his time interesting his friends and acquaintances in new enterprises, and in various ways tried to build up a great town on the banks of the Cedar river. Whether it was due to the failure of his new town to materialize or the western fever that got hold of him, we do not know, but just at a time when he should have remained he saw fit to emigrate, going with oxen overland with his family in 1847, locating about eight miles southwest of Portland, Oregon. Here he tilled the soil and became a noted surveyor. In 1873 he returned to Linn county to visit his old friends, giving glowing descriptions of the far west and especially of the Spokane country. On his return by way of San Francisco to Portland he fell in one of the gangways on the steamer, and received injuries from which he died a few days later after reaching home. Mr. Mitchell was a member of the Presbyterian church and affiliated with the democratic party. J. J. Daniels, his old friend, described Judge Mitchell as follows: "He was truly an educated man, and in early life had learned the science of surveying, and this was the work he was particularly called for; when not engaged in this occupation he farmed and kept a ferry. When the writer became acquainted with him on the Cedar river he was an active man on foot and could swim almost equal to a duck; bathing in the Cedar in warm weather was his usual custom. He was a medium sized man and stood very straight and erect, having black hair a little tinged with grey, large blue eyes, a high, round forehead, and in appearance resembled Edgar A. Poe, and was equally as brilliant a poet as Poe, having enough manuscript to make a book of poems. He was truly a Christian man in many acts of kindness, and verified his profession of faith in a true Christian religion."

Robert Ellis, Linn county's oldest living settler, was born in Westmoreland, county, Pennsylvania, January 20, 1817, emigrated to Ohio in 1837, later to Michigan, and started on foot to Iowa Territory in the winter of 1838. He remained for a few weeks in Cedar county and started again on foot looking for a claim in the timber near some river. Coming to the present site of Cedar Rapids the first man he found was a man by the name of Hull, who held down a claim where the T. M. Sinclair Company packing house is now located; coming further up along the river he found the tavern of Osgood Shepherd. Mr. Ellis liked the place and staked out his claim on his present location near what is known as Ellis Park. He was at work there cutting wood one day when Shepherd came along with another man, and insisted that this claim belonged to him. Ellis was not easily frightened, and as Shepherd was going to attack him, Ellis raised his ax and threatened to chop his head in two if he took another step. This threatening attitude on the part of Ellis frightened Shepherd and he and his companion retreated, Ellis never being disturbed afterwards. Shepherd never referred to the matter. The next summer when Shepherd's father died Ellis and Lichtebarger made the coffin and assisted at the burial, when Shepherd seemed to be very much touched by the kindness of these two men and thanked them profusely.

Ellis became a friend of the Lichtebarger boys and also of O. S. Bolling. Bolling and Ellis assisted Tom Lewis, the old pioneer, to get his wagon and cattle across the river when he came west to locate, on what became later known as "Lewis Bottoms." Ellis worked for awhile at the Winnebago Mission at Ft. Atkinson, Iowa, where he met a number of military men who later became known in the Mexican war, as well as in the Civil war.

As he was frequently in company with men who took newspapers and who had travelled about the country, he heard of the gold excitement in California and at once crossed the country to Marion wanting to go west. At Marion he met Dan Mentzer, a man by the name of Harvey, and another person by the name of Green. They purchased an outfit and started for California in April, 1849, arriving at the diggings in that state the same summer after many hard experiences. He remained for several years digging gold as a placer miner and keeping a grocery store, and for a time he ran a stage between Georgetown and Coloma, earning express, passengers, and the mail. Here he met and associated with Sutter, the old German who discovered the first gold diggings, as well as his partner, saw Fair, Huntington, Mackey, and the boisterous Stewart, some of them "running saloons today and owning mines tomorrow." After remaining in California for seven years he returned home by way of the Nicaragua route and there met and talked with General Walker, the famous filibusterer.

Philip Hull, according to Robert Ellis, had arrived in what became Cedar Rapids just a very few weeks before he came. He says: "Hull was of my age and I took a liking to him. He weighed about 170 pounds, was about five feet eight inches tall, had dark hair and was stoop shouldered. He was a native of Ohio, and returned to Illinois or Ohio in 1840 to get married, as he was very lonesome out here on the prairies of Iowa. Hull never returned to Cedar Rapids. Mr. Hull and I walked to William Abbe's and bought four yoke of oxen, a wagon, and a breaking plow. We had but little money so we agreed that in payment for this property we should break 75 acres of land and cut and split 10,000 rails, which we did. It took two men to break, one to handle the cattle and one to hold the plow. It was no easy job on a hot day when the oxen would pull for a pond with all their might if not closely watched, and many were the times they would give us the slip and would lie down in the pond and we could do nothing but wait till the air cooled and night came on. Neither one of us made anything, and I saw nothing of Mr. Hull till I met him at Sacramento, California, where he had preceded me by several months. We often talked over our lives in Linn county, neither one at the time even believing that Cedar Rapids had any future. Hull was an agreeable companion, a splendid fellow and square in all his dealings. He preferred frontier life and would be content in no other locality except on the frontier."

Ellis says further of Wm. Abbe:

"Abbe and I were in partnership in dealing with the government. Abbe made the deals with the government and I made most of the purchases from the settlers. At one time Abbe and I had just completed a contract with the government for provisions, and then Indian Agent Harvey in St. Louis insisted that we must also furnish 100 cattle within six days at Ft. Atkinson. This was rather a difficult task but Abbe said we had to do it and we rode away in a hurry back home to buy up cattle and drive them back to be there in time. We worked day and night and had the cattle at Ft. Atkinson on time. As Abbe had to go to Prairie du Chien I was ordered to return home with $1,000.00 in gold which had been paid for the cattle. I did not like to go alone over the open prairie with the money but there was no way out of it and so I started bright and early. That night I reached Quasqueton and stayed over night at a small tavern where there were all kinds of people hanging about. The next day I set out again and got down in the neighborhood of Center Point and there spied a deer. I got off my horse and loaded my gun, aimed, and fired. The horse shied and off it started on a dead run with the gold in the saddle bags. I next wanted to shoot the horse for it was worth much less than the money, but before I could reload the horse was out of range. I ran as fast as I could and in an hour found the horse tied to a tree in the timber with the gold safe in the saddle bags."

Asked how about the deer, Mr. Ellis replied, "Well, I never took time to see whether I killed that deer or not. I was so excited about that gold and that horse that I forgot the deer at that time and never turned around to look."

Since his return home Mr. Ellis has lived quietly on his claim, which now for the most part has been platted into city lots. Mr. Ellis is the only person now living who can remember when he saw one cabin here become a city of 34,000 inhabitants.

John J. Daniels, the son of Jeremiah Daniels, came to Bertram township in the spring of 1844, his father entering land on what is known as Indian creek, erecting a log house and barn thereon. J. J. Daniels was one of the first school teachers in the county. He held many township offices, and was for a time county recorder. Jerry Daniels died in 1882, and John J. Daniels a short time ago.

James Bassitt and wife came to Linn county in March, 1839, and Mrs. Bassitt is supposed to have been the first white woman to cross Indian creek, a stream which empties into the Cedar river below Cedar Rapids. A short time afterwards Rufus H. and Sarah Ann Lucore came from Pennsylvania and stopped with the Bassitts. On the first day of April, 1839, arrived Joseph H. and John Lichtebarger, locating on what became Kingston or West Cedar Rapids; later a brother, Isaac, also arrived. These brothers erected one of the first cabins, in May of that year, on the west side of the river. It is still standing.

At what became Central City arrived in August, 1839, Joseph Clark and family; this place was for a long time known as Clark's Ford. Here Mr. Clark erected a primitive grist mill by selecting a hollow gum and placing in the trunk of the tree a stone; upon this was placed another stone which was operated by a long sweep and turned on a pivot; in this rude manner enough meal was ground out to supply the family.

Joel and James Leverich arrived in this county some time in 1839, and chose for their home what became later known as "Mound Farm." Ira Leverich jumped a claim which had been staked out in April of this year by Rufus Lucore and after more or less trouble, in which the settlers took Lucore's part, Leverich had to yield and give up his pretended right. Joel was a noted character. He is described as a man of commanding presence. For a number of years he controlled the elections and it was told that "as Joel Leverich went so went Linn county." Dr. S. D. Carpenter, who arrived in 1849, has the following to say about Joel Leverich: "I had hardly got settled until I was interviewed by old Joel Leverich, the noted character of Linn county of that day. He was known as the 'bogus coon' because, as was alleged, he had to do with counterfeiters. He was a power in politics and was the kind of a man from which the modern boss has evoluted. Joel looked me over, asked where I was from, where I was going, and what my business was, etc. I was somewhat indignant and tried to be sarcastic, but Joel in terminating his interview with me squelched me by remarking, 'Young man, a fellow who wears such a hat as you may pass in this country, but I consider it d—d doubtful.' I, unfortunately, wore a black plug hat which was not the style in Iowa at that time. In after years Joe and I became fast friends and I became quite convinced that the shady stories told of him were the talk of enemies who were jealous of him because he was smarter than the greater majority of them. I was with him when he died and although he was a free thinker he passed away with all the calmness of a stoic philosopher." When on his death bed some one said to Leverich, "Joe, you have burned the candle at both ends." "Yes," he replied, "and now it burns me in the middle."

PICNIC AT HOME OF GEO. L. DURNO, SPRINGVILLE, 1884

ILLINOIS CENTRAL DEPOT, CENTRAL CITY

George R. Carroll in his Pioneer History, speaking of Leverich, says: "The Mound Farm did not remain long in the possession of Broady, possibly a year and a half, when it came into possession of the notorious Joel Leverich; everybody knew him and everybody dreaded him, especially when he was under the influence of liquor, which was often the case. Even his best friends then felt it to be prudent to give him a wide berth, not knowing what instant he would take it into his head to knock them down. Whiskey seemed to make a demon of him, and to attempt to reason with him while under its influence would have been as futile as to try to reason with a cyclone. His poor wife, a most patient and estimable Christian woman, would sometimes hide away from him for days lest in his fits of uncontrol and uncontrollable passion he might take her life. And yet old Joe, as he was popularly called, had a good deal of influence in the community. He was a strong partisan politician, and whoever arrayed himself against him was sure to have a hard battle to fight and in the end would very likely meet with defeat. He was as keen and cunning and wily as the old serpent himself, and it was very hard to circumvent him in his plans. He was accused of harboring horse thieves and of making counterfeit money; as to whether he ever did either or not I could not say."

While T. S. Parvin was United States attorney at Muscatine Joel Leverich was tried for counterfeiting, and while Parvin had said some hard things about Joel's mode of making a living he had also said some very nice things about Joel's wife. Later Leverich called on Parvin at the hotel, insisting upon speaking with him. Parvin's friends warned him not to do so as Joe would likely kill him, but Mr. Parvin thought he would take his chance and Joe did see him. Leverich said, "Ain't you afraid of me?" "No," replied Parvin, "you can kill me if you want to but you cannot scare me." "Well," replied Joe, "I admire your grit; I came not to scare you or to hurt you but to tell you that you did tell the truth about my wife." Some time after that Parvin passed where Leverich lived and accepted of Mr. Leverich's hospitality.

Joel Leverich's brother, James, was a saloonkeeper in Cedar Rapids and when he ascertained that Joel's death was due to his dissipation, causing a serious stomach trouble, he quit the business. Joel Leverich sold his claim in 1843 to Judge Greene. He resided near the McCloud Run for a short time and then moved to town, dying in the '40s.

One of the most unique characters in Cedar Rapids, and a person we know the least about, was Osgood Shepherd, who was a hunter and trapper and who is said to have erected the first log cabin on the banks of the Cedar river where the Y. M. C. A. building now stands, unless Wilbert Stone's claim is correct that he was first. When Robert Ellis came to the Shepherd tavern in April or May, 1838, Shepherd had lived here for some time. He had a wife and his father was living with him at that time, and he also had a number of men who hung about his place, but what their business was no one knew. The log house was about 16×20, covered with clapboards which were held in place by logs on top with ends protruding at the gables. There were also in the family three children, who made things lively about the house. This small cabin was known as Shepherd's Tavern. From Mr. Ellis's description of Shepherd, he was more than six feet tall, of a sandy or reddish complexion, was good natured as a rule and was an accommodating and agreeable landlord. He was accused of being a horse thief, but Mr. Ellis does not know that he ever engaged in this kind of business. However, this is true, that his morals were not of the highest order and it is believed that he harbored horse thieves who, in fact, were his special favorites. On the various islands in the river they secreted their stolen goods. It was also stated that in Wisconsin he was convicted of horse stealing and sent to the penitentiary, but how true this is no one knows. His father and one or two children died here and were buried on top of the hill where the Cedar Rapids Candy Company's large building has since been erected. Mr. Ellis says that Shepherd told him he was from New York state and for some time had been a sailor on the lakes before coming west. He held all the land as a squatter, and when N. B. Brown, Addison Daniels, H. G. Angle, and others came they had to buy Shepherd off in order to get title to this property. The patent to this land was dated December 1, 1845, although quit claim deeds and prior rights were dated in 1843, Addison Daniels and Nicholas B. Brown being the patentees. The patents included grants in the amount of two hundred and sixty-nine acres, and showed that they had paid the amount due at the land office at Marion according to the provisions of Act of Congress of April 24, 1820.

Osgood Shepherd had a friend named Bill Fisher, who always stuck by him, and of whom Shepherd's father used to say, "that when he moved something was going to happen, but it was not very often that he moved." He was a slow-going, lazy sort of an individual, and what Shepherd saw in Fisher, Ellis never knew. Nothing is known of Fisher and what became of him. In the fall of 1841 Shepherd removed to Wisconsin and was later killed in a railway accident. His widow married a person by the name of Carpenter and removed to Linn county, residing near Center Point. What became of the Shepherd family no one has been able to learn.

Osgood Shepherd and the pioneer settlers with whom he associated were perhaps no worse or no better than the average frontiersmen. They had been trained in hardship and sordid poverty, and the women bore the stamp of the early pioneers, devoted to their families, shirking no hardships, ever willing to move westward on account of the freedom gained and the opportunities offered.

Of a different type of mankind was the progressive, enterprising and enthusiastic Nicholas B. Brown, who purchased Shepherd's claim, the most prominent figure in the history of the early days of Cedar Rapids. Mr. Brown arrived in 1840, purchasing the rights of Shepherd with Addison Daniels and others. On August 4, 1841, he began surveying what was then known as Rapids City. He improved the water power which Brown early foresaw would make the town. A saw mill was completed in 1842 and the waters of the Cedar began to make its machinery hum; this was the first real enterprise of which the town could be proud. A woolen factory was also erected by Brown, which was later disposed of to the Bryan family. In 1846 and 1847 a grist mill was also added. On account of his many enterprises in which he had to depend on others Mr. Brown was involved in much litigation, but he was a born fighter for whatever he thought was right and accumulated a fortune because he had the tenacity of purpose to hold on to what he had purchased. As a pioneer he did some excellent work and certainly was one of the shrewdest business men of Cedar Rapids in his day and generation.

Mr. Brown was born in the state of New Jersey in 1814, removing as a young man to the state of Kentucky. His first wife was Catherine Craig, daughter of Thomas Craig, one of the pioneers. She lived only a few years. His second wife was Susan Emery, daughter of one of the early settlers of this city. Mr. Brown died in 1880, one of the most honored and respected men in the community, survived by his widow and two sons, Emery Brown and Harry Brown. The widow died in 1909, one of the best known and most respected in the city, having personally known nearly all of the settlers in the '50s and '60s.

Dyer Usher is said to have hunted and trapped in Linn county as early as 1836 in company with one Jim Ames; how true this is cannot be ascertained, but he did come to locate in 1838. He came of a sturdy family, was born in Ohio, and at the age of eighteen in 1832 he crossed the Mississippi, being one of the first white settlers to step upon Iowa soil. Mr. Usher brought the first divorce suit in Linn county. This business has grown by leaps and bounds since that time. He attended for a number of years the old settlers meetings and was a well known figure in the early days in this county. Mr. Usher was thrifty, honest, and fair in his dealings. He died December 11, 1894, at the age of eighty years. His widow, Rosanna Harris, died in 1909 at Covington at the age of seventy-nine. She was born June 6, 1829, in London, Canada, and with her parents emigrated to Iowa in 1845. She was united in marriage to Dyer Usher July 29, 1847. To this union were born twelve children, of whom five survived her: Willard R., of Alberta, Canada, Mrs. Alice Harris, of Estherville, Mrs. A. H. Miller, of Cedar Rapids, Mrs. Ray Lockhart, of Shellsburg, and Dyer N. Usher, of Covington. She had been a resident of Linn county for sixty-three years.

It is still a disputed question as to who was the first actual settler on what later became Cedar Rapids. It is true that Shepherd ran a sort of hotel or tavern and was the best known man in this part of the country in that early date, but it is not likely that he was the first man to build a log cabin here. Philip Hull had been located in the lower end, when Ellis arrived in 1838, and Ellis also found William or Wilbert Stone in possession of the land on the west side of the river, and he was the one who staked out what he called "Columbus" in 1838, having previously staked out Westport and sold his claim to John Henry.

Information as regards William Stone has lately been discovered through a daughter residing at North Liberty. She states that her father's name was James Wilbert Stone, but he was commonly called William or Billy; that he was born in the state of Rhode Island and drifted west into Iowa in 1832 or 1833, and that he always asserted that he built the first cabin on land which later became Cedar Rapids. It is said that he drifted west by way of Muscatine or Rock Island and followed the Cedar river as far as Ivanhoe, later coming to the rapids of the Cedar river. Mr. Ellis says that he knew William Stone very well; that he was a quiet, congenial, splendid fellow, and at this time resided on the west side, having a claim along the river extending northward to the bluff, and that a Mr. Galloway claimed south of a large cottonwood tree on the same side of the river. Stone and Galloway were on good terms and owned the adjoining claims. John Young and a man by the name of Granger, O. Shepherd, and Philip Hull were the owners or claimants of the land on the east side of the river. The daughter of Stone asserts that her father always said that he first located his claim on the east side of the river. It may be that Stone may have moved across the river after Shepherd erected his tavern, and made claim to the land near and adjoining the rapids. It is intimated by Ellis that Stone and Shepherd were not on the best of terms and Shepherd, being a large, pompous kind of a person, he might have driven the more quiet and less assertive new neighbor across the river. The daughter of William Stone, or James Wilbert Stone, Mrs. Elizabeth Hrdlicka, states that her father bought goods and traded with the Indians for furs for some years, and that the last time her father talked to her he told her that he was sorry he ever gave up the town of Cedar Rapids but did not think then that it would amount to anything. In 1843 he removed from what was Cedar Rapids to the Iowa river and married Elizabeth G. Brown and settled in Oxford township, Johnson county. To this union were born two girls: one, the eldest, died and the second girl, Elizabeth, now Mrs. Hrdlicka, was taken by her grandfather, Joseph Brown, on her mother's death when the daughter was only four weeks old. After the death of his wife Stone removed to Hudson, St. Croix county, Wisconsin. He returned to see his daughter about once a year. He died at the age of forty-eight years in the state of Wisconsin.

It seems from the story of the daughter of Stone, who is still living, that James Wilbert Stone was undoubtedly the first actual settler on the site which later became Cedar Rapids. From investigation it seems that Shepherd may have jumped Stone's claim and for that reason Stone removed across the river.

In Bailey & Hair's Gazetteer, 1865, the following mention is made of William Stone: "The next [town site] in order of time was called Columbus, built by William Stone, in September, 1838. He abandoned his town the next spring, then being a single log cabin. The site was that occupied by the present city of Cedar Rapids."

Mr. Stone was a speculator and a trader and had made some money trading with the Indians prior to the advent of Shepherd. This is true, that Stone did not harbor any people of unsavory reputations, and his whole life bears the imprint that he was a gentleman even on the frontier. Such a person people would not remember as well as a frontier character like Shepherd. Shepherd, on the other hand, whatever may have been his failings, was a man of a big heart, who attracted people to him. He had the love of adventure, and it is not any secret but that he harbored thieves and gave them more or less encouragement. Mr. Stone, on the other hand, was an honest, quiet man, the opposite of his neighbor, and it is not to be wondered at that they did not get along.

Another settler who came here at an early date was O. S. Bowling, or Bolling, who came in the summer of 1838 making a claim on the west side of the river and in whose honor Bowling's Hill in the south part of the town was named. Mr. Bowling was a quiet man, a good neighbor, and one universally loved by the old settlers.

In June, 1839, came Thomas Gainor and David W. King. These gentlemen found Wilbert Stone, the Lichtebarger brothers, and the claims of Young, Hull, Ellis, and Bowling. It is said that Mrs. Rosanna Gainer, wife of Thomas Gainer, was the first white woman to locate on the west bank of the river and consequently would be the second woman to locate in what became Cedar Rapids, Mrs. Osgood Shepherd being the first. Mrs. Gainer did not reside long in Cedar Rapids, as she died June 8, 1840, giving birth to a daughter who also died the same summer.

David W. King became one of the most enterprising of the men of that early day. He ran a ferry, platted the town of Kingston, and died, the owner of much land, in the autumn of 1854. His death caused much sorrow in Cedar Rapids.

In July, 1839, arrived Isaac Carroll and family, consisting of nine persons, all of whom were well known by the early settlers. A son, Rev. George R. Carroll, has written interestingly of the Carrolls, Weares, and others of the early settlers in his Pioneer Life in and Around Cedar Rapids from 1839 to 1849.

Another early character was John Vardy, who arrived in July 1841, and built, it is stated, the first frame house at the corner of Third street and Sixth avenue, during the summer of 1842. Mr. Vardy was a cabinet maker and an all-round person in the use of tools. He removed to Texas in 1856 where he died in the fall of 1878.

Another of the old settlers was Thomas Downing, a native of Posey county, Indiana, and a tailor by trade who at the age of nineteen drifted into Iowa and in the early '40s came to Linn county. He was a clerk in the Daniels Company store, removing in 1855 to Waverly to conduct a business for Greene Bros., of Cedar Rapids. He died in Waverly in 1896.

Samuel F. Hook was another of the residents of Cedar Rapids who came in 1845 at the age of twenty-one, a native of the state of Virginia. He died in 1848, and it is thought he was one of the first, if not the first, real store keeper within the boundaries of what became Cedar Rapids.

J. H. Kelsey was born in New York state in 1819, and arrived in Cedar Rapids in 1848. He was a carpenter by trade. He removed to Vinton in 1863, going later to Nebraska where he passed away some time ago.

METHODIST CHURCH, CENTER POINT

SOUTH MAIN STREET, TROY MILLS

Steve L. Pollock, a native of Pennsylvania, arrived in Cedar Rapids in the early '40s and married Marilla Lucore, a daughter of one of the early settlers, in March, 1844. He was the pioneer blacksmith and is supposed to have built the third or fourth house in the city. Harrison Campbell, it is stated, was the owner of the first blacksmith shop, in 1843. Mr. Pollock emigrated west in 1865 and died in Hood River, Oregon, in 1902. He was a brother-in-law of William Stewart, one of the old settlers of this city, both of them well and favorably known among the early pioneers of Cedar Rapids.

Hiram Deem was a native of Ohio and at the age of twenty-eight or twenty-nine located at Cedar Rapids and hired out to N. B. Brown. He helped to build the dam across the river, erected saw mills, and otherwise was a very useful man in a town with the boom spirit that Cedar Rapids had at that time. He was also one of the first justices of the peace and many a scrap was settled in his house, which stood on First street on the west side. He entered the army and died from exposure in a hospital boat in January, 1863.

What later became known as "Time Check" was first entered by Farnum Colby, who came here in 1839 and made his claim along the river about a mile northwest of the First avenue bridge near Robert Ellis's claim. He was a native of Pennsylvania and a very useful, hard-working man. From here he removed to Olin, Jones county, where he died some years ago.

In the early '40s also came Charles R. Mulford from Hoboken, New Jersey, and at once began as a town merchant, opening a store in the Vardy house on Third street and Sixth avenue. He was one of the most wide-awake business men of that day and had a good business, but was caught with the gold fever and emigrated in 1849 to California, where he died.

One of the best known men in the state in an early date was Col. William H. Merritt. Mr. Merritt was born in New York city September 12, 1820, and received a fair education at Lima Seminary. At the age of eighteen he was compelled to rely on his own resources and sought the west, settling in Rock Island, Illinois, where he obtained a clerkship. Through government officials and others he was sent to Ivanhoe on the Red Cedar river in 1839 to take charge of an Indian trading depot. Ivanhoe was a squatter town, being staked out in October, 1838, by Anson Cowles. To this place, which was expected to become a large trading center, came also at the same time George Greene, who taught school in the vicinity during the winter of 1839. Mr. Merritt ran the store with considerable ability, and long before the Civil war showed his presence of mind and bravery. At this time, like in all other stores of its kind, whiskey, tobacco, and groceries were sold over the same counter, and one day a number of Indians came, insisting on buying "goody toss," designated in English as whiskey. Mr. Merritt refused, as he had such orders from his employers, but the Indians insisted and began to take possession of the store, and intended to drive the young clerk out. A few pioneer hangers-on fled, but not so the young clerk in charge of the goods and the store. He got hold of an axe and with this he cleaned out single handed a whole squad of Indians, who left as quickly as they had made their appearance, much to the surprise of the white settlers, who up to this time had always fled when the redskins outnumbered them ten to one.

Mr. Merritt was related to George Greene by marriage, and the two men were much together from this time on. Mr. Merritt became clerk in the Assembly at Burlington in 1841 and in company with George Greene edited the Miners' Express at Dubuque. Later he was caught with the gold fever rush and emigrated to California, returning in 1851, becoming once more editor and part owner of the old paper. In 1855 he removed to Ft. Dodge, being appointed registrar of the land office at that place. He returned once more to Cedar Rapids and founded a banking house under the style of Greene, Merritt & Co., which firm later disposed of their banking interests to Sampson C. Bever. He was nominated for governor on the democratic ticket in 1861 but was defeated by Samuel J. Kirkwood. Later he enlisted and served with distinction during the Civil war.

After the war Colonel Merritt became editor of the Statesman, one of the leading democratic papers of the state. He died at his home in Des Moines in 1891, mourned by a large circle of friends all over the state. Colonel Merritt was for half a century one of the most all-round men in Iowa and a leader of his party.

The Weare family arrived here in 1848 and for more than fifty years were prominent factors in the upbuilding of Cedar Rapids. John Weare became a noted banker and railroad promoter. Charles Weare became engaged in constructing railroads and took charge of large contracts, was mayor of Cedar Rapids, postmaster, and consul in foreign countries. He was also connected with the First National Bank of Cedar Rapids, as well as with the Cedar Rapids Water Company. George Weare became a noted banker in Sioux City, and P. B. Weare and Ely E. Weare promoters and members of the board of trade in the city of Chicago. Later they promoted steamboat traffic in the Yukon country at the time of the gold fever rush. All these were sons of John Weare, Sr., who removed here from Michigan in the spring of 1845 in order to be with his children who had previously emigrated. Mr. Weare, Sr., held the office of justice of the peace up to the time of his death in 1856.

William Stewart, a native of Pennsylvania, located in Cedar Rapids in 1847 and entered the blacksmith shop of Pollock, later putting up his own shop, and besides operating a large farm. Mr. Stewart removed to California and died there in 1891, having acquired a fortune in Cedar Rapids real estate.

Samuel S. Johnson was another Pennsylvanian who came to Cedar Rapids in 1847. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade but gave that up for farming on arriving in Linn county. Mr. Johnson lived to the grand old age of eighty-five, and passed away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Robert Taylor.

One of the most enterprising, active business men who located in Cedar Rapids in 1849 was Dr. Seymour D. Carpenter, who was then twenty-three years of age, and had ostensibly come out here to practice medicine, but he later turned his attention to land speculations, politics, and other enterprises. Dr. Carpenter is still residing in Chicago, enjoying a hale and hearty old age.

In order to give the reader an impression of Cedar Rapids as it was at that time we shall quote Carpenter's splendid article contained in the History of Crescent Lodge, by J. E. Morcombe, as follows:

"I turned north and went to Ottumwa where I met Judge Greene, then a member of the Supreme Bench of Iowa; he persuaded me that Cedar Rapids was in the near future to become a metropolis and I decided to go there. After four days' hard riding and swimming several swollen streams, I struck the town on the afternoon of June 14, 1849; I crossed the river on a rope ferry operated by David King, who lived in a cabin on the west side; on the other side of the river stood a cabin, once the home of a man named Shepherd, and said to be the resort of thieves in an early day. I can not say that I was very favorably impressed by the thirty or forty small one-story unpainted houses that were scattered about near the river. There seemed to be a great deal of sand, and the houses were so situated that there was no sign of a street. There were three two-story houses, one on the river near the foot of what is now Third avenue called the 'Park House' in which the Greenes had their store, one on Second street in which John Coffman kept a hotel, and one on Third avenue back of the Dows & Ely block, also a hotel. I was discouraged and would have travelled further but only had about $10.00 left and from necessity had to stop. I put up at the Coffman hotel which, as I have said, was a two-story structure with a wing; it had been built of unseasoned oak lumber and was not plastered; the whole of the second story of the main building was in one room and contained eight or ten beds and was the common sleeping room of the guests. The lumber had shrunk and there could be no complaint as to ventilation, however short the accommodations might be in other respects....

"Within a week I made the acquaintance of all the people of the town. Among the leading persons were William and Joseph Greene, brothers of the Judge, Lowell and Lawson Daniels, Homer Bishop and John Weare, all of whom were merchants. The three stores of which they were the proprietors would not compare well with the department stores of today, but all the same they were department stores and in their miscellaneous stocks the customer could find all he wanted—from castor oil to broad axes.

"Pollack and Stewart were the blacksmiths, and the carpenters and wagon makers were represented, but I can not recall their names. There was also a saloon kept by James Leverich, a brother of Joe, a respectable man and a good Mason. The inhabitants were mostly young people, John Weare, Sr., Deacon Kennedy and Porter Earl being the exceptions. I found three doctors already located, Dr. Mansfield, Dr. Traer and Dr. Larabee, the latter being what was called a 'steam doctor.' Isaac Cook and Henry Harmon represented the law.

"The town was by no means dull; emigrants were coming daily, and the saw mill operated by John Weare, Jr., was kept busy cutting lumber for the new houses that were going up. There was no church building, but Parson Jones preached in the school house, as did preachers of other denominations, and Sunday schools and Bible classes were in full blast.

"On the Fourth of July a grand ball was given at the Coffman Hotel, to which flocked young people from Marion and all the surrounding country; there were at least fifty couples. The beds were removed from our common sleeping quarters, which, decorated with green boughs, became a ball room. Every part of the house was crowded and the fun was fast and furious. Only one mishap slightly marred the festivities; near a stove pipe hole at one end of the room the floor was defective, and a husky reveler of more than ordinary weight while executing the double shuffle broke through and fell upon the heads below; no injury was done and the dance went on.

"Dr. Mansfield took me as a partner and in company with Judge Cook we had a room 10×16 in a small one-story building opposite the mill, the other part being occupied by S. L. Pollock and family; his blacksmith shop was nearby. Our medicines were kept on a shelf and a store box made a table; our bunks occupied one side and a few stools and two split bottom chairs made up our furniture. We took our meals at the Coffman Hotel; our field of practice embraced the settlers, not numerous, in the valleys of the Cedar and Iowa rivers and their tributaries; we made very long rides. I was called to see a patient two miles above the present town of Vinton not yet begun; I got lost in the night and waited for daylight under a tree on the bank of the river at the very place where Vinton now stands. Bilious fever and ague were the prevailing diseases, all the newcomers having to undergo one or both....

"We had mail three times a week from Dubuque and Iowa City; the Higley brothers did the service in a two-horse hack; I think Joseph Greene was postmaster. John Weare, Sr., was justice of the peace; he was a very original character, fond of company and full of interesting reminiscences extending back to the war of 1812 in which he had lost a leg. His small office was in the rear of Mrs. Ely's residence which stood on the ground where the Dows and Ely block now is. He gave 'nicknames' to many people and places which stuck to them like burrs; the First Presbyterian church building was begun that summer and as the walls were built of cement, Old Mr. Weare named it 'The Muddy,' which it retained to the last day of its existence."

Dr. Carpenter states how they tried to promote a railway from Cascade to Fairfield, held meetings concerning railway extensions, and appointed delegates from various counties to these conventions to discuss the matter fully and to authorize the government to donate land and have eastern people furnish the money. He says:

"Dr. J. F. Ely and myself were selected to go to Fairfield; we left Cedar Rapids on December 3 and after a three days' hard and cold travel reached Fairfield; Marion sent Col. I. M. Preston and Dr. Ristine. The convention met in a small school house; all the counties were represented; the Hon. C. W. Slagle, of Fairfield, then a very young man, was chosen president, and I was chosen secretary....

"We departed for our various homes thinking the work half done, but sad to relate Cedar Rapids had to wait ten years longer for a locomotive. These two meetings were, I think, the first railroad conventions held in the interior of the state. Soon opposition claims were started for east and west lines and our project was ignominiously called the 'Ram's Horn.' The next year was quite a stirring one; new people were coming in great numbers and many were leaving, for the California gold fever had broken out. Several outfits left Cedar Rapids, with one of them Dr. Mansfield, my partner, whose place was taken by Dr. S. C. Koontz, a cousin of mine, well known to the old citizens.

"That year the first brick buildings were erected; a dwelling on Iowa avenue, near Greene's opera house, and a three-story building on Commercial street by Judge Greene, which for a long time was the show building of the town; we began to put on airs.

"In the spring of 1852 a steamboat came to Cedar Rapids; it was a great event and attracted people from near and far; she brought a cargo of freight, among which were the household effects of Mr. Bever and my father, both of whom from that time forward became citizens of the town. This year, also, came Mr. Daniel O. Finch with a printing press and forthwith started the Progressive Era, the first paper in the Cedar valley. [The Era was established in 1851.] Ezra Van Metre, a talented young lawyer from Circleville, Ohio, also came that year. Everyone was rejoiced that we had an organ and the editor was overwhelmed with original matter. There were at least a dozen young fellows in the town, myself among the rest, who thought they 'knew it all,' and anxiously rushed into print. The paper changed hands in a year or two, and became the Cedar Valley Times, and continued until a few years ago."

Dr. Carpenter sold his practice to Dr. Koontz and went into the land business and in politics. Again we must quote what he has to say about the county seat fight which commenced the first few years he was here:

"Cedar Rapids claimed that she was to be the commercial metropolis and therefore ought to be the political center. The question was brought to an issue by the county commissioners ordering a new court house at Marion, subject to the approval of the voters of the county. Cedar Rapids opposed the measure, believing that the building would insure the permanent location of the county seat. Then ensued a most bitter canvass. The voters were deluged with oratory. Marion put on the stump Judge Isbell, I. M. Preston, Col. William Smyth, N. M. Hubbard, W. G. Thompson, and R. D. Stephens, against whom Cedar Rapids opposed Jas. J. Child, Ezra Van Metre, Donald McIntosh, A. S. Belt, E. N. Bates, I. N. Whittam and others. Every school district was canvassed and much bitter feeling engendered. The Marion people were more adroit politicians and carried the election, but the result did not discourage our citizens, who asserted that no election could affect 'manifest destiny.'

M. E. CHURCH, TROY MILLS

MILL AT PRAIRIEBURG

"About 1852 Major J. M. May came to Cedar Rapids from Janesville, Wisconsin. The Major was a stirring man with a head full of schemes. He said that Cedar Rapids was a place of immense possibilities and only wanted enterprise to make it the great town of Iowa. He bought land at the lower part of town adjoining that owned by my father, and land on the west side adjoining the river and below that owned by David King. He platted out town lots on both sides of the river, and induced my father and King to do the same, which were the first additions made to the original town. He also surveyed the island, sent a plat to the general government and took possession of it, much to the chagrin and surprise of the old settlers. Then he began to agitate the question of a free bridge. Everyone wanted a free bridge but were undecided as to the location. The Major induced my father to subscribe $1500.00, and he gave $1000.00, which with sums contributed by others in the lower end of the town secured the location below the island at the narrowest place in the river. The bridge was completed and thrown open to the public, I think, in the late fall of 1852, and proved a great convenience. The construction was defective and when the ice broke up in the spring, the heavy cakes knocked down two of the piers, and destroyed the greater part of the bridge. All the people of the town were collected on the bank of the river watching the event, and two young women who were crossing went down with the structure and were drowned. This was the first bridge built at Cedar Rapids. The next was a bridge of boats at the foot of Iowa avenue which I believe was also swept away by ice."

Dr. Carpenter speaks next of the formation of the real company who had money and who meant business in the formation of what was then known as the "Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska Railway," which built from Clinton to Cedar Rapids and to the Missouri river. "Cedar Rapids was given first directors as follows: Geo. Greene, John Weare, H. G. Angle, S. C. Bever and S. D. Carpenter, which positions we held till the road was built to Cedar Rapids."

In speaking of the amount of money put up by these men in order to get this railway it is said that $200,000.00 was pledged by Cedar Rapids, which amount was raised as follows: $100,000.00 by private subscription and $100,000.00 by city bonds. Greene & Weare, then bankers, subscribed $10,000.00; George Greene, $5,000.00; John Weare, $5,000.00; N. B. Brown, $5,000.00; S. C. Bever, $5,000.00; Gabriel Carpenter, $5,000.00, and numerous other smaller sums to make up the amount. Then a city election was had and the $100,000.00 voted by an overwhelming majority. Surveys of the route were begun at once, and from Mount Vernon and Cedar Rapids two lines were seen; one by the way of Marion, and the other by the river. It was ascertained that the latter route would be the shorter and cheaper by $100,000.00 than the former, but the company proposed to adopt the Marion route if she would subscribe $100,000.00. This she declined to do, and the river line was chosen. Work progressed slowly and the first year found the rails no further west than De Witt, Clinton county.

Dr. Carpenter speaks of another railroad venture when a company was formed known as the "Cedar Rapids & Missouri River Railroad Company" with L. B. Crocker, of New York, as president, and with Major Bodfish and a number of Cedar Rapids men as directors.

"When the legislature assembled in 1859 and 1860 we invaded the capital, and established our headquarters in an old hotel near the river, the name of which I have forgotten. Major Bodfish was the commissary of the body. We had no money to expend, but determined to be hospitable. The Major laid in a barrel of old rye whiskey; as it was before the war, whiskey was cheap; also several boxes of cigars. One of our strongest henchmen was J. W. Woodbury, a leading man from Marshalltown, and with him Peter Hepburn, now an honored congressman, then a very stripling, but showing evident signs of what was in him. John A. Kasson was then a young lawyer in Des Moines, and we secured him as our attorney....

"The lawmakers were not in a hurry, but towards the last of the session they passed our bill, and you may be sure there was great rejoicing in Cedar Rapids. On our return the citizens gave us a grand banquet in Greene's Hotel, and we felt that we had at last secured a substantial victory for our city, as in fact it was, for thenceforth Marion could no longer be our rival. The cars came to Cedar Rapids in the summer of 1859, just ten years after we had our first railroad meeting, and we felt at last that hope had ended in fruition. An immense concourse greeted their arrival from all parts of the surrounding country. General D. N. Sprague, then mayor, welcomed the guests, and the citizens threw open hospitable doors to all comers. From that time forward Cedar Rapids assumed metropolitan airs as the leading town of the Cedar valley."

On politics Dr. Carpenter speaks as follows:

"From the first, on my arrival at Cedar Rapids, I became an active partisan. General A. J. McKean of Marion was the acknowledged leader, but the following was small. At the state convention in 1851, held in Iowa City, I was the sole representative from Linn county, and there were not more than fifty delegates from the whole state. State officers were nominated and also a candidate for congress. Colonel Henderson, the father of J. W. Henderson of Cedar Rapids, was named for congress, and without much opposition I secured the nomination for secretary of state for my friend, Isaac Cook, who up to that time was entirely unknown. I well remember with what surprise he received the news. Although there was no chance for his election it was the beginning with him of a long and useful career in many offices of trust, alike honorable to him and his constituents. As time rolled on and our population of immigrants from the north and especially from the New England states, and with the bearing of the whig party towards slavery, they became more hopeful, and by the year 1853 or 1854, the whigs carried the county, electing both members of the legislature and the county officers. John P. Conkey was the first member of the legislature living in Cedar Rapids, and at the same election Isaac Cook was chosen for a county office.

"About this time Charles Weare, Isaac Cook and many others cut loose from their old convictions and became ardent free soilers."

Dr. Carpenter speaks of how he abandoned medicine, how he opened a banking house in 1855, and became a land owner, having at one time as much as 1,600 acres of land near where the town of Norway now stands. He was first connected with Lehman & Kreider, later forming the partnership of Carpenter, Stibbs & Company, the firm doing business until 1861. Dr. Carpenter attended the convention at Chicago that nominated Lincoln and was one of the first to enlist in the Civil war as a surgeon. He was mustered out in 1865.

Henry E., Harvey G., Wellington W., and Major M. A. Higley were for a generation merchants, financiers, and leaders in many enterprises in Cedar Rapids. They were born in the state of Connecticut, coming to this county in the early '40s. Henry and Harvey Higley for some time operated a line of stages from Dubuque to Iowa City, and for that reason knew personally nearly all the prominent men of Iowa in the '40s and '50s. Iowa City being the capital and Dubuque the most enterprising city in the territory and state, the public men frequently travelled to and from these cities. Harvey Higley "got caught" with the gold fever and went to California, returning in a few years to Cedar Rapids. The Higley brothers made large fortunes in real estate which have descended to their children.

The brothers, C. J. and Jacob A. Hart, natives of Maryland, came to Cedar Rapids in the early '50s, and for a generation were two of the most successful lumber dealers in Cedar Rapids.

Alexander L. Ely was one of the early millers, who died in the '40s. His brother, Dr. J. F. Ely, came later to look after the business interests of his deceased brother, and for some fifteen or twenty years was a successful practitioner in Cedar Rapids. He and his wife for a generation were leaders of the business and social life of this city.

Homer Bishop was an old-time merchant, arriving in the early '40s, and for eight years was postmaster of Cedar Rapids. He was a congenial person, well known, and an enterprising and free-hearted man who did his best to build up a city on what was then thought to be the western frontier.

No doubt the first Scandinavian settler to locate within the confines of Linn county was Nels C. Boye, a native of Denmark, who emigrated to the United States in 1827 and arrived in Muscatine in 1837 and located in the vicinity of Lisbon in 1838 where he purchased land and engaged in farming. Being brought up as a merchant he removed with his family to Iowa City in 1843 and for a time operated one of the most up-to-date stores in the new capital. On a business trip to St. Louis in 1849 he fell a victim to the cholera and died there on June 23. A number of his children continued to reside in Linn county, and a number of relations are still residents of this county.

One of the old settlers of Ivanhoe was Dr. S. Grafton, who arrived there in 1843 and travelled horseback up and down the Cedar and Iowa river valleys as far as Jones or as far northeast as half way to Dubuque in the practice of his profession. He was born in Ohio in 1800, and died during the typhoid epidemic in 1845 and 1847. He was one of the best known of the early physicians, a gentleman, a scholar, and a man who did, perhaps, more during the few years of his practice to help the poor and the needy than any other of the early settlers. He was married to Isabelle Patterson, also a resident for many years of East Liverpool, Ohio, but born in Pennsylvania. After the death of Dr. Grafton she married Herman Boye, a son of Nels C. Boye. Mr. Boye was a cabinet maker and farmer. He got caught with the gold fever and emigrated to California in 1850, returning to Ivanhoe within a few years. It is said that he made more money in California seining for fish, which he had learned in Denmark, than he did in digging gold. He died in 1880 at the age of sixty-two years. The widow died January 11, 1897, at the advanced age of eighty years, and is buried at Mount Vernon.

Another of the old settlers of Bertram may be mentioned—Joseph Crane, a cousin of James Doty, who has the honor, at least, of obtaining the first license to marry within the Territory, viz: in 1840 when he was married to Agnes Boghart.

The first settlers seem to have been William Abbe, Daniel Hahn, C. C. Haskins, and Edward M. Crow. Which one of these men actually was the first settler within the confines of the county may ever remain a disputed question. We have the record when they entered lands, but this does not at all indicate that they did not live on these lands for several years before actual entry was made. The first settler in the vicinity of what became Mount Vernon was, no doubt, Charles Haskins, who located about a mile and a half east of the village in the summer of 1837. He was at least one of the first to locate in that vicinity. It is said that Daniel Hahn came in the spring of 1837, made a claim and built a log cabin, his wife assisting him in building the house. Edward M. Crow has been supposed to have been the first settler, but it seems that he came in July, 1837, in company with his brother, and located near what later became known as Viola, where he made a claim and erected a small shanty. He returned to the Fox river settlement for provisions and did not come back until in August, when he was accompanied by his brother and by James Dawson. About this time also came Joselyn and Russell. Their cabins were located in the back woods in Brown township and was called "The Settlement" for some time.

Later in the fall of 1837 arrived Jacob Mann, having resided previously in Jones county. He located on what was known as "Big Creek" in Linn county, but he did not take possession of his rude cabin or claim until in February, 1838, when he and his daughter, Sarah, moved onto the claim and began housekeeping. He afterward built a grist mill on Big creek or purchased one built by John Oxley which was swept away in the spring of 1851, when Mann lost his life, refusing to leave his mill which, he said, "was dearer to him than his own life."

Sally Mann is supposed to have been, if not the first white woman in the county, at least one of the first, and many are the stories told of Sally, or rather Sarah, Mann. She was more masculine than feminine in her make-up and knew few of the customs and manners of good society. She raised cats for a living and used to sell these at fancy prices to the pioneer settlers. There was nothing attractive about Sally, for she was noted more for her strength and endurance than for grace and beauty. But even though Sally had very little to recommend her, women were scarce in those days and the settlers were, perhaps, not so particular as they later became, and on July 21, 1840, Sally Mann and Aaron Haynes were duly married by John Crow, a justice of the peace. Sally Haynes nee Mann, had many good traits of character. No one was turned away from her door hungry and she would help neighbors with any kind of work if necessary. The western life appealed to her, as it had to the members of her family, and when settlers came thick and fast she and her husband left for the far west in order, it was said, that they could breathe the pure air of the frontier. It was always thus.

"'Tis not the fairest form that holds
The mildest, purest soul within;
'Tis not the richest plant that holds
The sweetest fragrance in."

Gabriel Carpenter, a native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, was born in 1801. He arrived in Cedar Rapids in 1852 and invested all his funds in 500 acres of land in what has now become the heart of the city. Various additions in this city have been named in honor of this early real estate owner, who devoted all his time in the upbuilding of this city until his death in 1881. Mr. Carpenter saw many hardships in his early career in life, but with great perseverance overcame all. The first lumber he used was hauled by oxen from Muscatine. He became early interested in various enterprises in the city. He always gave liberally of his means to all worthy objects and assisted in advancing all public enterprises which he believed would prove a benefit to the city. His widow, Mrs. Maria Carpenter, born in 1820, is still living and resides in this city, honored and respected by all.

Dr. S. D. Carpenter was born in 1826, and is a son of Gabriel Carpenter. In the early fifties he came to Cedar Rapids and located here for the practice of medicine. He soon gave up medicine for the more exciting and more lucrative vocation of railway building, banking, and handling of real estate. He now resides in Chicago.

John E. Kurtz was born in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, in 1817, emigrated to Iowa in 1847, and became one of the founders of Lisbon. He was for more than half a century a well known farmer, merchant, and miller. In early life Mr. Kurtz was a whig in politics, later going over to the republican party. A large number of his descendants still reside in this county.

Peter D. Harman was a native of Adams county, Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1816. In 1840 he came to Iowa City, locating in Linn county two years later. Mr. Harman assisted in the building of the state capitol at Iowa City, and also in the erection of the first court house in Linn county. In his day and generation Mr. Harman was considered one of the most skillful stone and brick masons in this part of the country. He died in Bertram township in 1896, and is survived by a number of children who are residents of this county.

AT OLD SETTLERS' REUNION, MARION

A PARK SCENE IN MARION

Barnett Lutz came to Linn county in 1839 and was one of the best known of the old settlers. At the time of his death in 1901 he was one of the oldest pioneers in the county. Mr. Lutz was a true pioneer, and did much in building up the new country.

C. J. Ives was not a pioneer settler in Linn county, but he was a pioneer in developing railway properties in the state. Mr. Ives was a native of New England, coming to Lee county in 1847, drifting into mining in Colorado, and not till 1862 did he turn his attention to railroading. He was for a number of years president of the B., C. R. & N. railway, which he developed into one of the best paying railway properties in the west. He resigned when that road was absorbed by the Rock Island system. Mr. Ives during his long residence in Linn county was deeply interested in the welfare of his employees, and in the upbuilding of Cedar Rapids. He was also interested in banks, electric light companies, and other large enterprises. He was a practical business man, capable and forceful, with a mind ever active in planning and executing great things. He was universally respected by his employees, and never forgot in word, act, or deed that he was only an associate and not a superior. No railway official at the time of his death a few years ago had more friends among the railroad men than Mr. Ives.

David W. King, the founder of Kingston, settled in Linn county in 1839 when Indians were numerous and the white settlers scattered. Mr. King was a native of Westmorland county, Pennsylvania, who went to Michigan early and from there drove an ox team across the country to Iowa, entering land on the west side of the river, which land is now a part of Cedar Rapids. Mr. King operated the first ferry across the Cedar river and had to obtain his material for the erection of the same from Dubuque and Muscatine, all of which was hauled in wagons across the country. The cable used in operating the ferry was of wire, which was brought from Dubuque on horseback. The town of Kingston he platted in 1850. Mr. King was a real promoter, who early comprehended the future of Cedar Rapids. In order to induce people to locate on the west side of the river he was liberal and public-spirited, giving away many lots for factory sites and other enterprises. He passed away in 1854 at the age of forty-six, just at a time when he had attained to a prominent place as one of the leading citizens of the town, in the promotion of which he had devoted all his time and versatile talents.

Robert Smyth, who died in 1898 at his home at Mount Vernon, was in many respects one of the most enterprising men in Linn county. Born in Ireland in 1814, and emigrating to America in 1834, he drifted into Linn county in 1840 and soon became an extensive dealer in real estate, as well as a banker, and during all his life took an active part in politics. He was a member of the Sixth Territorial legislature in 1843-44, a member of the state legislature in 1846-48. Mr. Smyth was also paymaster of the United States army, disbursing more than $10,000,000.00 during his term of office. In 1868 he was once more returned to the state senate where he served for four years, and in 1884 served another term in the house. He was also delegate to many state conventions, and outside of the late Charles Weare knew more of the public men of Iowa than any other man in Linn county. Mr. Smyth was a brother of William Smyth, the well known jurist, who died a member of congress from this district.

Edward M. Crow, by some people believed to be the first actual white settler in the county, was born in Orange county, Indiana, in 1816 of ancestors who had previously emigrated from North Carolina. John Crow, the father, came to Linn county to the neighborhood of Viola in 1838, and there he died in March, 1841. It is thought that Ed Crow crossed the Mississippi river in 1837 and on July 4th laid claim to a tract of land on section 13 in Brown township. Thus, it would seem, that Abbe preceded him by several months. In company with Crow at that time there came Harrison Crow, a brother, as well as James Dawson, who built cabins on what is now known as Crow's creek near Viola. They also put up a little hay that fall. Thus, while these were among the first settlers, it must be conceded that they did not precede Abbe, Haskins, or Hahn in locating in Linn county. Ed Crow, it is true, was one of the early settlers and well known, a typical pioneer, but he was not the first settler, although he arrived in the historic year of 1837, when the white settlers were beginning to move into the territory not yet vacated by the red men.

In mentioning the men who were factors in the upbuilding of Iowa, Theodore S. Parvin should not be omitted. During his residence in Linn county he devoted most of his time to the upbuilding of a unique Masonic library. He was known throughout the United States as one of the leaders of that order. Mr. Parvin's love of collecting together many things was only one of the many sidedness of a remarkable personage. Mr. Parvin was born in Cedarville, New Jersey. Educated in the east, he drifted west to Cincinnati and there met Robert Lucas, recently appointed governor of Iowa Territory. Mr. Parvin had been a teacher and had been admitted to the bar so he was well qualified for his mission as secretary to the governor. After coming to Burlington Mr. Parvin was United States attorney, clerk of the federal court, registrar of the state land office, and for many years professor and regent of the State University of Iowa. During all these years he lectured and wrote much. He died June 28, 1901, one of the most widely known and most honored men in the state. "Steadfast in faith, without trace of cant, he walked the ways of life with simple trust in the Infinite wisdom and passed to his death relying on the guidance of an unseen hand," says his biographer.

Julius E. Sanford was one of the platters of the city of Cedar Rapids, and was a wide-awake, enterprising young man who for a while was in partnership with N. W. Isbell. Mr. Sanford was a native of Connecticut and was well educated on coming west where he took up the practice of the law and engaged in real estate. He removed to Dubuque in 1845, where he died in 1847, leaving a widow, Henrietta E. Sanford, who in 1848 married David Wilson. She died in 1898. Perit Sanford, who figures in early real estate transfers, was the father of Julius Sanford, and heir of the estate, as the son died without children.

Thomas Craig was an old settler in Linn county, and one of the best known men in the community. Mr. Craig was odd in some ways. He wore a white overcoat and had a fondness for horses. He was a stanch Methodist, and at times would be reprimanded, for he refused to lead in prayer. Mr. Craig died many years ago, respected and honored by all with whom he had come in contact. One of his daughters was married to N. B. Brown and another to Jesse Beechly, who recently died in his old homestead in Franklin township.

Dr. Eber L. Mansfield was born in Canaan, Ohio, in 1821. He received a classical education and also took a medical course later. On leaving home his father gave him a horse, saddle-bags, and an outfit, and he started out for himself. He taught school in Kentucky and then came overland on horseback to Iowa in 1847, crossing the Cedar river near the lower bridge. He was assisted by W. W. and M. A. Higley, two young men who later became his friends and fellow workers in the upbuilding of Cedar Rapids. The gold fever of 1850 took the doctor away from his practice, and by August, 1850, he had arrived at the gold diggings. On the way he had made money, as he doctored a great many who were sick with fevers. He purchased two teams and did teaming from Sacramento to Shaw's Flats for about two years when he got tired and sold out, returning by way of Panama and New Orleans. He came back to Cedar Rapids, which city remained his home until his death. Dr. Mansfield was one of the best known and most successful physicians of his day and generation. He invested in city real estate, in bank stock, and was stockholder in insurance companies. His was a rugged, strong character. He early saw the possibilities of the city, and was one of the first to invest in its real estate. He erected brick buildings in the heart of the city which are now owned by his children, and are very valuable.

William Rogers, a native of Ohio, where he was born in 1830, came to Linn county and settled in Rogers Grove in the early forties. Mr. Rogers was an enterprising man and was one of the first to erect a saw mill and to raft lumber down the river to Muscatine in order to find a market for it. In an age when straw sheds were common he went to work and erected one of the best and largest barns in the country. In this barn he stacked his grain and threshed it by walking the horses over it, the wheat dropping through the floor to a floor below where it was cleaned. Mr. Rogers died many years ago, one of the best known men in southern Linn county. His widow, Elizabeth McNie, is still living, making her home with her son, James M. Rogers, of Fairfax township.

Chandler Jordan, born in 1820 in the state of Maine, came to Linn county in 1844, where he made his home until his death a short time ago. Mr. Jordan was a lifelong member of the Baptist church, which he supported and in which he was an active worker all his life. He was interested in the public schools, and in public affairs in general. Jordan's Grove is named in honor of this sturdy old pioneer.

G. W. Matsell, for many years a resident of Buffalo township, where he owned some 2,000 acres of land which he purchased at an early day, was a well known character in New York city in the old days of Tammany Hall. He was chief of police and a prominent politician for many years till the breaking up of the party with which he was closely associated. Then he came here where his family still resides. Mr. Matsell of course spent much time in New York, where he had financial interests, but he liked the west and enjoyed the summers in Iowa. He was a democrat of the old school, but never entered into the game of politics after coming west, having had his fill of it in the New York political ring for many years.

The Matsell home was a hospitable one and many were the people George Matsell entertained during his residence in Iowa. Visitors came from all over the country, for he was well known. Mr. Matsell entertained royally and knew how to entertain. The history of New York city cannot be written without the mention of G. W. Matsell, police chief, a member of the Committee of Seventy, and a well known character for many years during the stormy days of the Civil war. His son still resides on the old homestead.

Robert Safely was a native of Scotland. He emigrated to New York at the age of fourteen. He saw the first engine to run with steam in the state of New York. For many years Mr. Safely was master mechanic for the old B., C. R. & N. system, and was a familiar figure on the streets of Cedar Rapids up to the time of his death, a short time ago. Mr. Safely was an expert mechanic and up to the time of his death was interested in everything pertaining to mechanical science.

Many of our earlier citizens only remained here for a shorter or longer time and left for other parts where they later attained to prominence. Who does not remember W. H. Ingham, one of Kossuth county's pioneers, who lived in this county in 1850 and for five years was engaged in surveying and locating lands for early settlers? Judge Thomas Burke, a noted character of Seattle and now wealthy, tried his luck at the law here waiting for clients who never came. When Mr. Burke was picked up by J. J. Hill on the coast then every one wanted this once briefless barrister as his legal adviser. Bishop C. C. McCabe lived here for a number of years, and no one had any idea that the rollicky, fun-making, joking young beardless lad in the employ of Judge Greene and others would develop into a great lecturer and a Methodist bishop. Dr. J. T. Headley, of lecture fame, practiced medicine here in the late sixties, and was a quiet, unassuming man, who minded his own business and devoted days and nights to books and science. Here lived for some years the eloquent divine, Rev. Fawcett, a person of great eloquence and force of character who left Cedar Rapids better for having lived in it. One cannot forget Rev. Elias Skinner, now living in Waterloo, also a Methodist minister of force and eloquence who at various times lived in Linn county. Rev. Skinner, despite his eighty-three years, is well and hearty and can relate many things which occurred in this county in the fifties and sixties. He writes as follows:

"I think Linn county is about the very best county in Iowa. Five different times I had my home in old Linn. I never did anything worthy of special mention at either time. In each of the four places where I lived I blundered into doing things which I would rather not have recalled. So please excuse me. I write with pencil because I can't guide a pen.

"Yours,

E. Skinner."

COL. DURHAM TO THE OLD SETTLERS—ADDRESS BEFORE ASSOCIATION.
AUGUST 1902

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Old Settlers' Society: In calling this assemblage to order I wish to say to you all, to the new-comers, the strangers who honor us with their presence, that, in the name of our society, we bid you a most hearty welcome and say as a good hostess would, come again.

Many of you I knew in territorial times, when we were seeking and establishing new homes, in the far new country beyond the Mississippi, and aiding in our humble way to lay the foundation of the present famous commonwealth of Iowa. The first settlements were made along and near the Mississippi river. There were but two counties, Dubuque and Des Moines, and the country was called the Black Hawk Purchase. The purchase negotiated with the Sac and Fox Indians, by General Scott and Governor Reynolds, at the close of the Black Hawk war, consisted of a strip averaging about fifty miles wide, beginning in the northeastern part of the state and running to the north boundary of Missouri, though not on a straight line, at a point fifty miles west of the river. It was under the jurisdiction of the territory of Michigan, and was represented in congress, as a territorial delegate, by George Wallace Jones.

In 1837 a few townships in the northwestern part of this county were surveyed by a surveyor general deputy named Haight. And soon thereafter Edward Crow and a few other adventurers came. Their only roads were fragments of Indian trails. They were delighted with the country and the smooth, polished surface of the unbroken prairie in all the grandeur and sublimity of its primeval state. Sages have sung of the charms seen in the face of such solitudes and I would say that I never felt nearer the great Creator and Ruler of the universe than when in regions before untrod by civilized man, where the forces of nature reigned supreme, and no sounds broke the silence except the hoo-hooing of owls, the drumming of pheasants, the bugle notes of the swan, the quacking of smaller fowls, the barking of prairie wolves, and in a timbered country, the hungry, desolate howl of the large wolf, and sometimes, though seldom, the piteous wail of the panther. It's no wonder that Moses retired to the top of a distant mountain with the roar of thunder and the flashes of lightning beneath him to talk with God.

In 1838 another strip of country was acquired from the Indians, embracing the remainder of Linn county. Possession was given in 1839, when a continuous immigration commenced, which dates back to the coming of many of the families represented here today, our respected secretary among them, and not long after that our treasurer. Previous to its organization in 1839, Linn county was, with Jones county, attached for judicial, revenue, and election purposes to Jackson county. In 1838 the territory of Iowa was struck off from Wisconsin, Robert Lucas was appointed governor by President Van Buren, and William Wallace Chapman was elected first delegate to congress, with both of whom I was acquainted in the constitutional convention in 1844. Governor Lucas was a Virginian by birth, though raised in Ohio, where he had served as governor. He was one of nature's noblemen, not for pomposity and fine equipage, but for all the traits that make up true manhood—modesty, courage, honesty, integrity, patriotism, and morality.

COURT HOUSE, MARION

WAPSIE RIVER AND MILL
Built in the '50s at Central City

Soon after the organization of the territory the Missouri war began. This related to the boundary line between the two states. It lasted some time, but like the Ohio and Michigan war, was bloodless, though a good deal of patriotism and red tape and military titles were shed. The trouble was finally settled by the surveyors and the courts.

In 1839 Linn county was organized. The first officers were John C. Berry, commissioner's clerk or auditor; Hosea W. Gray, sheriff; Dr. Tryon, clerk of the court; Luman W. Strong, Samuel C. Stewart, and Peter McRoberts, county commissioners. Squire Strong was a potential factor in all Linn county affairs. Mr. Stewart was distinguished for his piety. His wife was a sister of those sturdy pioneers, the Scott brothers. In 1840 the territory contained 43,000 inhabitants; Augustus C. Dodge was elected delegate to congress, and George Greene a member of the territorial council, or senate, to represent Cedar, Linn, and Jones counties. In 1841 the remainder of Linn county was surveyed by the United States deputies, with all of whom I was acquainted and in their camps—but chiefly with Mr. Welden.

After these surveys were made, claim-making and improving and trading became very lively, and the ratio of immigration increased all the time. There was more disturbance and trouble and fighting about claims than from all other causes put together. I will give only a few instances of the many with which I am acquainted. A man by the name of Wolcott, near Mount Vernon, had his claim entered. He reported it to the claim association. They sent a committee of three men to the intruder and demanded that he should release and cancel his purchase, which he refused to do. Whereupon they procured a conveyance and told him that he must go to Dubuque with them. Knowing the settler's law was against him, he made no further resistance, but went before the register and receiver, cancelled his entry, and his money was returned to him. The matter came up shortly after that before the grand jury at Marion on the charge of coercion and kidnapping. Samuel Hunter, Sr., of Hunter's Cross Roads, was one of the jury, Joseph Williams was judge, P. W. Earle, clerk, and Nathan Peddycord, of Yankee Grove, was another juryman, and I was foreman. William Abbe and Squire Waln of Mount Vernon were witnesses. Robert Smith was secretary of the claim association and Oliver Day or Allison Willits president. No bill was found and the matter stopped and never reached the supreme court.

Another claim case originated in the Dry Creek country, and came to a climax in a rather exciting way. There were a number of us attending an Indian banquet and pow-wow at a place called Wick-i-up Hollow, near the Cedar river, two or three miles south of the Oliphant and Ashlock neighborhood. The regular guests were seated in a semi-circle in the wick-i-up; we were only callers. The exercises consisted of short talks, chants and choruses, each keeping time with a deer's bladder dried and filled with air and some buckshot in it to make it rattle, all accompanied with the music of a sort of home made fife. The banquet or dinner to follow was being cooked by the women. It consisted, as far as I could see, of dried venison, stewed dog meat, beans, and pancakes. Before the dinner was ready some of our party went outside and renewed a quarrel that had been pending for some time about their claims. Pretty soon the lie was passed, and it was immediately followed by a blow, and directly five or six were in the fight all at once. The struggle and angry shouts of the combatants frightened some of the Indian women who were near and they ran screaming away. This broke up the exercise in the wick-i-up and the braves rushed out, thinking that their women were being misused, for a brave man will always resent an insult to his wife. The fight so disrupted everything that we left without waiting for dinner, especially as some had to withdraw for repairs. The Chambers were in it. William Garrison and some of the Nations were in it, but not Carrie with her little hatchet. John Hunter and, I think, Dyer Usher, were there, but not in the fight. The case came up before his honor, Aaron Usher, a justice of the peace, who fined some of the participants $1.00 each, which ended the litigation and the claim dispute.

The last claim case I will mention was of much greater magnitude, and out of it originated the Bill Johnson war, in which several lives were lost, including one Indian. It began in Buchanan county. William Bennett and a man purporting to be Bill Johnson of the Canadian patriot war were the principles in the extensive trouble. Bennett was an enterprising, public-spirited man and had a quantity of workmen and retainers helping build the first grist mill at Quasqueton, on the Wapsipinicon river. He was a man of sturdy muscular frame, swarthy complexion, dark eyes, strong jaws, a man who would be a good friend or a bad enemy. Johnson was older, tall and angular, with black bushy hair, on whose lips shone no smile, under whose brow lurked treason, stratagem, and spoil. I became acquainted with Johnson in a rather romantic way, which you will excuse me for relating, as it shows some of the perils and hardships incident to the settling of a new country. On the 12th of November, 1842, a deep snow fell and remained till the next April, with additions during the winter. It has always since been called the hard winter of 1842 and '43.

During the winter my friend, Anderson Chambers, later a prosperous business man of Muscatine, and I had been up in the country between the Wapsipinicon and the Volga. The snow drifts were so deep and the day so dark that night overtook us several hours ride from any human habitation. Before dark we went into a little scattering timber on a small stream and under the bluff hitched our horses to a bush. We found some dry poles and got some dry rotten wood out of a tree, scraped away the snow with our feet, and with the aid of a flint and some tow and powder, we managed to start a little fire. Matches were not then in use. We cut some brush and laid it on the ground, spread one horse blanket on that to lie on, and with another to cover us and our saddles for pillows, we slept through the long night until daylight, when we resumed our ride. About the middle of the forenoon we came in sight of an improvement in the edge of the timber, and I knew by the smoke that so gracefully curled that a frontiersman's log cabin was there. We went into the house, which was neat and clean, and told them of our hard experience during the preceding night and day. They kindly sympathized with us and soon made us comfortable. It proved to be Bill Johnson's place. Kate Johnson and another young lady, Miss Kelso of Davenport, were there. They busied themselves about setting us up a fresh, warm, ten o'clock breakfast. I relished it more than any other breakfast I ever ate, the zest of which was no doubt heightened by being served by so charming a hostess, and me a susceptible bachelor, too.

Johnson explained his being there in this wild region by saying that he had participated actively in the Canadian patriot war against the Dominion of Canada, that the attempted revolution had failed, that he had lost all his property by it, and had been driven and chased all through and among the Thousand Islands of the St. Lawrence river in his boat with his daughter Kate, that a reward had been offered for him, that he had given up all hope of success and determined to seek safety and quietude by coming to this country. All this seemed plausible, as I heard the brave deeds of the patriots rehearsed in song and poetry. But in escaping that trouble he ran into the jaws of another at the outset. It seemed that in coming into a strange neighborhood, instead of making the people his friends by conciliation and prudent conduct, he got into trouble at the start by taking possession of the claim of one of the Bennett party. They remonstrated and he promised to pay for the claim, but never did, though Johnson claimed that the trouble was about the location of the county seat. Not long after I was at his place, after giving him notice, they determined to oust him. They took him out in the brush and gave him a very severe flogging, loaded him and all his belongings into sleds and sent him out of the country. He applied for aid at Marion and Dubuque, and Surveyor General Wilson, a New Hampshire man, took him and his daughter Kate to Iowa City, in his fine Boston made sleigh, to interest Governor Chambers in his behalf. When the hostilities came to an end, the result was disastrous to both parties. Bennett became a fugitive and his mill building was stopped. Johnson was shot. Kate found her a loving, trusting husband. Hosea Gray made considerable money out of it; Ormus Clark, the first permanent settler of Central City, spent a lot of money for defense, and Colonel Preston laid the foundation of his splendid fame and fortune as an attorney from it.

The public land sales had been advertised for this winter and the people were illy prepared to go to Dubuque to enter their claims on account of the deep snow, some for scarcity of clothing, and all for scarcity of money. Many had saved their last 12-1/2 and 6-1/2 cent silver coins and their 5-franc pieces to make up the necessary sums. In view of the difficulties in the way, a mass meeting was held, and George Greene was appointed a special agent to go to Washington City for the purpose of having the land office removed to Marion. He went and saw the commissioner of public lands; he saw Stephen A. Douglas, chairman of the committee on public lands, and President Tyler, and came back with an order for the temporary removal in his pocket, which I doubt if any other man could have done. He stood luminous among all the bright men who first settled in Linn county, or the territory either. The people of Linn county, and of Cedar Rapids especially, should ever remember his labors and efforts in those early days which brought them prominence and prosperity. All now acknowledge Linn county to be without a peer and Cedar Rapids is the best interior city in the state, except Des Moines with its immense coal beds.

The land office was located in the first, and then only brick house in Marion. Judge Berry afterwards dispensed boundless hospitality in it. It was built and owned by William H. Woodbridge, or "Democ Woodbridge," a very enterprising young man. He was one of five from this county who enlisted in the Mexican war. He was with Scott's army of invasion and the Mexicans "welcomed him with bloody hands to a hospitable grave." Another of the five, Major McKean, as he was then known, who was a member of the first constitutional convention in 1844, and later a brigadier general in the union army, lies buried in the Marion cemetery. Another of the five, Captain Sausman, who gallantly bore the flag at Chepultepec, died in California. Captain Gray is alone, and alive and likely to be, as you would think if you could see him running an intricate surveyor's line through a section. The fifth one, Samuel D. Thompson, is with us amply provided for in his declining years by a munificent government, in recognition of his military service in nearly all the wars since the time of Anthony Wayne, and as the old song says:

"There is no more work for brave old Joe.
He's gone to the place where all good soldiers go."

The land sales drew large numbers from all the surrounding country, and made lively times here. Joseph F. Chapman and Oliver S. Hall, Sr., hotel keepers, flourished. Those who had the money got titles to their lands, and those who had not still held their claims until such time as they could enter them at private sale. In the spring the land office was moved back to Dubuque.

In 1844 the first constitutional convention was held at Iowa City. The constitution failed of ratification. In 1846 another convention was held and the state fully admitted under that with our present boundaries. Iowa was then the most western state, and a line drawn south from Sioux City, its western limit, would have run further west than any other state or territory, except Texas, which was annexed the year before. It now occupies a conspicuous central position in the American union, and a leading one in agricultural productions. It is honored with two members of the president's cabinet and the most influential member of the American senate.

After our acquisition of California the waves of emigration westward began, sweeping over the great American desert, as it had been called, planting agriculture and industry in its path, forcing its way through the mountain passes and over the sun-dried plains, to the Pacific ocean at the Golden Gate, where floats the commerce of oriental Asia.

"No pent up Utica contracts our powers;
The whole of this boundless domain is ours."

When I look in the faces of this multitude I see before me but few who were men and women grown when I first came here. Some of you gray-haired ladies and gentlemen were then, as the Indians called them, petite squaws or skinneways. Your fathers were Niseshin Shomoko men. But I think scarcely more than a dozen are now living in this county who were then men and women. And

"I feel like one who treads alone
A banquet hall deserted,
Whose music is hushed, whose guests are gone,
And all but me departed."

ISAAC BUTLER
Pioneer Resident of Springville

CHAPTER XX

Early Linn County Lawyers and Courts

BY JUDGE MILO P. SMITH

Fifty years ago the judiciary of this county, as well as of the entire country, was quite different from what it now is. There were but two terms of court in a county, and Linn being a large county, terms here lasted about two or three weeks. In the smaller counties, one week or less was sufficient for the transaction of all the business. The grand jury was composed of fifteen men instead of five or seven, as at present, and twelve out of the fifteen had to concur in order to find a bill of indictment. At present the concurrence of a less number than the whole is sufficient. The members of the grand jury selected their own clerk from their own number. They had no authority to act on the minutes of the examining magistrate, but it was obligatory on them to have the witnesses before them, and to examine them personally.

There was no official shorthand reporter to take down the evidence on the trial of cases in court. If the attorneys desired to perpetuate the testimony, or any part of it, they either wrote it down in long hand themselves, or selected some outside person to do it; generally some young lawyer. And sometimes the judge would make the only minutes of the trial that were kept. From these imperfect notes, however taken, the judge was required to determine what should go to the supreme court when he came to settle the bill of exceptions: no easy task. When court opened on the first day of the term—which was done with great outcry—the judge at once empaneled the grand jury, and then proceeded to make what was called a "preliminary" call of the calendar, at which cases that were not for trial were dismissed, continued, marked settled, or otherwise disposed of. When that call was completed, he then made the "peremptory" call, and all cases that were for trial were then disposed of as they were reached. There was no assignment of cases for trial as now practiced, but the lawyers had to be ready in each case when reached.

Court week was generally regarded by the people as a sort of a picnic or holiday, and they came in from the country for several miles around to hear the lawyers spar with each other, and catch the "rulings of the court." The court room was generally packed with listeners. Then political meetings were generally held during that week when everybody was there and lawyers ready to do the speaking; and they furnished fine entertainments indeed.

The bar of Linn county in the early fifties was an unusually strong one, said by some to be the strongest in the state. There were Judge N. W. Isbell, Judge Isaac Cook, Judge George Greene, Judge William Smyth, and Col. I. M. Preston. A little in the rear of the above worthies were N. M. Hubbard, R. D. Stephens, Wm. G. Thompson, J. H. Young, Thomas Corbett, and J. W. Dudley. Except Judge Greene and J. W. Dudley, all of these persons lived in Marion.

N. W. Isbell, the first county judge in this county, was selected by the legislature in 1855 as a member of the supreme court, and filled the position with honor and credit to himself and the state for several years, and was afterwards appointed judge of the district court during the Civil war, but resigned both positions on account of ill health. He was a very learned man and a profound lawyer. He greatly enjoyed the investigation of legal questions, possessed an acute and analytical mind, and one richly stored with the results of historical and general reading. In the practice he was not partial to jury trials, much preferring the presentation of legal questions to the court. He had quite an aptitude for affairs, and became successful as an enterprising railroad builder, projecting the old "Air Line" Railroad, the pioneer of the present route of the C., M. & St. P. Railway across the state. He left a comfortable estate to his family, dying about the year 1865. He was of small stature and insignificant in appearance, but with a large head, though small features. Indeed he very much resembled the Hon. Wm. H. Seward in face, head, and stature. He was rather of an irascible temperament and consequently easily thrown off his balance—but no member of the bar was more highly respected than was Judge Isbell for uprightness, honesty of purpose, general intelligence, deep reading in general literature as well as in the law; and his blameless life made him a beloved citizen.

I omit further mention of Judge Greene as there is elsewhere in this work a lengthy sketch of him.

Isaac Cook was born and raised in eastern Pennsylvania and became the possessor of a sound education as a basis for the legal studies he afterward pursued. He served quite a while on the district bench, and was there noted for the care, time, and fairness he devoted to the cases he was called on to hear and decide. His mind was not so quick or rapid in its movements as some others, but it was very accurate in its conclusions. He was a fine chancery and corporation lawyer, and no better pleader ever drew a petition than Judge Cook. He was for many years toward the close of his life general counsel for the predecessors of the C. & N. W. Railway Company and the Iowa Railroad Land Company in the state of Iowa. Though he had an office first in Marion and then in Cedar Rapids, he always lived on his farm just south of the former place, in a plain, comfortable brick house. He was a broad shouldered, stock-built man of a dark complexion, and chewed an immense quantity of tobacco. He had, we believe, more practice in the supreme court of the United States than any other lawyer in Iowa in his day.

William Smyth, first county attorney of Linn county, was appointed judge of the district court to succeed Judge J. P. Carleton about the year 1854, when he was but thirty years of age. He was regarded as an ideal judge. He was of Scotch-Irish descent, and had received a thorough education when young. His education was perhaps more thorough than broad, owing no doubt to his early surroundings. His legal lore was as near exact and profound as was possible, and covered completely the whole circle of legal learning. One who knew him well said, that in commercial law, the law of real estate, and in pleading, he had no superiors and but few equals in the state. He was a trial lawyer in the fullest sense of that term. Careful in the preparation of his cases, methodical in the introduction of his testimony; and in his presentation of his client's cause to a jury, his arguments were close and convincing, logical if not eloquent. He was, perhaps, after his retirement from the district bench, generally regarded as the head of the bar of the county. His knowledge of the affairs of the nation, and the principles of our government was most exact and comprehensive. For wealth of general information, profundity of legal learning, and urbanity of manner and dignity of deportment, he was not surpassed by any man in the state. Indeed he was early recognized as one of the leaders in affairs as well as of the bar of the state. He and the firm of which he was a member had the largest practice and the best clientage in the county. His practice extended to many of the neighboring counties, such as Benton, Tama, and Iowa, where he had local partners, and where he attended the terms of court. He was a valuable member of the committee that revised the laws of the state as embodied in the Revision of 1860. He was offered a place on the supreme court bench but declined it. He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention at Chicago in 1860—having been a democrat before the slavery question gave rise to the republican party, he naturally sided with Governor Chase, whose political path led in the same direction as his own, and gave that statesman his earnest and persistent support in the convention, voting for him to the last as his choice for president. He was a formidable competitor of Governor James W. Grimes when the latter was elected to the United States senate in 1858. In 1868 he was elected to congress from this district and died while such member in 1870, at the early age of forty-six. Of all that goes to make up a first rate man and citizen—intelligence, ability, industry, perseverance, honesty, and morality, he was in full possession, and enjoyed the confidence of the people to a greater degree than any other citizen in the county. He was patriotic and brave and served during the war of the rebellion as colonel of an Iowa regiment, and while so serving, he contracted the disease that caused his early death. He was the fortunate possessor of a splendid frame, being nearly six feet in height, and had a large, well formed head—his carriage erect and movements stately and deliberate. He was a model christian gentleman, courtly and polite, with a winning personality. He too was a man of affairs and left a comfortable estate to his family.

Colonel I. M. Preston, born in 1813, was in many respects a remarkable man. Thrown on his own resources when quite young, he learned the trade of carpenter and joiner, but read law while working at his trade, was admitted when about thirty years of age, came to Marion, opened an office, and at once took a position in the front rank of trial lawyers. He was particularly successful as a criminal lawyer. He possessed a very quick, subtle, and keen mind, and was remarkably resourceful in expedients in the trial of cases. Some lawyers were better pleaders others more learned in the law, but none more apt in furnishing the facts to fit the case, and but few, if any, excelled him in marshalling those facts in his presentation to the jury. In time he acquired great fame throughout the state as a lawyer and public speaker. He was early appointed district attorney for the district in which he lived, and in 1846 was commissioned by Governor Clark colonel of an Iowa regiment of militia. He also served as county judge of Linn county, and at different times served in both branches of the legislature. He was the father of Judge J. H. Preston and E. C. Preston, both members of the bar, and residents of the city of Cedar Rapids.

N. M. Hubbard, later known as Judge Hubbard, was certainly the most brilliant and noted lawyer that ever lived in or graced the bar of this county. He was appointed in 1865 judge of the district court, and served till January 1, 1867. With a mind keen, bright and luminous, a sound understanding, a rich store of observation, an unparalleled command of language, a readiness in repartee, and unlimited power of invective, he was unsurpassed by any man in the state, and by but few in the nation. He was for thirty years general attorney for the C. & N. W. Railway Company in Iowa, and upon his death left a generous estate.

Hubbard's early partner, R. D. Stephens, while a good lawyer, was certainly a past master in finance, and was better known as a banker than lawyer. He established the First National Bank at Marion, and the Merchants National Bank in Cedar Rapids. He died several years ago, quite wealthy. Both Hubbard and Stephens came to Linn county from the state of New York in 1854. In the political campaign of 1856, Hubbard edited the Linn County Register, predecessor to the Marion Register.

Major J. B. Young was probably the possessor of the best education of any of the lawyers of his time, and was a well read lawyer, a strong advocate, careful and painstaking, but unfortunately possessed an irritableness and quickness of temper that was not calculated to advance the cause of his client in a law suit. He died when comparatively young, when on his way home from California where he had gone on account of his failing health.

W. G. Thompson, better known as Major Thompson or Judge Thompson, still resides here at the ripe old age of eighty-one. But few of the present generation know all there is about Judge Thompson. Born and reared in the state of Pennsylvania of Scotch parentage, with a fair academical education, admitted to the bar when a little past twenty-one, he came to Linn county in 1853, and at once leaped into prominence as a lawyer and politician. In quickness of mind, versatility in extremity, readiness of retort, flashings of wit, volubility of speech, touches of pathos, flights of eloquence, and geniality of disposition, and popularity with the masses, he had no superior in eastern Iowa, if he had an equal. It has been said of him that he could sit down to a trial table in a case of which he had never before heard, and try it just as well as though he had had months of preparation. He has been county attorney, state senator, presidential elector, major of the Twentieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, district attorney, chief justice of Idaho, member of the legislature, member of congress, and judge of the district court. And in filling all of these positions, he has served the people faithfully and well. And in private life and as a practitioner he has surely been "a man without a model and without a shadow."

J. W. Dudley lived in Cedar Rapids as Thomas Corbett did in Marion. They were both careful, pains-taking, and judicious lawyers, not particularly noted in any special respect, but safe, sound, and trustworthy. They have both been long since dead.

J. J. Child and I. N. Whittam were also members of the bar in the early '50s. They both lived in Cedar Rapids. Judge Whittam was noted for his industry, care and patience in regard to any matter in which he became engaged. He did not claim to be a man of mark or a great lawyer, but certainly acquired and retained the confidence as an advisor of many of the best citizens in Cedar Rapids and vicinity.

J. J. Child, long since dead, was said by those who knew him best to be one of the best lawyers in the state. Though not an advocate, his learning in law was wide and deep, and no client ever made a mistake in following his advice. Unfortunately his habits of life seriously impeded the good results that could have flowed from such a prolific source.

After these, came others to fill their places, but the most of them are here now, and have received special reference and personal mention in these pages.

The entire state in 1857 was divided into twelve judicial districts, with one judge in each district. Accompanying the act was the constitutional provision that new districts could not be created oftener than one new district in four years. Within about ten years the business in court became so congested that relief was necessary and was sought in all directions. Finally, in 1868, the legislature passed a circuit court bill, which by its terms divided every district into two circuits and provided a judge for each circuit. The circuit court had concurrent jurisdiction with the district court in all cases at law and in equity, and sole jurisdiction in probate matters and in appeals from justices of the peace, but it did not have jurisdiction in criminal cases. The same legislature abolished the county court that formerly had jurisdiction of probate matters. In further defining the duties and powers of this court, the law created what was called a general term, to which all appeals from, and application for the correction of errors by the district and circuit courts would lie. The personnel of that court consisted of the judge of the district and the two circuit judges, and it sat twice a year. In this district one of the sessions was held in Marion and the other in Iowa City. The district comprised the counties of Jones, Cedar, Linn, Johnson, Benton, Iowa, and Tama. The first three counties constituted one circuit, and the latter four the other one. The limitation of the right to appeal when the amount in controversy was less than one hundred dollars was then passed. An appeal finally lay from the decision to the general term of the supreme court. When a case was decided at the general term, the judge to whom it was referred for a decision wrote out the decision in an opinion as the supreme court judges do, but the opinions were not reported in the books.

PUBLIC SCHOOL AT SPRINGVILLE

The next legislature materially changed the law. It abolished the general term and consolidated the two circuits, cutting out one of the judges—each court retaining the jurisdiction it had—and provided for appeals directly to the supreme court.

Then in 1886, the constitution of the state was radically changed by a vote of the people so that the limitation on the number of judicial districts and number of judges was removed. The circuit court was abolished, the office of district attorney was abolished, and that of county attorney created. There was a prosecuting attorney for each district before. The legislature then created as many districts as was thought necessary, and as many judges to a district as were deemed sufficient to transact the business. This law is still in force. This became the new eighteenth judicial district, composed of the counties of Linn, Cedar, and Jones, with three judges.

The first district judge for Linn county after the adoption of the new constitution in 1857, was Hon. William E. Miller, of Iowa City, and Isaac L. Allen, of Toledo, was elected district attorney—this in 1858. Allen was afterwards attorney general of the state.

Judge Miller was well equipped for the position. With a thorough common school education, and having been a practical machinist when young, and with strong common sense, he had a naturally good judicial mind that had been improved by careful study and years of practice in the law. He came to the bench an intelligent, fair, and courteous judge. He resigned in 1862 and entered the Union army as colonel of the Twenty-eighth Iowa Volunteer Infantry. He afterwards served as circuit judge and finally as supreme judge of the state. From the resignation of Judge Miller till January 1, 1867, the district bench was graced in its occupancy by Judge N. W. Isbell, C. H. Conklin, and N. M. Hubbard.

Judge Miller was a broad-shouldered, short, squatty fellow, and though a good lawyer and jurist, he was an indifferent advocate, and not particularly strong as a trial lawyer.

Judge Conklin was probably the most scholarly, accomplished and profound lawyer that ever sat on the district bench in this part of the state. His home was in Vinton, and while he lived among the people there he did not seem to be of them. He was a strong, tall, raw-boned man, always carefully dressed, with a most marked intellectual face, and he was certainly one of the most eloquent advocates that ever stood before a jury in eastern Iowa.

Judge James H. Rothrock, of Tipton, was elected judge in 1866, and served on the district bench till in February, 1876, when he was, by the governor, appointed to a seat on the supreme bench, which position he filled for over twenty years, when he voluntarily declined a further renomination. He, too, entered the Union army in 1862 as lieutenant colonel of the Thirty-fifth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, and served with credit till sickness compelled him to resign and come home. Judge Rothrock was not a learned man in the sense of having a college education or having possessed an extensive breadth of general reading in history or science, nor was he fluent of speech, or particularly adroit as a practitioner, but he possessed naturally good judgment, a most thorough common English education, a good knowledge of the law and its basic principles, a sound understanding, with an innate sense of justice. He was patient and even tempered, dignified, and kind. He made a splendid nisi prius judge. His opinions were always plain, couched in good strong Anglo-Saxon, terse and sound, and will long bear the close and sharp criticism of posterity. Whenever he announced a principle of law, it was accepted without dispute as the law on the point involved. Judge Rothrock was a large man of fine physique, impressible presence, and very genial when off the bench.

The Hon. John Shane, of Vinton, succeeded Judge Rothrock on the bench of this district in 1876 and served till 1882, when he resigned on account of ill health. He possessed a much better education than did Judge Rothrock, and the scope of his general reading was not only broad, but judiciously directed. He loved the law for the very sake of it and never tired of investigating its ofttimes hidden mysteries. He was well liked as a judge, was convivial and sociable to a degree.

The judges who have filled the position on the district bench since Judge Shane's retirement are many and able, but can scarcely be said to belong to the olden time.

Of the few circuit judges that held court in this county, we can say that they graced the position they filled with ease, but they belong rather to the present time than to the past age. But Judges Yates, McKean, and Hedges will long be remembered by the older inhabitants as capable, learned, and upright judges.

In the palmy days of the lawyers and judges described, the law libraries were meagre and the books few. There are probably now a dozen law libraries in the county, any one of which contains more books than were in the county in 1860, and there are some that contain twice or three times as many. The practicing attorney was then thrown more upon his own resources, and compelled to depend more on his own power of analysis and discrimination than at the present time, which doubtless made them stronger, more self-reliant, and resourceful. And the judges were called upon to decide rather how the law should be than how it had been pronounced to be by some other tribunal, which was no doubt strengthening to them.

CHAPTER XXI

Chatty Mention of Bench and Bar

The history of any community is not complete without a sketch of the members of the bar, for in the Temple of Justice every phase of human life is seen. "Here one hears the cry for vengeance and also the kind pleadings for mercy." The members of the bar, especially in the early day, understood public opinion and discovered what men truly were and not what they were reputed to be. At this early day the lawyers were the tribunes of the people. They were men of brilliant intellect and of intense passions, and in trials which created universal interest in the sparsely settled community they swayed the minds and hearts of their hearers in a remarkable degree. It was an age of oratory, and Linn county in that day had its quota of brilliant intellects who remained here for a shorter or longer period of time and in no small degree assisted in the upbuilding of the county and the state.

In order to make this sketch as brief as possible, and in an endeavor to picture the men as they were, we shall attempt to give a little of the humorous side of their characters and follow in the footsteps of Channing who said "anecdotes are worth pages of biographies."

Many of the early members of the bar were men of education and refinement, possessing a snappy humor that set courts and juries roaring. Many a long day's trial was brightened by some sally of native wit fresh from the frontier. These men were active in politics, were promoters of steamboat lines, stage companies, and paper railroads, who, in course of time, became legislatures, judges, and financiers. They all labored for the upbuilding of the infant state, where they had invested all their surplus means, having faith in Iowa's future. In every way possible they tried to upbuild its infant industries.

Linn county was set off by act of legislature in 1837, while Iowa was then a part of Wisconsin Territory. In August Governor Lucas set off Johnson, Cedar, Jones and Linn counties in one legislative district. The attorneys from Linn county who appeared at Iowa City at the July term, A. D. 1847, were Isaac M. Preston, John David and William Smythe, all of whom became noted lawyers before that body later. The judges on the bench at this time were three well known Iowa jurists: Williams, Wilson, and Kinney.

The first court was held at Marion October 26, 1840, presided over by Joseph Williams, who had been appointed to the judgeship July 25, 1838. At this term of court, according to the records, there were present District Attorney W. G. Woodward for the federal government, R. P. Lowe, prosecuting attorney, H. W. Gray, sheriff, T. H. Tryon, clerk, and L. Mallory, marshal of the district. On the first grand jury sat Israel Mitchell, founder of Westport, who had been appointed probate judge on January 16 of the previous year. The first justices in the county were: H. B. Burnap, John G. Cole, John M. Afferty, John Crow, William Abbe, and Israel Mitchell. Some of the first county judges were: Norman Isbell, Dan Lothian, J. Elliott, A. H. Dumont, and J. M. Berry.

During these early days there were two terms of court, one in January, and the other in June. The cases brought involved small amounts, but for the number of inhabitants of the county there was a great deal more litigation then than now. Some of the early lawyers in Marion and Cedar Rapids were: I. M. Preston, J. E. Sanford, N. W. Isbell, Isaac Cook, Henry Harman, William Smyth, J. J. Child, Joe B. Young, Dan Lothian, C. M. Hollis, J. David. N. M. Hubbard, R. D. Stephens, Tom Corbett, George Greene, Israel Mitchell, D. O. Finch, A. S. Belt, John Mitchell, G. A. Gray, and C. L. Murray.

Among the attorneys in practice during the early '50s in Cedar Rapids were the following: Henry Lehman, E. M. Bates, C. V. Tousley, J. J. Child, R. G. Welcher, D. M. McIntosh, T. J. Dudley, Jr., A. Sidney Belt, and Dan O. Finch, the latter being also editor of the Progressive Era. In 1861 came J. Munger and N. R. Graham, and during the next year Edward Stark, who formed a partnership with A. S. Belt. In 1862 came W. A. Dodge. During the early '60s George Greene and I. M. Preston were in partnership, Greene having an office in Cedar Rapids and Preston in Marion. Hubbard and Stephens were in partnership in Marion in the early '60s, Stephens running the law business while Hubbard went to "the front."

The attorneys locating here in the '50s and '60s were engaged in railway promotion, in politics, and in booming towns, although they did not neglect banking and fire insurance. There were towns which had two or three lawyers in the early day which have none now, which would indicate that litigation in the early days was more profitable than later. In conversation with a number of the old lawyers this has been told, that the land business was the best paying law business during the pioneer days. It is also stated that much of the litigation in the early days was to defend horse thieves and other criminals. How true this is the writer does not know.

In the early days there was a class of people called "Terrorists" causing the settlers much annoyance and trouble. They were a band of looters who came along to scare people by reporting threatened Indian attacks, and when the settlers had fled to a place of safety others of the band came along and looted the abandoned houses. The "Copperhead" movement also extended into this county during the early period of the war, and more or less litigation grew out of this excitement.

Among some of the well known lawyers of the pioneer days of this county who have played a more or less prominent part at the bar, in politics, and otherwise, may be mentioned John David and J. E. Sanford, who came to Iowa in 1840. They were both bright men and had an exceptionally large practice in land titles. Any examiner of abstracts in this county will find Sanford's name frequently as holding much of this land, also that of H. W. Sanford, a relative. Thomas Corbett came from the east in an early day, was one of the characters at Marion, and became a well known attorney, removing from Iowa in a short time on account of his health. He became a hero soon after he married a well known lady in Marion whose people were well to do. As Corbett had nothing but brains for assets, one of the brothers of the bride did not like this marriage and came to the house of a friend just after the wedding with a party of young fellows to horsewhip the groom, who was not a very large man, but an active one. The groom was not at all backward about meeting his antagonist and gave him a thrashing to such an extent that he had no cause to forget it very soon, much to the enjoyment of the crowd who all took Corbett's side. It was not long until Corbett displayed great ability as an attorney, and became financially successful as well.

Norman W. Isbell located in Marion in 1842, being a native of Ohio. He served as county judge, in which position he rendered excellent service. In politics he was a whig, but when the slavery issue sent that neutral party out of existence, Judge Isbell became a republican. In 1854 he became a partner of N. M. Hubbard, which partnership continued up to about 1860, with the exception of the time when he held office. In 1855 he was elected supreme judge of the state, resigning in 1856 on account of failing health. In September, 1862, upon the resignation of Judge William E. Miller, Governor Kirkwood appointed Judge Isbell to fill the vacancy on the supreme bench. He was elected at the expiration of the term, but resigned in 1864, removing to California on account of illness, where he died of consumption the following year at the age of forty-six. All the members of the bar proclaim Judge Isbell one of the keenest lawyers who ever practiced in this county, at least in that day. His applications of legal principles were sound and his illustrations apt and catchy. He was not a great jury lawyer in the true sense of the word, and perhaps not as well known among the masses as many others, but among the legal fraternity Judge Isbell was looked up to as a safe lawyer and most excellent judge, who by hard study had attained to high rank among the jurists of this state. His son, N. G. Isbell, practiced a short time here, but removed to Michigan where he died many years ago, before reaching middle age.

METHODIST CHURCH, SPRINGVILLE

HOME OF J. F. BUTLER, SPRINGVILLE

Another lawyer of much ability and universally respected was Isaac Cook, a native of Chester county, Pennsylvania, who located in Palmyra, Missouri, in 1844, and later practiced law in Dubuque, and also in Marion, removing to Cedar Rapids in 1848. He was elected to the bench in 1857. Judge Cook was of a quiet turn of mind, a man who never gave a sidewalk advice which he had to take back. He was elected the first city attorney in Cedar Rapids in 1850, and was tendered a banquet upon his resignation from the bench in 1858. He was also the first president of a republican club organized in Linn county. Judge Cook died in 1878, honored and respected by all who knew him.

John Mitchell came from Maine in 1853, entered Judge Isbell's office, and was admitted to the bar in 1857. He was later a partner of Judge Smythe and Judge Lothian. Mitchell died a few years ago, one of the oldest practitioners in the county.

R. D. Stephens was born in New York in 1829, and came to Marion in 1855 without means, but with a splendid training and with a lively interest for business. He entered the law office of Isbell & Hubbard, later becoming a partner of Judge Hubbard. Mr. Stephens at an early date became interested in politics, and later became famous as a commercial lawyer and financier. He died in Cedar Rapids as president of the Merchants National Bank, and was rated one of the wealthiest men in the county. His son, R. D. Stephens. Jr., is now a practicing attorney in Chicago.

Joe B. Young was born in 1832 in Pennsylvania, and was admitted to the bar at Iowa City in 1853. He located in Marion and was prosecuting attorney in Linn county, a member of the legislature, and later a member of the state senate, and for a time pension agent for the state of Iowa. Joe Young was cross and crabbed in the court, frequently opposed the judge, as well as the opposing counsel, and displayed on many occasions bad temper, not to such an extent, however, that he ever lost sight of his client's interest or his case. He was a stubborn legal fighter and was recognized as a great lawyer who never gave up until he had exhausted all his resources. He died in 1876, one of the best known attorneys in eastern Iowa, universally acknowledged the greatest wit and the most sarcastic in retort of any man who practiced at the bar. He saw only one side of a case and that was his side and he always maintained that, backed up by proof, there was no other side. Even in church matters he differed with the majority, and organized a new church, paying for it himself, so as to have things his own way. He was a most signal man in his profession, always a student, and seemed to know everything which would likely reveal where motives start and where the secret springs of conscience were in a long drawn out law suit.

D. M. McIntosh was a native of South Carolina, and located in Cedar Rapids in the '40s. He was small of stature, with a ruddy face and long hair, making an imposing figure in the court room. He possessed considerable legal ability, had many friends, and was one of the best known men in Cedar Rapids. He died in 1859, mourned by a large circle of friends, who for years remembered how this brilliant son of the south had on many occasions lighted up the dull path of the law with a glow of fancy and spiced his remarks by the charm of frontier oratory.

Colonel J. M. May was another attorney who was well known in Cedar Rapids, and who located here at an early date, and after him May's Island is named. He was erratic and wasted a large fortune in litigation with his relatives and neighbors over rights of various kinds. He died in Cedar Rapids a short time ago.

I. N. Whittam was another of the pioneer lawyers who died a few years ago, having located in Cedar Rapids in 1854. He assisted Judge Greene in getting out "Greene's Reports of Iowa." He was in continuous practice up to the time of his death.

Ellsworth N. Bates, coming to Linn county in the early fifties, was quickly known as the silver tongued orator of the Cedar Valley. He was the first city attorney, appointed in 1856, at $20.00 a year. He served till 1860. Mr. Bates won fame and honor as a lawyer and editor, and being a person of tact and force of character, he won many friends. His glowing tribute to the men who built the railway, at the June celebration in 1859, gave him prestige as a great orator. Mr. Bates enlisted in the Civil war and died from exposure a short time afterwards.

George Greene, who died in 1880 at the age of sixty-three, was one of the best known men in Iowa at the time of his death. Born in England, Mr. Greene educated himself in Buffalo, studying with George P. Baker. In 1838 he came to Davenport and began to make a geological survey of Iowa. After he had worked for six months at this kind of work, which was not at all congenial, he located in Ivanhoe, Linn county, and taught the first term of school in that vicinity. In 1840 he was admitted to the bar at Iowa City, locating later at Marion, where he began the practice of law. The next year he was sent to the legislature. Here he became acquainted with the prominent men of the state, and as the law business was not flourishing he removed in 1845 to Dubuque, and while nominally in the practice he became editor of the Miner's Express, which was then one of the nourishing papers of the territory. Three years later he formed a partnership for the practice of law with J. J. Dyer. In October, 1847, Judge Wilson resigned his office of associate justice and the governor filled the vacancy by appointing George Greene, who from that day to the day of his death became a figure of importance in politics as well as in financial affairs in Iowa. Judge Greene was a man of marked ability, having had excellent opportunities and being possessed of untiring industry. In 1848 he was elected one of the supreme court judges by the joint vote of the two houses of the General Assembly and served for six years from January 15, 1849. During his term of office he reported the decisions of the court. These decisions were published in four volumes and are known as "Greene's Reports of Iowa." In 1851 Judge Greene removed to Cedar Rapids, where he engaged in banking and where he was one of the most active citizens in persuading manufacturers to come to this city. He was instrumental in securing the Chicago & Northwestern, and the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railways to pass through Cedar Rapids. In politics Judge Greene was a democrat until the Greely campaign, when he became a republican. Few, if any, have done so much among the early settlers in securing capital to be invested in Iowa. Judge Greene travelled much and personally knew many financiers in this country and in England, many of whom invested much funds in farm lands, town lots, in bonds, and stocks, in Linn and adjoining counties. After locating in Cedar Rapids Judge Greene had a number of partners. While he, himself, did not devote himself actively to the law business, the firm generally had a large practice. He was in partnership with Judge Hubbard, Cyrus Benley, A. S. Belt, and with Judge Dudley.

A. Sidney Belt was a southerner by birth, a person of much ability, of engaging manners, and well known in his day throughout Linn and adjoining counties.

Colonel Isaac M. Preston was born in Bennington, Vermont, in 1813, the son of a revolutionary soldier. He learned the trade of cabinet-making. At an early age he drifted west, remained for awhile in Ohio, and finally located in Marion in 1842, where he began the practice of law. Three years later he was appointed district attorney, serving two years. In February, 1846, he was commissioned colonel to organize troops for the Mexican war. He served as probate judge of Linn county for four years. He was appointed by President Polk, United States attorney for Iowa in 1847. In 1850 he was elected to the house of the Third General Assembly, and after serving one term was elected to the state senate where, during four years in the Fourth and Fifth General Assemblies, he was one of the most prominent legislators of that body and took an active part in the enactment of the Code of 1851. Colonel Preston had more litigation in his day and generation than any one person in this and adjoining counties. He was strong before a court, tactful and invincible before a jury, and especially in the defense of criminal cases he had no superior. The bar of Linn county during the early days was one of the strongest in the state, and Colonel Preston during his long and active practice before the supreme court, held a high place and was recognized as one of the leading attorneys of eastern Iowa, a position to which he early attained and which he continuously held up to the time of his death.

William Smythe was born in Tyrone county, Ireland, in 1824. He emigrated with his parents at the age of fifteen to America and located in Linn county in 1840. He studied law at Iowa City, and in 1848 opened an office in Marion. In 1853 he was appointed judge of the fourth judicial district, serving four years. In 1858 he was chosen by the Seventh General Assembly one of the three commissioners to revise and codify the laws of the state. This work was accepted by the legislature and became what is known as the "Code of 1860." Judge Smythe was also appointed upon a commission of legal inquiry, and was one of the commissioners to negotiate bonds by the state to provide a war defense fund. He served two years in the army as colonel of the Thirty-first Iowa Infantry. In politics Judge Smythe was a republican, and from the beginning of his legal career he took more or less interest in politics. In 1868 he and Judge Hubbard were the republican candidates for congress, a campaign which was waged with much bitterness, so much so that friend turned against friend and neighbor against neighbor. It is said that a few days after Hubbard's defeat he met a shoe-maker on the street who had been a former friend but who had been persuaded to vote for Smythe, and Hubbard said to him, "Jack, you will not need to buy any bristles any more, just reach your hand over your shoulder and you can pull them out of your back, for there is nothing about you but a hog anyway."

After Judge Smythe's nomination William Leffingwell was put up by the democrats to beat him, Leffingwell being one of the noted orators of the state, but Judge Smythe was victorious. He attained to a high place as lawyer and as a constructive statesman. He possessed a profound intellect, was popular among the masses, and a just and honorable man. He passed away when he had just reached middle life, one of the ablest and most versatile men in Linn county at the time of his untimely death.

Judge N. M. Hubbard, who was a unique character and one of the best known men in Iowa for many years, was born in Oswego, New York, in 1829, the son of a Methodist minister. He was reared on a farm and began life as a blacksmith, although later he obtained a university education. Judge Hubbard located in Marion for the practice of his profession in 1854, later removing to Cedar Rapids. In February, 1856, he was a delegate to the state convention which met at Iowa City, where he helped to organize the republican party. During the war he assisted in organizing the Twentieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, in which he was chosen a captain, serving under General F. J. Herron. In March, 1863, he was promoted to judge advocate and served in the army until he was breveted major in 1865. This year he was appointed district judge, resigning after having served a year, to accept the position of general attorney for the Northwestern railroad in the state of Iowa.

The sayings of Judge Hubbard would fill a book of many pages, but many of them would need to be sterilized before put into type. Many of these witty remarks are still repeated during a lull in the court room when stories take the place of dry facts. He was truly an original character, not only as a political manager of a great political party, but as railway counsel, and as a person who filled a large place in the political arena of Iowa for many years. A few of these sayings may give the reader an idea of the man as he really appeared during these years of his political and legal career in Iowa.

At one time being asked how a new assistant behaved who had been appointed local attorney for the railroad of which Hubbard had charge, he replied, "Tim is a real bull in a china shop; what he don't smash he dirties."

Speaking at one time of a technical lawyer, he added, "here is my friend J, he is so technical that he will fall all over a crowbar to hunt for a pin and not even see the crowbar, mind you."

While judge on the bench, some pompous doctor who was a witness asked leave to go home to look after his patients, and the judge quietly replied. "You had better stay here so as to give your patients a chance to get well."

At another time an attorney who had formerly been governor got the worst of it in Hubbard's court, and he appealed to him as a man and friend, saying that the judge evidently must have forgotten that he held his position due to his appointment while governor. Judge Hubbard coolly replied, "Yes, I remember that very well as being the only decent act of your term of office," and went on ruling against him as he had before.

On a hot June day Hubbard was trying a case against John Weare, one of the old pioneer bankers of this county. There was a lull in the proceedings, and as the jury was walking out of the court room Weare pulled out a large red handkerchief to wipe the sweat from his brow, when Hubbard in his peculiar articulation, for which he was noted, piped out, "John, it makes you sweat to tell the truth, don't it?" The crowd laughed, and the cutting sarcasm was never forgotten or forgiven by the aged banker, who was at the mercy of his old antagonist.

During one of the many political campaigns a Des Moines paper accused Hubbard of giving away five hundred tickets to delegates. He was asked by a friend about this and Hubbard replied. "That is a lie, I gave away eleven hundred tickets this year, that is all."

During the Parrott fight for the governorship of Iowa, Hubbard at first supported his old friend, but when he saw the turn affairs were taking he suggested that Parrott withdraw, but the candidate refused, adding that he had so many delegates pledged, and furthermore felt that he had Providence on his side. Hubbard simply replied, "Well, you can take to Providence and I will take to Shaw."

While arguing a case before the supreme court, the opposing counsel had pounded the table a great deal during his lengthy argument. When he concluded, Judge Hubbard arose to reply in the following little speech: "I am strong. I can pound this oak table to pieces for I have been a blacksmith in my time, and I will pound this table into splinters if you say and if it will help me to win this suit." He went on in this manner until the members of the court laughed, and even the opposing counsel saw the ridiculousness of his performance.

METHODIST CHURCH, PALO

SCENE AT SPRINGVILLE

During one of his last appearances in court he was called by the opposing counsel an "old mossback who might have been a great lawyer, but that was many years ago." When the lawyer concluded all eyes were turned on the old judge. As he arose to reply he said: "True. I am old and not what I used to be, and I suppose I am fast getting to be an old mossback." Then he went on telling of the old lawyers he had known at the bar in Iowa in the early day. He spoke of the methods of the old advocates, and of their bitter political fights, then added, "They never tried to bolster up a witness, defraud an antagonist, or blackmail a client as they do now, and if the real up-to-date lawyer must do such a thing in order to become great and prominent, then I thank God I am an old fogy of a lawyer and belong to the former generation."

Judge Hubbard at one time abused Bill Harper most unmercifully in a suit, and Bill Harper threatened that he would maul Hubbard into a dish of jelly at sight. The judge one day appeared in court shortly after the trouble, when Major Thompson said, "Judge, Bill Harper is looking for you." The judge looked around, for he feared Harper, and not seeing him, replied in somewhat of a gusto, "I saw him in the park and if he had done anything to me, he would never have been Bill Harper at all, he would have been dead."

At another time while the judge was defending a railroad company in a damage suit involving a large amount of money a colored man had sworn positively to facts in a case which everyone thought he knew nothing about. In the trial of the case the judge turned to an old friend, and a "Copperhead," saying, "I am glad there are some Copperheads here; I fought to free the nigger. I stood up to be shot at, now, by gosh, I am a Copperhead. A man who will swear in court like that nigger did today ought to be a slave and should never be free."

Judge James H. Rothrock was a native of Pennsylvania, and as a mere lad removed to Ohio where he acquired his education at Parker's Academy and at the Franklin University. He was admitted to the bar at Greenfield, Ohio, removing to Tipton, Iowa, in 1860. He was elected to the house of representatives in 1861 and was elected speaker pro tem. He entered the army as lieutenant, and upon his return from the army formed a partnership with Judge W. P. Wolf, which lasted until he was nominated for judge of the eighth judicial district in 1866. He performed services as judge in that district with ability and impartiality. He was serving his third term when he was appointed to the bench of the supreme court.

A few stories may be related of Judge Rothrock which in a way illustrate his wit and exemplary character:

Judge Rothrock had been trained in the general principles of law and did not go much on statute law. At one time he was one of a committee to examine a number of persons for admission to the bar, and a young, bright fellow seemed to have committed to memory much of the statute law of the state, but knew nothing of general principles. The judge quietly said to the young man. "You surely are in a bad way, my friend, because the legislature might in a night repeal all the law that you know."

At another time he was on the bench in Linn county when George W. Wilson, as receiver, brought in a wagon load of books to prove up a certain assignment. Judge Rothrock asked why all these books were brought in, and Wilson replied, "To show up the receivership in the case, your honor." The judge smiled and said. "Don't you think this failure was due to too much bookkeeping?"

At one time as he was assigning cases, and not being familiar with some of the members of the bar, Tom Corbett appeared in a case assigned for trial. The judge quietly asked Mr. Corbett's name and as Mr. Corbett arose to speak Judge Hubbard blurted out. "Jot him down plain Tom, that is enough." Mr. Corbett blushed crimson, whispering to another attorney that he would get even some day. Judge Hubbard many times afterwards became the prey to Corbett's heartless raillery, his sharp retorts, and pungent wit.

At one time there were a number of lawyers engaged in a hotly contested will matter where Judge Rothrock presided, and as the attorneys talked back and forth across the table and there was more or less disturbance in the court room, the judge leaned quietly over, saying in a very pleasant manner to one of the lawyers who had done most of the quarreling, that he did not see why he was sitting there. The attorney quick as a flash replied, "You've got me now, Judge, I don't know."

After his retirement from the bench Judge Rothrock was frequently called in to assist other attorneys in the trials of equity cases. It became a standing joke among the members of the bar that when they found cases in which Judge Rothrock had written the opinion which held just the opposite of what he was contending for, they were certain to rub it in, much to the judge's embarrassment.

While Judge Rothrock resided at Tipton he came up to Marion to preside over a term of court and as there were but few persons around he asked the bystanders if there was anything doing this term of court, to which they replied that they did not know. He said, "Is Doty here," and they replied that he was. Then he asked, "Is Harper here?" and they said he had been present for the past day or so. Then he said, "Bailiff, take my grip and coat, there will be something doing this term of court; I guess I will stay awhile."

It was Judge Rothrock who made the famous entry of record in several cases after Doty and Harper had fought for thirty years, "settled by agreement, each party to pay his own costs, peace declared, the same being duly ratified by the court." During these years Harper had lost everything he had, and Doty was content to have his lawyer share the income out of an eighty acre tract of land and thus felt that he came out about even. He figured that the lawyer got the better half of the income of this farm during all the years the litigation continued.

In 1876 Rothrock was appointed member of the supreme court. He removed to Cedar Rapids, where he resided until his death in 1899. For thirty years he was a member of that body and materially assisted in laying down many sound legal principles which courts in the west have since followed.

Judge Rothrock was not known as a brilliant judge, but was profound, and a man endowed by nature with the judicial temperament which so well fitted him for the bench. His opinions have always been known for clearness of apprehension, tempered by integrity and impartiality.

J. J. Child, a native of the state of New Jersey, drifted into Cedar Rapids in 1854 for the practice of his profession. He was a large man, somewhat stooped, of scholarly attainments, and besides had more than ordinary native ability. Few, if any, excelled Mr. Child in knowledge of legal principles and their application to existing facts, although many excelled him in the court room and before juries.

J. J. Child, J. J. Snouffer, and I. N. Whittam were instrumental in obtaining the special charter for Cedar Rapids in 1856. In the municipal affairs of Cedar Rapids Mr. Child held many offices up to the time of his death in 1889. He possessed talents of a very high order, but his mode of life lessened his influence in the community. Capable of most any position, he achieved little or no success, and died poor and unknown, because the baneful influences of drink sapped his vitality and ruined a brilliant intellect.

One of the most original characters in the '70s was Jerry Lynch, who had practiced law in Benton county before coming to Cedar Rapids. Mr. Lynch was resourceful as a lawyer, had a keen sense of humor, and possessed a great deal of ability. It is said that when Jerry had two glasses to the wind he was in his element, especially in defending a criminal, for it is said of him that "he always denied everything and asked for proof." At one time he was prosecuting certain persons and realized that he had no proof. The rain was pouring down, and as he looked out of the window he said with all the dignity of a judge, "Your Honor, on account of the inclemency of the weather I dismiss the case."

At another time he was opposed by several lawyers who made fun of his partner's military record. There is nothing that so touches the Irishman's heart as an exhibit of disloyalty, and Jerry arose to reply, saying, "My friend on the other side laughs at my co-counsel's military record. Let me tell you what he did during the war. He sat on top of the northern mountain peak of Vermont with his breeches padded ready to slide into Canada at the first intimation of the draft." There were a number of soldiers on that jury and it is needless to say that Jerry won his ease, regardless of the legal questions involved.

Mr. Lynch at one time defended a saloonkeeper, and was waiting his turn as Judge Shane passed sentence of "guilty" upon one after another. Jerry arose to speak for his client saying, "It is an unpleasant duty I am called upon to perform. I defend the worst saloonkeeper in Cedar Rapids. He runs the worst hole-in-the-wall in Cedar Rapids, and I have been in there myself and I am ashamed to tell your honor that it is so. I am not defending my client, for he is a law-breaker and everybody knows it." And he went on telling about the depraved individual who ran the saloon, and then he began: "I am not defending the saloon, I would not be here for that, but that man has a wife and children, and as nice children you ever did see." Then he went on telling about the kindness of that wife who was mistreated by a drunken brute of a husband till tears came into many eyes in that room. The sympathies of the judge were aroused and Jerry's client was duly acquitted.

Frank Hormel came to Cedar Rapids as a young man, from Ohio, possessing education and courteous manners. It might be well said of him, that from nothing he attained to an income of $10,000.00 a year. Mr. Hormel was lank and lean in appearance; was a student who devoted his nights to old "Father Antics," the law. He argued to the court with much success and was discreet and dexterous before a jury. He was kind hearted and generous to a fault, and attracted friends by the brilliancy of his conversation.

Mr. Hormel has been declared by the older members of the bar as a remarkable man for adroitness in a law suit and for knowledge at every stage of the case. He was a person of many parts and varied culture, who just before he had turned fifty was literally worn out on account of the strenuous life he had been living. He set his stakes high and paid the penalty.

Just after the Civil war a number of young men drifted into Linn county, a number of whom had seen service and who later became lawyers, doctors, and bankers in this and adjoining counties.

Among a number of attorneys who located here during the '60s these may be mentioned: Mason P. Mills, John J. Powell, Charles B. Keeler, Frank Hormel, Judge Leach, Judge Spangler, T. J. Dudley, Jr., A. R. West, H. G. Bowman, D. L. Palmer, J. C. Davis, J. W. Bull, A. V. Eastman, Henry Rickel, C. M. Hollis, C. S. Lake, Judge J. D. Giffin, Colonel Charles A. Clark, B. F. Heins, and many others. These were all young men and all became more or less noted in the legal profession, as well as socially and politically.

Mase Mills was a business getter, but not a sound lawyer. He neither had the ability nor inclination for discrimination. He said of himself that in his native place when a boy, when a medicine faker threw out peanuts for the boys to fight over, he always got his share. In the rough and tumble of law suits he was fairly successful for the reason that he always associated himself with lawyers of ability. He was a jolly good fellow, a great mixer, and knew men.

Mr. Powell had been in the army, was a college graduate, and soon took a leading place among the attorneys at the bar in this county. He passed away in January, 1908, one of the best known and most highly respected citizens of the city of Cedar Rapids.

Benjamin Franklin Heins was in his day and generation a much talked of man. Of Ben Heins many stories may be told. He was noted for getting his English mixed and his penmanship conformed to no rule, while Murray's grammar had never come under his notice. A wag once demurred to Ben's petition as follows: To count one, for the reason that it could not be read; to count two, because it was unintelligible, and the demur was sustained. Ben ran for alderman and gave up a day or two before election, as he had one hundred votes to the good. The day after election his friends met at his office to ascertain the cause of his defeat, when Ben broke out, "Well, gentlemen, I did not know till today that there were two hundred liars in my ward."

THE BLACK HAWK PURCHASE

VIEW OF SPRINGVILLE SOON AFTER TOWN WAS FOUNDED

FIRST STORE IN SPRINGVILLE

SHOWING DES MOINES COUNTY SUBDIVIDED

Ben was not a great lawyer, but he had much business. During the Texas oil speculation one of the oil boomers came to Ben and offered him fabulous wages to take him around among his German clients to sell oil stock. Ben soon saw the trick and replied to the boomer as follows: "My enemies won't bite on this proposition, and I do not wish to soak my friends in this way. You better look for some other sucker."

Mills & Keeler were in partnership a number of years, mostly engaged in railway litigation. Mr. Keeler became known outside the confines of the state, and died scarcely past middle life at the head of the legal department of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway, with offices in Chicago. Mr. Keeler was short of stature, with black hair and beard, and in a law suit very nervous. It is said that during the Bever will trial Colonel Clark, in the midst of the trial, said to Keeler, "If you will only put a feather in your hair, Charley, you would make an ideal Mephistopheles without any further makeup." Mr. Keeler was a shrewd, wide-awake lawyer, whose mental constitution peculiarly fitted him for the practice of law, who possessed the faculty of crowding the salient features of a case in a few words, and who knew better than most lawyers what the law ought to be if he could not cite a case in point. He was cold-blooded and had few warm friends, but everyone acknowledged his abilities. His restless brain simply burnt up his tissues long before his time.

Mr. Bowman excelled as a brilliant jury lawyer, who by his magnetic personality knew how to handle a jury and to obtain a favorable verdict, especially on the defense in a criminal suit where he could appeal to the sympathies of the jury. Mr. Bowman possessed the magnetic quality to attract persons to him, and was one of the most resourceful lawyers at the bar.

Of the early practitioners at the bar all have passed away or have retired except Judge J. H. Preston, a son of Colonel Preston, still in practice in Cedar Rapids, and Major William G. Thompson.

Major Thompson must be given space in this sketch. He was an associate of Hubbard, Isbell, Cook, Stephens, Corbett, Young, McIntosh, Mitchell, Sanford, David, and Greene. Judge Thompson is a native of Butler county, Pennsylvania, where he was born in 1830. He was reared on a farm, received his early education in a log school house and became a teacher. He attended an academy where he remained two years, when he began the study of law, supporting himself by working for his employers. At twenty-five he was admitted to the bar, and in 1853 located in Marion for the practice of his profession. He was a member of the state convention at Iowa City in 1856 when the republican party was organized. In this year he was also chosen a member of the state senate, serving in the Sixth and Seventh General Assemblies. In 1864 he was one of the presidential electors, and was elected district attorney, serving six years. The office of general justice of the territory of Idaho was offered him in 1879 which he accepted, but was elected to congress from the fifth district the same year to fill a vacancy and was re-elected for the next regular term. In 1885 he was elected to the Twenty-first General Assembly and was an important factor in the impeachment proceedings against Auditor Brown. In 1894 Judge Thompson was appointed judge of the eighteenth judicial district and served in that capacity until he retired a few years ago on account of advanced age.

A few stories may be told about Major Thompson to give the reader an idea of the man and of the times. Tall, spare, and of commanding stature, with a wonderful command of language, he would convulse a witness or magnetize a jury with his quaint sayings, and in a minute would melt them into tears with his pathos or arouse them to indignation by his denunciations of what he believed was wrong.

In the Bever will case, in which Thompson appeared for the contestants, he was to open the case to the jury, when Hubbard who had full charge of the case, said that he wanted Thompson to speak at least two days. The major replied, "Great God man, what shall I say to that jury except that here is the will and there are the girls, they should have part of this estate?" He made the longest jury argument he ever made in his life, which did not exceed forty minutes, but he won the case.

Another incident in the Bever will case might be mentioned. After the case had gone to the highest court the parties agreed to compromise. They objected to fees which were very large. Sheriff Dan Kinley had a fee bill of $1,000.00, which the parties contested. The motion was set down for hearing, when Kinley stepped up and wanted his matter disposed of. Judge Wolf was on the bench and asked if the sheriff had any lawyer. He replied, "No, I asked several lawyers and they all claimed they were retained on one side or the other." The judge looked down upon an array of lawyers, counting about fifteen, and said, "All right, go ahead gentlemen." As the long string of lawyers came out after the hearing Major Smith came along and said to the judge, who came out with Kinley, "How about that motion for fees, Judge, which you have been hearing?" "Well," replied Wolf, "there were twenty lawyers on the other side, and after lengthy arguments Dan and I managed to beat them."

When Judge Thompson was on the bench he used to sentence criminals like this: "You deserve just ten years in the pen, or as long as the law allows. You should stay there. I never heard any good you ever did. But I see your wife here. She looks like a good woman: I'll give you thirty days in jail."

At one time a woman came to Thompson to get a divorce from her husband. The judge heard her story. She stated that when the husband came home and the meals were not ready he would simply rave. "How does he act when you do have the meals ready?" "Oh, he acts all right then," replied the woman. "Well," said the judge, "I advise you to go home and feed the brute, and you will have no trouble."

On the stump the judge was often accused of waving the "bloody shirt," and he used to reply to his opponents that "he knew what he was waving, because he had been there." When in congress the major was a member of the committee to try the contested election cases. Colonel R. G. Ingersoll was one of the attorneys frequently employed by the contestants and he became very friendly with the members of this committee. One morning as the colonel entered and found the major looking over some of the records, the great orator, looking at the Iowa congressman, said, "Major, I like you." Thompson looked up and inquired, "Why so, Colonel?" "Well," replied the magnetic orator, "because if I can establish the fact that my client is running on the republican ticket I have won my case with you, but it takes a great deal more to convince the other members of your committee."

George W. Wilson was an old character at the bar of Linn county, and many are the cases on our county records with the words, G. W. Wilson per se. He brought more worthless cases than any other firm or individual and was the owner of more tax titles than any other individual in this or any other county in Iowa. His tax titles were so clouded that the court intimated in a certain execution "that they would never fasten on anything in particular."

Linn county has had its share of "constant litigants." The dam across the river has been a constant eyesore, with rights vested and otherwise. There has not been a time since the franchise was granted by the state for dams up to the present time that some suit has not been pending in the district or supreme court involving some phase of the property rights of the respective owners in common. The so-called legal ownership of the dam is now supposed to be vested in the city of Cedar Rapids, and fees are no longer forthcoming, so during the past few years there has been a lull in this branch of litigation.

William Harper, J. W. Traer, J. P. Glass, John Weare, W. S. Cooper, N. B. Brown, Colonel J. M. May, J. J. Snouffer, G. W. Wilson, Theresa O'Connell, Doc Paul, and Lewis & Mason kept the legal mill grinding for many years. However, by common consent, Elias Doty, son of one of the first settlers, seems to have held the trump card for litigation in the number of suits that he has brought and defended. He is something like Micawber in this particular that "he has become acquainted with the law by being made a party so often." It is said that Doty started his litigation by taking a law book in a horse trade, from which he got a smattering of law, which volume was cited in many trials until some up-to-date lawyer ruled the book out before a justice because it had been printed in England.

The Bever will case was one of the most hotly contested cases in the county on account of the large interests at stake and the prominence of the interested parties as well as the prominence and standing of the attorneys employed.

Many have questioned whether the lawyer of the future will occupy the same position in the community as the pioneer lawyers. The legal business is rapidly changing, and before many years the successful lawyer will be one who renders legal opinions as to what the law is before suit is brought, and there will be less and less of great speeches delivered "amid full houses and loud cheers." The pioneer lawyer arose to distinction and political preferment by force of his native ability. It is doubtful if we shall in the future have a class of attorneys who will play such an important part in the upbuilding of the county and of the state. It is doubtful if we ever shall look upon their kind again.

The practicing attorneys of Linn county at this time are as follows:

F. B. Armstrong, E. C. Barber, A. R. Berry, U. C. Blake. Charles W. Bingham, Don Barnes, Fred A. Bowman, George F. Buresh, Frank C. Byers, C. M. Brown, Charles A. Clark, Frank G. Clark, C. F. Clark, William G. Clark, A. T. Cooper, W. L. Crissman, J. C. Cook, J. H. Crosby, W. L. Cron, William Chamberlain, H. R. Churchill, F. F. Dawley, F. J. Dawley, C. J. Deacon, Vincel Drahos, L. D. Dennis, M. J. Donnelly, O. J. Felton, E. A. Fordyce, Elmer Green, J. W. Good, J. M. Grimm, W. J. Grunewald, T. M. Giberson, E. W. Griffiths, S. M. Hall, Warren Harman, G. J. Hedges, J. N. Hughes, C. D. Harrison, Louis Heins, F. W. Hann, Frank A. Heald, J. W. Jamison, E. C. Johnson, L. M. Kratz, J. C. Leonard, J. J. Lenehan, G. P. Linville, Fred Luberger, Joseph Mekota, R. A. Moses, Matt J. Miles, Stephen Novotny, E. C. Preston, J. H. Preston, Thomas B. Powell, M. I. Parter, Frank H. Randall, Mac J. Randall, John M. Redmond, John A. Reed, C. B. Robbins, Henry Rickel, H. C. Ring, C. S. Smith, M. P. Smith, William Smythe, W. E. Steele, John D. Stewart, A. H. Sargent, Roland Shaver, H. E. Spangler, C. R. Sutherland, L. J. Storey, G. R. Taylor, P. W. Tourtellot, J. H. Trewin, J. M. Tallman, C. G. Watkins, Charles E. Wheeler, B. L. Wick, J. U. Yessler, Cedar Rapids; H. C. Printy, Center Point, Iowa; Thomas Davis, Central City, Iowa; E. A. Johnson, B. J. Laucamp, Lisbon; F. L. Anderson, James E. Bromwell, M. W. Courtney, W. S. Griffiths, James M. Gray, Charles J. Haas, B. P. Harding, C. S. Lake, William G. Thompson, J. M. Thompson, D. E. Voris, Marion; C. W. Kepler, Louis H. Kepler, G. M. Wilson, F. T. Davis, William Glenn, Mt. Vernon; D. D. Stevens, Paralta, Iowa; Thomas Ware, Troy Mills; A. W. Fisher, Walker; Homer James, Springville.

LUTHERAN CHURCH, LISBON

MAIN STREET, LISBON

LINN COUNTY JUSTICES

In pioneer days the township justice played an important part in the growth and progress of the community. He acted as the safe counsellor and the family adviser. He drew up all sorts of legal papers, settled strifes, legalized marriages. It was in the justice court that the new lawyer would show off his ability. It was an age when "wit and whiskey were the principal things at the bar," and the early lawyers by nature possessed the one and frequently partook of the other.

Before these country tribunals these young fellows at the bar were not miserly of their eccentricities by any means. The justice courts in olden times were held under the oaks in summer and in blacksmith shops and grist mills in colder weather, and here when law was not made, the politics and gossip of the day were often discussed. The justice was always a leader in his community, and he led in many ways. The story frequently went "as goes the justice so goes the township." The voter placed faith in the judgment of the justice and he ruled the community sometimes with an iron hand. However, the dictatorial justice soon lost caste and some one else would be chosen at the next election. Much good work was done by the frontier justice as peace maker, for often where quarrels arose involving a whole neighborhood he would fix it up in some way, asserting with all the powers at his command that "it was a dirty suit" which must be settled.

They were as a rule men of character and of influence, and fearless when it came to dealing out justice to offenders and those who openly violated the law. Of course they were backed by the sturdy farming population who could be depended upon to stand up for the rules as laid down by the justice.

Many stories may be told at the expense of the country justice. It is related of an old New Englander in Monroe township that when a case came before him as to certain offenses and the attorney for the defendant saw that the feelings of the justice were against him he made a motion that the guilt or innocence of the victim be put to a vote of the house. While he thought this was a little strange, still his sense of justice and his New England training asserted itself and the crowd voted that the party should go free, against the protest of the attorney for the state.

Dr. J. H. Camburn was an able justice. The way he would take things in hand and decide matters were worth going a distance to see and hear. Dr. Camburn was decidedly practical and had good sense. It is said that John Weare made a better justice than Dave King, for King had friends at times whom he wanted to help while Weare had no friends.

Justice Snyder, of Putnam township, sentenced a poor fellow at one time to the penitentiary for stealing a bee tree when a tree of that kind and a whole acre of land on which it grew would not be worth more than $5.00. The constable marched the poor fellow across the country to the sheriff's office, awaiting further instructions. The sheriff sent the constable home and told the prisoner to go home, as the justice had exceeded his authority. The scare at least made the poor fellow forever afterwards an ideal citizen and the justice always thought that he had done a good job after all even though he had exceeded his authority.

Many of the fathers and grandfathers of the present generation look back with pride upon the work accomplished by their ancestors who held down the justice's office in some of the townships of the county. Who does not remember such names as J. G. Cole, Isaac Butler, Bob Hodgin, Ed Crow, William Abbe, Burnett, Coquillette, Knickerbocker, L. L. Davis, Israel Mitchell, Wm. Ure, R. M. Gunnison, Wm. Cooper, J. S. Anderson, John Stewart, C. W. Phelps, Aaron Mohr, Thos. Goudy, J. M. Afftery, J. W. Babbitt, W. H. Hunter, H. B. Burnapp, J. Shearer, Geo. Greene, and scores of others.

AFTER THE SAC AND FOX CESSION OF 1837

LATE DIVISION OF THE BLACK HAWK PURCHASE

These frontier justices were many of them men of culture and education, such as Mitchell and Judge Greene. Many of them were shrewd, as Wm. Ure, Gunnison, Butler, Nugent and many others. These men saw into schemes which were frequently played upon men of the community and woe unto the man who got caught in such a game in the new community where all stood by the justice and the justice's rule was the supreme law in those days. But the country justice, whatever his ability, always decided on the side of justice and mercy.

The country justice was a self made man of sound judgment and by fair dealings was the arbiter of the fortunes of the county in an early day. He is worthy of mention as a type of the pioneer who took an active interest in the upbuilding of the county and in preserving order and enforcing law.

The following items show the importance of the justices in "ye olden time." These were found by a member of the S. H. Tryon family and presented to the Linn County Historical Society.

Linn County,
Iowa Territory,

To any Justice of the Peace for Linn County, or minister of the Gospel, These in the name of the United States are to authorize you to join in matrimony Mr. James Hunter and Miss Mary Rogers and fail not to make due return. March 10, 1840.

S. H. Tryon. C. D. C.

Executed by the undersigned on the 14th day of March, 1840.

Israel Mitchell, J. P.

Iowa Territory,
Linn County,

To any Justice of the Peace or Minister of the Gospel in the name of the United States of America, These are to authorize you to join in matrimony Mr. Joseph Barnett and Miss Mary Libo.

Given under my hand and seal of office this 20th day of June, 1840.

S. H. Tryon, (seal)

District Clerk.

Territory of Iowa,
Linn County,

To any Justice of the Peace or Minister of the Gospel in the name of the United States of America; these are to authorize you to join in matrimony Mr. Henry Donahoo and Miss Sarah Ann Burgess.

Given under the temporary seal of said County.

S. H. Tryon, Clerk C. C., L. C., I. T.

C. W. Phelps, Justice of the Peace, married David Mann and Sally Lewis April 16, 1842, William Adair and Sabrina Williams on the 17th day of December, 1840, George Adair and Elizabeth Ellen Smith on the 6th day of January, 1841, and Mr. John Leverich and Miss Lucy Ann Smith on the 25th day of February, 1841.

John Stewart, Justice of the Peace, married James R. Briney and Mary Stamberg on the 10th day of March, 1841; and married Mr. Andrew Arnett and Miss Jane Johnson on the 8th day of June, 1841.

Aaron Moher, Justice of the Peace, on the 4th day of July, 1841, married John Dwyer and Miss Minerva Plant.

John G. Cole, Justice of the Peace, married David Hunter and Sarah Jane Rogers on the 23rd day of July, 1840.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AT SPRINGVILLE

THE BUTLER FARM AT SPRINGVILLE

William Abbe, Justice of the Peace, on the 10th day of June, 1840, married Mr. Asher Edgerton and Miss Julia Deale.

John Cron, Justice of the Peace, married Mr. Aaron Haynes and Miss Sally Mann, on the 21st day of July, 1840.

Thomas Goudy, Justice of the Peace, on the 3rd day of November, 1840, married Hosea W. Gray and Miss Nancy Smith.

Jno. Hoddes, a Minister of the Gospel, married Mr. John Riley and Miss Mary Ellen Bigger on the 22nd day of July, 1841.

J. P. Stuart, a Minister of the Gospel, married Mr. Robert Cunningham Shinn and Miss Martha Marcissa Willis on the 8th day of September, 1840.

John M. Afferty, Justice of the Peace, married Elisha Freeman Williams and Julian Clark on the 4th day of July, 1840.

James W. Bapitt, Justice of the Peace, married Mr. Mark Morris and Julia Ann Carpenter on the 4th day of July, 1840; he also married Frederick Grambow and Miss Martha Harris on the 1st day of September, 1840.

Israel Mitchell, Justice of the Peace, married Mr. James Hunter and Miss Mary Rogers on the 14th day of March, 1840; he also married Mr. Joseph Barnett and Miss Mary Libo on the 21st day of June, 1840; also Mr. Henry Donahoo and Miss Sarah Ann Rogers were married by the same party on the 2nd day of August, 1840.

The above named clerk who issued the licenses was Dr. Socrates H. Tryon, who was appointed clerk of the Third Judicial District of which Joseph Williams was judge. He was also the first physician to locate within the boundaries of Linn county.

George Greene acted as deputy clerk during the year 1841, and he issued also several licenses to marry well known Linn county people, some of whom were: Sarah Rogers to Wiley Fitz during January, 1841, and Mary Stambaugh to James R. Briney in March, of the same year.

On March 2, 1841, Sally Hanes makes a sale of one red cow, two sows and eight shoats for $20.00 to Jacob Mann, which fact is attested to by Isaac Butler and that the goods were delivered in person and money paid.

In Otter Creek township before W. H. Hunts, J. P., on August 30, 1852, the following case was docketed: "State of Iowa vs. Orin Draper, Felony," charged by William Garretson, attempted to poison his family and himself; that he is in fear of the defendant and dare not leave his home and follow his occupation. That William Cress duly brought the defendant into Court; that defendant denied that he was guilty and asked for trial. J. Hunt appeared for the State; defendant pleaded his own case; that after examination of witnesses separately and arguments made, the testimony all being understood by the court, thereupon it is considered that defendant go free without day or date.

CHAPTER XXII

The Schools of the County

Schools in Linn county came into existence almost as early as the first settlers arrived here. Most of the pioneers came from homes of culture and refinement and hence appreciated the value of an education. There were no public schools at first. Teachers were employed by private subscription. Lessons were taught in the settler's cabin, fitted up with rough boards or puncheons, and of course the attendance was small.

The organic law which provided for the division of Wisconsin and Iowa makes no provision for education, and no reference to it. On January 15, 1839, an act was passed by the Council and House of Representatives of the Territory of Iowa, providing for "grants of property made for the encouragement of education." This act has no bearing whatever on our present school system. It deals expressly with donations and gifts for educational purposes.

The real beginning of our present school system is embodied in "An Act to Establish a System of Common Schools," approved by the Council and House of Representatives of the Territory of Iowa, January 16, 1840.

There are many surprises in this bill when one compares it to our present school laws; in fact, many of our school laws have not been materially changed since the enactments of 1840. It is interesting to note that according to the provisions of this bill, the school library is not a new idea, but it was provided for. In Section thirteen, paragraph five, the qualified voters in each district were given power to "impose a tax sufficient for the purchase of a suitable library case, also a sum not exceeding ten dollars annually, for the purchase of books to be selected by a vote of the district, by the district board, when so directed." Paragraph six of the same section designates "the place where the library shall be kept, and the person by whom it shall be kept;" and states that "the superintendent of public instruction shall establish the necessary rules for the regulation of the library." Section fifteen provides that "every person elected to any one of the above offices who, without sufficient cause, shall neglect or refuse to serve shall forfeit to the district for the use of the library the sum of ten dollars, to be recovered in an action of debt by the assessor before any court of competent jurisdiction."

Another interesting item is the fact that school inspectors instead of school directors at that time had charge of the schools. In Section twenty-three, these inspectors are provided for in the following words: "There shall be chosen at each annual township meeting, three school inspectors in the same manner as other township officers are chosen, who shall hold their office until others are chosen."

It was the duty of these inspectors, according to Section twenty-nine of this Act, to examine closely all persons presenting themselves as candidates for teaching in their township, and although a certificate may have been issued to a teacher, if the inspectors became dissatisfied, under Section thirty, they might again require the teacher to be re-examined, and if in their opinion the teacher was found wanting the requisite qualifications, their certificates might be annulled by giving the teacher ten days' notice, and filing the same with the clerk of the township.

Judge Milo P. Smith when entering upon the duties of his school at Wire's Corners, just east of Springville, was examined by this method, and it is quite interesting to hear him tell his early experiences in the schools of Linn county. Quite vividly does he bring to one's mind the sparsely settled condition of the neighborhood around Springville and Viola, when relating an incident regarding his trip from this school house to a party where he had been invited to spend the evening. After arranging his records and outlining the lessons for the next day, the Judge states that he started for his destination, and about ten o'clock at night realized that he was completely lost. Evidently he must have traveled in a circle, for he states that about two or three o'clock the next morning he saw a gleam of light flash out of a door. Starting immediately in that direction, he arrived at the place where the party was held, just in time to ride home with the young folks.

At the same session, a law was passed regarding the sale of the school lands, and this law was approved January 17, 1840.

On February 17, 1842, a bill was passed creating the office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. The duties of this officer at this time was very limited; they being of a clerical nature instead of those of a supervisor. Of course there could be no school districts or anything of that nature organized in the county until after some county organization. The bill calling for the organization of Linn county was not passed until 1840. It is quite interesting to know that it was at this time that the Commissioner or rather what is known to-day as the Supervisor Districts were laid out. The bill reads as follows:

"Section 1. Be it enacted by the Council and House of Representatives of the Territory of Iowa, That the board of county commissioners in and for the county of Linn, be and they are hereby authorized and required to lay off the county aforesaid into three county commissioners' districts, prior to the first day of August, A. D. eighteen hundred and forty-one, making the division as nearly as possible in proportion to the population of said county; and the districts shall be classified by said commissioners as districts number one, number two, and number three.

"Sec. 2. That at the next general election there shall be elected from district number one one county commissioner; and alternately thereafter there shall be elected from each district one county commissioner annually, in accordance with the provisions of an act organizing a board of county commissioners in each county in this Territory, approved December 14th, A. D. eighteen hundred and thirty-eight, in like manner as though the county had been divided under the provisions of said act.

"Approved, December 31, 1840."

This is especially interesting, inasmuch as there has been a great deal of discussion of late regarding the number of supervisors in Linn county. The districts as laid out at that time remain today.

By an act of the same Assembly, approved June 13, 1841, Marion was established as a seat of justice of Linn county, and the commissioners of Linn county were authorized to employ agents to sell lots.

The office of the superintendent of public instruction seemed to have been short-lived, for on February 17, 1842, an act was passed by the territorial legislature which repealed the act of creating the office of superintendent of public instruction.

In 1846 an act was passed January 15th, which in some respects amended an act "To Establish a System of Common Schools," which was passed in 1840. This bill (the one of 1845) really made what is now known as the county auditor, the educational head of the schools, and provided a tax for their support.

In chapter 99, page 127, of the Territorial Statutes of 1847, there is an act relating to the common schools. In section 36, page 134, it provides that at the next annual township election (which evidently must have been held in the spring) there was to be elected a school fund commissioner. This commissioner is what is now known as the county superintendent of schools, and his duties were many and varied.

In the election book it is shown that in April, 1852, out of the six hundred and ninety-one votes cast, Alpheus Brown received five hundred and seventy-three, and was declared elected. In the formation and alteration of school districts, the records of the county go back as far as 1849, in which records Mr. Brown signed as school fund commissioner. However, this may be attributed to the fact that previous to 1852, Mr. Brown was clerk of the county board of commissioners, and the duties of the school fund commissioner devolved upon that office at that time; consequently the presumption is that when he entered upon his duties as school fund commissioner, and began to make up his records, he naturally took from the records of the clerk of the board of county commissioners the things which belonged to the office.

Mr. Brown held this office for three full terms, also about six or eight months additional time, although Albert A. Mason was elected and qualified as county superintendent of schools in the election of April, 1858. Mr. Brown served until January, 1859, as school fund commissioner. This came from the fact that the county superintendent was provided for by the Statute of '58, the election taking place on the first Monday in April, but at this time some of the duties devolved upon the county superintendent. By chapter 36 of the Statutes of 1858, section 1, the office of the school fund commissioner was continued until the county treasurer was elected. The presumption is, therefore, that for about six months we had both a school fund commissioner and a county superintendent of schools in this county.

It is possible, also, that Mr. Brown served as a sort of triumvirate, as he was school fund commissioner by election, for the simple reason that Mr. Mason may not have qualified until three or four days after the time set; he was also school fund commissioner by the extension Statute, and county superintendent of schools from the fact that his successor had not qualified; in fact in some of the school reports, he signed as both school fund commissioner and county superintendent. However, Mr. Mason entered upon his duties and served as superintendent of schools for one term, when Ira G. Fairbanks (who by the way, still lives in Mount Vernon) was elected as his successor.

It is a difficult matter to state who was the first school teacher in the county. In 1839 several schools were in operation. In July of that year Elizabeth Bennett taught in Linn Grove, and later that same year Judge Greene taught at Ivanhoe. One of the noted schools of the early day was the one known as the "Buckskin School," in Linn Grove, so named because teacher and scholars alike attended clad in buckskin suits.

The first school district was formed in 1840 with Marion as its center. After that school houses sprang up in every direction. The buildings were constructed out of logs; the seats were benches hewn from slabs or logs, and so were the desks.

Colleges early sprung up in the county. Of the three that flourished here more or less at one time, the history of two—Cornell and Coe—are given at length. These institutions are now in splendid condition.

The third institution that in its day was a power for excellence in educational lines was Western, founded in 1856 on the borders of Johnson county at the little town of Western, in College township. Of this institution the late Jesse A. Runkle, some years ago, wrote as follows:

"In January, 1856, Iowa City became the western terminus of the only railroad in the state, and no other was built within a couple of years. The fine country surrounding Western, would easily lead one to believe that the early plan was feasible, to make the school an industrial one, where deserving young men could make their way through school by devoting some of their time to agricultural work. But Western was unfortunate in two things: First, none of the railroads that were built in Iowa, ever came near the town. It seems as if a Nemesis had brooded over the place, for even the interurban now being built between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City swerves from a direct line, and misses both Western and Shueyville by about a mile. Second, the surrounding country began to be possessed by a population that in the main had little or no sympathy with religious education, and the older generations were alien in thought and temper to our American institutions. These things made the task of maintaining the college at that point a most heroic and arduous work."

SHOWING THE TWO CESSIONS AS AT PRESENT DIVIDED

After some years of struggle, the college was removed to Toledo, where it now wields an influence second to none in the state.

One of the early educational centers in Linn county was the private school established in 1850 in the Greene Bros. block, which stood on the corner of First street and First avenue, Cedar Rapids, where now stands the building owned by Sunshine Mission. It was founded by Miss Elizabeth Calder, a native of New York, and who in 1855 married R. C. Rock, the first hardware dealer in the city, who came here from Burlington and whose place of business was located on First street a few doors south of the corner of First avenue. This school prospered and was conducted by Miss Calder for four years when it was discontinued.

One of the first, if not the very first, teacher in Cedar Rapids was Miss Susan Abbe, daughter of the old pioneer. She taught in this city in 1846, the superintendent being Alexander Ely.

Miss Emma J. Fordyce, at present a teacher in the Cedar Rapids high school, contributes to this work the following sketch of early schools in the county, and more particularly in the city of Cedar Rapids:

"It is not often in this changing country that a person lives a lifetime in one community and sees the schools grow from their beginning. This has happened to me. Of the early country schools but two memories remain: a visit in the summer, and one in the winter. There remains an impression of very homely school houses, equally homely surroundings, and very little comfort without or within. It is a standing wonder that even now an Iowa farmer is much more likely to provide an up-to-date fine building for his cattle than a beautiful, well-ordered school-house for the education of his children. A little has been done, but by far too little.

"Early Cedar Rapids was a little village surrounded by groves of oaks, crab-apple, plum, and everywhere the climbing wild grape. Between these groves were the sand hills on which grew vast quantities of sand-burs. Where the Methodist church now stands was a hill which sloped toward the railroad. Where the old Presbyterian church was, the children coasted down 'Pepper Grass Hill;' and where Mr. Crozer's florist establishment is, was a deep and wide pond which, on occasions of heavy rain, furnished water for rafts made from bits of sidewalk.

"The earliest school was on the site of the present Granby building, but of that school I have no personal knowledge. The first school building in my memory was the three-story one which was erected in 1856. It had a white cupola, white trimmings to the windows, with a high, solid board fence, painted red, surrounding it. An iron pump at the side furnished refreshment to the spirit and ammunition for the wetting of people. On the lower floor on the side next the railroad, Miss Elizabeth Shearer taught the children. She was a woman of fine family, fine attainments, and of great patience of spirit. Superintendent Ingalls was in charge of the school at that time. C. W. Burton followed him the next year. His school board was A. C. Churchill, president; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; J. W. Henderson, vice-president; D. A. Bradley, secretary. These were assisted by three directors, J. F. Charles, W. W. Smith, E. E. Leach. Mr. Harrison had a unique way of collecting taxes from the delinquent foreign citizens to whom our system of collecting them was a dark puzzle; when they refused to pay, he notified them that on a certain day if the taxes were not forthcoming, he would sell everything they had and apply the proceeds to tax payment. The auction was often begun, but never finished, as the taxes were always forthcoming.

"Mrs. E. J. Lund was one of the earliest of Cedar Rapids teachers. For many years her inspiring example and her patient work developed good children out of bad, and she finished her life's work by taking care of all the poor and unfortunate of the county. The Cedar Rapids superintendents were Professor Humphrey, 1861-4, Professor Ingalls, 1864-5, C. W. Burton, 1865-70, J. E. Harlan, now president of Cornell, 1870-5, F. H. Smith, the latter part of 1875, J. W. Akers, 1875-81, W. M. Friesner, 1881-5, L. T. Weld, 1885-6, J. P. Hendricks, 1886-90, J. T. Merrill, 1890-1901, J. J. McConnell, 1901—, twelve men in thirty-four years. The list shows plainly the growing tendency to keep a superintendent for long periods at a time.

"The high school principals show the same tendency; A. Wetherby, from 1870-1, E. C. Ebersole, 1872-73, W. A. Olmsted, 1871-2, Miss Mary A. Robinson, 1873-86, Miss A. S. Abbott, 1886—.

"The original high school building contained four rooms. In 1876 it had a corps of three teachers: Miss M. A. Robinson, Miss E. J. Meade, Miss Estella Verden, and had an attendance of 106 pupils; it now has twenty teachers with an attendance of 838 pupils. In 1876 there were five buildings in the city; there are now sixteen. Of the teachers thirty-one in number in 1876, there are two left: Miss Emma Forsythe and Miss Emma J. Fordyce. In 1876 the total number of pupils handled by thirty-one teachers was 1,752. In 1911, with 181 teachers, there are 6,122 pupils, not quite six times as many teachers, but showing a smaller average number to each teacher. Evidently the school-houses have always been crowded, since the superintendent's report of 1876 says: 'We have in the school district five school buildings, and these are taxed to their utmost to accommodate the pupils already enrolled.' He also remarks pensively: 'In your wisdom for the coming year, you have reduced the salaries of your teachers, and in some cases the reduction has been such that some of your best teachers have been compelled to seek employment elsewhere.' Since no following superintendent makes the same complaint, it is evident that school boards do improve. As to salaries, the salary of the superintendent in 1883 is given as $1,000; in 1911 as $3,000, which means the magnificent increase of $42 a year; not a great temptation. The salaries of the teachers increase in the same period about $25 a year. Comment is unnecessary.

"As to the high school, the graduates of 1873 to 1885 were but eleven pupils, with nine times as many in 1908. Amongst the older and pioneer high school teachers were Mr. Wetherbee, Miss Ella Meade, and Miss Ada Sherman, who afterward decided to doctor bodies instead of minds, as it paid much better. Mr. Olmsted, the principal of 1872, who left Cedar Rapids in 1873 to found a business in Chicago, died a hero. He lost his life in his burning building trying to save his bookkeeper.

"The tendencies in school work are shown by the fact that the reports of the early superintendents are largely lists of members of the school board, while the later reports give large tabulations of expense. It is to be regretted that Iowa has not adopted a series of uniform reports, giving items almost impossible to discover as these reports are at present made out. The older schools report seventy-two pupils to a primary teacher. The newer reports are silent on the subject. Since efficiency comes in handling the right number of pupils, it would certainly be wise to keep a careful account of this item.

"The courses of the schools show the growth in public service. The courses of the high school in 1876 are twenty; those of the high school in 1910, eighty-three. All of the older and more prominent citizens served as school directors at one time or another. In 1858 J. L. Enos was president of the board, Freeman Smith, secretary, W. W. Smith, vice-president, J. T. Walker, treasurer, W. W. Walker, director. In 1859 the names of R. C. Rock, E. H. Stedman, J. P. Coulter, and J. M. Chambers appear. In 1860, S. C. Koontz, Henry Church, William Stewart, J. H. Camburn, and William Richmond served. In 1861, W. W. Smith, George M. Howlett, Henry Church, William H. Merritt, A. C. Churchill, and S. L. Pollock directed affairs. In 1862 E. G. Brown, A. C. Churchill, J. F. Ely, George M. Howlett elected Mr. Humphrey superintendent of schools. His reputation seems to have been that of a man of great strength and the bad big boys stood in awe of him accordingly. C. W. Burton, the superintendent of 1865, was noted for his cleverness in mathematics, and his deep interest in horticulture.

"All of these early directors, superintendents, and teachers were hard workers and great optimists. History has confirmed that optimism, and from the services of these men developed a race of ambitious, energetic, moral citizens to whom the present Cedar Rapids owes a great debt of gratitude."

Through the courtesy of County Superintendent Alderman we are enabled to give below some interesting data regarding our schools:

In 1873 the number of school corporations in the county was 42, increased to 87 in 1909. The number of ungraded schools in the former year was 178, and 166 in the latter year. The average number of months the schools were in session has increased from 6.6 in 1873 to 8.9 in 1909, and the average compensation from $39.78 to $73.50 for males, and from $26.33 to $50.85 for females. The number of female teachers employed in 1873 was 244, and in 1909, 503. The number of male teachers was 90 and 40 respectively.

In the matter of attendance there has been a vast betterment. In 1873 there were 460 boys and 544 girls between the ages of seven and fourteen not in school. In 1909 these numbers were 29 and 17.

The value of school property in 1873 was $240,105; in 1909, $814,300. The value of school apparatus was $2,309.50 in 1873, and in 1909, $20,035.25. There were in 1873 in the school libraries 482 volumes, which was increased to 17,079 in 1909.

There are now between twenty-five and thirty fine school buildings in the country districts. They are modern in all respects, being supplied with slate blackboards, hardwood floors, ventilators, cloak rooms, bookcases and cupboards. Several have furnaces and cloak rooms in the basements. Some of the buildings are supplied with telephones, making it possible for the county superintendent and patrons to communicate direct with the school.

The plans and specifications for these buildings are owned by the county, and are furnished gratis to the school districts wishing to build. All of these school-houses except two or three are not only provided with libraries, cloak rooms, etc., but are also provided with a good organ.

This year there is being installed a hot air ventilating system which keeps the warm air pure, the cold air being taken directly from the outside and passed through the hot air radiators before being allowed to enter the school room.

CORNELL COLLEGE IN 1865

CHAPTER XXIII

Historical Sketch of Cornell College

BY WILLIAM HARMON NORTON, ALUMNI PROFESSOR OF GEOLOGY, CORNELL COLLEGE

Linn county may well take pride in the history of her oldest school of higher education, founded in 1853, when the county held but 6,000 people. But the beginnings of Cornell College are of more than local interest; they are thoroughly typical of America and of the West. Cornell was founded in much the same way as were hundreds of American colleges along the ever advancing frontier of civilization from Massachusetts to California—a way which the world had never seen before and will never see again.

THE FOUNDATION AND THE FOUNDER

Cornell owes its inception to a Methodist circuit rider, the Rev. George B. Bowman, a North Carolinian by birth, who came to Iowa from Missouri in 1841, three years after the territorial organization of the commonwealth. This heroic pioneer, resourceful, far seeing, and sanguine of the future, eminent in initiative and in the power of compelling others to his plans, was one of those rare men to whom the task of building states is intrusted. He was not himself a college man, but with him education was a passion. To found institutions of higher education he considered his special mission. Hardly had he been appointed as pastor of the church at Iowa City in 1841 when he undertook the building of a church school, called Iowa City College. In 1845 Rev. James Harlan, a local preacher of Indiana, was chosen president, and with one assistant opened the school in 1846. The next year Mr. Harlan was elected state superintendent of public instruction, and the college was closed never to be re-opened. It had at least served to bring to the state one of its most distinguished citizens, afterward to be honored with the United States senatorship and the secretaryship of the interior. Meanwhile Mr. Bowman had been appointed presiding elder of the Dubuque district, which then included much of east-central Iowa. The failure of the premature attempt at Iowa City had not discouraged him; he awaited the favorable opportunity he still looked for—suitable local conditions for a Christian college in the state. It is a long-told legend, even if it be nothing more than legend, that when Elder Bowman came riding on horseback to the Linn Grove circuit, he stopped on the crest of the lonely hill on which Mount Vernon now stands. From its commanding summit vistas of virgin prairie and primeval forest stretched for ten and twenty miles away. Here there fell upon him, the circuit preacher, the trance and vision of the prophet. He saw the far-off future; he heard the tramp of the multitudes to come. Dismounting, he kneeled down in the rank prairie grass and in prayer to Almighty God consecrated this hill for all time to the cause of Christian education. And it is a matter of authentic history that in the spring of 1851 Elder Bowman and Rev. Dr. A. J. Kynett, in the parsonage at Mount Vernon, planned together for the early founding and upbuilding of a Christian college on this site.

With the characteristic initiative of the Iowa pioneer, Bowman did not wait for authority to be given him by anybody, for articles of incorporation to be drawn up, or even for a title deed to the land on which the college was to stand. Early in 1852 he laid his plans for the launching of the school. On the Fourth of July of this year an educational celebration was held at Mount Vernon, which drew the farmers for miles about the town, and other friends of the new enterprise from Marion and Cedar Rapids, Anamosa, Dubuque, and Burlington. The oration of the day was delivered by State Superintendent Harlan on the theme of Education, and at its close ground was broken formally for the first building of the college. A month later a deed was obtained for the land and the following September the guardianship of the infant school was accepted under the name of the Iowa Conference Seminary, by the Methodist Episcopal church.

In this highly democratic manner Cornell College was founded by the people as an institution of higher learning, which should ever be of the people and for the people. It was born on the anniversary of the nation's natal day, and was to remain one of the highest expressions of patriotism and civic life. Christened by the head of the educational interests of the young commonwealth, supported by its citizens, protected by a charter from the state, and exempt as a beneficent institution of the state from contributing by taxation to the support of other institutions, the college was thus begun as a state school in a very real sense.

One can not read the early archives of the college without the profoundest admiration for the pioneers, its founders. Avid of education to a degree pathetic, they depended on no beaurocracy of church or state; they waited for no foreign philanthropy to supply their educational needs. They laid the foundations of their colleges with the same free, independent, self-sufficing spirit with which they laid their hearthstones, and they laid both at the same time.

THE IOWA CONFERENCE SEMINARY

In January, 1853, the first meeting of the board of trustees was held, and in the fall of the same year the school was opened in the old Methodist church at Mount Vernon. Before the end of the term a new edifice on the campus was so far completed that it was available for school purposes and "on the morning of November 14, 1853, the school met for the last time in the old church and after singing and prayer the students were formed in line and walked in procession with banners flying, led by the teachers, through the village, and took formal possession of what was then declared to be a large and commodious building."[J]

The first catalog—a little time-stained pamphlet of fifteen pages—lists the following faculty:

- Rev. Samuel M. Fellows, A. M., professor of mental and moral science and belle lettres.

- Rev. David H. Wheeler, professor of languages.

- Miss Catherine A. Fortner, preceptress.

- Miss Sarah L. Matson, assistant.

- Mrs. Olive P. Fellows, teacher of painting and embroidery.

- Mrs. Sophia E. Wheeler, teacher of instrumental music.

The first board of trustees is also noteworthy:

Rev. George B. Bowman, president, Mount Vernon; E. D. Waln, Esq., secretary, Mount Vernon; Rev. H. W. Reed, Centerville; Rev. E. W. Twining, Iowa City; Rev. J. B. Taylor, Mount Vernon; Jesse Holman, North Sugar Grove; Henry Kepler, North Sugar Grove; William Hayzlett, Mount Vernon; A. I. Willits, Mount Vernon.

The roster of students enrolls 104 gentlemen, and 57 ladies. Among them are familiar and honored names, some of which are to reappear in all later catalogs of the school, either as students of the second and third generation, or as trustees and members of faculty. Four Rigbys, for example, were students in 1853. In 1910 the catalog lists three Rigbys, one a student and two members of the faculty. The first catalog contains the names of no less than nine Keplers as students, six stalwart young men from North Sugar Grove and their three sisters. Four Walns are enrolled from Mount Vernon, two Farleys from Dubuque and two Reeders from Red Oak.

In 1853 the population of the entire state was only about 300,000. Not a railway had been projected west of the Mississippi river. And yet the scattered settlements sent across the unbroken prairie and the unbridged rivers no less than 161 students to the young school on this the first year of its existence. The most important route to Mount Vernon was the military road extending from Dubuque to Iowa City. Both towns contributed their quota of students, Dubuque sending no less than twelve, although the entire population of Dubuque county was then, less than 16,000. Considering the difficulty of communications, the poverty of the pioneers, the wide extent of the sphere of influence of the school is remarkable. Students were drawn this first year from as far to the northeast as Elkader and Garnavillo. They came from Dyersville and Independence, from Quasqueton and Vinton, from Marengo, Columbus City, West Liberty, and Burlington. Muscatine alone sent seven students. This town was at the time the point of supply for Mount Vernon, and the materials for the first building of the college except such as local saw mills and brick kilns could supply were hauled from that river port.[K] Students came also from Davenport, Le Claire, Princeton, and Blue Grass in Scott county, from Comanche, and from the pioneer settlements of La Motte and Canton in Jackson county. The eight hundred students of Cornell today reach the school from all parts of the state and the adjacent portions of our neighboring states by a few hours swift and comfortable ride by rail. But who shall picture in detail the long and adventurous journeys in ox cart and pioneer wagon and perchance often on foot of the boys and girls of 1853—the climbing of steep hills, the fording of rivers, the miring in abysmal sloughs, the succession of mile after mile of undulating treeless prairie carpeted with gorgeous flowers stretching unbroken to the horizon, the camp at night illuminated by distant prairie fires, until at last a boat shaped hill surmounted by a lonely red brick building lifts itself above the horizon, and the goal of the long journey is in view!

No doubt there were other hardships awaiting these students after their arrival. Rule No. 1 of the new school compelled their rising at five o'clock in the morning. They were expected to furnish their own beds, lights, mirrors, etc., when boarding in Seminary Hall. It is interesting to note that they paid for tuition $4.00 and $5.00 per quarter, and for board from $1.50 to $1.75 per week. The next year the steward's petition to the board of trustees that he be allowed to put three students in each of the little rooms was granted with the proviso "that he furnish suitable bunks for the same." The catalog's statement regarding apparatus is a guarded one: "The Institution is furnished with apparatus for illustrating some of the most important principles of Natural Science. As the wants of school demand, additions will be made to this apparatus." And that regarding the library is wholly prophetic: "It is intended to procure a good selection of readable and instructive books, by the commencement of the next academic year, to which the students will have access at a trifling expense. With these books as a nucleus, a good library will be accumulated as rapidly as possible. Donations of good books are solicited from friends of the institution." In the next catalog it is stated that "a small but good selection of readable and instructive books has been procured," the remainder of the statement being the same as that of the first year. This statement appeared without change in all succeeding catalogs during the remainder of the first decade.

THE FIRST DECADE

As early as 1855 the articles of incorporation were amended changing the name of the institution to Cornell College, in honor of W. W. Cornell and his brother J. B. Cornell, of New York City, men prominent in business and widely known for their benevolences to various enterprises of the church. It will be noted that Cornell College was thus named several years before the founding by Ezra Cornell, of Cornell University at Ithaca, N. Y.

The first year of the school under the new collegiate régime was that of 1857-1858. Rev. R. W. Keeler of the Upper Iowa Conference was made president, Principal Fellows of the Seminary taking the professorship of Latin. Two years later President Keeler reentered the more congenial work of the ministry, and Principal Fellows was elected president of the college, a position which he held most acceptably until his death on the day after commencement June 26, 1863, thus completing a full decade of years of service in the school.

President Fellows had come to Cornell from the Rock River Seminary at Mount Morris. His character and the quality of his work left lasting impressions on his pupils at both institutions. Thus Hon. Robert R. Hitt, of Illinois, writes of him as follows: "He was a diligent, acute, and active student, and his personal character was admirable. It is the fortune of few men to exercise so wide and prominent an influence from a position which, to the ambitious, is not considered eminent." And Senator Shelby M. Cullom has written: "I regard Professor Fellows as one of the best men I ever knew. I said it when I was under him at school, and now that I am over seventy years of age, I say it now. He was strong, honest-hearted, full of kindness, and a splendid teacher."

His colleague at Cornell, Dr. David H. Wheeler, described him as "a man sweet-spirited, pure-minded, of fine executive ability, a rarely qualified teacher, a patient sufferer, a tireless worker, a model friend."

A word may be said as to the members of President Fellows's faculty:

Miss Catharine A. Fortner, a graduate of Cazenovia Seminary, N. Y., was sent out in 1851 by Governor Slade, of Vermont, as a missionary teacher to Iowa. Her success near Tipton was so marked that she was chosen as the first preceptress of the institution. In 1857 she resigned to marry Rev. Rufus Ricker, of the Upper Iowa Conference.

Wm. H. Barnes, professor of languages in 1854-1855, resigned to accept a professorship in Baldwin University, Ohio, and is known as author of several works in history and politics.

His successor, Rev. B. W. Smith, after leaving the school in 1857 became pastor of several of the largest churches in northern Indiana, and president of Valparaiso College.

Dr. David H. Wheeler, professor of languages in 1853-1854, and professor of Greek from 1857 to 1861, when he was appointed U. S. consul to Genoa, was a brilliant and versatile man, author of a number of books, professor for eight years at Northwestern University, editor for eight years of the New York Methodist, and for nine years president of Allegheny College.

The brother of President Fellows, Dr. Stephen N. Fellows, has a large place in the educational history of Iowa. He assisted his brother in laying the foundation of Cornell College, being professor of mathematics from 1854 to 1860, and later occupied the chair of mental and moral science and didactics at the State University of Iowa for twenty years.

On account of her long connection with the college, from 1857 to 1890, Miss Harriette J. Cooke exerted a more potent influence on the institution than any of her colleagues of the first decade. Miss Cooke came to Cornell from Hopkinton, Massachusetts, and brought the best culture for women which New England then afforded, as well as an exceptionally forceful personality, and rare natural aptitudes for her profession. From 1860 to the time of her resignation she was dean of women, and her influence for good on the thousands of young women under her care is incalculable. After long service as an instructor she was made a full professor in 1871, the first woman in America, it has been said, to be thus honored. Her chair for fifteen years was history and German, and after 1886 history and the science of government. On leaving the college she studied the methods of deaconess work in England, wrote a book upon the subject, and returning to her native land became one of the leaders in this new department of social service. For many years she has been closely connected with the University Settlement of Boston. On the recent celebration of her eightieth birthday she received hundreds of letters of loving congratulation from her former students of Cornell, and each of these letters was answered by her painstakingly and at length.

A STREET SCENE IN MARION

THE DANIELS HOTEL, MARION

The first ten years of the institution were marked by a singularly rapid growth, considering the fact that they included the darkest days of the Civil war, when nearly every male student was drawn from the college halls to the service of his country. At the end of the decade the faculty numbered eight professors and instructors, and 375 students were enrolled, fifty-one of whom were in college classes, the largest enrollment of collegiate students in the state, unless at the State University. The assets of the institution amounted to $50,000 in notes and pledges, a campus of fifteen acres, and two brick buildings which compared not unfavorably with other college buildings in the west and with the earlier halls of Harvard.

In a large measure this exceptional growth was due to Elder Bowman, to his initiative and wide and powerful influence. The chief problem then as now was one of sustenance, and as a college beggar Bowman was incomparable. He travelled over the settled portions of the state, winning men to his cause by a singular personal charm, and enticing even out of poverty money, promissory notes at altitudinous rates of interest, farm produce, live stock and poultry, household furniture and jewelry. His barnyard at Mount Vernon was continually stocked with horses, cattle, and chickens—votive offerings to the cause of higher education. A citizen of the town once told me how under some mesmeric influence he bought at high price from Elder Bowman an old book case and coal scuttle, begged somewhere for the school. This prince of college beggars once returned from Dubuque with a silver watch which he had plundered off the person of an eminent minister of that city.

FROM 1863 TO 1910—GROWTH IN RESOURCES

Nothing is so tame as the history of a college once the interesting period of its childhood is over, and the history of Cornell is exceptionally uneventful among colleges. No building has been destroyed by fire or tornado. No famous lawsuit against the school has been defended by some Webster among the alumni. None of the faculty has won notoriety by sensational speech or erratic morals.

The salient feature of the forty-seven years since 1863 is a marvelous growth unparalleled in some respects in the history of education. The campus has been enlarged by addition after addition until now it measures sixty acres, including the larger part of the long hill and wide athletic fields along its northern base. To the two first buildings, still used, one for the chemical, biological and physical laboratories and the other for class rooms and society halls, there have been added South Hall, built in 1873 and now used for the engineering and geological laboratories; the Chapel, completed in 1882, a stately Gothic structure of stone, containing the auditorium, seating about 1,500, a smaller audience room, the museum, and several music rooms; Bowman Hall, built in 1885, as the well appointed home of ninety-two young women; the library dedicated in 1905, the gift of Andrew Carnegie; the alumni gymnasium in Ash Park, built in 1909, a noble structure, one of the largest of the kind in the state, besides several minor buildings used for allied schools and professors's residences.

The material equipment has made a phenomenal growth, until several of the scientific laboratories are reckoned among the best in the Central West, and the library, numbering 35,000 volumes, ranks as third in size among the university and college libraries in the state, and second to but one of the city libraries of Iowa. The museum includes several collections which rank among the largest in the west: the Kendig collection of minerals, the Norton collection of fossils, and the Powers collection in American anthropology.

GROWTH IN ATTENDANCE

From the beginning Cornell has been a relatively large school measured by the number of its students, and its growth the last decades forbids it longer to be called a small college. Indeed, for many years it has maintained its place as the largest denominational college, or among the two or three largest, in the United States west of the Great Lakes, reckoned by the number of students of collegiate rank. The attendance has steadily risen until, in 1909-1910, 741 students were enrolled, 450 of them being in the college of liberal arts. The steady growth in numbers of collegiate students evidences the satisfaction which the school has given to its patrons, and an ever widening influence and power. Moreover, it has increased the efficiency of the school by the inspiration of numbers and the intensity of competition in all departments of college life. By bringing together students from all parts of the state and scores from other states, some with the polish of the city and others with the sturdy strength of the country, it has escaped the narrowness of the provincial and has attained something akin to cosmopolitanism.

To make Cornell an institution state-wide in its patronage and influence was the evident purpose of its founders. Nothing was further from their minds than a local college for the students of a town or county, or one drawing its patronage from a few contiguous counties. The trustees have been chosen widely over the state and the attendance from all parts of Iowa has been surprisingly large, considering the many excellent colleges the state supports. In an investigation made a few years since of the geographic distribution of the students it was found that 41 per cent of the collegiate students came from beyond the borders of the patronizing conference, and the counties west and south of the Des Moines river furnished 20 per cent of the students in attendance from the state. The college has thus grown to have a state-wide field.

THE STRATEGIC POSITION

In explaining the growth of Cornell college we must recognize, of course, that it has grown up with the country. We must relate the growth of the school directly to the material prosperity of this land of corn and swine, to the marvelously fertile soil and to the era of expansion in which our history falls. The fact remains, however, that the college has obtained somehow a good deal more than its due share in the general advance. While the population of the state increased 330 per cent from 1860 to 1900, the collegiate attendance at Cornell increased 720 per cent. The college has grown more than twice as fast as has the state, and that notwithstanding the numerous good schools which have sprung up to share its patronage.

We can not doubt that much of the success of the school has been due to its strategic position. It is located in a suburban town of the chief railway center of eastern Iowa. From Cedar Rapids long iron ways, like the spokes of a wheel, reach in all directions to the limits of the state and beyond, and bring every portion of the commonwealth and the adjacent parts of our neighboring states within a few hours ride of Cornell college. It is located also in east Central Iowa, an area of the state the first to be settled and developed, an area surpassed by none in the fertility of its soils, and the wealth which has been produced from them. To these geographic factors, advantages shared in like degree by none of the early competitors of the school, we may assign a place similar to that given such factors in explaining the growth of New York city and of Pittsburg.

While the college had thus had the city's advantages of communication and markets because of its nearness to Cedar Rapids, it has retained all the peculiar advantages which inhere in a location in a village. Like Bowdoin, Dartmouth, and Oberlin, Cornell has found in the small town, rather than in the city, an ideal college environment. It has never permitted the presence of saloon or other haunt of vice. The citizens with whom the students have made their homes have been people of culture drawn to the town by its educational advantages. In all that makes for the intellectual life, in libraries and collections, in lectures and good music, and church privileges, Mount Vernon has had more to offer than perhaps any city of the state; while the temptations and distractions, the round of low amusements offered by the city, have been fortunately absent.

THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES

More than geographic location, it is great men and great plans that make great schools. Let us give much credit therefore to the men who have administered the college as members of its board of trustees. Our debt to them is like that of Michigan University to its board of regents whose wise plans pushed it early to the fore among the state universities of the west and far in advance of the place to which geographic causes alone would have assigned it. Some of these were pioneers of only local fame, such as Elijah D. Waln, Henry D. Albright, William Hayzlett, Jesse Holman, Noah McKean, and Dr. G. L. Carhart, men whose memory will ever be cherished in Mount Vernon. Others were men of note in the early history of the state, such as Hon. Hiram Price, of Davenport, Jesse Farley, of Dubuque, and A. P. Hosford and W. H. Lunt, of Clinton. Especially to be noted is the long service which the trustees have given to the school. Of the members of the executive committee Col. Robert Smyth, sturdy Scotch Presbyterian, was a member for twenty-eight years until his death in 1896. On the same committee Hon. W. F. Johnston, of Toledo, long president of the board, has already served for thirty-three years. Col. H. H. Rood, another of the members of the executive committee, has served continuously as trustee since 1867, and Capt. E. B. Soper, of Emmetsburg, since 1878. Captain Soper has long been one of the most influential members of the governing board, and it is to his initiative and faith that the alumni gymnasium is due. Dr. J. B. Allbrook has served since 1874. H. A. Collin was treasurer of the college from 1860 to his death in 1892. Hon. D. N. Cooley, of Dubuque, served as trustee for twenty-four years, and Hon. W. J. Young, of Clinton, for twenty-six years, their terms of office being terminated only by death. Of the present board of trustees there may be named as among those longest in service, F. H. Armstrong, of Chicago; Hon. W. C. Stuckslager, of Lisbon; E. J. Esgate, of Marion; Maj. E. B. Hayward, of Davenport; Hon. Eugene Secor, of Forest City; Dr. Edward T. Devine, of New York; T. J. B. Robinson, of Hampton; John H. Blair, of Des Moines; Rev. W. W. Carlton, of Mason City; Rev. E. J. Lockwood and John H. Taft, of Cedar Rapids; Hon. Leslie M. Shaw, of Philadelphia; R. J. Alexander, of Waukon; E. B. Willix, of Mount Vernon; Senator Edgar T. Brackett, of Saratoga, N. Y.; O. P. Miller, of Rock Rapids; Rev. Homer C. Stuntz, of Madison, N. J. and N. G. Van Sant, of Sterling, Ill.

Among the eminent men who have served the college we must give special mention to Rev. Alpha J. Kynett, one of the pioneers of Methodism west of the Mississippi, who served on the board from 1865 to his death in 1899. Dr. Kynett was the founder of the great Church Extension society and for many years was its chief executive. In this capacity he probably built more churches than any man who has ever lived. For a third of a century he was a close friend and adviser of the college, and all his wide experience and his ability as an organizer and financier were always at its service.

THE ADMINISTRATION

In 1863 occurred the sad death of President Fellows, under whose superintendence the school had been organized. He was succeeded in office by William Fletcher King, a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan University and a member of its faculty, who thus brought to Cornell an acquaintance with the scope and methods of one of the best colleges of the middle west. At the time of his election to the presidency Dr. King was professor of Latin and Greek at Cornell, and thus for the second time a president was chosen from the ranks of those actively engaged in the work of higher education rather than, as was then almost universally the custom, from those of another profession. In 1908 Dr. King resigned his office after a term of service of forty-five years. For a number of years he had thus been the oldest college president in the United States in the duration of his office. His administration was essentially a business administration, with little talk but much of doing. There was in it nothing spectacular, and no pretense, or sham. No discourteous act ever strained friendly relations with other schools. Dr. King made no enemies and no mistakes. He was ever tactful, poised, discreet, far-seeing, winning men to the support of his wise and well-laid plans but never forcing their acceptance. The college itself is a monument to this successful business administration. For Cornell does not owe its success to any munificent gifts. Like John Harvard, W. W. Cornell and his brother left the college which perpetuates their memories little more than a good name and a few good books. No donation of more than $25,000 was received until more than forty years of the history of the college had elapsed. Whatever excellence the college has attained is due to the skill and patience of its builders and not to any unlimited or even large funds at their disposal.

On the resignation of Dr. King, the presidency passed to his logical successor, Dr. James Elliott Harlan, who had served as vice president of the college since 1881. He had long had the management and investment of the large funds of the college and the administration of the school in its immediate relations with the students. Just, sympathetic, patient, he had won the esteem of all connected with the college, and to him was largely due the exceptional tranquillity which the college had enjoyed in all its intimate relations. Dr. Harlan was graduated from Cornell College in 1869. For three years he was superintendent of the schools of Cedar Rapids, and for one year he held a similar place at Sterling, Ill. From here he was called to the alumni professorship of mathematics in Cornell College. The larger part of his life has thus been bound up inextricably with the school. He knows and is known and loved by all the alumni and old students. The first year of his administration was signalized by the erection of the new alumni gymnasium, and the second by the conditional gift by the general educational board of $100,000.00 to its endowment funds.

REV. SAMUEL M. FELLOWS, A. M.
First President Cornell College

The dean of the college since 1902 has been Professor H. H. Freer, a graduate of the school of the class of 1869, and a member of the faculty since 1870. Dean Freer was one of the first men in Iowa to see the need of schools of education in connection with colleges and universities and was placed at the head of such a school—the normal department of Cornell—early in the '70s. As has recently been said of him by Pres. H. H. Seerley, of Iowa Teachers College, "his connection with teacher education is probably unexcelled in Iowa educational history and no tribute that can be paid could do justice to his faithful endeavors." Dean Freer has been most intimately connected with the administration for many years. In 1873 he organized the alumni, with the help of Rev. Dr. J. B. Albrook, for the endowment of a professorship. At that time there were but 108 living graduates, forty-seven of whom were women. Of the men, only thirty-eight had been out of college more than three years. Yet this audacious enterprise was carried through to complete success and was followed by the endowment of a second alumni chair. In all of the great financial campaigns Dean Freer has been indispensible, and the moneys he has secured to the college amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars. More than this, by his wide acquaintance throughout the state and by his cordial friendship with all old students, he has been one of the chief representatives of the college around whom its friends have ever rallied. Since 1887 he has been professor of political economy in the college, and now occupies the David Joyce chair of economics and sociology.

THE FACULTY

Of the nearly 300 teachers who have been enrolled in the faculties of the college there is space for the mention of but few names: Dr. Alonzo Collin, who began by teaching all the sciences and mathematics in the young school in 1860, and resigned in 1906 as professor of physics; Dr. Hugh Boyd, professor of Latin from 1871 to 1906; Prof. S. N. Williams, head of the school of civil engineering since 1873; Prof. George O. Curme, professor of German from 1884 to 1897, now a member of the faculty of Northwestern University; Dr. W. S. Ebersole, professor of Greek since 1892; Dr. James A. James, professor of history from 1893 to 1897, now teaching in Northwestern University; Prof. H. M. Kelley, professor of biology since 1894; Dr. Thomas Nicholson, professor of the English Bible from 1894 to 1904, now general educational secretary of the M. E. church; Dr. F. A. Wood, professor of German from 1897 to 1903, now member of the faculty of University of Chicago; Prof. Mary Burr Norton, alumni professor of mathematics, whose connection with the faculty dates from 1877; Dr. H. C. Stanclift, professor of history since 1899; Dr. Nicholas Knight, professor of chemistry since 1899; Dr. George H. Betts, psychology, who entered the faculty in 1902; Prof. C. D. Stevens, English literature, since 1903; Prof. C. R. Keyes, German, since 1903; Miss Mary L. McLeod, dean of women, since 1900; Prof. John E. Stout, education, since 1903.

The continuity, the long terms of service of the administrative officers and the professors, can hardly be too strongly emphasized as a potent factor in the growth of the college. If the history of the school had seen a rapid succession of different presidents and frequent changes of faculty, if there had been changes in plans and purposes, factions and struggles, and the loss of friends which such struggles entail, if the power of the machinery had been wasted in internal friction we may be sure that the story of the college would have been far other than it is.

THE ALUMNI

The graduates of Cornell now number 1,446. This small army of educated men and women have scattered widely over all the states of the union and to many foreign countries. They have entered many vocations. The profession receiving the largest number is teaching. Of the 1,139 graduates including the class of 1905, reported in the catalog of 1908, ninety-seven have been engaged in teaching in colleges and universities, and 165 in secondary and normal schools. One hundred and forty-nine have entered the law, and 139 have entered the ministry. Business and banking were the employments of 113. Medicine has been the choice of forty-nine, and engineering and architecture of fifty-two. The foreign missionary field has claimed thirty-four, and social service in charity organization societies, deaconess work, social settlements, and the Y. M. C. A. and the Y. W. C. A. have engaged twenty-six. Thirty-two have engaged in farming, and twenty-six in newspaper work. The women graduates of the school very largely have been induced to enter the profession of matrimony. Up to 1876, for example, ninety per cent of the alumnae had married. Of later years the larger opportunities for professional service, opening for women, and no doubt other general causes, have decreased the percentage, but of all women graduates up to the year 1900, seventy per cent have married. Of these forty-two per cent have married graduates of the college. The common error that college education lessens the opportunities of woman for her natural vocation is disproved, at least so far as Cornell college is concerned. The marriages of the graduates of Cornell have been singularly fortunate. Among the more than 1,400 alumni, there has been so far as known but two divorces. Considering the high percentages of divorce in the states of the Union, rising as high in some states as one divorce to every six marriages, the divorceless history of the Cornell alumni witnesses the sociologic value of the Christian co-educational college.

In numbers the graduating classes have steadily increased. The first class, that of 1858, consisted of two members, Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Cavanaugh, of Iowa City. Classes remained small, never exceeding five, until the close of the Civil war when the young men who had entered the service of their country, and who survived the war, returned to school. In 1867 eleven were graduated, and in 1869 the class numbered twenty-two. The last decade the graduating class from the college of liberal arts has averaged sixty.

CORNELL AND THE WAR FOR THE UNION

President Charles W. Elliot, in one of his educational addresses, after enumerating what the community must do for the college, asks, "And what will the college do for the community? It will make rich returns of learning, of poetry, and of piety, and of that fine sense of civic duty without which republics are impossible." That Cornell has made all these returns in ample measure is shown by the roster of the alumni with its many eminent names in the service of state and church. More than fifteen thousand young men and women have left the college halls carrying with them for the enrichment of the community stores of learning, poetic ideals of life, and vital piety. The fine sense of civic duty which the college breeds finds special illustration in the crisis of the Civil war, and here we may quote the eloquent words of Colonel Harry H. Rood in an address delivered at the Semi-Centennial of the college in 1904:

"The first seven and a half years in the history of this college was a period of struggle and embarrassment. The spring of 1861 seemed to be the beginning of brighter days. A railway had brought it in touch with the outer world, and the effects of the great financial panic of 1857 were passing, enabling the sons and daughters of the pioneers to enter its halls to secure the education they so greatly desired. The sky of hope was quickly overcast, and the storm cloud of the Civil war, which had been gathering for half a century, burst over the land. The students of Cornell were not surprised or alarmed. The winter preceding they had organized a mock congress with every state represented, in which all the issues of the coming conflict were fully discussed and understood.... The first regiment the young state sent out to preserve the Union had in its ranks a company from this county—one-third of the names upon its muster rolls were students from this school. The first full company to go from this township into the three years service had one-third of its membership from this college, and the second full company from the township, in 1862, also had an equal number of Cornell's patriotic sons. In the great crisis of 1864, when President Lincoln asked for men to relieve the veteran regiments and permit them to go to the front, almost a full company were college men. In the class of 1861 only two men were graduated and both entered the service.... The record shows that from 1853 to 1871 fifty-four men were graduated from the college, and of these thirty had worn the blue."

During the war the college had much the aspect of a female seminary to which a few young boys and cripples had been admitted by courtesy. In 1863 but twelve male students were registered in college classes, and at the commencement of this year all upon the program were women except a delicate youth unfit for war and a boy of sixteen years. This commencement was unique in the history of the college. On commencement day the audience of peaceful folk seated in the grove quietly listening to the student orations was suddenly transformed to an infuriated mob, when one girl visitor attempted to snatch from another a copperhead pin she was wearing. So strong was the excitement, that the college buildings were guarded by night for some time afterward for fear that they might be burned in revenge by sympathisers with the south.[L]

Near the close of the war it was seen that many of the soldier students of the college would be unable to complete their education because of the sacrifices they had made in the service of their country. A fund of fourteen thousand dollars was therefore contributed by patriot friends at home and in part by Iowa regiments in the field for the education of disabled soldiers and soldiers' orphans. No gift to the school has ever been more useful than this foundation, which aided in the support of hundreds of the most worthy students of the college.

Two of the students of Cornell were enrolled in the armies of the Confederacy. Of these one became a lieutenant in a Texas regiment. At one time learning that one of his prisoners was a Cornell boy and a member of his own literary society, the Texas lieutenant found Cornell loyalty a stronger motive than official duty. He took his prisoner several miles from camp, gave him a horse and started him for the Union lines.

THE SOCIAL ORGANIZATION

From the beginning Cornell college has been coëducational. In the earliest years of her history some concessions were made in the courses of study to the supposed weakness of woman's intellect, and "ornamental branches," such as "Grecian painting," which seems to have been a sort of transfer work, "ornamental hair work and wax flowers" were grafted on the curriculum for her special benefit—branches which soon were pruned away.

Woman's presence seems to have been regarded in these early years as a menace to the social order, safely permitted only under the most rigorous restrictions. So late as 1869 Rule Number Twelve appeared in the catalog—"The escorting of young ladies by young gentlemen is not allowed." This was a weak and degenerate offspring of the stern edict of President Keeler's administration:

"Young ladies and gentlemen will not associate together in walking or riding nor stand conversing together in the halls or public rooms of the buildings, but when necessary they can see the persons they desire by permission."

For many years these blue laws have been abrogated, and the only restrictions found needful are those ordinarily imposed by good society. The association and competition of young men and women in all college activities—an association necessarily devoid of all romance and glamour—has been found sane and helpful to both sexes, and no policy of segregation in any form has ever been as much as suggested.

The social life of the college has always been under the leadership of the literary societies. They are now eight in number: The Amphictyon, Adelphian, Miltonian and Star for men and the Philomathean, Aesthesian, Alethean and Aonian for women. The students of the Academy also sustain four flourishing societies, the Irving and Gladstone, Clionian and King.

These societies meet in large and rather luxuriously furnished halls in which they entertain their friends each week with literary and musical programs, followed by short socials. Business meetings offer thorough drill in parliamentary practice and often give place to impromptu debates which give facility in extemporaneous speaking. The societies also give banquets and less formal receptions from time to time and in general have charge of the social life of the school. Members are chosen by election and the rushing of the incoming freshman class is a fast and furious campaign, occupying a week or so of the first half-year. However it may affect studies, it certainly develops friendships and promotes the rapid assimilation of the large number of new students in the body social of the school.

The societies have always been in effect fraternities and sororities so far as social advantages are concerned, and they have performed the function of the best fraternities in the intellectual and moral supervision which they have given their members. But the literary societies have been more than fraternities, and under their supervision the social life of the college has been lived on a distinctly higher plane than had its organization been purely social and for recreation only. They have also been markedly distinguished from fraternities in their democratic character. Instead of excluding fifty or even seventy or eighty per cent of the students from their privileges, they have given their inestimable social advantages to practically all who cared to join them. They have thus prevented the growth of a leisured class of students whose sole interest in college is found in its recreations and who have been allowed the control of the college social life. Indeed, so valuable in the history of the college has this social organization proved that students have suggested that it be extended to other colleges by means of affiliated chapters.

ENDOWMENTS

During the earlier years of its history the college received few notable gifts. It was largely sustained by innumerable small contributions to its current expenses and endowment funds made by devoted friends whose generosity and self sacrifice deserve the praise bestowed upon the widow who cast her mite into the treasury of the temple. The larger gifts which have been made in endowing chairs, with the amounts and dates of the foundation and names of the donors, are as follows:

1859 Hamline Professorship of Greek Language and Literature, $25,000, by Bishop L. L. Hamline.

1873 D. N. Cooley Professorship of Civil and Sanitary Engineering, $10,000, by Hon. D. N. Cooley, Dubuque, and Oliver Hoyt.

1873 Alumni Professorship of Mathematics, $50,000, by The Alumni.

1885 W. F. Johnston Professorship of Physics, $50,000, by Hon. W. F. Johnston, Toledo.

1902 Edgar Truman Brackett, Jr., Professorship of History and Politics, $30,000, by Hon. Edgar T. Brackett, Saratoga, N. Y.

1904 David Joyce Professorship of Political Economy and Sociology, $50,000, by David Joyce, Clinton.

COMMERCIAL HOTEL, CENTER POINT

BRIDGE OVER CEDAR RIVER AT CENTER POINT

1904 Lucy Hayes King Foundation, now in support of the presidency, by ex-president Wm. F. King, $50,000.

1910 Alumni Professorship of Geology, $50,000, by The Alumni.

Among the other notable gifts to the college must be mentioned that by the Hon. Andrew Carnegie, of $50,000 for the erection of the Carnegie library, dedicated in 1905.

The largest donations to the college have been those of its president emeritus, William Fletcher King. Most valuable of all have been the long years of service, but besides these he has given from time to time many financial gifts to meet current needs and near the end of his term of office, he crowned his benefactions not only with the endowment of the professorship just mentioned, but with the munificent gift of $100,000 to found 100 scholarships in memory of Margaret Fletcher King. At the unveiling of the bronze tablet in her memory, in 1904, Hon. L. M. Shaw spoke these fitting words: "It is my privilege to witness the unveiling of a tablet erected in memory of a saintly woman who came in bridal clothes and left in cerements, and who spent the entire thirty-eight years of her married life wedded as completely to Cornell college as to William F. King, and who served both with equal faithfulness and with unfaltering devotion. Words are inadequate to measure the influence of a Christian woman's life spent amid surroundings such as have existed here for a generation. Neither does bronze suffice to prophesy the lift toward righteousness and higher citizenship of what is here done by the bereaved husband in the name of Margaret McKell King.... The tablet so thoughtfully erected to her memory and the endowment of scholarships so generously made by Dr. King guarantee the perpetuation of the sweet influence of a noble life and extend the benison of Christian education to one hundred students per annum, on and on, far beyond the ken of those who knew her and knowing loved her."

In 1910 the general education board made a conditional gift to the college of $100,000 for endowment, and of the $300,000 to be secured to meet the conditions nearly half has already been promised in sums among the largest ever given to the school.

THE CURRICULUM

In the fifties Cornell college was a very simple organization. In the first year of the college as distinct from the seminary, six teachers taught the entire round of the college course, which then included but forty subjects, each pursued for but three months. Besides Latin, Greek and mathematics, there were offered six terms in science and seven in the following subjects: Natural Theology, Evidences of Christianity, Moral Science, Butler's Analogy, Mental Philosophy, Rhetoric, and Elements of Criticism. This simple curriculum was stated by the catalog to embrace "the course of study in Mathematics, Languages, Sciences, and Belle Lettres which is prescribed in the best colleges and universities. It is thorough, extensive and systematic." All the same, both Cornell and "the best colleges and universities" have found that college courses could be made more "thorough and extensive" if not "more systematic." Latin, for example, at Cornell now offers eleven half-year courses instead of nine third-year courses as in 1857-1858. Sciences, which then offered six terms, now offer thirty-seven half-years and form five strong departments with their own professors and assistants. In 1875 the department of English Literature was organized, and the same year special teachers were employed for the first time in public speaking, although the School of Oratory was not organized until 1891. History and Politics became a distinct department in 1886. Courses in the English Bible were offered in 1894, and in Sociology in 1900. In all, the last catalog lists more than two hundred half-year collegiate courses of study.

The college has been among the foremost in the west in adapting and enlarging its courses to meet changing ideals. As early as 1873 the department of Civil and Sanitary Engineering was organized, in which hundreds of young men have received a valuable equipment for the work of life. One of the earliest recognitions of education as a collegiate subject was when courses in this science were offered at Cornell in 1872—the beginning of the present strong school of education. In 1900 and 1901 special directors of Physical Training for both men and women were first employed.

SPIRIT AND INFLUENCE

During all these changing years since 1853 the spirit of Cornell has remained essentially the same. It has made for scholarship—a scholarship honest, tireless, and fearless in the search for truth; it has cherished culture; it has fitted for service and has sent forth its students to perform, in the words of Milton, "justly, skilfully, and magnanimously all the duties both public and private of peace and war." It has ever been a religious spirit, too, this spirit of Cornell, and kindling in thousands of young hearts has inspired them to purer, stronger, and more helpful living.

The influence of Cornell may be summarized by a quotation from an editorial in the Cedar Rapids Republican in 1904, reviewing the history of the college:

"Fifty years of college work and college building; what does it mean? What is it these men, about whom we have been writing, have done? The half can not be told. No research, however painstaking, could discover it all, for only a portion of such work is ever seen of men. For fifty years a constant stream of beneficent influences has been flowing out from this institution. The pure water which gushes from a spring on the hillsides, who can trace? A certain portion will refresh those who dwell near its source. The remainder flows away to form a brooklet that 'joins brimming river' which carries ships, waters cities, and finally augments an ocean current that washes illimitable shores. But for these springs the everlasting ocean would dry up. The stream of beneficent influences which has been flowing from this institution on the hillside down yonder, has been carried around the world—into countless fields of human activity and high endeavor—into homes where mothers teach their children to avoid those things that are of the earth earthy—into business establishments where the golden rule is not always turned toward the wall—into legislative halls where statesmen and patriots are needed—into the judiciary of state and nation—into the cabinet of the president of the United States—into all callings and all professions—into all countries and all climes. May it flow on forever and forever!"

CHAPTER XXIV

History of Coe College

BY REV. E. R. BURKHALTER, D. D.

There is an interest, and a charm peculiarly its own in tracing a stream that has grown to be a river back to its head waters in some lake or mountain spring. And when instead of a river we trace backward a college to its source and fountain head, this interest and charm come to possess a sacred value and are full of hallowed associations. And the charm and interest become complete when this matter is pursued by one who is not only a historian but also a participant in the transactions which cover years of time and call up many holy and tender memories of scenes and places, and yet more, of persons who were fellow-workers in the good cause and the most of whom have passed from earth.

The fountain head of Coe College, whose history it is now proposed to record, is to be sought and found in the mind and heart of the Rev. Williston Jones, the pioneer pastor of Cedar Rapids, who for the years between 1849 and 1856 was the minister of the First Presbyterian church of this city. Mr. Jones was a most zealous servant of his Divine Master, and labored zealously for His cause, not only in the local field, which was then so newly opened for settlement, but in the whole outlying region. His heart felt the needs of this entire middle west, which, as a fertile wilderness, was offering such inducements for the pioneer settler, and he longed to do his part to the utmost in assisting to provide this region with a gospel ministry. To this end, he opened a School of the Prophets in his own home.

We now avail ourselves at this early point of our history of the valuable contributions furnished by the words of the Rev. George R. Carroll, in his most interesting little volume entitled Pioneer Life in and Around Cedar Rapids, 1839-1849.

"Mr. Jones had persuaded one young man, the writer of this sketch, to devote his life to the gospel ministry. But there was no school here in which he could begin his studies. At last the zealous pastor decided to undertake himself the task of preparing that young man for college. Meantime, other young men heard of the arrangement, and persuaded Mr. Jones to admit them also to the same privileges. The result was the formation of a class of sixteen or eighteen young men who occupied the unfurnished parlor in the pastor's house, which was temporarily fitted up for the purpose. One of the number was chosen to act as monitor each week, and Mr. and Mrs. Jones came in at different hours of the day to hear the recitations in the various branches of study pursued. The branches studied were reading, writing, geography, arithmetic, Latin and Greek. This school continued its regular sessions for about six months, and was successfully wound up with a public exhibition under the shade trees in front of the pastor's residence on the hill near the Milwaukee depot. The following young men were among the students of that first school: George Weare, John Stony, Cyrus E. Ferguson, Murry S. D. Davis, Amos Ferguson, Isaac W. Carroll, Mortimer A. Higley, William E. Earl, William J. Wood, Edwin Kennedy, George R. Carroll, James L. Bever, and George W. Bever."

We also avail ourselves of an extract from the Fortieth Anniversary First Presbyterian Church, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, 1887, on which occasion Mr. Carroll in his biographical sketch of the Rev. Williston Jones, our first pastor, used the following language:

"Mr. Jones was deeply interested in the subject of raising up a native ministry. That is to say, he believed that it was important that we should seek out young men from among the people of the west to labor in the west. It was, therefore, his constant aim wherever he met a Christian young man of any promise, to lay before him the claims of the gospel ministry, and urge him prayerfully to consider the question as to whether or not God had called him to the sacred office. This fact, of course, led him to take a great interest in the subject of education. There were no schools at that time where a young man could even begin a course of study for the ministry. He felt the embarrassment of the situation. He had at last found one young man who had decided to study for the ministry, but there was no school in Cedar Rapids where he could make a beginning of the study of Latin or Greek or any of the higher branches of study. At last he decided to undertake himself the task of preparing that young man for college. In a short time, a dozen or fifteen more, hearing of this arrangement, begged the privilege of joining that lone student in studying under Mr. Jones, and before he was aware of it, he found himself at the head of a school for young men. This was in the autumn of 1851. He had erected for himself, meantime, a house of the same material of the old church, cement. It still stands on the hill north of the Milwaukee depot. The parlor of that house was at that time unfinished. It was lathed but not plastered. Mr. Jones said to the young men, if they would get one coat of plastering put onto that room, and put in some temporary seats made of slabs, they could have the use of it for a school room. The offer was promptly accepted, and, in due time, the school began in good earnest. One of the number would act as monitor in the school-room for a week, and then another, until the honor had been enjoyed by all. Mr. and Mrs. Jones were the first professors of the institution, coming in at regular hours to hear recitations. The branches of study pursued in the new academy were reading, writing, geography, arithmetic, algebra, grammar, Latin and Greek. Due attention was also given to composition, declamation, and vocal music. For six months that school continued in perfect harmony and marked success. The term closed sometime in June, I think 1852, with public exercises appropriate to the occasion. The place of meeting was in a grove immediately in front of the school-room. The order of exercises, as nearly as I can remember, consisted in singing and prayer of course, recitations, reading of essays, and declamations. Everything passed off pleasantly and satisfactorily, and I believe the school was pronounced a success. This effort convinced Mr. Jones more than ever of the need of a permanent school of a higher order. He therefore wrote on to Knox college, I think to Professor Blanchard, to see if one of the graduates could not come and take charge of the school. The result was that Mr. David Blakely, then a recent graduate of Knox college, came in the fall of 1852 and opened the school in the church. The school then assumed the name of the Cedar Rapids Collegiate Institute. Mr. Blakely held the position of principal of that school for two years, and then resigned his position to enter the active work of the gospel ministry, in which he is still engaged. During all this time the school was kept up with unabated interest, many students coming in from the country round about, and several from remote parts of the state. At least three of the members of that school entered the ministry, and are still engaged in the active duties of the sacred calling: one. Rev. Hiram Hill, in California; another, Rev. William Campbell, in Kansas; and the third in this state. It was during the spring of 1853, I think, that Mr. Jones was sent as a commissioner to the General Assembly (N. S.) which met in Buffalo, N. Y. During his absence the school at home occupied his thoughts and called out all the energies of his ardent nature. He determined if possible to secure aid in the east by which to place the school upon a permanent basis, having for its chief end the education of indigent young men for the gospel ministry. He was not disappointed in his purpose. Guided no doubt by an all-wise Providence, he met Mr. Daniel Coe, who listened to his earnest appeal, and gave him the money with which the eighty acres of ground, where the college now stands, and these two lots now occupied by this church and chapel, and a lot now occupied by the M. E. church, were secured, Dr. J. F. Ely making the purchase. You will see then, that out of the little school, started in the first pastor's house, has grown Coe college, and Rev. Williston Jones was its founder."

W. F. KING, LL. D.
Long President Cornell College

It can thus be easily seen that the yearning of Mr. Jones to see a school provided in Cedar Rapids was a fire in his bones. And so, when in the providence of God, he was in attendance at a meeting of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian church (New School) which was held in May, 1853, in the city of Buffalo, N. Y., he sought to interest everyone whom he met in the cause of Christian education in the west. At that same session of the General Assembly was a minister of the Presbyterian church from the Catskill mountain region of New York state. He said to Mr. Jones, in substance. "I cannot help you myself, but I believe I know a man in my section of the country who can and will, and if you come home with me to Durham, Greene county, New York, I will introduce you to him." The man alluded to was Mr. Daniel Coe, an elder of the church, already deeply interested in the cause of Christian education and preparing to help according to his ability when the suitable opportunity was afforded.

Mr. Jones went to Durham and met Mr. Coe, and presenting to him the matter nearest to his heart, the founding of a school of christian learning in the new world beyond the Mississippi. Mr. Coe gladly consented to assist in the enterprise. The sum promised, $1,500, would be considered in these days a very meagre one, but in 1853, and in Iowa, it must have seemed like $15,000 or more would seem now to us, and Mr. Jones must have welcomed the proffered aid with delight.

When he returned to his home in Cedar Rapids and to his brethren of the Presbytery of Iowa City, of which he was a member, he made such encouraging statements concerning the treatment he had received at the General Assembly, and especially concerning the offer of Mr. Coe, that there was formed in Cedar Rapids a corporation by the name of the Cedar Rapids Collegiate Institute, which prepared articles and filed them for record August 9, 1853. All persons owning one share of stock each in the Institute became thereby members of the corporation, each share of stock being of the value of $25.00. Article twelve of the fourteen articles of corporation reads as follows:

"The Iowa City Presbytery in consideration of five scholarships for the first five years, and of ten scholarships thereafter, shall have the right to nominate all teachers of the Institute, subject, however, to confirmation by the Board of Directors, but this right shall be forfeited if said consideration should at any time fail."

There is no reason to suppose from the records that this consideration was ever fulfilled.

Article thirteen gives the names of the directors: Williston Jones, John F. Ely, W. W. Smith, Seymour D. Carpenter, Addison Daniels, Isaac Cook, William Greene, John L. Shearer, and Aaron Van Dorn; and the following persons as officers of the board: George Greene, president; Samson C. Bever, treasurer; David Blakely, secretary.

It is very interesting to note that of these persons there is one who survives to this day, Mr. W. W. Smith, who at a very advanced age still lives at Minneapolis.

The first meeting of this board of directors was held July 18, 1853, and it was at that meeting that Mr. Jones presented the instrument of writing signed by Daniel Coe, of the county of Greene, in the state of New York, making a conditional donation to the Institute of the sum of $1,500, of which the following is a copy:

"CONDITIONAL DONATION TO CEDAR RAPIDS COLLEGIATE INSTITUTE

"Know all men by these presents that I, Daniel Coe, of the town of Durham, County of Greene, and State of New York, in view of the educational wants of the great and growing West, and in expectation of its resulting in the establishment of a permanent institution of learning, do hereby engage to give in behalf of Iowa City Presbytery, connected with the constitutional General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church which met at Buffalo, May 19th, 1853, to Cedar Rapids Collegiate Institute the following sums for the object hereinafter specified, to-wit: Four Hundred and twenty-five Dollars ($425.00) for the purchase of as large and suitable tract of land as practicable as a site for the location of the institute. And Seventy-five Dollars ($75.00) for fencing of the same. Also One Thousand Dollars ($1000.00) to be appropriated in the best manner for a farm contiguous to the site, the avails of which are to be appropriated to the best advantage for the benefit of such students as may need to assist themselves by manual labor. Of these two sums the first mentioned, consisting of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00), can be secured to the Institute as a part of its property by the erection upon its site thus purchased of a building costing at least Two Thousand Dollars ($2000.00), and the last mentioned One Thousand Dollars ($1000.00) can be thus secured by bringing the Institute into successful operation. Provided that if these conditions fail, or if the Institute be removed or diverted from its original design, either or both of these donations shall be forfeited, and the land purchased shall revert back to the said Daniel Coe, his heirs, executors, or administrators.

"Dr. John F. Ely, Hon. George Greene, Dr. S. D. Carpenter, Isaac Cook, Esq., James Ferguson, and Williston Jones are hereby authorized to act for me in the selection and purchasing for said Institute the above mentioned site and farm, and are to draw on me for the money; of which sum Seven Hundred Dollars ($700.00) can be drawn at any time, and the remaining Eight Hundred Dollars ($800.00) one year from the date of this engagement.

"It is my strong desire that this Institute should be made available for the education of females as well as males."

It is evidently to be seen that it was the purpose of Mr. Coe to enable the directors of the Cedar Rapids Collegiate Institute to maintain a school of learning to be conducted in a building within easy access to the town, and at the same time aid such students as needed assistance through the products of the farm purchased on the edge of the town. Steps were taken at once to procure two sites, one for the school building, the other for the farm. And after considerable inquiry and debate, two sites were chosen and purchased: the one for the school building consisting of the two lots on which the First Presbyterian church of this city now stands and has stood since 1869; the other for the farm, consisting of a plot of eighty acres, of which the present campus of Coe College of ten acres, is the southwestern extremity.

The town lots were purchased for $275.00. The eighty acres were bought for $1000.00. These eighty acres were obtained from Mr. Otho S. Bowling by Dr. John F. Ely, who bought them with Mr. Coe's money for the Cedar Rapids Collegiate Institute. The date of the purchase is December 5, 1853. Mr. Bowling had obtained the land at the price of $820.00 from the executors of the estate of Mr. Joshua Phillips, of Franklin county, Pennsylvania. Mr. Phillips had died at his residence in Pennsylvania at some time between the 15th of December, 1852, and the 4th of January, 1853, and he had himself obtained the property in Cedar Rapids by patent from the United States government May 1, 1848. So that the plot of ground which figures in such a vital manner in the history of Coe College had passed through but two hands before being transferred to the Collegiate Institute from the government which had obtained it from the Indians.

It has also appeared that it was the wish of Mr. Coe and the design of the directors of the school that the building to cost $2000.00 should be erected as soon as practicable upon the town lots. But the erection of this building was delayed for various causes and especially in consequence of the lack of funds. Meanwhile, a school of very elementary character was maintained in the building used as their house of worship by the First Presbyterian church, and Mr. David Blakely was obtained as principal at a salary of $400.00 per annum, payable quarterly.

As time went on it was found to be more difficult than seemed probable in the beginning, to obtain subscriptions for the erection of the building of a school of just the character that seemed within the feeble means of the directors. And it became even more difficult, if not impossible, to maintain the school in the building occupied by the Presbyterian church. For it would appear that this community of Cedar Rapids was in process of organizing a general public school system, and no place seemed to exist for a parochial school of the elementary character that was then being conducted by the Cedar Rapids Collegiate Institute, at least in so small a community and one so feebly provided with material funds.

Therefore, through the want of proper sustenance, everyone connected with the Institute and notably the principal upon whom the chief burden fell became wholly discouraged and the Presbytery of Iowa City, that had a certain relationship to the school and interest in its success, proposed to put the school on wheels and offer it to the highest bidder, naming several localities among which were: Vinton, Waterloo, Lyons, Cedar Falls, Newton, and Iowa City.[M]

It will surely be of interest to learn [See Minutes Iowa City Presbytery, Mt. Vernon, February 4, 1857] that the citizens and proprietors of Comanche offered a site and subscriptions to the amount of $10,000, or $200.00 more than any other town, for the location of the Collegiate Institute of the Presbytery. Vinton also made a strong bid for the school and hoped to capture it, and might have done so had it not been that the eighty acre plot of ground, which was the only financial asset of the institution, was securely fastened down in Cedar Rapids, and Mr. Coe hesitated as to the propositions for the removal of the school.

But these internal and external discussions acted in a very unfavorable manner upon the Institute, and led to the winding up of its affairs, for there is no record of any meeting of its board of directors subsequent to July 26, 1859.

Meanwhile, a new star of hope arose in the heavens, and for several years at least it was a star of considerable brilliancy. It was made known, namely, that the will of Mr. Lewis Baldwin Parsons, a benefactor and philanthropist, and who died in Detroit, Michigan, December 21, 1855, after a successful life as a manufacturer in Buffalo, N. Y., contained a bequest setting aside a very considerable amount of money to found a Presbyterian college in Iowa. It could not be a matter of surprise, therefore, that the brethren in Cedar Rapids, who had struggled so hard to found a college with Mr. Coe's donation, and who had been so sorely disappointed, should now with enthusiasm welcome the thought that the Parsons legacy might be located here and be added to the Coe donation, and thus become the foundation of a strong college in Iowa in connection with the Presbyterian church. Accordingly, steps were taken to incorporate a new body of stockholders into an organization to be known as Parsons Seminary. The date of the first meeting with this end in view is November 10, 1866, and the following persons were chosen to serve as officers until the annual meeting in December: Rev. James Knox, president; Hon. George Greene, vice-president; Dr. John F. Ely, secretary; and Mr. S. C. Bever, treasurer.

At the annual meeting, December 3, 1866, the following officers were chosen: George Greene, president; James Knox, vice-president; John F. Ely, secretary; W. W. Walker, treasurer.

It was resolved immediately that Mr. Coe should be requested to deed to the new organization the eighty acres of land already donated by him to the Cedar Rapids Collegiate Institute, and at a meeting of the board of trustees of Parsons Seminary, held January 4, 1867, Judge Greene, president of the board, reported that he had visited Mr. Daniel Coe at his home in Durham, N. Y., and had procured from him the deed to Parsons Seminary of the land in question.

This most generous act of Mr. Coe reveals the large and unselfish character of the man and declares the nobility of his motive to promote the cause of high christian education in the west.

This act of Mr. Coe also gave great encouragement to the board of trustees of the seminary to proceed in their work, and they proceeded vigorously to raise what must in those days have been a considerable sum of money, for the purpose of erecting a suitable building for college purposes upon the edge of the eighty acre plot nearest to the town. The two town lots which had originally been purchased for the location of the school building were sold to the trustees of the First Presbyterian church, to become the site of a house of worship, which building was erected by them in 1869, and still stands a substantial edifice of stone, facing the public square long known as Washington Park, now George Greene Square.

The ways and means and plans for this new building occupied the attention of the board for many meetings during the years 1867 and 1868, and the work was pushed with all vigor to enable the trustees to open their seminary in the new building in the fall of 1868.

Meanwhile, the school work was inaugurated, pending the erection of the building on the college grounds, in the Wadsworth block, a row of unpretentious buildings resembling a barracks, on Second street and Fifth avenue, in the school year 1867-8. The principal of this school was the Rev. A. B. Goodale, a Presbyterian clergyman who survived in southern California until a few years ago.

Mr. Charles J. Deacon, our highly esteemed and greatly respected fellow citizen, who has spent a long and useful life among us, as an attorney, and who has been for several years a most valuable trustee of Coe College, was one of the first students of Parsons Seminary, and he has furnished us the following reminiscences which we gladly incorporate in this historical sketch:

"I came to Cedar Rapids and enrolled as a student in Parsons Seminary early in September, 1868. The school had been in progress under that name for a year previous, but then for the first time entered into the new building, now the west half of the main building of Coe college. This school was then prosperous and the body of students very enthusiastic. Dr. A. B. Goodale was the principal and Prof. Augustus Maasburg was the professor of Latin, Greek, French, and German. Miss A. D. Kelsey, a graduate of Mt. Holyoke, and a most estimable lady, had charge of the primary department, and also taught many of the classes in mathematics, and had charge of the botany class. Miss Lindsay, a sister of Mrs. Goodale, taught painting and drawing. A few weeks after the school opened, Professor and Madame Masurier came, and Professor Masurier took charge of the music, and Mme. Masurier was given the care of the French class. I remember also that Miss Addie Goodell, now Mrs. Birdsall, of Lake City, Iowa, was a student in the seminary, and it became necessary to have an assistant in the primary department, and she was employed in that capacity.

MAIN STREET FROM THE NORTH, FAIRFAX

MAIN STREET LOOKING WEST, CENTRAL CITY

"At the beginning of the year 1868-1869 the school numbered over one hundred students. They were, of course, largely from the city of Cedar Rapids, but they came also from the surrounding towns of Fairfax, Springville, Center Point, Central City, and some from the farms within a few miles of the city. They came also from Vinton and Marengo, and some from more distant portions of the state, and I remember two from the state of Illinois, and one from Nebraska.

"The school year was divided into four terms of ten weeks each, the tuition being $7.50 per term. I remember there was some falling off in the attendance at the close of the second term in mid-winter. In the spring we were told that Dr. Goodale would have an assistant in the person of Mr. J. W. Stephens. When he came he was introduced to us by Dr. Goodale as his assistant, but it soon developed that he was the principal of the seminary, Doctor Goodale having about that time accepted the pastorate of the Presbyterian church at Marshalltown. The attendance at the spring term under the conduct of Dr. Stephens was much smaller than in the fall, but the school continued until the 20th of June, when it closed for the summer vacation. It issued a catalogue as it had the previous year and announced the opening for the following September.

"I returned to the school in the fall when it opened for the third year, being the second year in the new building, and found many of the old students. The school, however, was much smaller than at the opening of the previous year. It also dwindled very much during the year, and when we closed in June, 1870, my recollection is that it numbered about forty students. Mr. Stephens announced that it would be continued, however, and the school opened again in the September following. I did not return to the school, but went to the State University of Iowa. Mr. Stephens continued the school until the following spring, and then closed it. [We understand that Mr. Stephens is still living in connection with Park College, Mo.]

"One thing that is quite clearly impressed upon my memory is the meeting of the Synod of Iowa, North, in this city in the late winter or early spring of 1869. The application of the Parsons legacy and the endowment of the college was then a very prominent question in Presbyterian circles. Cedar Rapids was a most prominent applicant for the location of the college to be thus endowed, and the seminary had been named Parsons Seminary with a view to attracting that legacy here. A large representation of the synod visited the college at the time I speak of and addressed the students. Amongst others, I remember Doctor Spees, then of Dubuque; the Rev. Samuel Howe, and Mr. Alexander Danskin, of Marengo. They said to us that we were now a college, that whereas yesterday we were a seminary, today we were a college. There was much enthusiasm manifested among us by this statement, and we all felt satisfied that the matter had been practically settled. Subsequent facts proved that their statement was a little premature.

"Another thing that comes to my recollection is the visit of the committee to locate the Parsons legacy in the spring of 1870. This committee was headed by Doctor Craig, then pastor of the church at Keokuk, now of McCormick Seminary, Chicago. The committee made a very thorough examination of the buildings and of the grounds and of the location generally. I distinctly recall their walking over the grounds. The trustees of the seminary, being informed in advance of the coming of this committee, were preparing to create a good impression. A few days before their expected arrival, the ground, which had been leveled off in front of the college, and which consisted of coarse sand, was ornamented by some fifty or sixty evergreen trees, and a large amount of black dirt was hauled in upon the sand with the expectation of spreading it over the sand to present a surface of good soil with a large number of evergreen trees set out in an ornamental order. Unfortunately, however, the committee arrived earlier than was anticipated and the black dirt had not been spread over the sand. To render the situation still worse, a high wind was blowing the day the committee were here and the sand was drifting over the dirt piles and filling up against the lower board of the fence. What the effect of this was upon the committee I have no means of judging. It is, however, interesting to notice that the Parsons legacy never came to Cedar Rapids.

"I could mention many names of Cedar Rapids citizens who as boys attended school at Parsons Seminary during those early years. Mr. C. C. Greene, Mr. John S. Ely, Mr. George B. Douglas, were all there with me. Mr. George W. Winn, also a trustee, used to go there for private lessons in German from Professor Maasburg. Mr. C. L. Miller, of the Gazette, Emery and Harry Brown, and Elmer Higley are names that also occur to me readily. I could mention, likewise, many ladies who studied there in those early years. The Rev. Alexander Danskin, editor of one of our church papers at Detroit, Michigan, was a student there at that time, afterwards graduating from Wabash College; also the Rev. R. M. L. Braden, who likewise went to Wabash College.

"These are a few of the things that come to my mind as I review my two years in Parsons Seminary."

It can easily be read between the lines of Mr. Deacon's reminiscences that Parsons Seminary, however enthusiastic its support was at the beginning, did not continue by any means to be an entire success. We must look for the explanation of this very largely to its lack of financial resources. It was living largely on hopes, and hopes that were not destined to be realized. Mr. Coe's donation, lying in the eighty acres of land, was utterly unproductive of a revenue, and the Parsons legacy, which consisted of four thousand acres of wild lands in various counties in Iowa, had not yet been located in Cedar Rapids, but was hovering in the air as a glittering object which several localities in the state were reaching out to obtain.

It would be an interesting and instructive pursuit to trace the history of this legacy both within the Presbyterian synod of Iowa and within the various cities of the state which made bids for its attainment. The story, as far as Cedar Rapids is concerned, is one of bright hopes, earnest aspiration, valiant endeavor and achievement, to be followed by severe disappointment and bitter regret. The citizens of this city went heroically to work to raise the sum of $75,000 to be subscribed and added to the Parsons legacy [then estimated to be of the value of $50,000], and this again to be added to the Coe donation of eighty acres of land, which were continually increasing in value through the growth of the city of Cedar Rapids. These three sums, when added together, would furnish, it was intelligently felt, a very substantial endowment as the beginning of a college. We have often been told that when this campaign for the raising of the $75,000 had been successfully completed, there was such a general jubilee in our city that instinctively in demonstration thereof the whistles of the locomotives and manufacturing establishments were merrily blown. But all these plans went agley. Although committees from the synods of Iowa had presented unanimous reports recommending that the Parsons legacy be located at Cedar Rapids, it was eventually taken to Fairfield to found Parsons College. The fund of $75,000 which was raised in Cedar Rapids fell to the ground because of the failure to meet its vital condition of the bringing of the Parsons legacy here, and so, once more, all that was left for us was Mr. Coe's donation of the eighty acre plot and the indomitable spirit of a few of the citizens of Cedar Rapids to plant in our city an institution of higher learning in connection with the Presbyterian church.

It is idle at this late date to discuss the wisdom or the folly of those men in the synod who were responsible for this result. It were wholly unproductive to speculate what might have been accomplished by the union of all our educational forces here in Cedar Rapids. What is written is written, what is done is an accomplished fact. Presbyterians are not in the habit of quarreling with Divine Providence, but are the rather given to rejoicing in the sovereignty of God. It is quite conceivable that results already visible can give occasion for gratitude that we have now the two colleges, Coe and Parsons, instead of but one, as was once so ardently hoped for here at Cedar Rapids. If anyone in the years between 1870 and 1873 made an error in judgment in objecting to the merger, the only way to rectify it now is by pressing all the more for the promoting of the endowment and the buildings of both the colleges, the one at Fairfield, and the one at Cedar Rapids.

But the facts are that through the force of circumstances, the school at Cedar Rapids was obliged to suspend its work, and little or nothing was done in the building erected in 1868 from 1871 to 1875. Then for the third time, and under new auspices, was the work begun afresh, and it took place on this wise: On the 26th of April, 1875, the trustees of Parsons Seminary held a meeting, at which meeting a committee of the Presbytery of Cedar Rapids was present for the purpose of consulting with the board to the end that the seminary building and the Coe legacy located at Cedar Rapids might be made available for the establishment of a school of a high order under the care of the said Presbytery. This committee had been appointed by the Presbytery at its session at Anamosa April 24, 1875, and they presented to the board of trustees of Parsons Seminary a formal report in writing, which expressed the readiness of the Presbytery to undertake the care of the school at Cedar Rapids on condition that all its debts be cancelled, and its charter be so amended as to give to the Presbytery the power to appoint its board of trustees. The Presbytery also pledged itself to do all in its power to maintain the school and open it in the school building by the 1st of October, 1875. The board of trustees consented to the proposition of the Presbytery and resolved to change the name of the institution from Parsons Seminary to Coe Collegiate Institute. The articles of incorporation of Parsons Seminary, which had been adopted October 30, 1866, were amended May 11, 1875, to meet the new conditions. The board of trustees was fixed at the number of eighteen, and the power to elect them was vested in the Presbytery of Cedar Rapids, or in the synod of Iowa North, if the said synod shall assume such power with the consent of said Presbytery. The first election was appointed to take place in the fall of the year 1876.

Mr. Daniel Coe had passed from earth in the interval between December 23, 1866, when he deeded the eighty acres of land in Cedar Rapids to Parsons Seminary, and this date in 1875, when these new relations with the seminary were entered into. He left a daughter, an only child, who had become the wife of Mr. J. E. Jewell. This daughter, Mr. Coe's sole heir at law, with her husband, entered in a very friendly manner and measure into the new plans of the institution, and nobly agreed to permit the school to avail itself under certain conditions well understood and agreed to, of the advantages accruing from the revenues of the property.

On the 21st of September, 1875, it was announced at a meeting of the trustees of Coe Collegiate Institute that correspondence had been conducted with the Rev. R. A. Condit with a view to his being made principal of the school. Mr. Condit was then elected to that office. This event marks the entrance into the work of Coe College of a personality of rare value in himself and of rare value to the institution of learning which he served most faithfully for a period of thirty years after his appointment in 1875. Robert Aaron Condit was a man of sweet spirit and gentle demeanor; he was a Christian and a scholar. No one ever doubted his piety or his moral integrity. The students who for a whole generation passed under his care all loved him because he loved them, and was himself so lovable. His influence upon them was mild, but effective, and we venture to say without fear of contradiction, that all the alumni of Coe College who knew him as their preceptor recognize the fact with gratitude that they are better persons for having known him. In the weak and struggling days of Coe Collegiate Institute before it emerged into its present larger, stronger growth, as Coe College, Robert Condit was a factor peculiarly fitted for the task providentially laid upon him, and his full value to the college can scarcely be over-estimated or even stated sufficiently.

On the 8th of March, 1876, Prof. J. W. McLaury was employed to assist Mr. Condit in the school, his salary being raised by voluntary subscriptions. Mr. McLaury's services, though valuable, were not long retained by the institution.

At the meeting of the board held December 28, 1876, the report of the election of the trustees by the Presbytery October 4, 1876, was made, as directed by the charter. And at the same meeting the following officers of the board were chosen: Hon. George Greene, president; Thomas M. Sinclair, vice president; D. W. C. Rowley, secretary; George W. Winn, treasurer. It was at this meeting that the present writer took his seat with his brethren for the first time as an officially accredited member of the board. And it is a matter of grateful, tender recollection to him, that he has remained to this day in unbroken relation with the institution in all possible varieties of official position and duties upon its manifold committees. And it is a solemn recollection with him that he alone remains on the board of all those who have served with him for thirty-four years.

He can well remember the tone and atmosphere of the meetings of the board, which he was then called upon to attend. It was truly a day of small things. The meetings were frequent and they were often lengthy, and we must truly say they were usually dreary, and we went from them with depressed hearts. For the questions for discussion were mostly, not how to promote high christian learning, but how to pay the debts of Parsons Seminary. And the problem was, how to pay something with nothing. There were notes at two of the leading banks of the city, notes which were increasing fearfully by the compounding of interest at ten per cent, and there were notes held by individuals who had loaned money to the seminary, there were mechanic's liens of sums unpaid in the erection of the building put up in 1867-8, and to meet these obligations there was nothing in sight. For all moneys that found their way into the treasury were needed, and more than needed, to pay current bills to teachers, heating and lighting bills and such minor fees. We remember that our treasurer was once garnisheed by the brother of one of our teachers for the payment of his sister's salary, and some sort of compromise settlement was effected.

We have not a thought or word of disparagement concerning any member of the board at that time. But it would have required men of heroic mold and prophetic vision to face those problems. The president of the board, the Hon. George Greene, a name never to be mentioned in this city without a tribute of respect, was deeply immersed in his own private interests and was compelled to be absent from home a great part of the time. Soon after the date of which we speak, he insisted upon pressing his resignation as president of the board. Other prominent business and professional men on the board were also engrossed in large personal interests. The ministers on the board, however valuable though they may have been for counsel concerning educational questions, were quite helpless in grappling with the financial problems which from necessity were uppermost.

The Rev. James Knox had passed from earth October 10, 1875, after having contributed valuable services to the college during the eleven years of his pastorate in this city. We here insert the following tribute to Mr. Knox, which was presented at a meeting of the board of trustees March 8, 1876, and was adopted, all the members present standing:

"In the providence of God the Rev. James Knox, former vice president of this board, having been removed by death we take this opportunity to record our testimony to his exceeding worth as a man and his wisdom and faithfulness as a minister of the gospel, and to his great devotion and usefulness to this institution, having been connected with it from its earliest days, and having given to it his best strength and ability for many years, and his very latest prayers. We feel that his place cannot easily be filled and that in him the college has lost one of its truest and best friends."

AN OLD GRAVE AT SPRINGVILLE
REV. J. B. ALBROOK, D. D.
PROF. HARRIETTE J. COOK
MRS. MARGARET McKELL KING

There was one notable exception to all these. One personality stands out from the midst of his brethren and to him more than to any other element at this critical period of the history of Coe College do we attribute the fact that we have a college today, and one with such promise and potency. We refer to Mr. Thomas M. Sinclair. Mr. Sinclair had come to Cedar Rapids in 1871 a young man not quite thirty years of age. He was pursuing a large manufacturing business, that of pork packing, with rare energy and intelligence, and with great success. He was making money, and his great desire and single aim was to use this money with a keen sense of responsibility to God and usefulness to his fellow men. He was a man of rare christian character, one among ten thousand. It may truly be said of him that he walked with God. Coming into this young country from the older world, he took a most keenly active interest in all things that pertained to its welfare, and it was a fortunate thing for Coe College that he came to Cedar Rapids at such a time as he did. The cause of christian education was one of his most treasured conceptions of opportunity, and he identified himself with the representative of that cause which he providentially found to his hand in this struggling institution.

Seeing the imperative need of relief from debt which Coe Collegiate Institute manifested, he determined in the nobility of his heart that he would pay out of his own pocket such obligations, principal and interest, as lay against the institution, although they amounted to several thousand dollars. And this he gladly did in all such cases as he could not induce those who owned these obligations to cancel them themselves. And thus it came about one happy day that he could declare the college was actually free from all such incumbrances. Then he and several of his colleagues, inspired with new hope and courage, and determined to launch the institution upon broader and deeper waters, went before the synod of Iowa North, which met at Waterloo, Iowa, in October, 1880, and asked the synod to assume the care and control of the Institute, free from debt, and possessed of a building, and of eighty acres of land in the city of Cedar Rapids. The synod accepted the proposition, and steps were taken at once to frame articles of incorporation of a new organization to be called Coe College. The articles were filed for record on the 16th day of April, 1881. Proper deeds were drawn and filed for record which conveyed to Coe College all the properties owned by Cedar Rapids Collegiate Institute, Parsons Seminary, and Coe Collegiate Institute, and thus the line of inheritance and descent was duly established. In these negotiations relating to the transference of the property through the hands of Mr. and Mrs. Jewell, negotiations which required great care in the handling, the valuable services of Mr. A. V. Eastman should be mentioned. Mr. Eastman served the college most valuably for several years at this period as its secretary. He subsequently removed from Cedar Rapids to St. Paul, Minn., and still later to St. Charles, La., where he died most suddenly several years ago.

We have now emerged with our history from the intricacies of a somewhat tortuous channel, and we have passed out from shoals and shallows to enter upon clearer, deeper, broader waters. Henceforth we are to pursue the story of the institution known as Coe College, which, with devious fortunes, but with perceptibly increasing volume, has been filling its place and doing its work under the charter prepared in 1881. Certain changes have been made to this charter, more or less important, but Coe College is the same institution, conducted by the same incorporation from 1881 to the present time.

The first item which we are called upon to record at this period of the history of our college, is the lamentable death of Mr. Thomas M. Sinclair, which occurred on the 24th day of March, 1881. The circumstances were peculiarly startling. By an accident he fell through an open hatchway in his own packing house and never recovered consciousness, although he continued to breathe for several hours. We can never forget our emotions over this event. It was truly an inscrutable Providence. Mr. Sinclair was at that time a young man, full of vigor and energy. He was a pillar of strength upon whom many leaned. He had done so much to bring the college up to this point of its new beginning that both he and we were looking forward with desire and delight to what might be accomplished through his co-operation. But it was willed otherwise. We cannot interpret the event, but may we not even now at this comparatively far removed time from its occurrence use it in memory of him for the greater glory of God and increase of the college. "He being dead, yet speaketh."

Dr. Stephen Phelps, then the pastor of the Presbyterian church at Vinton, had been very prominently connected with the college ever since its reconstruction as Coe Collegiate Institute in 1875. And now, when it became Coe College, under the care of the synod, he was invited to become its president. He was by nature and grace a pastor greatly beloved by his people, and very useful in the community at Vinton. It was a great request to make of him to ask him to lay down his pastoral office and undertake the new and untried work of a college president. And this was made especially significant because he was asked to preside not over an institution already well endowed, richly equipped with buildings, and possessed of the prestige of a generation, but over an institution still in the process of formation, without any endowment or equipment or faculty or history. He paused to consider his duty, and decided to come to the college and with the help of God to undertake the task.

He was a man of many gifts; an eloquent preacher and lovable pastor who attracted young people to him, and a man of consecration and singleness of aim. His pure spirit and untiring energy were rewarded with much success in spite of the many difficulties which resulted from the limitations of the new situation. He remained in the presidency of the college six years, when he resigned his office to go back to his loved work in the pastorate, to which he felt called of God. He became the pastor of the Presbyterian church at Council Bluffs, and has subsequently served other churches, until at the present time he is in charge of the church at Bellevue, Nebraska, where he lives enjoying the respect and affection of all who know him. He will ever be cherished as the first president of Coe College.

Another figure that rises very prominently and pleasantly before us, as we go back to this period of our history, is that of the first treasurer of Coe College, Mr. John C. Broeksmit. Mr. Broeksmit became the treasurer of Coe Collegiate Institute in 1878, and passed on into the new administration in 1881, and continued in the exercise of his duties as treasurer until he was made treasurer emeritus in 1903, when Mr. John M. Dinwiddie, our present very efficient treasurer, assumed the duties of the office which Mr. Broeksmit laid down. In the formative period of our college history it was very important that the charge of our slender funds should be placed in hands which were trustworthy, not only because of honesty, but also because of business ability and experience. Mr. Broeksmit possessed ideal qualities for a treasurer. As auditor of the B., C. R. & N. R. R. he was accustomed to the handling and careful accounting of the funds of that corporation, and he brought his knowledge, judgment, and integrity to bear upon the financial affairs of the college. We always felt secure in placing these affairs in his hands, and we were not disappointed. Besides his services as treasurer, he also rendered valuable services as a trustee, always faithful in attendance, and giving his full and entire interest to the matters in hand; wise in counsel, kind and genial in manner, and friendly in attitude, he was a peculiarly attractive co-laborer. He should be written down as one who loved his fellow men. His decease in March, 1907, at the age of 82, was universally lamented.

We note the fact that Williston Hall was completed as a boarding hall and dormitory for young ladies in 1881-1882, and the college building, which had been occupied more or less since September, 1868, for school room purposes, was enlarged in 1884 by an addition which simply duplicated the original building.

In 1882 the Rev. E. H. Avery, D. D., who had succeeded Dr. Phelps in the pastoral charge at Vinton when Dr. Phelps came to Cedar Rapids to be president of Coe College, came into the board of trustees, and was elected president of the board. He remained in this office until 1899, when he removed to California where he subsequently died. Dr. Avery's long administration of seventeen years was marked by his qualities of cool, calm judgment, enlightened understanding, and zealous attention to educational interests. He was punctual in attendance at the many meetings of the board, and of the executive committee, coming down from Vinton many times at much sacrifice of personal comfort and the laying aside of his pastoral work, and during that long and eventful period, marked by so many changes from 1882-1899, it was fortunate that we had so wise and safe a president of our board as Eugene H. Avery.

On the 13th of May, 1887, the Rev. James Marshall, D. D., was elected president of the College to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Dr. Phelps. Dr. Marshall was an alumnus of Yale University and had spent several years in New York City in city missionary work. He entered upon the duties of his office in September, 1887. He brought with him to these duties a mind matured and well rounded, a culture produced by wide reading and considerable foreign travel and residence, and an intelligent appreciation of college work. He had a strong sense of the value of discipline in college life. He was much assisted by his cultured wife, whose attractive personality won for her a valued place in the hearts of the students. Mrs. Marshall died in Cedar Rapids after a brief illness in November, 1892, leaving her husband sadly alone, for there were no children in the household. Dr. Marshall labored on bravely in his work until September, 1896, when, just at the opening of the college year, he was stricken down with pneumonia, and his death occurred after a few days amidst circumstances of peculiar solitude. His funeral services were conducted at the First Presbyterian church of this city, September 13, 1896, and the address on that occasion was given by Dr. J. Milton Greene, then of Ft. Dodge, Iowa, now of Havana, Cuba, and a life long friend of the deceased. Dr. Marshall is the only one of the presidents of our college who has departed this life, and he died literally in the harness. In summing up his life and work we avail ourselves of the words which it was our privilege to report to the board at their meeting October 13, 1896:

"He was a man of power, the power that is born of the possession of a high ideal and consecrated purpose and unusual faculty to organize, and an unflagging zeal to execute and perform. He never spared himself. He forgot himself, but he never forgot the college. His works do follow him. These works which remain with us are the strong and united faculty which he organized, and which he inspired with his own high ideals, the noble standard of scholarship to which he elevated the curriculum, the beautiful campus, which is a wonder of improvement when we contrast it with what it was when his hands first touched it, and the example of industry and energy which his life has furnished. It seems pathetic that he should have passed away without seeing the fulfillment of the hopes he so dearly cherished, and the plans be so wisely formulated. But it is a common thing in this world that one should sow and another reap. One conceives the building of the house, but leaves it to another to build it. Yet no one ever thinks that the former lives in vain."

The college pursued its work in the year 1896-7 without a president, and it is a happiness to note the fact that owing to the harmonious cooperation of a devoted faculty and a sympathetic body of students, the year passed with much smoothness and prosperity.

On the 5th of August, 1897, the Rev. Samuel B. McCormick, D. D., was called to the presidency of the college from the pastoral charge of the Presbyterian church of Omaha, Neb. He entered upon the duties of his office with the opening of the college year 1897. He soon made it manifest that a man of great vigor was directing its affairs. He went at his work with a spirit almost fierce, and he kept at it with a persistency that compelled things to come his way. His energy was contagious, and his colleagues in the faculty and on the board of trustees felt it from the day he came among us until the day he left. The pace he kept was not always pleasurable, but it was always fruitful. It was during the seven years of his administration that great growth of the college was experienced in the size of the faculty, the number of the student body and increase of college buildings. The financial campaign that was undertaken to secure the $25,000 promised by Mr. Ralph Vorhees, of New Jersey, on condition of our raising $125,000 additional, was successfully conducted when Dr. McCormick was president. It was he who brought to Coe College the Rev. H. H. Maynard as field secretary, and the two men worked together with congenial vehemence and brought things to pass. Among the things which were brought to pass was the present college gymnasium a very useful and attractive asset.

In the summer of 1904 Doctor McCormick was invited back to his old home in western Pennsylvania to become the chancellor of the Western University of Pennsylvania, located at Pittsburg, and which is now called the University of Pittsburg. This invitation was attractive to him chiefly because it seemed evidently to offer him unusual opportunity of enlarged usefulness in the educational field to which he had devoted his life. Yet it plainly caused him a struggle to sever his connection with Coe College, and with Cedar Rapids as a city. For in the seven years of his life here, he had become strongly attached to his friends and to the community which were strongly attached to him. He also left this portion of our country, the Mississippi Valley which was to his mind so full of hope and promise, with great reluctance. Yet it was clear to him that he ought to go, and we parted from him with much regret September 15, 1904.

Marshall Hall and the Athletic Field House were erected in the summer of 1900, the latter the gift of Mr. C. B. Soutter. The College Gymnasium was completed in 1904.

During the year following the departure of Doctor McCormick the duties of the presidency were discharged by Dr. Stephen W. Stookey. Dr. Stookey was an alumnus of Coe of the class of 1884, the first class to be graduated after Coe became a college. He was always from the beginning greatly attached to the college, and after teaching a while in the schools of Manchester, Iowa, he returned to his alma mater in 1892 to become professor of the natural sciences. From that time onward he filled a place of very distinguished usefulness in the institution, commanding the high respect of his fellow workers in the faculty, the student body, and the board of trustees, until 1908 when he left Coe to assume the office of the presidency of Bellevue College, Nebraska, a position which he still occupies very much to the benefit of that school of learning.

BAPTIST CHURCH, CENTRAL CITY

OLD BARN BUILT IN THE '50s AT CENTRAL CITY
Now Used as a Store and Post Office

At this point of our story we note the fact that at the October meeting of the board of trustees in 1899, Mr. C. B. Soutter was made the president of the board. Mr. Soutter had been a resident of Cedar Rapids since 1881 when he came from New York city to fill the very responsible place in the business house of T. M. Sinclair & Company made vacant by the death of Mr. Sinclair. The duties of the management of the large packing house were very onerous and responsible, yet Mr. Soutter was able, besides fulfilling them, to give much of his valuable time to his duties as a trustee of the college, to which he was called in 1883. He had already, therefore, for many years, shown marked interest in college work and adaptation for it by taste and culture when in 1899 he was felt to be the logical successor to Dr. Avery in the presidency. He entered at once with zeal and intelligence upon his new and enlarged duties. He was unintermitting in his attention to them until he resigned his office in October, 1907, and, greatly to the regret of his brethren, withdrew from the board of trustees.

On the 23rd of December, 1904, Dr. William Wilberforce Smith was chosen president of the college to succeed Doctor McCormick. Doctor Smith was not a clergyman as his predecessors had been and as hitherto has been usual with American colleges in their selection of a president. He had studied at Princeton Theological Seminary, and had been graduated therefrom, but he had never been ordained to the ministry. He had followed the vocation of a teacher, and was called to the presidency of Coe from the Berkely School in New York city, a school of high grade for boys. He entered upon his duties as president of Coe College at the opening of the college year 1905, and remained with the college for three years. He is now occupying the very honorable position of head of the School of Commerce and Finance in the James Millikin University, Decatur, Illinois.

His administration was marked by three notable events, all of which indicate stages of great progress in the history of the college: First, the successful launching of the plans to put the college on the list of the accepted colleges of the Carnegie foundation for the advancement of teaching. This took place near the close of the year 1908. Second, the attainment of the Science Hall, given by Mr. Carnegie at the cost to him of $63,500 upon the condition that the college raise $45,000 for its maintenance. Third, the successful completion of a financial campaign whereby a conditional grant of $50,000 was obtained from the General Board of Education [John D. Rockefeller Foundation] on the condition that the college pay all its debts and raise in various funds the sum of $200,000 additional for endowment and buildings. This campaign increased the assets of the college by $293,000.

It was during this campaign that the services of the Rev. Dr. H. H. Maynard, field secretary of the college, were so peculiarly strenuous and so uniquely valuable. Dr. Maynard merits most honorable mention for his bold conceptions and his heroic execution of them, wherein the word "fail" was expunged from his dictionary. Dr. Maynard left Coe College in the summer of 1908 and has become the vice president and field secretary of the University of Omaha, Nebraska.

In the year 1908-9 which followed the resignation of Dr. Smith, the college was governed by a commission of four members of the faculty, who distributed among themselves the duties of administration. The result was a smooth and prosperous year, although at the end of it all parties concerned were looking very wishfully towards a filling of the vacant office of the presidency. At length, on the 7th of September, 1909, Rev. Dr. John Abner Marquis, pastor of the Presbyterian church at Beaver, Pa., was chosen to be the head of the college. After due deliberation he decided to accept the call, and on the 12th of October, 1909, he was presented to the students and friends of the college as the president-elect. He returned to Beaver to sever his relations with the church there, with the Presbytery and synod, and he came in December and entered upon his duties. On the 13th of June, 1910, in connection with the exercises of commencement week, Doctor Marquis was formally inaugurated president of Coe College. This was the first time in which formal exercises of this character were observed in connection with setting a president over the institution, and the occasion was greeted accordingly with peculiar pleasure, and large use was made of it to perfect a relationship which it is believed augurs great things to the advantage of the college. Doctor Marquis has been so short a time in his office that it would be too soon to speak of what he has done, but it is not too soon to say that in the brief period in which he has been president of the college, he has already awakened the fondest hopes and most steadfast convictions that under his administration the institution over which he presides is destined to move forward to a future which will far surpass any measure of size and value that it ever attained in the past.

On the same week in last June in the midst of the commencement season which witnessed the inauguration of Doctor Marquis, ground was broken on the college campus by Mr. Robert S. Sinclair for a chapel in memory of his father, Mr. Thomas M. Sinclair. This memorial chapel was prepared for almost thirty years ago very soon after Mr. Sinclair's death, but the execution of the purpose has been long delayed. But now at last we see our thoughts and wishes about to be realized in the erection of a building which shall from its beauty and the purposes which it is destined to fulfill be a worthy monument to keep in perpetual remembrance a man, who, in his life-time, did so much to make it possible for us to have a college at all.

We have now accomplished the purpose for which we set out. We have, to the best of our ability, traced the history of Coe College from its beginnings to the present time. We have followed the Institution from its fountain head in the heart and home of the Rev. Williston Jones, when a handful of young men gathered in his parlor for such elementary instruction as could be given by the zealous pastor and his wife, down to the present day, when more than three-hundred students, young men and maidens, gather in the halls of buildings erected and equipped for college purposes, and one of these buildings at least prepared and provided along the most progressive modern lines, the equal of any in the land. Today the faculty of thirty-two persons conducts the teaching of a curriculum which embraces every department of learning that is recognized as belonging to a liberal education. And these teachers have been prepared for their work by special training and selection.

The endowment also has grown from the paltry sum of $1,500, furnished in 1853 by Daniel Coe, to the sum of $450,000, and the total amount of money invested in the plant known as Coe College must exceed $750,000, which is surely no mean aggregate.

In the course of our history, we have seen a feeble rivulet sink at least twice in the sands only to reappear with new volume and freshness further down the bed of the stream. And we see it now a river of such dimension that it cannot disappear again. We have seen the work of the heroic men who have nobly spent upon the college in the days when it sorely needed their help. Such men were not wanting in the days of emergency but were sent from God. They could not have known as we now can plainly see what they were doing. They wrought in faith what it is now given us to possess in sight. They sowed in weakness what we now reap in power. Surely the lesson is plain and impressive; surely the teaching of this historical sketch is to the purport that we with our larger resources should enrich the institution which they sustained and promoted in their poverty.

They could not see how much worth their while it was to give and labor for Cedar Rapids Collegiate Institute, for Parsons Seminary, for Coe Collegiate Institute, for the institution was then but a tender, feeble shoot, whose future development was an uncertainty. We now can plainly see that it is well worth our while to give and labor for Coe College, for it is now one of the most potent and promising of all the colleges in this Mississippi valley. And every intelligent mind who has any powers of observation and has any experience of college work, knows full well that as colleges grow and prosper they need more financial help. It would be the extreme of selfishness and folly to take the view that Coe College is now strong enough and rich enough to advance on its present assets to meet its future.

Its needs are greater than ever. But it presents itself not as a beggar or a suppliant, but as a splendid opportunity for investment. It presents itself as the finest possible place to locate something to be spent in buildings, equipment, and endowment whereby in the course of the years, and we may even say the centuries to come, this money can go on yielding the richest conceivable dividends in the preparation for life and leadership of those of our choicest young men and women who shall come hither from near and far to enjoy the privileges of a college education. And thus as we close, our history becomes really an appeal.

CHAPTER XXV

The Old Blair Building

The Kimball building in Cedar Rapids stands on the site of an old landmark—the Blair building. This building, with the land and railroad companies it housed from time to time, was the center of much history in the development of Iowa, Nebraska, and the Dakotas. It is difficult for us to realize now what an immense influence these companies in the early days had in the settling up of the central west. A debt of gratitude is due the men who risked their fortunes in this developing work that many of us now are too apt to forget. Had it not been for the railroads these early patriots projected into the unsettled portions of these states the development of the west would have been greatly retarded. Immigration would have been slow, for people are never eager to settle in farming communities where there is lack of transportation facilities to get the produce of the farms to market.

It is felt that a brief account of the influences that went out from this center is entirely appropriate here. In fact it is needed as a part of this history of Linn county. Greatly to our regret the gentleman responsible for the historical data given below wishes his name withheld, but through modesty only. What is here printed was furnished by one who knows whereof he speaks, for as Virgil once wrote, "of it he was a great part."

THE BLAIR BUILDING

John I. Blair, of Blairstown, New Jersey, being then the president of several railroad companies having their general offices and official headquarters at Cedar Rapids, erected a building to furnish adequate room for the business of these companies and for the First National Bank of Cedar Rapids, in which he was heavily interested. This building was known as the "Blair Building." In its time it was much the most pretentious structure in the city. It was located at the corner of Eagle and Adams streets—now Third street and Second avenue—was two stories in heighth with a high mansard roof, and set above and back from the street. The plans for this building were made by W. W. Boyington, then the most prominent architect in Chicago. It was what might be termed of the "court house" style, having more the appearance of a public building than one erected for commercial purposes.

On May 23, 1868, Mrs. Mary A. Ely purchased of A. C. Churchill, for Mr. Blair, lots 6, 7, and 8 in block 15, including the brick dwelling house thereon, for the sum of $10,000. Mrs. Ely afterwards conveyed this land to Mr. Blair, who deeded it to himself and Oakes Ames as trustees for the several companies who contributed to the cost of the land and the buildings.

The work of construction began in the autumn of 1868. The building was completed and occupied in the spring or early summer of 1869. The total cost of the land, the new building, and the overhauling of the dwelling house was $54,418, which was paid by the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River Railroad Company, The Iowa Rail Road Land Company, the Iowa Falls and Sioux City Railroad Company, the Sioux City and Pacific Railroad Company, and the First National Bank of Cedar Rapids.

JAMES E. HARLAN, LL. D.
President Cornell College

In 1870 the dwelling house and the land lying southwesterly of the wall of the Blair building was sold to John F. Ely for $11,000. In 1884 the First National Bank conveyed its interest to the Iowa Falls and Sioux City Railroad Company, and thereafter, until the liquidation of the bank in 1886, occupied the banking room as a tenant. When the bank had gone out of business, the railroads had been sold and the offices moved away, and the real estate holdings of the companies very largely reduced, the owners having no use for the space for their own purposes, and the building being so constructed as not to be useful for commercial purposes, it was decided to sell the property. It was advertised for sale. A customer not being found at private sale, it was sold at public auction on May 2, 1888, to David P. Kimball, of Boston, Massachusetts, for $25,000.

Mr. Kimball, together with his brother L. C. Kimball, of Boston, J. Van Deventer, then of Clinton but later of Knoxville, Tennessee, J. E. Ainsworth, then of Council Bluffs but later of Williamstown, Vermont, and P. E. Hall and Henry V. Ferguson of Cedar Rapids, organized the Kimball Building Company, to whom the property was conveyed.

During the year 1888 the Kimball Building Company rebuilt the Blair Building, extending its exterior walls out to the street line and added a new portion so as to cover the entire lot, making the building when so completed 76 feet on Second avenue and 140 feet on Third street, four stories high, and thereafter known as the "Kimball Building."

In addition to being the president of all of these railroad companies, Mr. Blair after 1862 gave personal attention to their construction and was in absolute control of their affairs in the west. These railroads came to be called the "Blair Roads," and were so generally spoken of in the public prints. From this people generally came to think that he was nearly the sole owner of all, or at least personally owned a controlling interest in the whole group. This, however, was not the fact. Mr. Blair's individual ownership averaged about one-sixth, about another sixth being owned by his associates in the Lackawana Iron & Coal Company of Pennsylvania, among which were Joseph H. Scranton, of Scranton, Pa.; Moses Taylor, of New York, and William E. Dodge, D. Willis James, and James Stokes, who then comprised the firm of Phelps, Dodge & Company.

The controlling interest was always owned by a group of New England capitalists and their associates, who were at the same time the controlling stockholders in the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska Railroad Company—the line already constructed from Clinton to Cedar Rapids. Among these latter were Oakes and Oliver Ames, of North Easton, Mass.; John Bertram, of Salem, Mass.; Charles A. Lambard, of Maine and later of New York; William T. Glidden, David P. Kimball, Joseph and Frederic Nickerson, of Boston, and Horace Williams, of Clinton, Iowa.

THE CEDAR RAPIDS AND MISSOURI RIVER RAILROAD

In May, 1856, congress passed what was then called "The Iowa Land Bill," making grants of land to the state of Iowa to aid in the construction of four lines of railway across the state, one of which was to be from Lyons City, thence "northwesterly to a point of intersection with the main line of the Iowa Central Railroad near Maquoketa, thence on said main line running as near as practicable to the 42nd parallel across the state of Iowa to the Missouri River." The general assembly of the state by an act approved July 14, 1856, granted the land inuring to the state for the construction of this line to the Iowa Central Air Line Railroad Company upon certain conditions contained in said act. That company began the construction of the road in the year 1856, considerable grading was done at different points along the line as far west us Anamosa, but the panic of 1857 coming on the work was stopped and never again resumed by the Iowa Central Air Line Company.

It being quite probable that at the next legislative session the state would resume this land grant and forfeit the rights of the Iowa Central Company, and pass the grant over to some other company who would undertake the construction of the road; for the purpose of obtaining this grant, the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River Railroad Company was organized on June 14, 1859, by the prominent eastern stockholders in the Chicago, Iowa and Nebraska Railroad, together with John Weare and John P. Ely, of Cedar Rapids, and G. M. Woodbury, of Marshalltown, Iowa.

In March, 1860, the state resumed the land grant from the Iowa Central Company and made it over to the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River Railroad. Work was begun on the line west from Cedar Rapids in 1860. The bridge over the Cedar river was built in the winter of 1860-61, and forty miles of track completed to Otter Creek Station (now Chelsea) during the year 1861, and to Marshalltown in December, 1862. Milo Smith, of Clinton, Iowa, was the chief engineer and had charge of the construction of the road until it reached Marshalltown.

In 1861 John I. Blair became largely interested in this enterprise, and thereafter took control of the construction beyond Marshalltown. After 1862 W. W. Walker was chief engineer until the road was finished. Track was laid to State Center in 1863, and on July 4, 1864, to Nevada, and to Boone in December, 1864, but the road was not surfaced up, finished and put in operation from Nevada to Boone until the succeeding year.

In July, 1864, congress made an additional grant of land to the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River Railroad, and authorized it to change its line of road so as to connect with the Union Pacific Railroad at Council Bluffs. Work beyond Boone began in December, 1865, the track was laid into Council Bluffs in January, 1867, but regular service between Woodbine and Council Bluffs was not instituted until April of that year.

In July, 1862, the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River Railroad was leased in perpetuity to the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad Company, which company then owned the line from Chicago west to the Mississippi River opposite Clinton, Iowa, and operated the Chicago, Iowa and Nebraska Railroad under lease. The lease covered not only the portion of the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River Railroad then built, but the entire line to the Missouri river when the same should be completed.

On June 2, 1864, the Galena and Chicago Union Railroad Company was consolidated with the Chicago and North-Western Railway, and from that time the operation of the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River Railroad under the lease was by the Chicago and North-Western Railway Company.

L. B. Crocker, of Oswego, N. Y., was the first president of the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River Railroad, and until 1866. Mr. Crocker during this period was active in the financial affairs of the company, and especially in obtaining the land grant from the state and the supplemental grant direct from the United States. While not a man of large means, he was possessed of great energy and foresight.

John I. Blair was president from 1866 to 1871, when he was succeeded by Horace Williams, who remained the president until the company went out of existence in 1884.

In 1884 the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River Railroad was sold to the Chicago and North-Western Railway. It was in fact a consolidation, but for convenience in handling the transaction it was made a sale, the Cedar Rapids Company deeding its railroad and all rights and franchises pertaining thereto to the Chicago and North-Western Railway Company, receiving its pay in the stock of the latter company, which stock was distributed pro rata to the stockholders of the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River Company, after which the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River Railroad Company closed up its affairs and went out of business.

THE SIOUX CITY AND PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY

An act of congress passed in 1862 authorized and required the Union Pacific Railroad Company to construct a railroad and telegraph line from Sioux City to a connection with the Iowa branch of the Union Pacific Railroad, whenever there should be a line of railroad completed through Minnesota or Iowa to Sioux City, Iowa. On July 2, 1864, the original Union Pacific act was amended, and among other things it was provided that the Union Pacific Railroad was released from the construction of said branch, and such company as should be organized under the laws of Iowa, Minnesota, Dakota or Nebraska, and be by the president of the United States designated and approved for that purpose, was authorized to construct said branch and receive therefor lands and subsidy bonds to the same extent that the Union Pacific Railroad would have done under the act of 1862. It was further provided that if a railroad should not be completed to Sioux City across Iowa or Minnesota within eighteen months after the passage of said act, then the company which should have been so designated might commence, continue and complete the construction of said Sioux City branch.

The Sioux City and Pacific Railroad Company was organized in August, 1864, to construct this branch line and was by the president of the United States designated and approved for that purpose. The corporators and first board of directors were Platt Smith, L. B. Crocker, M. K. Jesup, James F. Wilson, A. W. Hubbard, Charles A. Lambard, Frederick Schuchardt, William B. Allison, and John I. Blair. Soon afterwards the Sioux City and Pacific Company passed under the control of Mr. Blair and his associates in the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River Railroad. The necessary money to build and equip the Sioux City and Pacific was principally furnished by them. The general offices of the company were first at Dubuque, but on the passing of the control to the Cedar Rapids people headquarters were moved to Cedar Rapids.

Construction was begun in the spring of 1867. The Cedar Rapids and Missouri River Company built six and a half miles of railroad from Missouri Valley Junction to California Junction, where it connected with the line of the Sioux City and Pacific. These six and a half miles were turned over to the latter company. Track laying began at California Junction in September, 1867. Thirty-six miles were completed by the first day of December, 1867, and the line to Sioux City in February, 1868. Early in 1869 the entire line was completed and in operation between Missouri Valley Junction and Sioux City and to Fremont, Nebraska, where connection was made with the Union Pacific Railroad. The cars were ferried across the Missouri river during the summer months, and crossed on a temporary bridge during the winter months up to the fall of 1883, when the bridge across the river was completed and opened up for business. L. Burnett was the engineer in charge of construction of this railroad and superintendent in its operation until January 1, 1878.

This company received from the United States a grant of land comprising the alternate sections within twenty miles on either side of the line of the railroad. But as nearly all of the government land within these limits had already been disposed of, and where the grant of this company lapped over the grant to the Union Pacific Railroad, each company received half, so this congressional grant only amounted to about 42,500 acres. There was acquired through a consolidation with the Nebraska Air Line Railroad a state land grant of 46,000 acres. The company received from the United States a loan of six per cent bonds to the extent of $16,000 per mile of road constructed between Sioux City and Fremont, and issued its own first mortgage bonds to an equal amount.

This company up to August, 1884, operated its own road and also leased and operated the Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley road, as the same was from time to time extended. The earnings of the railroad were never sufficient to pay the interest on the first mortgage bonds. The avails of the two land grants and the proceeds of the sales of the town lots along the line up to 1875 (when the remaining land assets were sold to the Missouri Valley Land Company) were used to make up the deficiency. After these assets were exhausted the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River, and Chicago, Iowa and Nebraska Railroad companies, through loans and other methods of assistance, made up the deficit until the sale of all of these roads in 1884.

In 1880 the Chicago, Iowa and Nebraska, and the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River companies by purchase from the individual stockholders acquired over ninety per cent of the capital stock of the Sioux City Company. This stock was in the treasury of these railroads at the time of their purchase by the Chicago and North-Western Railway Company in 1884. Through and under that purchase the Chicago and North-Western Railway Company became the controlling owner of the Sioux City and Pacific and moved its general and operating offices away from Cedar Rapids.

John I. Blair was the first president of the Sioux City and Pacific Railroad Company and was succeeded by Horace Williams in 1871. Mr. Williams was president until the fall of 1877, when he resigned and was succeeded by Oliver Ames. Mr. Ames remained president until the control of the railroad passed into the Chicago and North-Western Railway Company.

THE IOWA FALLS AND SIOUX CITY RAILROAD COMPANY

In the Iowa Land Bill of 1856 a grant was made to aid the construction of a line of railroad from Dubuque to Sioux City on the same terms as fixed for the other three trunk lines across the state, viz: a grant of every odd numbered section within six miles on either side of the railroad, and where such odd numbered sections had already been disposed of by the United States, the railroads were authorized to select an equal number of acres from the odd numbered sections within fifteen miles of the line of the railroad. This grant was given over by the state of Iowa to the Dubuque and Pacific Railroad Company, which company began the work of construction but afterwards failed and was reorganized as the Dubuque and Sioux City Railroad Company. This last named company continued from time to time to extend the line westwardly, so that in 1867 it was completed and in operation to Iowa Falls.

Considerable right-of-way had been acquired between Iowa Falls and Fort Dodge and the grading already commenced when a sale and transfer of the right-of-way, the uncompleted work and the portion of the land grant belonging to the line west of Iowa Falls, was made to John I. Blair and his associates. The Iowa Falls and Sioux City Railroad Company was organized on October 1, 1867, and on January 7, 1868, by a contract of that date, took over from the Dubuque and Sioux City Company all the right-of-way west of Iowa Falls and the work already done, also the proportion of the land grant inuring to the line west of Iowa Falls and all of the rights and franchises of the Dubuque & Sioux City Company pertaining to that portion of the line.

Prior to this date, viz: on September 13, 1867, the Dubuque and Sioux City Railroad Company leased to the Illinois Central Railroad Company the portion of its road already constructed to Iowa Falls and also the line to be thereafter built from Iowa Falls to Sioux City. This lease was for twenty years or in perpetuity at the option of the Illinois Central Railroad Company. The legislature of the state of Iowa on April 7, 1868, passed an act ratifying the said sale by the Dubuque and Sioux City Company and vesting the land grant in the Iowa Falls Company.

CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH, CENTRAL CITY

CHRISTIAN CHURCH, CENTRAL CITY

The work begun by the Dubuque and Sioux City Company was vigorously prosecuted so that the road was completed and in operation to Fort Dodge early in 1869. In the fall of 1870 it was finished through to Sioux City and the entire line turned over to the Illinois Central Railroad Company for operation under the lease. J. E. Ainsworth was superintendent of construction. In the original articles of incorporation the principal place of business of this company was fixed at Dubuque, Iowa, but in October, 1869, the articles were amended and the main office of the company moved to Cedar Rapids. John I. Blair was the first president. He was succeeded in 1871 by Horace Williams, who remained at the head of the affairs of the company until the control of the same passed into the hands of the Illinois Central Railroad.

In March, 1887, the Iowa Falls and Sioux City Railroad Company sold to the Iowa Rail Road Land Company the remaining acres of its land grant and all assets accruing from land transactions. At that time all of the individual stockholders of the railroad company sold their shares to the Illinois Central Railroad Company, who moved the offices of the corporation from Cedar Rapids to Dubuque, and afterwards consolidated the company with the Dubuque and Sioux City Railroad Company.

THE FREMONT, ELKHORN AND MISSOURI VALLEY RAILROAD COMPANY

This company, while a Nebraska corporation, soon after its organization and up to 1884 kept its general offices and accounting department in the Blair building in Cedar Rapids. It was organized at Fremont, Nebraska, in January, 1869, to construct a line of railroad up the Elkhorn Valley, in Nebraska, and obtained a land grant from the state of Nebraska amounting to about 100,000 acres, also some county bonds from Dodge and Cuming counties, Nebraska. In 1869 John I. Blair and his associates in the Sioux City and Pacific, and the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River enterprises obtained control of the company, and undertook the construction of the railroad. Ten miles of track north from Fremont were laid late in the season of 1869. In 1870 the road was finished to West Point, and leased to the Sioux City and Pacific Company, which company from that time on continued to operate (under said lease) the several extensions of the Elkhorn road up to August, 1884. In 1871 the road was extended to Wisner, a distance of fifty-one miles from Fremont, where the terminus remained until 1879, in which year the main line was built to Oakdale, and six miles of track laid on the Creighton branch north from Norfolk. In 1880 the main line was extended from Oakdale to Neligh, and the Creighton branch finished to Plainview. In 1881 the main line was extended to Long Pine, and the Creighton branch finished to Creighton. In 1882 the main line was extended to Thatcher, and in 1883 to Valentine. In August, 1884—at the time of the purchase of the Iowa roads by the Chicago & Northwestern—this last named company acquired all the stock in the Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley Railroad, and thereafter the work of extension was pushed vigorously.

In the two succeeding years a line was built into the Black Hills country and the main line of the road extended to the eastern boundary of the state of Wyoming. Between 1884 and 1888 several lines of railroad in the south Platte country of Nebraska were constructed by the Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley Company. L. Burnett, was engineer in charge of location and construction until the road was completed to Wisner. From 1879 to 1889—during which period the main line from Wisner to the west line of the state, the Black Hills branch as far as Whitewood, and the South Platte lines were built—P. E. Hall was superintendent of construction and J. E. Ainsworth chief engineer. John I. Blair was the president from 1869 to 1872, Prince S. Crowell, of East Dennis, Massachusetts, from 1872 to 1876, and James Blair, of Scranton, Pennsylvania, from 1876 to 1883, when he was succeeded by Horace Williams, who remained the president of the company until the control was taken by the Chicago & North-Western Railway Company in 1884.

THE MAPLE RIVER RAILROAD

The major portion of the land grant to the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River Railroad—transferred to The Iowa Rail Road Land Company—was situated north of the main line of the Cedar Rapids & Missouri River Railroad. In 1876 a large portion of several counties was vacant and still the property of the land company, so the stockholders interested in the Cedar Rapids & Missouri River Railroad and The Iowa Rail Road Land Company decided to build branch lines north from the main line to the end that purchasers might be found for the land and thus settle up the country, and furnish business for the main line. The Maple River Railroad Company was organized in that year to build these lines. The money for the building of the same was furnished by the stockholders in the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River, and Chicago, Iowa and Nebraska companies, they taking the stock and bonds of the Maple River Railroad Company issued for construction. The road was leased to the Chicago & North-Western Railway Company in advance of construction. Work was begun in the fall of 1876, and in 1877 the line was completed from Maple River Junction to Mapleton, a distance of about sixty miles.

In 1879 a branch was built from Wall Lake Junction to Sac City. This Sac City branch was extended to Holstein in 1882, and in 1883 to Kingsley. The building of the above lines was under control of P. E. Hall, vice president. J. E. Ainsworth was the chief engineer. In 1884 when the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River, Chicago, Iowa and Nebraska, and Sioux City and Pacific roads were purchased by the Chicago & North-Western, the Maple River Railroad was included in the sale, and from that time on became a part of the Chicago & North-Western Railway, which company has since extended the branch line from Kingsley to Sargeants Bluffs, thus making another through line from the east into Sioux City, and also extended the main line from Mapleton to Onawa.

THE MISSOURI VALLEY AND BLAIR RAILWAY & BRIDGE COMPANY

In 1882 congress granted to the Sioux City & Pacific Railroad Company the right to build a bridge across the Missouri river to connect the Iowa and Nebraska portions of its railway at the point where the line crosses the river between Missouri Valley, Iowa, and Blair, Nebraska. The Sioux City & Pacific Company not being financially able to undertake the work, assigned its rights under said act to the Missouri Valley and Blair Railway & Bridge Company, which company was organized in 1882 for the purpose of building the bridge and its approaches. The capital stock of the bridge company was subscribed for by the several railroad companies whose roads made up the through line from Fremont to Chicago, viz: the Sioux City and Pacific, Cedar Rapids and Missouri River, Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska, and the Chicago & North-Western companies, each taking stock in proportion to its mileage in the through line between Fremont and Chicago. The money for the construction of the bridge was raised principally by the sale of bonds, which bonds were guaranteed—both principal and interest—by the several railroad companies who were stockholders in the bridge company. Work was begun early in the summer of 1882 and the bridge completed and opened for traffic in November, 1883.

When the bridge was opened for business it had cost about $1,300,000, of which $400,000 was for the bridge proper across the channel of the river and the other $900,000 for the approaches and protection work. Several hundred thousand dollars have since been expended in protecting the river banks so as to hold the channel of the river under the bridge. After its completion the bridge was operated by the Sioux City and Pacific Railroad Company under a contract.

Horace Williams was the president of the bridge company from the date of organization to the time when the control passed to the Chicago & North-Western Railway. P. E. Hall was vice president and in general charge of construction. George S. Morrison was the engineer who made the plans and directed the building of the bridge. When the Chicago & North-Western Railway Company took over the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River and the other roads in 1884, it became the owner of the entire capital stock of the bridge company and moved the accounting offices away from Cedar Rapids.

The total grants of lands to these companies by the United States, the state of Nebraska, and several counties in Iowa, amounted in the aggregate to about one million, nine hundred and ninety thousand acres. As the several railroads were projected it was the policy of the companies to acquire land around the stations and plat and sell town lots. For convenience in distribution of the proceeds to the stockholders, and in handling the real estate, land and town lot companies were organized from time to time to take over and dispose of not only the land grant lands but of the purchased lands and town lots.

THE IOWA RAIL ROAD LAND COMPANY

This company was organized in 1869 and its capital stock distributed pro rata among the stockholders of the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River Railroad. The land grant of that railroad company was conveyed to the land company on September 15, 1869. In 1887 the Iowa Rail Road Land Company bought from the Iowa Falls and Sioux City Railroad Company for cash, all of its remaining unsold lands and the bills receivable, and other assets resulting from previous sales.

From time to time thereafter, through consolidation and purchase, all of the remaining real estate and bills receivable of these several land and town lot companies and of the Moingona Coal Company, which were under common control, passed to the ownership of The Iowa Rail Road Land Company.

The Cedar Rapids and Missouri River Railroad was finished in 1867, and the land grant completely earned then. From that time on the officers of the railroad company and of its successor, the land company, for thirty-five years persistently and continuously worked to have this land grant finally adjusted so that the tracts actually granted might be definitely known and the companies receive evidence of title thereto. Their efforts were finally successful in 1902.

John I. Blair was the first president of this company. Horace Williams was president from 1871 to 1872. In 1872 J. Van Deventer, then of Clinton, Iowa, and later of Knoxville, Tennessee, was elected president and remained so until 1889, since which time P. E. Hall has been the president of this company.

Henry V. Ferguson, now vice president of this company, came into the employ of these companies in 1868, and has been continuously in their service since that time. P. E. Hall has been an officer of The Iowa Rail Road Land Company since 1871.

THE TOWN LOT COMPANIES

The Blair Town Lot and Land Company was organized in June, 1871, and took over the unsold town lots and purchased lands along the line of the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River Railroad, and also the avails from previous sales. It was consolidated with The Iowa Rail Road Land Company in 1888.

The Sioux City and Iowa Falls Town Lot and Land Company, organized in 1871 to dispose of the town lots and purchased lands along the Iowa Falls and Sioux City railroad between Iowa Falls and Sioux City, was consolidated with The Iowa Rail Road Land Company in 1888.

The Elkhorn Land and Town Lot Company was organized under the laws of the state of Nebraska in February, 1871. There was conveyed to this company the land grant made to the Fremont, Elkhorn and Missouri Valley road, also the purchased lands and town lots at the several stations between Fremont and Wisner. This company was consolidated with The Iowa Rail Road Land Company in 1899.

The capital stock of these three companies was issued pro rata to the stockholders of the respective railroad companies along the lines of which these town lot companies respectively operated.

The Missouri Valley Land Company was organized in May, 1875, and purchased for cash the remaining unsold portion of the land grant of the Sioux City and Pacific Railroad Company, as well as the unsold town lots and purchased lands belonging to that company. This company was consolidated with The Iowa Rail Road Land Company on May 3, 1901.

THE MOINGONA COAL COMPANY

When the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River Railroad was extended west from Boone there was purchased for account of the stockholders of that company certain timber and coal lands at and near Moingona—where the line of railroad crosses the Des Moines river. The Moingona Coal Company was organized in June, 1866. These coal and timber lands were conveyed to that company, and its shares of capital stock ultimately allotted pro rata to those stockholders in the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River Railroad, who had furnished the money for the construction of the line west of Boone—known as the third division of the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River Railroad. The town of Moingona was platted and put upon the market and coal mines opened at that point, which mines were operated continuously for about twenty years. In 1899 mining operations had ceased and the personal property of the coal company having been closed out, the remaining real estate was turned over to The Iowa Rail Road Land Company.

The aggregate sales up to 1910 made by these railroads, land and town lot companies and this coal company, including land grant lands, purchased lands, and town lots, amount to sixteen million, six hundred and sixteen thousand dollars. The taxes paid by said companies on said real estate while held by them amount to two million, seven hundred and forty-seven thousand dollars.

For many years it has been fashionable for magazine writers and a certain class of politicians to severely criticise and condemn the public men of that day for their action in making land grants to railroad companies. The members of congress have been characterized as imbecile and corrupt, and the recipients of land grants denounced as thieves and robbers. While it is quite probable that in some cases sufficient care was not exercised, and that such grants sometimes have been a little too liberal, looking at the situation as it was in those days and the subsequent results, there can be no doubt whatever that the policy was a sound one and the action of congress in most of the cases exactly right.

A large portion of what is now known as "the middle west" then consisted of vast unbroken stretches of prairie land, impossible of settlement because of the want of timber for fuel and building purposes. This territory could not support a population until transportation facilities were provided for carrying in the necessary lumber, fuel, and supplies, and carrying away the agricultural products as the land should become cultivated. The price of the land at private entry was then $1.25 per acre. The government gave half of the lands within the land grant limits to the railroads and immediately advanced the price on the even sections to $2.50 per acre, not only getting the same amount of money for the same acreage, but making sales of the government land much more rapidly.

SCENE AT TROY MILLS

MILL AND DAM, COGGON

Soon after the first of these grants was made it became the policy of the government to give away its public lands to actual settlers. Until the railroads were built through these vast bodies of vacant lands it had not been possible for the United States to even give away its lands, but after the construction of such roads the whole of this vast territory was in a few years occupied by actual settlers. This settlement and the growth in population and wealth resulting therefrom have more than any one thing contributed to the present greatness of this United States.

The land grant railroads taken as a whole have not been a source of much profit to the original stock and bond holders. In many cases the companies have been forced into extensive and costly litigation to protect their rights; taxing authorities—both county and state—have regarded these land grant companies as legitimate prey. The fact that these several lines of road were built in advance of settlement and civilization in almost every instance, made the first earnings of the roads insufficient to pay interest on bonds issued for construction, let alone dividends to stockholders, so that quite often a large portion of the avails of the sales of these lands had to be used to pay interest on the bonds.

A majority of the land grant railroads have gone through reorganization and foreclosure, some of them several times. In the cases where there has been a profit to the original investors, it has been no greater than it ought to have been considering the risks run.

CHAPTER XXVI

Some of the Old Cemeteries

The father of Osgood Shepherd, who died in the summer of 1839, was interred at the top of the hill above the tracks on A avenue in Cedar Rapids where the Cedar Rapids Candy Company has erected a building. During the excavation several other graves were found, but it is not known who were buried there.

Another cemetery where a number of old settlers were buried was on Fifth avenue and Eighth street where W. W. Higley later settled; these bodies were removed when Oak Hill Cemetery was laid out. At Linwood burials were made at an early date. One of the first cemeteries was known as Craig's cemetery on section 7 in Franklin township about three miles west of Mt. Vernon. Elias Doty was buried here in 1841 and James Doty in 1847. Members of the Craig family and many others of the first settlers were also buried here. This cemetery is not now kept up and it is not even surrounded by a fence.

Campbell's cemetery was set off by Samuel Campbell, who donated an acre for cemetery purposes. Here Samuel Craig was buried in 1840, members of the Oxley family, the Hunter family, and of the John Paul family, also of the Smith, Berry, Snyder, Blaine, and Darr families, names familiar to all who have a knowledge of early Linn county history.

The Rogers cemetery, laid out by old Dan Rogers, is on the west side of the river near Ivanhoe. Here, also, are buried many of the first settlers who lived on the west side of the river.

A little to the north of Cedar Rapids near the Illinois Central track the relic hunter can find some ruins of what is known as "McCloud's Run." Only a few crumbling ruins remain of what used to be an old mill known to all the old settlers in the county. Through this picturesque valley runs a winding brook known as "Cold Stream," a beautiful rivulet whose clear transparent water plays sonorous music as it runs swiftly over the pebbles as if hastening to join its forces with the Cedar. The surrounding hills have in a good measure been shorn of their beauty by cutting down the timber, and now only the naked clay hills remain, offering a poor pasture for cattle. West of this stream on top of the hill overlooking the city can be found a few broken headstones and some mounds, but no flowers and no evergreens can be seen, not even a fence of any kind, for this little space, like all the surrounding hills, is given up to the pasturing of cattle. There in the vicinity of the city are more than ninety mounds showing that Linn county was from the earliest time a fit abode for man. Who these first settlers were we do not know; they have left us no other relics but these mounds; their funeral pyres and a few carvings indicate that they were Sun and Star worshippers, but whether they belonged to our Indian race has never been ascertained; however, the mound builder serves as a chain in man's existence.

On the top of this hill is located the family cemetery of the McCloud family. John McCloud came here in 1838, and for a number of years was one of the prominent men of this county. From an examination of the small marble slabs thrown about in confusion, scratched by the hand of vandals, are to be found the following inscriptions: "Departed this life June 6, 1846, Hester, consort of John Vardy, age 37 years; in life beloved; in death lamented." "Angelia, died August 30, 1852." "Grant, died March 29, 1852." "Alpheus, died December 28, 1861." "Eliza Jane, died January 11, 1862." "Ester Ann, died January 11, 1861, 15 years." All were children of John G. and J. McCloud. "John McCloud, died November 10, 1863, age 61 years 7 months and 29 days."

Mrs. John Vardy died in 1846 and was buried in this cemetery. Many of these places are neglected, and weeds grow in profusion and the head stones are marred and weather beaten so that the names, dates and deaths of many pioneer men and women have been effaced. This is the history of many neglected burial places in various parts of this county.

Owners of land on which these small places are located think more of their value for corn lands than they do as places for a cemetery, and in many localities these cemeteries have been changed into pastures and corn fields and not even a headstone can be found to tell where some dear father or mother was buried in the long ago.

The Egyptians, Jews, Greeks, and Romans all protected the burial places of their dead, and after a lapse of 2,000 years we can still go back and find something as to how the dead were cared for, and the very place in which they were buried venerated by succeeding generations, while out here in Iowa after a lapse of only half a century many of these places have been neglected and ignored and now some descendant returning to the home of his fathers may be unable to find any trace of where they were buried. Certainly some protection should be offered by the county or the state so that these sacred places may be preserved and the memory of the old settlers duly honored for what they accomplished during the pioneer days in Linn county.

Spring Grove cemetery, near Palo, is one of the oldest cemeteries west of the river. Many of the early settlers have been interred in this lot.

A few of them are: Dyer and Hiram Usher, Charles Dickey, John Garrison, Peter Davis Burt, Thomas Spencer, George Mathew, J. Z. Drake, Caldwells, the Rawson and Tweed families, F. Klumph, Mrs. Dyer Usher, and many others.

Dyer Usher as well as the other members of the Usher families was always friendly with the Indians and in return shared the good will of the various Indian tribes. In an early day one of the chieftains died and was buried in the cemetery lot of the whites according to the Indian customs. This brave was interred with bows and arrows as well as with the dead carcass of a horse or Indian pony. Here the Indian brave has slept for many moons, ready at the final day to join the good Indians on a fleet charger for the happy hunting ground in the by and by.

In the Wilcox cemetery, near Viola, Edward M. Crow and his two wives, many old pioneers as well as old soldiers are laid to rest.

Shiloh cemetery, in Rapids township, has been the burial place for many years of the old settlers in that part of the township.

Scotch Grove cemetery, near Fairfax, has also been used for many years and here are interred most of the old settlers who died in that part of the county.

The Marion cemetery, the Lisbon cemetery, the Center Point cemetery, where is interred a Revolutionary soldier, as well as the Oak Hill cemetery in Cedar Rapids are all places where a large number of the old settlers have been buried during the past fifty years.

The town cemeteries seem to be kept up while the country cemeteries are neglected.

CHAPTER XXVII

Early Experiences in Stage and Express

One way to learn of the history of a city is by studying its developments and the men who were its leaders in progressive enterprises and in things political. It is another phase of the matter, none the less important, to study the lives of the men who did the persistent everyday work three hundred and sixty-five days in the year and sometimes, it seemed, almost twenty-four hours in a day. Cedar Rapids was fortunate in having a large number of both classes of these pioneers.

Among the latter class who worked steadily and everlastingly from the time Cedar Rapids was a straggling little village to a city of its present size and who aided materially in its upbuilding is W. Fred Reiner, in the early fifties a stage driver out of this city, and for many years after a messenger of the American Express company. It may be safe to assume that Mr. Reiner handled as much money and bullion in pioneer days as did any man in Linn county. His experiences were common to the stage driver and express messenger of the early day. How he overcame one difficulty after another, escaped highwaymen, pulled himself out of mud-holes, etc., as he interestingly relates, is what was the life of the real pioneer of the early fifties and sixties. The events which are most vivid in Mr. Reiner's mind are those which occurred after he became an express messenger for the American Express company.

We are indebted to the Republican for the following interesting account of the experiences of Mr. Reiner in the stage and express business:

It is fifty-three years since Mr. Reiner, at the age of eighteen, left his home in Germany to risk his future in America. Coming west, he settled for one year at Columbus, Ohio, then pushing still farther west, he came to Iowa City in 1854. Here for a little while he did teaming and other work, then began driving stage between Marengo and Iowa City. Soon he was driving for the Western Stage Company. In 1857, while in the employ of his company, he drove the first stage from Calamus, near Dewitt, at that time the terminus of the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad, to this city. It was while on this route running to Calamus that Mr. Reiner first became acquainted with Conductor Holten, now of Des Moines, and well known all over Iowa as the oldest conductor in the employ of the Chicago and Northwestern.

After working in this capacity for a while Mr. Reiner returned to Cedar county and took up farming. Soon coming back to Iowa City, he went to the stage company's office and was immediately given a stage between that place and Cedar Rapids.

One day while on his route he met at Solon the proprietor of the stage company coming from Iowa City with a four-horse stage. The new stage drew up along where Mr. Reiner was, and the proprietor called, "Fred, I want you and your team." Wondering what was going to happen, Mr. Reiner immediately unhitched his horses, and the driver of the leadhorses on the other stage had also unhitched his. Mr. Reiner's team was put on as the leadhorses, and he was told to get on the stage. While coming on into this city the proprietor informed him that he was to run the new stage from this city to Springville, at that time the end of the Dubuque and Southwestern railroad.

HIGH SCHOOL, CENTRAL CITY

BRIDGE OVER WAPSIE AT CENTRAL CITY

As the railroad was pushed nearer and nearer Marion, the stage route became shorter and shorter, until it was finally between Cedar Rapids and the county seat. It was while driving between this city and Marion that he began to carry express, and that in an unusual way. One of the express messengers who ran into the county seat and whose home was at that place, had to accompany the express down to this city each night on the stage. There being no return stage until morning, he was compelled to spend the night in Cedar Rapids. He would very often ask Mr. Reiner to take charge of the express at Marion and bring it to this city. The express messenger was Dr. J. M. Ristine of this city, now one of the best known physicians in the state.

One day Supt. Thomas Adams, of the American Express company, was at Marion. He opened a conversation with Mr. Reiner in the course of which he asked him if he would be willing to take a position as express messenger on the western end of the Northwestern, at that time nearing the city of Boone. Mr. Reiner took the matter under advisement, and later accepted the position.

Going to Boone, Mr. Reiner was given the first express route from that city through to Omaha. With the railroad stopping at Boone, and nothing more than a mere trail to follow, with a few stopping places, this route on to the Nebraska city was everything but pleasant. Nevertheless Mr. Reiner took hold of the work, and on November 7, 1865, after forty-eight hours of almost continuous riding, he carried the first express ever hauled by the American Express company into the city of Omaha.

Early in the morning of the last day a stop had been made at Council Bluffs for breakfast, and when Mr. Reiner was ready to continue the regular stage had gone. The local agent hustled around and found a carriage which he turned over to Mr. Reiner, so that the first express which the American Express ever took into Omaha did not go by stage, but by carriage.

There was nothing delicate or easy in the route assigned to the new messenger. He left Boone on Tuesday afternoon. The stage, by changing horses at regular intervals, went steadily on during the afternoon and night, and all the next day and night. Early Thursday morning it would pull into Council Bluffs, where a stop for breakfast was made. The trip was then continued to Omaha, which was reached during the forenoon. Leaving Omaha that same afternoon at four o'clock, the return trip was commenced and kept up until Boone was reached at nine o'clock Saturday morning. As Mr. Reiner had previously driven stage he was nearly always found upon the seat with the driver. Thus he was exposed the same as the driver was. Through all kinds of weather, the blizzards of winter and stifling heat of the summer, these trips were made with greatest regularity. Gradually, however, the railroad was worked farther and farther westward, and the stage driver's route shortened accordingly.

During this period of his life Mr. Reiner had many trying and sometimes exciting experiences. Although he is modest about relating them, those which he told a reporter illustrate what the messengers of that period had to contend with.

"I remember one time," said Mr. Reiner, "it was in the spring of the year and the roads were in terrible condition. From Panora to Boone there was one slough after another. We were driving along one night. I was on the box with the driver, when we came to a wide slough. There were tracks where others had driven through, but of course, we could not go across in the same place for fear of cutting through. But the slough looked all right, so we started in a new place. We had got into the center when suddenly the wheels cut through the sod and the stage sank into the water-soaked ground clear up to the axles. The four horses began floundering around in a most dangerous manner. Both the driver and I jumped from our seats down into the mud and water, and as soon as possible unhitched the horses.

"There we were, stuck in the middle of the slough with nine passengers on the inside of the coach, one of them a woman. They, of course, had been aroused by the disturbance, and now called loudly to know what they should do. There was but one thing that could be done, and that was to get out and wade to shore. This they did, one of the gentlemen carrying the woman on his shoulders. They were told that if they would follow the road for three miles they could find lodging for the night. A spring snow was on the ground, and the air was cold, but they started on their way. The driver, capturing one of the horses, jumped on it and rode for help.

"I was left there alone. In the stage coach was my express containing some very valuable property which I did not dare to leave under any circumstances. There was but one thing for me to do, and that was to wade back to the stage coach and climb in and stay there until help should arrive. This I did. I wrapped myself in my buffalo robe which was the best I could do, but it was far from comfortable.

"In the morning help came and we were pulled out of the mud hole. A fresh set of horses was hitched to the stage and we were soon at the next stop. Here we met all the passengers. They had had good beds to sleep in and warm breakfasts, so were anxious to be off. I hastily swallowed a cup of coffee, and still in my wet clothes, climbed up on the box seat, and rode all that day and the next night without a rest. This was but one of the experiences which were familiar to stage drivers and express messengers of that time."

Although during his twenty-five years of service for the American Express company Mr. Reiner never lost a penny which had been placed in his charge, it was not because he did not have his opportunities to do so.

"There was one experience," he remarked, "that I remember well, and which came as near being a hold-up as I ever had. It was the same week that an additional express messenger had been put on the route between Boone and Omaha, and our routes had been altered accordingly. The stage left Boone on a Monday afternoon and was in the neighborhood of Denison. It was a bright night and the horses were jogging along at a good gait.

"Suddenly ahead the driver saw two men crouched by the roadside. As we drew near they both sprang out into the road and began firing at us rapidly. One of the first shots struck and killed the rear horse on the left hand side. The other three animals sprang forward with such force that they fairly jerked the harness off from the animal which had been shot. They circled to the right and the wheels of the coach ran over the fallen animal. The animals continued their circling until they completely reversed the coach, then they turned and ran down the road along which we had just come. It was always believed that the highwaymen did not know of this change, and thought the stage carried express as before. But the fact was I had left Boone on Monday instead of Tuesday.

"The driver, according to the story he told me afterwards, was cussed most roundly for not stopping the team, but he insisted that the shooting the robbers had done so frightened the horses that they had become unmanageable. Although the highwaymen were far from satisfied with the explanation they made the best of a bad matter, and began to search the driver to see what they could find. He gave them his pocketbook, which, he said, contained forty dollars. That, by the way, is more money than I ever saw him have at one time, and considerably more than stage drivers usually carried. The hold-up men took the money and gave the pocketbook back to him, as it contained some papers he wished to save and which were of no value to the robbers.

"Soon after this incident, while going over my route one cold night the driver stopped the team and called to me. I sat in a seat on the inside with my revolvers lying beside me. Getting out of the door, the driver told me there was a man crouched down in the road ahead of us. We were out on the prairie some miles from a station. I went forward, with no feeling of pleasure, to investigate. The man came forward also and I recognized him as a fellow who had been lying around one of the stations for several days. I asked him what he wanted and he replied that he wished to get in and ride for a ways. Although the night was cold I could not let him in for fear that he had companions farther up the road and was only getting inside to get the lay of the land. The express was unusually valuable that night. The fellow ran along behind the coach for some time, but the horses gradually outdistanced him, and that was the last we ever saw of him."

After the completion of the railroad, Mr. Reiner was given a position as express messenger on one of the trains. "Many times," said the veteran express messenger, "I have literally had the car floor paved with gold and silver, over which I walked in doing my work. We had carried lots of gold and silver bars east from Virginia City, in Nevada. In order that, the weight should be evenly distributed the bars were spread like paving bricks all over the car floor. The following description, written by a reporter from one of the Council Bluffs papers while Mr. Reiner was yet at Boone, gives a description of the work of carrying the bullion:

"While viewing the scenes at the transfer yesterday afternoon, we boarded W. F. Reiner's Northwestern express car and beheld a scene that caused our hump of inquisitiveness to jump. Mr. Reiner is a messenger of the American Merchants Union Express company, and will have served in his present position and on his present route seven years in November next. He lives in Boone. On the floor of his car were sixty-seven gold and silver bricks. That is, each brick was composed of gold and silver in compound. In some of them, silver predominated—in value. They resemble silver almost entirely in color. They are of somewhat irregular sizes, though nearly every one of them weighs more than one hundred pounds. Some of them were much more refined than the others. The amount of gold and silver in each one is stamped on the face or top, in different lines, and the total value of the brick is added in a third line. The value of each metal is marked, even to a cent. How those values can be so accurately determined in a compound brick is beyond our knowledge. Fifty-seven of those bricks which we yesterday saw, were worth $101,950.80. The remaining eleven were worth $15,077.57. They were mostly from Virginia City and are being taken to New York. Mr. Reiner informed us also that these bricks are carried only by the Northwestern and Rock Island roads. On some days he has had as many as 160 of them in his car. They are taken east nearly every day."

For ten years Mr. Reiner lived in Boone, then a redivision of the road brought him back to this city. For the next fifteen years he continued to run out of this city and do active service. Thirteen years ago the terrible strain he had undergone in the earlier years of service for the company began to tell upon him and he broke down in health. Then, if a private company ever did a good and wise thing, the American Express company did it. They said they realized the value that Mr. Reiner had been to them when they were getting established in Iowa and running their route through to Omaha, and they would not forget his efficient services now that he was getting old.

CHAPTER XXVIII

Linn County Libraries

THE IOWA MASONIC LIBRARY

BY HELEN R. DONNAN

The Iowa Masonic Library, "unique in idea and unapproachable in scope," is an institution of which Cedar Rapids is proud, and to which the Masons of Iowa point as a satisfactory answer to those who would question the purposes of the fraternity.

As early as 1844 the late T. S. Parvin, grand secretary and librarian of the Grand Lodge of Iowa, A. F. & A. M., from its organization until his death in 1901, began the collection of books which today is world famous. With rare discernment and infinite patience this vast wealth of treasures has been gathered together and placed at the disposal of all students.

The library, for years housed at Muscatine, later in the Burtis Opera House at Davenport, was removed to Iowa City in the year 1867, where it remained in rooms rented for that purpose until 1883 when it had so far outgrown its quarters that a new and more permanent home was needed. At the annual session of 1883, the Grand Lodge set aside $20,000.00 for a fireproof building, and, the citizens of Cedar Rapids having offered to donate a lot and $10,000.00, it was decided to build in that city. The site selected was ideal, fronting on one of the most beautiful avenues, in the residence district, yet within a few blocks of the business portion of the city. The front of the building, which is of red pressed brick trimmed with sandstone, consists of two stories and an attic, while the rear part is two stories, and under all is a basement, well lighted and ventilated by a wide area-way. Surrounded by a well kept lawn and beautiful shade trees, it presents a very attractive appearance.

So rapidly did the library grow that in 1901 the trustees were authorized to purchase the adjoining corner lot on which was a fine brick residence. This has since been used as a general reference library and reading room, known as the Annex. Both buildings have recently been improved and re-decorated until today one entering either one finds "a place of quiet and beauty, where sightseeing is a delight, and study an absolute pleasure." On the right of the main entrance is the Grand Master's room, furnished in dark and massive oak, thoroughly in keeping with the dignity of the fraternity. On the left, a lighter treatment in decoration and the mahogany furniture make the reception room a delightful apartment in which the friends gather and are made welcome. The fireproof doors at the end of the entrance hall open into the library proper, filled with book cases on every side, and in the center of the room are large glass cases containing thousands of rare and interesting curios. The upper floor of this hall is a gallery guarded by an iron railing and lighted by the skylight above. This, too, is filled to overflowing with books and display cases. On the walls of both rooms hang pictures of the long line of Grand Masters who have ruled the craft in Iowa from 1844 to the present time.

T. S. PARVIN
Long Grand Secretary Iowa Masons

The leading feature of this library is naturally the Masonic department. Here in cases adorned with meaning symbols are to be found all the standard works of the fraternity and those which later scholarship has contributed to the history, philosophy and ceremonial of Masonry, together with the proceedings of all Grand Lodges, Chapters, Commanderies, Councils, Shrines, Chapters of the Order of Eastern Star, and all Masonic organizations of the world. This department also contains the constitutions, by-laws, monitors, and rituals of all Masonic bodies, both American and foreign. Masonic periodicals and magazines from all parts of the globe are on the shelves in perhaps more complete sets than can be found in any other library. Many rare and costly works have been added, some few of which are unique, no other copy being known to exist.

The early history of Freemasonry shows traces of the influence of other secret societies, and it in turn has influenced almost every other secret organization. A Masonic library would therefore be incomplete without the history, literature and ceremonies of these associations. This semi-Masonic department includes all works bearing upon the secret societies of the American revolution, the early secret societies of the middle ages and France, works pertaining to the history of the Nestorians, Dervishes, Thugs, Druids, Rosicrucians, the Guilds, etc.

As Masonry is closely linked with art, archaeology, mythology, and religion, a large collection of this class of material finds place in the general reference library, now housed in the Annex. The French and German books, comprising some four thousand volumes, the government publications, and a large number of proceedings have been removed to the basement, while the attic is crowded with duplicate proceedings, magazines, and pamphlets without number.

Another interesting feature is the Iowa department containing works by Iowa authors, as well as all works pertaining to the history of the state.

In order to make this collection of the greatest possible benefit to its patrons, it has been classified and a card catalog of the books has been made in accordance with approved library methods.

For the casual visitor the principal attraction is the museum, which contains archaeological, mineralogical, and geological specimens from all parts of the country. Here the relics of ancient American races and tribes give evidence of prehistoric culture, while the ruder implements, weapons and pottery of the aborigines make a notable collection. One large case contains only weapons of warfare; another is filled with Iowa birds. An unusual collection is the one of shoes from China, Japan, India, Burma, Siam, and several other foreign lands. The case of colonial relics is especially interesting to older visitors. The book lover finds the case devoted to rare and beautifully bound books the supreme attraction, while the small boy enjoys the stamp collection, the post card display, the birds, and the "freaks" of nature exhibited here. Masonic badges, medals, coins, old diplomas, charters, manuscripts, aprons, and other old lodge paraphernalia are artistically displayed in the various glass cases. Scattered throughout both buildings are many pictures, fine art pieces in bronze, bisque, and marble, antique vases, jars, pitchers, and various pieces of modern pottery, all donated by friends of the library.

In the autograph letter department are three large double cases each having one hundred and forty glass covered drawers devoted exclusively to this material. Here may be found the signatures of noted literary men, the presidents of the United States, governors of Iowa, and others prominently identified with the history of the state as well as noted men of the fraternity.

In 1901, upon the death of T. S. Parvin, the founder of the institution, his son, Newton R. Parvin, was elected Grand Secretary and librarian. He is peculiarly fitted for this responsible position, having served as deputy to his father for twenty-five years, and, like his father, is giving to the building up of this splendid library the "enthusiasm and energy of a single-purposed life."

N. R. Parvin being Grand Secretary as well as librarian, the headquarters of the Grand Lodge are in the library building, and in the three splendidly equipped vaults are stored many valuable papers and records. A card index giving the record of every member in the state has recently been completed and placed in one of the vaults.

The entire expense of maintaining the library is met by an annual tax of ten cents for each member in the state. All expenditures are under the supervision of a board of three trustees appointed by the Grand Master for a term of six years. Those composing the present board are W. S. Gardner of Clinton, W. L. Eaton of Osage, and Crom Bowen of Des Moines.

FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY OF CEDAR RAPIDS

BY JOANNA HAGEY

The people of Cedar Rapids had felt the need of a public library. In the seventies a subscription library was founded but it was forced to discontinue from lack of funds and the books were given to the Y. M. C. A. The City Federation of Ladies' Literary Clubs, and especially the president, Mrs. C. D. Van Vechten, should be given the credit for creating a sentiment that resulted in a vote of the people on March 2, 1896, to establish a library.

The council appointed a library board in June. In October the first tax levy was made, and they began the formation and organization of the new library which was opened to the public January 15, 1897, in rooms in the Granby block.

The work prospered and the patronage increased so that additional space was needed, and in 1900 the library was moved to the Dows Auditorium.

Again larger quarters were demanded and it was deemed best for the city to own the library building. Mr. Andrew Carnegie generously gave $75,000, which was used for the erection of the beautiful and commodious building on the corner of Fifth street and Third avenue. The new building was dedicated June 23, 1905.

Some idea of the growth of the library can be gained from the following comparisons: When the library was opened there were 1,325 volumes on the shelves. December 31, 1909, there were 19,505 volumes; 29,730 books were circulated the first year, and 94,078 books last year; the receipts the first year were $4,471.52; last year they amounted to $11,049.14.

Mrs. C D. Van Vechten, Mrs. Charles A. Clark, Mrs. N. M. Hubbard, Sr., Miss Emma J. Fordyce, F. F. Dawley, A. T. Cooper, V. A. Jung, L. W. Anderson, and Luther A. Brewer constituted the first board of trustees. The following are the present board: Mrs. Mary Ziek Andre, Mrs. Kate Terry Loomis, Miss Emma J. Fordyce, Miss Elizabeth Cock, B. L. Wick, L. W. Anderson, Frank Filip, C. M. Doan, and Sandford Kerr. Others who have served as trustees are: Miss Meta Aussieker, Mrs. Ida M. Ballheim, Mrs. Channie J. Redmond, H. H. Troy, Joseph Mekota, John Vosmek, J. M. Terry, J. T. Hamilton, W. I. Endicott, Jomes A. Molony, Robert Palmer, John W. Barry, and Theodore Schauwecker.

Miss Virginia Dodge was librarian from 1896-1899, Miss Harriet L. McCrory from 1899-1903, and Miss Harriet A. Wood from 1903-1910. The present librarian is Miss E. Joanna Hagey.

COE COLLEGE LIBRARY

Coe College at an early date owned a well selected text-book library. It was generally conducted by one of the students. Many donations have been made, mostly by men connected with the Presbyterian ministry. The large library of Rev. James Knox was one of the early additions made. Later the Rev. George R. Carroll presented his valuable collection of books to the college. Many valuable books have been donated from time to time by members of the faculty, by students, and persons interested in the growth of the college.

Miss Ida Dodd and Miss Cornelia Shelley served as librarians for some years. Miss Mary Irene Amidon, by the assistance of several helpers, has placed the library on a sound basis by a system of cataloguing which before had been neglected.

COLLEGE AND PUBLIC LIBRARY, MOUNT VERNON

No definite data can be given for the beginning of the library at Mount Vernon, though in the catalogue of the Iowa Conference Seminary for 1855 the statement is made that "a small but good selection of books has been procured to which students will have access." There seems to have been a hesitancy about giving any number of volumes, till in the catalogue of 1864-5 we read that "the college library has about 600 volumes."

From this early beginning the library very gradually grew in strength and helpfulness under the direction of various members of the college faculty. The professors who served as librarians were: S. N. Fellows, 1857-60, A. Collin, 1860-70, H. H. Freer, 1870-73, S. N. Williams, 1873-91, W. C. Webster, 1891-93.

In 1891 Miss May L. Fairbanks was appointed assistant librarian, and in 1893 she was elected librarian, which position she still holds.

A gift of $50,000 was obtained from Andrew Carnegie for a library building for the town and college. In June, 1904, the corner stone of the new building was laid, and in August, 1905, the college library, consisting of 25,548 volumes, was moved into the new building.

December 1, 1905, the library board of trustees was formally organized with Dr. James E. Harlan as president. Prof. W. H. Norton, Col. H. H. Rood, E. B. Willix, W. E. Platner, Prof. H. M. Kelly, Dr. A. Crawford, A. A. Bauman, J. B. Leigh.

There has been no change in the library board. The annual income is $5,000.

The library now consists of 33,900 volumes and many hundred pamphlets that have not been numbered. The administration of the library resembles that of a college more than a public library, and no list of borrowers is kept.

MARION FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Marion free public library dates from 1903. Miss Adaliza Daniels first began her work as early as 1902, to agitate for a Carnegie library. She and Mrs. C. N. Owen then began to solicit funds for a building site and collected $3,775 for that purpose. The first board consisted of the following: Messrs. Alderman, Alexander, Bowman, Treat, Mrs. Dobson, Mrs. Busby, Mrs. Owen, Miss Tyler, and Miss Daniels. The present board consists of J. W. Bowman, president, Dr. J. Morehead, vice-president, Mrs. C. N. Owen, secretary, Mr. Wood, Miss Marshall, Mrs. B. C. Busby, Mrs. Millen, and Mrs. Parkhurst.

The income of the library has varied from $1,100 to $1,350. There are 800 card holders and more than 3,550 volumes in the library. The librarians have been Miss Mary Parkhurst and Miss Mabel Alexander.

THE BOHEMIAN READING SOCIETY

The Bohemian Reading Society was organized November 22, 1868, at Cedar Rapids, and some of the charter members who are still living are: Anthony Soukup, Frank Soukup, John Pichner, and John Safranek.

Many of the pioneer settlers contributed from time to time largely of their means for the purchase of Bohemian books and tried to inculcate in their children a desire for the reading of books printed in their own tongue. Many foreign newspapers and magazines were also taken in order to keep up with the times and to create in the minds of the young a love of the land of their fathers.

The average number of books loaned has been about 3,000 volumes a year. The library being open to the members at stated times, much reading is done in the library building, where a librarian is in charge. The number of bound books for circulation has been from 2,000 to 2,500 volumes. The expense of running the library outside of room rent, heat, etc., has been from $200 to $300. Many donations of books and magazines are constantly being made.

A few of the librarians have been the following named persons: Mrs. Kabasa, Neibert and Stolba, Frank Kurka. The present librarian has served continuously for the past sixteen years.

WEST ROWLEY STREET, WALKER

MAIN STREET, PRAIRIEBURG

CHAPTER XXIX

Wages and Prices in the County from 1846 to 1856

During the decade from 1846 to 1856 land was very cheap in Linn county, and everything else was in proportion. Wages were low, and what the farmer raised on his premises he could find no market for, and, consequently, outside of wheat it was pretty much worthless. The panic of 1857 was a severe one in the county, and many of the bankers and business people met with severe reverses from which some never recovered. No one had any foreboding of the financial storm and all were caught short to such an extent that they lost nearly everything, even their homes which had been mortgaged. Many a business man with good credit, possessed of considerable means, became swamped in the crash. It mattered not what a man had in property, if it was not in gold it had no price, and there was no market for anything except on a cash basis.

From N. B. Brown's account book we glean the following as to prices for eatables in Cedar Rapids in 1846: Beef, 2-1/2c per pound, flour, 2c per pound (1-1/2c in 1847), beans, 75c per bushel, veal, 3c per pound, coffee, 14c per pound, sugar, 16-1/2c per pound, tea, $1.25 per pound, wheat 37-1/2c per bushel, corn meal, 25c per bushel, buckwheat flour, 1-1/4c per pound. This interesting book is in the possession of Emery Brown, one of the sons.

During the decade mentioned a horse sold at from fifty to sixty dollars, and a yoke of oxen could be had for the price of one good horse. As many of the pioneer farmers had not the means to purchase a team of horses, they did the next best thing and invested in a yoke of oxen and thus managed to get along and weather the storm. A good wagon with spring seat cost from one hundred to one hundred and twenty-five dollars, and a log chain from two dollars and a half to five dollars. Ordinary stirring plows sold at from ten to fifteen dollars. Mowers and reapers were not common in those days, the scythe and the cradle being the tools with which the young boy earned some of his first spending money. It was surprising how much hay and grain a good farm hand could cut in a season in this way.

The people dealt in log houses in those days like we do in second hand furniture today. These houses were bought and sold at from fifty to seventy-five dollars each and moved at leisure in the winter time from one part of the township to another; at times a log house was moved from ten to fifteen miles and everyone chipped in and helped to move. A jug of whiskey, some hot coffee, and a good dinner were all they expected in the way of remuneration for their labor. The young folks at times insisted on a free for all dance and a free fiddler for the assistance they had rendered in moving and fixing up the house. If the young married couple who were to occupy the house did not dance or believe in dancing, a party or two were given, ending up with a midnight supper.

While the prices of government land was one dollar and twenty-five cents an acre, the speculator land generally sold at from five to ten dollars and as high as twelve dollars and fifty cents an acre. Wages were very low, from fifty to seventy-five cents a day being the average price paid a good farm hand. In town a person generally received from seventy-five cents to a dollar a day and then boarded himself.

Oats sold at fifteen cents a bushel, corn at ten cents, wheat at from forty-five to sixty cents. Hogs sold at one dollar and fifty cents a hundred. Potatoes were considered high at ten cents a bushel, while quail sold at thirty cents a dozen. Butter brought from five to six cents a pound, and eggs six to eight cents a dozen.

While prices for farm products were quite low the prices paid for the necessaries of life were high on account of lack of transportation facilities. Coffee sold at ten cents a pound, sugar at from eleven to twelve cents, tea retailed at eighty-five cents. Calico sold at forty cents a yard—and a poor quality at that. Salt in the early days sold at ten dollars a barrel, the price coming down in Cedar Rapids to five dollars when W. B. Mack brought his first cargo of salt by steamer from Ohio to Cedar Rapids.

Nearly all worked on shares, land was rented on shares, grist mills operated on shares, as well as saw mills. Masons and carpenters had to take their wages out frequently in form of property, and, while they were hard up and needed the money, this property in time made many of them wealthy men by their retaining what had been turned over to them in the form of wages. Old Thomas McGregor relates how he worked for a contractor by the name of Robinson and was offered lots where the mills of the Quaker Oats Company now stand at ten dollars a lot to apply on his wages, and when the writer inquired why he did not take these lots he replied: "My wages were seventy-five cents a day, on which I had to keep a wife and children, and they were more to me than corner lots." Old James Cleghorn worked for the Greene Bros. in the saw mill and was offered corner lots, and finally obtained in trade a forty acre tract of land in Scotch Grove for his summer's work. Old Elias Skinner, the well known Methodist preacher, in the early fifties traded a team, harness and wagon for a forty acre tract on what is now the location of the town of Norway, and at the time thought that the man who got the team had the best of the bargain, as there was no market for land and no income from it, while with a team of horses a man could make something and always could trade it for something else if he wanted to. Money was a scarce article in those days, while labor was cheap and the days were long. It was generally work from sun up to sun down and sometimes until way after dark, and no one was heard to complain, because if a person did complain there were always plenty of others willing to take the place of the man who wanted to quit.

There were not many varieties of food in the good old days, but the people were healthy, they worked hard and everything tasted good. The ordinary dishes were Indian corn, corn bread, hominy, corn dodgers, bacon, venison, and prairie chickens. The cooking was done by an open fireplace, stoves in those days being few. Rye coffee was used frequently instead of the ordinary coffee and tasted good after a long day's hard labor in the timber. Many a thrifty housewife worked for weeks to dry corn in the fall of the year, as well as to dry apples; hominy was also made at home. All these delicacies—so-called—tasted good during the winter months and no one was known to be afflicted with ptomaine poisoning.

Before the days of grist mills coffee mills were used for the grinding of corn and wheat. In some instances a few of the early settlers used the Indian stones, turned by hand; later horse mills were erected, which the early settlers thought were great inventions. These mills consisted merely of an enclosure of logs with a large wheel in the middle around which a leather belt was placed, which was also attached to a smaller wheel which turned the mill stones and ground the corn. The pioneers would come several miles to such a mill and sometimes had to wait a day or more in order to get their grist ground. They would help run the mill, would sleep in the wagon at night and live on parched corn on the trip; if a cup of coffee could be obtained at the stopping place the settler would be more than gratified.

While the settlers raised almost all their provisions, they also made most of what they had to wear. In a very cheap sort of a way they tanned their own leather and made their own shoes; in short, relied on their own ingenuity for nearly all the comforts of life.

The women folks were as handy as the men, if not more so, for they were all spinsters, dressmakers and tailors; they made the blue hunting shirts with fringes, adorned the buckskin belt which was worn around the waist, and also cut out the tight fitting cotton blouses worn by the boys, and even made moccasins and a coarse kind of brogan shoes. They were furriers as well, for they made some excellent fitting wolf skin caps for the men and some neat looking gingham bonnets, well starched, for themselves. While the shoes were at times heavy and ill fitting, they were only worn on Sundays and during the winter, for as soon as spring came nearly everyone went barefoot, about the house at least, for the sake of economy as well as for comfort.

During these pioneer years in the forties and fifties our ancestors did not have an easy time of it by any means. They endured the hardships of pioneer life and were subject to fevers, as well as homesickness, and frequently during the winter months they were exposed to the severity of the early Iowa winters when the log houses were both small and uncomfortable, but they were men and women of iron nerve, full of push and energy and perseverance. They had taken up a tedious battle for existence out on the barren prairies of Iowa, far away from home and kindred, and, at times, surrounded by wild frontiersmen, freebooters and ruffians who were making a last stand in these parts of Iowa until the opening up of the vast barren tracts west of the Missouri river. It was not until after the Civil war that the people of Linn county became, so to speak, comfortably well fixed and had some of the comforts which they had so long looked for during the early years.

CHAPTER XXX

Some of the First Things in Cedar Rapids and Linn County

The first log cabin was erected on the site of what became Cedar Rapids, by Osgood Shepherd or Wilbert Stone in 1838. The first frame house was erected by John Vardy in 1842, and the first brick building was erected by Porter W. Earle at the corner of First avenue and Second street in 1844.

P. J. Upton, of the Star Wagon Company, received a carload of freight on the first freight train that ever came to Cedar Rapids; this was in 1859. W. B. Mack received the first cargo of salt on the steamboat "Cedar Rapids" in 1855, bringing down the price of salt from $10.00 to $5.00 a barrel.

The first steamboat company, incorporated for $20,000.00, was organized in 1855, some of the incorporators being Alex. Ely, Dr. S. D. Carpenter, the Greenes, and other business men of Cedar Rapids.

The first grist mill was built by N. B. Brown in 1843. Isaac Cook was the first lawyer locating in Cedar Rapids; John Shearer was the first justice of the peace, and James Lewis was the first constable. The first general store was opened by George and Joseph Greene in 1842. Judge George Greene taught one of the first schools near Ivanhoe in 1839 and 1840. Alexander Ely, George Greene, and N. B. Brown, with others, erected the first school house in 1847 in Cedar Rapids, later selling it to the school district.

Joseph Greene was the first postmaster in Cedar Rapids and carried the mail in his plug hat and distributed the same as he happened to meet the people to whom the letters were addressed.

Dr. S. H. Tryon was the first physician in Linn county. Dr. E. L. Mansfield was one of the first physicians locating in Cedar Rapids, in 1847. H. W. Gray was the first sheriff of Linn county, being appointed by Governor Lucas in 1838. The first county fair was held in October, 1855. The first hotel was built in 1847, called the Union House, James Dyer being landlord; this building was destroyed by fire in 1865.

In 1855 W. D. Watrous, W. W. Smith, and J. J. Snouffer built the steamer "Blackhawk" for the purpose of navigating the Cedar river. It ran between Cedar Rapids and Waterloo for two years. It was later purchased by the government and used for a supply boat on the lower Mississippi. In the '40s and '50s Mississippi steamboats made regular trips to Cedar Rapids. The first railroad reached Cedar Rapids in 1859; it is now known as the Chicago & Northwestern.

The first fire company was organized in Cedar Rapids in 1869. In 1871 the Cedar Rapids Gas Light Company was organized. The first mayor of Cedar Rapids was Martin L. Barber.

The first steam mill in the county was built by J. P. Glass in 1845. The first hand-raking reaper brought into Linn county was by William Ure, of Fairfax township, who hauled it from Chicago by oxen in the summer of 1847.

The first newspaper in Cedar Rapids was the Progressive Era, published in 1851 by D. O. Finch; the first newspaper in Marion was the Prairie Star, published by A. Hoyt in 1852; the first daily newspaper published in Linn county was called the Morning Observer, the first number being issued on September 1, 1870, and edited by Thomas G. Newman and Z. Enos.

MAIN STREET, SPRINGVILLE

QUAKER MEETING HOUSE, WHITTIER

WHITTIER

N. B. Brown erected the first flour mill in 1844; the first woolen mill was erected in 1848. The first judge of probate in the county was Israel Mitchell, appointed in 1838. He was also one of the justices.

The first bridge erected across the Cedar river in Cedar Rapids was in 1856 at what is now Seventh avenue. The oldest settler now living in the county is Robert Ellis, who arrived in 1838.

The first marriage in Linn county was that of Preston Scott and Miss Betsey Martin, which occurred in July, 1839.

The first white male born in Linn county was George Cone, who first saw light at Marion, April 12, 1839.

The first death in the county was that of Mr. Williams, who died January 15, 1839. He was buried in the Campbell cemetery near Bertram. The inscription on his tombstone is yet visible.

The first mill was erected by John S. Oxley in 1842-43 on Big creek. It was later purchased by Jacob Mann.

The first citizen to become naturalized was Peter Garren who, during the October term of court, 1840, as a native of Scotland, renounced all allegiance to the queen of Great Britain.

James E. Bromwell, who came to Linn county in 1839, will always be remembered by the residents of Marion. He helped lay out the county seat. He made the first coffin for the first interment in its cemetery, assisted in the erection of the first residence in the town, as well as in the erection of the first store buildings, besides taking time enough to procure the second marriage license issued in the county for his marriage to Catherine Gray, on August 26, 1841.

Elizabeth Bennett, a native of Syracuse, New York, who had been reared in Canada and married to Edward Crow, November 14, 1839, is supposed to have been the first school teacher in the county. She died in Buffalo township February 5, 1844.

The first white child born within the confines of Linn county was Maria Osborn, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Osborn, and was born in September, 1838. This statement has often been disputed and cannot be proved with certainty.

THE FIRST GRIST MILL

There has been more or less controversy as to the name of the man who erected the first grist mill in Linn county. Marshall Oxley insists that the first mill of this kind was built by John S. Oxley in 1842-43. It was located in the northwest corner of Linn township on Big creek. The material used was grown in the immediate vicinity. The dimension lumber was hewn out of the forest and the roofing was made of clapboard, then the primitive material used by the pioneers in covering their buildings. The machinery was purchased in Davenport and transported by wagon across the prairies. Before the erection of this mill the early settlers were compelled to take their grists to what was known as the Catfish mill near Dubuque. Frequently it required several days to go to the mill and to return home with the flour. Sometimes the good housewives ran short of flour while the meal was being ground. In such cases they would grind a little corn in the coffee mills, mix it with salt and water, cook it, and thank Providence that they lived in a land flowing with hoe cake, milk and honey.

After the mill had been in successful operation some time two well dressed gentlemen called at the home of the owner and asked to be given entertainment for the night. Their request was cheerfully complied with. Next morning they strolled down to the mill and looked it over. After they had been hospitably entertained and were about to depart they represented that one was a patentee and the other a lawyer and that the owner was using an infringement on their patent. They told him that if he did not pay them forty dollars they would prosecute him to the full extent of the law. He paid them the sum asked but remarked afterwards that he guessed he should have given them a charge of shot.

The mill was operated in successful manner by the miller, Jacob Mann, until August 15, 1848, when he purchased the property for $500. He continued to operate it until it was swept away by the flood of 1851, Mann at this time losing his life in the flood.

A FEW OF THE EARLY ENTRIES TO LAND

A number of people resided in the county and were, so to speak, "squatters" before the land was opened for settlement and entry could be made. A few of the following names and locations will give the reader an idea of some of the old settlers who came here, some of whom resided on their respective claims before entry could be made.

Peter Kepler entered land in section 1-82-5 June 15, 1842; A. M. McCoy, James Huntington, Edward Isham, Horatio Sanford entered land in section 2-82-5 from May 17, 1844, to November 3, 1845.

Mary Ann Doty entered part of section 4-82-5 November 29, 1844; Abner Doty entered land March 11, 1845, in section 3-82-5; William Abbe entered land in section 5-82-5 in 1844; Henry Kepler entered land in the same section two years previously. Jesse H. Holman entered a forty acre tract in section 6 in the same township and range October 12, 1842. During the year 1845 Horatio Sanford, William Abbe and William Johnson entered considerable land in the same locality; also Allison I. Willits and Fred Kinley as early as 1842. James, Joe and Robert Boyd entered considerable land from February, 1843 to 1844 in section 8, while entries were made in section 10 from 1842 to 1844 by John I. Gibson, Oliver Day, Oakley Parker, and Robert Stinson.

During the same period the following entries were made in section 11, to-wit: by Simeon Archer, Oliver Day, John I. Gibson, Nathan Peddycord, and James Kelsey.

In section 13 the following entries were made from February, 1843, to 1845, viz: by Saul Elliott, Gabe Archer, James Bartley, and G. B. Bowman.

In section 14 entries were made from 1843 to 1844 as follows: by James Kelsey, Leonard Platner, John Donahoo, Joe Smith, Ackley Parker, and Reuben Ash.

In section 15 entries were made from February 22, 1843, to September 18, 1844, by Dan Hahn and James Muckalls; and in section 17 by John Stewart and John McLaughlin.

In section 18 during the same period entries were made by Nate P. Wilcox, Meron C. Barnes, and A. J. McKean; George Greene entered a tract in section 29 February 21, 1843. Nearly all of the above described sections seem to have been picked up between the years 1842 and 1844.

A few names appear in various localities as having entered lands in smaller or larger tracts, viz: Hugh Downey, J. G. Berryhill, John J. Gibson, H. W. Sanford, William Abbe, A. J. Willits, and Morgan Reno; a number of those men were not residents of the county at any time as far as is known, with the exception of William Abbe.

In Linn Grove township 83, range 5, the following entries were made:

In sections 1 and 2 by Cyrell M. Webster, Morgan Reno, and William Smythe during the years 1852 and 1853.

In sections 4 and 5 Benjamin Simons, David E. Fussel, Joe S. Butler, and John S. Oxley made entries from 1843 to 1844. In sections 6, 7 and 8 the following entries were made during the years 1842 and 1843: John Milner, Le Grand Byington, Socrates H. Tryon, Jesse Tryon, Dennis Tryon, Alexander Paul, Jacob Mann, John Safely, Jane Safely, Jacob Safely, and Adam Safely.

In section 9 and 11 entries were made during 1844 and 1845 by Ann Whitlatch, Alonzo B. Clark, Morgan Reno, Matt Lynch, Dan I. Finch, and Seward Kyles.

In sections 15, 17, 21 and 22 the following entries were made during the years 1842 and 1844: James S. Varner, Levi Lewis, S. A. Yeisley, John, Thomas and Will Goudy.

In sections 25 to 29 the following entries were made: by John and Andrew Safely, Sam Ellison, John Goudy, George Krow, and Lewis Fink during the years 1843 to 1844. Dan Peet made entry to certain tract of land in section 14 at the same time.

In section 1-85-5 and 6 the following entries were made from 1852 to 1856: by Stephen Conover, Barnett Cole, Nancy H. Hunt, and others. Richard Barber made the first entry in section 4 in 1848, while in section 6 Philip Coffits made entry in June, 1847, and John Smith in November, 1849.

In section 7 Chandler, Ebenezer and Moses C. Jordan entered land from 1846 to 1848. Richard Barber makes an entry in section 9 in 1848. In section 14 Edward Crew, or Crow, enters land in November, 1840 to January, 1845. In section 15 Jacob Mann enters land in May, 1845, followed by another entry made by George Paddington in February, 1846.

In section 23 Absalom Cain makes an entry February, 1846, and in section 25 George C. Perkins and Morton Claypool enters land in 1845. John Peet enters land in section 36 in 1844, and Joseph and Ormus Clark enters land in section 3 in 1844 and 1845.

In section 44, range 5, some of the early entries are by John Peet, Harvey Stone, and Nelson Crow from 1842 to 1845. Sam Kelly enters eighty acres in section 11 in 1840, and about the same time John Gillilan enters land in section 12. John Crow enters one hundred and sixty acres in 1840 in section 13.

Charles Pinkney makes an entry in section 28 in 1840; also another entry in section 29 the same date. In section 32 on August 5, 1840, Nathan Brown, G. H. Robinson, Thomas Sammis, and William Styles make entries. The first entry made in section 33 was made by Benjamin Simons and Abel M. Butler. Charles E. Haskins makes several entries from 1843 to 1848 in section 12-82-5, as well as in sections 1 and 2, Peter Kepler also making entries in January, 1842.

William Abbe made several entries of land in sections 5 and 6 from 1842 to 1843, while Thomas Craig made entries in sections 6 and 7 from 1843 to 1846, as well as Daniel Hahn in section 15.

Israel Mitchell and James Hunter enter land in sections 4 and 5 in 1844, and Herman, or Harman, Boye made several entries in 1854 in sections 24 and 28. In sections 1 and 2-82-2 entries are found as of 1843 and 1844 made by Thomas Craig, Elizabeth D. Waln, Robert Smythe, and Samuel Littrell. In sections 7, 8 and 9 Thomas Crabtree, Abe Stotts, and James Hunter make entries from 1844 to 1846.

Daniel, William, Henry and Elias Rogers make numerous entries in section 14 in 1849; William Davey, Mary S. Legare, Edgar G. Stoney, J. G. Berryhill, and Thomas J. Cox entered this land from 1849 to 1850 in sections 2 and 5-82-7. In section 12-83-7 entries were made in 1843 by S. H. Tryon, J. H. Blackman, M. Mitchell, and E. T. Lewis. In sections 14 and 15 J. Stambaugh, N. and D. Chapman, Ambrose Harlan, H. Weare, Isaac Carroll, George Greene made entries from March 4, 1843, to June, 1844.

John G. McCloud makes an entry in section 16 in December, 1846. In section 17 Robert Ellis entered land July 19, and August 8, 1843, and John Lichtebarger in July of the same year. In section 18 the heirs of Dan Potter convey, and Thomas Gainer and Isaac Lichtebarger about the same time.

In section 21-83-7 Addison Daniels and N. B. Brown entered land March 31, 1843, and George Greene makes entry of land July 13, 1847 and October 31, 1848. From 1843 to 1847 entries were made in section 22 by A. Daniels, N. B. Brown, John G. Cole, Levi Lewis, Joshua Phillips, and Ambrose Harlan. In section 27 Otho S. Bolling, Levi Lewis, and Jason C. Bartholomew made entries from 1843 to 1845. In section 28 entries were made by David W. King, Tom Gainer, and J. M. May from March, 1843, to 1859.

The entries are made earlier in the eastern and southeastern part of the county, and later on the west side of the river and toward the west and northwest; the most entries were made from 1852 to 1859, when there seems to have been a wholesale tide of emigration.

ORGANIZATION OF DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN THE COUNTY

Copy of a paper given the Linn County Historical Society by Miss Mary Durham, daughter of Hon. Samuel W. Durham.

Marion, April 27, 1843

Committee of organization met at Marion, Linn county, Iowa.

Resolved, that a sufficient number of gentlemen in each township be appointed to act as a committee of organization.

Franklin Township—C. C. Haskins, S. Elliott, Robt. Smyth, A. M. Artz, Jno. Wolfe, Jas. Stewart, Benj. De Witt, Henry Kepler.

Linn Township—William T. Gilbert, Sam'l C. Stewart, Ira Sammons, And. Safely, Jno. Scott.

Brown Township—Geo. Perkins, Jas. V. Hill, Isaac Butler, Horace N. Brown, Sam'l Kelly.

Washington Township—Bart Magonigle, Sam'l Lockhart, Ben D. Springer, Wm. B. Davis, Thos. Lockhart, Sr., A. Moats, Wm. Cress, Wm. B. Harrison.

Lafayette—Gilman Clark, Chas. Cantonwine, Daniel Richards, Sam'l Brazier, Jacob Cress.

Putnam—Jno. Barnet, Jno. Hile, Alex Cox.

Marion—M. Strong, Geo. Greene, Iram Wilson, Prior Scott, Perry Oxley, S. H. Tryon, Joel Leverich, John Hunter, Thos. Railsback, S. W. Durham.

Rapids—N. B. Brown, P. W. Earle, Baker, Gainor, Justus Wells, John G. McLoud.

Resolved, that each township send one delegate to Linn convention and those having 100 votes, 2, and 1 for every additional 50.

Resolved, that with order to an organization of the democratic party in Linn County the committee in each township be requested to give due notice to the democratic citizens of their respective townships by written advertisement or otherwise, to meet at some convenient place in their said townships on the first Saturday of June next at 2 o'clock P. M., for the purpose of choosing delegates to attend the Territorial Convention at Iowa City on the 4th Monday in June, and also to appoint delegates to a District Convention, to be held at William L. Gilbert's at such time as may hereafter be agreed upon by the corresponding committees in the counties composing the 8th electoral district, to nominate candidates for Representatives to the Legislature to be supported by the democratic party at the annual election in October next.

Resolved, that a committee of three be appointed.

L. M. Strong, Prest.

Sam'l W. Durham, Sec.

MAIN STREET, CENTRAL CITY, FROM THE SOUTH

GENERAL STORE AT COVINGTON

CHAPTER XXXI

Society in the Early Days

The early settlers in Linn county were intelligent and cultured. They did not come to the county because communities in the east were glad to be rid of them. It was for far different reasons our pioneer men and women made their homes here. They looked upon this as a goodly land, one filled with opportunity, and they entered in and occupied it.

Mrs. R. C. Rock, now in her 83d year, has vivid recollections of beginnings in Linn county. She came overland from Dubuque in 1850, and ever since has called Cedar Rapids her home. She says in her first years here the people took the best magazines of the day, passing them around so that all might read them. In 1852 there was organized a literary circle of ladies and gentlemen. This circle met once a week at the homes of the members. Original papers were read at these meetings, the subjects being assigned in advance. Occasionally distinguished lecturers from abroad were obtained. On one occasion Oliver Wendell Holmes was here, giving an entertaining talk to a large audience on the "Great Pyramids." Judge Williams, of Muscatine, one of the original members of the supreme court of the state, was also a lecturer here. From time to time Dr. J. F. Ely, Judge Greene, and other local men read papers or made addresses, "and they were always of a high order," says Mrs. Rock.

Occasionally there were formal parties, as in these days. There was a greater amount of entertaining a half century or more ago here than there is now. There were no special distinctions of class, all the citizens were welcomed. Some of the most hospitable homes were those of the southern colony, mentioned in another chapter in this book. Dr. and Mrs. Ely entertained a great deal in their home located where now stands the old Post Office building. Mr. and Mrs. S. C. Bever were always hospitable, and the Greenes did their share. Mrs. Rock says nothing as to her own entertaining in these days, but her home was recognized as one of most cordial hospitality, refinement and culture. Col. W. H. Merritt, Gabriel Carpenter, William Greene, Lawson Daniels and their wives were also pleasant and hospitable entertainers.

Mrs. George C. Haman, whose husband by the way is the oldest business man in this city—oldest in point of continuous service—wrote in 1906 quite interestingly for the Republican her recollections of society in Cedar Rapids in the early days. We take the liberty of reproducing the same here. It is a vivid picture of social doings a half century and more ago.

Society in the early days had one pleasant feature that we do not have at the present time. There was only one social circle and there was not so much society to the square inch as there is now. It was before the days of parties with the men left out and before the days of clubs and cliques. A large social function meant all the social people in town, and was thoroughly enjoyed by all, and nothing but sickness or death kept any away. The first social affair I attended was in '57. Even then Cedar Rapids enjoyed a social reputation equal to any town in the state and it soon took the lead with such families for social leaders as those of Judge Greene, Dr. J. F. Ely, S. C. Bever, Gabriel Carpenter, Colonel Merritt, William Greene, Lawson Daniels and a few others, who believed that money-getting should not be the only aim in life, and believed in a high standard of social and literary enjoyment as well.

The social, literary and religious foundation laid by these far-seeing men and women is what gave Cedar Rapids the prestige it enjoys among the sister cities of the state. Of course in the forties and fifties most of the entertainments were simple, but there were red letter days. The first large social affair I attended was a wedding, and the first wedding I ever attended. It was the marriage of Miss Carpenter, daughter of Gabriel Carpenter, to Mr. George Weare, brother of the late John Weare and Mr. Charles Weare. The bride was lovely. The groom was a young business man of Sioux City, where they have lived ever since. The wedding banquet was a feast of all the good things that a good housewife could prepare, and Mrs. Carpenter was famous for her culinary achievements. Her turkey dinners brought joy to many friends. She is now in her eighties, and lives a retired life.

While writing the account of this wedding I received a paper giving the account of the wedding of a granddaughter of this bride and groom.

The second social affair that stands out prominently in my memory is a large party given by Dr. and Mrs. Ely. The social functions given at this hospitable home were always delightful. The genial personality of the host and hostess pervaded every corner of the home, and when one entered its portals one knew that Dr. and Mrs. Ely would give a cordial welcome. It was a home where all of the new-comers were always entertained, the latch-string always being out. Mrs. Ely was a very philanthropic woman, was the leader of all of the charitable works for many years. Under her leadership many of the philanthropic women of today received their early training. Her noble works gave them their incentive. There were not so many spacious homes as now, but those who had them dispensed hospitality most generously and in a way not surpassed in these days.

The home of S. C. Bever, for many years the largest, stood where the Rock Island offices now stand. This home was where the bishops and other clergy of the Episcopal church were always entertained while in town. This home, with its large family of young people that drew like spirits, was the source of many gaieties. Mr. and Mrs. Bever's hospitality many times won financial success for Cedar Rapids. They entertained strangers who came to spy out the land. One occasion of this kind was in '55, when Judge Greene, Dr. Ely, John Weare, Lowell Daniels, W. W. Walker, S. D. Carpenter and S. C. Bever all went to Chicago to attend a national republican convention. All being business men, ever ready to build up Cedar Rapids, at this convention they made it their business to meet men from New York and Boston and to talk up the advantages of Iowa and what a railroad could do, until Mr. Ames of Boston, Crocker, Bertram and others came back with the Cedar Rapids delegation, and were taken in conveyance through central Iowa. While the men were working the eastern capitalists for a railroad the women all got busy and prepared for a reception and dance at the home of S. C. Bever. Some baked cakes, others prepared meats, others the bread and others the ice cream. The whole town was invited, so when the eastern men returned, they were won completely over and the project of the first railroad into Cedar Rapids was laid then and there.

Homes were often called upon to open their doors to strangers in town, who often were induced by the warm hospitality and good fellowship to invest their money and join hands and build up Cedar Rapids. When a large function was given all the friends assisted. Dishes and table linen and services were offered. We could not hire a caterer to come and prepare refreshments and serve a company. Our friends were the helpers.

The home of William Greene was also one with open doors. It stood on the corner of Third street and B avenue. It was not a large house, but a very hospitable one. Later William Greene built a beautiful house in the block where A. C. Taylor, Dr. Ruml and Dr. Kegley now live. The grounds covered the whole block and were laid out with landscape effect. It was a beautiful place, and many fine entertainments were given there.

The Higley brothers, Harvey, Wellington, Mort and Henry, in the early days, lived in small homes, but that did not deter them from keeping up their end of social life. Lucy and Jennie Higley were fine cooks and charming hostesses. Mort and Wellington were jolly good fellows and every one knew they were sure of a pleasant time when invited to their homes, no matter whether it was to a church social, or a big "standup" party as they were called in those days.

S. L. Dows' first home was like those of the rest of the pioneers, small, but hearts were large and no one extended a more cordial welcome to their friends than Mr. and Mrs. Dows. After they built their new home on First avenue, many brilliant affairs were given by them.

The home of George C. Haman, on the corner of A avenue and Fifth street, is an old land mark. Mr. and Mrs. Haman have lived there for over forty years. Their children were born and brought up there, and like many pioneer homes, it has been the scene of many festivities and good times.

The home of the late John Weare, with its large family of young people, will always be remembered by the old settlers.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. Belt, now owned by Mrs. George W. Bever, was the scene of many enjoyable house parties. Friends from eastern cities and prominent people throughout Iowa were entertained there. Mrs. Belt loved to entertain the clergy.

The entertainments given by Judge and Mrs. Greene were the crowning social events of early days. The home and estate were outside of town, but that was no obstacle to their entertaining. Judge Greene was ready for every emergency and the home was characteristic of the man. He was broadminded, warm hearted, foresighted, generous and philanthropic, and his home was conducted on these plans. His first house on his beautiful estate, Mound Farm, was not large, but he always found a way to entertain his friends and visitors to Cedar Rapids. For example, he had a house party of friends and wished Cedar Rapids people to meet them. He was at the time building some buildings to shelter his sheep, of which he had a great many. So he put floors in the building preparatory to entertaining his guests and friends. He found on short notice that if he expected to have the only good music in town he must take it next day. He and Mrs. Greene talked the matter over and decided to have the party. They sent word to the other members of the Greene family and intimate friends what they expected to do and they all came to their assistance. Early in the morning Mrs. Belt made out the list and the family delivered the invitations. Mrs. Belt and Mrs. William Greene baked all the cakes. I don't know just how many picked strawberries, but Mrs. Greene told me that eighty quarts were picked and hulled that day. Mrs. Greene superintended the making of the ice cream and the decorating of the building. Special train service over the Dubuque and Southwestern was arranged to bring the guests from a central point to the sheep pens. All was in readiness and the host and hostess ready to receive their guests at eight o'clock. It was a most enjoyable event, and is still recalled with pleasure by the old settlers. It is safe to say that with the conveniences of today, such a social affair could not be gotten up in one day. Later when Judge Greene built his large house on the crowning point of Mound Farm, in the center of the beautiful grounds which he had been ten or more years preparing, Mr. Paddington, an English gardener, had it in charge. Every kind of shrub and tree that could be grown in Iowa was planted. The place for situation and beauty could not be equaled in Iowa, and the grounds were the most beautiful. When Judge Greene had the walls up and ready to roof, a tornado tore them down. But notwithstanding this discouragement, his house was built and furnished with the richest furnishings of those days. Three thousand dollars worth of oil paintings hung on the walls. All the furnishings were bought in New York City. When all was complete, he opened it with a most brilliant house warming. As Judge Greene always considered Cedar Rapids and her citizens in whatever he did, all were bidden, as were many of his friends throughout the state, to the opening of his new house. The beautiful impression of the illuminated grounds and house and the cordial hand-clasp of welcome from host and hostess that thrilled each guest with good fellowship and heartfelt appreciation were never forgotten. Indeed it was an evening of rare pleasure.

There were a few years when fancy dress parties were all the rage. The first one given was in the home of Colonel Merritt and was novel and beautiful. Colonel and Mrs. Merritt were charming entertainers. Colonel Merritt built the house where Dr. J. H. Smith now lives. It was bought by John W. Henderson. He and his handsome and cordial wife entertained hospitably. After Dr. Smith owned the house, he and his wife dispensed hospitality lavishly and state politicians were often their guests.

The Daniels home was another of the hospitable homes, where many large parties were given especially for the pleasure of the younger set.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Cook was for several years the largest and most modern in the city. Mrs. Cook, with her charming daughters, gave many elegant parties. The house was built by I. N. Isham. He only occupied it for a few years and sold it to H. G. Angle, who lived there one year. J. S. Cook then bought it and lived there many years. Now it is used for the National hotel annex.

In the home of Mr. and Mrs. A. R. West, children as well as their older friends, found a warm welcome. The little folks loved to congregate there and entertainment and refreshments were always provided for them. "Papa and Mama West," as the children called them, were never too busy to answer all the questions asked by their young friends, who were always made to feel thoroughly at home.

The home of Mr. and Mrs. R. C. Rock was one of hospitality and of culture and refinement, as well. No woman ever did so much toward the education of the young people in early days as Mrs. Rock. She was also a great worker in the church and is the only living charter member of Grace Episcopal church.

The first church wedding was in the little Second Presbyterian church. It was the marriage of Mr. George C. Haman and Miss Louise Wolf. It was at five o'clock in the morning, and the wedding breakfast was at 4 o'clock. The reason for having the wedding at this unseemly hour was that the bride and groom were going east and there was only one train a day left town, and that was at six in the morning. The attendants at the wedding were Mrs. M. P. Mills, nee Coulter; Mrs. Portus B. Weare nee Risley; Mrs. Taylor, nee Earl, and Miss Carpenter, bridesmaids. The groomsmen were Mr. James L. Bever, Mr. Carter Berkley, Mr. Mortimer A. Higley and Dr. Lions.

The first large public affair in Cedar Rapids that gathered together all the people of the town, all in the state who could get here and some from Chicago and the east, was in June, '59. The occasion was the completion of the first railroad into Cedar Rapids. It was the Chicago, Iowa and Nebraska, now the Chicago & Northwestern. The citizens had looked forward to this for many years, and it was a financial struggle to get it through, but when it was completed there was great rejoicing. A great celebration was given. The tables for the banquet were spread where now stands the Masonic Library, and the George B. Douglas home. The women prepared all the edibles and with the assistance of the young men and girls, served the banquet. The men took charge of the speeches, parade and music. The depot was then in the lower end of town, about Twelfth avenue and Fourth street. The speeches were made there. At the finish the marshals of the day formed all in line and marched to the grove where the banquet was spread, and it is needless to say the feast was enjoyed. I fear there were not twelve baskets full left. The climax of the occasion was a ball given at Daniels's hall, that stood where the Masonic Temple now stands. It was a brilliant affair and the dancers tipped the light fantastic toe until the rosy dawn was breaking. The weary dancers wended their way home on foot, the girls in tarlatan gowns and white kid slippers. Public carriages were scarce, and the new and only bus had gone to meet the early train. Thus ended the largest public social event up to that time.

UPPER WAGON BRIDGE, CENTRAL CITY

HENDERSON BRIDGE AT CENTRAL CITY

The years from '61 to '65 were years of great anxiety and all the entertainments given were to gather the forces to make all we could to get delicacies for our soldiers who were fighting in the Civil war. The women, as always, did their part. Mrs. Ely, with her loving heart and her capable leadership, directed the younger women. Dramatic entertainments were given by the young people. I recall some of those who took part: The Misses Carrie and Kate Ely, Dr. Lions, William Berkley, J. H. Haman, Miss Laura Weare, the Misses Coulter, Miss Earl, Miss Risley, Mrs. Dr. May, William Baker, Mr. and Mrs. Haman, Hall, Wood, Stibbs, and Carroll. The rest of the men had all gone to the war and most of these finally went. Sociables and fairs were then held to raise money. There were days and nights of sewing and packing barrels to be sent to the seat of war. These were the days when all personal sacrifice was a pleasure. When the war was over and the pall of horror was lifted, the first joyful events were given in honor of fathers, husbands, brothers and lovers home from the war. Days and nights were spent making flags and banners, twining arches that were placed over the street, cooking of good things. Nothing was too good for the soldier boys. When the tables were spread in the grove the returned soldiers, led by Colonel T. Z. Cook, Colonel Merritt, Colonel Coulter, and General Jack Stibbs marched up the street. Many were scarred and lame and with emaciated faces. The bullet-riddled flags were carried at half mast for those who fell in the battle or died in southern hospitals. Our tears of joy were mingled with tears of sorrow. For a year or two afterwards all entertainments were given to raise money for soldiers' widows and orphans. Parties and fairs of every description were given.

A colonial ball was given in '59, in which Colonel T. Z. Cook and Colonel Merritt and General Jack Stibbs came in military costume. All three were handsome men with soldierly bearing. All who attended this ball were in colonial dress. To me it was the most beautiful social function of those days. There were a number of beautiful women and handsome men who looked well in colonial style of dress.

This party was given at Carpenter's hall Tuesday evening, March 1, 1859, and was for the benefit of the Mount Vernon fund. The patronesses were Mesdames Wm. H. Merritt, H. G. Angle, S. C. Koontz, Wm. Greene, J. G. Graves, W. B. Mack, C. B. Rowley, H. W. Perkins, S. D. Carpenter.

The committee on arrangements was composed of Wm. H. Merritt, H. G. Angle, R. R. Taylor, W. B. Mack, D. M. McIntosh, Lawson Daniels, Edward J. Smith, Hon. Geo. Greene, S. D. Carpenter, Wm. Greene, John G. Graves, T. Z. Cook, H. B. Stibbs, T. S. McIntosh, Wm. Berkley.

In '69 and '70 there was a fine course of lectures by Bayard Taylor, Henry Ward Beecher, Barnum, J. G. Saxe and other noted lecturers. The money raised was used to fit up a small public library which was in circulation for a number of years.

Judge Greene built a fine opera house and always gave the use of it for entertainments for charity and the ladies gave a great many affairs. It was not unusual for them to make one thousand dollars at one entertainment, for everything was donated and people attended entertainments of that sort better then than they do at the present day. Years ago towns in the vicinity of twenty miles returned social courtesies. In the winter of '68 Iowa City and Cedar Rapids got very friendly. A party of young people were invited to a ball given at the Kirkwood in Iowa City. The weather was cold, the snow deep; but bob sleds were rigged up with buffalo robes. This party started out early, but owing to the deep snow and an upset or two, it was late when they arrived. But they had a pleasant time and returned late next day.

Marion and Cedar Rapids were very cordial to each other. When the homes of I. N. Preston, Mr. Twogood, and Preston Daniels were opened with social events a number of Cedar Rapids people were invited and these families gave beautiful parties.

CHAPTER XXXII

Southern Influence

In every frontier community we gauge the settlement by the influences which predominate. Thus we have the Buckeye, the Hoosier, and New England elements in certain states and communities, making these local influences more or less marked traits of character, according to the size of the settlements, and also the temperaments of the settlers. In an early day there arrived in Linn county a number of people from South Carolina, who located here and influenced the social side of this frontier settlement in a marked degree. These families settled here in 1849: The Legare, Bryan, McIntosh, Stoney, and other families. The Legare family came from John's Island, about ten miles from Charleston, where they had lived for several centuries, being of an old French Huguenot family, which had removed to England and from there emigrated to America. It was here, or rather in Charleston, that Hugh Swinton Legare was born in 1789, the mother being of Scotch descent and related to Sir Walter Scott. Hugh Legare first obtained a private education from a Catholic priest, later graduating from the University of South Carolina. He embarked in 1818 for France, later taking up studies in Edinburgh and on the continent. After a stay of two years he returned to America to take charge of his mother's plantation. Not until 1822 did he begin the practice of law in Charleston; he also edited the Southern Review, and in this journal advocated views opposed to nullification. His attitude on this question brought him into prominence, and he was elected attorney general of the state. While in Washington he met Livingstone, then secretary of state, who offered him a position as minister to Belgium, which he accepted. After his return to America he was elected to congress in 1836, but was defeated for re-election in 1840 on account of his opposition to the sub-treasury bill. He was rewarded by President Tyler with a place in the cabinet as attorney general, and for a time acted as secretary of state. He died in 1843, one of the best known public men of his time.

His sister, Margaret Swinton Legare, who had been her brother's travelling companion and most intimate friend, in 1849 brought a fortune to Cedar Rapids. She was accompanied by her nephews, B. S. Bryan, Hugh L. Bryan, and Michael Bryan. It is said that nearly $80,000 in cash were at one time invested in property in this county by this family alone. A large part of this amount was invested in lands and in a woolen mill, which was located near what is now known as the Cooper mills.

Michael Bryan was married to a Miss Dwight, a distant relative of General Marion. She was also wealthy in her own name. A bank was started by the Bryans and the Wards in the early fifties known as Ward, Bryan & Co.'s Bank. This bank failed in the panic of 1857, Colonel I. M. Preston becoming receiver.

Donald M. McIntosh, Mrs. Rutledge, and her sisters, Joanna and Harley, came about the same time and were related to the other families. Many other less prominent southern people during these years came to Cedar Rapids which could boast of a true southern society. Mr. McIntosh erected one of the first brick dwellings in the city and held various public offices. Michael Bryan was alderman in 1851, while B. S. Bryan was elected city recorder. The Bryans were not outspoken in politics, but McIntosh was a democrat, the aunt, Miss Legare, held to the whig tenets of her illustrious brother, whose speeches and works she edited. She was also interested in church work, as well as in the education of women.

Michael Bryan erected a fine residence where the old N. B. Brown homestead is now located. At this house social affairs of the little town were conducted in true southern style, and fortunate was the person who was favored with an invitation to visit in the Bryan home. Michael Bryan died here, and the widow with her family returned to South Carolina just preceding the Civil war. B. S. Bryan removed to the coast and is still living in Seattle.

Miss Legare organized a ladies' seminary, and was an artist of considerable talent. She was also an accomplished musician. It is said that she brought the first piano to the county. However, this claim has been disputed as it is said that the J. P. Glass family brought a musical instrument here in 1846.

In the '50s Miss Legare became the wife of Lowell Bullen, an uncle of the Daniels brothers, whose home was in North Brookfield, Massachusetts. They resided at Marion until Mr. Bullen's death in 1869, when the widow returned to her old home in South Carolina, surviving her husband a number of years.

Nearly all the members of the southern society were members of the Presbyterian church, and took an active part in the religious and social work of that people. Mrs. Bullen was kind and considerate. Her dignified presence was enough to give her entrance into any home. She took an active interest in the poor, and was interested in education in general. She loved and revered the memory of her statesman brother, and never forgot what place he held at one time in the affairs of the nation. During the rebellion she felt that her heart would break as she thought of friends and relatives fighting on both sides in that terrible struggle for the preservation of the Union.

A letter received lately from Bryan & Bryan, attorneys of Charleston, South Carolina, throws some light on this subject:

"In reply to your letter of the 10th instant, we beg to say that H. S. and B. S. (Benjamin Simons) and Michael Bryan, of whom you speak, were the sons of Col. John Bryan, a planter of this section.

"He (Col. John Bryan) married a sister of Hugh Legare, the writer and statesman, and attorney general of the United States. These sons went to Cedar Rapids before 1860.

"Michael Bryan married Harriet Dwight, a sister of my mother, Rebecca Dwight.

"It happened strangely enough, that my father, George S. Bryan, who married Rebecca Dwight, was no relation to Michael Bryan, who married Harriet Dwight. (In other words, the two Bryans being no relation, married two sisters.)

"Michael Bryan had several children, the survivors are Emily Bryan, married —— Andrews, now living in Abbeville county, South Carolina, with a number of children, her husband being a planter; and William Bryan, whose residence is unknown to the writer.

"Michael Bryan's nephew, Edward Bryan, is also living on one of our Sea Islands, in the vicinity of Charleston, and is a planter. As far as we can ascertain, B. S. Bryan of whom you speak, was engaged in banking in Cedar Rapids, and Michael Bryan was engaged in real estate, having built up a portion of Cedar Rapids. He died in Cedar Rapids before 1860, and his family removed back to South Carolina. They were not Quakers, but Presbyterians, and attended the Circular church, Meeting street, in Charleston, S. C., which was a branch of the Presbyterian church."

BAPTIST CHURCH, PRAIRIEBURG

MILWAUKEE BRIDGE, AT COVINGTON

In addition to the above mentioned, a large number of cultured and educated people came from Maryland, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. Who does not remember the aristocratic and learned A. Sidney Belt, the robust, courtly old gentleman, Colonel S. W. Durham, the versatile and polite Judge Israel Mitchell, the genial Oxley brothers, and scores of other southern men and women?

The members of the Legare, Bryan, McIntosh, Durham, Oxley, Belt, Mitchell, and other southern families who located in Linn county did much in changing the manners of this somewhat cosmopolitan community. These families pursued education. The members had traveled much. They were descended from some of the most cultured families in this country. They were social, interesting, and entertained much, and it is needless to add that the citizens of the county were not slow in receiving the southern settlers into their homes. The presence of such an influence in the formative period of the county's history wielded an influence which has not been entirely effaced after a period of half a century.

Some time later came the Hart brothers, Jacob A. and Caspar J., and for years the influence of these sturdy men was a power for good in the city and the county. It will be many years before these splendid representatives of the southland will be forgotten. The home of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob A. Hart was a most hospitable one. It was always open to the new settler from the south, and especially to those who came from Maryland, their old home. Their commodious brick dwelling that stood so long at the corner of Second street and Fifth avenue, was a center for long years of true and genuine hospitality. Its doors were never locked against a Marylander, and all these felt free to "come early and stay late." To many a young son of the south Mother Hart was ever the best of mothers, caring for the sick lads, satisfying their hunger with fried chicken and Maryland biscuits—oh, who that once was welcomed there will ever lose the memory of it! Mrs. Hart is yet a resident of this city, spending a ripe old age in dispensing the same well-remembered hospitality, going about doing the deeds of kindness.

Mrs. R. C. Rock, herself a pioneer of 1850, has vivid recollections of beginnings in Cedar Rapids. She knew the Bryans intimately, and also the Legares. She says they were people of culture. Mr. Stoney, the husband of Miss Bryan, was educated abroad, and came to Cedar Rapids in 1852 or 1853. These people were led to locate in the city through the influence of Judge Greene, whom they met in Washington. Mrs. Rock states that at this day it is impossible to estimate what Judge Greene meant to the young city. Through his influence people of means, culture, and learning were induced to come to the city and county. He traveled a great deal, and something good for Cedar Rapids always resulted.

J. J. Snouffer was another Marylander who came to Cedar Rapids in 1850, and for nearly a half century his was a powerful influence in the community. He was prominent in business and political affairs, and was ever a loyal citizen.

Dr. Robert Taylor, one of the prominent early physicians, came from Virginia in 1851. After remaining here a few years he removed to Philadelphia.

CHAPTER XXXIII

Some Township History

BERTRAM TOWNSHIP

In the history of Linn county Bertram township has played a conspicuous part, and was at various times about to be the township in which were located some of the most enterprising towns in the county. Ivanhoe, Westport, also known as Newark, and other places are well known names among the early settlers. Their locations have been wiped off the map, so to speak, on account of changed conditions. The following sketch is taken largely from manuscripts and articles written by the late John J. Daniels, one of the old citizens of Linn county, one of the early county recorders, for many years a justice of the peace, and a well known and enterprising citizen, who was always interested in the old settlers and in the development of historical research in the county in early days. Mr. Daniels says:

"In the early settlement of Linn county the territory now forming Bertram township was selected by the early settlers for very prominent reasons, it having good mill streams, good water, and plenty of good timber near at hand, which was so much needed by the early settlers for building and fencing. Two of the early pioneers were Thomas W. and Sarah Campbell, of Dearborn county, Indiana. They came in the fall of 1838 and settled on the northeast quarter of section 27, and obtained a patent from the United States March 7, 1844. Mr. Campbell was elected the first county treasurer in 1839, and in 1840 his first collection of county taxes for licenses, ferries, and lands was $985.85. He died February 22, 1876.

"Perry and Catherine Campbell Oxley, of Montgomery county, Indiana, first located in Linn township, but in the fall of 1838 came here and took up a claim on the southwest quarter of section 22 and built their cabin in the grove near the east line. Mr. Oxley was the first constable elected in the county in 1839, and was bailiff of the grand jury of the county. He was the best shot in the county. He died September 30, 1886, universally mourned.

"Norris and Ann Cone, of Connecticut, came in February, 1839, and settled on section 21. Mr. Cone later removed to Marion. George Cone, their son, claims the honor of being the first child born in the township in 1839.

"James and Elizabeth Leabo and Israel Mitchell, natives of Kentucky, in 1838 left the mining regions near Dubuque and settled on claims in this township on the north side of the river. Mrs. Leabo died September, 1852, and James Leabo removed to Oregon, where he died.

"Mr. Mitchell was a graduate of a Kentucky college and celebrated the first 4th of July at Westport in 1838, Judge Mitchell being the orator.

"The first and only election of the county that year was held there, thirty-two votes being cast. The first store opened in the county was at Westport, by Albert Henry in the fall of 1838.

"James and Mary Scott, of Indiana, came in 1838 or 1839. Mr. Scott was an enterprising farmer. He purchased a saw mill on Big creek and early built a large flouring mill during the fifties. On account of the failure of crops the mill was not a success. He died in 1894 in Marion township.

"Elias Doty, of Ohio, came in 1838 or '39, and in 1840 commenced the building of a saw mill on Big creek, but was accidentally killed at its raising. The mill property later passed into the hands of James R. Briney.

"James Hunter, a native of Ireland, came in 1838 and took a claim; he died May 14, 1888, at the age of sixty-nine.

"Everett Oxley, a native of Kentucky, born in 1812, at the age of fifteen removed to Indiana where he married Catherine Milner, also a native of Kentucky, coming to Linn county in 1840. Mr. Oxley died in 1887. Several of the Oxley family emigrated to Linn county.

"Jeremiah Daniels arrived in the spring of 1844 with a stock of dry goods, trading for wheat in the fall, shipping same by flat-boat to St. Louis. In the fall of 1847-8 he built a saw mill on Indian creek and a few years later located a flour mill on Big creek. Mr. Daniels died in 1882."

Mr. Daniels further states that some of the early settlers were the following:

"Michael and Peter McRoberts, Peter D. Harman, Ben and John Dewitt, John, Joseph, and Nancy Gourly, Andrew and Thomas Dill, Isaac, Lawrence, Elijah, and Joseph Wain, Louis Lafore, Perry and Ann Knapp, Ada J. James, Steve, Charles, Daniel, George, Theresa, and Ann Rose, Sylvester Lyons, Thomas Rose, James and Thomas Piner, James M. and Susan Doty, Abraham Darr, John Arford, Hiram and Mary Leabo-Deem, Sam and Rachel Stambaugh, Jonathan and Dorcas Paul, John Bromwell, Michael Cox, Louis Kramer, Dr. Grove, Dave Stambaugh, James Briney, Leonard Speckelmeyer, James Berry, James Anderson, Caleb Dyer, Joseph Caraway, John and Mary Scott, and Samuel Durham."

Some of the Bertram justices have been William S. Darr, Frank Allen, W. B. Plummer, E. Doty, J. C. Anderson.

Bertram township has been the location of a number of squatter towns. William Stone first staked out a squatter town and called it Westport. He sold out his right to Albert Henry and then staked out Columbus where Cedar Rapids is now located. Henry, it is stated, erected two of the first frame buildings in this town, and in fact in this part of the county. The only sawed lumber in the entire buildings were the window frames and the casings. The siding was what was known as shaved lumber. These buildings were torn down in 1861 by Elias and Daniel Doty. One of these buildings was used by James Doty for his pottery shop up to the time of his death. Perry Oxley bought Albert Henry's squatter claim and he later sold his right, title, and interest in the town as well as in about 117 acres of land at $2.50 an acre. Now for the first time James Doty thought he would comply with the law, and on November 12, 1844, filed a plat in accordance with the law and called the town Newark, from Newark, New Jersey, his birthplace. Ivanhoe was never platted, but was only a squatter town founded by Cowles. Colonel Merritt kept the first store at Ivanhoe for parties in Rock Island. This town had better prospects of becoming a great city than any other town in the county. It had a good river frontage, a rich country around it, plenty of timber and good water, and had the government road besides. For some unknown cause the place seems to have been ignored when Marion and Cedar Rapids began to flourish. This is true, that Ivanhoe and Westport were laid out expecting the river to be the means of communicating with the outside world. The railroads, mills, dams and other things changed conditions, and the Indian trading villages came to naught.

FAIRFAX TOWNSHIP

Fairfax township lies in the extreme southwest portion of Linn county. Prairie creek, at times an unruly stream, drains this part of the county. In the early day this portion of Linn county had more or less timber, especially in what is known as Scotch Grove, northeast of the town of Fairfax. This timber has, for the most part, been cut off.

The first settlers, as far as is known, who came to this part of the county were Robert and Jane Ure with their family of grown children, in the spring of 1841. The children were John, Margaret, James, William, Robert, Walter, and David. The family had emigrated from Scotland in 1838 and gone west, locating in Ohio for a short time, removing to Iowa territory in search of land. They located in the northwestern part of the township in the grove which has since been called "Scotch Grove." The Ures wrote back to Scotland to their friends, and for many years emigrants came who located in and around Scotch Grove in Linn and Benton counties. Later came the McDowell family, the Listebargers, the McKinnons, the Mitchells, Giddings, Knickerbockers, Flahertys, Ferriters, Henrys, Cahills, Hines, McFarlands, and many others.

A cemetery was established in Scotch Grove where a number of the early settlers are buried. The cemetery near Fairfax is now the one in use, and also the Catholic cemetery southwest of Fairfax.

One of the first school teachers in the township was Mrs. Keziah McDowell, who taught in a private house. The first school building was erected in 1855 on the place where the Elm Grove school now stands. The first teacher who taught in a school building was a Mr. Eckerman, who boarded around. The families who had children attending school at that time were the McKinnons, the Listebargers, and the Hodges.

The first reaping machine in this part of the county was purchased by William Ure at Chicago in the summer of 1847, and was a hand-raking machine. Mr. Ure drove with an ox team to Chicago and returned with a machine in time for cutting the grain that summer. After he got started all the neighbors helped and the machine was run night and day until the season was over and the grain harvested.

The Scotch families were United Presbyterians, and for many years attended church in Cedar Rapids. In May, 1858, the Presbyterian church was organized and established in Scotch Grove. The fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of this church was celebrated in 1908, and the paper read by Miss Jennie G. Mitchell, daughter of James Mitchell, now residing in Cedar Rapids, gives a full history of the church and of many of the old settlers of this county, and is herewith inserted in full:

"THE ORIGIN OF FAIRFAX U. P. CHURCH

"The first settlers in this part of Linn county, Iowa, were Robert and Jane Ure, who, with a family of grown children, came here in the spring or summer of 1841. The children were John, Margaret, James, William, Jane, Robert, Walter, and David. The family had emigrated from Scotland in 1838 and spent the intervening years near Springfield, Ohio. But land was high in the old settlements and they came 'west' where they could enter government land, settling, or at first camping, on the same ground where this church is built. Log houses were soon erected and some land entered and a few years later a brick house was built, the first in this part of the country. The brick was made by the boys and the entire house erected without the assistance of any expert, the lime being hauled all the way from Muscatine. The Ure family did not leave their religion in the Auld Kirk in the Homeland, but during all their travels, whether they tarried or camped for only the night, the morning and evening sacrifice of family prayer was offered; and on Sabbath at noon the family were gathered and God's word read, followed by praise and prayer. Thus they kept God's holy day and worshiped in their own home until preaching could be obtained, and by searching the records of the First United Presbyterian church of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, we find that on the 9th day of September, 1850, a meeting was held and a petition forwarded to the Associate Presbytery of Iowa, asking for a supply of preaching, and in 1851 the congregation in Cedar Rapids was organized, the Ure family uniting with them.

THE "OLD SCHOOL" COGGON

SOUTH SIDE MAIN STREET, COGGON

"The cheap land and plenty of timber attracted others, and in the early fifties the McKinnon family came from Scotland and settled in Linn county near Scotch Grove. In 1852 Samuel and Sarah Hall, with their large family, settled at Sisley's Grove, and in 1854 James Cleghorn, Sr., with his two children and John and Agnes Anderson. James Cleghorn and Agnes Anderson were brother and sister. James Cleghorn, Jr., is still living near where they located and built their first home. Robert Brownlie and family now reside where the Anderson home was built. This same year (1854) Joseph and Margaret Humphrey and family came and settled south of Prairie Creek, and in the spring of 1855, James and John Mitchell with their wives and families, and later Walter Mitchell and John and Jane McGregor with their families of sons and daughters, and a few years later Moses Mitchell, all finding homes in and around Scotch Grove.

"The Ure family, thus re-inforced, soon after began an effort to secure preaching at Scotch Grove. But who first proposed asking for preaching, or where the meeting was held, is not on record and can not be recalled, but a minute on the records of the Cedar Rapids church, dated May 25, 1856, reads thus: 'The people of Scotch Grove presented a petition and were granted one-fourth of the pastor's time.' But by whom this petition was presented is not recorded. Another record reads: 'At a meeting of the United Presbyterian church of Kingston, held on Tuesday afternoon at four o'clock, July 6, 1858, the following paper was adopted: Action of the United Presbyterian congregation of Kingston in relation to the organization of a church at Scotch Grove, Linn County, Iowa. Resolved: that we approve of the organization with the understanding that they continue in connection with us as the same pastoral charge until otherwise ordered by the Presbytery.' But the name of the Presbytery is not mentioned. It is supposed that Joseph Humphrey carried the petition to Presbytery. The organization was granted and on the 12th day of August, 1858, a meeting was held in the home of James and Mary Ure, a sermon preached and the congregation organized by Rev. Hugh Sturgeon. There were fifteen charter members, and the name given the congregation was 'Fairfax.' The names of all present can not be recalled, but we remember that John Beatty, who later with his family came to the neighborhood, brought Mr. Sturgeon and was present at this meeting. Three elders were elected, Joseph Humphrey, Alexander Johnson and James Mitchell. James Mitchell did not accept the office and at a later meeting James Ure was elected and with the other two, ordained and installed. Thus organized and equipped they began the work with high hopes and willing hands, if not much ready money. There being no public building which could be used for religious meetings, they were held in homes, most of the time in the home of Miss Margaret Ure. Rev. Sturgeon did not long remain and others came. Revs. Douthett, A. J. Allen, Sawhill, Fulton, and others. Doctor Roberts of the Covenanter faith preached a few times. One occasion is remembered when he was to preach in the home of Mr. Wadsworth, where Mr. and Mrs. William Russell now live. Heavy rains had fallen during the week and Prairie creek was over its banks, with the bridge either washed away or overflowed. Several families lived on the other side who must attend the service on the Sabbath, no thought of the high water being an excuse for staying at home. They wished to attend and were needed to assist with the singing. The names of three families are remembered: Dixon, Junk, and Humphrey. Among other plans some one suggested building a raft, whom we do not remember, but superintended by Andrew Mitchell the work was begun, and finished Saturday afternoon. Sabbath afternoon the families came in their wagons as far as the creek, where they were met by neighbors on this side, ferried across by Andrew Mitchell, and conveyed to the home of Mr. Wadsworth. After the service they were brought back to the place of crossing and again ferried over, all in a quiet way becoming the day and occasion. Thus obstacles were met and overcome with the persistent determination of people who retained some of the spirit of their invincible John Knox. But a school house was erected in the early sixties, known as the James Ure school house, and religious meetings were held here. If possible, preaching, if not, Sabbath school and prayer meeting until their first pastor, Rev. J. T. Torrence, came among them.

"Shall we ask: Did the work prosper? How well, vines transplanted from the Scotch Grove church in Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Idaho and far-off California will testify.

"Is it possible to over-estimate the courage and perseverance of our fathers and mothers, who began the work in this new country under the great difficulties and privations, and whose faith, as well as strength of arm, has made possible the privileges we, their children, enjoy? We trust we shall not forget, but to succeeding generations tell the heroism of the daily strife and the earnestness and value of the twice daily prayer, 'All honor to the builders of this Church.'

'The world may sound no trumpets—ring no bells,
The book of life the shining record tells.'

"THE CHARTER MEMBERS

"Fifty years is a longer time than the memory of most of those living runs. The span of life is not always, in fact not usually, lengthened to include events so wide apart in space of time.

"Fifty years ago, the great Civil war had not been fought, and it was the hopes of those who held the welfare of their country nearest to their hearts that such a calamity might be averted. Fifty years ago, the memory of those two great national characters, Webster and Clay, whose eloquence and zeal postponed that great contest a decade, was fresh to the little band that bound themselves together here at Scotch Grove that they might have the privileges of a church home.

"In May of 1858, the United Presbyterian church was formed by the union of the Associate Presbyterians and Associate Reform Presbyterian churches. In the fall of that same year, fifteen devoted Christian citizens organized the new congregation and called it the United Presbyterian Church of Fairfax, Iowa.

"It is interesting to note that while these fifteen early pioneers were planning for the organization, Abraham Lincoln was debating with Douglas the merits of the Dred Scott decision.

"These fifteen charter members were:

- "Samuel Hall and wife, Sarah Hall.

- "Joseph Humphrey and wife, Margaret Humphrey.

- "Alexander Johnson and wife, Janet McKinnon Johnson.

- "James Mitchell and wife, Margaret McArthur Mitchell.

- "John Mitchell and wife, Margaret Mitchell.

- "William McKinnon and wife, Janet McKinnon.

- "James Ure and wife, Mary Ure, and

- "Miss Margaret Ure.

"Associated with these fifteen charter members in word and work were John McGregor and wife, Jane Robertson McGregor, who later became members of the new organization.

"Of these persons, there are three still living—Mr. and Mrs. James Ure, who live at Denver, Colorado, and Mr. James Mitchell, who lives at Cedar Rapids, Iowa. [Mr. and Mrs. Ure are now deceased, 1910].

"James and Margaret Ure were among the very earliest settlers in this community. They, with their parents, had come to Iowa in 1841, five years before the territory was admitted to statehood. Both were born in Scotland and came to America in 1838, settling near Springfield, Ohio, where they lived till they came west. In 1857 James Ure was married to Mary Kerr. She was born in March, 1835, in Mercer, Pennsylvania, where she spent her early childhood, later removing with her parents to Dubuque, Iowa. They began housekeeping on their farm just east of the grove, where they lived till April, 1892, when they moved to Denver, Colorado.

"In September, 1879, Mr. Ure asked for his certificate of admission, which was granted. He was one of the ruling elders elected at the time of the organization.

"Margaret Ure was born in Scotland in 1821. After coming to Scotch Grove she resided on the Ure homestead, now owned by Jas. Rogers. She was a woman of great abilities and was always liberal in giving of her time and means to the work of the church. The church building was not erected for some years after the organization of the congregation and her home was always open for the holding of services during this time. The pulpit furniture now in use was a gift of hers. She removed to Cedar Rapids in 1884, where she died. She was buried in the Fairfax cemetery.

"James Mitchell, one of the three surviving charter members, and who now resides at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was born March 3, 1821, in Buchlyvie, Stirlingshire, Scotland. He came to America in 1851 and settled in New York state. July 8, 1853, he was married to Margaret McArthur and in July, 1855, came to Linn county, Iowa. Mrs. Mitchell was born June 8, 1823, and died June 20, 1904, at the age of 81 years and 12 days.

"At the time Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell came west, in 1855, the railroad ran no farther west than to Rock Island. At this point they, in company with Margaret and William Ure, were compelled to cross the Mississippi river on the ice. It was here that they received their first initiation into the life of hardship and peril that fell to the life of the early pioneer. While crossing the river, the wheels of their dray began to cut through the ice. There was danger of the ice giving way and all being drowned, but by means of levers and props they were able to reach the Iowa shore in safety.

"When Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell reached Scotch Grove, they took for their home a small log house some five or six rods southwest from the present church building, and with the munificent sum of ten dollars with which to furnish their home, started to carve out their career in the new country. With Mrs. Mitchell there was little thought of what her spring hat would be like, or what she should serve when it came her turn to give a Kensington to the ladies of the community. It would probably be some days before any money would find its way into the family purse, and those ten dollars must be guarded with jealous care. True, potatoes could be had, and Mr. Ure and his family had proven that the potato could be used as the sole article of diet for at least three months.

"In 1898 they removed to Cedar Rapids, where four years ago Mrs. Mitchell died. She was buried at Fairfax cemetery. Mr. Mitchell is now eighty-seven years of age. He was elected to the office of ruling elder in December, 1879, which he filled till the time he removed to Cedar Rapids. July 8, 1903, Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell celebrated their golden wedding.

"John Mitchell came to America in 1853. Margaret McGregor Mitchell was born in Sterlingshire, Scotland, September 8, 1831. In 1852 she came to America with her parents, settling in New York state. The following year she was married to Mr. John Mitchell and in 1855 came to Scotch Grove. Here they settled in a small log house near the present church lot. Robert Ure, father of James and Margaret Ure, had, during the time of the gold excitement in California, built three of these houses, the first being erected without the use of a nail.

"Mr. Mitchell entered forty acres of land west of where the Conley school house now stands. After the school house was built, preaching services and Sabbath school were held there, and Mr. Mitchell was one of the most active in lending help and maintaining the services. He died January 17, 1896, at Norway; she February 3, 1892. Both were buried in the Fairfax cemetery.

"Alexander Johnson was born in Pennsylvania, his father coming to America from Ireland. On coming to Iowa he lived at Cedar Rapids for a time, where he teamed. Here he lost his first wife and was later married to Janet McKinnon, who was born in Bo'ness, Scotland, and came to America in 1845.

"Mrs. Johnson owned some land at Que's Grove, now known as Quam's Grove. This she bought from the government. Mr. Johnson had money with which to build a house and they thus moved on the land, where they lived till the time of his death.

"Mr. Johnson was elected to the office of ruling elder when the congregation was organized, and was at all times an active and persistent worker in the church. He had become attached to his early church home and was reluctant to leave. It may seem strange, but yet it is true, that the place where a person spends the best years of his life, where he has toiled and labored to make a home, becomes in old age, after he is compelled to lay down his labors, the spot that is dearest to him. He had seen the community grow and develop, and as it had grown, his hopes had opened.

"Some time prior to his death, the members of his family wanted to remove to Washington, Iowa. He could not entertain the thought of leaving his old home community, whose growth and development had meant so much to him, and in a conversation with a member of the congregation remarked that he had said, 'If they take me away from here, it will be in my coffin, but now I have given my consent to go.'

"He was not permitted to make the change. During the latter part of his life he was confined to his bed. He died at Norway, having reached the age of eighty-four years. Mrs. Johnson died three years ago at Washington, Iowa.

"Joseph Humphrey was born in New York state, January 19, 1816, and when quite young his parents removed to Butler county, Pennsylvania. In 1836 he was married to Margaret Gill. She was born May 30, 1818, in Butler county, Pennsylvania. They came to Iowa May 5, 1855, and settled near Norway.

"In the church he occupied the highest office to which a private member can be called by the voice of the congregation, that of ruling elder, being chosen elder at the organization of the congregation. He had a high sense of the responsibility of his office, viewing it as one of divine authority. It was his study, as a steward of God, to fulfill its duties and maintain its authority. He was punctual and regular in attendance at all the meetings of the congregation and gave largely of his means and time in forwarding its interests. He believed that the minister was worthy of his hire, and rather than neglect this duty he would let his boys go barefooted to church. He died December 5, 1871, at the age of fifty-six years. Mrs. Humphrey died May 22, 1900, eight days before her eighty-second birthday. Both were buried in Fairfax cemetery.

"Samuel Hall was born March 29, 1806, in Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania. His wife, Sarah Jobe Hall, was born October 8, 1808, in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. In April of 1851 they came to Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and entered land just west of that place, where they lived till their removal to Cedar Rapids in 1883. Mrs. Hall died March 10, 1886, and Mr. Hall on the 13th, three days later. Both were buried in the same grave in Sisley Grove cemetery. They were one of the four couples mentioned here, who celebrated their golden wedding.

SCENE ON THE CEDAR AT CEDAR RAPIDS

BIRDSEYE VIEW LOOKING EAST, CEDAR RAPIDS

CEDAR RIVER DAM, CEDAR RAPIDS

"Mr. and Mrs. William McKinnon were born in Scotland and were married before coming to America. They came to Scotch Grove at an early date, about 1852. For a time they lived with David McKinnon, east of the grove, and later moving to their new home north of Norway. Moved to the western part of the state and there died.

"During the early days of the new congregation, Mr. McKinnon rendered valuable services as leader in the singing. His clear and distinct voice could be heard and followed with ease by the body of the congregation.

"Mr. and Mrs. John McGregor were both born in Scotland, he May 11, 1801, in Callander, she August 13, 1806, in Bo'ness. They came to America in 1852, settling in New York, and in 1857 came to Iowa where they settled on a farm west of the grove. Mr. McGregor was active in the work of the church and especially in the raising of funds for the new church building. Both were loyal supporters of the church, and were among those who kept their membership in the congregation till the time of their death.

"The same vessel that brought them to America brought Mr. Jas. Mitchell. It was a sailing vessel and required six weeks to cross the ocean. This past summer their great-granddaughters made the voyage in the Lusitania in less than five days.

"In 1877 they celebrated their golden wedding at their home, the same home they chose when first coming to Scotch Grove. Mr. McGregor died November 8, 1894, at the age of ninety-three years, the greatest age reached by any of the early members. August 13, 1880, Mrs. McGregor died, being just seventy-four years old. Both were buried in the Fairfax cemetery.

"Conditions then and now are quite different. Railroads were not yet built into the community. At one time the produce had to be hauled to Davenport and Muscatine. It took a week to make the trip and when one got back home, little was left to encourage another trip. There were no roads in many places, and the oxen, which were often used in those days, frequently left the wagon stuck in some slough. Before railroads were built into Cedar Rapids, a steamboat came up the river from the Mississippi, bringing groceries and dry-goods and carrying the produce back. No money could be had for the grain and stock. One must take in exchange for them groceries and dry-goods. The panic of 1857 had not yet spent its force. Such were the conditions surrounding the early pioneers when the congregation was organized.

"These members were not only pioneers in carving out homes in a new country, but they were pioneers of the faith. Religious services, Sabbath school and prayer meetings were held at Conley school house, at Norway, and at Livermore school house, besides those held at the church. They cherished the hope and faith in the divine which they had brought with them to the new country, and were persistent in offering to all who might come, the advantages of the sanctuary.

"The early pioneers are always men of firm faith, sturdy and strong in their beliefs, set in their opinions. It is not to be wondered at, that when the question of where to erect the new church building arose, there were differences of opinion. Some wanted it located at Brownlie's corner, some at Conley's school house and some just west of the present site. It was at such times that William Ure stepped into the threatened breach and by his calm counsel brought unity to the opposing opinions. Although not a member of the Fairfax congregation Mr. Ure rendered services as valuable as any of its members in giving financial aid and in other ways.

"Of these fifteen charter members, Mr. and Mrs. James Mitchell, James and Margaret Ure, William McKinnon and John Mitchell were all born and lived during their childhood in the same community in Scotland. They were all baptized by the Rev. Mr. Russell, and they attended the same church and school. In coming west to the new country they chose out a beautiful spot, fertile and productive. During the fifty years, within the memory of one of the charter members, land that was bought from the government for $1.25 per acre has been sold for $150 per acre.

"Four of these couples, Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Mitchell, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Hall, Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Ure, and Mr. and Mrs. John McGregor, have celebrated their golden weddings. Of these early pioneers of Scotch Grove, one has passed the age of ninety years, six have passed the age of eighty years, and but two died before reaching the age of seventy, a beautiful commentary upon their rugged and sturdy character and habits."

BOULDER TOWNSHIP

Boulder township is located in the northern part of the county and despite its name is one of the most fertile and productive portions of the county. The surface is generally rolling, dotted in an early day with excellent groves of native timber. Buffalo creek in the days before windmills were in common use was a much prized stream which was used by farmers near and far, for the use of their stock. William Wagner is supposed to have made the first settlement in 1850. He was shortly followed by William McQueen and Silas Edington. Later came the following named persons: John Wagner, Will Ward, H. B. Brown, Frank Cooly, J. Wilds, J. Barnhardt and Ben Harrison. In the early fifties came an itinerant Methodist minister, John Bell, and organized a small congregation, services being held in a school house near the present site of Prairieburg. The John McQueen grist mill which began operation about 1854 on Buffalo creek, a mile southwest of Prairieburg, was a noted mill in its day and was largely patronized by the early settlers. The town of Prairieburg was named by Henry Ward, the first postmaster. The first house was a log structure built by Joe Barnhardt in 1853. N. Parsons erected the second house and Henry Wayne the third, which was a store building where he opened a store. In 1856, Will Wagner started a shoe shop, and other buildings, such as hotels and blacksmith shops came later. The recent advent of the railroad has boomed the town and the price of land has increased greatly. A number of the early settlers and their descendants are still land owners in this township, Coquillette, Whitney, Paul, O'Rourke, Carpenter, Walker, McQueen, Burke, Rundle, Pillard, Nelson, Lacy, Leonard, Le Clerc, Smith, Cushman, Hill, Soesbe, Garvis, Drexler, Tear, Considine, Matsel, and other well known families.

CLINTON TOWNSHIP

Clinton township, with a population of 1,000 people, located in the western tier of townships, has a rich, productive soil and has been farmed continuously for sixty years and the soil shows no sign of deterioration. The farmers residing in Clinton township have well improved farms, good roads and a number of fine school houses and churches. For many years the road known as the Toledo road, as well as the Marengo road, were the two chief thoroughfares for travelers, gold seekers, and others, and consequently it was early well advertised.

Among some of the early settlers in this township may be mentioned John Conley, Hiram Usher, Joe Brown, Dyer Usher, George Buchanan, Reese and the Langhams, and scores of others who came here in the '40s.

James Yuill, Henry Maurer, John Fox, Whiteneck, Sisley, Kuhn, Wieneke, Lederman, O'Connell, the Miller family, Misners, Scotts, Swetts, Hall, Snell, and many others of the early settlers came here in an early day, building up the community. They have long since passed away leaving their children and grandchildren large tracts of productive land.

Sisley Grove was at a very early time a place where all the settlers, as well as travellers, congregated. The grove at that time was much larger than it is at present, and many of the farmers adjoining owned small tracts of land in this grove where they cut rails and fence posts for their farms during the winter.

Here is also located a cemetery where many of the old settlers are buried, and at an early day a church was built at which the early pioneers congregated once a week to hear the word of God preached. In the absence of any regular preacher frequently the pioneer farmers preached to the congregations. This church was abandoned some years ago and the congregation has since worshiped at Fairview, a few miles further east.

Here, also, was located Kuhn's blacksmith shop and hotel. Kuhn was a queer old fellow, who not only was an expert blacksmith but the only one for miles who was competent to shoe oxen, and consequently during the winter months he was a very busy man. Kuhn not only was a good horseshoer and blacksmith, but he was a dentist as well and pulled teeth when blacksmithing was slack. At one time he pulled a tooth for an old settler with an instrument used in those days and as it was pretty severe he gave a drink of whiskey to stop the pain. After the fellow fully recovered his senses the tooth ached as before and the patient learned that the dentist had pulled the wrong tooth and so informed the blacksmith, to which the blacksmith replied, "That will be easy to remedy, just take another drink and we will go at it again, and you will not be out very much as my charges are only ten cents a tooth." Old Mr. Kuhn seemed to know the wants of the community, for he kept a barrel of whiskey in his blacksmith shop and sold the stuff at thirty cents a gallon, and served free drinks to anyone on paying his bill. The hotel was not a modern kind of a house, but was generally full, as travellers in those days were plentiful. The old man also sold feed to travellers and consequently he generally got a little something out of every traveller who passed by Sisley Grove.

The grove was named in honor of the first settler who owned most of the land, on which the grove is situated. During the early '50s and '60s Clinton township produced more wheat, it is said, than any other township in the county, all of which was hauled to Cedar Rapids.

BUFFALO TOWNSHIP

Buffalo township was first settled by George C. Perkins, who came here in 1839 and made a claim which he occupied thereafter during his lifetime. In the early days it was well wooded and consequently much of this land was sold in small strips to adjoining farmers.

GRANT TOWNSHIP AND WALKER

For the following interesting sketch of the early settlement of northwestern Linn county we are under obligations to Justin Barry, editor of the Walker News.

Grant township, forming the northwest corner of Linn county, was organized in 1872 as the result of a struggle over the levying of a tax in aid of the construction of a railroad. The B., C. R. & N., since incorporated into the Rock Island system, had projected a line from Cedar Rapids north toward the Minnesota line. Washington township, then embracing much more territory than at present, had voted a five per cent tax in aid of the road. Those living in the northern portion of the township rebelled, and in an effort to escape the tax petitioned for a division of the territory and the formation of a new township. They succeeded in the latter effort and the new township was designated Grant, in honor of General Grant, who was then president. However, the people did not escape the tax, and some of those who most vigorously opposed it later embarked in business in the new town of Walker, which sprung up with the coming of the railroad, and thus their defeat became in fact the foundation for modest fortunes, which came from the large territory and the equally large profits of pioneer business days.

As the earlier settlers sought out the timbered sections regardless of the quality of the land, what is now Grant township, comprised as it is almost wholly of prairie, was one of the last portions of the county to be developed. Some few settlers came early, but progress generally was slow. A family named Norris was the first to settle within its territory, being already located along what is now its southern border when John K. Speake and family came in 1840. The Norrises have since disappeared and no one seems to know whither they went. James Buforde Speake is now the oldest living settler in the township, and though past eighty years of age he continues to operate the farm in section 19 on which his father filed when the family arrived here from Illinois in 1840.

Other settlers came at long intervals, but for many years after the arrival of the first it was predicted with great assurance that the northern portion of the township never would be settled but would always remain a wilderness. And yet this valley, including the present town site of Walker, lying north of what in the early days was called Wright's Grove, now Fox's Grove, must have presented an attractive picture and one of rare beauty in its wild state, viewed from the surrounding hills, a little creek winding its way through the center, flanked all about by great rolling ridges and fringed on either bank with willows, with here and there a giant oak towering above all else.

William Davis settled in the southwest portion of the township in 1841, and on his farm in about 1850 or a little earlier was laid out the first cemetery in the township. It is still in use for that purpose and many of the monuments erected in the early days bear quaint inscriptions. Mr. Davis died in 1866, leaving a large estate to his sons, Hezekiah and Edward, who carried on extensive farm operations. The former kept a pack of hounds and for many years scoured the country for miles around in search of wolves. The Davises later met with reverses and left the county years ago shorn of a large share of the princely estate, which once had embraced many hundreds of acres of land in Benton and Linn counties.

E. D. Hazeltine, who died only a few weeks ago at his home in Center Point, was another early settler in the southern portion of the township, and he was long active in all its interests. He served for some time in the early days as a county commissioner. During the '50s numerous pioneer families arrived, including those of Thomas Fee, W. C. Ring, C. G. and Benjamin Gitchell, W. S. Bliss, Chorydon Gilchrist, Christian Iehl, and others.

Following the close of the Civil war development was more rapid, a number of soldiers fresh from the service joining the pioneers in their work of subduing the wilderness. In 1873 when the railroad arrived settlement had reached the northern border of the township, where James A. North, Walker Purviance, William Moses and others were located. The building of the railroad brought the establishment of a new town on section 4, which was called Walker, in honor of W. W. Walker, then chief engineer and afterward superintendent and receiver of the road.

James K. Hotchkin built the first business building, opening a general store, and he was also appointed as the first postmaster. The second business building was erected by Theo. Hamblin, present mayor of the town, who engaged in the grocery business. O. C. Barnes built a hotel on the site now occupied by the Walker News office, and Fred Hoffman erected the store building now occupied by S. Liddle. The first residence was built by C. G. Gitchell, who leased his farm in section 21 and engaged in the lumber and grain business in partnership with Fred Hoffman, and Mrs. Gitchell was the first woman resident of the town. Messrs. Gitchell and Hoffman prospered greatly in business, amassing modest fortunes, and both remained for many years among the leaders in business affairs. Mr. Gitchell later represented his county for two terms in the lower house of the General Assembly of Iowa.

QUAKER OATS PLANT, CEDAR RAPIDS

STREET RAILWAY STATION AT BEVER PARK, CEDAR RAPIDS

The town grew steadily and at once became an important market point, tapping a wide territory of rich farming country, and for many years it has been recognized as the best shipping point on the Decorah division of the Rock Island, barring only one or two of the larger cities. The farmers soon turned their attention largely to dairying, and in the town now is one of the finest creamery plants in the state, "Walker" butter having gained a wide fame in the city markets.

Municipal affairs have been wisely and economically administered ever since the incorporation of the town in 1891, when the following were chosen as the first officers: Mayor, W. A. Jones; councilmen, C. G. Gitchell, J. P. Bross, H. J. Nietert, J. N. Keys, Theo. Hamblin and P. L. Hutchins; recorder, O. C. Swartz; treasurer, M. B. Dodge; assessor, E. R. Wheeler; marshal, J. M. Peyton. Walker now has a pretty park embracing about two blocks of ground, a complete municipal water-works system affording fire protection to all portions of the town, and a well equipped fire department. The water-works system has just been re-enforced by the sinking of a second deep well, affording an inexhaustible supply of water, and the installation of a second pumping equipment.

The town's graded school system has reached a high standard of efficiency, and its graduates rank well as teachers and as students in higher institutions. The school has four departments, all of them crowded to their full capacity, the enrollment including many tuition scholars. Several thousand dollars have already been set aside as the foundation of a fund for the erection of a new brick school building, which will be a necessity within a few years.

The town is well supplied with churches, having four protestant and one Catholic society. In the order of their organization they are: Methodist Episcopal, Free Methodist, Catholic, Presbyterian, Christian. The first church organized in the town was in 1874 by the Wesleyan Methodist, but that denomination has since passed from the field.

That the town and surrounding country are prosperous and rapidly growing in wealth is shown by the fact that Walker now boasts of two strong banks having resources reaching a half a million dollars, and with deposits steadily increasing. Its business men are enterprising and progressive.

Regularly laid out, its streets lined with shade trees, bordering permanent walks and well kept lawns, the town presents a pretty appearance, and town officials and citizens seem to vie with each other in their efforts to maintain its reputation as being one of the prettiest towns in the county.

MAINE TOWNSHIP

We are indebted to a loyal citizen of the county for the following historical sketch of one of the finest districts in the county—Maine township. Dr. Ward Woodbridge has treated sympathetically the early days in and around Central City. He long has lived there, has been a potent factor in the development of his community, and knows whereof he speaks.

Maine township geographically is located in the northeast corner of Linn county, being in the second row of townships from both the north and east.

Its shape is an irregular triangle, containing forty-seven square miles, making it one-third larger than the average township. This is due to an early arrangement whereby a portion of Buffalo township became a part of Maine. The Wapsie river divides Buffalo township nearly in the middle. In its early history the larger number of people resided south of the river, as there were no bridges in those days, and the river held a high stage of water, making it difficult to cross. These people finally asked to be attached to Maine township for administrative purposes, and all that portion of Buffalo on the south side of the river was made a part of Maine, and has never been restored.

The Wapsie river runs along the northeastern border of Maine, and is the dividing line between it and Buffalo.

Along the river, and from one to three miles in width on either side, the land is somewhat hilly, sandy, and has been heavily timbered. When the more level country is reached it becomes a gently undulating plain, rich black loam and very productive.

As we turn in retrospect, seeing its growth and development, we can see the work of the hardy and determined pioneers on every hand. It was they who blazed the way. It was they who built this Appian way of progress. It was their devotion and privation, patiently endured, that have caused not two, but myriads of blades of grass to grow where hitherto the one blade was trampled under foot by the roving Indian and buffalo, and although their forms have vanished and their voices are stilled, and the hands roughened by honest toil lie quiet, yet their work lives after them. They left that imprint on both descendants and administration which makes of the Maine township citizenship today a sturdy, hard-headed class, whose public opinion always crystallizes on the side of righteousness, of truth and justice. Its people never have to apologize for their course.

Probably the first white settler was John Jenkins, who came in 1838 and settled on the farm adjoining Central City known as the Ormus Clark farm. In 1839 Joseph Clark bought the farm of Jenkins, he being a son-in-law of Clark. It lies to the southwest of Central City, and a portion of it lies within the corporation. It is now owned by C. C. Crane.

In the winters of 1838-1840 a few trappers wintered along the banks of the Wapsie, but the names of no permanent settlers are recorded.

In the spring of 1840 two young men, natives of Maine, landed in Maine township. They had left their state two years before and stopped at Peoria, Illinois, working there through the summer, and going south in the winter where they worked in the cotton yards of New Orleans. Returning from New Orleans in the spring of 1840 they bought three yoke of cattle, a big prairie plow, and what other necessaries they needed, and headed for the Mississippi river. Crossing it they drove on and on until arriving one evening at the place known as "Jordan's Grove" they camped for the night. The next morning they cooked breakfast, and while one of them went out to gather up the cattle, the other took his bearings, and when the cattle were brought up he had the plow out of the wagon. On inquiry from his partner as to what he was about he said, "This looks good to me. Hitch onto the plow." These two young men were L. D. Jordan and Ed McKinney. They broke enough to hold their claims, went to Dubuque and filed on them, returned, built cabins, went back to Maine and married sisters, returned and made homes, and Mr. Jordan lived his whole life on the spot where he unloaded the plow, dying there in 1890. McKinney moved from the neighborhood some years before his death. They both lived to be old men.

In 1840 the Heaton family came, and P. A. and Will Heaton still live in Central City, together with two or three of the women of the family.

In October, 1844, Chandler Jordan arrived at his brother's place. He remained all night, and in the morning got on a horse and rode north through the grove to the brow of the hill overlooking the Wapsie valley.

It was beautiful Indian summer. All was purple, yellow, and gold, and the blue-joint grass stood as high as the back of his horse all the way down the valley. He gazed fascinated, rode slowly down the valley of a small creek that meandered from its source in the grove, to the river. In a level place on the bank of the creek he stopped, staked out a claim, returned, went to Dubuque and filed on it, came back and began improvements.

He broke the ground and raised crops, and in the spring of 1847 built a cabin on the spot where he first dismounted, and married Sarah D. Waterhouse in June. They went at once to the cabin and began housekeeping. Later they built more commodious quarters, and in 1860 erected the brick house in which they both died in 1909.

Harvey Powell came in 1844 also, and entered a fine tract of land on the ridge west of Central City, where he lived to a good old age.

In 1846 N. C. Gillilan came; Jennings Crawford in 1854, and the Haas family in the early fifties.

About this time settlers began coming in so rapidly that honorable mention can not be made of all of them, even if they could be traced. It can readily be seen that the earliest settlers coming from the state of Maine gave the name to the township. They were a sturdy lot of pioneers, determined to win success from their surroundings. They knew no such word as fail or can't. They knew no surcease from labor, but toiled on without murmur or complaint.

Markets were a long way off, Dubuque and Muscatine being the principal places where they sold their produce. It took four days to take a load to Dubuque and bring one back. They never made the trip with empty wagons. There were no bridges. The roads ran across the virgin prairie, and often, when sloughs were bad, they had to take off part of the load, drive through a bad place, unload what they had hauled over and return for the rest, thus delaying their journey.

Finally the Northwestern road came to Cedar Rapids in 1859, and later a road to Marion and Springville, bringing, as they felt, markets to their very doors.

They turned the virgin soil, sowed, reaped, mowed, and garnered the fruits of their labor year after year, early and late alike, working with the primitive tools of that day when most of the work was done by main strength instead of machinery. They formed from necessity those habits of saving every thing which, with many, later resulted in an abundance for the rainy day. These early privations, sturdy devotion to the work, with a fidelity well worth emulation has brought its rewards in one of the richest agricultural regions on earth.

They saw the steady advancement of material things as a reward for their patient toil. They established schools and churches, overcoming as rapidly as possible the drawbacks and inconveniences of pioneer life.

They made the way of the transgressor a hard one, and when law breakers and horse thieves escaped through some sharp practice, they took the law in their own hands and rid the country for all time of the horse thief and general law breaker, thereby putting a premium on honesty.

The villages of Waubeek and Central City were established in the usual way. Blacksmith shops, stores, and post offices being a necessity, they were established on the banks of the Wapsie river, Central City on the north side of the river just at the north line of the township, and Waubeek five miles southeast on the south bank of the river.

Some dams were built across the river at both places and saw mills established to saw lumber for the pioneer houses to displace the log cabin. These were followed by grist mills to make flour for the settlers, and for many years the mills at both places were run at their full capacity. Gradually wheat was abandoned as a product, and the people were able to buy a better grade of flour than the home mills could make. They were allowed to run down and were neglected until finally the mill at Waubeek was allowed to fall in the river. The last vestige of its site is gone.

The mill at Central City has run until lately, grinding the feed for the farmers, but it, too, has quit, the wheel is still, and the busy scenes about its doors are but memories of its great convenience and usefulness to those it served so well.

After years of quiet and peaceful pursuits the mutterings of civil war began to be heard. The lowering clouds portending the storm made the heart of many a pioneer mother beat with anxiety as she felt that if it came she must lay a son on the altar.

Finally when the storm burst on the community Maine township was not backward in sending its quota of men, something like twenty of its best sons enlisting in the Twentieth Iowa, and others in the Sixteenth, the Twenty-fourth, and other scattered regiments.

With improved market facilities and the high prices of war times the farmers rapidly accumulated a competence.

The war over, the soldiers returned to peaceful pursuits, the young men of other states began to hunt up locations, and many of them found their way to Maine township.

Farms were rapidly opened up after 1865, and it was not many years until all the open prairie was turned, fenced, put to crops, homes built, and the whole face of the township changed to a busy, peaceful, and prosperous scene.

In its early days there was little chance or opportunity for religious gatherings. It was difficult to find ministers to conduct funerals, and church services were a long way apart, both in meeting places and appointment.

In 1854 a Methodist class was established at Central City, then called Clarksford. In 1856 the Jordan's Grove Baptist church was organized, and in 1858 the Congregational church at Central City was established.

In 1855 the village of Waubeek was laid out, and for many years was a fine trading point. Its stores, together with its mill, did a fine business. It has one of the finest store buildings in Linn county.

In 1856 the village of Central City was surveyed, and the same year the dam was built across the river where it now stands.

In 1887 the Illinois Central railroad built a line from Manchester to Cedar Rapids, running it through Central City. This little city, exactly half way between Manchester and Cedar Rapids, at once began to grow as soon as it was certain the railroad would be built.

This road was a great boon to the north part of Linn county, as before that Marion was its nearest market, and many had to haul their produce twenty miles to reach it.

Central City now has six hundred people. It has fourteen business houses, three churches, a solid bank, a fine school doing full twelve-grade work.

The post office is third class, with four rural routes. It is the distributing point for freight for all the surrounding country, with large hog, cattle, hay, and grain buying facilities. It has two lumber yards, and from 1,200 to 2,000 tons of coal are shipped in here every year.

The village of Waubeek has no railroad and has made no advance for the past twenty years. It has four stores, post office, creamery, two churches, good schools, and fine stone quarries.

It is not necessary to enlarge on this history. It is doubtless a repetition of the history of many other townships, but we, its citizens, have a local pride in its beauty, its bounty, its prosperity, its boundless hospitality. No finer cattle, hogs, horses, sheep, and poultry can be found on the face of the earth than are raised in Maine township. The physical, moral, social, intellectual, and financial condition of the people is on a high plane, and shows a steady growth and development through all the years since the first settlement. Its people have laid aside the miserly habits made necessary by their early struggles, and there is literally nothing too good for them to have and enjoy. This prosperity is shown by the fine modern homes being built, or remodeled from the older ones, all over the township, with every modern convenience in the way of plumbing and heating, and furnished in the latest and best way. Commodious barns and outbuildings, tiling of wet places, and building of woven wire fences mark the advances of farm work, making every acre available for cultivation.

The bounteous crops, the high prices of all farm produce, the solid improvements being made, the phenomenal price of land—and it is still soaring—all mark a prosperous, happy, and contented people, loyal, honest, industrious, hospitable, ready always to entertain the stranger within the gates. Farm life no longer carries with it the dreary isolation and monotony of early pioneer life. The work is done with modern machinery. Telephones extend to every home in the township. Rural delivery takes the mail each morning to their doors, and the latest literature is found on their library tables. They are in touch with every phase of life. The women no longer spin and weave, and then sew and knit, but buy ready made the best that is manufactured.

When the day's work is done they come to town in their automobiles, the women gowned in the latest fashions, to enjoy an evening of social pleasure, engage in club work, society work, lodge work, and church work. The village of Waubeek has a ladies' improvement club, and they have built over a mile of fine cement sidewalk.

As one rides over the great state of Iowa and sees its flocks and herds, its fine homes, cities, towns, and villages, the bounteous crops, and notes the intelligence and contentment of its people, we are led with the red men of virgin days to exclaim "E-A-WAH," the beautiful land, and no fairer spot can be found in its broad domain than Maine township, of which we are all proud to be residents and citizens.

JACKSON TOWNSHIP

Jackson township is in the north tier of townships. It is bounded on the north by Buchanan county, on the east by Boulder township, on the south by Maine and on the west by Spring Grove townships. It is well watered by the Wapsie river as well as by Buffalo creek, both of which streams traverse parts of the ground called for political purposes Jackson township. The township is largely settled by Americans whose ancestors located on these verdant prairies in the forties and fifties. The township is supposed to have been named by David Sutton, in honor of his patron saint Andrew Jackson. James Lytle came from Indiana and took up a claim here in 1841. He brought his wife who was a daughter of David Sutton, who located here in January, 1843, with a wife and nine children. The first white child born in the township was Frances, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Lytle. Sam W. Justice came in 1845 and erected a house on ground where now is the town of Paris, which was staked out on the south bank of the Wapsie river on what is now sections 19 and 20, township 86, range 6. Sam Chamberlain opened the first store and established quite a trade, which later was shared by Rob. C. Powell, who erected a more complete store building and provided more pretentious quarters where he was besides store keeper the first postmaster. Dan McCrellis and Anos Bond located on lands on which this embryo town was started. Dave Long also saw fit to stop here in search of a home as early as 1848.

Miss Pethenia Gray taught the first school about a half a mile west of Paris in 1850. The first religious services were conducted by Rev. Little at the home of Sam Justin. Jas. Nugent settled in section 12 in the northeastern part of the county in 1847 at what for many years was known as Nugent's Grove. Mr. Nugent was for many years justice, school director, township trustee, and held other offices. He was a leader of the republican party for many years and well known over the county. He died a number of years ago, the widow passing away at an advanced age in the fall of 1910. S. D. Mills settled here with his family in 1853, followed the following spring by F. M. Philips who came from Illinois, but returned again and permanently located in the county three years later. The years from 1854-1857 were the most active in the matter of land purchase in this township. In 1854 came Wm. Henderson of Scotch descent from Canada with his family and located on lands a little to the west of the present town of Coggon. A large number of the descendants of this family are still large property owners and respected and enterprising citizens of this township. E. L. Ware, Henry Thorp, G. C. Edgerly and many others purchased lands and settled here during these years. John Bruce in 1858 during the hard times had the courage to erect a stone grist mill on Buffalo creek at the present site of Coggon and this property later came into the possession of Amos Green who operated the mill till 1876, when he erected a frame structure. This mill was much appreciated by the settlers and it was a busy place for many years. Up till the time of the Illinois Central railway extension in 1887, the place was known as Green's Mill, later called Nugent, after the postoffice, and then named Coggon. The first store at Green's Mill was run by John Bruce, who ran this in connection with his mill. The advent of railroads brought up the price of lands, markets were offered for grain and rents at once advanced and since that time the growth has been steady and healthful till Jackson township is not excelled by any other community in the state.

LINN TOWNSHIP

Linn township, in the southeastern part of the county, on account of its location was early settled by L. M. Kepler of Indiana, and G. A. Yeisley of Pennsylvania, who came here as early as 1837. By 1840 a large number had located in the township, such as J. C. Goudy, Dan McCall, Isaac Kyle and Oliver Clark who had emigrated from Ohio, Benj. Hoover, Alex Torrance, Jas. Varner, who had come from Pennsylvania; Chancy Neal, Geo. House, William Perkins and others from the eastern states. Sam Ellison had come from Ireland, and J. W. Walton from England. The descendants of many of these early settlers are still residents of the county, the owners of large farms, and of much personal property.

It was not until 1852-1857 that settlers came in any large numbers from the eastern states. Then nearly all the vacant lands which had not gotten into the hands of speculators were for the most part taken up and improved. Linn township was on the so-called Anamosa-Iowa City road, as well as on the Marion-Muscatine road, two of the early highways.

The township cannot boast of any towns with the exception of Paralta, which is only a junction point of the Milwaukee system. The residents trade at Mt. Vernon and Lisbon.

In this township can be found many descendants of the early settlers and even a few of the original pioneers. The Yeisley, Needles, Clark, Neal, Bussenbark, Ink, Leigh, Filloon, Ellison, Beechley, Chamberlain, Stinger, Paul, Remington, Lacock, Stewart, Goudy, Boxwell, Kearns, Ballard, Travis, and other well known early families are still owners of valuable farms within the confines of the old township borders.

OTTER CREEK TOWNSHIP

Otter Creek township, containing thirty-six sections, situated nearly in the center of Linn county, has been considered one of the best farming communities in Iowa for years. The soil is excellent and there has always been plenty of water in the streams for cattle, which also affords good drainage for tilling purposes. During the last ten years nearly every acre of unproductive land has been reclaimed by a thorough system of drainage, so that now Otter Creek land sells at the top notch.

The first settler was William Chamberlain, who located in what later became Monroe township, in 1838. He is the father of the famous Chamberlain family who have made a fortune out of the patent medicine business in Des Moines. The children of William and Rachel Chamberlain were Davis and Lowell, and four daughters named Mrs. Mary Snyder, Mrs. Laura Weeks, Mrs. Lucy A. Taylor, and Isanna L. Chamberlain.

Other early settlers might be mentioned as follows: John Cochran, George Cochran, Alexander Nevin, James Hemphill, William Ward, Nate Reynolds, who came in the early '40s. Caleb Hendrix came, it is thought, in 1838. Of him, it is said by John Lanning, that old Caleb used to say that he made a claim and spread his tent on what became Cedar Rapids, but that a lot of bloodthirsty and ferocious Indians camped on the other side of the river and by their acts and grimaces and the noise they made Caleb sized up the situation that this was a case where it would be better to be a live coward than a dead hero and he pulled up stakes and removed further north, going to a number of places before he settled in Otter Creek township, where he finally decided to make his home. Mr. Hendrix married a daughter of James Hemphill in 1845 and for many years was a pillar in the Methodist church and an enthusiastic Sunday school worker.

Among other early settlers might be mentioned Perry Oliphant and his wife Susanna, as well as his sons Silas, Edward, John, William, and Henry, and his daughters Lizzie, Mary, and Rillar. These came in 1839 or 1840. Another of the old, well respected families who came here in the early '40s was the Neighbors. John Nevins erected the first saw mill in 1845 near what later became the village of Lafayette. This mill was later owned by John Yambert, James Greene, and A. Brenaman, still later it came into the possession of Fred Notebohn, who added a grist mill, and when the water gave out it was run by steam.

Other of the old settlers were James Wallace, Alfred Thomas, William and Samuel Fleming, the Mounces, Seversons, Pences, Fishels, Browns, Fees, Jackmans, Taylors, Chesmores, Hollenbecks, Andrews, Martins, Metcalfs, and many others.

One of the first stores kept was in the fall of 1847 when Morris Neighbor opened a small place in what was known as Shingle Town. This name, it is said, came about for the reason that clapboards were made in this vicinity.

John Carr, having married Neighbor's sister, also lived here for some time. The postoffice for Otter Creek township was moved around among the old settlers from time to time and was kept, of course, in the farm houses. William Hunt seems to have been the first postmaster. The office was afterwards removed and the postmastership held by Perry Oliphant, and later again removed, with Richard Lanning in charge. During the Civil war the postoffice was conducted by Yambert, Polley, and Moller. It was around the postoffice and country store that politics were discussed and news of the neighborhood commented upon, and it was also here that the pioneer settlers became acquainted and friendships were formed which continued through life. For this reason, no doubt, the country postoffice and the country store did much in an early day to lessen the hardships in pioneer life.

Otter Creek township was early visited by itinerary ministers, and as early as 1853 a Christian church was organized. William Kalb, John Yambert, and others being some of the first evangelical preachers in this part of the county. One of the first county meetings of this church was held at the home of George Cochran as early as 1859. The Evangelical church was later organized in this township and some of the early ministers in this denomination were Rev. Borchart, Rev. Maerz, Rev. Gerhart, Rev. Mayne, Rev. Brecher.

COLLEGE TOWNSHIP

College township is situated in the southern tier of townships in the county, the southern boundary being the county line between Johnson and Linn counties, while on the east and west respectively are Fairfax and Putnam townships. College township is well watered and well drained by several water courses, the principal ones being the Cedar river, Hoosier creek, and Prairie creek. It contains no towns of any size but most of its traffic is now conducted by the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City electric line running from Cedar Rapids to Iowa City. Much of the cream, milk and other products of the farm are shipped daily over this line to Cedar Rapids; since the construction of this line land in College township has gone up in price and the beautiful farm houses, magnificent and well tilled fields speak well for the population of this part of the county.

Some of the old settlers of College township are the following: Isaac Smith, Phillip Smith, Dr. J. H. Smith, James Smith, and others of the Smith family who came here in the early '50s. During the next few years came John Lagore, Joseph Custer, Jacob Inbody, the Garnett family, Thomas Philipson, Horn, Henry Rogers, Fritz family, James Snyder, W. F. Minor, Joshua Minor, Sam Minor, the Bakers, and many others.

One of the first Baptist churches was erected at Rogers Grove, and a large number of the early settlers in this community belonged to that denomination.

SPRING GROVE TOWNSHIP

BY A. W. FISHER

Spring Grove township is situated in the northern tier of townships in Linn county. It is bordered on the north by Newton township, Buchanan county, on the east by Jackson, on the south by Otter Creek, and on the west by Grant. The land is generally an undulating prairie excepting a strip about two miles wide beginning at the northwest corner of the township in section six, and extending in a southeasterly direction to section twenty-four on the east side of the township, through which the Wapsipinicon river flows. The land near the river on both sides is not only hilly, but consists of a light sandy soil, and was almost covered with a heavy growth of timber in the early pioneer days. Back from the river about one mile the land is prairie and has a deep black loam.

The early settlements of Spring Grove township were connected with the settlements in the neighboring townships, and divided themselves into three groups. The first one was on the north side of the Wapsipinicon river, while another settlement was made in the southeastern part of the township in what is called West Prairie, and the third settlement was in the western part of the township. The earliest settlers located along the Wapsipinicon river where the soil is of a poorer quality than it was on the open prairie. The reason for their choice was to secure timber for their buildings and for fuel. In a few cases the settlers were grouped around springs that furnished them with water.

Game was abundant in those days and this helped the pioneer during the long cold winters. Large herds of deer were often seen along the timber near the river and on the prairies. Wolves were too plentiful to suit the settler as they prowled around his cabin during the night and carried off poultry whenever the chance offered. Panthers were rarely seen but were too numerous for the more timid in those days. Often cattle and hogs were missing and their loss was attributed to the work of the panther. The early settlers of Spring Grove township did not escape the discomforts of the average pioneer. Their houses were, at the best, rudely constructed of logs, and the stoves used in those days were very poor. Many of the old settlers have informed me that their coffee, when they were lucky enough to secure it, was often frozen after being placed on the breakfast table.

The first settlement was on the north side of the Wapsipinicon river around two springs. One of them was in a grove in Newton township, Buchanan county, and the other one a short distance southeast in a grove in our township. To distinguish them the early pioneers called them the Upper and Lower Spring Grove. The name of Spring Grove then came in general use for the entire settlement and was adopted by our settlers as the name of their township.

A VIEW OF CEDAR RAPIDS FROM THE ISLAND

RAILROAD YARDS AT CEDAR RAPIDS

The first settler in Spring Grove township was Leonard Austin, who with his family settled in section one of our township in the spring of 1845, and erected the first building from rough unhewn logs taken from the timber surrounding his building site. Mr. Austin was followed by A. J. Ward, who with his family settled near Mr. Austin during the fall of that year. Two years later, in 1847, Josiah Walton and Rev. Wm. Phillips settled as near neighbors to these hardy pioneers. These were soon followed by the Reeces, Holmans, Longs, McPikes, Peytons, Carsons, Whisenands, McKees, Fays, and Waltons, who settled in the northern part of our township and in the southern part of Newton township in Buchanan county, and who are remembered as the early pioneers.

The early settlers of the southeastern part of the township were the Bices, Andersons, Saxtons, Leathermans, Plummers, Swaims, Frank Dorr, E. B. Fisher, Bumgardners, Benedicts, McBurneys, Nutting, Carpenters, and Jordans. These settlers formed part of a settlement that extended into Jackson township. They located there during the early part of the '50s. About the same time the western part of the township south of the Wapsipinicon river was settled. Those early settlers were Edwin Jeffreys, A. G. Kibbe, Elmer and J. E. Atwood, father and son, Chas. Cook and sons, Edwin, Enos, George, and Charles, and George Parkhurst. All these early pioneers took an active part in helping to develop the new country.

In regard to religious worship the people of Spring Grove may be likened to the Puritans of the early colonial period, as among the earliest settlers came Rev. Wm. Phillips, a minister of the gospel who at first conducted meetings in his own home, and later became a "circuit rider," holding meetings every Sunday either in some private house or in a school house. The Christian organization that is now at Troy Mills was organized by Henry Holman during the summer of 1853 in John W. McKee's house near what is now Troy Mills. Mr. Holman preached the first sermon and continued as pastor until the organization was strong enough to secure a minister to take charge of the work. Isaac Holman, now a resident of Troy Mills, and a son of Henry Holman, was the first superintendent of the Sunday school organized in the township. Rev. N. A. McConnell, of Marion, was one of the ablest ministers of the early period, and would face the worst storms of the season in order to keep his appointment. The people living in the southeastern part of the township at first held services in private houses until the West Prairie school house was erected, where for several years they had a place for worship. They now have a splendid church near the West Prairie school house.

The first justice of the peace of Spring Grove township was John Plummer, but the best known justices of the peace of the early times were Elmer Atwood, Josiah Walton, and Wm. Bleakley. While the people of those days were not free from strife among themselves, yet they were obliged to band together to free themselves from a worse evil—the horse thief. The people finally with the help of the neighboring settlers took the law in their own hands and dealt summary justice to the offenders. One of these thieves was followed by a posse to his camp on the Buffalo creek in Buchanan county, and on his refusal to surrender he was shot to death. This put a stop to the stealing.

In politics the people of Spring Grove always took an active part, and for a long time claimed to be the banner republican precinct of the state. During the Civil war the republicans of West Prairie erected a flag pole on the bare prairie near where now stands the West Prairie church and raised the Stars and Stripes aloft and kept the flag there until long after the war closed. At one election during the Civil war not a democratic vote was cast. It was said that there were a few democrats in the township but they chose to stay at home rather than stand the jeers that were sure to assail them if they voted.

Troy Mills, the only village in the township, was founded in 1853, when a dam was built across the river at that place and a saw mill built. This mill continued to run about ten years when the present mill was erected. The mill did a flourishing business grinding all kinds of grain, but of late years has only been used as a grist mill. Jordon Long brought the first stock of goods to Troy Mills, amounting to ten dollars. Meeting with success in selling these, he turned all his attention to carrying on a general store which he conducted for more than forty years. Dr. John Dix and E. C. Downs started the first drug store in the town but soon sold out. E. N. Beach, one of the best known men in the northern part of Linn county, came to Troy Mills at an early day and started a drug store and has conducted the same to the present time. Dr. E. Wilson was the only doctor in our township for several years and enjoyed a lucrative practice. The first blacksmith shop was started by Elmer and John E. Atwood in 1854, who conducted the same for nearly thirty years.

Only a few of the old settlers remain who helped to transform the wilds into what it is today. Those now living here, who came in the early '50s, are David Reece, Isaac Holman, John E. Attwood, Mrs. Edwin Jeffries, Isaac Bice, Enos and Charles Cook. The others have either moved away or passed into that great beyond from which no traveler returns.

WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP

Washington township was early settled, for it is stated on good authority that Bartimus McGonigle settled near what later became Center Point in 1839. Some of the early settlers were Dr. S. M. Brice, John Osborn, Tom Lockhart, W. A. Thomas, James Down, Sam Stewart, E. B. Spencer, Alex Nevin, D. S. Way, Milt Squires, Will Cress, Jacob Thomas, Robert Osborn, Jonathan Dennison, Alex Thomas, Jas. Chambers. These came as early as 1842, a number coming in in 1839 and 1840. The following came before 1846: Thos. Fee, Isaac Berry, J. L. Benham, Levi Martin, L. Hollenbeck.

The town was laid out in 1848 by Andrew Bottorf. A re-survey was later made as of 1854, and done by J. McArthur for Dr. S. M. Brice and J. R. Grubb.

Most of the buildings in the town date from the time of the second plat, when the place began to thrive in earnest. Dr. Brice ran a store which was later sold to A. A. Adams. In 1855 Dr. J. P. Wilson opened a drug store. L. Hollenbeck also opened a general store in 1854. J. M. Bartleson, W. S. Bliss, and John Carr were also early settlers, Carr and Bartleson running a store for many years.

The locality in and around Center Point, then, is one of the first settled in the county. The early settlers were enterprising and the newcomers were made welcome. No doubt the close proximity to the river and the abundance of timber in this locality made the place inviting to the new settlers who needed above everything else timber for use in building and for fuel. The railroad which the people had expected many years did not get into town till in 1873, and was continued the following spring. For the purpose of securing this railroad Washington township voted $16,000, being about a five per cent tax.

In Washington township lived and died many years ago John Osborn, a revolutionary soldier, who is buried in Center Point cemetery.

CHAPTER XXXIV

Lisbon and the United Brethren Church

In narrating the history of Linn county mention must be made of that body of devoted men and women who early laid the foundations of the United Brethren church in this portion of what sixty years ago was the far west. The members of this christian body have had an important and conspicuous part in the history of our county. Their leaders have not only been men of piety, but they have also been men of ability, builders of commonwealths. Their work has been of a permanent character, and the descendants of these pioneer people are today doing grandly the work so nobly begun seventy years ago.

We cannot do better here than to quote largely from the Historical Souvenir of the Church of the United Brethren in Christ at Lisbon, Iowa, 1836-1904, by Rev. Cyrus J. Kephart, published in 1904 by the Lisbon Herald:

THE BEGINNING OF THE CHURCH IN IOWA

The work of the United Brethren in Christ in Iowa began, as far as known, with the labors of Rev. Christian Troup, a member of the Wabash Conference, who came to Iowa as a missionary in 1836,[N] and settled upon what is now a part of the site of Mount Vernon. He afterwards traded his 160 acre claim for a yoke of oxen, and settled near the Cedar river, on what is now known as the Horn farm. Here he passed through all the privations of a frontier life. His daughter, Mrs. Pate, states that for a considerable time he and his family ground the corn for their bread on an old-fashioned coffee mill nailed to the side of a tree.

Rev. Troup's field as a missionary extended from the city of Dubuque to Henry county. His preaching places were wherever he could find an opportunity to speak to the people. Thus he sowed the seed that afterward ripened into many an active Christian life.

One of his appointments was near Ivanhoe, in a log house of only two rooms. Here standing in the low doorway he would speak first to those gathered in one room, then stooping, for he was a tall man, he would pass his head into the other room and speak to those there.

He died in 1850 and was buried in the cemetery that then occupied the lot where the house of Mrs. Mary Hoover now stands in Lisbon. When the cemetery was changed his remains were removed to the present Lisbon cemetery.

In 1838 Rev. John Burns, a local preacher, settled in Lee county, and began preaching at various points. Rev. Christian Troup and he seem to have been the pioneers of the United Brethren in Christ in Iowa.

The first society was organized at the home of "Father" Edington, probably somewhere in Henry county, in October, 1841. This, however, was several years after Christian Troup began his work in the community in which Lisbon now stands.

The first United Brethren quarterly conference west of the Mississippi was held at the home of Mr. Gibson near the present site of Lisbon, May 10, 1842. It was attended by Christian Troup, F. R. S. Byrd, Ira B. Ryan, Lewis Hoffman, "Father" Edington, and others. Ira B. Ryan was licensed to preach, and Christian Troup was chosen presiding elder.

Another similar meeting was held in Henry county on September 10th of the same year. Considerable annual conference business was transacted at this meeting.

A third meeting of the same character was held, probably in the southern part of the state in March, 1843, there being present a presiding elder of the Wabash Conference, of the territory of which Iowa at that time was a part. At this meeting there were reported thirteen organized societies, with one hundred and ninety-four members in Iowa.

The first annual conference of the United Brethren in Iowa, and the first west of the Mississippi, convened at Columbus City, May 19, 1844, Bishop Henry Kumler, Jr., presiding. It was called the Iowa Branch of the Wabash Conference.

The next annual conference convened at the home of Wm. Thompson, in Louisa county, August 14, 1845, Bishop John Russell, presiding. At this session the Iowa conference was formally organized.

Other early conferences were held as follows:

At Columbus City, August 31, 1846, Bishop J. J. Glossbrenner, presiding.

At the home of Wm. Thompson, Louisa county, August 24, 1847, Bishop Wm. Hanby, presiding.

At the home of John Shively, Henry county, September 1, 1848, Bishop Wm. Hanby, presiding.

At the Hershey school house near Lisbon, August 23, 1849, Bishop David Edwards, presiding.

During these years the preachers in charge of the territory including Lisbon were:

- 1843-44 John Peters.

- 1844-45 Christian Troup.

- 1845-47 J. W. Sterling.

- 1847-48 Luther McVay.

- 1848-49 Luther McVay, with John DeMoss, assistant.

Writing of the Iowa conference of 1845, Bishop Russell said: "Myself and wife left the state of Maryland in a carriage for Iowa. A tedious journey indeed. All went well until we got between the two rivers—Mississippi and Iowa. In the high prairie grass our trail ran out, and of course we were lost. How to get on the right course was the trouble.

"I went before, parting the grass, which was much higher than myself. After I had gone a certain distance, I put my hat on my cane to guide my wife to the spot. Thus I continued for some time till we got right again."

THE UNITED BRETHREN AT LISBON

Our life and work at Lisbon date back to the faithful labors of Rev. Christian Troup, who began preaching in this vicinity as early as 1836. Hence the church at Lisbon had its beginning with the very beginning of our church in Iowa.

The work here grew slowly, however, for several years, Bro. Troup often advising his converts to join other churches on account of the weakness of the United Brethren in Iowa.

In 1847 Rev. Christian Hershey led quite a large colony, chiefly his own relatives, from Pennsylvania to Iowa, and settled in Yankee Grove, the section of country surrounding where Lisbon now stands.

This colony, being largely composed of United Brethren, made quite an addition to the United Brethren forces of this vicinity.

In August of the same year Rev. Luther McVay was appointed to the Yankee Grove circuit. During the summer of 1848 he held a camp-meeting on the knoll now occupied by the Washington school building of Lisbon, with good results. He then organized "the United Brethren class in the Pennsylvania Settlement of Linn county, Iowa," with a charter membership of about forty, as nearly as can be determined from the original class book. About twelve names were afterward added, the year closing with a membership of 52. The effecting of an organization was strongly opposed by many of the older persons who took an active part in the camp-meeting; not because of opposition to the church, but feeling that it was not right to formally organize and put the names on a class book.

Of these charter members, two are yet members of the church, Mr. Michael Blessing, and Mrs. Nancy Neidig.

On August 23, 1849, the Iowa annual conference was held here. Lisbon had just been platted, and homes were scarce. To meet the difficulty occasioned by the coming of so many ministers, a camp-meeting was planned; tents were built on the camp ground, and the conference was held in connection with the camp-meeting. There were a number of conversions, and at the close of the camp-meeting twenty-five persons were baptized in the Cedar river near Ivanhoe, by Rev. Josiah Lindsey.

Rev. Christian Hershey and Rev. D. Wenrich were received into the conference at this session upon their transfers. Rev. John De Moss, assistant pastor of Yankee Grove circuit, reported $26.55 received as salary and presents for the year.

The Lisbon class proper, at first called North Yankee Grove class, was organized September 5, 1850, by Rev. S. W. Kern, pastor. The original record shows 36 members of this class, many of whom belonged to the "United Brethren Class in the Pennsylvania Settlement in Linn county, Iowa," and several were new members. That there existed some difficulty in connection with the work at this place at that time is manifest from the following from Rev. D. Wenrich in an article in the Telescope relative to the conference session of 1850: "On account of a peculiar state of things on Yankee Grove circuit it was asked that a good disciplinarian be appointed to the charge. The selection of Rev. S. W. Kern and the adjustment of the difficulty proved the wisdom of the choice." Just what the difficulty was, whether it was among members of the church of a personal character, or whether it was something in connection with the administration of the affairs of the church, there is no record to show.

The annual conference of 1852 chose Lisbon as the place of meeting for the next annual session. Rev. Christian Hershey, who had been in an important sense the father of the Lisbon church, looked forward to its coming with great expectations. When the time arrived for making necessary local preparation, he joined most heartily in the work. After cleaning the church and putting everything in readiness, he proposed to a friend who was with him to go into the church and offer prayer for the conference. He was in great joy. But on August 3d, the day before the assembling of conference, very suddenly the death angel called, and Father Hershey passed away. His death cast a gloom over the entire session. Rev. George Miller was chosen to preach the funeral sermon. The conference in a body marched before his corpse to the church and to the grave. His remains were buried in the cemetery beside the church and afterwards were removed to the present Lisbon cemetery, where they now rest.

The growth of the church following the year 1849 was quite rapid. But it is impossible to determine what the total membership has been, on account of the mutilation of the early records. So far as we can learn the number of persons received between 1840 and 1870 was fully five hundred. Since 1870 the accessions have been quite numerous. A number of very successful revivals have been held. From 1870 to the present time, as nearly as can be determined, the number of accessions has been about 790, thus showing a membership of nearly 1,300 since the organization of the church in 1849.

The Lisbon charge has been favored with a number of most excellent pastors. So far as the records show, the largest increase of membership was during the pastorate of Rev. William Cunningham. During his service of eighteen months there were eighty-four additions to the church.

Among those who have assisted largely to the development and growth of the church, the following seem to deserve special mention: Christian Hershey, Michael Hoover, Sr., D. Runkle, John Neidig, Jacob Kettering, A. A. Sweet, Samuel Long, John Eby, Lawrence Easterly, J. E. Kurtz, D. Dorwart, Henry Meyers, John Ringer, Sr., Elias Hahn, D. Buck, John Turner, George Graul, D. G. Zeigenfus, Thomas Runkle, C. H. Neidig, Abram Runkle, Adam Runkle, Amos Runkle, W. S. Furnas, Elizabeth Perry, Nancy Neidig, Sr., Mother Bressler, Anna Bitzer and Elizabeth N. Runkle. The list could be greatly enlarged with perfect truthfulness. But these are among the number who seem to have stood out with special prominence in the work of the church.

We would make special mention of Rev. S. E. Long, Rev. A. B. Statton, and Rev. M. S. Runkle, who were raised as members of our church and have gone into the ministry of the gospel.

Also Mrs. G. K. Little, daughter of Bro. J. Bittinger, whose sweet voice and loving life are living epistles for Christ, greatly assisting in the evangelistic work of her husband, Rev. G. K. Little, who for years was a faithful member here.

Rev. I. L. Buchwalter and his devoted wife, who have made Lisbon their home since he retired from the active ministry, have been active and liberal in their devotion to the interests and work of the church.

CHURCH BUILDINGS

In 1850 Rev. Christian Hershey built in Lisbon, chiefly at his own expense, the First United Brethren church west of the Mississippi river. This church, which still stands just north of Mrs. Mary Hoover's residence, was soon outgrown. In 1855 it was sold, and the proceeds were used in building the second church on the site occupied by the present edifice. This building served the church for twenty-six years.

During the pastorate of Rev. T. D. Adams and the early part of the first pastorate of Rev. I. K. Statton, the need of a more modern church became apparent. At the session of the quarterly conference on April 7, 1880, the first official steps were taken toward the erection of a new building. During the following summer the old church was torn down, and the present structure begun. It was completed at a cost of $9,200.00, and on January 23, 1881, was dedicated by Bishop Milton Wright. Great credit is due to the ever earnest and faithful labors of the pastor, Dr. I. K. Statton.

During the building of the new church, the congregation was favored in being granted the use of the Methodist Episcopal church for all its services.

PARSONAGES

The church during its history has owned three parsonages. The present building is an elegant frame structure of eight rooms, furnished with furnace, electric light, and city water. It was purchased during the summer of 1903 for $2,400, the old one being sold for $1,000.

THE SUNDAY SCHOOL

The Sunday school was organized early in the history of the Lisbon church, probably in the spring of 1853. It was first conducted as a union school, and so continued for a number of years, its development into a United Brethren school being the result chiefly of the organization of other schools in town.

At the first it was divided into male and female departments, with five male and seven female classes; among them were one female and two male spelling classes, and one female infant class. Among the first scholars were Henry C. Kurtz, and Solomon Kettering, who are yet living. The record of 1854 shows three infant classes, one male and two female. In the male class were two of our present members, Henry C. Meyers, and Jacob E. Meyers, with their father Henry Meyers as teacher.

The first secretary's record that is preserved begins with July, 1857. The enrollment was 121, the attendance 118. The superintendent was A. A. Sweet. May 27, 1860, is named as "the first day of the administration of B. [Benjamin] Hoover as superintendent, to which office he was elected last night." Other evidence states that Adam Runkle had served as superintendent, one year before this election. Following this the record shows nothing as to who was superintendent till April 2, 1865, when it states, "Had our annual election last evening for officers. Adam Runkle was re-elected superintendent, D. Dorwart, secretary, D. Buck, librarian." I. Scoles is the first secretary named, his election occurring May 2, 1858. The next named following him is J. E. Kurtz, who served a number of years, his term of office terminating with the election of D. Dorwart as above noted.

The enrollment did not increase rapidly, owing in part no doubt to the organizing of other schools. On January 1, 1860, it was 144; on January 6, 1861, 145, with 140 in attendance.

The record from 1857 to 1865 is rendered quite interesting by the recital of current events of the town and community. A few are here quoted:

July 26, 1857. "A stranger bathing last Sabbath in the Cedar river was drowned. Remember to keep the Sabbath day holy."

December 15, 1857. "Officers and teachers agreed to have a teachers' meeting monthly."

April 11, 1859. "The Lutheran church organized a Sunday school in the old church today."

July 9, 1859. "The school was opened at eight o'clock on account of the Methodist quarterly meeting in this house at nine o'clock."

November 6, 1859. "Small attendance on account of wedding in town, Mr. Joel Ringer and Miss Barbara Kurtz."

July 29, 1860. "Bishop Glossbrenner was here yesterday, and went to Western."

September 9, 1860. "We hear for the first time two bells ringing in town."

October 28, 1860. "Mrs. Easterly married to David Zeigenfus."

November 11, 1860. "Old Abe elected."

September 21, 1861. "Yesterday great military demonstration; young men leaving for the army."

November 1, 1863. "Yesterday all the liquor destroyed by the sheriff."

November 29, 1863. "No school in consequence of the Evangelical dedication."

January 16, 1865. "Large school, as both schools are united." "Both schools" seems to refer to our own and a Sunday school conducted for a short time by the Presbyterians. Enrollment 129; attendance 166.

April 16, 1865. "Our church was draped in memory of the death of our late President, Abraham Lincoln."

May 7, 1865. "The Missionary Board met with us. Bishops Edwards, Markwood, and Kumler, and Revs. S. VonNeida and J. W. Shuey were present."

Reference is frequently made to deaths that occurred in town. The burial of several soldiers is noted. The secretaries of later years recorded but little of such general events. The record of June 6, 1880, says: "On account of tearing down the church, school met in M. E. church at 2:00 p. m." On May 26, 1878, I. K. Statton, Mrs. T. D. Adams, J. Bittinger, Amos Runkle and wife and Miss Sue Fletcher were appointed delegates to the township and the county conventions.

The superintendents have been A. A. Sweet, Benjamin Hoover, Adam Runkle, J. Bittinger, W. H. Runkle, J. S. Smith, U. D. Runkle, and the present incumbent, Amos K. Runkle, who has served the school continuously for sixteen years, and has just been reelected.

The Woman's Missionary Association of the United Brethren church of Lisbon, was organized October 27, 1878, with the direction and assistance of Mrs. A. L. Billheimer. Mrs. T. D. Adams was appointed temporary secretary. The following officers were elected: Mrs. Mary Shaler, president; Mrs. A. K. Runkle, vice president; Mrs. Addie Eby, secretary; Mrs. Lizzie A. Runkle, treasurer; solicitors: Mrs. E. N. Runkle, Mrs. Holderman, Mrs. Nancy Neidig, Miss Maggie Houser, Mrs. Katie Kurtz.

The first regular meeting was held at the parsonage and was opened by devotional exercises by Mrs. Charlotte Davis (wife of Rev. Wm. Davis).

LISBON CAMP-MEETING

The earliest camp-meeting of our church in this vicinity, as far as can be learned, was held in 1848 on the site of the present school building. It was followed by the second in 1849, and a third in 1852. Similar meetings were held at various times and places for several years.

At a quarterly conference held July 7, 1879, a camp-meeting committee was appointed, consisting of Rev. T. D. Adams, and brothers J. Bittinger, D. Runkle, C. H. Neidig, A. E. Kurtz, A. K. Runkle, George Rupert, Sr., and J. S. Smith. The committee organized on July 11, electing Rev. T. D. Adams, president, and Rev. I. K. Statton, secretary. A plot of ground of about twenty-five acres, lying one and one-fourth miles southeast of Lisbon was purchased, and a camp-meeting planned to begin on August 26 following. At this time the temporary organization was succeeded by a permanent one, with Rev. T. D. Adams, president, and J. Bittinger, secretary. On September 3d, the grounds were dedicated by Bishop Milton Wright, Rev. T. D. Adams, Pastor, Rev. I. K. Statton, presiding elder, and a number of other ministers assisting.

The ground was a nicely wooded tract, with two good springs, and was fitted up with a number of neat cottages, a boarding house, chapel, speakers' stand, and seats, and was enclosed with a substantial fence. Among the prominent men who at different times took part in the meetings were, Bishops Weaver, Kephart, Hott, Mills, and Wright, President W. M. Beardshear, and Dr. J. W. Etter. Interesting meetings were held each summer up to and including 1893. Some hindrance at length arose, and at the annual meeting held on August 27, 1894, the association voted to sell the grounds and disorganize.

LIST OF PASTORS, YANKEE GROVE CIRCUIT AND LISBON STATION

- 1843-44 John Peters
- 1843-44 Christian Troup
- 1845-57 J. W. Sterling
- 1847-49 Luther McVay
- 1848-49 Luther McVay
- John DeMoss, Asst.
- 1849-50 J. S. Brown
- 1850-52 S. W. Kern
- 1855-56 J. B. Wells
- 1856-58 Martin Bowman
- 1858-59 George Miller
- 1859-60 Jonathan Wynn
- 1860-61 John Goodin
- 1861-62 A. Shessler
- 1862-63 Martin Bowman
- 1863-65 John Curts
- 1870-74 Wm. Davis
- 1874-75 S. Sutton
- 1875-76 Wm. Davis
- 1876-79 T. D. Adams
- 1879-83 I. K. Statton
- 1883-85 Wm Cunningham
- 1885-88 R. E. Williams
- 1888-92 C. K. Westfall

FATHER FLYNN, CEDAR RAPIDS

- 1852-53 F. R. S. Byrd
- 1853-54 Jacob Newman
- 1854-55 Daniel Runkle
- "Jacob Miller, Asst.
- 1865-66 John Manning
- 1866-67 John Curts
- 1867-68 T. Brashear
- 1868-70 H. B. Potter
- 1892-95 V. A. Carlton
- 1895-99 I. K. Statton
- 1899-03 W. I. Beatty
- 1903 C. J. Kephart

SESSIONS OF IOWA CONFERENCE HELD AT LISBON

- 1849 Bishop David Edwards, presiding
- 1853 Bishop L. Davis, presiding
- 1856 Bishop L. Davis, presiding
- 1862 Bishop J. Markwood, presiding
- 1865 Bishop J. Markwood, presiding

- 1867 Rev. D. K. Flickinger, presiding in place of Bishop Markwood, absent

- 1869 Bishop J. Dickinson, presiding
- 1872 Bishop J. Dickinson, presiding
- 1878 Bishop M. Wright, presiding
- 1883 Bishop J. Wright, presiding
- 1888 Bishop J. Dickinson, presiding
- 1892 Bishop J. Dickisnon, presiding
- 1899 Bishop N. Castle, presiding

CHAPTER XXXV

County and District Politics

It has been stated that the first election in the county was held at Westport in 1838 when thirty-two votes were cast in the county. This is said to have been the most quiet election on record. Gradually the people located claims, as more lands were thrown open to settlement, and politics began to cut a figure at an early date. While many of the settlers came from the south, a majority, however, came from Ohio, from the middle states, and from New England. Thus it would appear that the population of Iowa was a part of the free state movement which had peopled the central states. The foreign population did not come to Iowa until the early '50s, when the Germans, Scandinavians, Scotch, and Irish came in large numbers to take up the cheap lands which were offered to the settlers.

The early settlers were for the most part democrats, with a sprinkling of whigs and abolitionists. Some of these voted for Taylor for president in 1844, nearly all of whom supported Fremont later.

Thus in Brown township Ed Crow, Horace Brown, and the Butlers were democrats, while the Plummers, Yocums, Hamptons, Stanleys, and Dewees families were originally whigs, who joined the republican party in 1856. In Franklin township the members of the United Brethren church in and around Lisbon, and the Methodists around Mount Vernon were stanch abolitionists, joining the republican party when that was formed. Around Bertram a large number affiliated with the democratic party, which was true of the settlers in and around Center Point. In the northern part of the county, James Nugent, A. C. Coquillette, Joe Whitney, Peter Henderson, and many others were republicans, or joined the party later. In Maine township the Jordan families were divided in politics, some belonging to one party, others to another. These men were a sturdy lot of pioneers and did much in a political and financial way to build up the county.

In Rapids township and Cedar Rapids, many of the old settlers were democrats, such as N. B. Brown, D. M. McIntosh, the Bryan boys, E. R. Derby, William Harper, the Weares, J. J. Snouffer, Hart brothers, and many others. Judge Greene was one of the most prominent democrats who joined the republican ranks in the Greeley campaign. The Weares joined the republican party during the Civil war period. Some of the prominent republicans of an early day were E. N. Bates, the Carrolls, Elys, Leaches, Higleys, J. S. and T. Z. Cook, Isaac Cook, Dr. S. D. Carpenter, Dr. E. L. Mansfield, Gabriel Carpenter.

In Marion township, which was then and for many years afterwards the political center of the county, the whigs, who later became republicans, were such men as N. M. Hubbard, R. D. Stephens, Joseph Young, William Cook, William G. Thompson, James E. Bromwell, William Smythe, Robert Smythe, Robert Holmes, the Herveys, and the Daniels family.

Among the democrats were such prominent men as Colonel I. M. Preston, S. H. Tryon, S. W. Durham, H. W. Gray, Dr. T. S. Bardwell, T. J. McKean, J. C. Barry, James Green, L. M. Strong, C. T. Williams, and James Brown.

During the territorial days Robert Lucas was a democrat, while John Chambers was a whig, succeeded by James Clarke, another democrat. During these early territorial days Linn county cut very little figure in the affairs of the newly organized territory, as the river counties had most of the settlers and otherwise controlled political affairs in general. In the first assembly which met at Burlington, November 11, 1838, this county was represented by Charles Whittelsy in the council, and by Robert G. Roberts in the house. The district then was composed of Cedar, Johnson, Jones, and Linn counties.

The second assembly met at the same place November 4, 1839, this district being represented in the council by Charles Whittelsy, and by George H. Walworth in the house. The district this year was composed of Cedar, Jones, and Linn counties.

The third assembly convened at Burlington November 2, 1840, and now, for the first time, Linn county was represented in the council by a resident of the county, in the person of George Greene. In the house sat George H. Walworth and H. Van Antwerp.

The fourth assembly convened at the newly selected capital at Iowa City, and in the council or upper house sat again George Greene, and in the house were Thomas Higginson and Thomas Denson.

In the fifth assembly sat J. P. Cook in the council and George H. Walworth and J. C. Barry in the house, the latter being a resident of Linn county.

In the sixth assembly sat J. P. Cook in the council, George H. Walworth and Robert Smythe in the house, Smythe being a resident of the county. For many years he was a prominent politician in Iowa, and sat in the lower and upper houses for many years.

In the seventh assembly, which convened at Iowa City in May, 1845, sat William Abbe in the council, and Joe K. Snyder and John Taylor in the house. William Abbe was the first actual settler in the county and one of the best known persons in eastern Iowa in early days. Mr. Abbe also sat in the assembly which met at Iowa City in December, 1845.

Linn county was also represented by able men in the constitutional conventions, and no doubt the members from this county did much in the adoption of our constitution. In the first constitutional convention which convened October 7, 1844, there sat as members from this county the following persons: T. J. McKean, L. M. Strong, and S. W. Durham, all democrats. This convention numbered fifty-three democrats and seventeen whigs. In the second constitutional convention, which met at the seat of government May 4, 1856, Linn and Benton counties were represented by Socrates H. Tryon, of Marion. In this convention, which was smaller than the first, the party vote stood twenty democrats and ten whigs.

In the third constitutional convention, which met January 19, 1857, there sat H. W. Gray, of Marion, as a member of the convention, and Ellsworth N. Bates, of Cedar Rapids, as assistant secretary, a young man of brilliant parts.

The first governor of the newly made state, Ansel Briggs, was a democrat, as was Stephen Hempstead, his successor. James W. Grimes, who had located at Burlington in 1836, was nominated for the office of governor at the whig convention in 1854, and made a memorable canvass. His well known anti-slavery views rendered him acceptable to all who were opposed to the extension of that institution. While many conservative whigs agreed with the democrats on the slavery issue, still all classes who favored free soil united in the support of Grimes, who was favorably known and had been a member of the legislature, and who had made a favorable impression upon the new settlers who had come into the state to find homes. Grimes was elected, and this was the first defeat of the democrats since Iowa was organized as a territory.

In January, 1856, Governor Grimes wrote the call for the convention, which met at Iowa City on February 22d, which founded the republican party. In this convention there sat a number of Linn county persons who later became noted men in the party, and well known in the state.

The first presidential vote in Iowa was in the election in 1848, when Cass, the regular democratic nominee, received 12,083 votes, Taylor, whig, 11,084 votes, and Martin Van Buren, free soil democrat, 1,126 votes. In the election of 1852, which was quite exciting all over the country, and not least in Iowa, the popular votes for president were as follows: Franklin Pierce, democrat, 17,763, Winfield Scott, whig, 15,856, John P. Hale, free democracy, 1,704 votes. This vote would indicate that the democratic party still held the balance of power in the state, but the change in old party lines was apparent.

During the years up to 1856, a large number of pioneers had come into the state from Ohio, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Michigan, as well as from the New England states, and bitter party feeling ran high. Many of the party leaders took the stump, and speeches were made in nearly all these settlements. Newspapers were established and an active campaign brought about. Politics was the topic of conversation at the country store, at the grist-mill, and at the country postoffices, and everyone felt that a change along party lines would be apparent. The vote in Iowa for president in 1856 was: John C. Fremont, republican, 43,954, James Buchanan, democrat, 36,170, Millard Fillmore, American party, 9,180. James W. Grimes, the candidate for governor on the Fremont ticket, was re-elected.

In this campaign the question of slavery was the main issue, and on this ground the newly organized republican party carried the day in Iowa. Iowa from this time was lost to the democrats, and they were unable to regain the lost ground by attempting to get away from the slavery issue. During the summer and fall of 1860 the campaign surpassed even the excitable campaign of four years previous. At the fall election Lincoln received 70,409 votes, S. A. Douglas, democrat, 55,111 votes, John Bell, 17,763 votes. J. C. Breckenridge, the regular democratic nominee, who aimed to carry slavery into the territory at any cost, received in this state only 1,048. The Douglas wing of the party "aimed to throw the responsibility of the slavery question upon the supreme court or upon the territories, or anywhere else, except upon the democratic party." Douglas had many admirers in this county, and he visited, in this campaign, Marion and Cedar Rapids, where people flocked to hear him, many of whom admired him, but there were few who could support his visionary schemes and many who doubted the outcome of his dubious platform. This year the republican state ticket received on an average a plurality of 13,670 votes. In this election the state had become one of the solid republican states, and has so continued. In the state campaign of 1861 S. J. Kirkwood carried the state in an exciting campaign over William H. Merritt, the regular democratic nominee. Mr. Merritt had become a resident of this county, and hence received a large vote in his old home. Kirkwood had won over A. C. Dodge by a majority of 3,000 two years before, and was a popular candidate, a man of many strong traits of character. The Civil war was on and the people felt that they must sustain the policies of the party in power, and hence, perhaps, the popularity of the prospective candidates cut but little figure.

During one of these campaigns as Perry Oxley and Ambrose Harlan were seated discussing politics at the county seat one day, Harlan in his wrath accused Oxley of being a traitor to the government. This was too much for the irate Kentucky-born democrat, and he knocked Harlan down with a savage blow aimed at the fellow's head. There was a trial for assault and battery, to which Oxley pleaded guilty, and later Harlan brought an action for damages in the district court, which damages were paid pro-rata by the democrats over the county. Col. I. M. Preston defended Oxley and the outcome of the verdict in fact made the issues for the next campaign.

At commencement exercises at Mt. Vernon a general free-for-all fight occurred on account of some girls wearing copperhead pins. This matter also came into the courts, and county politics at least changed conditions, as party feelings ran high, and perhaps the ultimate motives of party politics were lost sight of, in these hand to hand contests waged near at home.

PUBLIC AND COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS IN CEDAR RAPIDS, 1910

St. Luke's Hospital | Masonic Temple
Security Savings Bank | Masonic Library and Annex
Mercy Hospital | Second Avenue Bridge
Interior Library | High School
| Public Library

During the early days Joel Leverich was a prominent political character in Linn county. He was called the "Bogus Coon," as it was claimed that he belonged to a gang of counterfeiters. However true that may he, no one knows, as he called himself a fellow who could make counterfeit money which would pass muster even in the land office. Leverich was a bright and intelligent person and wielded a great deal of influence as a sort of ward heeler before wards were organized in an early day, and it was frequently stated "that as Joel Leverich went, so went the county." Joel was not perhaps as interested in the political views of the candidates as he was in getting pay for his services and in having a promise of a pull with the officers if elected.

Bill Brody also wielded more or less influence in an early day in the county, and sometimes lined up with one party and sometimes with another. It was generally true, that if Leverich and his followers were all on one side, Brody and his companions would generally be opposed, and it was very seldom that both gangs were enlisted to work for the same political party in any one campaign.

At one time just preceding a county election, members of the two gangs met at the Joshua Glover saloon in Marion. All had been drinking, and it was not long until the street was full of people, there being fifteen to twenty on a side all engaged in a general free-for-all fight. No one tried to interfere, and blood flowed freely. While Bill Brody was the leader and perhaps the most active, his chum and follower, Barry Way, was the most powerful fighter, and is said to have cleaned out the entire gang and won the day. His political party was in power for a day at least.

While there was much disorder, and trouble arose on account of lack of enforcement of law and order, it would be apparent that if men were elected to office by the assistance and help of men of this type it was not surprising to hear that officials could not, or would not always carry out the provisions of the law. Ambrose Harlan, well known in an early day as a person who had nerve and considerable fight in him, came out as a candidate for sheriff on a platform all his own, claiming that "he would catch horse thieves, and would even serve a warrant on Bill Brody himself, leader of the notorious gang," referred to in these pages.

Harlan became an imaginary hero in the eyes of the people, and was elected by a large majority. For a long time after he had assumed the duties of his office there did not seem to be anything doing in his particular line. In fact the sheriff's office was the most deserted place at the county seat. It resembled a summer resort in winter time, and Harlan was about to resign for want of anything to do, for if there was anything Harlan loved it was a fight to a finish or a wordy contest with a political opponent. As sheriff there was nothing to do in either line, for people seemed for once to mind their own business.

At last, one morning a warrant was brought to the sheriff to be served on Brody, who had been charged with grand larceny of a team of horses. Harlan's moment had come, and he prided himself on the fact that he would lodge Brody in jail before the next sun set. A few inquiries were made, and Brody was located in the Way cabin, some five or six miles east of Vinton. At Vinton Harlan organized a posse and started early next morning to catch the culprit before he would leave for the day.

They surrounded the cabin, Harlan fearing that the fellows had already escaped, but he ascertained that the smoke issuing from the cabin was only an indication that Mrs. Way was getting breakfast ready. He found Bill Brody and his chum Barry Way in bed. He was not long in making his errand known, and Brody replied. "Do you want me naked or will you give me time to put on my duds?" To which Harlan replied that as it was still early and he had all day, he would wait till the fellows dressed. The men took considerable time in arranging their morning toilet, saying to one another that it might be a long time before they would get back, and that the trial court could do nothing without their presence, so there was no hurry. Harlan sat on a home-made rickety chair in one corner of the room, with a gun in his left hand and a hickory stick in the other, watching the two culprits, and recalling the old refrain, "Weep no mo' me lady," as he watched the poor mother Way walking about the room with tears in her eyes, wondering what her wayward son had been up to this time. Harlan kept special watch on Way, who was the athlete, not fearing Brody, who was a small person. As Harlan looked out at the tiny window to detect a certain noise he heard, Brody, nimble as a cat, was at his side in an instant. He wrung the hickory sapling out of the sheriff's hands and struck him a savage blow on the head so that the Linn county official was "dead to the world" for at least thirty minutes. The crowd outside were in hiding near a straw stack, and when they saw the two desperadoes come out of the cabin alone without any sheriff following, they took to their horses and rode away as fast as they could, never looking around till the town of Vinton was in sight.

When the sheriff realized what had happened, he was invited to breakfast by Mrs. Way, who said it might be a long time before her boarders would return. The sheriff would not accept the invitation, but asked instead for bandages for his head.

Harlan was asked on his return to the county seat, minus his prisoner, "Why didn't you take Bill when you had him?" Harlan replied, "How could I, when I had a gun in one hand and a hickory stick in the other, which he took away and rapped me over the head with, and when I came to my senses he wasn't there."

It was needless to say, that at the next election no one cared to enter the race on a strictly horse thief catching platform.

One of the most remarkable political contests ever waged in the county was that of N. M. Hubbard and William Smythe for congress in 1868. Hubbard had been a sort of political dictator since the organization of the republican party. He had held the office of county judge for a short time, and had been appointed attorney for the Northwestern railway, and for this reason was a powerful factor in financial as well as in political circles. Hubbard was quarrelsome, impertinent, and out-spoken, and used to say, that he "loved a nigger more than he did a democrat." In his aspirations for office he was backed by many friends and admirers, such as the Weares, Elys, Carrolls, and Higleys in Cedar Rapids, and by most of the prominent Marion men, such as the Herveys, the Daniels families, Captain Rathbun, Major Thompson, and Bob Holmes.

The people of Marion were bitter against Hubbard, especially R. D. Stephens, who had been Hubbard's partner for some time, which partnership ended in a row, the last formal dissolution of the partnership being to the effect that Hubbard said to Stephens that "he would not attend his funeral," to which the partner replied, "neither will I attend yours or ever darken your threshhold in any capacity."

Stephens by this time was a financial factor in the county and had many friends. It was thought that he should make the run against Hubbard, who had removed to Cedar Rapids, but the leaders of this faction of the party thought that a candidate must be selected who had been in the war, and thus the opponents of Hubbard selected William Smythe, who was a brother-in-law of Stephens, as the logical candidate to make the race. Smythe was an Irishman who had been an officer in the Civil war; was an eminent lawyer, a most affable gentleman, who had made a reputation for himself as a conservative and safe political leader.

In this canvass Smythe was also backed by Robert Smythe, an older brother, who had been in the legislature, and was favorably known throughout the county. Stephens was the financial backer and the organizer of the Smythe faction. He was far-sighted, wielded considerable political and social influence, and used his money freely in this campaign to get even with Hubbard, if for no other reason. In this fight Stephens enlisted the service of a number of prominent democrats who were unfriendly to Hubbard. Everyone expected that Hubbard would win hands down, and carry Cedar Rapids and many of the county precincts. Smythe enlisted in his cause such men as Colonel Preston, Dr. Thos. Bardwell, J. H. Preston, S. W. Durham, James Brown, and many other democrats who were on the inside of this movement to dethrone the republican county boss. Smythe carried Marion township much to the surprise of the local leaders who had thought up to that time that everything was cocked and primed for Hubbard.

The county went about half and half; both parties, of course, had expected a small majority. When the officers were selected and a contest came up to a show of hands, the convention stood a tie. The old court house was filled to overflowing, and many wordy contests took place outside as well as inside of the old dingy court room.

The afternoon passed and neither side got ahead. Stephens was the active leader on the floor of the convention and knew more about parliamentary rules than anyone else. Still there were others in the convention on the Hubbard side who were no novices at the business of packing a convention.

An agreement had been made that the winner should select his own delegates, and it was conceded that whoever carried the county would carry the district. Neither faction dared to adjourn, and so the fight was kept up on motions of one kind and another with voting now and then to ascertain if the members had changed. They all "stood pat," and it has since been suggested that this must have been the first time the word standpatter was used in a political sense.

In the evening Dr. Thomas S. Bardwell moved about in the convention hall shaking hands with his professional brethren and others. He invited a stanch supporter of Hubbard from up the county, and a professional brother, into his postoffice and into a back room where he lived. They got into conversation and Bardwell knew that the man wanted a little for his stomach's sake, for he had traveled a long ways that morning and had had nothing to eat all day. Bardwell fully agreed with the country doctor that the air of a dingy court room was bad for the lungs, and that a life of that kind would certainly ruin the health of any man, however strong he might otherwise he. The country doctor took one and then another drink from the city man's private supply, and the Marion man was not one of the kind that refused even to take a drink with his country friend. The conversation moved much easier and more pleasant after the first few drinks, and Bardwell, to show that he was a good fellow, brought out a variety of liquor, such as would have made the mouth of a true Kentuckian smack in anticipation. It was not long till the country practitioner forgot all about the convention and was "dead to the world." He was placed in the doctor's bed, the doors locked, and Bardwell hurried back to the court house, sending a note to Stephens to the effect that he must put the vote at once. Stephens did not know whether Bardwell was putting up a scheme on him or not, but he was about at the end with his objections and thought he would try just another vote and risk everything on a democrat's advice. Stephens withdrew his motion then pending and called for a vote by ballot. The Hubbard faction was glad of this opportunity, and as there were no objections the seesaw affair of balloting once more began.

When the votes were counted it was found that the Hubbard faction was one short. They counted and re-counted, and made the air blue with dire threats, wondering who had sold out, but no "Judas" could be found. Finally it was discovered that the country delegate aforesaid was missing. It was thought that he had gone home or had been called away on professional business, but such was not the case. The aforesaid country delegate was not made aware of the real condition of things till the next morning when he awoke in the back room of the doctor's office wondering how he had gotten such fine quarters without any assistance from either side, as far as he knew.

The convention went wild over Smythe's victory and the city of Marion, regardless of party, was caught in this wave of enthusiasm, and the only topic of conversation for a long time afterwards was "how William Smythe won the fight."

The newspaper which gave the best write-up of this political contest, and the paper which did more for Smythe than any other political organ in the county, was the Linn County Signal, edited by a nephew of S. W. Durham, by the name of Williams. The editorial writers, however, were such men as Dr. Thos. Bardwell, James Brown, S. W. Durham, Colonel I. M. Preston, and Judge J. H. Preston, who was just then beginning to learn the inside workings of politics. A tramp printer by the name of Tompkins came along some time before the convention occurred, out of money and out of work, and was employed on the paper. Tompkins looked and acted like a fool, but was in fact a genius. He could write better than the best of them, and knew shorthand as well. He reported the proceedings of this unique convention, and it is stated by all, regardless of party affiliations, that this write-up was the best of any political write-up of any convention before or since.

After Smythe had been duly nominated for congress, the democrats of Linn county refused to support the republican candidate any longer, as they were only acting in the capacity of beating Hubbard. William E. Leffingwell, of Clinton, one of the silver-tongued orators of the west and an eminent man in many ways, was selected as the standard bearer of the democratic party to oppose Smythe. As Hubbard and his friends knifed Smythe on account of the action taken by Smythe's followers in the county convention, there was hope that a democrat might be elected. The county democrats challenged Smythe to a joint debate, hoping that he would refuse to debate with a person much his superior. But Smythe accepted the challenge and it was decided that there should be three joint debates in the county, at Center Point, Marion, and Cedar Rapids. The first joint debate was to be held at Center Point—a democratic stronghold—and Smythe and his followers drove over from Marion in large numbers, for they wanted to protect their candidate in case any trouble should arise. Leffingwell and his party also started from Marion, made up of the most influential democrats in Cedar Rapids and Marion. Dr. Bardwell, one of the leaders of the democracy, and who had laid out the Hubbard supporter at the time of the convention, sat in the back seat of the buggy with Leffingwell and carried the same kind of wet goods along on this evening and for the same purpose that the candidate should take something for his stomach's sake. This time Bardwell was in earnest and really wanted to instill into the candidate a little of the spirit which would brace him up to a greater effort. He did not figure that Leffingwell's only fault was his love for the bottle. When they arrived at Center Point more liquor was added, and when Leffingwell sat in the stuffy room listening to Smythe's opening arguments half an hour, the liquor took effect, and he became so drunk that he could hardly stand up, and made a rambling sort of a speech as only one under the influence of liquor could make. Smythe replied to the rambling remarks of his opponent in a most masterly way and in such a telling manner that even the democrats got disgusted with their own candidate, and the Marion contingent felt that hanging would have been too good for Doc Bardwell.

This first meeting ended the joint debates with Leffingwell. Later in the fall the democrats secured another debater from southern Iowa in the person of Martin Van Buren Bennett, a rabid partisan and a fiery orator, who, perhaps, surpassed Smythe in oratory, but who failed to make any special gains for his party as he was an outsider who dwelt on past history and did not confine himself to present conditions.

BIRDSEYE VIEW OF CEDAR RAPIDS IN 1868

The friends of Smythe were very active among the democrats within the county to obtain their support, knowing that a large number of republicans would bolt the ticket. It was told that a fellow democrat went to old man Hickey in College township, an old Irishman and a stanch democrat, wanting him to vote for Smythe on the strength that he was born in Ireland. Hickey replied, "What! ask me to vote for an Orangeman, let me tell ye, when an Irishman steals a pig he gives half of it to the priest; when an Orangeman steals a pig he takes the whole d—thing and gives the priest nathing. No, I'll vote for no Orangeman for any office, I tell ye."

Smythe was elected by a large majority and served until his death in 1870. Judge Smythe was one of the ablest men in the county; he had been a delegate to the convention that nominated Lincoln for president, and in 1861 was appointed to negotiate a bond issued by the state to provide a war defense fund. He was also a colonel in the 31st Iowa Infantry, and served in the field until December, 1864. Had he lived no doubt he would have been one of the United States senators from Iowa, and might have had the coveted place so long occupied by James Harlan and William B. Allison.

In the Greeley contest there was not very much activity in politics in the county, although a number who had previously affiliated with the democratic party joined the republican ranks. The Blaine campaign was one of the most bitter campaigns waged pro and con in the county. In this campaign Milo P. Smith, of Linn, was the republican candidate for congress against Ben Frederick, democrat, of Marshall county, who won out against Smith on account of wrangling within the republican ranks.

John T. Hamilton, in another exciting contest for congress, won out as a democrat against Geo. R. Struble, of Tama county, in 1890. Mr. Hamilton had served in the legislature for six years previously and had demonstrated his ability as an able and conservative legislator. He had many stanch supporters in the district and especially in Linn county, his home. Mr. Hamilton was defeated for re-election in 1892 by Robert G. Cousins, of Cedar county, who held the seat continually till he was succeeded by James W. Good, of Linn county, in the election of 1908. Mr. Good was re-elected in the fall of 1910.

This article was not intended to deal with present politics, but with past politics, and so the various contests which have been waged since the Bryan campaign of 1896 will be left for other historians to chronicle. The politicians of an early day in Linn county were men of force and ability, who were interested in the material welfare of the people of the state. These men always took a leading part in every political and financial issue which arose, abhoring mere party differences brought about for personal objects by selfish persons. Both the leading parties possessed efficient leaders, who were fully competent to cope with the issues under consideration from time to time. These political leaders were efficient stump speakers, strong political writers, financial backers and promoters of railroads and steamboat lines. Their knowledge of the affairs of county and state politics was unsurpassed, and as mere orators they held large gatherings spellbound by their magnetic influence.

The politician of the old school was always a gentleman and would seldom descend to anything low or unprofessional in order to obtain a political victory over another. The instances cited in those pages are only the occasional outbreak of party strife, or of selfish desire for vengeance to satisfy some wrong, real or imaginary. Many of the party leaders in the county in ye olden times, regardless of party affiliations, were men of culture and education, conservative men, keen, shrewd, and capable, who battled manfully, loyally, and truthfully for the young state in its trying days in the beginning. Nothing is more instructive than to read the early laws which were passed and to meditate over the proceedings as found of three memorable constitutional conventions. These deliberations show the good sense of those who took part in debates, and while the discussions took a wide range, the members never lost sight of the constitutional limitations and of the legal status of the state to the federal government.

Such men as Abbe, the Smythe brothers, E. N. Bates, Durham, Col. Preston, Judge Isbell, Strong, Gray, Kurtz, Col. Butler, Chandler Jordan, Squire Nugent, Squire Ure, Isaac Cook, Col. W. H. Merritt, Judge George Greene, Major M. A. Higley, and scores of other well known pioneers were an honor to any community and in their respective capacities wielded much influence in the county during the pioneer days.

FATHER SVRDLIK, CEDAR RAPIDS

CHAPTER XXXVI

Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids is not a new town. True, it has not been flourishing for centuries, like the old European cities, with histories which reach back several centuries, but as cities and towns in the middle west are spoken of, it has a lengthy history and one of more or less interest. Young as it is, Cedar Rapids has no definite chronicle as to who was the first actual settler. Dyer Usher claimed that he and a companion gazed upon the beauty of its banks and admired the river at the upper falls as early as 1836. Osgood Shepherd maintained that he was the first actual settler, and that he opened a tavern here in 1837 or 1838. He, at least, sold his squatter right in the embryo town, and made the first property deal involving landed rights in what later became the city. J. Wilbert Stone, also known as Bill Stone and William Stone, was here as early as any white man. He was born in the state of Rhode Island about 1803, and emigrated to Iowa Territory in the early thirties. Stone was a well educated, quiet, and refined man, who possessed all the traits of a trader. He drifted into Davenport and Rock Island, and came to Westport some time after William Abbe. No doubt he came from Rockingham up along the river looking for a place to barter with Indians, and the few white men who might come along as hunters and trappers. He conducted a small trading post at Westport some time in 1837, but whether he was the first storekeeper in the county is not known, as this honor has also been accorded to John Henry. Whether Henry bought Stone out or not is not certain, but this is true, that Stone disposed of his interests and removed ten miles by trail up to the lower rapids, at the bend in the Red Cedar river, where the large packing plant of the T. M. Sinclair Company now stands, and here laid out a squatter town, which he called Columbus. This town site is supposed to have been staked out on the east side of the river. The time must have been in 1837. He quarreled with Shepherd, who either came about the same time, or closely followed Stone. Stone, being a quiet, peaceable person, still single, was compelled to cross the river and take up a claim on the west side. Robert Ellis asserts that he found the first small hut on May 8, 1838, on what became Cedar Rapids, and that it was located on the east side near the packing plant, and was occupied by Philip Hull. Had Shepherd sold this cabin to Hull after having driven Stone across the river? That might be probable, as Shepherd tried the same dodge on Ellis a few months later when he was building a cabin on his claim on the west side of the river. In that instance Shepherd had a prospective purchaser who was willing to go into Ellis's shack, and but for the nerve and presence of mind of Ellis, Shepherd might have succeeded. From Stone's daughter, still living, it would seem that Stone was the first actual settler who came here to trade with the Indians, and the first to lay out the squatter town which later became Cedar Rapids, and that this plat or staking out was on the east and not the west side of the river, all of which would be natural as all the other squatter towns had been staked on the east side, and thus were better defended from an attack of Indians or border ruffians, who were apt to congregate more frequently on the west side of the stream.

Robert Ellis walked into the town and found Hull, and later Shepherd, located in a small cabin, which he called a tavern situated on the river bank on what is now First avenue. Mr. Ellis also found at this time John Young, a Scotchman, Granger, Fisher, and another Scot by the name of Galloway. Shepherd laid claim at that time to nearly all of the land on the east side of the river and especially the land adjoining the dam site and the slough now called Cedar lake. A few hunters and trappers came now and then and remained at the Shepherd cabin for days at a time and then would depart as quietly as they had entered the crude hotel on the river bank. It has been reported that Shepherd harbored border ruffians and it has been said of him that while "he did not willingly steal, he had not scruples about harboring those who subsisted from that kind of traffic." So far as authentic records indicate, we have no written or reliable sources of information except hearsay, till Robert Ellis walked up the river and found the cabins of Hull and Shepherd on the east side of the river, which property rights were claimed by these parties as squatter owners. By this time Stone had removed to the west side of the river and had already erected a cabin. Being a single man he was not at home at all times, and thus might have been away at the time Ellis arrived. Ellis soon discovered from what Shepherd said as well as from what Stone had intimated, that these men were at outs, and the best way to keep peace was to have the river between them. Ellis had been out in the world long enough not to mix in the quarrels of other men and to keep as close-mouthed as possible about the troubles between sworn enemies. They never associated after their quarrel. The daughter of Stone claims that her father told her many times that the reason he sold out and removed to the Iowa river bottom was on account of Shepherd's attitude and that of the members of his gang toward him. These men feared that Stone would inform on them and wanted him out of the way so long as he refused to become an associate of theirs or in any way to approve of their actions.

It would seem plausible that in a community where so many were law violators and enemies of law and order a man like Stone would not be tolerated and the ruffians would do all in their power to get him out of the way by intimidation or otherwise.

N. B. Brown, from what we have been informed by N. E. Brown and others, must have passed through what became Cedar Rapids as early as 1839 but he did not locate here till the following year, when he first realized the full value of the falls and the feasibility of a plan to erect a suitable dam across the river which would furnish power to run saw and grist mills. Galloway, Young, Granger, O. S. Bowling, and a few others were here in the meantime, all holding down claims, but no one thought of any future city to be founded or of any valuable asset in the water power which had never been harnessed to machinery. What appealed to them was the fact that the stream could be forded at this place, that the banks had plenty of timber, and that it was a sort of way station for straggling Indian trappers and hunters. Mr. Brown was not a frontiersman but a mechanic, who was a trained miller and looked into the future and saw that the location was ideal. While he had but little money, he could see far enough ahead that here would be the logical point for mills. Mr. Brown interested George Greene, H. W. Gray, A. L. Roach, and S. H. Tryon, and they purchased from Osgood Shepherd an undivided three-fourths interest for $3,000. The other one-fourth interest was later sold by Shepherd to J. E. Sanford and Addison Daniels. Mr. Shepherd had nothing but a squatter claim to sell, but Brown and the others figured that it would be cheaper to buy him out than to make a fight on him, and so the bargain was made. From an old account book still in the possession of N. E. Brown, we cite the following:

"August 4, 1841. Commenced surveying 'Rapids City.' August 7, 2-1/2 days by N. B. Brown, same, S. Durham, same, J. W. Carson, 1-1/2 days Geo. Greene, same, A. Daniels, 2-1/2 days O. Shepherd."

This proves that after the squatter right was purchased from Shepherd, and the embryo town was first named by Brown the actual work of surveying was commenced in August, 1841. All of the above named persons became later well known in the county. Greene and Tryon were clerks of court about this time, Durham was the newly arrived surveyor, while Daniels became a merchant and prominent business man. Sanford was an attorney and the owner of much land in this county, but died early leaving his estate to his widow and aged father, who resided in Connecticut. It would seem that Cedar Rapids was first called Columbus, next Rapids City, and finally Cedar Rapids, taking its name from the name of the river and the rapids which are formed here by the rock foundations in the river bed.

Shepherd lingered around the place till the next year, when he found that there was nothing further in his line, and that he was not interested in corner lots or in any enterprises such as appealed to Brown, David King, Greene, Sanford, Daniels, and many others. He disposed of all his remaining rights and left for Wisconsin with his family. He was later killed in a railway accident.

John Young also disposed of his squatter rights to Dr. J. R. Richey and J. W. Carson. These purchasers sold again to Brown the following year.

J. L. Enos, a newspaper man, has the following to say of Shepherd, writing in 1866: "The crimes committed by Shepherd and his gang were for years a constant annoyance. John Young and a man by the name of Granger were his immediate companions. The islands in the river, particularly the one above the dam, were used as places to conceal their plunder. A great many horses and much other property were stolen by them, and in many cases they succeeded in hiding their booty. It is known that this gang stole at one time six horses, getting away with four of them. Granger was later caught in Chicago and tried for passing counterfeit money. He was sent to the Alton prison for four years. Young, it is stated on reliable authority, was executed in a neighboring state, having been convicted of murder."

To prove that there is more or less truth in the stories as written of Shepherd by Enos, Mr. Ellis says that shortly after he had located on his claim and while he was building a cabin so as to hold his land, Shepherd and some stranger came along one day and Shepherd insisted that this was his claim and that Ellis should vacate as soon as he could, as there would be trouble in store for a newcomer who had the cheek to jump a claim of this kind. Ellis was much surprised and could not believe that Shepherd, with whom he had stayed for a short time, would come at him with such unfounded accusations. He had heard of the trouble with Stone and knew from Hull that Shepherd was not a very good man. Hull seemed to be all right. Ellis made up his mind that in a game of bluff he would not take a back seat, and that he had not come all the way from Pennsylvania on foot for nothing. He got mad and then did not stop to count noses, but raised his ax and came towards Shepherd, saying in his most emphatic way that the claim was his and that some one would get killed before he gave it up. He said he had picked out and improved the land and by right owned it till such time as the government saw fit to throw it open for settlement. He then accused Shepherd of some of the things he had heard and offered to back it up by proof if he wanted it. He said further, "You have bluffed others out of their claims, but you can't bluff me. You get off my land or I shall be compelled to use my ax." Shepherd moved away and the stranger turned pale and was uncertain whether he should run or stand there with his hands raised. He had never been in such a place before. Never again was Ellis molested, nor did Shepherd again refer to the unpleasant incident.

It was later rumored that Shepherd for a consideration was to locate the stranger on a good claim. He figured that as Ellis had already a cabin partially built this would be a good chance to get a bit of money and he reasoned that a stranger in the country would soon give in. He had not figured on the fact that Ellis was "the bravest of the brave," when it came to a question of asserting his own rights, which he knew were just. From this little episode as to the character of Shepherd as displayed toward Ellis it would seem that Shepherd might have gone at Stone in the same manner in which he tried to treat Ellis, and by force and intimidation made him give up his claim. Shepherd's course while a citizen of Linn county was not an honorable one and few, if any, of his associates speak of him except in an unfavorable light.

In April, 1839, arrived Joe and John Listebarger, who erected a small log house at what is now 818 North First street west and owned by Ferdinand Uebel. A younger brother, Isaac, arrived later the same summer. William Knowles erected a house on what later became known as Mound Farm. John Stambaugh built a log house in what is now Bever Park, which later was disposed of to John G. Cole. The upper part of the west side was settled by Farnham Colby, who came shortly after Ellis had staked out his holdings. During the years 1838-39 came others, such as Thos. Gainor, Joel and James Leverich, P. W. Earle, and many others. It was in July of this year that the family of Isaac Carroll arrived and located a little to the east of what is now Cedar Rapids. A son of Isaac Carroll, the Rev. George R. Carroll, writes as follows in his Pioneer Life: "I cannot now recall anything of importance on the way until we reached Linn Grove, where we found a few log cabins. In conversation with one of the women who occupied one of these primitive abodes we found that her language was so different from anything we had heard, that it left a decided impression on our minds and was a source of no little amusement to us children. Some of her peculiar expressions were by-words with us for many years. She seemed very cordial and ready as everybody was in welcoming newcomers, and she was quite communicative, although her accounts were not always of the most encouraging and inspiring character to the new arrivals.

"It was in the afternoon of July 4th, 1839, when we reached the county seat and the only thing to mark the spot was a bower of bushes under which our nation's birthday had been celebrated in primitive style and in which, judging from hilarious demonstrations of two or three men that we met on the way, whiskey must have played a somewhat conspicuous part. A little at one side of the town L. M. Strong had a little cabin. I do not remember of having seen either the cabin or the tenants at the time but Mr. Strong was for many years after a well known and highly honored citizen of this place. Passing on beyond Marion we crossed Indian creek about a mile north of the present crossings and where there was a beautiful crystal spring, near which was a little cabin occupied by Mr. James W. Bassett. From this point, turning in a southwesterly direction, we found our way by a dim track through the woods reaching, towards night, the little bark shanty of Ephraim T. Lewis, near where now stands the stone barn just south of the boulevard two miles west of Marion. Mr. Lewis and his son-in-law, Nathaniel G. Niece, were there and gave us a most hearty welcome and most cordial invitation to share their hospitality over night, which we gladly accepted.

"The next day we passed a half mile west to the little hut of Mr. Jewell, later occupied by Barnet Lutz. Passing on sixty or eighty rods west of Mr. Jewell's through the tall grass we found Mr. A. B. Mason breaking up prairie on the higher ground just north of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway at a point forty or fifty rods west of the boulevard crossing at Kenwood. This, I think, was the first furrow plowed between Marion and Cedar Rapids. Passing Mr. Mason, we found ourselves in a few moments on the ground which was to be our future home. At a point of the ridge near the mound, which in later years has been extensively known as Judge Greene's Mound Farm, we pitched our tent, the little brook near by affording us water, and the grove close at hand furnishing wood and poles and bushes for the erection of a bower, which for a few days were to serve us as a kitchen and dining room."

In this company came also B. F. and C. C. Cook, step-sons of Isaac Carroll, and Sarah Carroll, a step-daughter. There were also the following children: Isaac W., George R., and Julia Carroll.

Mr. Carroll, in his interesting recollections of pioneer days, speaks of a number of people who at this time and in the next few years resided in and around Cedar Rapids, such as William Vineyard, who married Sarah Carroll, and various members of the Lewis family, who arrived that same fall. James Ferguson and his family, the Weare family, William Stewart, A. Sines, Arvin Kennedy, Isaac and William Cook, members of the Ely families, Dr. J. W. Traer, J. F. Charles, the Daniels families, and many others came a little later.

Thus within a few years from the time that Brown and others purchased the claims of Shepherd, the scene along the banks of the Red Cedar had changed from an Indian wilderness and a resort of border ruffians to a landscape bearing all the evidences of a high degree of civilization. The old Indian burial grounds became the place of a Christian cemetery, and the pole tepees covered with leaves and skins were removed to make place for commodious log houses, erected by the whites.

In a study of the beginnings in Cedar Rapids it has seemed to the writer that heretofore due amount of credit for his work has not been given to N. B. Brown. His was indeed a constructive genius. He early interested himself in and in many instances began businesses that gave employment to labor, the backbone of any thrifty community. His enterprises were not always successful ones, whose are? All of them, however, were busy institutions for a time, and while they were going they gave employment to many people. It seemed to be the rule to send strangers in the city seeking employment to Nick Brown if no one else had use for their services, they being told that Mr. Brown was sure to give them something to do.

And he always did as it was intimated he would do.

His manufacturing industries were many and varied. He built and operated saw and flour mills, woollen and knitting factories, at one time conducting two saw mills in the city, one on each side of the Cedar. He also at one time ran a saw mill on Indian Creek, south of town. He built a starch factory at McCloud's Run, and when this failed owing to the dismissal by his foreman of the only man who knew the secrets of the manufacture he converted the mill into a distillery, thus making a market for the corn raised in the county.

Some of his early account books are now in the possession of his son, N. E. Brown. They show page after page of names of employes in his various manufacturing enterprises.

It is scarcely possible at this date to give a proper estimate to the value of his services to the infant city. Pioneers of the energy and public spirit manifested by Mr. Brown were indeed of great benefit to the community in which they wrought, and honor and credit ought to be extended accordingly.

We are glad here to testify to the great worth of Mr. Brown along industrial lines in the pioneer days of our beautiful and prosperous Cedar Rapids.

For the first few years the settlers got along as best they could. They had few if any luxuries. Dubuque and Muscatine were the nearest markets. It required from six to fourteen days to make the trip and frequently longer when the roads were bad and when fierce storms overtook the party. Robert Ellis built three flat boats in the winter of 1841 and took a cargo of wheat to Burlington, trading this for a cargo of flour which he delivered safely at New Orleans, in July of that year. He got back during the summer but did not make any money out of the enterprise and never again cared to try the experiment. Many years later he received a settlement with the Burlington firm which was hard pressed for money and could not pay for the 4,000 bushels he had delivered. So while he did not get a fortune he perhaps came out even on this hazardous trip.

While it is true this daring enterprise failed to make Robert Ellis a wealthy man it did stir people up to the possibility of river traffic and that of course helped. The venture was talked over and over time and again, flat boats were built now and then, and a little grain shipped. Small steamers made Cedar Rapids in the early spring of the year, bringing a few groceries and notions, and taking away wheat, oats, pork, and a little corn.

Artificial dams in the river were talked of but that was as far as it went. No one was able to have any pull with the legislatures. Robert Holmes, an old Marion resident, had a grain house at Ivanhoe, and took cargoes of grain down the river in 1844, '46 and '51; Henry Thomson also ran a few flat boats on the river as far as St. Louis.

In 1858 a body of enterprising young men had built the steamer "Cedar Rapids" at Beaver, Pennsylvania, at a cost of $20,000, the stockholders being Wm. and George Greene, J. F. Ely, H. G. Angle, L. Daniels & Co., and W. W. Smith. This steamer ran during much of the spring and summer and late into the fall, and did a big business. But within two years in an accident on the Mississippi river the "Cedar Rapids" ran into another steamer, litigation ensued, and the owners lost everything they had made as well as the steamer.

Thus ended the first big adventure of the Cedar Rapids spirit. In the same year another steamer, the "Black Hawk," was built to run up the river to Waterloo and for a time did fair business. This was owned by W. D. Watrous, J. J. Snouffer, W. W. Smith, J. Stanley, and several others. This steamboat was sold to the government during the war and used as a supply steamer on the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers. At one time N. B. Brown was the owner of the boat. Just as the people were demanding that another company be formed to invest in another steamer enterprise the railways came, and now these daring business men centered their efforts in developing railroads and won out, but not until after many struggles, and after many failures. The people of Linn county surveyed, planned, and talked about several lines before they could realize the benefits of any.

The Chicago, Iowa and Nebraska Railway was organized in what is now Clinton on January 26, 1856, the first officers being Charles Walker, of Chicago, president, James Purdy, of Mansfield, Ohio, vice president, T. T. Davis, of Syracuse, New York, treasurer, R. H. Norton, secretary, and Milo Smith, of Clinton county, engineer. Many Cedar Rapids residents put up money and notes to have the road come through the city. Most of the necessary means were put up by eastern capitalists and especially by John I. Blair, one of the most enterprising of the early railroad promoters in America. Mr. Blair was born in New Jersey in 1802 and passed away in 1892, one of the most noted men of this country. He was at least in an early day the owner of more miles of railways than any other man in the world, and had laid out more town sites and villages in Iowa and Nebraska than any other person in the west. It was John I. Blair who first saw the opportunity of making Cedar Rapids a center on account of its progressive people, the water power, and other advantages which this practical, wide-awake railway man saw here, and which were lacking in other localities. In June, 1859, the road was completed to Cedar Rapids. Its coming was the most important event in the history of the city. It was the beginning of the end in the unique struggle for railways in Linn county, and marks an epoch in the history of the city.

The road was extended west, and by 1862 the trains were running as far as Marshalltown. By 1867 the road was completed to the Missouri river. Both the Iowa and Nebraska and the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River railways have for many years been under one management and are now known as the Chicago and Northwestern Railway, which owns and operates nearly 8,000 miles of road with a capital stock of $130,121,838.

BIRDSEYE VIEW Of CEDAR RAPIDS IN 1889

In 1865 D. W. C. Rowley began grading for the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Northern Railway, which was organized in Cedar Rapids. A separate company, known as the Cedar Valley Construction Company, was organized to build this line to Waterloo. This company was composed of such men as Dr. J. F. Ely, president, William Greene, superintendent, D. W. C. Rowley, secretary. In December, 1866, another road was incorporated, running to Burlington south via Iowa City. The men connected with this enterprise were J. H. Gear, Burlington, president, J. E. Putnam, Burlington, secretary, directors Dr. S. D. Carpenter, of Cedar Rapids, E. Clark and Peter A. Dey, of Iowa City, and John Bird, Louisa county.

This southern branch did not progress rapidly and there was more or less of a hitch with the plans, and a question as to how the road should run. The articles were changed, leaving out Iowa City, and the board increased to fifteen members, among whom may be mentioned N. B. Brown, George Greene, and Charles Weare, who were added from Linn county. George Greene was elected president and Charles Mason, vice president. By June, 1868, the two roads were united under one name, the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern, Greene becoming president, and D. W. C. Rowley secretary. By January 1, 1871, trains were running between Cedar Rapids and Burlington, and early the following year they reached to St. Paul, thus making one of the first great north and south roads in Iowa. For many years C. J. Ives was president of the road till it was absorbed by the Rock Island system, when the headquarters were transferred to Chicago, the Cedar Rapids office becoming merely a division point.

The Dubuque and Southwestern Railway was operated from Dubuque to Cedar Rapids in October, 1865. This was an important factor in the upbuilding of Marion and other towns along this road and in fact helped Cedar Rapids. Like all small roads, it was not a financial success, and in May, 1878, it was sold to the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company and new life put into it. The Milwaukee road in 1883 extended this line to Kansas City. The main line of the Milwaukee was extended to Omaha.

The building of the interurban to Iowa City, a distance of twenty-eight miles, a few years ago concludes the railway building in Linn county, with the exception of the Anamosa and Northwestern, which runs along the northern part of the county; and the extension of the Illinois Central, which runs down from Manchester, connecting with the main line at that place.

We are pleased to give space here to the following account of beginnings in Cedar Rapids. It is from Bailey & Hair's Gazetteer for 1865:

"D. W. King and T. Gainor were the first settlers of any advantage to the county. They reached here in 1839, and soon after made a permanent settlement on the west side of the river.

"The first white man, however, who pitched his tent on the ground, now occupied by the Valley City, was a notorious counterfeiter and horse thief by the name of Shepherd, who took up his abode and erected his cabin on what is now Commercial street, near the mills, in the year 1838.

"Thus early was this location selected as a central point for commercial operations with the surrounding country, and although the character of the operators was worse than some who have followed them in business, it nevertheless indicates their wisdom in making a good location for their enterprise.

"In 1849 D. W. King established ferries for crossing the river, and continued to run them up to the time of his death, in 1854. They were located at Iowa avenue and Linn street crossings. They were self-propellers, being forced across the river by the power of the current. A wire rope or cable extended across the stream upon which a pulley was placed, and connected by ropes to the boat. The first dam across the Cedar river was commenced in 1842, and the first saw mill erected in 1843.

"In March, 1843, the lands came into market. The first flouring mill was erected by N. B. Brown, in 1844-5, at a cost of $3,000. Extensive additions have been made to this mill since. It is still owned and run by Mr. Brown. In 1845, A. Ely erected the second saw mill and the following year the second flouring mill at a cost of $9,000. In 1848-9, the first woolen factory was erected by N. B. Brown. Cost, $10,000. The first steam engine was set in operation in 1855, in the machine shop of A. Hager.

"The first store was owned by J. Greene in the building now standing on the northeast corner of Iowa avenue and Washington street. The second store was opened by Mr. Cleveland, and the third by Mr. Mulford. The proprietor of these stores have all left the city. Mulford's store was destroyed by fire in 1850, being the first building thus destroyed in Cedar Rapids. The second fire occurred in 1855, when the buildings on the west side of Commercial street, between Iowa avenue and Linn street, were mostly consumed. The postoffice was established in 1847, and J. Greene appointed postmaster.

"The first brick building was erected in 1844, on the northwest corner of Iowa avenue and Washington street, by P. W. Earle, and is now occupied by him. The Union House, on the northwest corner of Adams and Market streets, was the first hotel. It was destroyed by fire early in 1865. The first school house was erected in 1847, and the first school taught by Nelson Felch. This structure is now occupied as a dwelling on the north side of Eagle street between Jefferson and Madison. The first white child born was the daughter of John Vardy, now removed to Texas. The first church erected is that commonly known as the 'Muddy,' and is still used as a house of worship. It is a small 'grout' building at the southeast corner of Eagle and Adams streets. The first death was that of a young man by the name of William Brookey, some time in 1843. The first frame building was built by John Vardy.

"The lodge of Free Masons was established in 1850, and James Keeler, an Episcopal minister, was the first W. M. The lodge took the name of Cedar Rapids Lodge No. 25. Its name was changed in 1864 to the more euphonious and Masonic name of Crescent.

"The first newspaper was established by D. O. Finch, in 1854. Three volumes only were issued. D. O. Finch, James J. Child, and James L. Enos, were successively its editors. The Era was purchased in 1854 by James L. Enos, and the name changed to the Cedar Valley Times, by which name it still flourishes. C. M. Hollis, Esq., is the present editor. The second paper was the Cedar Valley Farmer, J. L. Enos, editor. The Cedar Rapids Democrat was the third paper established, by W. W. Perkins & Co., in 1856. The Voice of Iowa was commenced in January, 1857, by the Iowa State Teachers' Association, and J. L. Enos elected editor. This journal reached a large circulation, and did much to give form to the school system of the state. The present public school edifice was erected in 1856-7-8, at a cost of some $15,000. It has six departments, and employs seven or eight teachers.

"Cedar Rapids was incorporated as a city in 1856, and Isaac Newton Whittam, Esq., was chosen the first mayor. A free bridge was constructed across the Cedar in 1855-6, but was soon carried away by the ice. As it fell, a large number were standing on the banks watching the ice as it rapidly tore the stone piers from their positions. Two sisters, daughters of Mr. Black, passed by the guard, which was stationed at the end of the bridge to keep the people from passing on, and had reached about the middle, when the frail fabric went down. Both young ladies were drowned, and the body of one was never recovered. A toll bridge was erected the following year, and though a slender structure, has thus far withstood the action of the ice, though occasionally broken down by cattle passing over it.

"KINGSTON CITY

"Is a place of about 350 inhabitants, situated on the west side of the Cedar river, opposite the city of Cedar Rapids. It is connected with this city by a wooden bridge, and is about one-quarter of a mile from the Cedar Rapids depot of the Chicago and Northwestern railroad. In the year 1838 Robert Ellis and O. Bowling settled on land in the vicinity, and in the year following Messrs. Isaac, John, and Joseph Lichtebarger settled where Kingston now stands. During the summer following David W. King and Thomas Gainor arrived here. The first child born was Mary Jane, daughter of T. and R. Gainor, on the 15th of May, 1840. Rosannah Gainor died on the 8th of June, 1840. This was the first death in the place. There is in the place one paper mill, one saw mill, two blacksmith shops, two groceries, and one dry goods store. There are three religious societies, Methodist Episcopal, Congregationalist, and United Presbyterian. There is also a commodious building for school purposes, and three libraries. This region of country is especially adapted to growing grain. Large quantities are annually shipped to Chicago from this place. The immense water-power will at no distant day make this a large manufacturing town."

The following as to early things in Cedar Rapids is taken from a copy of the Cedar Valley Times, J. L. Enos, editor, in 1865:

"On the 4th day of July, 1841, N. B. Brown began construction of a dam for utilization of the power. Carson, Gray and Roach soon sold their interests to Messrs. Brown and Greene, who became the sole proprietors of the water-power, and constructed the first saw mill in 1842-3. This mill is yet standing in the rear of Brown's flouring mill, which was also the first grist mill, and erected in 1843, and extensively enlarged by the present owner in 1854-5.

"The first blacksmith in the place was Harrison Campbell, who opened a shop in Shepherd's old cabin in 1843. Isaac Cook, Esq., was the first lawyer, John L. Shearer the first justice, and James Lewis the first constable. The name of the first physician seems to be lost from the memory of the 'early day,' though many of his peculiar traits of character are remembered. Like some others in the profession he was disposed to blow his own trumpet, and the stories he told to the uninitiated ones were marvelous in the extreme. Once when he had returned from Muscatine he claimed to have lost forty pounds of quinine in one of the streams which put into the Cedar below the city—the water being unusually high. His credit was evidently then better than afterward, as was also his physical courage. Constable Lewis, at one time called upon him with an execution to secure a judgment, when the doctor becoming wrathy, threw off his coat for a fight. The constable being more intent on collecting the claim than emulous for notoriety as a pugilist, seized the coat and made away with it—finding a sufficient amount of money to pay the debt. Dr. S. M. Brice remained here for a few months and then removed to Center Point. Dr. E. L. Mansfield was the first physician who made a permanent location in this city, and still enjoys a large and lucrative practice. He came here in 1847 and has ever since been engaged in the noble endeavor—to heal the thousand natural ills that flesh is heir to.

"The first brick building was erected in 1844, by P. W. Earle, Esq., on the west corner of Iowa avenue and Washington street. This building is still occupied by Mr. Earle, and shows but little the marks of age. A three-story brick store was erected the same year on the south corner of Iowa avenue and Commercial street. This building has since been removed to make room for the block of stores extending from Iowa avenue down the west side of Commercial street toward Eagle street. Greene's hotel, a fine-appearing brick hotel four stories high, also occupied a portion of this ground. It was erected in 1853-4 by George Greene, and was kept by various persons as a first-class hotel until it was taken down to make room for a new brick block, which was erected in 1862.

"The first store proper was opened in the building now standing on the north corner of Iowa avenue and Washington street, by Joseph Greene. As early as 1842 Mr. Greene had a store in one part of a log building located on the north corner of Commercial and Sugar streets, the other end of the same building being occupied as a boarding house or hotel.

"The first building erected for a hotel was built by William Dwyer in 1847, James Gunning being the first landlord. The building was destroyed by fire in January, 1865. It was known as the Union House and was located on the west corner of Market and Adams streets.

"The Adventists held meetings here as early as 1842-3; a Mr. Baker being the minister. The Protestant and Episcopal Methodists also had organizations at an early day. The Presbyterians organized soon after and erected the first church edifice, known as the 'Big Muddy,' taking its name from the material of which it was composed. It is a grout building, occupying the east corner of Eagle street and Adams street. The Universalists had an organization here quite early and were 'ministered unto' by Rev. Mr. Westfall. In either 1843 or '44 a somewhat noted discussion was held between Mr. Westfall, the Universalist, and Mr. Roberts, Old School Presbyterian, at which Joseph Greene acted as umpire. The discussion continued for four days and nights. The meetings were largely attended and the combatants were sharp and excited. The conflict ended as such discussions usually do—in the victory of both—and this was regarded by nearly all as a drawn game.

"The first school was kept by Miss Emily Coffman. The first school building was erected in 1846-7, by a company consisting of N. B. Brown, George Greene, Alex. Ely, and others, who sold it to the district, and had the satisfaction of being taxed to pay themselves for it. This building was on the north side of Eagle street between Jefferson and Madison. It is still standing and is occupied as a dwelling house. Nelson Felch was among the first teachers, also a Mr. Freeman, who has since been receiving instruction in a state institution located at Fort Madison.

"The second saw mill was erected by Alex Ely in 1844 and the second flouring mill in 1844-5. Mr. Ely died shortly after the completion of this mill. In 1848 N. B. Brown built the first woolen factory. The first steam engine was put up here in 1855 by A. Hager, in his sash, door and blind manufactory. He had an extensive amount of machinery connected with it and employed a number of workmen.

"The second store was established by Mr. Cleveland, and the third by C. K. Mulford. Mulford's store was afterward occupied as a dwelling, on the east corner of Commercial and Linn streets, and was destroyed by fire in 1850. That was the first fire in Cedar Rapids, and none occurred after it until the autumn of 1855, when most of the block on the west side of Commercial street, between Iowa avenue and Linn street, was destroyed. No precautions have been taken to prevent the spread of the destroying element, and were a fire to occur tomorrow no more means would be found of subduing it than existed twenty years ago. It would seem that a wise people would not thus neglect what may at any moment be of such vast importance. But so it is, and so it is likely to remain until a fire shall occur that will lay in ruins a large portion of our city and destroy thousands of dollars worth of property. Personal insurance can best cover a part of this loss and perhaps not one-half are provided with this protection."

REPRODUCTION of THE FIRST MAP OF CEDAR RAPIDS (Part 1)

REPRODUCTION of THE FIRST MAP OF CEDAR RAPIDS (Part 2)

[The old map was made in 1859 and the only copy now in existence is the property of Mr. Lew W. Anderson. It is yellow, faded and dim and in many parts was difficult to trace. It has been used many times as evidence in court in legal contests over property rights. The reproduction shows clearly the original plat of the city including Kingston, the islands, parks, squares, blocks, additions, stations, streets, names, etc. The street names have nearly all been changed since that time.]

Dr. Seymour D. Carpenter, who came to Cedar Rapids in 1849, contributed the below quoted memoirs to a History of Crescent Lodge, J. E. Morcombe, author, and published by the lodge in 1906. It is of value in the consideration of the history of early times in the city and county:

"I wished to read law, but there was a family prejudice against the profession, and I concluded to study medicine and accordingly entered as a student the office of Drs. Boerstler & Edwards, who were among the leading physicians. There for a year I read books that were full of what are now exploded theories and practice, at the end of which time I was sent to the University of Pennsylvania, where two years after I was graduated as a doctor of medicine. Returning home in the spring of 1849, I remained but a few months and then started west 'to grow up with the country.' I again rode to Cincinnati on horseback, took steamer to St. Louis, thence by another boat up the Illinois river to Haverville. Not liking the place, I rode west and crossed the Mississippi at Quincy and went to Kirksville in Missouri. Still not pleased, I turned north and went to Ottumwa, Iowa, where I met Judge Greene, then a member of the supreme bench of Iowa. He persuaded me that Cedar Rapids was in the near future to become a metropolis, and I decided to go there. After four days' hard riding and swimming several swollen streams, I struck the town on the afternoon of the 14th of June, 1849. I crossed the river on a rope ferry operated by David King, who lived in a cabin on the west side. On the other side of the river stood the cabin once the home of a man named Shepherd, and said to have been the resort of thieves in an earlier day. I cannot say that I was very favorably impressed by the thirty or forty mostly one-story unpainted houses that were scattered about near the river. There seemed to be a great deal of sand, and the houses were so situated that there was no sign of a street. There were three two-story houses, one on the river near the foot of what is now Third avenue, called the 'Park house,' in which the Greenes had their store; one on second street in which John Coffman kept a hotel, and one on Third avenue, back of the Dows & Ely block, also a hotel, but keeper's name forgotten. I was discouraged and would have traveled further but only had about ten dollars left, and from necessity had to stop. I put up at the Coffman hotel, which, as I have said, was a two-story structure with a wing. It had been built of unseasoned oak lumber and was not plastered. The whole of the second story of the main building was in one room, and contained eight or ten beds and was the common sleeping room of the guests. The lumber had shrunk and there could be no complaint as to ventilation, however short the accommodations might be in other respects. I had hardly got settled before I was interviewed by old Joe Leverich, a noted character of Linn county of that day. He was known as the 'Bogus Coon,' because, as was alleged, he had to do with counterfeiters. He was a power in politics and was the kind of a man from which the modern 'pop' has evoluted. Joe looked me over, asked where I was from, where I was going, what my business was, etc., etc. I was somewhat indignant and tried to be sarcastic, but Joe, in terminating his interview, squelched me by remarking: 'Young man, a fellow that wears such a hat as you do may pass in this country, but I consider it d—d doubtful.' I unfortunately wore a 'plug' hat which was not the style in Iowa a half century ago. In subsequent years Joe and I became fast friends, and I became quite convinced that the shady stories told of him were the talk of enemies who were jealous of him because he was smarter than the great majority of them. I was with him when he died, and, although a free-thinker, he passed away with all the calmness of a stoic philosopher.

"Within a week I made the acquaintance of all the people of the town. Among the leading persons were William and Joseph Greene, brothers of the judge, Lowell and Lawson Daniels, Homer Bishop and John Weare, all of whom were merchants. The three stores of which they were the proprietors would not compare well with the department stores of today, but all the same they were department stores, and in their miscellaneous stocks the customer could find all he wanted, from castor oil to broad-axes. Pollock & Stewart were the blacksmiths, and the carpenters and wagon-makers were also represented, but I cannot recall their names.

"Dr. Mansfield took me as a partner, and in company with Judge Cook, we had a room, 10×16, in a small one-story building opposite the mill, the other part being occupied by S. L. Pollock and family. His blacksmith shop was near by. Our medicines were kept on a shelf and a store box made a table. Our bunks occupied one side and a few stools and two split-bottomed chairs made up our furniture. We took our meals at the Coffman house. Our field of practice embraced the settlers, not numerous, in the valleys of the Cedar and Iowa rivers and their tributaries. We made very long rides. I was called to see a patient two miles above the present town of Vinton, not then begun. I got lost in the night and waited for daylight under a tree on the bank of the river at the very spot where Vinton now stands. Bilious fever and ague were the prevailing diseases, all the newcomers having to undergo one or both. As patients and clients were not very numerous, we had a good deal of leisure. Judge Cook was a fine reader and we took turns at Shakespeare, a copy of which we fortunately possessed. During the summer Dr. Mansfield and myself built a story and half office on Commercial street, about the middle of the block on which the Daniels store was located. We had a mail three times a week from Dubuque and Iowa City. The Higley brothers did the service in a two-horse hack. I think Joseph Greene was postmaster. John Weare, Sr., was justice of the peace. He was a very original character, fond of company and full of interesting reminiscences extending back to the war of 1812, in which he had lost a leg. His small office was in the rear of Mrs. Ely's residence, which stood on the ground where the Dows & Ely block now is. He gave 'nicknames' to many people and places which stuck to them like burrs. The first Presbyterian or Congregational church building was begun that summer, and as the walls were built of cement, old Mr. Weare named it the 'Muddy,' which it retained to the last day of its existence. Many buildings were put up that year with a corresponding increase in population. All the people were full of hope and ambition. We began to talk of railroads. The people of Dubuque and Keokuk, the leading river towns, started a scheme for a road running through the interior and connecting them. The people along the line, at Cascade, Anamosa, Marion, Cedar Rapids, Washington and Fairfield eagerly endorsed the project, meetings were held and it was resolved to hold two delegate conventions, on the same day, one at Anamosa, the other at Fairfield. We had a rousing meeting in Cedar Rapids. There were nearly a hundred people present, and they resolved to have the railroad forthwith. From our standpoint it was the government's duty to donate land, and for eastern people to furnish the money. Delegates were chosen to both conventions. Dr. John F. Ely and myself were selected to go to Fairfield. Both conventions were to be held on the 6th of December, 1849. We left Cedar Rapids on the 3d of December and after three days' hard and cold travel reached Fairfield. Marion sent Col. I. M. Preston and Dr. Ristine. The convention met in a small school house. All the counties were represented. The Hon. C. W. Slagle, of Fairfield, then a very young man, was chosen president. I was chosen secretary. The little school house was packed, and if any doubt the courage and scope of that convention, let him look up the old file of newspapers of that day and read. Dr. Ballard, of Iowa City, Stewart Goodsel, of Brighton, Joseph Casey, of Keokuk county, and General Van Plank Van Antwerp were present and took active part. We parted for our various homes, thinking the work half done, but sad to relate, Cedar Rapids had to wait ten years longer for the locomotive. These two meetings were, as I think, the first railroad conventions held in the interior of the state. Soon opposition schemes were started for east and west lines, and our project was ignominiously called the 'Ram's Horn.' The next year was quite a stirring one. New people were coming in great numbers, but many were leaving, for the California fever had broken out. Several outfits left Cedar Rapids, and with one of them Dr. Mansfield, my partner, whose place was taken by Dr. S. C. Koontz, a cousin of mine, one well known to the old citizens. That year the first brick buildings were erected, a dwelling on Iowa avenue near Greene's opera house, and a three-story building on Commercial street, by Judge Greene, which for a long time was the show building of the town. We began to put on city airs.

"At this time Martin L. Barber was mayor of the village. It was before the present city organization. Barber was an eccentric character, a millwright by trade. He was nearly as wise as Solomon, with courage to match. A 'bad man' came to the town. He hung about the saloon. It was said he drew a knife and threatened to kill a citizen. The majesty of the law was invoked. It was night. The offender took refuge in the saloon and barricaded the door. The mayor called out the 'posse commitatus' numbering two or three dozen young fellows like myself. He pounded on the door, demanding admittance in the name of the law. No response. We got a piece of timber and battered down the door. The mayor collared the 'bad man' who offered no resistance. He was hurried towards the Coffman house, where the mayor proposed to deal out justice. As we neared the hotel he tore loose from the mayor and made for the river. We in full cry in pursuit. He plunged in just below the mill. We paused at the brink. Gradually he disappeared, and was never seen afterwards. It was the first and last exhibition of the mayor's power.

"In 1850 Miss Mary S. Legare, sister of the Hon. Hugh S. Legare of South Carolina, came to Cedar Rapids. She was a woman of the highest culture, who had moved much in the official circles of Washington, and had considerable wealth. With her came numerous relatives named Bryan, Storey, and McIntosh, the latter a well known lawyer of the early days. She made investments in the town and took up large tracts of land. In the spring of that year we had a very spirited election. The people were divided into two factions, the 'codfish' and the 'catfish.' For mayor the former nominated N. B. Brown, the latter Jacob Bressler. I cannot recall the issues, but only remember that we almost came to blows during the canvass. Less than one hundred votes were cast and Brown was elected. Brown was one of the original owners of the town site, and built the first mills. He was one of the prominent characters in the early history of the town, a modest, quiet, but genial man, with many friends.

"This year, on the 6th of July, I did one of the few wise acts of my life. I married Sarah Weare, the daughter of John Weare, Sr. We went to housekeeping in a small one-story house, near where the old passenger depot stood. It was then the only house east of the present railroad. The next year, 1851, was a very active one for the town. Judge Greene, who had lived in Dubuque, moved to the town. The same year came S. C. Bever, who had driven in a two-horse buggy from Holmes county, Ohio, to Cedar Rapids. By this time I considered myself an old citizen, thoroughly identified with the county and town, and devoted all my leisure time to meeting strangers and exploiting the town and county. I met Mr. Bever soon after his arrival and spent several days with him riding about the country. He made large investments both in country and town. One was 160 acres about a mile from the ferry, at $5.00 per acre. I made the sale for Mr. Addison Daniels of Marion, who was so pleased with my effort that he presented me with a four-bladed penknife. Both Mr. Daniels and myself were satisfied and I have never heard that Mr. Bever regretted the purchase. That same year my father, Mr. Gabriel Carpenter, came out to see the country. After great effort on my part and many misgivings on his, he purchased of Mr. Levi Lewis 300 acres of land adjoining the town plat on the south, for which he paid $2,500. The land embraced the present cemetery. By this time Judge Greene had completed his three-story building, into which the Greene Bros. placed a large stock of goods. The most of their stock was brought up the river in a keel boat of forty or fifty tons capacity. It was rigged with a large square sail, but the principal power was men with poles, who shoved it against the current. They had loaded it with pork and sent it down the river in the spring.

"In 1851 occurred the great flood. Most of the lower parts of the town were under water. The grand lodge met that year at Ft. Madison, and at the time the river was at its highest point. We were cut off from all the neighboring country by the swollen streams, but the lodge thought it must be represented and I was chosen as the delegate. N. B. Brown suggested that I should go down the river in a skiff to a point opposite Muscatine, then by land to that place, which is only ten or twelve miles distant, then by steamer to Ft. Madison. The lodge furnished the skiff. I found a companion. We embarked in the morning and so swift was the current that we reached our destination by nightfall, and I was on time for the meeting. At the meeting I renewed my acquaintance with the grand master and the grand secretary, and met many brethren who became lifelong friends.

"In the spring of 1852 a steamboat came to Cedar Rapids. It was a great event, and brought in people from near and far. She brought a full cargo of freight, among which was the household effects of Mr. Bever and my father, both of whom from that time forward became citizens of the town. This year also came Mr. Daniel O. Finch with a printing press and forthwith started the Progressive Era, the first paper in the Cedar valley. Ezra Van Metre, a talented young lawyer from Cincinnati, Ohio, also came that year. Every one was rejoiced that we had an organ and the editor was overwhelmed with original matter. There were at least a dozen young fellows in the town, myself among the rest, who thought they 'knew it all,' and anxiously rushed into print. The paper changed hands in a year or two, and became the Cedar Valley Times and continued until a few years ago.

FEDERAL BUILDING, CEDAR RAPIDS

AUDITORIUM, CEDAR RAPIDS

"In the winter of 1852 I had a serious time in a professional way. A young man living at Quasqueton, Buchanan county, was riding across the prairie near that place and met a bear. The bear fled and he pursued. In crossing a strip of ice the horse fell. He was thrown and his foot stuck in the stirrup and he was dragged four miles over the snow, which was about six inches deep. In the mad flight the horse kicked and broke his right leg below the knee in two places. Finally the saddle turned, his foot was released and he was dropped on the lone prairie. The horse found his way home with saddle under his belly. This was on the evening of the 17th of December. A search was organized, but he was not found till the 21st, four days after the accident. Fortunately the weather was not as cold as it sometimes gets, but his hands and feet were badly frozen. Cedar Rapids, about thirty-five miles distant, was the nearest point where doctors could be found. I was sent for and went by the way of Marion, and took with me Dr. Thomas Bardwell, who was then a student in Dr. Ristine's office. There was a road to Center Point. There we struck across the prairie to Quasqueton, eighteen miles distant, without a house. We reached there the evening of the 23d, nearly frozen ourselves, for the weather was bitterly cold. They had got the young man thawed out, but in a most miserable condition. Mortification had set in, and there was no chance for the broken leg. Immediate amputation was the only hope, but I had no instrument but a small pocket case, and delay would be fatal. Necessity is the mother of invention. A butcher had just come to the place and had his tools. He sharpened his knives and filed his saw. A strong handkerchief was twisted, a knot made in the middle, which was placed over the main artery. It was tied tightly and a strong stick thrust under it and twisted till the circulation was shut off. Then with the butcher's tool I amputated the thigh four inches above the knee. Dr. Bardwell administered chloroform, which fortunately we had taken with us, and he encouraged me by word and deed. The young fellow, who was about 21, had never been sick a day in his life, rallied well and improved for about a week, but the other leg, which we hoped to save, began to mortify and there was nothing left but to amputate it. In the meantime we heard of a doctor about thirty miles away, in the direction of Dubuque, who had a case of instruments. I sent to borrow them. He refused to lend them but came back with the messenger and insisted, as he owned the instruments, he should perform the operation. That was not professional, but as I thought the patient had not more than one chance in ten to recover, I was not unwilling to divide the responsibility; so he amputated the other leg below the knee. During that winter I made eight trips between Cedar Rapids and Quasqueton on horseback, and the fellow recovered. He was the son of a well-to-do farmer in Harrison county, Ohio. His father came out in the spring, stole his son away without paying the doctors or the man in whose house he had been during recovery, and to carry ingratitude still further he procured a Methodist preacher to write his life, in which I was depicted as an ignorant butcher. This book he peddled about Ohio in person. I confess that when I heard he had been sent to the penitentiary for committing an aggravated rape I was not very sorry. This experience rather disgusted me with the practice of medicine in a new country. I was, however, in a way compensated, for I sent a history of the case to the New York Tribune, and its publication gave me quite a reputation as a fearless surgeon and thereafter I was called when surgery was required. As I have said before, I was in the habit of showing strangers about the country who wanted to buy land. In that way I became familiar with choice lots of vacant land. Greene and Weare dealt in land warrants, which they sold on a credit at three per cent per month interest. I knew of a section of land in the Iowa river bottom that I thought I should be able to sell. I borrowed the land warrants, entered the section and in less than two months had sold it for $3 per acre cash. That settled the matter. By one transaction I had made more than I had done in any year's practice. I sold out my medicines to Dr. Koontz and thenceforth till the war had nothing to do with medicine.

"About 1853-4 we began to lose confidence in the 'Ram's Horn' railroad project. Congress had made grants of land to aid railroad projects and public opinion seemed to favor east and west rather than north and south lines. Roads from Chicago were approaching the Mississippi river, and a line from Rock Island to Council Bluffs was projected. The people in the tier of counties north of the projected line became stirred up and a railroad convention was called to meet in Maquoketa, Jackson county, to organize a company to build a line in their interest. Cedar Rapids sent a delegation as follows: George Greene, N. B. Brown, Daniel Lothian, I. N. Whittam, Donald McIntosh, Ezra Van Metre, and myself. Marion also sent a large delegation and the counties along the line were well represented. A company was organized to build a line from Savanna on the Mississippi river to a point on the Missouri river not named. A corps of surveyors was put in the field and for two or three years it was the favorite project of Cedar Rapids. The settlements both in town and country were increasing rapidly and we suffered greatly for lack of transportation. Judge Greene, with his usual energy and public spirit, organized a steamboat company in which the prominent citizens became stockholders. This was in the winter. The judge went to Pittsburg, contracted for a boat suitable for our river, which by spring was completed and at the opening of navigation made her first trip, well freighted with all kinds of goods for our own merchants, and those of the surrounding towns. She was kept in commission for two or three years and was a great benefit to the community. The company hired a captain and various stockholders were at different times supercargo. While H. G. Angle was acting in that capacity she collided with and sunk another boat on the Mississippi, which led to a law suit in which our company had to pay large damages, which swept away all our profits. She made her last trip under my charge, and under direction of the company I sold her to parties in St. Louis. By this time a great rivalry had grown up between our town and Marion. Cedar Rapids claimed that she was to be the commercial metropolis and therefore ought to be the political center. The question was brought to an issue by the county commissioners ordering a new court house at Marion, subject to the approval of the voters of the county. Cedar Rapids opposed the measure, believing that the building would insure the permanent location of the county seat. Then ensued a most bitter canvass. The voters were deluged with oratory. Marion put on the stump Judge Isbell, I. M. Preston, Col. Wm. Smythe, N. M. Hubbard, W. G. Thompson, and R. D. Stephens, against whom Cedar Rapids opposed Jas. J. Child, Ezra Van Metre, Donald McIntosh, A. S. Belt, E. N. Bates, I. N. Whittam, and others. Every school district was canvassed and much bitter feeling engendered. The Marion people were more adroit politicians and carried the election, but the result did not discourage our citizens, who asserted that no election could affect 'manifest destiny.'

"About 1852 Major J. M. May came to Cedar Rapids from Janesville, Wisconsin. The major was a stirring man with a head full of schemes. He said that Cedar Rapids was a place of immense possibilities and only wanted enterprise to make it the great town of Iowa. He bought land at the lower part of town adjoining that owned by my father, and land on the west side adjoining the river and below that owned by Dr. King. He platted out town lots on both sides of the river, and induced my father and King to do the same, which were the first additions made to the original town. He also surveyed the island, sent a plat to the general government and took possession of it, much to the chagrin and surprise of the old settlers. Then he began to agitate the question of a free bridge. Every one wanted a free bridge but were undecided as to the location. The major induced my father to subscribe $1,500, and he gave $1,000, which with sums contributed by others in the lower end of the town, secured the location below the island at the narrowest place in the river. The bridge was completed and thrown open to the public, I think, in the late fall of 1852, and proved a great convenience. The construction was defective and when the ice broke up in the spring, the heavy cakes knocked down two of the piers, and destroyed the greater part of the bridge. All the people of the town were collected on the bank of the river watching the event, and two young women who were crossing went down with the structure and were drowned. This was the first bridge built at Cedar Rapids. The next was a bridge of boats at the foot of Iowa avenue which I believe was also swept away by ice. About this time the Rev. Williston Jones, who officiated in the 'Muddy,' and was a very good as well as energetic man, went east on some missionary effort. While there he met a gentleman named Coe, who made a donation of land adjoining the town plat for educational purposes providing the people would also contribute. A meeting was called and the terms complied with and thus Coe college was founded. I was quite honored when with others I was named as a trustee. Not long after this time the Reverend Starr became rector of the Episcopal church, and under the lead of Judge Greene and Mr. Bever, they began the erection of the first Episcopal church, and about the same time the Methodists built a brick church, so you see Cedar Rapids began to get on 'praying grounds and interceding terms.' In the winter of 1856-7 we were surprised and flattered by receiving a communication from a party of railroad men connected with the North-Western railroad, then completed to Fulton, Illinois, asking us to join them and organize a railroad company from Clinton on the west side of the Mississippi river to our town. This was a new proposition, and we had never heard of Clinton, which in point of fact was only a cornfield staked out in town lots, besides we were committed to the line that was to run west from Savanna. We consulted with the Marion people, but they would have nothing to do with it, arguing that we had already applied for the land grant for the Savanna route. After serious deliberation and with considerable misgivings, we decided to send a delegation to spy out the land and be governed by circumstances. John Weare and H. G. Angle were chosen as our representatives. It took them three days to drive to Lyons which was the nearest town to Clinton, the proposed starting point. That was the first time any of our citizens had come in contact with real capitalists, men who built railroads. There they met a party of men from Boston, from Maine, from New York, and Chicago, among whom was Charles Walker of Chicago, then president of the North-Western. Our deputations were swept from their old moorings and immediately joined hands with these men and formed a company, the 'Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska,' to build west from Clinton, by the way of Cedar Rapids to the Missouri river. Cedar Rapids was given first directors as follows: Geo. Greene, John Weare, H. G. Angle, S. C. Bever, and S. D. Carpenter, which positions we held till the road was built to Cedar Rapids. This new departure on the part of Cedar Rapids intensified the feeling of rivalry between her and Marion; a direct line between Clinton and Cedar Rapids would leave Marion off the route, besides the natural obstacles were less from Mount Vernon to the river and thence to Cedar Rapids. The Marionites denounced us as traitors to the original scheme, with a malignant intent to leave them out in the cold. We denied the 'allegation and defied the alligators.'

"We said there was nothing behind the old project, but that ours was a live scheme, with experienced men with bags of money to put it through. Our deputies had pledged $200,000 from Cedar Rapids, which we proceeded to raise, $100,000 by private subscription and $100,000 by city bonds. Greene & Weare, then bankers, subscribed $10,000; George Greene, $5,000; John Weare, $5,000; N. B. Brown, $5,000; S. C. Bever, $5,000; Gabriel Carpenter, $5,000, and numerous others smaller sums to make up the amount. Then a city election was had and the $100,000 voted by an overwhelming majority. Surveys of the route were begun at once and from Mount Vernon and Cedar Rapids, two lines were seen; one by the way of Marion, and the other by the river. It was ascertained that the latter route would be shorter and cheaper by $100,000 than the former, but the company proposed to adopt the Marion route if she would subscribe $100,000, which she declined to do, and the river line was chosen. Work progressed slowly and the first year found the rails no further west than De Witt, Clinton county. Nothing had been done on the Savanna line.

"Meantime the legislature for 1857-8 assembled, and we were astounded to learn that they had passed a bill giving a land grant to that company. I do not remember why we had not looked after our interests, but only know that we were taken by surprise. We thought our enterprise in great jeopardy, and resolved to compromise, if possible, with Marion. I think that Judge Isbell was then president of the Savanna company. Major May, who had favored the Marion line, for what reason I now forget, and myself from a warm personal friendship with Judge Isbell, were chosen ambassadors. We met the judge and the Marion directors of the rival line. They were courteous, but obdurate. They said we had deserted them and run after strange gods, and now that the tables were turned, they proposed to build the road straight west, crossing the river eight miles north of Cedar Rapids, and instead of their building a branch to Cedar Rapids, we if we chose might build the branch from Cedar Rapids, and thus we left them, sad and discouraged. 'Whom the gods would destroy they first make mad,' and thus it turned out with the Savanna route. The company was composed entirely of Iowa men, directors from the various county seats and towns along the line. Very soon after obtaining the grant, they got together and voted each other $25,000 apiece for services rendered in obtaining the land grant. As there were about twenty of them, the scheme was loaded by about $500,000. Then they tried to exploit the enterprise among eastern capitalists. But the hard times of 1857-8 were upon us and money was scarce both east and west. No one would take hold. In the meantime our road was slowly creeping on, and was within thirty miles of Cedar Rapids. The grading contract was let to John G. Wolf, an experienced railroad builder from the east. Most of the money to pay him had to be raised among ourselves and pay day was a most serious time. I remember upon one occasion, the cash entirely failed, but the merchants of the town agreed to honor orders for goods, Mr. Bever among the others. Mr. Bever had been a merchant in Holmes county, Ohio, and brought his stock of goods from there to Cedar Rapids. Among other things he had two or three cases of bell crowned silk hats of a very ancient date. On pay day our citizens were greatly amused to see our streets crowded with Irishmen, all wearing bell crowned hats, and as 'fire water' was plenty, before night a great many of the hats were caved in. Our Marion friends hearing of it said our company was 'busted,' our only assets consisting of bell crowned hats. But we persevered and bided our time. We called a mass meeting in the city preparatory to forming a new company to build the road west from Cedar Rapids to the Missouri river, and appointed a committee to issue a prospectus to all the counties west of us on the proposed line to meet in delegate convention at Cedar Rapids. I had the honor of being chairman of that convention and as such prepared the paper, and if you will examine the file of newspapers of that day you will find a 'Spread Eagle' document that I supposed would move the souls of our frontier friends. They responded nobly and came on the time designated, and we organized the 'Cedar Rapids & Missouri Railroad Company,' at least I believe that was the name. L. B. Crocker, of New York, was made president, with several eastern and western directors, myself among the number. Then as the company to whom the legislature had given the grant of land, had not turned a spadeful of earth, we organized a lobby embracing all our directors on the line west of us; L. B. Crocker, the president, Major Bodfish, a Maine man, and several of our Cedar Rapids directors, myself among the others. When the legislature assembled in 1859-60 we invaded the capital, and established our headquarters in an old hotel near the river, whose name I have forgotten. Major Bodfish was the commissary of the body. We had no money to expend, but determined to be hospitable. The major laid in a barrel of old rye whiskey; as it was before the war, whiskey was cheap, also several boxes of cigars. One of our strongest henchmen was J. M. Woodbury, a leading man from Marshalltown, and with him Peter Hepburn, now an honored congressman, then a very stripling, but showing evident signs of what was in him. John J. Kasson was then a young lawyer in Des Moines, and we secured him as our attorney. Our opponents were not asleep, but were on hand from Marion, east to the Mississippi river, with Platt Smith, a distinguished member of the bar at Dubuque, as their lawyer. Then the fight began, in and out of the state house. Speeches were made by our adherents in both branches, and we buttonholed and dragged to our headquarters all thirsty souls, as well as those who indulged in the milder stimulant. Our strong argument was, that our opponents had done nothing after having the grant for two years, while we had about completed eighty miles of road without help; that we only asked for the grant to apply to the line west of Cedar Rapids, while they would use it for the line from the Mississippi, and that we would be able to accommodate the people with a finished road at least two years before they could. The law makers were not in a hurry, but towards the last of the session they passed our bill, and you may be sure there was great rejoicing in Cedar Rapids. On our return the citizens gave us a grand banquet in Greene's hotel, and we felt that we had at last secured a substantial victory for our city, as in fact it was, for thenceforward Marion could no longer be our rival. The cars came to Cedar Rapids in the summer of 1859, just ten years after we had held our first railroad meeting, and we felt at last that hope had ended in fruition. An immense concourse greeted their arrival from all parts of the surrounding country. General D. N. Sprague, then mayor, welcomed the guests, and the citizens threw open hospitable doors to all comers."

From 1840 to 1846 much work was going on in the thriving little town. Glass had already a small grist mill on McCloud's Run and a saw mill had been started on Indian creek which furnished lumber till the saw mill on the Cedar river was completed. The labor on the dam was a big undertaking and took much time as the enterprising adventurers were not well prepared to cope with so large an undertaking.

Many settlers were coming constantly, all of them full of courage and pleased with the location, which all proclaimed could not be improved upon. There were Alexander Ely, Joseph Greene, Homer Bishop, P. W. Earle, John Vardy, D. Fiddlar, A. Eddy, George Westlake, William Dwyer, James Gunning, Charles Mulford, Isaac Cook, John Shearer, James Lewis, Dr. S. M. Brice, and many others.

Churches were also organized, such as the Methodist, in 1841, by Rev. Hodges, and the Baptist the same year by Rev. G. E. Eberhart. The United Presbyterian church was organized by John Cunningham ten years later. New settlers came and other church organizations were completed and small church buildings were erected by the members.

The following chatty reminiscences of pioneer times is from the Republican of recent date:

"'If two of us wanted to lunch together,' he said, 'we went to a saloon and sat down over some black bread and a little beer. Now you must stand up to drink your beer, and you may eat nothing.'

"In the old days the city and the county politicians met here and talked over the political situation. The professional men met on equal grounds. Now it is all changed.

"There were some interesting places in Cedar Rapids in those old days. In the location where Mr. Armstrong is now about to erect a fine business block there was an old German named Moritz Hoffbeck. It was a sand hill then, but there was a good cellar where Hoffbeck sold beer, gave away good lunches and entertained the crowd. His good wife also served the guests with good things to eat, cooked after her own fashion. Here congregated the best business men of the town after the day's business was over. They went home in the best of spirits, but often it was rather late when they went.

"Some of the city's poets of that day composed a little poem about Moritz which ran as follows:

"Moritz Hoffbeck is my name,
Bavaria is my nation.
Cedar Rapids I dearly love,
For here I get my ration.

"Another German, Sam Leunch, kept a place at Third avenue and First street, which was for many years a meeting place for farmers as well as city men. It also had a reputation for its fine lunches.

"Sych's place was on the present location of the Y. M. C. A. This also was German and German dishes were one of its great attractions.

"Frank Simon had a restaurant where Stark's hotel is now located. It was an eating house; also a drinking house. It was noted in five counties for being the place to get the best oysters in any style. The German fries have never been excelled. When Simon died, Ben Springer married his widow. He retired many years ago and sold the business to the Starks.

"Frank Mark was a Swede who kept a saloon where Denecke's store is located, fronting on Second avenue. It was a small place but it was always full for he served eatables and kept private rooms for his city patrons who wished a quiet place in which to talk things over.

"Pollack's where Severa's store is now located, was the Bohemian restaurant much sought for its good things to eat and for the imported drinks which he kept for his best friends.

"Count Boshon kept a saloon down into prohibition times and ran many saloons in various places. He was known as the King of Bohemia and acted as though he might have been a count. He imported the Philip Best beer from Milwaukee and stored a car or two at a time in ice, and for this he obtained a great reputation. Count Boshon was a chancellor and knew how to secure the good will of prominent persons of the city and of the county officials. He seemed to stand in with all. It is said in his favor that while he may have violated the law in some instance he tried to keep a decent place.

"The young business men would take a Saturday off and go up fishing or hunting or hire Elias Doty and his boat, the 'Climax,' and take a sail on the murky waters on the Red Cedar, sometimes up, and now and then when the water was high, down stream. Now all has changed.

"In the olden times there were dances at the neighbors or other old gatherings. All were common. No dress suits were seen and there was no delay on account of lack of any introduction.

"Doctors would get together and tell stories, lawyers would joke over their trials in court and in every way people were on an equality and truly happy.

"Then people did not devote all their time to making money. They did not spend all the time in business. Young and old had a better time of it, for they worked and played as well. They were really content with the surroundings and with their condition in life.

"In winter time people got together and had a good time, going skating or sleighing—on Christmas there were not so many gifts as now, but what was given was with the best of feeling. Another thing we have lost, and that is, the New Year's day calls. Old and young, married and single, made calls on this day every year.

"It was a fine custom and it ought not to have been dropped. Now people are too busy to call on their neighbors and they seem to fear that society would not approve of it. In the olden days no questions were asked about one's grandfather."

The old founders of Cedar Rapids were strong men in many ways. They were real live wires, and frequently spent money and devoted much of their time to exploit new industries. Such men as Geo. Greene, N. B. Brown, David King, S. D. Carpenter, W. B. Mack, R. C. Rock, P. W. Earle, H. G. Angle, J. E. Sanford, the Daniels family, the Ely family, the Weare family, the Bever family, and many others were men of rare intelligence, aggressive, enterprising, and wide awake, who came here to make a city at all hazards. They were true as steel to their convictions, enthusiastic in booming their town, and the "balance wheels" in time of need which kept things going. Even when some of these men lost heavily in the unfortunate steamboat ventures, in railroad exploitations, in bridges, dams, factory properties, and in other ways, they never complained, although at times it made them "men of sorrow and acquainted with grief." They never lost courage, and expected things to turn, even when they looked the darkest, and won in the end. The early pioneers were men keen to see an opportunity. They were able to look ahead, and for this reason they perhaps hung on when times were hard and when enterprises failed to materialize. It was due to the enthusiastic spirit of those leading citizens that caused the Legare and Bryan families to invest $80,000 in gold in Linn county property. It was no doubt due to the up-to-date, progressive spirit of those citizens that led S. C. Bever to bring $30,000 in gold, which was invested mostly in city property in Cedar Rapids in the early '50s. It was no doubt due to the keenness of mind of the late Judge Greene, that John T. Waterhouse in an early day came to Cedar Rapids and invested much money in choice corner lots on which he erected, for that time, modern business blocks. But outside of a few men, most of the early pioneers came to the county without any means. These acquired in the course of a few years, large holdings which have since doubled in value several times. Few, if any, who invested in real estate in Cedar Rapids and Linn county in an early day and who had foresight enough to hold on to it, ever lost anything on such investments. Values have gradually increased until corner lots which sold for $10 in the early '40s in Cedar Rapids, have now a value of from $2,000 to $10,000, and lands in and around the city which were disposed of at $5 to $10 an acre, have sold at from $250 to $500 an acre, and even higher.

The settlement in Linn county was an event of more or less importance, for it was the last stand of the "free booters," and the last rush for cheap land in the Mississippi valley. The citizens came at an opportune time and took up the cheap lands, which soon rose in value. While during the panic of 1857, many of the farmers were unable to pay taxes on their farms and the value of farm produce was very low, yet they managed to get through. The panic of 1873 was not so disastrous on the farmers of Iowa, because by that time they had acquired more property and could afford to hold their stuff longer than in the panic of 1857. The land values stood still for awhile, but soon they began to move again and the farmer who had paid for an eighty-acre strip of land generally purchased another eighty or two, as he had plenty of help and the banks were willing to loan him the money. This land has more than doubled in the past twenty years, but the value of a season's crop now, as compared to forty years ago, has also more than doubled.

Elias Doty, the son of an old pioneer, contributes the following items regarding Westport:

"The first squatter town in Linn county was Westport, situated on the east bank of the Cedar river, near a spring three-fourths of a mile below the mouth of Indian creek. In 1845 its buildings consisted of one double log cabin, one frame dwelling, one frame storehouse, and one frame grain elevator. My father occupied the storehouse as a pottery, where he made earthenware. The elevator was owned by Robert Holmes and occupied by H. G. Higley and Lawson Daniels, who bought wheat and built flatboats to float it to the St. Louis market. Our family were the only dwellers at the town at that time. Higley and Daniels boarded with us. They built their boats bottom up and when completed turned them over.

"Jacob Leabo lived a half mile below us, and Hiram Deem a half mile above us. I. W. Carroll and C. C. Cook lived at Dairy Dale, where they had started a brick kiln, which was the first in the county so far as I know. The first lime kiln was at Westport, where John Henry burned lime to plaster the houses of the town. The saw mill of the county at that time was near Bertram. It was started by my uncle, Elias Doty, who was killed at its raising in 1841. It was finished by James Briney."

EARLY HOTELS IN CEDAR RAPIDS

While the Shepherd Tavern was the first place where strangers could be entertained in Cedar Rapids, it was not long till several hotels were started. "It has always been a hotel town," said an old settler, "for the reason that when people came here they liked it so well that they did not care to move and they stayed at the tavern as long as money and credit held out."

John Young, who held a claim near Shepherd, erected a small house on Fourth avenue close to the river, which became known as the "Astor House." This was a double log house, 18×26, and one story high, according to the testimony of Robert Ellis, George R. Carroll, and others. This building had several additions built to it during the next five years. A Mr. Verbeck, a native of Vermont, was one of the early landlords. This house was occupied by J. L. Shearer, John Weare, James Hamilton, and several other well known pioneer families. The Listebargers kept a sort of hotel near the Sinclair ice houses in 1839-40, and here Robert Ellis and several other unmarried men boarded. The Listebargers did not keep strangers, only regular boarders.

Wm. Dwyer erected a real up-to-date hotel in 1847, as it was said there was a demand for such a building. It received the name of the Union House, with Jas. Gunning as the first landlord. It was located on Third avenue and Third street, near the present site of the Montrose Hotel. It was well spoken of and much patronized. The building was destroyed by fire in 1865. The American House and Greene's Hotel, both on First street, were well known places, sought by the traveling public. Greene's Hotel was for years one of the leading hotels in Iowa, a four-story building on the corner of First avenue and First street where political rallies were held and banquets were served, and where balls occurred during the winter seasons.

The old Southern or Brown's Hotel was for many years one of the leading hotels. It is still operated under the name of Gorman's Hotel. The old Empire House was another hotel which in the early fifties was a place much frequented by the commercial traveler. It stood on the corner of Third avenue and Second street. Johnson's Hotel, on the west side, formerly Kingston Hotel, was also a well known place of entertainment. On the site of what is now the Cedar Rapids House there was operated for many years a popular little hotel which was always full to overflowing. One of the old clerks here used to reply to the fellow who asked if they were full, "The clerk is, but the house never, come in." Many of the pioneer travelers, who wanted to cross Dave King's ferry, came to stay over night at this place. The river traffic increased hotel trade, so did the gold craze in California, but in 1859, when the railroads reached Cedar Rapids, every other home was turned into a rooming house to accommodate the traveling public.

The Grand, the Clifton, Palace Hotel, the Pullman, were for years busy places, till the Delevan, the Allison, and the Montrose were built.

A city is largely known by its hotels, as the word is generally passed along by the traveling men. Cedar Rapids stands well in the state as a hotel center.

In the Wolfe Directory for 1868 the following hotels are given Cedar Rapids: American House, G. E. Cheny; Chicago House, Nick Pitting; Dubuque House, Anton Christle; Eagle Hotel, R. E. Baldwin; Empire House, J. L. Peak; Valley City House, Harvey & Sherund; Kingston Hotel, William Friis; Dubuque House; National Hotel, Humphrey & Bean.

PART OF ZOO IN BEVER PARK, CEDAR RAPIDS

A SCENE IN BEVER PARK, CEDAR RAPIDS

BUSINESS IN 1856

From 1850 to 1860 Cedar Rapids had a marvelous growth, despite the panic of 1857 which wiped out some of the fortunes of those who had invested heavily in wild lands and who had engaged in banking. The Voice of Iowa, a local newspaper, has the following to say of the wealth of the city's business enterprises:

Flouring mills, four; planing mills, sash, doors and blinds, two; cooper, one; wagon and carriage factories, five; iron foundry, one; cabinet and chair factories, two; plow factories, three; boot and shoe factories, three; saddle and harness factories, three; tin, copper and sheet iron workers, four; woolen factory, one; brick yards, five; farm implement factories, two; merchant tailors, two; woodworking, two; newspapers, three; brick machine factory, one; grocery and provision stores, eight; dry goods, fifteen; clothing, five; drug stores, four; jewelers, two; hardware, four; book stores, two; book bindery, one; liquor and cigars, six; public halls, five; hotels, five; churches, four; lumber yards, four; bakery, one; banks, three; barber, one; public reading room, one. The same issue of the paper cites that the town should have a pork packing plant as well as a paper mill. It took a long time before the T. M. Sinclair Company's plant became an assured reality, which has become in time such a factor in the upbuilding of Cedar Rapids and Linn county.

The following list of business firms in Cedar Rapids in 1856 is of interest:

Dry Goods Stores—Shattuck & Dewey, Commercial street; L. Daniels & Co., Commercial street; C. E. Livingston, Carpenter's block, Commercial street; Partridge & Cook, Commercial street; Leach & Wood, corner of Washington and Eagle streets; Elder & McClelland, corner Iowa avenue and Commercial street.

Grocery Stores—C. W. Stebbins, corner Front street and Iowa avenue, Kingston; A. C. Keyes, Carpenter's block, Commercial street; Bever & Rowley, Commercial street; J. H. Atwell, Commercial street.

Clothing Stores—David Kahn, Commercial street; Bangs & Bixby, Commercial street.

Hardware Stores—Rock & Camp, Commercial street; C. P. Spaethe, Commercial street; A. H. Brown & Co., Commercial street.

Drug Stores—J. P. Conkey, No. 3, Commercial block; James L. Enos, No. 4, Iowa avenue.

Jewelry Stores—J. T. Walker, Commercial street; L. H. Keyes, Commercial street.

Book Stores—James L. Enos, No. 4, Iowa avenue.

Banking Houses—Greene & Weare, Commercial street; Ward, Bryan & Co., Commercial street; W. A. Dodge, Carr & Co., Commercial street.

Land and General Agency Offices—Whittam & Belt, Commercial street; Bates & Tousley, Commercial street; Carpenter, Lehman & Co., Commercial street; H. Mount & Co., Washington street.

Furniture Ware Rooms—John Boyce, Iowa avenue; J. Alloway, Commercial street.

Builders, Joiners, Etc.—W. D. Watrous, designer and builder, Carpenter's block; Smith & Williams, S on Madison, W on Washington street; Elihu Robbins, residence Washington street; Hyatt & Moore, shop on Commercial street.

Blacksmith Shop and Plow Factory—Stephen L. Pollock, Linn street.

Lumber Yard—Charles & Carroll, Commercial street.

Carriage Manufacturers—Roswell Tibbetts, Benton street, West side; J. M. Chambers, Linn street.

Hotels—Empire House, W. M. McMahon, corner Washington and Market streets; Greene's Hotel, Coffman & Smith, Commercial street; Rapids Hotel.

Insurance Agents—S. C. Bever, Franklin and Marine; E. N. Bates, Hartford Fire; J. L. Enos, Iowa Insurance Co., Oskaloosa.

Bakery and Restaurant—Alexander Clinton, Commercial street; Walter D. Thompson, No. 6 South Commercial street.

Millinery—Mrs. E. A. Emery, Brown's block, Kingston; Miss Mary E. Stewart, Rapids Hotel.

Physicians—S. C. Koontz, office Carpenter's block; J. H. Camburn, residence Washington street; W. D. Barclay, residence Iowa avenue; J. W. Edes, residence Washington street; Smith & Larrabee, office Commercial street; R. R. Taylor, office Carpenter's block; H. Mount, oculist, Washington street; McCauley & Pulsifer, dentists, Commercial street.

Attorneys and Counsellors—James J. Child, Commercial street; Bates & Tousley, Commercial street; Henry Lehman, Commercial street; D. M. McIntosh, Commercial street.

Nurseries—Central Iowa Nursery, J. B. Gate, proprietor, on west side, near city. Was established 1853. Mound Nursery, George Greene, proprietor, two miles north of the city.

Planing Mill—Alexander Hager, shop 45×50 feet, two engines, one of nine and the other of twenty-four horsepower. Capital invested in plant and machinery, $10,000.

Lumber Mills—Greene & Graves, located at upper end of city. Mill 40×50 feet, two stories high; engine house, 24×60 feet, one story high. Had capacity of 5,000 feet of lumber per day, with lath, shingles, etc., in proportion. This establishment also included a machine shop 35×70 feet, three stories high; foundry of brick, 30×60 feet, and a brick blacksmith and plow shop 25×35 feet. Capital invested, $25,000. J. J. Snouffer, one saw, cutting 200,000 feet of lumber during three months, ending June 30, 1856. A circular saw for plow beams, wagon felloes, etc.

Saw Mill and Chair Factory—Dobbs & Dewey, capacity 10,000 feet of lumber a week. During year had turned out 8,000 chairs, 1,000 bedsteads and other articles. Fifteen hands employed. Capital, $12,000.

Churches—Presbyterian (Old School), Rev. R. H. Morrow, pastor. Worships in Daniels' Hall. Subscription of $2,700 secured for a building, which with site is expected to cost $3,500. Membership, 46. Episcopal, Rev. S. Starr, rector. Church a fine structure and furnished in the neatest manner. Methodist Episcopal, destitute of pastor temporarily. More than one hundred members; largest congregation in city, more than 150 in attendance at Sabbath school. Baptist, West Side, Rev. J. Woodward, pastor. Temporary edifice to be erected present season. Membership between thirty and forty. Presbyterian (New School), Rev. L. F. Dudley, pastor. Church building small; was first to be erected in the city. Affairs in a flourishing condition. Presbyterians (Seceders), Rev. J. H. Sturgeon, pastor. Church edifice just erected and pews sold.

Secret Societies—Cedar Rapids Lodge No. 25, A. F. & A. M. (organized 1850), Hiram Deem, W. M.; Isaac N. Whittam, secretary. Meets first Monday after new moon. Hope Lodge No. 201, I. O. O. F., organized 1851. Hiram Deem, N. G.; Joseph G. Davenport, secretary. Meets every Tuesday evening.

Select Schools—Misses Farnham, in rooms under the Episcopal church; Miss H. Latshaw, on Washington street.

Buildings Erected in Year—William Stewart, brick store, one story; R. C. Rock, brick store, three stories; J. F. Ely, two brick stores, three stories; A. Hager, machine shop, brick, three stories; Gabriel Carpenter, three stores, brick, four stories; S. C. Bever, store, brick, three stories; H. G. Angle, store, brick front, two stories; Bates & Tousley, banking house, brick, three stories; Shattuck & Dewey, two stores, three stories; P. W. Earle, store, three stories above basement; S. L. Pollock, addition to plow factory; Greene & Graves, stone machine shop, three stories; Greene & Graves, blacksmith shop and foundry; public school building, brick, three stories.

Brick Dwellings—F. A. Lee, William Greene, James Bates, B. E. Baker, W. & S. Johnson, Elihu Robbins (two), M. Ohler, Ezra Havens, H. G. Angle, Watrous & Gillett, A. Whitensack.

Frame Dwellings—H. Riefensthall, W. W. Smith, John Graves, Lowell Daniels, G. W. Westlake, H. L. Bryan, A. J. Reed, P. W. Reeder, W. Harvey, Henry Ward, S. A. Shattuck, D. S. Bryan, G. Dewey, Rev. Samuel Starr, Freeman Smith, —— Jordan, J. Crabil, Mary Lucore, Mr. McDougal, Mary Clark, Mr. Coon, Mr. Seabury.

As yet, however, the improvements were confined to but a small portion of the present city. Iowa (First) avenue had been used as a sand bank, at the convenience of builders, and being left in ridges and hollows was impassable to teams. Lot owners on Eagle street (Second avenue) were urged to cut out the underbrush in the street so that wagons might pass, and thus that section of the city become attractive for residences.

From Wolfe's Business Directory for 1869 we may note a few of the business houses and professional men.

Agricultural Implements—Averill & Hamilton, A. C. Churchill, Fleck & Dorwart, Higley Bros., Patterson & Co., F. J. Upton.

Ammunition—J. A. Nye.

Architect—S. S. Spaulding.

Attorneys—Boyd & Smith, J. J. Child, Craft & Sosel, A. V. Eastman, R. H. Gilmore, H. H. Gray, Hubbard & Belt, J. W. Leslie, M. P. Mills, A. St. C. Smith, O. O. Stanchfield, I. N. Whittam.

Baker—P. Seitz.

Banks—City National, First National.

Bankers—Carpenter, Stibbs & Co.

Barbers—Brown & Bolin, W. K. Harris, Lightenberg & Reiss.

Billiard Halls—F. Witousek, D. T. Williams.

Blank Book Makers—J. C. Stoddard, C. Barthel, S. B. Carl, Cook & Funk, J. E. Davis, R. H. Dutton, C. Everlien, C. A. Files, J. Hough, A. S. Mershon, J. M. Nell, Delia Rudolph, L. Turner.

Book and Job Printers—Ayers Bros., W. A. Ballard.

Book Stores—E. R. Derby, J. G. Graves, F. G. Bennett.

Boot and Shoe Dealers—E. R. Bradford, J. Gates, McClelland Bros., J. E. Morrison, P. Necomb, A. G. Plumb, O. Robinson, C. Tomasek, T. S. Wilson, J. Wolfe.

Brewers—C. Magnus, owner of the Eagle Brewery, Will Williams, Cedar Rapids Brewery, owned by Joe Schneider.

Carpenters—Boss & Gray, M. J. Bourne, M. Moore, Null & DeCamp, W. Richmond, S. S. Spalding, J. M. Waldt.

Carpets—I. N. Isham, J. Bell & Co., P. Newcomb.

Clothing—Arnold & Loucheim, Arnold & Levi, Jackson & Lincoln, Otto Co., R. B. Tomlinson, J. Wiener.

Commission Merchants—H. L. Bryan, Charles & Carroll, C. H. Hall, R. L. Porter, J. J. Snouffer & Co.

Dentists—E. Ebi, A. K. Miner.

Drugs—G. C. Haman, J. C. May, L. Roth, A. H. Taylor, W. L. Weller, Wetherby & Bowen.

Flour Mills—Aetna Mills, by J. J. Snouffer & Co., Cedar Rapids Flouring Mills, W. B. Leach & Co., Union Mills, by W. S. Cooper.

Grocers—O. B. Coe, Anderson & Pettinger, Al Jacobs, P. G. Garret, Hildebrand & Lansing, A. C. Keyes, P. Keech, W. Lench, C. L. Lutz, Sam Neidig, G. Parr, F. Plucshel, P. Seitz, J. B. Spry, J. H. Stibbs, T. S. Wilson, J. J. Witwer, Wood & Wolcott.

Six hotels on the east side, and several on the west side, known as Kingston.

The doctors were—C. F. Bullen, J. H. Camburn, G. P. Carpenter, J. P. Coulter, J. W. Edes, Mansfield & Smith, F. McClelland, J. North, Israel Snyder, C. H. Thompson, W. Bolinger.

The live real estate agents were—Carpenter, Stibbs & Co., R. H. Gilmore, St. Clair Smith, O. O. Stanchfield, West & Eastman.

There were about twenty saloons operated.

The wagon makers were—R. C. Hall, John Hesse, Jos. Hrbek, John Mehan, Star Wagon Co., run by Upton, Chambers & Co.

Kingston also boasted of two blacksmith shops, one boarding house, three hotels, several grocers, wagon makers, lumber dealers, etc. The population of Kingston as given by this directory was 300.

LINN COUNTY STATISTICS FOR 1856

General Figures—Number of dwelling houses, 2,518; number of families, 2,612; number of males, 7,911; number of females, 6,791; colored, 6; married, 5,110; widowed, 307; native voters, 2,946; naturalized voters, 236; aliens, 215; militia, 2,795; deaf and dumb, none; blind, 1; insane, 1; idiotic, 14; owners of land, 1,824; paupers, 3; total population of county, 14,792.

Agricultural Statistics—Acres of land improved, 66,132; acres of land unimproved, 155,991; acres of meadow, 3,871; tons of hay, 8,551; bushels of grass seed, 306; acres spring wheat, 14,739; bushels harvested, 212,573; acres winter wheat, 249; bushels harvested, 1,532; acres oats, 5,854; bushels harvested, 180,674; acres corn, 24,251; bushels harvested, 1,025,375.

Live Stock Figures—Number hogs sold, 16,905; value of hogs sold, $127,942; number of cattle sold, 3,284; value of cattle sold, $79,273.

Farm Products—Pounds butter made, 153,646; pounds of wool sold, 14,143; pounds of cheese sold, 25,506; value of domestic manufactures, $7,269; value of general manufactures, $212,795.

Nativity of population—Ohio, 3,758; Indiana, 1,320; Pennsylvania, 1,914; Iowa, 2,770; New York, 1,209; Maine, 111; New Hampshire, 83; Vermont, 189; Massachusetts, 188; Connecticut, 124; Rhode Island, 7; Virginia, 436; Kentucky, 242; Illinois, 453; Michigan, 87; Alabama, 1; Louisiana, 2; Mississippi, 4; North Carolina, 59; South Carolina, 23; Tennessee, 55; Missouri, 40; Georgia, 2; Maryland, 208; New Jersey, 178; Wisconsin, 51; Delaware, 10; England, 166; Ireland, 204; Wales, 4; Scotland, 72; Germany, 278; France, 11; Austria, 36; Russia, 0; Prussia, 5; Norway, 16; Sweden, 2; Holland, 2; on the ocean, 1; Canada, 161; New Brunswick, 11; Switzerland, 6; Denmark, 1; West Indies, 2; Bohemia, 139; Nova Scotia, 52; Prince Edward Island, 8; District of Columbia, 4; Poland, 1; Moravia, 6; Hungary, 5; Unknown, 1.

From "Historical Sketch of the City," in the Cedar Rapids Directory for 1870-71, we cull the following:

"During the year 1838 the first land claim was made by a certain Wm. Stone on what constituted the present site of Cedar Rapids. This was not the first claim made, however, as John Mann, Esq., had the honor of being the first settler in the county, having located at Pine Grove in the early part of the same year.

"The attention of the early pioneers being drawn to the manufacturing resources of the county, the present site was early chosen as most suitable for a city, as the swift current of the river at this place would afford, in all probability, a valuable and extensive water-power. In 1841 the town was laid out, and within a short time thereafter the improvement of the water-power was commenced. The land lying along the margin of the river and commanding the water privileges was soon purchased by Messrs. N. B. Brown, George Greene, H. W. Gray, and others, who early commenced the construction of the dam and the building of those mills and manufactories which have since been the pride of the city and which have contributed so much to its permanent growth and development.

"N. B. Brown, Esq., has added an attractive feature to the city by erecting a costly and elegant hotel on North Commercial street, which, when finished, will be one of the finest west of Chicago. In addition to these, the building of the mammoth machine shops of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids and Minnesota R. R. Company is shortly contemplated. This will involve an expense of several hundred thousand dollars, for which purpose fifty thousand dollars have been appropriated to the company by this city and township.

"... As to educational interests Cedar Rapids has maintained a high position among her sister cities of the state. It is generally conceded that Iowa is the banner state of the Union, regarding her system of free schools and the advantages derived therefrom. This city has no less than thirty-five thousand dollars in school buildings, including the one recently built in West Cedar Rapids. The schools are classified and graded under the latest improved system, and are presided over by an able corps of teachers, chosen with special reference to their attainments and adaptation to impart instruction. James E. Harlan has at present the entire superintendence of the schools, and by his efficiency he is maintaining the high reputation which the schools have before sustained. Over thirteen hundred pupils are in constant attendance, and the number is yearly increasing.

"... The Young Men's Christian Association deserves even more than a passing notice. The rooms of the Association are in Mansfield's Block, over the postoffice, and are opened each morning and evening through the week.

"... The Young Men's Library Association is also a pleasant feature of the city. The enterprise has established a choice and well selected library, consisting of historic, scientific, poetic and biographic works, chosen from the best authors in the land. The library rooms are in charge of Miss Mary Thompson, a lady of rare grace and culture, who takes delight in entertaining her guests and exhibiting the many works of interest that adorn the shelves of her library.

"... The social, moral and religious elements blend here in sweet harmony, and much of the refinement and culture witnessed in eastern cities and in eastern society is equally exhibited here; hence to those wishing to settle in a place combining the advantages of church, schools and refined society, as well as a place of good business facilities will find Cedar Rapids a desirable city in which to locate. We venture the assertion that Cedar Rapids, in the future as in the past, is destined to excel, in wealth and numbers, her neighboring rivals, and evermore sit as queen in the rich valley she so beautifully adorns."

The following obituary appeared in the Cedar Rapids Gazette in March, 1909, and gives a sketch of a person who had passed through much of what is now the history of a thriving city, and is for that reason made part of the history of the county. Mrs. Brown was at her death the widow of one of the foremost men who ever lived in Cedar Rapids.

"Susan Emery, daughter of Nathan Emery and Cornelia Broadhead, his wife, was born August 19, 1824, at Dingman's Ferry, Pike county, Pennsylvania, and died March 4, 1909, at Cedar Rapids, Iowa, thus having lived 84 years, 6 months and 15 days, a period of time much longer than the average allotted to mankind. A woman in her younger days of a noble, perhaps an imperious presence, strong in mental and physical make-up; self-reliant and unswerving in the object sought to be attained by her. Strong in likes and dislikes, no truer, more loyal friend among mankind than she. She came of a long-lived, stubborn warrior race. Through her mother, Cornelia Broadhead, she was descended from Daniel Broadhead, a Yorkshire Englishman, a captain of Grenadiers, who fought for Charles the Second during the civil wars of England, and by him was commissioned to serve under Colonel Nicholls in the expedition to the new world to wrest New Netherlands from the Dutch, that the same might become a new world kingdom for James, duke of York, brother to the king.

"Captain Broadhead was made military governor of a portion of New Netherlands, with his headquarters at the old Indian town of Wiltwyck, called by the Hollanders Esophus and after the English occupation named and is still known as Kingston, in the state of New York. Captain Broadhead died in 1670. A grandson, Daniel by name, in 1733 migrated through the wilderness, down through the Jerseys to the water gap and located there. He with his sons refused to be driven out of the country and off his possessions by the savages during the Indian wars and fought for what they considered their own and won out. From this Daniel were descended three revolutionary soldiers—General Daniel Broadhead, a noted Indian fighter and close friend of George Washington; Luke Broadhead, a captain and friend of LaFayette, and Garret Broadhead, a captain. John Romeyn Broadhead, the historian, was of this family of Broadheads. From this it will be seen that Susan Brown came from no mean stock. In her younger days she was known to be generous and charitable to any worthy poor. Her giving was of the quiet and unostentatious kind, and to a considerable extent. This trait of character remained with her through her old age. She was a woman of strict integrity, spotless purity, and the world and community in which she lived was undoubtedly the gainer for her having lived in it. In 1852 she was married to her kinsman, Nicholas Broadhead Brown (a pioneer of 1840), coming immediately with her husband and sister, Mrs. Hannah E. Higley, to Cedar Rapids and has remained here continuously from that time, thus making her, with possibly one or two exceptions, at the time of her death, the oldest continuous resident of this city. In laying the foundation and the early upbuilding of this city were a number of potent and conspicuous men and women, such as George Greene, Alexander Ely, Addison Daniels, and others, but none more so than Nicholas B. Brown and his wife Susan."

It is entirely proper to make some mention in these pages of Captain Joshua John Snouffer, who came to Cedar Rapids in 1852 when the city contained less than 400 people. He too had an intimate knowledge of what it meant to be a pioneer.

Captain Snouffer was born in Maryland February 24, 1825, and though he was a loyal citizen of Iowa he never ceased to love his native state, nor did he ever forget its history, its traditions, and its people. He entered the Mexican war where he was wounded in the head on the field of battle on November 9, 1847. This wound troubled him all the remaining days of his life. At the time he was wounded he was first sergeant of a company of dragoons, and on several occasions had commanded a company.

As a member of the firm of W. D. Watrous & Company he was closely identified with the milling industry of Cedar Rapids. He superintended the erection of "the brick mill" in 1875. With J. J. Child he was the joint author of the city's charter. He took an active part in the building of the Iowa & Nebraska Railroad, now the Northwestern. He was a prime mover in establishing the water works, and was one of those who gave the city its first street railway. At various times he was a member of the city government both as alderman and mayor. He was a skilled parliamentarian, and an honest man in every sense of the word.

CEDAR RAPIDS TODAY

W. I. Endicott, in The Saturday Record, July 10, 1909:

Cedar Rapids has had a civic existence since January 15, 1849, on which date a town charter was adopted and town officers elected. In 1856, a new city charter was granted by the legislature and under that charter the affairs of the city were conducted until April 6, 1908, when the charter was abandoned and the city went under what is known as the "Commission Plan." Under the provisions of this law all ward lines and divisions were abolished and five men—a mayor and four councilmen or commissioners are elected at large. In the hands of these five men is placed all responsibility for the appointment of the entire city official staff and the management of city affairs.

The new plan is working in a most satisfactory manner in Cedar Rapids and many things are being accomplished under it that were impossible of accomplishment under the old ward system. The improvements under way are all planned with a view to actual necessity and the harmonious building up of the city in all its sections. Modern business methods are in use in the conduct of the city's affairs and unwise or extravagant expenditure of the public money is not permitted. The council meets nearly every day and the citizen who has business to transact with the council is given instant hearing and attention.

Under the law, the mayor is paid a salary of $2,500 and each of the councilmen $1,800 annually, and they devote full time and attention to the work of the city. The city's business is divided into departments and each man is in charge of and responsible for a certain department. The mayor is head of the department of Public Affairs and as such, exercises a general supervision over all phases of the city business. Then there are the departments of Accounts and Finances, the department of Public Safety, the department of Streets and Public Improvements, and the department of Parks and Public Property. The men elected have first to be successful in a wide open primary and then in the regular city election secure a majority of all the votes cast. In the election of 1908 there were 48 candidates for councilman and nine candidates for mayor on the primary ballot. From these names the two who received the highest number of votes for mayor and the eight who received the highest number of votes for councilman were declared the nominees and their names appeared on the ballot at the regular election, the names appearing in alphabetical order on both the primary and regular election ballots, and without any party or other designation.

In 1908 the council accomplished the sale of the old city hall site and the purchase of May's Island for park and public buildings purposes. This island has an area of about six acres, and lying in the Cedar river in the very center of the city, forms an ideal place for a civic center. The city offices are now occupying temporary quarters on the island and as rapidly as possible the low places are being filled with dirt from the various excavations for business buildings, and from other sources, so that what was once a municipal disgrace, is being rapidly transformed into a place of beauty, to say nothing of forever setting at rest any possibility of divisive strife between the two sides of the river.

THE CITY'S ASSETS

The public improvements of the city of Cedar Rapids represent expenditures running into the millions of dollars. Few cities of like size are so thoroughly or excellently paved. On the first of January, 1909, the city had three miles of asphalt, twenty miles of brick, and five miles of macadam paving, or a total of twenty-eight miles. There are now under construction, or already completed on contracts carried over from 1908, two miles of brick and one mile of tar treated macadam, giving Cedar Rapids at the present time thirty-one miles of paving. The contracts let for 1909 will add more than five miles to that total, so the city will have approximately thirty-six miles of paving at the end of the present year.

Sidewalks are practically all of cement construction and laid under city supervision. On January 1, 1909, there were more than 102 miles of walk in the city, and of this more than ninety-six miles were of cement, nearly four miles of brick or stone and only about two miles of wooden construction. The contracts let for this season will represent the construction of about eight miles of walks, giving the city a total of 110 miles of sidewalks.

Cedar Rapids has two systems of sewers, sanitary and storm water. Some of the storm water sewers are of large size, being seven feet in diameter, and one—the Vinton ditch sewer, is even larger.

Cedar Rapids has an excellent fire department, equipped with the best of apparatus. There are five stations—one central station and four outlying hose houses.

In the matter of parks the city has made a most promising start. There are now in the city twenty-eight parks, counting large and small and not including any street parkways. Of this number Bever Park, Ellis Park, Daniels Park, May's Island Park, Riverside Park, and Whittam Park are considerable tracts, while George Greene Square, opposite the union station, with its beautiful display of flowers and rich green lawn, is one of the show spots of the city. Bever Park, the largest of the parks, in the woods to the east of the city, was the gift of James L. Bever, George W. Bever, and John B. Bever, as a memorial to their father, Sampson C. Bever, who was one of the pioneers of the city. Bever Park is flanked one side by picturesque Vernon Heights and on the other by beautiful Ridgewood, forming an almost continuous park of great extent and beauty. Daniels Park is the newest of the city parks. It is located on the Old Marion Road and has been transformed into a beautiful floral park, with well-arranged walks and driveways. Riverside Park is the close-in park, being located on the bank of the river south of Eleventh avenue, and this has been made a play park, with plenty of out-door gymnasium apparatus for the children and young people. Ellis Park, located on the river bank above the city, is one of the most beautiful and attractive of all the parks, and when adequate means of reaching it are installed, it will without question be one of the most popular parks in the city. The river with its excellent boating facilities, gives a charm to Ellis Park that is denied the other breathing places of the city. The city of Cedar Rapids is spending more than twenty thousand dollars each year on its park system, and it is money well spent. There are about two hundred acres in the park system, and a conservative value of the park grounds and improvements is well over $300,000.

The Free Public Library is a most valuable asset to the city and aside from the unmeasurable good done in the dissemination of knowledge, represents a money investment of well toward $150,000. The building proper was the gift of Mr. Carnegie and cost $75,000, the grounds and other items and the contents of the library will add another $75,000 to the valuation. It is supported by a city tax and costs about $12,000 per year to operate. Its affairs are in charge of a board of trustees, appointed by the council.

The city owns and maintains five bridges across the Cedar river. Of these bridges four are of steel construction and one—the Second avenue bridge—is a magnificent reinforced concrete bridge of Melan arch design. This bridge is one of the best and most attractive in the middle west. Its cost was more than $100,000.

[The city contracted in 1909-10 a new concrete bridge to replace the old steel bridge on Sixteenth avenue at a cost of $80,000. It is 40 feet wide and 2,600 feet long, and was opened for traffic January, 1910. A new concrete bridge will be contracted in 1911 at Third avenue to replace one of the oldest in the city.]

SIXTEENTH AVENUE BRIDGE, CEDAR RAPIDS

FIRST STREET, CORNER SECOND AVENUE, IN 1869

The city water works are owned by the city of Cedar Rapids, and are managed by three trustees appointed by the council. The plant was purchased from the water company July 1, 1903, at an agreed price of $473,000. Of this amount, $23,000 was paid in cash and the remainder was put in the form of bonds. In the past six years $158,000 of these bonds have been retired, leaving a net indebtedness against the water plant of $315,000. The net earnings of the plant from July 1, 1903, to July 1, 1908, were $79,952.30, and for the year ending July 1, 1909, were almost $25,000. In addition the city gets free hydrant rental and fire protection. A conservative inventory of the water plant will show a valuation of well over $600,000 at the present time. The water is taken from large wells on an island in the Cedar river belonging to the city and located some distance above the C. & N. W. bridge. It is filtered by the Jewell system and is forced through the mains by large pumps. There are three of these pumps in use, one of two million gallons daily capacity, one of three million gallons capacity and one of five million gallons capacity. The necessary power is supplied by two water tube boilers of 350 horsepower each, and three tubular boilers of 70 horsepower each. The filter system has a capacity of three million gallons per day, and an additional reservoir for the filter is now under construction. There are at the present time 390 fire hydrants and an excellent and satisfactory fire pressure is maintained for all fire alarms. A loop of twelve-inch mains encircles the business district and this loop is supplied by a twenty-inch main direct from the pumps, giving the business section a fire protection unexcelled by that of any city in the west.

THE RAILWAYS

Up to 1849 the village of Cedar Rapids had no formal organization. It was simply a township. But the legislature of 1849 granted a town charter and for the next decade the community throve apace. It was during this period of years that Cedar Rapids strove for, and secured, its first line of railway. In the fifties the railway lines to the west left the bank of the Mississippi and pushed their way out into the fertile prairies of Iowa. Among these lines was one known as the Chicago, Iowa and Nebraska, and its purpose was to construct a line of railway from Clinton, across Iowa, to some point on the Missouri river.

Among Cedar Rapids men who were prominently identified with the enterprise and were on the board of directors were John Weare, Jr., William Greene, H. G. Angle and S. C. Bever. The company was organized in 1856, but it was not until June, 1859, that the line was completed from Clinton to Cedar Rapids, a distance of a little over eighty miles, and train service established between the two towns.

Previous to the coming of the railroad, communication with the outside world was maintained by means of stage lines; Dubuque, Clinton, Davenport, Muscatine, Iowa City, and Waterloo being reached by that method. Freight and supplies were brought in by wagon, though in the early days there was some steamboat traffic on the Cedar river as far as Cedar Rapids.

It required hard work, and plenty of it, to get that first new line of railway into Cedar Rapids. Marion, the old, substantial town and the county seat, wanted the road—and came pretty near getting it, too. The next move in railway construction work for the community was the extension of the new line west, on its way to the Missouri river, a line which is today the main artery of the Chicago & Northwestern system, forming an important part of the great highway of steel connecting the Atlantic and Pacific.

The original promoters of the Chicago, Iowa and Nebraska Railway, living in Cedar Rapids, were anxious that that company should build a branch line up the Cedar valley from this point, and thus tap the rich and rapidly growing territory lying to the northwest of Cedar Rapids. But the company had no time or money with which to build side lines or branches. Its objective point was the Missouri river and the great beyond. So Judge George Greene, S. L. Dows, and other prominent public spirited men took up the task of constructing a road from Cedar Rapids to Vinton and Waterloo. Burlington capitalists and promoters joined in the work of extending the line from Cedar Rapids southeast to Burlington, and in a few years the embryo of what later became the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern, the "Cedar Rapids route," with its lines radiating from Cedar Rapids to Clinton, Muscatine, Burlington, What Cheer, Iowa City, Sioux Falls, Watertown, Worthington, Forest City, Albert Lea, St. Paul, Minneapolis, and Decorah, was in existence. The shops, roundhouses and general offices of the road were located in Cedar Rapids, and everybody took pride and a personal interest in speaking of the institution as the "Home Road." The absorption of the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern by the great Rock Island system, thus giving Cedar Rapids direct connections with all stations on that road, is a matter so recent as to be hardly history as yet. This change has been more in name than in reality. The shops are maintained, as in years past. An even larger army of trainmen and operative employes make Cedar Rapids their home, and the general offices for the northern district make use of the general office building constructed by the Burlington, Cedar Rapids & Northern Railway Co.

Cedar Rapids' third railway enterprise was the securing of the Dubuque & Southwestern, locally known as the "Slough Shore," from the manner of its entrance into the town. This railway was built and operated by the Farleys, father and sons, of Dubuque, and for many years, with its connection with the Illinois Central at Farley, maintained the only line of direct communication between Dubuque and Cedar Rapids. In the early days some very peculiar railroading was done on the Farley line, and the incidents and happenings, if gathered together, would make an extended volume.

The Dubuque and Southwestern is now a part of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul system, and over its tracks trains now run to Chicago, Omaha, Kansas City, Minneapolis, and St. Paul, as well as to the original sleepy little terminus of Farley.

The last steam road to enter Cedar Rapids was the Illinois Central, a line being constructed from Manchester by the late S. L. Dows. This line opens up to the shippers and business men of Cedar Rapids direct connections with the Illinois Central, and is of peculiar value in the traffic in southern and tropical fruits and commodities which come by water to New Orleans.

More recently the interurban between Cedar Rapids and Iowa City has been constructed, and with its hourly service it has won a business which makes certain the building of other and equally as promising lines in the near future.

Cedar Rapids of 1909, from a railroad point of view, is the traffic pivot of the middle west. Centering here are four of the largest railway systems of the country—the Chicago & Northwestern, the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, the Rock Island, and the Illinois Central. From Cedar Rapids direct lines radiate to Chicago, Peoria, St. Louis, Kansas City, St. Joseph, Council Bluffs, Omaha, Sioux City, Sioux Falls, Watertown, Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Milwaukee, the total mileage of the lines entering Cedar Rapids being about 35,000 miles. Direct service is maintained between Cedar Rapids and nearly 1,750 stations in Iowa, to say nothing of the thousands of stations in other and surrounding states reached by direct train service from this city. More than 225 railway and interurban trains arrive in or depart from Cedar Rapids daily. Approximately 80,000 carloads of freight are handled annually. The freight earnings are about $3,500,000 and the passenger receipts are about $1,200,000 each year. Three express companies, the American, the United States, and the Wells-Fargo, maintain offices in Cedar Rapids.

Recognizing the future of Cedar Rapids as a railroad, manufacturing and distributing center, the railroads have all been expending vast sums of money in the past few years in the acquisition of property for terminal purposes. The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, the Illinois Central, and the Rock Island now control absolutely the entire section of the city lying between Fifth and Ninth avenues, the river and Third street, and it is only fair to presume that the four blocks between Third and Fourth streets and Fifth and Ninth avenues will also be devoted exclusively to railway purposes. South of the city, along the river bank, the Chicago & Northwestern is expending thousands of dollars in the filling in of a large section of low land and old river bed, and on this made ground new and enlarged terminals and switch yards will be built.

The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific is now engaged in the construction of its new terminals and freight depot on the blocks lying between Second and Third streets and Fifth and Ninth avenues, and when completed these terminals and depot will be ample for the accommodation of a freight business of a city of hundreds of thousands of population.

In the matter of passenger travel the city is well accommodated in the two depots, both on Fourth street, one occupied by the Chicago & Northwestern and the Rock Island, and known as the Union station, and the other occupied jointly by the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul and the Illinois Central lines.

Mention must also be made of the Cedar Rapids and Iowa City interurban line, which maintains an excellent hourly service between the two cities. This line of road is the pioneer in the interurban field for the city, if the line to Marion be excepted, but is proving daily more and more popular and its business is increasing in such a measure that the building of additional lines of like character is only a question of the near future.

MANUFACTURING

From the days of its very earliest beginnings the people of Cedar Rapids have paid especial attention to the manufacturing industry. A large part of those who settled in Cedar Rapids came from the east where manufacturing leads all other industries and it is but natural that they should embark in their new home in those lines with which they were familiar. The papers and records of the early days tell of a long line of enterprises that have come and gone. There were flour mills, woolen mills, implement works, engine factories, wagon factories, oil mills—the list is a long and interesting one to the delver into local history.

With the coming of the railways, opening up markets for the manufactured products and affording means of collecting and bringing in the raw material, the manufacturing side of Cedar Rapids' activities has grown apace, until today Cedar Rapids, although not the largest of Iowa cities, leads them all in the amount of manufactured goods produced. In 1908 the total ran to nearly if not quite $22,000,000, and the output for 1909 will far exceed that great figure. There are now nearly 100 manufacturing institutions in Cedar Rapids, employing nearly 4,500 hands and paying more than $3,000,000 annually in wages.

Many of our manufacturing institutions are of many years' standing. The great mill of the Quaker Oats Company, the largest milling plant in the world, was originally established years ago as an oat meal mill by George Douglas and Robert Stuart, two thrifty and persevering Scotchmen to whose industry and far-sightedness is due the fact that at least the first course of the world's breakfast (after fruit) comes from Cedar Rapids. The great packing plant of T. M. Sinclair & Co., Ltd., giving employment to 1,200 employees and sending its products to all parts of the world, has done more to advertise Cedar Rapids than any other one agency. It was established by T. M. Sinclair, a young man from Belfast, and from its modest beginning many years ago it has become a plant representing an investment of millions and an ability to supply at least a large portion of the second course of the world's breakfast. Then there is the big starch works of Douglas & Co., the largest independent starch plant in the country—a plant where corn by the train load is daily transformed into starch and gluten feed. In smaller institutions note must be made of the Anchor Mill Co. and the T. G. White Cereal Co., with their specialties in flour and wheat flakes. While on the subject of cereals, note should be taken of the big elevators and cleaning houses of the Cedar Rapids Grain Co., the Clinton Grain Co., Jackson Grain Co., and the Wells-Hord Grain Co. Without doubt, the name "Cereal City" which has been applied to Cedar Rapids is not a misnomer.

In other lines Cedar Rapids leads as well as in those involving the conversion of the native products of agricultural Iowa. This city with its three great pump companies, the Cedar Rapids Pump Co., the Chandler Pump Co., and the Iowa Windmill and Pump Co., control the pump, windmill, iron pipe and plumbing supply business of the middle west. While the collateral lines covered by the Dearborn Brass Co., the Iowa Radiator Co., the Tokheim Manufacturing Co., the Vernier Manufacturing Co., the Smith-Talbott Co., and others add materially to the leadership of Cedar Rapids in these departments.

The Denning Fence works places Cedar Rapids in a leading position in the fence manufacturing business. The Perfection Manufacturing Co., the Hawkeye Skirt and Garment Co., the Welch-Cook Co., and the Clark-MacDanel Co., give Cedar Rapids a high position in the business of manufacturing clothing for both men and women that is not suspected, even by some of the best posted people in the city. Then there are other lines of manufacture. The J. G. Cherry Co., with their line of dairy and creamery supplies; the Cedar Rapids Sash and Door Co., the Williams & Hunting Co., and the Disbrow Sash and Door Co., with their big wood working plants; the various furniture factories, the cement and sand-lime brick plants; the big printing plants, for printing is a most important industry in Cedar Rapids; in short, the list is endless and as this is not a directory of the manufacturing industries of Cedar Rapids, further individual mention will have to be abandoned.

What is manufactured in Cedar Rapids? The list is a long and mixed one. It comprehends all kinds of breakfast foods, flour, starch, gluten feed, all kinds of packing house products, woven wire fence, candy, ice cream, pumps, iron pipe, windmills, plumbers' supplies, steam heating plants, machinery of all kinds, stone and ore crushers, hot air furnaces, cornices, bank, store and office fixtures, camp and lawn furniture, corsets, parlor furniture, mattresses, woven wire springs, undertakers' supplies, egg cases, dairy supplies, butter, concrete fence posts, sand-lime brick, prepared plaster, ice, gasoline engines, store step-ladders, hard wood specialties, electrical supplies, gasoline storage tanks and measuring pumps, manure spreaders, overalls, women's skirts, suits and jackets, shirts, photo paper, brass goods, coffee, spices, extracts, baking powder, sash, doors and blinds, steel baskets, tanks, stoves, school books, umbrellas, vinegar, pickles, wagons, carriages, omnibuses, automobiles, patent medicines, physicians' and hospital supplies, crushed stone, cigars, etc., etc.

It is noteworthy that of the many industries started in Cedar Rapids within the past twenty years, a very large per cent have been financial successes, some of them notably so. Nearly all of them have been launched in modest fashion and while nowhere is it possible for all enterprises to succeed, the few failures in Cedar Rapids have all been brought about by causes purely individual in the management or because of circumstances which seemingly no one could control.

Cedar Rapids has passed beyond the experimental stage as a manufacturing city. It has been demonstrated that industries can be established and operated successfully here and that goods made in Cedar Rapids will find a ready and stable sale in all parts of the world. In fact, Cedar Rapids is but just beginning her epoch of industrial prosperity and growth and she extends to all the invitation to come, see how those here are prospering, and join in the march of events which will in the years to come make Cedar Rapids one of the best known manufacturing communities in the whole United States.

In this connection it is not amiss to speak of the excellent conditions which have always surrounded the labor situation in this city. The manufacturing industry must, of necessity, depend very largely on the element of labor and in many localities strikes and strife and misunderstanding and trouble generally have added to the difficulty of the local situation. There has been but little of this sort of thing in Cedar Rapids. Labor has always been well paid, well treated and well satisfied in this city, and the little differences which have come up between employer and employee have all been settled promptly and satisfactorily. There has been an absence of the grafting labor agitator and all have worked harmoniously together to build up the city and its best interests.

THE STREET RAILWAYS

BY E. A. SHERMAN, EDITOR SATURDAY RECORD

The Marion and Cedar Rapids Improvement Company was incorporated March 8, 1879, to construct street railways on the streets of Cedar Rapids and Marion, and the highway between, known as the "Boulevard."

The incorporators were Addison Daniels, J. L. Crawford, C. C. Cook, and John Meredith Davis.

The officers were John Meredith Davis, president; James L. Crawford, secretary; C. C. Cook, treasurer.

On March 13, 1879, the city council of Marion passed an ordinance authorizing construction of the line in the city of Marion. On May 16th, the city council of Cedar Rapids passed an ordinance granting the Marion and Cedar Rapids Improvement Company the right to construct and operate street railways on Iowa avenue, and also on alternate streets.

October 13, 1879, the name of the company was changed to the Cedar Rapids and Marion Street Railway Company. John Meredith Davis resigned as president and was succeeded by W. M. Hewitt.

November 8, 1879, the city of Cedar Rapids passed another ordinance granting a franchise to the Cedar Rapids and Marion Street Railway Company for lines on Iowa avenue and on alternate streets. Up to this last date the enterprise had been fathered by Milwaukee and Davenport parties, who then dropped out. Construction had already been begun and the work was continued by Marion parties, prominent among whom were Mr. E. Latham, J. L. Crawford, and J. C. Davis. Mr. Latham advanced the money necessary for construction.

On January 8, 1880, Mr. Latham was made president of the company. In March of that year Judge George Greene (always foremost in any enterprise which would help Cedar Rapids) took a controlling interest in the company, and from that time forward, with the financial assistance rendered by Judge Greene, the work went rapidly on so that the line began carrying passengers between Cedar Rapids and Marion on the 3d of May, 1880, by steam motor between Twelfth street in Cedar Rapids and the terminal station in Marion, and from Twelfth street to Fourth street in Cedar Rapids in horse cars.

Both Judge Greene and Mr. Latham died early in the summer of 1880, and although Mr. S. C. Bever, Mr. A. J. McKean and other prominent citizens of Cedar Rapids and Marion afterwards became interested in the enterprise, the Greene family always held a controlling interest and were foremost in management of the company up to the sale in 1890.

Mr. Latham was succeeded as president by William Greene on July 15, 1880.

The board of supervisors forbade the company laying its track on the boulevard, and brought suit to enjoin such construction. The Eighteenth General Assembly (1880) passed an act authorizing street railway tracks on roads 100 feet wide. So the supreme court sustained Judge Shane in refusing the injunction. Early in the spring of 1881, the line was extended across the steam railway tracks at Fourth street to the foot of Iowa avenue. Soon after that date the company were not allowed to bring the steam motors below Fifteenth street, the horse cars carrying the Marion passengers up to that point.

The track between Marion and the city limits of Cedar Rapids were laid with "T" rails weighing sixteen pounds to the yard; afterwards changed to thirty-five pounds per yard. The horse car tracks were laid with flat rails weighing twenty-two to twenty-four pounds per yard, spiked on the top of wooden stringers. The first equipment consisted of two small second hand steam motors and four cars.

The extensions and additions made were: In 1882, track to fair ground from First to B avenue, only operated during fairs and amusements. Line on Adams (now Third) street, First avenue to Fourteenth avenue. Opened September 7, 1882. Line from First avenue and Commercial (now First) street to Third avenue, across Third avenue bridge on Third avenue to Sixth street west; also line on Third street north from Third avenue to A avenue, and south to Seventh avenue west. These west side lines began doing business in the fall of 1882, and early in 1883 car and horse barns were built at Third avenue and Third street west.

In 1884, line extended from Third street and Seventh avenue west to J. C. Young's addition at Sixth street and Fifteenth avenue west and afterwards taken up for want of business.

In 1886, line from First avenue east along Fifth street to Fifth avenue, up First avenue to Tenth street, thence on Tenth street and Mount Vernon road to Oak Hill cemetery; opened for business July 4, 1886.

Fair ground line taken up. New line on Sixteenth street from First to E avenue, built and put in operation November 15, 1886.

As the branch lines of horse railroad within the city of Cedar Rapids paid no profit, the Marion stockholders stoutly objected to the earnings of the Marion line being used for the sole benefit of the people of Cedar Rapids. So the Cedar Rapids and Marion Railway Co., on the 13th of July, 1889, conveyed to John W. Henderson—for the sum of one dollar—all of these branch lines excepting the Sixteenth street line. Mr. Henderson on November 14, 1889, deeded the same to the Cedar Rapids Street Railway, a company organized for the purpose of operating these city lines, and for the further construction of other city lines in Cedar Rapids, of which company C. G. Greene was president, U. C. Blake, vice-president, W. J. Greene, secretary, and George Greene, treasurer.

These city lines failed to earn enough to pay operating expenses and were all conveyed back to the Cedar Rapids and Marion Railway Co. on February 9, 1891. For the year ending June 30, 1884, the number of employes of the company was twenty, the annual wages $11,667.44. In 1889 the number of employes averaged twenty-eight and the annual wages $15,878.00.

During the years 1886 to 1890, the west side lines had been gradually abandoned, so that on December 1, 1890, there was only remaining the one on First street and across the Third avenue bridge to Third street, and thence on Third street southwesterly to Seventh avenue.

The entire equipment at that date consisted of two steam motors, two 28-foot coaches, one open trail car, 20 feet long, one baggage car, one 18-foot, six 12-foot, and eleven 10-foot horse cars, two snow plows, two flat cars and nineteen horses and mules, with the necessary harness and fixtures.

In the autumn of 1890 it came to the knowledge of Mr. J. S. Ely that non-resident parties were investigating the situation with a view of acquiring the property of the Cedar Rapids and Marion Railway, together with the city lines then owned by the Cedar Rapids Street Railway. Mr. Ely believing that it would be best for the interests of the city of Cedar Rapids that control of the transportation facilities be in the hands of resident property owners, who would have a greater interest in a more extensive system and better service, than those seeking merely financial profit, obtained options on a controlling interest in the capital stock of both of the companies. After which Mr. Ely and Mr. Henry V. Ferguson organized a syndicate consisting of Messrs. A. T. Averill, James L. Bever, Chas. H. Clark, Geo. B. Douglas, Walter D. Douglas, C. J. Ives, C. Magnus, P. E. Hall, J. S. Ely, and Henry V. Ferguson, who on December 15, 1890, purchased two-thirds of the entire capital stock of the two companies (the C. R. & M. Ry. and the C. R. Street Ry.) buying out all of the old stockholders except Frances R. Greene, C. G. Greene, S. C. Bever, Geo. W. Bever, and U. C. Blake. Immediately after this change of control, the stockholders paid in money enough to clear up all the floating debt of the companies, and put them on a good financial basis. The stockholders addressed the following communication to the mayor and city council of Cedar Rapids:

"To the Honorable Mayor and City Council of the City of Cedar Rapids, Iowa:

"The undersigned stockholders in the Cedar Rapids and Marion Railway, and in the Cedar Rapids Street Railway Company, respectfully represent to your honorable body that they are the absolute owners of all the stock of the corporations, and all are resident tax payers in said city, largely interested in its general progress and prosperity; that it is their purpose and intention to reconstruct, improve and extend the properties now operated by the said companies and to run the cars on said lines by electric power as soon as the necessary authority and the additional rights and franchises required are granted, and on the granting of the same, we pledge ourselves to take immediate steps toward putting on electric service, and to rebuild, maintain and operate, and from time to time extend the lines in said city to the full extent that ordinary business prudence will warrant.

"We, therefore, petition your honorable body to grant said corporations the necessary authority, rights and franchises to enable them to enter upon and make the changes and improvements above mentioned.

"P. E. Hall, A. T. Averill, Henry V. Ferguson, C. G. Greene, Walter D. Douglas, Jno. S. Ely, Chas. H. Clark, C. J. Ives, Jas. L. Bever, G. B. Douglas, C. Magnus, F. R. Greene, Geo. W. Bever, S. C. Bever, U. C. Blake.

"Dated December 31, 1890."

The franchise asked for by these stockholders was for twenty-five years.

Although the above application was warmly supported by the leading newspapers of Cedar Rapids, the city council refused the franchise so asked for, but instead on May 1, 1891, granted to the Thomson-Houston Electric Co. a franchise for fifty years, for lines covering substantially the same territory on the east side of the river as that served by the horse cars, and also for three miles of new lines on the west side of the river, to be afterwards located.

So these gentlemen who had put up their money to save the city of Cedar Rapids from non-resident ownership of transportation lines, found their purpose frustrated and with a fair prospect of losing their entire investment. Rather than suffer this, a majority decided to acquire this new franchise at the best price obtainable, and then go ahead with construction according to its terms. After this decision Mr. Ives and Mr. Magnus retired from the enterprise and took back their money. Previously, during the negotiation for the franchise, Mr. S. C. Bever and Mr. U. C. Blake had sold out. On the organization of the new company to take over the Thomson-Houston franchise, Mrs. Frances R. Greene, C. G. Greene and Geo. W. Bever sold their interests to the remaining stockholders.

Neither the Cedar Rapids and Marion Railway nor the Cedar Rapids Street Railway ever paid a dividend, so that all of the stockholders who had invested their money in these enterprises went out with entire loss of income, and most of them with considerable loss of principal.

J. P. Messer was superintendent from January 1, 1881, to February 22, 1883, when he resigned and was succeeded by Wm. Elsom, who remained superintendent until after the system had been changed into an electric railway.

CEDAR RAPIDS AND MARION CITY RAILWAY COMPANY

The Cedar Rapids and Marion City Railway Company was organized May 14, 1891, and immediately thereafter purchased the franchise for electric railways in Cedar Rapids recently granted to the Thomson-Houston Electric Co., and also took over all the rights, property and franchises of the Cedar Rapids and Marion Railway. A franchise for twenty-five years for an electric line from the terminal point in the city of Marion to the southwesterly city limits of Marion was granted to this company at about that time. The first officers were: Jas. L. Bever, president; Walter D. Douglas, vice-president; Chas. H. Clark, treasurer; Glenn M. Averill, secretary.

Within a few months Jas. L. Bever and A. T. Averill sold out and retired from the enterprise. After the reorganization resulting from this change in ownership, the officers were: P. E. Hall, president; W. D. Douglas, vice-president; Chas. H. Clark, treasurer; John S. Ely, secretary.

The stockholders were: Chas. H. Clark, Geo. B. Douglas, John S. Ely, J. S. Cook, Walter D. Douglas, Henry V. Ferguson, and P. E. Hall, of Cedar Rapids, Horace Williams, of Clinton, Iowa, J. E. Ainsworth, of Council Bluffs, Iowa, now of Williamstown, Vt., David P. Kimball and L. C. Kimball, of Boston, Mass., and J. Van Deventer, of Knoxville, Tenn.

No change of ownership except through division of estates of deceased stockholders has taken place up to the present time.

The work of construction and reconstruction was begun at once and vigorously pushed during the season of 1891.

All tracks were entirely new excepting from Sixteenth street to Marion. Those across the First avenue bridge were laid with strap rails, nailed to the bridge plank. The balance of the double track with 58 pound girder rails. All other new lines with 45 pound "T" rail. The strap rail was taken off the bridge and girder rail substituted a few years thereafter. The city lines on the east side of the river were open for business in November, 1891, the west side lines in December, 1891, and electric service begun to Marion in February, 1892.

The main line mileage of the road at this date, not counting spur and sidetracks is, within the city of Cedar Rapids 12.85 miles, of which 2.28 miles is double track. From the city limits at Kenwood to Marion, 2.80 miles; total 15.65 miles.

The Marion line above Twentieth street through to Marion has been entirely rebuilt with new rails, the grades cut down, the alignment changed, the track ballasted, a new steel and concrete bridge built over Indian creek; so as to make that portion of the road fully adequate for the business.

Within the last three years all of the girder rail tracks east of the river have been relaid with 60 and 80 pound "T" rails and the number of ties increased fifty per cent.

The service has been increased to once in fifteen minutes each way and extended to twelve o'clock at night on all the lines excepting the Marion line, where the service is once in twenty minutes during the day and up to 12:30 a. m.

The power plant first installed consisted of two 125 horsepower engines connected by belts to two 75 k. w. generators. It now consists of one 400 horsepower engine belted to a 300 k. w. generator, and one 750 horsepower engine directly connected to a 450 k. w. generator. The output of power is equalized by a storage battery of 272 cells. The boilers, smoke stack, switch board, condensers and all minor machinery have been correspondingly increased and improved.

U. B. CHURCH, LISBON
Built 1855
FIRST U. B. CHURCH WEST OF MISSISSIPPI RIVER
Built and Presented to Members at Lisbon in 1850 by Rev. Christian Hershey

The car barn (originally a wooden iron-clad building 80×140 feet) has been enlarged and new brick buildings erected with shop room for building car bodies and trucks, and making all necessary repairs to cars and electric equipment; so that the present storage shop and office buildings, with storage for lumber and ties, covers six full sized city lots. The company now builds its own car trucks and car bodies.

For the year 1892 (first year of operation of electric lines) the average number of employes was 81, and the total wages paid $37,610.12. For the year 1908 the average number of employes was 143 and the annual wages $84,328.73.

William Elsom was superintendent from the organization of the company until June, 1892, when he resigned and was succeeded by F. L. Diserens, who still holds that position.

The present officers and directors are: P. E. Hall, president; Henry V. Ferguson, vice-president and secretary; John S. Ely, treasurer.

The directors are P. E. Hall, John S. Ely, Henry V. Ferguson, George B. Douglas, and Edward C. Clark, all of Cedar Rapids; Walter D. Douglas, of Minneapolis, Minnesota; and David P. Kimball, of Boston, Massachusetts.

THE COMMERCIAL CLUB

FROM THE SATURDAY RECORD, JULY 10, 1909

The city of Cedar Rapids has had a number of commercial organizations, formed to advance the business interests of the community, in the sixty years of its existence, but all the earlier associations were of a more or less informal character, and while they did good work as long as the enthusiasm lasted, the time came when each and every one passed into history. It was not until 1897 that a permanent commercial club came into being and that organization, which is now known as the Cedar Rapids Commercial Club, has for the past twelve years played a most important part in the upbuilding of the city and the promotion of its best commercial and industrial interests.

The events leading up to the organization of the Commercial Club form an interesting story, and as the editor of The Record was personally identified with them, he here takes the liberty of making the facts a matter of record.

In April, 1897, a meeting of the Fifth District Editorial Association was held at Excelsior Springs, Mo., and as part of the entertainment, a delegation from the Commercial Club of Kansas City, escorted the members of the Editorial Association from Excelsior Springs to Kansas City and devoted a day to showing them Kansas City from every point of view. The stock yards, the packing houses, the fire department, the newspaper offices, the parks were visited, a reception and luncheon were tendered at the Commercial Club rooms and a dinner was served at one of the leading hotels. Following the return of the party to Excelsior Springs, A. N. Palmer, president of the Cedar Rapids Business College and editor of the American Penman, and the editor of The Record were discussing the splendid entertainment of the Kansas City boosters and what it meant to a city to have such a live organization; and it was then and there decided that Cedar Rapids ought to have such a club. The matter was talked over at length and the result was that as soon as possible after returning home, Mr. Palmer issued a letter to some 400 of the business men of the city reciting the need of such an organization in Cedar Rapids and calling a meeting for the purpose of considering its formation. That meeting was held in the assembly room of the Cedar Rapids Business College on the evening of June 8, 1897. It was decided to form the club and at a subsequent meeting, held July 2d, the club was formally organized. A. N. Palmer was chosen the first president and the editor of The Record was elected temporary secretary, serving until the election of the first permanent paid secretary, Ed. R. Shaw, who assumed office July 15th. The first offices of the club were in the Granby building, the rent being a donation from Mr. E. A. Higley. Subsequently, in May, 1901, came the consolidation of the Commercial Club with the Occidental Club and the removal to the Masonic Temple, which has since been the home of the club.

With the consolidation came the addition of the social feature, including reading room, billiards, and later, the inauguration of the noon-day lunch, which latter has proved to be most popular, and which has done much to bring the members in closer touch each with the other.

Ever since organization the Commercial Club has been fortunate in securing as officers men who have been willing and able to give the organization their time, best thought and energy, with the result that it has been and is now a live and potent force in the community. Such men as Palmer, Anderson, Forbes, Newman, Safely, Rall, and others, have filled the presidency with credit to themselves and profit to the club and the city, and in Shaw, Lincoln, Charles, Simmons, Sessions, Shaver, Bell, and Wunderlich the Commercial Club has had secretaries who have labored faithfully to further the best interests of the organization and city. The present officers, J. F. Rall, president, and John Wunderlich, secretary, are making records in their administration and achieving results that speak for themselves.

The work of the Commercial Club is so wide-spreading and presents so many aspects that it is impossible to refer to it in any detail. The idea of the club is to arrange systematic work to be done by the members, as well as by the officers, and with that in view, there are a number of committees in charge of various departments of the work, as follows: Assembly, Civic, Entertainments, Executive, House, Interurban, Legislative, Manufactures, Mercantile, Membership, Navigation on Cedar River, Public Institutions, Trade Extension, Tariff and Transportation, Special Convention, Railway Service, Statistics. These are all regular standing committees. In addition, many special committees are appointed to take up special or emergency matters.

As the result of the labors and aid of the Commercial Club, many prosperous and valuable manufacturing industries have been brought to Cedar Rapids the past twelve years. Many local businesses have been encouraged to start and aided on their way to success. Many established businesses that have needed encouragement have been given it and other businesses that have found difficulties in their pathway have had those difficulties removed through the offices of the Commercial Club and its members. Conventions and public gatherings of many kinds have been induced to hold their meetings in this city through work performed by the Commercial Club. Vexatious local disputes have been adjusted, and when cities like Indianapolis have attempted to entice such organizations as the Order of Railway Conductors away from Cedar Rapids, the Commercial Club has been found stanchly and successfully contesting the removal. When it was found necessary to secure legislation amending some phases of the commission plan law to make it fully applicable to Cedar Rapids, it was the Commercial Club that went before the legislature and secured the needed amendments. It was the Commercial Club that first began the work of running trade excursions, an idea that has grown with each year. The trip of this spring, to Le Mars, via the Illinois Central and return via Sheldon, Mason City, and Calmar on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, occupying four days with ninety in the party, was by all odds the best and most profitable of all the series.

Within the past year a new and valuable department has been created in the freight traffic bureau. The work of this department is to bring about an equitable condition in freight rates for Cedar Rapids, as compared with other cities of like location and surroundings and eliminate discriminatory freight rates as compared with other jobbing centers. In the prosecution of the work of this bureau, the Commercial Club has been most successful, for up to the present time adjustments brought about by the bureau represent a saving of about $24,000 per year to the manufacturers, jobbers and business men of the city. In addition to the work of bringing about an equalization of freight rates, an individual service is maintained for the purpose of examining freight claims against the railway companies. In this particular many claims of long standing have been satisfactorily adjusted.

The Commercial Club has a present membership of 280, made up of the leading business and professional men of the city. It is a live, active organization, reflecting the best and most progressive citizenship of the community. The club apartments occupy a large portion of the fourth floor of the Masonic Temple, are commodious and comfortable, and form a gathering place for the discussion of matters which affect the business prosperity of the city. Regular meetings of the board of directors are held every Monday noon, following a lunch served in the directors' room, and at these meetings the docket for the week is cleared up. It is a significant fact that these meetings are attended by practically the entire membership of the directory and that no matter is allowed to drag for want of immediate attention.

The officers and directors of the Commercial Club at the present time are: President, J. F. Rall; first vice-president, F. Junkermann; second vice-president, S. G. Armstrong; secretary, John Wunderlich; treasurer, L. W. Anderson; directors, J. W. Barry, J. S. Broeksmit, W. L. Cherry, J. M. Denning, Kent C. Ferman, J. M. Grimm, W. G. Haskell, Geo. T. Hedges, E. E. Pinney, R. I. Safely, John H. Taft.

WHO PAID THE TAXES IN CEDAR RAPIDS FIFTY YEARS AGO

BY THOMAS DEVENDORF

Cedar Rapids has made many changes and improvements during the past half century. But perhaps no change has been so great as the change in the valuation of property. In 1858 there was a population of only about thirty-five hundred within the city limits, and in the entire county only eighteen thousand. Twenty per cent of the population then resided in Cedar Rapids. Today we claim nearly thirty-five thousand and over fifty per cent of the entire population of the county. At that time the area of the city was very much less than at present. Franklin street, now Eleventh street east, was as far as was platted. Beyond was heavily wooded and used in summers for picnic parties; to the south Carpenter's first addition had already been laid and but very few of the lots had been improved, the lower end, where the packing plant of T. M. Sinclair & Co. is located, was used as a race track, where the local horsemen competed. Kingston, on the west side of the river, was an independent municipality, having its own city government and city officers, and remained so until the year 1870, when it was annexed and became a part of the present Cedar Rapids.

The assessed valuation of the city for the year 1858 was for both real estate and personal the sum of $535,912—what proportion that amount will bear to the real cash value of the property the writer is unable to state. But it is the rule generally adopted by assessors to make the value much less than the price parties would buy and sell the same property for, and on this assessment of $535,912 a levy was made of two mills on the dollar, which, if the collector was diligent and had good luck, would have produced the sum of $1,071.00, which the city officers could use to carry on the affairs of the city—pay salaries, make improvements, grade streets, build crossings, and to meet all other expenses of the city. That this sum was inadequate for the purpose is shown by the fact that the larger share of the taxes of this year were paid in what they denominated "city script," which we call city warrants, so that the city fathers had very little real cash in the city treasury. This city script was issued for work and salaries and such other expenses as were necessary and was not interest bearing, so that a party that had such script was ready to dispose of the same to the best advantage he could, and parties that had taxes to pay would gather up such script at what discount they could get and use it for the purpose of paying their taxes. The larger tax payers all paid in "city script."

The city officials of that time are all dead. R. C. Rock was mayor; George Seymour, recorder; A. S. Koontz, treasurer; A. S. Belt, city attorney.

J. J. Snouffer and John G. Graves were the aldermen from the first ward; D. W. Sprague and R. R. Taylor, aldermen from the second ward; Wm. Richmond and S. A. Shattuck, aldermen from the third ward.

There are only eight residents of this city at the present time whose names appear on the tax list of fifty years ago; the only ones we can remember are the following: James Bird, Isaac Carroll, E. Coulter, C. Fordyce, Jos. Perigo, David Lighty, P. F. Randall, and Wesley Stephens. Some of the above paid a poll tax only. David Lighty paid tax on lot 3, block 28, original town, and has paid taxes on this same lot all the years since and owns the property today. Isaac Whittam paid the taxes on lot 5, block 13, original town. This is the corner lot on which the Montrose Hotel is located. The lot was then valued at $550, and the tax was $1.10. Isaac Carroll paid the taxes on three city lots, the total value of which was $585; also on two horses, value $150; one carriage, value $75; his tax was $1.92, paid in script. E. Coulter paid on a stock of merchandise (drugs) valued at $800.

A few others who are listed on the tax books of half a century ago are known to be living, but have removed to other places.

W. W. Smith, of Minneapolis, who was an active business man at that time, owned five lots on Second street, between Fifth and Sixth avenues east, on which he built a large brick building, intending to use it as a hotel. It was, however, used as a residence property, and was known as the Wadsworth Block. This property was located where the Illinois Central railroad lately erected their fine new freight depot, corner of Fifth avenue and Second street.

S. D. Carpenter, now a resident of Chicago, paid the taxes on the south 280 feet of out lot 4, valued at $850, tax $1.90. This property is located on Third avenue, between Eighth and Tenth streets, and includes the homes of A. Sinclair, Rev. Burkhalter, Ed. Clark, and the late home of Robert Williams.

Geo. Greene was the largest individual taxpayer of that day. He was assessed with some 70 city lots. Many of them were in the business part of town, the total assessed value of these was $28,575, and the tax was $56.40.

In his list were lots 3, 4, 5, 6, block 24 original plat, property on which is now located the Allison hotel, the College Inn and the three business rooms to the west, all on First avenue. Also a lot at corner of Second avenue and Fourth street, now owned by Mr. C. Magnus; these four lots were valued at $2,200 and the tax was $4.40. He owned lots 4 and 5 block 42 assessed at $300 each. These are now the homes of Dr. Geo. Carpenter and Mike Ford. He also paid the taxes on 125 feet on First street lots now occupied by the Rudolph block, the Gazette office, Geo. C. Haman drug store and Geo. Yuill farm implements. The total value of this 125 feet was $3,600, the taxes $7.20. At that time this property was occupied by a large three story hotel called Greene's hotel, and it is said by those who were guests of the house that it was one of the best west of Chicago. The next largest taxpayer was John F. Ely, who was assessed on 38 building lots at an assessed value of $24,800 and on which he paid a tax of $51.16. Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, block 14, original plat, was valued at $3,500.00, tax on same $7.00. This was his home. A comfortable, unpretentious cottage occupied the center of block, surrounded by shrubbery, flowers and many apple trees. These lots are now occupied by the large business houses of Jones & Luberger, Martin Dry Goods Co., the Dows block on the corner of Second street and Second avenue, and also Snowden's, corner of Third street and Second avenue. He also was assessed with the property now belonging to the Churchill estate, corner of First street and Second avenue, value $1,150.00, tax on same $2.30. Lot 10, block 24, original plat, now occupied by the Cedar Rapids National Bank and for many years known as the old Baptist church corner, was assessed at $700.00 and the tax was $1.40.

Mr. Ely was also the owner of lots 4, 5, 8, 9, block 15, which is now the John H. Taft corner, and the store of Ludy & Taylor, all on First avenue, together with the property on which is located the "Oriel" block and part of the next lot to the west, both on Second avenue. These four lots now just in the most valuable part of the business district, were valued at $2,850.00, on which he paid the city tax of $5.70. The lot on the corner of Second avenue and Fifth street on which the Public Library is located, was one of his lots and is one that he continued to own up to the time it was condemned by the library board for the purpose of erecting the library building. This lot was assessed at $425.00, tax paid 85 cents. He was also the owner of lots 8, 9, 10, block 23, original plat. These are on First avenue between Fourth and Fifth streets. These three lots were assessed at $1,350.00, tax paid on same, $2.70.

The lots 1 and 2, block 4, was also included in his district. These are on the corner of First street and Second avenue. It was regarded as valuable property by the assessor of fifty years ago, as he has these two lots assessed at $3,700.00. No other two lots in the city were rated at so high a value as these. This must have been regarded as the best business location of that day.

The next Cedar Rapids tax payer who had to gather up the next largest amount of city scrip with which to pay his city tax was Mr. N. B. Brown, who was assessed with 47 city lots the total value of which was $20,750. This with some personal property, as merchandise, horses, cows and bridge stock made his total property valuation $23,290.00 and on this amount he paid a city tax of $46.58. Mr. Brown was one of the owners of the original plat of the city and many pieces of property which are now very valuable was at that time set off to him as his share of the original town plat.

Lots 3 and 4, block 25, are two valuable pieces of property. These are on Second avenue between Third and Fourth streets and on which is located the Damour Grocery House, and some of the property on which the new government postoffice is erected. These two lots were assessed at $900.00 on which he paid a tax of $1.80. Mr. Brown also was the owner of lots 6, 7, 8, block 23. These were on the north side of First avenue and extended from Fourth street west to where the Grand hotel now is and included the Chicago & Northwestern freight depot, the Pullman House, the Delavan hotel and the property now owned by Mr. Lansing and used as a saloon. These three valuable lots were then assessed at $1,700.00 on which he paid the tax of $3.40.

Another fine piece of property was his home, which was the entire block 38. His fine brick residence was located in the center of the block and was at that day one of the finest dwellings in this part of the state. These ten lots which were all included was valued at $3,250.00. This property has been sold and sub-divided until the only part left is the southeast corner of the block which N. E. Brown his son, now occupies with a fine modern brick dwelling, directly opposite Grace Episcopal church.

He was also the owner of the property on which Gorman's hotel is located. This hotel was built by Mr. Brown and a few years after it was considered the best hotel to be found in this part of the state. The upper story was finished for an amusement place and before the building of Greene's opera house this was the only place that could be used for that purpose.

Mr. Brown was largely engaged in milling at that time and owned and operated a woolen mill and also a flouring mill, the buildings of both are still standing but have not been in operation for some time.

Greene, Merritt & Co. were the bankers of that period and were assessed with one city lot, corner of First street and B avenue, value $700.00, together with their bank capital $20,000. Their city tax was $41.50. The senior member of this firm was Geo. Greene, who was the largest real estate owner of that date and who has been mentioned before in this article. Mr. Merritt, the other member of the banking firm, was a brother-in-law of Mr. Greene. Messrs. Geo. Greene, Wm. Greene and Joseph Greene were brothers and together were largely instrumental in shaping the development and growth of Cedar Rapids. They had faith in its future and did not hesitate to give their money and their time to every effort made to advance, build up and beautify their home city.

Wm. Greene was assessed with some twenty city lots, the value of which was $5,625.00, which with some personal property assessed to him made his total valuation $6,360 and his tax paid in city scrip $12.72. He was the owner of the east 1/2 of out lot 6 and Mr. Merritt was the owner of the west 1/2 of the same out lot. This property was assessed at $19.00, for both Mr. Greene's and Mr. Merritt's part. This out lot is situated between Fourth and Fifth avenues and Eighth and Tenth streets and is now built up with some of the finest homes in the city. A. C. Taylor, Luther A. Brewer, Mrs. N. Bourne, Henry S. Josselyn, Dr. Ruml, Wm. H. Dutton, Geo. A. Mullin, John H. Taft, and many others have homes in this out lot.

Greene Brothers were assessed with eight lots, all well inside the business district, which were valued at $5,085.00; tax on same $10.17; lots 6 and 7, block 16, value $1,300.00; tax $2.60. These lots are on the corner of First avenue and Third street and are now occupied by Tony Naso on the corner for a fruit store and the balance of the lots by the "Fair Company."

Mr. Daniels was another large owner of Cedar Rapids real estate, fifty years ago. The assessor for that year had him listed with 38 city lots besides four entire out lots, together they were assessed at $17,025.00, and the tax on the entire property was $34.05, all paid in the usual city script. Some of this property lying in and near the business part has become quite valuable. Lot 2, block 5, being a lot on Second street between Third and Fourth avenue, was listed by the assessor at $500.00. This piece of property was sold to John Murray some two years ago for some $12,000.00, or thereabouts. This is now occupied by the interurban railway as their depot. Another piece assessed to the same party, lot 6, block 12, corner of Third street and Fourth avenue, the rear part of this lot is being improved this present season by the Bohemian Turners. This lot was assessed at $425. Tax on same, 85 cents. Mr. Daniels was also owner of lots 8 and 9, block 14. These lots are on Third avenue between Second and Third street and are owned by Sam Armstrong and John S. Ely, the assessed value of the two lots was $1,250.00 and tax on lots $2.50.

Lot 10, block 42, value $375.00. This is the corner lot on which the Methodist church is located. Lot 1, block 43, value $350.00. This is the corner on which the Christian church was built.

Lawson and Lowell Daniels, under the firm name of L. Daniels & Co., were assessed with 19 city lots, value of which was $8,775.00. Merchandise, $1,000; five horses, $375.00; three carriages $150.00. The total tax was $21.40.

Lot 5, block 2, is the lot on which the Masonic Temple is now located, and was valued at that time at $2,400.00. They used it then and for many years after as a store room and did a very large business. They sold about everything to be found in a well regulated country store, and were known for many miles around as reliable and enterprising merchants. They were also owners of lot 3, block 15. This is the lot on which the Reps Dry Goods Co. is located and was valued at $700.00. They were also owners of out lot 16, valued at $350.00. This is located between Third and Fourth avenue and Twelfth and Fourteenth streets, is now nearly all improved with fine homes, the new Westminster church is on this block, corner of Fourteenth street and Third avenue.

Harvey Higley and his brother, Henry Higley, under the firm name of Higley & Co., were large owners of city real estate, the larger part of which was in the district now given up to business. They were owners of the lot on which the Granby Block now stands, which at that time was only valued at $700.00. They were also assessed with the property on which the Denecke Dry Goods store is now located. This was assessed at a value of $80.00. On this lot was a large livery stable of which the Higleys were the owners, and which they conducted for many years after. They were also the owners of the lot, corner of First avenue and Second street, now occupied by Oscar Solomon, and ten years after erected the store building now standing thereon. This piece of property was valued at that time at $725.00. They were also assessed with lot 3, block 2, at a valuation of $1,700.00. This is on First street and is now occupied by Kubias & Son, as a harness store.

Sampson C. Bever was assessed with real estate to the value of $9,480.00, and personal property $515.00. On this assessment he paid a tax of $19.99. The most valuable piece of property held by himself that time was the homestead which was located on First avenue and between Fourth and Fifth streets. These five lots were assessed at $2,325.00; the house, which was a large brick structure, stood about where the old B., C. R. & N. Railway erected their general offices a few years since. The Milwaukee railway depot is also located on one of the lots of the Bever home property.

Mr. Bever was also assessed with lot 1, block 3, original town, at a valuation of $1,875.00. This is the lot on which the banking house of the Commercial Savings Bank is located and is a property which the Bever family have paid taxes on for over a half century. A large part of Mr. Bever's property was in lands lying outside of the city limits and which the writer of this article is not able to correctly describe. Mr. Bever located in Cedar Rapids in April, 1852, and for a number of years was engaged as a merchant, after which he became interested in banking and was the head of the private banking house of S. C. Bever & Sons. This bank afterwards became the City National Bank and was the first national bank to be established in Cedar Rapids.

H. G. Angle & Co. paid on a valuation of $4,700.00 real, $3,000.00 personal. They were largely interested in milling and also conducted a large store. The building in which they operated is still standing on the corner of A avenue and First street and is now occupied as a saloon. The company was assessed with twelve city lots.

A. M. Mekeel was assessed with personal property only, value $6,000 and paid into the city treasury the sum of $12.00. He paid the largest tax on money of any one in Cedar Rapids except the bankers on their bank capital.

Geo. Ohler, lot 8, block 11, value $375.00. He paid a tax of 29 cents. This was his home and was located on Sixth avenue and here he and Mrs. Ohler resided for over fifty years. Mr. Ohler died about four years ago and Mrs. Ohler more recently. The only member of the family remaining is Mr. Frank Ohler.

S. Nyere paid on merchandise value of $100.00. Mr. Nyere was a tailor and continued in that business for many years after. He was the father of Geo. Nyere, late candidate for mayor, also of John and Louis Nyere, plumbers, all successful and pushing business men.

Philip Otterbein, one city lot valued at $250.00, tax paid, 50 cents. Henry Otterbein of the west side is a son of Mr. Otterbein.

S. L. Pollock was the owner of a number of city lots, the value of which was $2,340, and on which he paid a tax of $4.58. He owned lot 8. block 2, on which is located Greene's opera house, and valued at that time at $700.00. He also owned a lot on First street about opposite the auditorium valued at $375.00, and also a part of the land on which the auditorium now stands.

Wm. Passmore was assessed with one business lot on First street about the middle of the block on the east side between First and Second avenues, and which was valued at $600.00. This with $535.00 of personal property, made his city tax $2.27.

G. A. Reichenecker was assessed with lots 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, block 48, which were valued at $1,575 on which he paid a tax of $3.15. These five city lots are located on Second avenue between Sixth and Seventh streets, and on which are located the homes of the late Isaac Shaver and U. B. Sanders and Mrs. Lawson Daniels.

Mr. Sanford, a non-resident, was assessed with out lot 5 at a value of $1,700.00. This out lot is situated between Eighth and Tenth streets, Third and Fourth avenues, and contains the homes of J. S. Frick, David Blakely, Mrs. G. Carpenter, E. E. Pinney, all on Third avenue, and L. Benedict, E. J. Carey, Mrs. L. Wallace, J. C. Pickering, R. M. Garrison, David Lighty and Jas. W. Wiley, all on Fourth avenue. This property at that time contained nothing but native timber and a luxurious crop of sand burrs.

John Weare was the owner of out lot 2 and which was valued at $1,700. This property is on First avenue and between Eighth and Tenth streets, and on which is now located the homes of Col. Clark, John M. Redmond, E. E. Rothrock, Jno, B. Henderson, Henry Soutter, Chas. J. Fox, Wm. J. Greene, and a number of others. Mr. Weare paid taxes on several other lots and also some personal property.

Geo. Parr paid the tax on lot 2, block 21, value $300.00. This was his home lot and on which he had a good brick house. This was on C avenue and has now been entirely taken up by the Quaker Oats mill plant.

C. B. Rowley was the owner of several pieces of city property. Lots 1 and 2, block 31, which was valued at $875.00, was owned by him. The Perfection Manufacturing Company is located on lot 1. He was also the owner of lots 1 and 2, block 47, corner of Third avenue and Sixth street. The Sisters of Mercy now own lot 1 and Jos. F. Kouba resides on and owns lot 2, these two last lots were valued at $575.00. Mr. Rowley was engaged in buying grain and other farm produce. The warehouse was located on ground now occupied by the Quaker Oats plant. He was for a number of years a member of the school board of this city.

S. A. Shattuck was assessed with lots 4 and 5, block 29, which were valued at $650.00. On these two lots he paid a tax of $1.30. Mr. Shattuck built his home on lot 5 over fifty years ago and here he and his wife lived until his death. Mr. Shattuck was one of the pioneer business men of Cedar Rapids. He came here in 1852, and was active in a business way until a very recent date. He was a partner of Geo. Dewey under the firm name of Shattuck & Dewey, and together they had a store on First street. Mr. Shattuck built the three store brick building now standing on First avenue between the alley and Second street and then known as the Franklin block. Frank Kilborn owns one of the store rooms today.

Wm. Stewart became a taxpayer in Cedar Rapids at a very early day. He came here in 1847. Fifty years ago he was the owner of lot 9, block 16, valued at $700.00. This is on First avenue between Second and Third streets, and is now occupied by Russell Confection store. He was also owner of part of the property on which the Y. M. C. A. building is now located. Mr. Stewart was a blacksmith, plowmaker, and had a shop on A avenue. Ex-Alderman Jas. Hughes is now engaged in nearly the same business and in the same building that Mr. Stewart built and occupied fifty years ago.

M. S. Starr was assessed with lot 10, block 5, valued at $750.00. This is the property on which T. J. Lowell has his hardware store.

COE COLLEGE BUILDINGS

J. J. Snouffer was the owner of lot 6, block 3. This property was valued at that period at $1,000.00 and is the corner on which the Commercial National Bank is located, and a part of the Denecke Dry Goods store. Mr. Snouffer also owned a lot on North First street opposite the mills, which was assessed at $700.00, also personal property valued at $130.00.

Mr. Snouffer came to Cedar Rapids in 1852, and was engaged in milling under the firm name of W. D. Watrous & Co. He was an alderman from the first ward for many terms and at one time mayor of the city.

D. F. Sprague was assessed with lot 5, block 25, which was listed at $500.00. This is the lot on which the Muskwaki block is located, corner of Second avenue and Fourth street.

Peter Snyder was the owner of lot 6, block 11, valued at $425.00. This property is on the corner of Sixth avenue and Third street.

C. C. Taylor was listed with lot 6, block 32 and valued at $425.00. This is the corner of Second avenue and Fifth street and was the home of B. F. Howland for many years. It is now occupied by the new and beautiful home of the Cedar Rapids Business college.

T. Wood was the owner of several pieces of Cedar Rapids property, in all amounting to $1,650.00, on which he paid a tax of $3.30. His home was on the corner of Fifth street and B avenue. He also was the owner of the lot on which the Y. M. C. A. building is located, which was valued at $900.00; also a lot, corner of Fifth avenue and Sixth street. Mr. Edwin Wood, for many years connected with the J. S. Cook Dry Goods Co., was a son of Mr. Wood.

The Iowa & Nebraska Land Company were assessed with 29 city lots and all valued at $6,875.00, the tax of which was $13.75. The Iowa & Nebraska railroad, from Clinton to this place, was then being built. It was nearly completed to this point and these lots were doubtless purchased for right of way and terminal purposes, as they were all situated on or near where the road was built. The next spring, after the road was open for traffic to this point, lot 1, block 25 was assessed to unknown owner and was valued at $700. This is the lot upon which the First Presbyterian church was built many years ago and remembered by the older residents as the "Little Muddy." The new federal building is now erected on this lot.

Lot 1, block 26 was also assessed to unknown owners and was valued at $575.00. This lot is on the corner of Third street and Third avenue and was used up to a very recent date by the Second Presbyterian church.

Lots 3, 4 and 5, block 30 was also in the unknown list and was valued at $1,075.00 for the entire three lots. Two of these lots were bought about this time and the third one a little later for school purposes and on this ground was erected the first real substantial school building ever built in this city. In this building was grouped the high school and all the other grades from the primary up. This building was used for school purposes until demolished a few years ago to make room for the present Washington high school building.

Lots 6, 7, 8, 9 and 10, block 13 were assessed to unknown owners at a value of $1,100.00. These lots are on Fourth avenue and between Second and Third streets. The new telephone exchange is located on the rear of lot 10.

TEXT OF THE ACT TO INCORPORATE CEDAR RAPIDS

Following is the text of the act incorporating Cedar Rapids, as passed by the legislature of the State of Iowa and approved by Ansel Briggs, Iowa's first governor, January 15, 1849:

An Act to Incorporate the Town of Cedar Rapids, in Linn County.

Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa, that all that part of the State of Iowa included within the boundaries of the town of Cedar Rapids in Linn County, as surveyed and recorded in the recorder's office in the said County of Linn, be and the same is hereby constituted a town corporate and shall hereafter be known by the name of the town of Cedar Rapids.

Sec. 2. It shall be lawful for the free male inhabitants of said town having the qualifications of electors to meet at the usual place of holding the elections in said town on the first Wednesday in April next and on the first Wednesday of April annually thereafter at such place in said town as the town council shall direct and then and there proceed to elect by ballot a mayor, recorder and three councilmen, who shall have the qualifications of electors, and reside within the corporate limits of said town, and said mayor, recorder and councilmen shall hold their offices one year, and until their successors are elected and qualified and any three of them shall be a board for the transaction of business, but a less number may adjourn from time to time until a quorum shall assemble.

Sec. 3. That at the first election under this act judges and clerks shall be chosen by the electors present who shall each take an oath faithfully to discharge the duties required by this act and at all subsequent elections the mayor and any two of the councilmen shall sit as judges and the recorder, or in his absence some one of the council pro tempore shall act as clerk and at all such elections the polls shall be opened at 1:00 o'clock, p. m. and close at 5:00 o'clock p. m., of the same day, and at the close of the polls the votes shall be counted and a statement of the result proclaimed at the door by the clerk; the clerk of said elections shall thereupon make out a certificate to each of the persons so elected and the persons receiving such certificate shall, within ten days thereafter take an oath to support the constitution and the laws of the United States and of this state and faithfully discharge his duties according to the best of his abilities, which oath shall be endorsed on the back of said certificate and filed with the recorder of said town.

Sec. 4. The mayor, recorder and councilmen of said town shall be a body corporate and politic with perpetual succession to be known by the name of the mayor and council of the town of Cedar Rapids, and shall be capable in law to acquire property, real, personal and mixed for the use of said town and sell and convey the same. May have a common seal and may alter the same at pleasure. May sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, answer or be answered unto in any court of law and equity in this state; and when any suit shall be commenced against said corporation a certified copy of any writ issued against said corporation shall be left with the recorder of said town at least ten days before the return day thereof.

Sec. 5. That the mayor, recorder and council, or a majority of them, of whom the mayor or the recorder shall always be one, shall have authority to make, ordain, and publish all by-laws and ordinances not inconsistent with the constitution and laws of the land as they may deem proper for the promotion of morality, interest, safety, health and cleanliness of said town and the citizens thereof; they shall have power to fill all vacancies that may happen by death or otherwise of any of the officers of their board herein named. They shall have power to appoint a treasurer, marshal and such other subordinate officers as a majority of said council may deem necessary, to prescribe their duties and require surety of their performance, to remove them at pleasure, and to establish the fees of all offices not otherwise provided for by this act. They shall have power to impose fines for the breach of their ordinances, which fines may be recovered with costs before any justice of the peace in said town by an action of debt in the name of said corporation. All fines collected in pursuance of this act shall be paid over by the officer collecting the same to the treasurer of the corporation.

Sec. 6. It shall be the duty of the mayor to preside at the meetings of the town council, and it shall be the duty of the recorder to keep a true record of the by-laws and ordinances, to attend all meetings of the council and keep a fair and accurate record of their proceedings and perform such other duties as the council may from time to time require. Said recorder may under his hand and seal appoint a deputy to perform his duties when absent, for whose acts the said recorder shall be responsible.

Sec. 7. That the town council shall have power to assess for corporation purposes an annual tax on all property in said town made subject to taxation by the laws of this state for state and county purposes not exceeding in any one year one per centum on the valuation thereof which value shall be ascertained by an assessor appointed by the town council for that purpose, duplicate of which shall be made out and signed by the recorder and delivered to the collector. They shall have power to equalize any injudicious assessment then made on complaint of the person aggrieved.

Sec. 8. That the town marshal shall be the collector of any tax assessed by said council, and he is hereby authorized and required, by distress and sale of property, as constables on execution, to collect and pay over said tax to the treasurer within three months after the time of receiving the duplicate thereof and the treasurer's receipt shall be his voucher. The town marshal shall make personal demand of every resident charged with tax if to be found, and before sale of property for delinquent tax shall give ten days' notice in advertisement in three of the most public places in said corporation, and if the property or any lot or piece of land for which no personal property can be found shall remain unpaid for three months after the expiration of the time by this act allowed the collector for the collection of the tax shall give notice in the nearest newspaper stating the amount of such tax and the number and description of the lots on which it is due and that the same will be sold to discharge such tax unless the payment thereof be made within three months from the date of such advertisement, and if such tax be not paid within that time the town marshal, after giving twenty days' notice of the time and place of sale at the three most public places in said town shall proceed to sell at public auction so much of said lot or piece of land as will discharge said tax.

Sec. 9. That if the owner of any lot sold for taxes as aforesaid shall appear at any time within two years after such sale and pay the purchase money with interest at thirty per centum per annum thereon he shall be entitled to the right of redemption. If, however, the owner or his agent shall neglect to redeem any real estate sold for taxes under the provisions of this act within the time herein specified, it shall be the duty of the mayor to make and execute a deed to the purchaser countersigned by the recorder under the seal of the corporation. Said deeds shall also be acknowledged before a justice of the peace, and when so executed and recorded in the office of recorder of deeds of Linn County, shall be deemed and taken as valid by law.

Sec. 10. Twenty days before each annual election the town council shall put up in some conspicuous place within said town, an accurate account of the money received and expended by said corporation since the last annual election, with the sources from which they were derived and the objects on which they were expended, which shall be certified by the recorder.

Sec. 11. The said corporation shall have power to regulate all streets, alleys, sidewalks, drains or sewers, to sink and keep in repair public wells, remove nuisances, and make other such needful regulations not incompatible with the laws of the state as shall conduce to the general interest and welfare of the inhabitants of said town. To provide for licensing, taxing and regulating auctions, retailers and taverns, theatrical and other shows of amusement, to prohibit tippling houses, gaming houses and other disorderly houses.

Sec. 12. The by-laws and ordinances of said corporation shall be published in a newspaper in the county or posted up in some public place in said town fifteen days before taking effect thereof, and the certificate of the recorder upon the town records shall be sufficient evidence of the same having been done and every annual election herein authorized shall be preceded by five days' notice thereof put up in three public places in said town.

Sec. 13. That the streets and alleys of said town shall constitute one road district including the several roads leading from said town for the distance of one mile from the corporation limits.

Sec. 14. That the mayor or a majority of the councilmen may call a meeting of the town council whenever in his or their opinion the same may be necessary. The mayor and councilmen shall receive such compensation as shall be voted them by the inhabitants of said town in legal meeting assembled.

Sec. 15. This act shall take effect from and after its publication.

Smiley H. Bonham,

Speaker of House

John J. Selman,

President of the Senate

Approved January 15th, 1849.
Ansel Briggs, Governor

Secretary's Office, Iowa City, Iowa, March 27th, 1849.

I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true and correct copy of the original act now on file in the said office.

Josiah H. Bonney, Secretary of State

FIRST CITY OFFICIALS OF CEDAR RAPIDS

At 1 o'clock of April 4, 1849, the citizens of Cedar Rapids met at the school house, in accordance with the requirements of the law, and proceeded to elect town officers under a charter issued by the legislature and approved January 15, 1849 (for text of this document see Laws of Iowa, 1849, p. 116). The first election was in the nature of a mass meeting. William P. Harman was made chairman and Arven Kennedy, John H. Brooks, and John G. Cole selected as judges of election. Eber L. Mansfield was clerk of election. These judges certified to choice of votes as follows:

Mayor, Martin L. Barber.
Councilmen, Joseph Greene, Stephen L. Pollock, and James Leverich.
Recorder, Homer Kennedy.

The mayor immediately took the oath of office before John L. Shearer, justice of the peace.

The first meeting of the council was held May 11, 1849. Action was taken appointing Lowell Daniels treasurer of the town, to give bonds of $20. It was resolved that the municipal seal "shall consist of a raised circle nine-tenths of an inch in diameter, enclosing an equilateral triangle." The first ordinance in preamble declared, that "there exists in the town divers unwholesome cellars, dung heaps, horse stables, cow stables, barns, yards, hogpens, and other nuisances." The object of the enactment was to abate these conditions. In July, 1849, Homer Kennedy resigned as recorder and Porter W. Earle was chosen in his place. A sort of omnibus ordinance was passed October 23, 1849. This prohibited the sale of spirituous liquors, required that shows or other exhibitions should pay license of not less than one dollar nor more than ten dollars. A further section fixed penalties for disturbance of any public meeting. This ordinance was given effective publication by being "posted at G. Greene & Bro.'s store." Other ordinances, we find, were "posted on John Coffman's door." John H. Brooks, marshal of the town, was on November 8, 1849, allowed the sum of $16.73. Getting possession of so much money he immediately resigned, presumably to enjoy it without official cares.

THE SECOND ELECTION

The second election was held at the school house April 3, 1850. For mayor Martin L. Barber received 39 votes and Johnson Hill 27. For recorder John Palmer received 63 and Lawson Daniels 1. Stephen L. Pollock, Thomas Downing and Charles C. Cook were the successful councilmen, the defeated candidates being George H. Ely, Joseph Greene, Isaac Cook, and W. P. Harman.

This new council on April 11, 1850, resolved to form a board of health, but at the next meeting this action was rescinded. In its stead an ordinance was passed for preservation of public health. Enforcement of these provisions rested with the marshal. In May an ordinance was passed permitting Harvey C. Higley to retail ardent spirits, upon giving a good and sufficient bond "to keep a good and orderly house, not permitting any gambling, drunkenness or rioting about his house or premises." Such bond Mr. Higley refused to execute, and the employment of counsel was authorized to commence suit against him for violation of ordinance. July 24 a health board was appointed consisting of Drs. J. F. Ely, S. D. Carpenter, and J. C. Traer. The marshal, under direction of the board, was to abate all nuisances. The first recorders of the city were evidently not of fixed mind or habitation. John Palmer resigned as such December 8, and S. C. Koontz was chosen to fill the vacancy. Isaac Cook was made attorney for the city in pending litigation.

THE FIRST TAX LEVY

The first tax levy mentioned was ordered by action of council December 16, 1850. This amounted to "one and one-half mills on the dollar of all taxable property within the corporation," and Johnson Hill was appointed assessor. Another ordinance to prevent the sale of spiritous and intoxicating liquors was passed December 16, 1850. Any quantity less than a gallon sold "without advice of a physician," rendered the seller liable to a fine of not less than five dollars nor more than twenty-five. A license fee of from one to five dollars was exacted from all peddlers, whether they were footmen with packs or sold goods from wagons.

THE ELECTION OF 1851

Annual town election was again held in April, 1851. At this time Nicholas B. Brown was chosen as mayor. Benjamin Weizer, Michael Bryan, and Joseph A. Love, councilmen, and S. C. Koontz, recorder. William G. Furman was appointed marshal. The personnel of the board of health was also changed. Dr. L. Larrabee, Dr. Thomas, and Dr. John F. Ely constituting the same.

No recorded meeting of council was held from June 20, 1851, to February 24 of the next year. At this latter date N. B. Brown, mayor, by advice and consent of the councilmen, "did grant license to David W. King for free navigation of the Cedar River, opposite this place, for the term of one year from the 1st day of March, 1857, by the said D. W. King paying to the recorder the sum of ten dollars." The council fixed rates of toll as follows: Horse and rider 10 cents; footmen, 5 cents; one horse and wagon, 15 cents; a wagon and two horses, 20 cents; and every additional span of horses or yoke of cattle, 20 cents. Loose cattle not exceeding five in number, he shall be allowed 5 cents per head; if more than that number, 3 cents per head. Hogs, if not exceeding twenty-five in number, shall be 2 cents per head; if more than that number the toll shall be 1 cent per head. Sheep at the rate of 1 cent per head.

THE FIRST SIDEWALK ORDINANCE

The first sidewalk ordinance stipulated: "The sidewalks of Commercial street shall be planked or paved, commencing at the corner of Benton and Commercial streets, northeast side, and ending at the corner of Sugar and Commercial streets. Also on the southwest side of said street, commencing at the southeast side of Rock and Brather's shop and coming up as far us Linn street. In case where planked the plank to be oak and not less than one and one-half inches in thickness, also to be placed upon a good and permanent foundation. In the front of buildings the walk to be made ten feet in width, not less than five stringers to be used. In front of lots or parts of lots not occupied by buildings it is only required that walks be made five feet in width, in which case three stringers are sufficient, but not less than three. All of which must be completed by the 1st of September, 1852."

Samuel Brazelton was appointed marshal, Dr. Koontz treasurer, and Dr. S. D. Carpenter, Wm. D. Wood, and Porter W. Earle, health board.

THE ELECTION OF 1853

In 1853 election was held on Wednesday, April 6. W. W. Smith was chosen mayor; S. C. Bever, Johnson Hill, and J. F. Ely, councilmen; and S. C. Koontz, recorder. Hiram Deem was appointed assessor, Isaac N. Whittam, town marshal. At this same date, May 6, 1853, John F. Ely was made committee to secure a surveyor, "Major McKean, or some other suitable person to take and establish the grades of the city of Cedar Rapids." Pratt R. Skinner was the person selected and his report and profile were presented and adopted July 6, 1853. Hiram Deem was made marshal July 23, Mr. Whittam evidently not having qualified. At this meeting a municipal tax levy of four mills was ordered. Hiram Deem, having accomplished his work as assessor, and now being marshal, was instructed to collect the taxes. He was further directed to order out men to work the roads and streets immediately.

THE CEMETERIES

The beginning of Oak Hill cemetery dates from an ordinance of August 23, 1853. Gabriel Carpenter had purchased 300 acres of land adjoining the city and including the site of the cemetery. The place of burial at that time was upon the ground after owned by Coe College. The ordinance enacted that "the proposition made by G. Carpenter in respect to ten acres of land for purpose of graveyard be filed and accepted. Provided, however, that if the collegiate institute will pay the aforesaid G. Carpenter for the aforementioned ten acres of land, and, further provided, that if the mayor and council hold and possess the power and right to sell and convey the lot of land now occupied by a graveyard (within the corporate limits) and can sell and convey the same to the Collegiate Institute for the sum of three hundred dollars, then the afore-mentioned proposition is accepted."

The legal and other difficulties in the way were surmounted and on February 22, 1854, it was resolved to quit claim the interest of the town in the present burial ground to Smith and Carpenter, at such time as they shall lay off and deed to the corporation a block of ground in the Washington cemetery for a "potter's field," which shall contain at least three acres. It was conditioned also that Smith and Carpenter should give bond for the careful removal of all occupants of the present burial ground before making any use of the land.

ELECTION OF 1854

On April 3, 1854, William W. Smith was elected mayor, William Greene, Abraham Sines, and Daniel Lothian, councilmen, and William M. Wood, recorder. The digging of sand from Iowa avenue was dignified by name of bringing to grade. This was divided into six parts, and two were let to W. W. Smith and E. Robins. These paid five dollars apiece for the privilege. The other sections remained as before and the avenue was rendered impassable. J. J. Snouffer was appointed marshal for ensuing year and R. C. Rock treasurer. The famous "hog ordinance," which was intended to keep swine from the street but failed absolutely in its purpose, was introduced June 28, 1854.

ELECTION OF 1855

George Greene was elected mayor April 4, 1855. Members of the council were first styled aldermen on the tickets for this year and R. C. Rock, Joseph A. Love, and J. F. Charles were chosen. W. D. Watrous was the choice of the voters for recorder. J. H. Atwell was appointed marshal and S. D. Carpenter, treasurer. The council was organized into proper committees, indicating that more business came before the body. The bond of the treasurer had by this time increased to one thousand dollars. A city attorney was elected June 5, 1855, James J. Child being the choice of the council. The report of the finance committee showed a deficit—the city's revenues lacking $75.00 of meeting expenses.

ELECTION OF 1856

Isaac Whittam was elected mayor at the April election in 1856, with Walker, Smith, and Hager, councilmen. The recorder having resigned, D. M. McIntosh was elected by the council to that office. The ferry privileges had passed at death of D. W. King in 1854 to Stephen L. Pollock and afterwards to Bowling & Gilbreath. Both of these failed to pay for license, and the recorder was instructed to collect; Joseph Hollan was appointed road supervisor.

On June 14, 1856, City Attorney James J. Child was instructed to prepare an amended charter to be submitted to the next legislature. This was accepted by council, June 28, 1856. The proposition was then submitted to the voters and adopted 45 to 2. An election for city officers under this new charter was ordered to be held at the office of J. J. Child August 7, 1856. The votes cast were canvassed by the council. It was found that 204 votes were cast for mayor, of which Isaac N. Whittam received 120 and W. W. Smith 84. For recorder and assessor D. M. McIntosh led with 123; F. P. Huntington 73; E. N. Bates and S. C. Koontz one each. For treasurer and collector S. C. Koontz received 121 votes and John P. Conkey 79. Charles Weare was elected marshal by a vote of 131. In vote for aldermen in the first ward J. T. Walker was elected and J. J. Snouffer and H. G. Angle were tied. Alexander Hager and J. F. Charles were chosen to represent the second ward, and Henry S. Ward and W. D. Watrous were duly elected from the third ward.

This closes the official doings under the old town. The records consulted will satisfy and settle all disputed questions as to office-holding and the statements here made are correct beyond all question.

OFFICIALS OF CEDAR RAPIDS FROM 1857 TO 1910

1857 Isaac N. Whittam, mayor; F. P. Huntington, recorder; S. C. Lampson, marshal; S. C. Koontz, treasurer; E. N. Bates, city attorney. Aldermen, J. J. Snouffer, John G. Graves, S. D. Carpenter, J. J. Child, William Richmond, A. Whitenack.

1858 R. C. Rock, mayor; George Seymour, recorder; C. T. Kellogg, marshal; S. C. Koontz, treasurer; A. S. Belt, city attorney. Aldermen, J. J. Snouffer, John G. Graves, D. N. Sprague, R. R. Taylor, William Richmond, S. A. Shattuck.

1859 D. N. Sprague, mayor; George Seymour, recorder; William McMahone, marshal; S. C. Koontz, treasurer; E. N. Bates, city attorney. Aldermen, John G. Graves, T. Z. Cook, D. M. McIntosh, Charles Weare, S. A. Shattuck, G. Livensbarger.

1860 E. H. Stedman, mayor; George Seymour, recorder; Benjamin Darnell, marshal; J. S. Wattles, treasurer; I. N. Whittam, city attorney. Aldermen, T. Z. Cook, A. Hager, W. B. Mack, R. P. Kingman, G. Livensbarger, J. P. Coulter.

1861 Homer Bishop, mayor; M. A. Higley, recorder; Benjamin Darnell, marshal; J. S. Wattles, treasurer; I. N. Whittam, city attorney. Aldermen, S. C. Bever, H. E. Higley, R. P. Kingman, I. W. Carroll, J. C. Adams, George Dewey.

1862 T. Z. Cook, mayor; S. C. Koontz, recorder; J. Hogendobler, marshal; J. S. Wattles, treasurer; A. S. Belt, city attorney. Aldermen, S. C. Bever, H. E. Higley, I. W. Carroll, H. B. Stibbs, George Dewey, S. G. McClelland.

1863 Mowry Farnum, mayor; George C. Haman, recorder; A. Laurance, marshal; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; no city attorney elected. Aldermen, S. C. Bever, D. Denlinger, H. B. Stibbs, I. W. Carroll, S. G. McClelland, Thomas Slonaker.

1864 Mowry Farnum, mayor; George C. Haman, recorder; A. Laurance, marshal; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; I. N. Whittam, city attorney. Aldermen, S. C. Bever, E. H. Stedman, D. Denlinger, Joseph Hollan, S. G. McClelland, Thomas Slonaker.

1865 H. Church, mayor; George C. Haman, recorder; T. M. Parsons, marshal; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; J. J. Child, city attorney. Aldermen, S. C. Bever, E. E. Leach, D. Denlinger, Charles Weare, G. Livensbarger, J. C. Adams.

1866 A. R. West, mayor; George C. Haman, recorder; J. O. Stewart, marshal; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; J. J. Child, city attorney. Aldermen, J. J. Snouffer, J. Wetzel, H. B. Stibbs, N. S. Mershon, J. C. Adams, J. A. Hart.

1867 A. R. West, mayor; D. A. Bradley, recorder; A. Laurance, marshal; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; I. N. Whittam, city attorney. Aldermen, J. J. Snouffer, J. Wetzel, H. B. Stibbs, E. Robbins, J. A. Hart, L. Wallace.

1868 J. P. Coulter, mayor; D. A. Bradley, recorder; A. Laurance, marshal; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; I. N. Whittam, city attorney. Aldermen, J. Wetzel, A. C. Churchill, E. Robbins, E. E. Leach, William Stewart, James Albright.

1869 A. R. West, mayor; George C. Haman, recorder; A. Laurance, marshal; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; I. N. Whittam, city attorney; P. C. Lusk, chief engineer. Aldermen, A. C. Churchill, E. S. Hill, E. E. Leach, D. Denlinger, William Stewart, J. F. Charles.

1870 William B. Leach, mayor; W. B. Stewart, recorder; A. Laurance, marshal; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; M. P. Mills, city attorney; George A. Lincoln, chief engineer. Aldermen, E. S. Hill, J. J. Snouffer, E. E. Leach, E. Robbins, William Stewart, Elihu Baker.

1871 T. Z. Cook, mayor; H. J. Harvey, police judge; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; Hiel Hale, chief engineer: J. C. Stoddard, recorder; A. Laurance, marshal; R. H. Gilmore, city attorney. Aldermen. J. J. Snouffer, I. H. Shaver, E. E. Leach, C. C. Cook, William Stewart, J. L. Bever, James Bell.

1872 E. S. Hill, mayor; A. St. Clair Smith, police judge; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; George L. Stearns, chief engineer; J. C. Stoddard, recorder; Hiel Hale, marshal; I. N. Whittam, city attorney. Aldermen. J. L. Bever, C. H. Clark, I. H. Shaver, C. C. Cook. W. Stewart, George Dale, G. M. Howlett, E. E. Leach.

1873 J. F. Charles, mayor; A. St. Clair Smith, police judge; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; George L. Stearns, chief engineer; J. C. Stoddard, recorder; Hiel Hale, marshal; West & Eastman, city attorneys. Aldermen, J. L. Bever, C. C. Cook, C. H. Clark, George Dale, Henry Forsythe, S. T. Wier, G. M. Howlett, W. S. Bradley.

SINCLAIR PACKING PLANT, CEDAR RAPIDS

1874 A. B. Hull, mayor; H. J. Harvey, police judge; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; E. S. Hill, chief engineer; J. C. Stoddard, recorder; Hiel Hale, marshal; A. D. Collier, city attorney. Aldermen, F. J. Upton, C. C. Cook, C. H. Clark, W. S. Bradley, M. P. Mills, J. H. Smith, E. L. Mansfield, C. H. Clark, George A. Lincoln, S. T. Wier.

1875 J. H. Smith, mayor; I. N. Whittam, police judge; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; Hiel Hale, chief engineer; A. G. Plum, recorder; Hiel Hale, marshal; F. C. Hormel, city attorney. Aldermen, R. Cornish, A. T. Averill, U. C. Blake, G. A. Lincoln, M. P. Mills, W. S. Bradley, S. T. Wier, C. H. Clark, F. J. Upton, E. L. Mansfield.

1876 J. H. Smith, mayor; I. N. Whittam, police judge; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; George A. Lincoln, chief engineer; A. G. Plum, recorder; Hiel Hale, marshal; F. C. Hormel, city attorney. Aldermen, J. J. Snouffer, U. C. Blake, E. K. Larimer. W. S. Bradley, A. Mann, O. C. L. Jones, S. T. Wier, M. P. Mills, R. Cornish, D. H. Richards.

1877 W. S. Bradley, mayor; W. B. Leach, superior judge; Benjamin Harrison, treasurer; C. W. Eaton, chief engineer; A. G. Plumb, recorder; Hiel Hale, marshal; F. C. Hormel, city attorney. Aldermen, C. Magnus, E. K. Larimer, A. R. Foote, U. C. Blake, O. C. L. Jones, D. H. Richards, J. J. Snouffer, D. T. Brown, A. Mann, Frank Witousek, D. B. Ramsdell, Samuel Miller.

1878 J. T. Hamilton, mayor; W. B. Leach, superior judge; A. G. Plumb, treasurer; C. W. Eaton, chief engineer; George A. Lincoln, recorder; H. C. Morehead, marshal; I. N. Whittam, city attorney. Aldermen, J. J. Snouffer, C. Magnus, D. T. Brown, W. W. Smith, U. C. Blake, A. R. Foote, O. C. L. Jones, H. G. Bowman, E. R. Earl, Frank Witousek, James Morton, E. L. Mansfield.

1879 O. N. Hull, mayor; W. B. Leach, superior judge; A. G. Plumb, treasurer; C. W. Eaton, chief engineer; J. C. Stoddard, recorder; Spencer Jackson, marshal; I. N. Whittam, city attorney. Aldermen, John Meehan, W. W. Smith, E. R. Earl, John Gates, John Dale, James Morton, A. Van Vleck, L. E. Jenkins, H. G. Bowman, J. J. Snouffer, O. C. L. Jones, E. L. Mansfield.

1880 J. H. Smith, mayor; W. B. Leach, superior judge; A. G. Plumb, treasurer; C. W. Eaton, chief engineer; J. C. Stoddard, recorder; Spencer Jackson, marshal; C. J. Deacon, city attorney. Aldermen, J. J. Snouffer, John Gates, John Dale, P. Mullaly, A. Van Vleck, L. E. Jenkins, William Stewart, James Morton, E. R. Earl, John Meehan, E. L. Mansfield, W. A. Fulkerson.

1881 J. H. Smith, mayor; W. B. Leach, superior judge; A. G. Plumb, treasurer; C. W. Eaton, chief engineer; J. C. Stoddard, recorder; Spencer Jackson, marshal; C. J. Deacon, city attorney. Aldermen, John Meehan, William Stewart, E. R. Earl, John Gates, J. M. Searles, E. L. Mansfield, J. R. Morin, M. P. Mills, James Morton, J. J. Snouffer, A. St. Clair Smith, W. A. Fulkerson.

1882 Charles A. Clark, mayor; W. B. Leach, superior judge; A. G. Plumb, treasurer; G. H. Murphy, chief engineer; J. C. Stoddard, recorder; Spencer Jackson, marshal; J. J. Powell, city attorney. Aldermen, J. J. Snouffer, John Gates, J. M. Searles, P. Martel, J. R. Morin, M. P. Mills, A. Van Vleck, T. M. Giberson, E. R. Earl, John Meehan, C. D. Van Vechten, W. A. Fulkerson.

1883 John W. Henderson, mayor; W. B. Leach, superior judge; A. G. Plumb, treasurer; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; J. C. Stoddard, recorder; P. H. Francis, marshal; J. J. Powell, city attorney. Aldermen, John Meehan, P. Martel, M. P. Mills, John Gates, A. Van Vleck, James Fair, Frank Kouba, J. M. Searles, T. M. Giberson, J. J. Snouffer, C. D. Van Vechten, W. A. Fulkerson.

1884 C. W. Eaton, mayor; W. B. Leach, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; John D. Blain, recorder; P. H. Francis, marshal; I. N. Whittam, city attorney. Aldermen, J. J. Snouffer, John Gates, W. A. Fulkerson, G. M. Olmsted, Frank Kouba, J. M. Searles, A. Van Vleck, T. M. Giberson, M. P. Mills, John Meehan, C. D. Van Vechten, C. B. Kennedy.

1885 F. C. Hormel, mayor; J. T. Stoneman, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; John D. Blain, recorder; Michael Healy, marshal; A. R. West, city attorney. Aldermen, H. T. Brown, G. M. Olmsted, C. F. Earl, Joseph Moore, John Gates, A. Van Vleck, T. M. Giberson, A. H. Connor, J. W. Shapely, J. R. Morin, A. J. Mallahan, W. A. Fulkerson, A. D. Stevens, E. I. Foster, J. J. Snouffer, M. P. Mills, C. D. Van Vechten, J. F. Vondracek.

1886 C. W. Eaton, mayor; John T. Stoneman, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; John D. Blain, recorder; P. H. Francis, marshal; M. P. Smith, city attorney. Aldermen, H. T. Brown, J. R. Morin, C. F. Earl, Joseph Moore, George W. Bever, J. M. Miles, R. J. Thompson, J. F. Vondracek, A. D. Stevens, John Gates, A. J. Mallahan, M. P. Mills, J. W. Shapely, H. C. Waite, G. M. Olmsted, H. F. Sutliff, C. D. Van Vechten, A. H. Connor.

1887 C. W. Eaton, mayor; John T. Stoneman, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; John D. Blain, recorder; P. H. Francis, marshal; I. N. Whittam, city attorney. Aldermen, George W. Bever, J. M. Miles, R. J. Thompson, J. F. Vondracek, Frank Horak, George A. Lincoln, W. A. Fulkerson, A. Matyk, H. C. Waite, G. M. Olmsted, H. F. Sutliff, M. P. Mills, A. H. Connor, E. I. Foster, John Gates, William King, C. D. Van Vechten, W. C. Byers.

1888 P. Mullaly, mayor; John T. Stoneman, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; John D. Blain, recorder; P. H. Francis, marshal; I. N. Whittam, city attorney. Aldermen, Frank Horak, George A. Lincoln, M. P. Mills, A. Matyk, C. Magnus, J. F. Allison, F. W. Harwood, Edward Roddy, E. I. Foster, John Gates, William King, W. A. Fulkerson, W. C. Byers, H. C. Waite, G. M. Olmsted, H. V. Ferguson, R. J. Thompson, J. E. Lapham.

1889 P. Mullaly, mayor; John T. Stoneman, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; John D. Blain, recorder; P. H. Francis, marshal; I. N. Whittam, city attorney; G. A. Mitchell, city engineer. Aldermen, C. Magnus, J. F. Allison, F. W. Harwood, Edward Roddy, J. J. Snouffer, George A. Lincoln, George W. Noble, F. W. Slapnicka, H. C. Waite, G. M. Olmsted, H. V. Ferguson, R. J. Thompson, J. E. Lapham, F. A. Simmons, Warren Harman, F. J. Shefler, M. Ottmar, W. C. Byers.

1890 J. J. Snouffer, mayor; John T. Stoneman, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; John D. Blain, recorder; J. W. Hayes, marshal; N. W. McIvor, city attorney; J. D. Wardle, city engineer. Aldermen, J. J. Snouffer, M. O'Brien, W. Harman, A. St. Clair Smith, G. A. Lincoln, George W. Noble, F. W. Slapnicka, J. F. Allison, J. B. Henderson, Joseph Zbanek, F. A. Simmons, F. J. Shefler, M. Ottmar, W. C. Byers, J. A. Roach, T. C. Munger, A. B. Van Albada, Frank Dietz.

1891 John B. Henderson, mayor; John T. Stoneman, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; John D. Blain, recorder; J. W. Hayes, marshal; N. W. McIvor, city attorney; J. D. Wardle, city engineer. Aldermen, M. O'Brien, J. F. Allison, P. H. Francis, J. Zbanek, J. J. Snouffer, George W. Noble, F. A. Simmons, F. W. Slapnicka, J. R. Amidon, T. C. Munger, M. Ottmar, Frank Dietz, A. St. Clair Smith, F. J. Shefler, A. B. Van Albada, G. H. Spalding.

1892 John B. Henderson, mayor; John T. Stoneman, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; J. D. Blain, recorder; A. W. West, marshal; N. W. McIvor, city attorney; J. D. Wardle, city engineer. Aldermen, J. J. Snouffer, George W. Noble, F. A. Simmons, F. W. Slapnicka, M. O'Brien, Warren Harman, M. S. Jackson, J. Zbanek, J. R. Amidon, F. J. Shefler, M. Ottmar, A. F. Schindler, A. St. Clair Smith, Ed R. Shaw, L. W. Richards, J. B. Leverich.

1893 William P. Daniels, mayor; Thomas M. Giberson, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; J. D. Blain, recorder; A. R. West, marshal; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; Lewis Heins, city attorney; J. D. Wardle, city engineer; board of public works, J. L. Hardwick, chairman, C. H. Swab, W. P. Clark. Aldermen, M. O'Brien, Charles Bednar, F. H. Juckett, S. J. Maloney, J. Kozlovsky, D. F. Anderson, J. W. Gerber, F. S. Salda, F. W. Harwood, Ed. R. Shaw, L. W. Richards, J. B. Leverich, A. St. Clair Smith, J. F. Shefler, L. J. Zika, A. F. Schindler.

1894 William P. Daniels, mayor; Thomas M. Giberson, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; L. M. Ayers, chief engineer; J. D. Blain, recorder; Thomas Farmer, marshal; Lewis Heins, city attorney; J. D. Wardle, city engineer. Board of public works, Hosmer Tuttle, chairman. Aldermen, Joseph Kozlovsky, D. F. Anderson, J. W. Gerber, F. S. Salda, G. M. Schumm, George Eakle, F. H. Juckett, S. J. Maloney, F. W. Harwood, F. J. Shefler, L. J. Zika, A. F. Schindler, Charles Weare, S. L. Rudolph, W. A. Smith, J. B. Leverich.

1895 George A. Lincoln, mayor; T. M. Giberson, superior judge; J. C. Stoddard, treasurer; Thomas Farmer, marshal; J. D. Blain, recorder and assessor; William McGowan, chief engineer; Warren Harman, city attorney; E. P. Boynton, city engineer. Board of public works, Charles Weare, chairman. Aldermen, G. M. Schumm, George Yuill, John B. Turner, S. J. Maloney, Ed H. Smith, George Eakle, J. W. Gerber, Joseph Kubicek, F. W. Harwood, V. W. Johnson, James Monilaw, C. F. Hutchens, Charles Weare, S. L. Rudolph, W. A. Smith, J. B. Leverich.

1896 George A. Lincoln, mayor; Thomas M. Giberson, superior judge; Thomas Devendorf, treasurer; William McGowan, Jr., chief engineer; J. D. Blain, recorder; Thomas Farmer, marshal; Warren Harman, city attorney; E. P. Boynton, city engineer. Board of public works, Charles Weare, chairman. Aldermen, Ed H. Smith, George Yuill, W. G. Haskell, S. J. Maloney, W. G. Dows, George W. Eakle, John B. Turner, Joseph Kubicek, F. W. Harwood, V. W. Johnson, James Monilaw, Henry J. Rapps, C. W. Burton, David W. King, Joseph Pitlik, C. F. Hutchens.

1897 George A. Lincoln, mayor; Thomas M. Giberson, superior judge; Thomas Devendorf, treasurer; Thomas Farmer, marshal; J. D. Blain, recorder; J. L. Starman, chief engineer; W. Harman, city attorney; E. P. Boynton, city engineer. Board of public works, Charles Weare, chairman. Aldermen, W. G. Dows, George W. Eakle, W. G. Haskell, John Juza, R. N. Buck, R. D. Mills, Joseph Pitlik, S. J. Maloney, F. W. Harwood, David W. King, J. Y. Kennedy, J. B. Leverich, C. W. Burton, V. W. Johnson, J. H. Rothrock, Jr., Henry J. Rapps.

1898 John M. Redmond, mayor; T. M. Giberson, judge superior court; J. D. Blain, recorder; Thomas Devendorf, treasurer; J. A. Hildebrand, assessor; Joseph Kozlovsky, marshal; John L. Starman, chief of fire department; John N. Hughes, city attorney; G. H. Merridith, city engineer. Aldermen, J. F. Allison, M. Ottmar, R. N. Buck, George T. Hedges, R. A. Wallace, Charles D. Huston, W. G. Haskell, Joseph Pitlik, F. W. Slapnicka, L. M. Rich.

1899 John M. Redmond, mayor; T. M. Giberson, judge superior court; J. D. Blain, recorder; Thomas Devendorf, treasurer; J. A. Hildebrand, assessor; Joseph Kozlovsky, marshal; Joseph P. Cook, chief fire department; Henry J. Achter, auditor; John N. Hughes, city attorney; G. H. Merridith, city engineer. Aldermen, J. F. Allison, M. Ottmar, R. N. Buck, George T. Hedges, R. A. Wallace, Charles D. Huston, W. G. Haskell, J. P. Grissel, F. W. Slapnicka, L. M. Rich.

1900 John M. Redmond, mayor; James H. Rothrock, judge superior court; J. D. Blain, recorder; Thomas Devendorf, treasurer; J. A. Hildebrand, assessor; Joseph Kozlovsky, marshal; Joseph P. Cook, chief fire department; Henry J. Achter, auditor; John N. Hughes, city attorney; G. H. Merridith, city engineer. Aldermen, J. F. Allison, M. Ottmar, R. N. Buck, George T. Hedges, R. A. Wallace, Charles D. Huston, W. G. Haskell, J. P. Grissel, F. W. Slapnicka, L. M. Rich.

1901 Charles D. Huston, mayor; Henry J. Achter, auditor; Thomas Devendorf, treasurer; George L. Mentzer, recorder; J. A. Hildebrand, assessor; Joseph P. Cook, chief of fire department; James H. Rothrock, judge superior court; John N. Hughes, city attorney; T. F. McCauley, city engineer. Aldermen, J. F. Allison, H. Cushman, James H. Hughes, W. L. Cherry, F. E. Cerny, C. H. Chandler, Porter Hamilton, John Easker, F. W. Slapnicka, John F. Powers.

1902 Charles D. Huston, mayor; Henry J. Achter, auditor; Thomas Devendorf, treasurer; George L. Mentzer, recorder; J. A. Hildebrand, assessor; Joseph Kozlovsky, marshal; James H. Rothrock, judge superior court; John N. Hughes, city attorney; T. F. McCauley, city engineer. Aldermen, J. F. Allison, H. Cushman, James H. Hughes, W. L. Cherry, F. E. Cerny, C. H. Chandler, Porter Hamilton, John Easker, F. W. Slapnicka.

1903 Charles D. Huston, mayor; Henry J. Achter, auditor; Thomas Devendorf, treasurer; George L. Mentzer, recorder; J. A. Hildebrand, assessor; Joseph Kozlovsky, marshal; James H. Rothrock, judge superior court; Joseph P. Cook, chief fire department; John N. Hughes, city attorney; T. F. McCauley, city engineer. Aldermen, H. Cushman, C. O. Johnson, James H. Hughes, W. L. Cherry, George Lightner, D. A. Ross, W. C. Byers, F. W. Barta, D. Feiereisen, John F. Powers.

1904 Charles D. Huston, mayor; Henry J. Achter, auditor; Thomas Devendorf, treasurer; George L. Mentzer, recorder; J. A. Hildebrand, assessor; Joseph Kozlovsky, marshal; John N. Hughes, city attorney; T. F. McCauley, city engineer; Joseph P. Cook, chief fire department; James H. Rothrock, judge superior court. Aldermen, H. Cushman, C. O. Johnson, J. H. Hughes, W. L. Cherry, George Lightner, D. A. Ross, W. C. Byers, F. W. Barta, D. Feiereisen, J. F. Powers.

1905 Charles D. Huston, mayor; Henry J. Achter, auditor; Thomas Devendorf, treasurer; H. S. Keffer, recorder; J. A. Hildebrand, assessor; Joseph Kozlovsky, marshal; John N. Hughes, city attorney; T. F. McCauley, city engineer; Joseph P. Cook, chief fire department; James H. Rothrock, judge superior court. Aldermen, H. Cushman, C. O. Johnson, J. H. Hughes, W. L. Cherry, George Lightner, D. A. Ross, W. C. Byers, F. W. Barta, D. Feiereisen, J. F. Powers.

1906-7 Amos H. Connor, mayor; James B. Gourley, auditor; Thomas Devendorf, treasurer; H. S. Keffer, recorder; J. G. Crozer, marshal; Joseph P. Cook, chief fire department; James W. Good, city attorney; T. R. Warriner, city engineer. Aldermen, James H. Hughes, W. G. Rowley, George Lightner, D. A. Ross, W. C. Byers, F. W. Barta, J. K. Starman, D. Feiereisen, L. W. Anderson, Charles H. Campbell.

Mayor Connor died while in office and George S. Lightner was chosen for the unexpired term.

The city went under the commission plan of government in 1908, the officers being as follows: J. T. Carmody, mayor; Leslie J. Storey, clerk; C. D. Huston, H. S. Keffer, Matt J. Miles, and E. A. Sherman, councilmen; John M. Redmond, attorney; Percy P. Smith, engineer.

Mayor Carmody having died, Matt J. Miles was chosen mayor and J. F. Allison councilman to succeed him.

1910 Matt J. Miles, mayor; Leslie J. Storey, clerk; W. H. Chamberlain, attorney; T. F. McCauley, engineer; H. S. Keffer, W. H. Stepanek, Henry Bennett, and Percy P. Smith, councilmen.

H. S. Keffer later resigned, and A. S. Reed was chosen to fill the vacancy.

CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS AS IT WAS FIFTY YEARS AGO

The following interesting account of early Cedar Rapids is taken from Voice of Iowa for April, 1857, edited by James L. Enos. The article was written by Mr. Enos himself:

"What constitutes the present city of Cedar Rapids, is embraced mainly by sections 21, 22, 27 and 28, in T. 83 N., R. 7 W., in the township of Rapids in Linn county. The location is one of the most delightful to be found in any of the rich valleys of the west, being on the northeast side of the Cedar river, on a plain rising above the river's bed, and reaching back nearly half a mile, with but very slight depressions or uprisings, serving to render the plat one of great convenience for building, and giving a peculiar grace to its appearance.

"In the rear of this table-land a somewhat abrupt elevation, varying from 20 to 40 feet, occurs, which is covered with a luxuriant growth of native oak. Upon this are the most beautiful and romantic sites for residences, being sufficiently elevated to overlook the entire valley for miles in either direction. Back of this the depressions and elevations alternate, making this portion of the city a series of circular, undulating swells.

"The city proper also extends on the west side of the river and embraces numerous other positions which are being occupied with rapidity and improved with taste, and though not embraced within the present city limits, forms of necessity a part of the Valley City.

"Cedar Rapids is situated due west of Chicago, the present emporium of the west, and is the present terminus of the principal trunk railroad from that city penetrating the heart of the northwest. It is 75 miles southwest from Dubuque, 80 miles nearly west from Clinton, about the same distance from Davenport, 55 miles from Muscatine, and about 110 from Des Moines—the capital of Iowa.

NATURAL ADVANTAGES

"Few interior cities are blessed with more natural advantages than Cedar Rapids. The rapids in the Cedar river are the first met with after leaving the Mississippi, and no more occur of any considerable amount for many miles above. These afford one of the best water powers in the west, and with proper dams would afford power sufficient to run all machinery that will ever be required on either side of the river, even though our population should reach fifty thousand. Surrounding the town for miles is one of the richest agricultural districts in the Union, forming a part of the Cedar valley country which Professor Owen has taken as his type of perfection in fertility. There is a plentiful supply of timber for all ordinary uses—numerous groves are scattered upon the surrounding hills—giving the appearance of an enchanted garden—probably unsurpassed in richness by any region of equal extent on the American continent.

"Its position in reference to other towns and cities is such as must of necessity make it a great railroad center, and several are already projected, and one under contract to this city. We shall speak more fully of this class of advantages in another portion of this article.

"In point of healthfulness, it will compare favorably with any of the river towns, the diseases being chiefly of a bilious nature, and yielding readily to very simple treatment. This fact applies with very general truth to all the valleys of Iowa—while the more elevated districts are more free from malaria, they are subject to a disease of a more complex and serious character. This may seem fabulous to the casual observer, but we feel assured that the combined experience of western practitioners will bear testimony to the correctness of our statements.

BLACK HAWK
A WINNEBAGO INDIAN
THE SLAVE DANCE OF THE SAC AND FOX

SETTLEMENT

"There is always more or less of interest connected with the early days of any city, and it is not until years after that the record becomes of value. The pioneer suffers privations and trials of which future occupants can realize but little. In fact, the honor paid them is seldom equal to their merits and oftentimes they are as illy prepared to receive as others are to bestow sympathy and praise. Among the first settlers of this city were some men of the first character, and are yet with us, while others have moved farther on, to enjoy what habit has taught them to love, a frontier life, and a few have gone down to the gate of common entry, their years being full and their memories yet linger, and make us glad that we lived with, knew and loved them. Of this number we name that generous and true man, D. W. King. Esq., who departed from our midst in the autumn of 1854.

"The first man, however, who pitched his tent on the ground now occupied by the Valley City, was a counterfeiter and horse thief, of no little notoriety, by the name of Shepard, who took up his abode and erected a log house on what is now Linn street, near the mills, some time in the year 1838.

"D. W. King and Thomas Gainer, the first settlers of any advantage to the country, reached here in 1839 and soon after made a permanent settlement on the west side of the river.

"The house of Shepard was soon found to be the home of a lawless band of outlaws, who secreted much of their plunder on the islands in the river above the city. John Young and a man named Granger were connected with Shepard in their work. They stole at one time six horses and made good their escape with four of them. Granger was afterwards convicted of passing counterfeit money in Chicago and sentenced to the Alton prison for four years. The fate of Young is not known with certainty, yet there is evidence to induce the belief that he was executed for murder, in a neighboring state, though he assumed a different name.

"The privations of the first settlers were at times very great, and though such as are not uncommon in the history of pioneer life, would cause many of our amateurs at the present time to sigh for the home of their childhood and a place at the luxurious tables of their fathers.

PROGRESS

"In 1849 D. W. King established ferries for crossing the Cedar, and continued to run them up to the time of his death. The one doing most of the business was at the Iowa avenue crossing. As it is probable that these boats will soon, if indeed they have not already made their last voyage, a brief note of them may not be out of place in this connection. They were self-propellers, being forced across the river by the power of the current. A wire rope extended across the stream upon which a pulley was placed, and connected by means of two ropes to the boat.

"The first dam across the Cedar was commenced in 1842, and the first saw mill erected in 1843, and is still running.

"In March, 1843, the lands came into the market. The first flouring mill was erected in 1844-5 at a cost of $3,000, by the present owner. In 1845 A. Ely erected the second saw mill, and the second flouring mill the following year, the latter costing about $9,000. In 1848-9 the woolen factory was erected at a cost of about $8,000. The first saw mill was erected in 1850 by Greene, Legare & Co. This has a chair and bedstead factory connected and cost about $4,000. These are all propelled by water power. In 1855-6, Greene & Graves erected a steam saw mill, and containing also a variety of other machinery. The first and only mill erected on the west side of the river went into operation in the summer of 1856. The first steam engine was stationed in this city by A. Hager, in his machine shop, sash, blind, and door factory in 1855. The second by Greene & Graves, and the third by S. L. Pollock.

"The first store was opened by J. Greene, in the building now occupied by the postoffice, on the northwest corner of Iowa avenue and Washington street.

"The second store was opened by Mr. Cleveland, and C. R. Mulford the third. This was located on Commercial street, and was destroyed by fire in 1850, being the first building thus destroyed in Cedar Rapids. No fire occurred thereafter until late in the autumn of 1855, when most of the block embraced on the west side of Commercial street, between Iowa avenue and Linn street, was consumed. No fire has occurred since.

"The postoffice was established in 1847, and J. Greene appointed postmaster.

"The first brick buildings were erected in 1844, the building on the southwest corner of Iowa avenue and Commercial street, and the dwelling house on the northwest corner of Iowa avenue and Washington street. The present Union House was the first hotel.

"The village of Cedar Rapids was laid out and the plat recorded in 1842. At this time, two log buildings constituted the village, and the total population was six persons.

"A public school house was erected in 1846 or '47, and the first school taught by Nelson Felch. This structure is now occupied as a dwelling, on the northwest corner of Eagle and Madison streets. The first church, Presbyterian, was erected in 1850.

"The first newspaper was published in 1851 by D. O. Finch, entitled the Progressive Era. It was continued under this name by various owners and editors until September, 1854, when it was purchased by J. L. Enos and F. A. Wilmans, and its name changed to the Cedar Valley Times by which name it yet flourishes. In politics republican, it is at present published by J. G. Davenport. The second paper was established in January, 1856, under the editorial management of J. L. Enos, entitled the Cedar Valley Farmer, but was discontinued at the close of the first volume. The Cedar Rapids Democrat was the third paper—commenced in June, 1856, by W. W. Perkins & Co. This is still published. Democratic in politics, the Times and the Democrat are both good papers, and appear to be well sustained.

"The Voice of Iowa was commenced in January, 1857, under the auspices of the Iowa Teachers' Association, Phonetic Association, etc., J. L. Enos, editor and publishing agent, assisted by a number of corresponding editors. This journal has met with more than ordinary success, the circulation passing 1,000 during the first three months and commanding nearly $1,000 in advertising patronage, thus showing that the people of Iowa are aroused to the importance of paying due attention to the education of their youth.

"The foundation for a very large graded school was laid in the summer of 1856, but owing to the large amount of work contracted and the scarcity of workmen, the completion was of necessity deferred. It is designed to complete it early the coming summer, and when finished will form one of the finest educational structures in the state.

"During the past two years the growth of Valley City has been equaled by few towns even in the west. It now contains many blocks that would do credit to any eastern city.

CEDAR RAPIDS COUNTRY CLUB HOUSE

GEORGE GREENE SQUARE, SEMI-CENTENNIAL, 1906

RIVERSIDE PARK

"The present city charter was adopted in the summer of 1856, and Isaac Whittam, Esq., was elected mayor. A free bridge across the Cedar was commenced in 1855, and is now ready for crossing by teams. The chief credit of this structure is due to a few, though many stood manfully by the free bridge and aided liberally in its erection. A charter for a toll bridge was obtained about the time that the free bridge charter was procured, which gave rise to a warm controversy in which much interest was manifest. The free bridge finally triumphed, and its noble arches now span the Cedar with every appearance of remaining for many years a proud monument to the energy and liberality of those who aided in placing it there. We have already intimated that Cedar Rapids is the center of a very large and increasing trade, and though not destined to become a city of the first magnitude, is destined to rank as one of the principal interior cities of Iowa. Its railroad connections—immense water power—the fertility of the surrounding country and the energy of its people will give it rank and importance as a manufacturing city, worthy of note.

"Nor is this imaginary, as the following statistics will show. Cedar Rapids now contains: 4 flouring mills, 2 door, sash and blind, and planing mills, 1 cooper and barrel factory, 5 wagon and carriage factories, 1 iron factory, 2 cabinet furniture and chair factories, 3 plow factories, 3 boot and shoe factories, 2 saddle and harness manufactories, 4 tin, copper and sheet iron establishments, 1 woolen factory, 5 brick yards, 2 agricultural implement manufactories, 3 merchant tailor establishments, 2 wood turning establishments, 3 newspapers and magazines, 1 brick machine factory, 8 grocery and provision stores, 5 clothing stores, 5 dry-goods stores, 1 millinery and fancy goods store, 6 liquor and cigar shops, 4 drug stores, 2 silversmith, clock and jewelry stores, 4 hardware stores, 3 book stores, 1 book bindery, 5 public and private halls, 5 hotels, 4 churches, 4 lumber yards, 3 banking houses, 1 public reading room, 1 shaving and hair dressing establishment.

CEDAR RAPIDS IN 1856

"A paper mill is in contemplation, and there is room and excellent openings for other branches of business.

"A hat and cap manufactory—pork packing establishment—in fact nearly every branch of manufactory not included in the above would do well. There are two nurseries contiguous to town, where nearly every kind of fruit and a large variety of ornamental trees can be procured. The Mound nursery is one of the oldest and most extensive in the country, and the proprietor furnishes orders on very liberal terms."

The following letter to A. T. Hall, as to a gavel, at the meeting of carpenters of America at Des Moines, 1910, gives some interesting facts as to early days in Cedar Rapids:

"Dear Sir: In reply to your request for such information as I have concerning the small mallet or gavel which you had made from a piece of the red cedar shaft, I can only say that there is but little to its history. My father, the late Nicholas Brodhead Brown, came to what is now the city of Cedar Rapids in 1839, but did not remain here at that time. He went as far north as Cedar Falls looking for a mill site, and returned to this location in 1840. After building the first manufacturing plant in Linn county for the Doty brothers, a saw mill in Bertram township, located near the mouth of Indian creek, he began in 1841 to improve the waterfall in the Cedar river at this place. He first built a temporary dam then built a saw mill, the second to be built in the county, for himself. He then began the building of the first flour mill in the county. This mill was completed and in operation either in 1843 or 1844, and from this mill came the cedar shaft from which the little mallet or gavel was made. There is no doubt in my mind about the cedar tree from which the mallet was made was cut very close to, and perhaps within the present limits of Cedar Rapids. Nicholas Brodhead Brown was in all probability the first mechanic who used edged tools, to locate in Cedar Rapids. Nor is there any doubt in my mind about his making the shaft above spoken of. It was the real shaft in the old bolting chest in the mill known as Brown's Mill. Mr. Brown by occupation was a millwright and through force of circumstances worked at that trade for some twelve or fifteen years after his arrival here. He especially did all of the millwrighting that he could do himself on this mill, working twelve and fourteen hours a day for the purpose of getting it into operation as soon as possible, as not only he himself needed its income but the country all about this locality needed a mill.

"Another of the early mechanics to come to Cedar Rapids was Samuel Sherwood, also a millwright. He worked for a time on Brown's flour mill, and on the Alexander Ely flour mill, now known as the Anchor mill. This was the second mill to begin operation in Cedar Rapids. The Ely mill began operating the same year as the Brown's, but later on in the year. Another of the old-time mechanics, a user of edged tools, was Joseph Love. He was the first cabinet-maker to locate in Cedar Rapids. Another was John Vardy; he was the second cabinet-maker to locate in Cedar Rapids, and was the builder of the first house in Cedar Rapids to be constructed of sawed lumber. The house still stands—is in use and owned by the Stary family. John F. Boyce, the father of William and Frank Boyce of this city, was another early mechanic. He also was a cabinet-maker. John Patterson, an uncle of Chas. A. Calder of this city, was another. He also was a cabinet-maker. All of these men worked to a greater or less extent at the carpenter's trade. In those days there were no trade unions and consequently no limitations on the kind of work a mechanic should do. To my mind these men could be classed as carpenters as well as millwrights and cabinet-makers. I should have said that Samuel Sherwood went to Independence from this city and became the founder of the milling industry at that thriving little place. I have diverged largely from the gavel, but believe it will be interesting to yourself and your fraternity to know who the first users of edged tools were in this part of Iowa.

Respectfully yours,

"N. E. Brown."

HOW THE FIRST RAILROAD CAME TO CEDAR RAPIDS

T. DEVENDORF IN THE SUNDAY REPUBLICAN OF JUNE 10, 1906

The population of the city in 1856 was not to exceed 1,200 to 1,500 people. There was little wealth in the community. No manufacturing enterprises had as yet located here. The principal dependence of the people was in the farming community and the bountiful harvests that Iowa never fails to produce.

The one great desire and ambition of the people was for a railroad to the east on which they could transport their surplus product to an eastern market. Railroad building had not been very extensive in the west, the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska had its track built as far west as the Mississippi river and was formulating plans to bridge the river and extend the road across the fertile prairies of Iowa. Some of our pioneer citizens with shrewd business instincts and confidence in the rapid settlement and development of the state, on the completion of the railroad, became interested in this new project and advocated the granting of a loan to them provided the road should be built to or through our growing city. The subject of giving aid to this new proposed railroad was discussed largely among the people, and on the 1st day of September, 1856, the city council passed a resolution instructing the mayor to call an election of the qualified voters of Cedar Rapids to vote on the question, shall the city in its corporate capacity subscribe sixty thousand dollars to the capital stock of the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska railroad and pay for same in bonds issued by the city. Said bonds were to bear interest at the rate of ten per cent per annum, and were to mature 20 years after date at the option of the city. The election was called by Mayor Isaac Whittam and held September 22, 1856, and resulted in the very decisive vote of 111 for the proposition and only 2 against it.

THE OLD BLAIR BUILDING, NOW THE SITE OF THE KIMBALL BUILDING

These bonds were to be issued in series as the work on the new road progressed, fifteen thousand dollars worth when the contract was let for building the road from De Witt to Cedar Rapids; the second series of fifteen thousand dollars worth when the first five miles of grading were completed in Linn county; and the balance of thirty thousand dollars worth when the grading was finished into the city of Cedar Rapids and the road in operation and cars running as far west as Mt. Vernon.

On the 20th of February, 1857, Mayor Whittam in a report to the city council made a statement that he, as representative of the city, had attended the meeting of the stockholders of the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska, held on the 25th day of January, 1857, at Clinton and at that time had passed over to the railroad company the fifteen bonds of one thousand dollars each, to which they were entitled, they giving the required stock certificates for same as per agreement. The railroad company also entered into a contract with the city in which they agreed to pay interest on said bonds and all others to be issued to the railroad until such time as the road should be finished and the cars running into the city of Cedar Rapids.

The mayor also complimented the men in charge of the affairs of the road as men of means, honor, and energy, and finished his report by predicting that when the road was completed it would be of great benefit and advantage to our young but growing city. But notwithstanding the financial aid and the general encouragement given by the people the road advanced westward slowly and while the grading had been nearly completed there were many other things necessary to build a railroad and which could only be had by having the ready money with which to buy such supplies. In June, 1857, another petition was presented to the city council asking that the mayor call an election of the legal voters of the city to vote on the question, shall the city issue its bonds to the amount of forty thousand dollars to aid in purchasing the iron rails to complete the road to Cedar Rapids, the city to be a subscriber to the capital stock of the road to that amount. On July 10, 1857, the mayor called the election to vote on the proposition, shall the city in its corporate capacity issue its bonds for forty thousand dollars, the money to be used to procure iron rails and for no other purpose. The election was held on July 20, 1857, and resulted as follows: For the proposition, 104 votes; against 25 votes.

These bonds were to be issued in series and were to be paid one-quarter in 13 years, one-quarter in 14 years, one-quarter in 15 years, and the balance in 16 years from date.

Some time after these bonds were issued and turned over to the railroad company some legal point was raised touching their validity, and this together with the fact that the financial standing of the railroad company in the east among the iron manufacturers was not first class, made it necessary that some other plan should be adopted to procure the iron rails to build the road to Cedar Rapids. Heretofore they had found it practicable to survey and locate and grade a road and pay for the same in farm products, dry goods and groceries, etc. But when it came to buying iron from the manufacturers it required the cash or a suitable collateral. But our people were ready to meet this unforeseen emergency. Six of our early and more wealthy citizens made notes of $8,000.00 each, each note being signed by each of the other gentlemen, making a joint note of each one and together amounting to the $48,000.00. These notes were to be used as collateral and to strengthen up their credit, so that the iron rails could be bought and the road completed to this city. This was purely accommodation paper and the road contracted that the interest and principal of these notes should be paid by the railroad company from the first net earnings of the company, but in the early years of the road there were no net earnings. It was only by the most economical management that the operating expenses could be met, and several years elapsed before these notes given to aid the railroad were fully paid. The gentlemen aiding in the early construction of the first railroad to Cedar Rapids were Gabriel Carpenter, George Greene, Sampson C. Bever, J. J. Snouffer, and two others whose names are not remembered.

After the railroad was completed and in operation to this place little was said in regard to these city bonds. In the proceedings of the city council June 13, 1860, a resolution was passed authorizing E. H. Steadman, the mayor of the city, to represent the city at the annual meeting of the stockholders of the C., I. & N. Ry., which was to be held in Clinton at a later date.

On January 25, 1861, a committee was appointed consisting of the mayor, I. N. Whittam, and Alderman G. Livensbarger who were to examine into the legal condition of the city in relation to the $100,000.00 worth of city bonds already issued for railroad purposes. What this investigating committee did, and what their conclusions were, are not matters of record. Nothing more is said in any of the proceedings of the city council in regard to this matter until May 8, 1863, when it appears from the preamble of a resolution introduced that the railroad company was calling upon the city authorities to comply with the terms of the contract entered into when the bonds were issued, which was that the city should pay the interest on such bonds after the completion of the road to this place.

The road had been finished and in operation some two years and still no interest had been paid and the city made no efforts to collect any sum for such purpose. At the meeting of the council May 8, 1863, a resolution was introduced asking that a committee be appointed to investigate and report on the recorded facts bearing upon this matter of railroad bonds from its inception to this date. Aldermen McClelland, Denlinger and Slonaker were desirous of having light on the subject and voted for an investigation, but Aldermen Bever, Carroll and Stibbs voted in the negative, and this being a tie vote it was decided by the mayor, who also voted in the negative.

At the council meeting held June 11, 1864, another committee to investigate was appointed who was authorized to procure legal advice in regard to the liability of the city and also meet and confer with the officers of the railroad company, and this committee consisting of Aldermen McClelland and E. H. Steadman reported back to the council that they had procured legal advice in the matter and from all data and facts collected their attorney was of the opinion that the railroad company had no legal claims against the city and that the bonds were illegal and void.

In October of 1864 the same subject came up in the city council and a committee of three consisting of S. C. Bever, H. C. Angle and John Weare were appointed to confer with the railroad company and get the best terms of settlement they could, either by taking reissued stock in payment or a certain amount of money yearly in full settlement. This committee were prompt in their investigations and reported back to the council November 4, 1864. Their report was that they had a conference with the railroad company and the best compromise they could obtain was this:

First. That the city surrender to the company all its claims to stock in said road.

Second. The railroad company would then return to the city $90,000.00 worth of the city bonds already issued together with all coupons on the balance, leaving in the hands of the company $10,000.00 worth with all coupons cut off to date. This surrendering of bonds to in no way affect the legality of the bonds retained, the legal points to be settled later.

At the meeting of the council Alderman Bever introduced a resolution covering all the points made in the report of the committee that the city surrender the stock and that the railroad company return the $90,000.00 worth of bonds, leaving outstanding and in the hands of the railroad company $10,000.00 worth of city bonds.

On the yeas and nays being called the following aldermen voted yea: Bever, Denlinger, Holland and Slonaker, and in the negative, Alderman McClelland, and the resolution was declared adopted.

Alderman McClelland then at once offered his resignation as alderman from the Third ward and his resignation was as promptly accepted and Wm. Richmond elected as his successor.

Nothing more appears in the records of the city council bearing on this question of railroad bonds until June 29, 1866, when Alderman Adams of the Third ward introduced a resolution that a committee of one consisting of Alderman Snouffer be appointed to confer and negotiate with Horace Williams, agent of the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska railroad, for the surrender of the outstanding bonds, and he was authorized to release and exonerate the railroad company from performing certain acts they had previously agreed to do. One was the grading of Jefferson street and another was the grading of the North city park and the building a fence of oak posts around said park, both of which they had failed to do. These agreements of the railroad company the city would relinquish, provided the railroad company would return the balance of the city bonds in their hands, amounting to $10,000.00.

It is presumed that Alderman Snouffer failed to make these negotiations with Horace Williams as instructed by the city council, at least there is nothing in the records to show that this committee of one ever made any report on this subject to the city council.

At the meeting of the city council held May 15, 1868, another committee was appointed to investigate and try to induce the railroad company to relinquish and return these outstanding city bonds and it is fair to presume that the committee accomplished something in that direction as at a subsequent meeting held June 26, 1868, Alderman Leach moved that the city treasurer be authorized to receive the city bonds now in the possession of the Chicago & Northwestern railroad and receipt for same. This is the last record to be found in the proceedings of the city council bearing on this subject of city bonds.

Going back to the time the railroad was built into Cedar Rapids it will be remembered that little value was placed on the stock. People subscribed for the stock and paid their subscriptions as called for more to encourage the building of the road than for an investment. Nearly every citizen had some few shares of the stock. They had all done their share in getting the road here according to each one's means and financial ability, and held their stock in the road. It was then that men of means with confidence in the rapid growth and advancement of this great state of Iowa began in a private way gathering up this stock of the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska R. R., buying up from the small holders their stock at prices from 25 to 35 cents on the dollar of the par value and in a few years the small holders had parted with their holdings and in 1865 there was little or no stock of the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska R. R. to be had and in the latter part of that year the road was merged into the Chicago & Northwestern system. At what price per share the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska went into the Northwestern is not positively known, but it is generally supposed that one share of the Chicago, Iowa & Nebraska R. R. was good for about three shares of the new consolidated Chicago & Northwestern.

SOME OF THE EARLY BRICK HOUSES IN CEDAR RAPIDS

Charles Weare used to say that there was a brick building on the Y. M. C. A. corner which was torn down many years ago, and which was supposed to be one of the first brick buildings in Cedar Rapids; it was occupied by Ingham Wood as a store building. Porter Earle erected one of the first, if not the first, brick building at the corner of First avenue and Second street where the Union Block is now standing, which was one of the most commodious buildings of its kind in the city for many years. The Michael Bryan family erected one of the first dwelling houses of brick about where N. E. Brown's home now stands in 1849 or 1850, and for many years it was one of the best equipped houses in the city and the west. This house had an open fire place in every room, and consisted of eight rooms. The house was built according to the southern style of architecture. Another member of the Bryan family erected a stone and cement house about the same time at the corner of Third avenue and Second street, which building was later occupied by the family of William Greene.

D. M. McIntosh erected a one-story brick building near the present library in 1850 or 1851, which building is still standing. About the same time the father of James Snyder erected a brick dwelling which stood on South Third street near where the Vardy cottage is located. Greene's Hotel on First street was a brick structure erected between 1854 and 1855; it had an eighty feet front and ran back toward the river about eighty feet. The picture of this building shows that it was a four-story structure, although many claim that it was only a three-story building. This buildup was erected by J. J. Snouffer; for many years it was the largest and best equipped hotel in this part of the west.

Part of the residence of Dr. Skinner was erected by George Berg and was one of the most complete brick structures in this city. Elihu Baker also erected a brick residence on the property now occupied by Dr. H. W. Bender about the early '50s. Sampson C. Bever erected a brick building on the premises where the Rock Island offices now stand, being a two story structure similar to the Spangler residence which was erected later across the street. In this structure Mr. Bever installed the first hot air furnace used in Cedar Rapids, and a great many of the early settlers came to inspect the house, and especially to examine the hot air furnace which was a new thing in those days.

J. S. Cook in the early days erected a brick structure on the corner of A avenue and Fifth street, which was one of the fine homes for many years in this city. S. A. Shattuck built in the early '50s a brick structure on Sixth avenue and Fifth street. John Newell, during the years 1855 and 1856, erected a double brick structure at the corner of Fifth street and Seventh avenue. The old Seabury house on Eighth avenue was erected prior to 1860 and for many years was a landmark in that end of town. The Barthel house which stood where the Majestic Theatre now stands was one of the early brick veneer houses in the city and was occupied by many of the prominent families from time to time.

R. C. Rock, one of the early merchants, erected a brick house in the early days on the premises where George Williams has since erected a magnificent mansion. Dr. Wilman, Dr. J. L. Enos and Dr. S. D. Carpenter erected brick houses in the early days which were landmarks along Second avenue up toward Tenth street. The Lawson Daniels brick residence was on First avenue between Second and Third streets adjoining the Thomas Building, and adjoining this was the dwelling of Dr. Thomas, a friend of J. J. Snouffer and a native of Maryland; Dr. Thomas returned to his native state in the '50s. Adjoining these brick dwellings was also another brick building erected by the old pioneer H. G. Angle and occupied by him as a residence for many years.

Another substantial brick dwelling was erected by John Graves on B avenue and Fourth street, being a two-story brick building with an upper and lower porch. The old Gillette house was on the east side of Fifth street where William S. Bye now resides; it was known as the Gillette house. Mr. Gillette being the brother-in-law of the late W. D. Watrous.

Another large and commodious brick dwelling house was a two-story structure erected on Fifth street between B and C avenues and near what is known now as Whittam Park. Adjoining this was the Koontz house, occupied by Dr. Koontz and his family for many years. The Tryon house was also a brick structure erected near the corner of Third avenue and Second street; Mr. Tryon was a surveyor and well known in the early days.

Nearly all the brick used in the early days was made by a Mr. Geeslan who operated a brick yard near what is now known as the "Lame Johnny" place. Brick was cheap, labor was low and the cost of erecting these dwellings in that day was much lower than later. It is said that Sam Stambaugh in the early days worked as a brick mason and walked home to Bertram every night, the wages paid being about $1.00 a day, which was considered high. It is also said that during the '50s Cedar Rapids had more commodious homes than any other town of its size in Iowa. It was made up largely of a brainy, wide-awake, enterprising lot of men, such as N. B. Brown, H. G. Angle, the Greenes, Earles, Elys, Daniels, Macks, Weares, Bevers, and many others who had drifted into the town and who soon built up an enterprising little town, engaging in various ventures, not always successful, but they had Cedar Rapids before the world so that they finally landed the railroad which henceforth made the town. It is said by the late Charles Weare that "when they first started a newspaper there were no settlers in the town, but they had to use a newspaper to boom the town with."

SOME STRENUOUS DAYS IN THE OLDEN TIMES

FROM THE CEDAR RAPIDS REPUBLICAN, SUNDAY, JUNE 10, 1906

An ordinance creating a fire department was introduced in the council in January, 1869, and it was passed February 12, 1869. This ordinance was lengthy. It stipulated what officers should be appointed, what their duties were, how many fire companies to each engine, how many men to each company and many other details. One of the provisions of this first and original ordinance was that the fire chief should be appointed by the council.

On March 12, 1869, the fire company which had already been organized but not officially recognized by the city council, presented a petition to the council, asking that P. C. Lusk be appointed as fire chief. At a subsequent meeting a vote was taken on the election of a fire chief with the following result:

P. C. Lusk, who was the choice of the fire department, received four votes and J. J. Snouffer one vote. Lusk having received a majority of the votes cast was declared elected chief of the fire department. At the meeting held April 9, 1869, the chief of the fire department presented the names of the members of the first company which was styled "The Steam Fire Engine Co., No. 1." It was organized under Ordinance No. 78. Mr. Lusk reported the names of sixty members, including officers, and asked the council to confirm them, which was done.

The officers of this company were as follows:

- Foreman—Geo. A. Lincoln.

- Assistant Foreman—M. T. Bell.

- Secretary—E. W. S. Otto.

- Treasurer—W. B. Stewart.

- Hose Captain—D. A. Dingman.

- Assistant Hose Captain—N. H. Martin.

- Engineer—W. Berkley.

- Stoker—H. S. Gilmore.

Some of the "high privates" in this first organized fire company of Cedar Rapids were as follows: Al Jacobs, Richard Cornish, C. E. Calder, Lyman Ayers, Geo. Rhodes, Ed. Buttolph, John H. Smith, H. S. Bever, H. E. Witwer, H. Hale, Geo. Hasse, John Bryan, Walter L. Clark, L. L. Cone, Chas. L. Morehead, A. S. Mershon, Ely E. Weare, James Snyder, John Shearer, Baxter McQuinn, W. J. Wood, Richard Moorhead, Don Harris, Lowell Bressler, N. Rudolph, Ira Taft, and twenty-seven others.

MONTROSE HOTEL, CEDAR RAPIDS

Early in April a hook and ladder company was organized and on April 16, 1869, was confirmed by the council as a part of the fire department of Cedar Rapids. The officers of the company were as follows:

- Foreman—S. D. Fleck.

- First Assistant—J. S. Dickinson.

- Secretary—Geo. A. Gault.

- Recorder and Treasurer—J. G. Krebs.

Samuel A. Lilly. H. C. Morehead, James Fowler, P. C. Garrett, J. C. Adams, Samuel Spalding, J. A. Hart, Joseph Lilly, J. M. Chambers, T. Snook, J. J. Calder, G. M. Howlett, C. D. Pettibone and six others constituted the active membership of this organization.

The official life of Chief Engineer Lusk was very brief and was marked by continued strife and dissension among the members of the department. He became persona non grata to the council and charges were preferred against him. July 13, 1869, Alderman Hill introduced a resolution reciting that while the chief engineer could not be declared guilty of intentional fraud he was indiscreet in many things and his influence for good in the department had been so impaired that his resignation was demanded. This did the business, and on July 23 he resigned. W. B. Leach was appointed chief engineer for the remainder of the term, and peace and good feeling prevailed in the department.

In March, 1870, after the inauguration of the new council of which W. B. Leach was mayor, a petition of the fire department was presented in which they asked the council to appoint Geo. A. Lincoln as chief engineer of the department. Another petition was also presented, signed by many citizens, asking that W. D. Watrous be appointed chief engineer of the department. On the 25th of March, a ballot being ordered, Geo. A. Lincoln received three votes and W. D. Watrous three votes, whereupon the mayor voted for Lincoln and declared him elected to the position of chief engineer, and on the 26th day of March he was duly qualified and took the oath of office.

Shortly after Mr. Lincoln assumed the authority vested in the office of chief engineer of the fire department, an element of discord arose in the council and an effort was made to secure by legislation and diplomacy what they had failed to accomplish when the vote was taken in March.

It was thought the original ordinance passed in January, 1869, was faulty and should be amended and the ordinance committee was directed to make such amendments as were necessary or to prepare an entirely new ordinance.

During the summer of 1870 the committee had prepared an ordinance which was practically the same as the old one. The only radical change was in the manner of electing a chief engineer. The new ordinance placed the election of the officer with the electors after the year 1870 and a new section was added which read as follows:

"No person shall be eligible to the office of chief engineer unless he be a resident of said city at least one year and shall have attained the age of twenty-five years."

To understand the force of this last clause in the ordinance it will be necessary to remark that at this time Mr. Lincoln was only twenty-three years old. This ordinance, the records say, was passed July 29, 1870, but it was found necessary to amend it and it was not until ordinance No. 98 was passed on September 30, 1870, that the council felt safe in electing a new chief engineer to take the place of the one so skilfully legislated out of office. On the 15th of October, 1870, A. R. West became the chief engineer of the fire department by the vote of the council. After the election of Mr. Lincoln during the spring and summer of 1870 it was uncertain whether the city of Cedar Rapids had a fire department or not, and it was also a question as to the authority possessed by the chief. There was much discord and bitterness among some of the members of the fire organizations. The city council was far from being harmonious and rarely acted in unison in legislating for the well being of the fire department. The citizens who had labored long and earnestly in this work of procuring fire apparatus felt that they had a right to demand that this bickering and personal contention between the organized fire department and the duly elected city council should be ended, but the strife continued. Early in the administration of Mr. Lincoln as chief of the department a communication was presented to the city council in which the petitioners, after recounting their many grievances, made the claim that the election of Mr. Lincoln was unparliamentary, unfair and contrary to the wishes of the department and to a great majority of the property holders, and that while the petitioners were willing to obey all ordinances of the city and the ruling of any legally appointed officer as chief of the fire department, they did not consider themselves lawfully bound to give any heed or attention to the said Geo. A. Lincoln. That they as members of the fire department would pay no attention to the said unlawfully elected chief engineer nor to any order coming from him. This petition was signed by Sam Neidig, C. W. Eaton, G. M. Howlett, Sam Lilly, Chas. Hubbard, J. C. Adams, Thos. Snook, and fifteen others.

Some time later the chief engineer made a report to the city council as the ordinance directed he should do, giving the necessary information in regard to the efficiency of the department and its probable needs for the future, but the council refused to accept it as the report of the chief engineer, making the broad claim that there was no fire department or a legally elected chief engineer and this was backed up by the opinion of the city attorney. Mr. Lincoln, not to be thwarted by the city council in refusing to listen to his report, was obliged to have it published in the city papers and some extracts are made here, showing the friendly feeling existing between him and some members of the city council. He reported that the steam engine was in good shape excepting that the grate had burned out and the committee on the fire department had refused to get it repaired. The hose was poor and not in condition to stand the pressure necessary in case of a large fire. This was owing to the committee on fire refusing to have the tower on the city hall arranged so the hose could be hung up to dry after having been used. Many small bills for supplies used by the department, and which were necessary for the running of the steamer, were hung up and not allowed, and in speaking of the cistern which the city had built he reports that one of the aldermen had the keys of the same and refused to turn them over to him and as to the amount of water in same he could make no report.

After the election of Mr. A. R. West to the position of chief engineer, the old original No. 1 Fire Engine Company, or a large proportion of its members, at one of its meetings passed the following resolution:

"Whereas, The city council has seen proper to persecute and finally to declare us not an organized fire company, and

"Whereas, We who compose the Fire Engine Company No. 1 have since organization labored faithfully to make the department as efficient as possible and have in all cases discharged our duties as firemen, therefore

"Resolved, That we turn over to the city council all the fire apparatus in our possession. That we refuse to offer our services as firemen so long as any member of the city council who has been persistent in our persecution shall remain in said council.

"Resolved, That we condemn the city council in thus deliberately and intentionally using their power to cripple and destroy the efficiency of the fire department.

"Resolved, That we preserve our company organization and that each and every one refuse to touch, use or handle any of the fire apparatus belonging to the city of Cedar Rapids."

This old, original company, No. 1, was then a fire company to all intents and purposes, acting under the original organization, with most of the original members belonging, but they had no apparatus, no engines, nothing to use in case of fire. But this did not long remain. A subscription was started among the members of the company, and they with the aid of their friends and citizens soon had subscribed a sum sufficient to buy a substantial hand engine of a late pattern, together with 5,000 feet of new hose, a new hose cart, and also to put up a comfortable and neat engine house in which to hold their meetings and to shelter their engine and the other necessary equipment.

This engine was purchased of Josiah Gates & Son, Lowell, Mass., and cost the sum of $800, which amount was paid in cash from the proceeds of the many subscriptions. It was called the E. S. Hill Independent Fire Company, in honor of E. S. Hill who was the patron saint in all their contentions with the city council, being an alderman from the First ward, and also one of the most liberal subscribers to the fund to procure the engine, he having led the subscription list with $200.00.

The hose cart was procured from Quincy, Ill., where it had been previously used by that city, and cost $300.00 all complete. The hose to the amount of 500 feet cost the sum of $500.00. The material for the building of the engine house was obtained free from the local dealers and the construction was almost all done by the members of the company.

After this company had procured their apparatus and were domiciled in their new building they developed into a very aggressive company of fire fighters, and it was the boast of some of its members that they could get out to a fire, extinguish the flames and be ready to return home before the steam engine company could get to the fire and be ready to work.

A. R. West, who had been duly elected chief engineer of the fire department, together with John T. Hamilton, who was appointed assistant fire engineer, succeeded after much labor in bringing order out of the chaos that had so long existed in the affairs of the fire department.

The steam engine, together with the hook and ladder equipment, was put into the hands of a newly organized company, most of the members of which had not been identified with any of the previous unpleasantness between the council and the fire department.

For the next five years Cedar Rapids had two fire departments, the one belonging to the city and under municipal control, and the other denominated the "Independent," owning their own equipment and subject to no official orders from the city.

This continued until the advent of the Cedar Rapids Water Co., who put in their system of waterworks and established hydrants in all parts of the city.

MRS. ROCK'S REMINISCENCES

Mrs. R. C. Rock, one of the earliest of the pioneers, is still living in a serene and vigorous old age. She is a relative of Judge Greene, and came west to Dubuque in 1849 at his request to assist him in getting out his first volume of Iowa Reports, which was printed in New York. She later came to Cedar Rapids with the judge and assisted materially in getting ready for the press and in proof reading the matter for the other volumes of his Reports. The members of the supreme court would frequently gather in Cedar Rapids in chambers to prepare their opinions and to O. K. them for publication. Mrs. Rock did much of the law copying for these judges. Their decisions were turned over to her to record and to edit for publication. She says Judge Williams was flowery in his language and it became necessary to do a good deal of trimming of his decisions so as to condense them properly before publication, as attorneys were not so much interested in the language of the court as they were in getting quickly at the meat of the decisions. Mrs. Rock did not hesitate to do a great amount of pruning, with the result that Judge Greene received many compliments over the improvements noted in his second volume as compared with the matter that appeared in the first publication.

For a time Mrs. Rock did editorial work on the Progressive Era, which was published from the Greene Bros. building. J. O. Stewart was then "devil" in the office, and many a time brought to her the proofs of her contributions. The files of this early Linn county newspaper were burned in a fire which destroyed the publication office, so that now there are in existence but a few scattered issues. An early one was given a few years ago to the Masonic Library by Mrs. Rock who found it by accident among some of her effects.

Mrs. Rock came west by boat from Buffalo to Milwaukee, and then by stage to Dubuque in 1849. The next year she removed to Cedar Rapids, coming here by stage over the Old State Road laid out from Iowa City to Dubuque by Engineer Barney of Washington, D. C. This road was a very crooked one. His son, W. J. Barney, on being twitted about its many windings replied that he believed his father was entirely sober when he staked out the route, and that its numerous windings were necessary to avoid the sloughs and swamps.

Mrs. Rock well remembers some of the trips she made on the old stage from Dubuque to Cedar Rapids. It was customary to make 25 miles of the journey the first day. On one trip on arriving at the usual stopping place it was found impossible to obtain any hay for the weary horses. After a further drive of five miles a stop was made at a farm cabin, it being customary for the settlers at any place to provide entertainment for travellers. Here they found feed for the horses, but they were told there was no bread or flour in the house, the man not having returned from the distant mill with his grist. There was some milk, and at last a little flour or meal was discovered. The two were mixed and put in a pan on the stove to cook. Unfortunately it was so badly burned that it could not be eaten, and the travelers were compelled to go to bed supperless. During the night the man returned with his grist, and Mrs. Rock and party had a fairly good breakfast of saleratus biscuits and pork.

One day while living in Cedar Rapids Mrs. Rock learned of the Spirit Lake massacre. She states the people here for a time had a genuine Indian scare, but nothing came of it.

Mrs. Rock has distinct recollections of prairie fires here. She says they were beautiful but terrible to behold. They were especially prevalent every fall on the west side, and many a time has she seen the bright flames cover the hills that are now incorporated in the city of Cedar Rapids. Judge Greene had early planted a large orchard at Mound Farm, and once after it had borne fruit for a number of years it was threatened with destruction from a prairie fire. All Cedar Rapids went out to help fight the flames. They saved the orchard at this time, but later the trees were killed by an unusually severe winter.

The ladies of Cedar Rapids were very patriotic during the war years. They made all the uniforms for the boys of Col. T. Z. Cook's company, and supplied them with generous quantities of bandages and lint. It happened that after the severe engagement at Wilson's Creek those bandages were the only ones available on the field. Mrs. Rock's brother, then 18 years old, enlisted under Colonel Cook. After the hundred days for which the company had entered the service he re-enlisted under Captain Stibbs, being wounded at Ft. Donelson. He then again entered the army under Captain Coulter, father of Ed. Coulter now living in Cedar Rapids, and was later killed in the south. Captain Coulter's company was known as the "Brindle Brigade," because it was made up of men from so many regiments that had disbanded.

There were some lawless people among the earliest settlers, says Mrs. Rock, and they occasionally appropriated a horse or two, necessitating some corrective action by the community. On one occasion N. B. Brown borrowed a horse from a man whose discipline was decreed and went to Westport to secure tar for the purpose. At dusk the horse was returned to the barn. C. C. Cook seized the individual, assisted by Gainor and others. His legs were tied and he was taken to the side hill on B avenue where his clothes were removed and he was treated to a coat of tar and feathers. The following day he appeared among his fellows, and my relator states there was "not even a smell of tar about him," but the treatment proved effectual.

One of the early settlers, Joe Leverich, had a fine library, was a great reader, a shrewd observer of human character, and his descendants are people of intelligence and high morality. Among those who came later were Dr. J. F. Ely and Dr. S. D. Carpenter in 1849, Judge Greene in 1850. They were men of education and attainment. Soon followed Miss Legare of Washington, D. C., the Bryans, and Stoneys from Charleston, S. C., A. S. Belt, a lawyer, son of Commodore Belt, of Maryland, the Taylors from Virginia, and many others whose character and culture gave moral and mental tone to the growing community. In religious intercourse a broad and kindly feeling characterized all, and now in 1910, the same feeling prevails. The Daniels brothers erected a store, three stories, where the Masonic Temple now stands. In 1849 the Green Brothers erected a three-story brick building diagonally across, the first floor being used for merchandizing, the second for Judge Greene's office and ware rooms. In one large room in this building Miss Calder, from New York, opened a school for girls in the fall of 1850. In a hall on the third floor, a Masonic lodge was organized the same year. Miss Calder [Mrs. Rock] drew designs for the emblems and attended to making the aprons.

The first district school house was built several years previous on the lot on Second avenue and Fifth street. The Cedar Rapids Business College is now located on this site. This was used also for religious services on Sunday. Squire Abbe's daughter taught the first school, and Miss Louisa Roberts, daughter of the Congregational minister, the second. Squire Abbe was a member of the Territorial Legislature.

Miss Calder's school prospered; and two other teachers were secured; one from New York for the piano, and another, Miss Parkhurst, to assist in the English branches. She was a recent graduate from Miss Sill's seminary at Rockford, Illinois. Miss Calder herself continued with some of the English grades, also with French and Drawing. Pupils were attracted from neighboring towns, Marion, Vinton, Dubuque, Muscatine, Burlington, Fairfield, etc., but after a few years, failing health caused her to relinquish it to two young ladies from Ohio, and within two years it ceased to exist. The following year Miss Calder married R. C. Rock, a hardware merchant. About the same date the Rev. Williston Jones, Presbyterian minister, opened a school for boys in his private residence, and after a few months turned it over to Mr. Blakeley, when it was transferred to the "Little Muddy" church. Mr. Blakeley's public examination was the occasion of a lampoon by Dr. S. D. Carpenter, but he was a fine man and a good teacher. Geo. E. W. Leonard was financial agent for this school.

These efforts resulted in Rev. Mr. Jones securing from Daniel Coe, of Green county, New York, a gift of $1,000.00 with which was purchased eighty acres of land adjoining the town, a part of which is now occupied by Coe College and from which numerous lots were sold to aid in establishing this school. The first college building was erected by subscription of the citizens. The only surviving incorporator of the institution is Dr. Seymour D. Carpenter, now residing in Chicago, aged about eighty-four.

The first religious services were Methodist, held in the district school house, and their circuit riders came every two weeks. They organized a Sunday school and insisted on a union school. The Presbyterians, New School, effected the first organization in 1847 in Mr. Vardy's shop, corner Third street and Sixth avenue. They, too, worshiped in the school house. Dr. Ely read the sermons, but their first minister, Mr. Roberts, of Marion, was a Congregationalist. He was succeeded by Rev. W. Jones, before mentioned. The first Episcopal clergyman was Rev. James Keeler, who found an occasional opening for service in the school house, but soon came to using Miss Calder's school room for regular Sunday service.

WHEN LAND WAS DIRT CHEAP IN CEDAR RAPIDS

Real estate investments have always been successful and profitable in Cedar Rapids, and probably will always continue to be so. As shown in other articles, the land upon which Cedar Rapids is built was originally owned by five men, Judge Greene, Nicholas Brown, Addison Daniels, Wm. Sanford, and Alexander Ely. The division of the property was made in 1849 as is shown elsewhere, and it is from that time that most of the real estate transfers were made. All the gentlemen made fortunes from their speculations.

How these five gentlemen came to be possessed of all the land in the city of Cedar Rapids would make an interesting story, especially if the prices they paid for each lot could be secured. They doubtless bought up the claims for almost nothing. We get some inkling of how the lots came into their possession by a curious old document which was deposited by Mr. C. G. Greene with the curator of the museum for the semi-centennial week.

The property mentioned in it is the Grand Hotel corner, and this is a copy of it:

"Received, Cedar Rapids, Sept. 7, 1848, of John L. Shearer, one yoke of oxen valued at thirty-five dollars, in full for Lot 9 in block No. 23 in the town of Cedar Rapids.

"Geo. Greene."

But it appears that Judge Greene did not think he had a very great bargain, for only seven months later, in May of the following year, the county records show that this same lot upon which the Grand Hotel now stands, and forty feet additional, 120×150 feet in all, was sold by Judge Greene back to John L. Shearer for $75. Up to 1865 it passed through several hands, with slightly increased value, when it was sold by Henry McBride to Charles Weare for $1,100. Weare sold immediately to S. B. Fleek for $1,500, and Fleek sold it in 1871 to E. M. Greene for $9,000. In 1877 Greene sold 80×140 feet to John T. Waterhouse for $10,000, and this property which originally brought $75, could not now be purchased, if unimproved, for less than $100,000. It is now held by a syndicate.

William Stewart originally owned the ground where the Cook & Laurance store used to be located. He traded an Indian pony for it in the early days, and held it until 1873, when he sold it for $7,500.

The property upon which the Calder buildings now stand, 60×140 feet, was also originally owned by Judge Greene. He sold it to Alexander Ely, who sold it to Harvey Higley and Samuel Hook, and they in turn sold it, in 1850, to Frederick Miles for $82. Miles held it until 1875, when he sold it for $1,500. Mr. Calder's friends told him at the time that he was throwing his money away, but now it doesn't look that way, as the land unimproved would sell for many times that sum.

Where the Golden Eagle store is now located, 60×140 feet was sold in 1848 by James M. Berry to Homer Bishop for $150. After passing through several hands the ground was purchased by P. Mullally and W. W. and M. A. Higley, who, in 1874, sold 60×140 feet of it to John T. Waterhouse for $12,300.

The ground where George A. Mullin's store is located, 120×140 feet, was sold by Mary A. Ely in 1853, to D. M. McIntosh, for $350. H. G. Angle bought it in 1854 for $600. It was afterwards taken by creditors, and was held by them until 1875, when it was sold to J. T. Waterhouse for $13,000.

These are cases illustrative of the wonderful growth in the value of Cedar Rapids real estate. It will of course some day find its level, and will very probably go above it, but it is quite safe to say that just now it is worth all that is paid for it.

Every time a real estate transfer is made it is amusing to get an "old citizen" started, and have him bemoan his failure to invest a few dollars in a block or so twenty years ago, and hold on to it until the present time. If he had done so he would have been rich—but the trouble is he didn't do it.

Thomas McGregor, who was working for a Mr. Robinson in the fifties, was offered lots where the Quaker Oats plant is now located at $10 a lot, but needed the money to keep his family on as he got only 75 cents per day.

On arrival of the first steamer in Cedar Rapids lots were offered free to passengers and crew in case they wanted to locate. Many lots were given away by real estate boomers in those days to increase the population of the city. Many of these lots were later lost because the owners thought so little of their value that they let them go to tax sales.

Property on Second avenue between Second and Fourth streets was then only residence property, sand hills, and the like. Now all of this has become valuable business property and is held at not less than $1,000 a front foot, and still going higher. These lots were sold less than fifty years ago at $25 a lot.

Property on Third avenue was even less valuable than property on Second avenue. With the location of the station here with the hotels, bank buildings, etc., lots are now selling at fabulous prices. With the advance of prices rents have also advanced. I. C. Emery some twenty years ago had the same location which he has recently gone into, and paid at that time about one-third of the rent he pays today. Rents on the ground floor in the Kimball building, the Ely block, the Dows block, and in others of the old buildings have gradually advanced in accordance with the advance in prices of the real estate holdings, and pretty much in the same ratio.

Large office buildings have been erected from time to time, and it has been said that the city would never demand such quarters. It has only been a little time till there has been a demand for more office and store buildings on a larger scale and these have been filled without any trouble.

The property where is located the Denecke building was once used for a livery stable, and the property on which is located the Magnus block was occupied as a dwelling house. These properties were traded back and forth for a song. The O'Haras finally snapped them up and began improvement and were thought at the time to be crazy. Mr. Denecke then began purchasing and the same was said of him. When Mr. Magnus made his purchase of the block in 1894, during the depression, they said he would never get his money out of it. Today he has been offered more than twice what he paid and refuses to consider the offer. The corner where the Security bank is now located had been sold and re-sold, and no one thought it worth anything, and when G. F. Van Vechten purchased a few feet for a bank location many years ago the people of the town still thought it impossible that this corner would be worth so much. The bank later had to pay a handsome price in order to get ground enough to make the improvements desired, and would have made money by having bought much earlier. The Taft building was purchased by the late Judge Hubbard some ten years ago at $55,000, and is now worth twice that sum.

However old settlers say that for years real estate in Cedar Rapids did not move and it was a drug on the market, and the rents were not in ratio with the values. For years town lots were peddled about the town and traded for stocks of goods, for old horses, and other personal property, and it was always thought that the person who obtained the real estate got the poor end of the bargain.

William Stone, Osgood Shepherd, Thomas Gainer, David King, H. G. Angle, and others of the early settlers did not know what a mine they possessed had they only hung on long enough. Stone settled on the Iowa river and later left for Wisconsin, and Shepherd soon followed, all thinking he had made a good thing by selling his squatter rights to Brown and his friends.

Dr. E. L. Mansfield arrived in Cedar Rapids in 1847, going overland to California in 1850. He traded the west one-half of the block between Third and Second avenues west, and between First and Second streets for a rifle, which was considered a high price in those days. On this lot Dr. Mansfield erected a large dwelling house and lived there for many years. He purchased the lot on which the Whelihan drug store now stands for $600, and the lot adjoining many years later for $10,000, at what was then considered a very high price. Thus the property of 140 feet fronting on Second street and 120 feet fronting on Second avenue were purchased for less than $12,000, property which is now some of the most valuable in Cedar Rapids. Dr. Mansfield also held part of the property which was later purchased by the Cedar Rapids Savings Bank, and was held by him up to the time of his death. This had been purchased at an early day at low prices, when it was nothing but the cheapest kind of renting property.

A. C. Taylor, holder of much valuable real estate in Cedar Rapids, first owned the property where the First Christian church now stands. He also purchased the property on First avenue near the Union block. Mr. Taylor is the second oldest merchant in Cedar Rapids, and has not moved more than a block from the time he came here to locate in part of the postoffice on the alley where the Masonic Temple now stands. In speaking of rents, Mr. Taylor says that he has been surprised at the way rents have gone up year by year.

Osgood Shepherd, of whom it is said that he jumped Wilbert Stone's claim, held this claim till 1847, when he disposed of his squatter interest in what became Cedar Rapids to N. B. Brown, George Greene, H. W. Gray, A. L. Roach, and S. H. Tryon for the sum of $3,000.

FIRST DECORATION DAY CELEBRATION IN CEDAR RAPIDS

FROM THE CEDAR RAPIDS REPUBLICAN, SUNDAY, JUNE 3, 1906

When was the first Decoration Day celebration in Cedar Rapids? That is a question which many might find it hard to answer, and the story of the preparations for that day and of the day itself is so interesting that it is well worth a place here. There were comparatively few graves to decorate on that occasion. Not many of those who fought in the war had passed over the great divide in the year 1873, more than thirty years ago. Men whose heads are silvered and their steps trembling were then young and they marched firmly to the cemetery to take part in the exercises on that first Decoration Day. Since that time many of them have been laid beneath the sod and their comrades have done for them what they helped to do for others.

The day was made memorable by an eloquent and beautiful address by the late Judge Hubbard, a man who always loved the flag and the men who fought for it. Patriotism was one of the subjects that always lay nearest his heart.

S. C. BEVER

THOMAS GAINER

E. D. WALN
An Early Settler

REV. ELIAS SKINNER

The first meeting to arrange for the Decoration Day exercises was held May 8, 1873. The Cedar Rapids Daily Republican of the following morning has the following interesting account of the meeting:

"The meeting called for the purpose of taking measures to suitably observe Decoration Day, took place at the City Hall last night.

"It was called to order by A. D. Collier, Esq., upon whose motion J. H. B. Otto was elected president of the meeting.

"On motion of Hiel Hale, A. N. Neidig was chosen secretary.

"On motion of Mr. Collier, a committee of five was appointed to recommend names to the meeting for the various committees to be appointed to make preparations for that day.

"The following persons were selected as said committee:

"A. D. Collier, Geo. A. Lincoln, D. A. Dingman, P. H. Francis, Hiel Hale.

"After some time spent in deliberation the committee reported the following names to be placed upon the several standing committees. They also reported names of persons as officers of the day, the whole report being adopted:

"President of the day, Capt. Wm. B. Leach.

"Chief marshal, Col. T. Z. Cook, with power to choose his own assistants.

"Finance committee, J. F. Charles, Capt. Otto, George Wynn.

"Committee on grounds, Ed. Thompson, Ed. Buttolph, J. I. Calder.

"Flowers, L. M. Ayers, Geo. A. Lincoln, Geo. H. Rhodes, R. A. Austin, George Hesse.

"Decorating graves, P. H. Francis, Hiel Hale, C. H. Sterneman, Dr. Bliss, Jos. Stoddard, with privilege to choose five ladies to fill the committee.

"Invitation, Capt. W. W. Smith, S. Neidig, Dr. Skinner.

"Speakers, A. D. Collier, D. A. Dingman, W. B. Leach.

"Printing, A. H. Neidig, Dr. F. S. McClelland, Dr. Camburn.

"Music, C. Ferguson, Mr. Baxter and Dr. Bliss.

"On general arrangements, W. B. Leach, J. F. Charles, Ed. Thompson, L. M. Ayers, P. H. Francis, W. W. Smith, A. D. Collier, A. H. Neidig, and C. Ferguson.

"On motion of Capt. Wm. B. Leach, Captain Otto, as the last commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, was instructed to call a meeting of the soldiers and sailors of this vicinity to have them meet and consult with regard to the part they shall take in the observance of the day.

"On motion adjourned."

The program of that first Decoration Day was as follows:

"The following programme will be observed on Decoration Day:

"President of the day—Col. W. B. Leach.

"Chief Marshal—Col. T. Z. Cook.

"Assistant Marshals—Capt. W. S. Bradley, Geo. W. Wynn, A. D. Collier.

"Chaplain—Rev. A. B. Kindig.

"Orators—Rev. Col. S. H. Henderson, Hon. Col. N. M. Hubbard.

"At ten o'clock a. m. the procession will form on the corner of Iowa avenue and Commercial street in wagons, and headed by the band, will proceed to the cemetery on the west side, where the graves will be decorated, and after which an oration will be delivered by Col. S. H. Henderson.

"At two o'clock the procession will form on Iowa avenue, the right resting on Commercial street.

"The following will be the order.

- "Music.

- "1. Grand Army of Republic.

- "2. Independent Fire Company.

- "3. Bohemia Society.

- "4. Hook and Ladder Company.

- "5. Odd Fellows.

- "6. Fire Company Steamer.

- "7. Citizens on foot.

- "8. Carriages.

"Line of march will be down Commercial street to Eagle, up Eagle to Madison, down Madison to Greene street, thence to Oak Hill Cemetery, where the graves will be decorated, after which an oration will be delivered by Hon. Col. N. M. Hubbard.

"All soldiers and citizens in the vicinity are cordially requested to be present, and assist in paying respect to our honored dead.

"Soldiers will leave the number of their regiment at the Times office and they will be furnished with a badge to wear on the occasion."

Following is the account of the exercises of that day with the text of the address delivered by Judge Hubbard. It is taken from the Daily Republican of May 31, 1873:

"Decoration Day has come and gone. It brought with it the noble thought to honor the heroic dead of our land, and left thousands of green graves strewn with choicest flowers of spring. This kindly and befitting token of love and honor was placed on every soldier's grave, to show how green and fresh in our hearts are the memories of their noble deeds. This day is one of mixed sorrow and pleasure—sad for the heavy sacrifices that had to be made, but happy to keep green the sacred memories of those who fell for their country's good.

"The soldiers and sailors, who have died to save the nation's life, will never be forgotten so long as flowers are strewn upon the quiet graves beneath whose verdant mounds those gallant hearts lie stilled forever.

"It is the sum of mortal glory for posterity to gather around the tombs of fallen heroes, as around holy shrines, and pour out their libations in songs, prayers and in fitting words of praise on their noble lives and gallant deeds.

"The day opened yesterday morning with a rain storm, which continued more or less until about ten o'clock. It looked discouraging indeed, and many hearts felt sad at the uninviting prospect.

"At eleven o'clock a few persons gathered on the west side and proceeded to the cemetery on that side of the river, and spent a short time in decorating the graves of a few soldiers that lie buried there. Rev. S. H. Henderson spoke a few moments on the importance of the occasion when the company dispersed and returned to their homes.

"By noon the clouds had cleared away and the sun shone forth beautifully. At half past 2 o'clock Washington street in the vicinity of the City Hall was crowded with a large number of people who were listening to the fine strains of music that the Ferguson band were discoursing. About three o'clock the procession began to move, and in pretty much the same order as has already been published in the Republican. Between seventy-five and a hundred carriages, buggies, and wagons were in the procession, preceded by many footmen; also a number were on horseback. It was one of the most brilliant occasions of the kind that was ever witnessed in Cedar Rapids.

"We are unable to go into the particulars, as we have not the space today to record them.

"The number on the cemetery grounds has been estimated by many at two thousand people, and some have raised the estimate a thousand more. The following graves were decorated:

"John Harrison, Henry N. Graves and Carter Berkley, 6th Iowa Cavalry, Co. K; Henry Fleck, 40th Ind. Inft.; John Hall, 31st Iowa; Amos Fergeson, Band, 15th Iowa Inft.; James Morehead, Sr., Co. I, 37th Iowa Inft.; James Morehead, Jr., Co. K, 9th Iowa Inft.; Judson L. Boughton, Co. D, 12th Iowa Inft.; Parker Ayres, Co. D, 12th Iowa Inft,; Robert Mallahan, Co. A, 37th Iowa Inft.; James Hammersley, 31st Vt. Int., J. R. C.; Henry Berger, Minn., Minn.; Geo. Wells, 141st Penn. V. Inft,; Edward W. Calder, Co. D, 12th Iowa Inft.; Lt. Joseph Hollan, 20th Inft.; Benj. Shaw, 20th Inft.; Donald Lothian, 31st Inft. West side—David Martin, 24th Inft,; Ebenezer Martin, 12th Inft,; John Dean, 20th Inft.; Donaldson,—. After these interesting decoration ceremonies were over, the people gathered around the stand that had been erected for the purpose, where the following programme was carried out:

- "Music by the Band.

- "Music by the Glee Club, 'Praise of the Soldier.'

- "Prayer by Rev. A. B. Kendig.

- "Music, 'Star Spangled Banner,' by the Glee Club.

- "Oration by Col. N. M. Hubbard.

- "Music by the Band.

- "Music, 'America' Sung by the Glee Club and Audience.

- "Benediction by Rev. A. B. Kendig.

"JUDGE HUBBARD'S ADDRESS

"Judge Hubbard's address was so fine that we reproduce it entire. He spoke as follows:

"My Countrymen, and Comrades of the Army of the Union:

"Courage and bravery always challenge admiration, but when combined with exalted patriotism, they command the affection and gratitude of mankind.

"The highest earthly care of man is to preserve as long as possible this life, and therefore the greatest human sacrifice is to give this life for one's country.

"History is full of examples of this sacrifice in all time, and yet its frequency has never lessened the appreciation of it.

"Patriotism—love of country, makes a great nation possible. Without it men would live isolated, or in mere tribes, and powerless.

"The intellectual development of man shows him at once how weak and insignificant he is alone, and he seeks, by a combination of great numbers, to attain not only great power, but even immortality. We all know that our own lives are short, but the life of a nation may be so long, that we are apt to make delusion that it may be immortal, real.

"The natural love and anxiety we have for our children, who are to live after us, extend to and embrace the country and the government in which they are to live.

"Hence, we may be said to have two lives, an individual and a national one; and the latter commands the former in proportion to its increased span. We value everything somewhat in proportion to its power to last.

"The study and contemplation of the national life, of which we are a part is always a matter of interest and solicitude.

"On every hand men are seemingly wholly engaged in devising and planning for their individual prosperity and happiness, and silently but surely national prosperity and greatness follow these individual efforts. It is only when the nation stands in immediate peril, that we become aware how much greater our anxiety is for it, than even for ourselves.

"You who can recall the thrill of horror, of anxiety, and of grim determination that came over you when the news first came that Sumter was fired upon, and the Stars and Stripes were shot away, can tell, but I can not describe what boundless sacrifices the national life is capable of calling forth.

"How quick we found what a pride and what an interest we had in the magnitude, power, and prosperity of our country, and how firmly we were attached to its beneficent government.

"The history of modern civilization in Europe has shown a constant struggle for many years for what they call the balance of power.

"Five leading nations, speaking five different languages, and having different modes of thought and life, have watched and emulated each other, and each at times has had the reputation of being the most powerful. Fifty years ago France was foremost, today Prussia is the first power in Europe. These changes may be traced almost indefinitely.

"In all the past, the national life, the national pride has grown with the growth of civilization.

"It would be impossible that a nation should become great or powerful without a national self-love that wrought glowing pictures of its manifest destiny.

"We find ourselves possessed of a country whose productive extent is far greater than all Europe, with its 300 million population, put together.

"Beginning a little less than a hundred years ago with a population of three million, it has doubled every twenty-five years, if we shall reach forty-eight million in 1875, which scarcely admits of a doubt. The whole emigration added is less than six million.

"At the same rate of increase for the next one hundred years our population will reach the enormous figures of seven hundred and sixty-eight millions. But suppose we shall touch the resistance, namely the lack of territory to supply so great a population with food; yet we may safely estimate reaching five hundred million, and the population equally distributed will then be about equal in density to the present population of Massachusetts.

"I have neither time nor is it necessary to describe the variety of climate embracing the tropic and the temperate zones, nor the vastness, nor the fertility, nor the mineral and coal resources of our country.

"Thus far nothing is problematical, but the people of future America are a study.

"We know how sturdy and enduring the Anglo-Saxon is, how volatile yet tenacious is the Frenchman, how sober, solid and unwavering is the German, and how hardy and everlasting are the people who inhabit with the Polar bear. These are American now, but the Ethiopian and the Asiatic are to be added. The Star of Empire from the East and from the West have met upon the American continent. I believe the original Anglo-Saxon trunk will sustain all these grafts and that a nation will come of us by the cross of all civilized people that will be as superior to any of them, as the grafted fruit is superior to that of the seeding. Future America will be fitly symbolized by the Lion and the Polar Bear, surmounted by the American Eagle.

"With one country, one language, one hope, one aspiration, bent sublimely upon achieving the highest intelligence, virtue, and culture that man can ideal, diffused through a population of five hundred million people, inhabiting one-quarter of the habitable earth with a republican government, is a spectacle that the world has never yet seen, but is to see through us and our children.

"And but for these sacred graves, which we, and all the people throughout the land, have come today to crown with wreaths of flowers, no such hope, no such picture of the future of our country would be possible.

"The future destiny of the American absolutely demanded that the fundamental idea of the Declaration of Independence should be made true, and that Liberty (in fact, as in name) should be proclaimed throughout all the land to all the inhabitants thereof, and also, that the United States should be one and inseparable forever.

"Need I tell you how bravely and how well the army of the Union settled these questions? The men who lie silent beneath our feet and their comrades, have taught the South, and Great Britain, and the world, that the belt of country usually known as the North is the heart and power of the Republic. It is the strong arm that pushes the car of civilization in the new world. It is the second Defender of the faith of our Forefathers. It has fought the good fight, and many of its bravest sons have gone to their reward.

"The Republic is emancipated, impartial suffrage and equality before the law established, and the work of regeneration is left for us and our posterity.

"During all the long struggle which literally ridged the country with graves like these, there was everywhere present, through the ranks of the grand army, an abiding faith in the future greatness of their country, and in the final triumph. No soldier ever despaired of the Republic.

"We come today to crown their valor by decorating their graves. What great eulogy can we pronounce upon them?

"These silent graves are more eloquent than the tongues of the living. Their deeds commemorate their fame and their names do live after them.

"As we meet year after year to perform this ceremony of love and gratitude to our fallen comrades, new graves will be added and new obligations will rest upon us, until the last soldier of the Army of the Union is laid to rest.

"When that day comes, let us trust that the national life and prosperity that has cost so much to maintain and defend, will be inestimably dear to our children, and that they may fully realize all the hopes and aspirations of our forefathers and the second Defenders of the faith. If we shall not be disappointed in this, the 30th day of May will be as sacred as the 4th of July.

"But new trials and new perils await us. Poverty is the home of virtue, and riches the abode of vice. The Republic has passed the age of poverty, and is approaching the age of wealth—always the sure accumulation of generations. Rome withstood all her enemies from without and within, but the corruption following in the train of her conquests overcame her.

"If Heaven permits departed heroes still to know and watch over our beloved country, what anxious prayers are being made now, lest the blessing which the hand of their forefathers have left shall be wasted by the political dissension, frauds, corruptions, and wealth of coming generations! It is not fitting that I should name here and now what you all know so well and deplore. But may I not ask that we consecrate ourselves anew over these sacred graves, and resolve that our remaining days shall add something to the purity, patriotism, and lustre of our country that has been vouchsafed to us through the blood of these martyrs of liberty.

"But whatever of adversity or misfortune may be in store for us as a nation, the fault in no way rests upon these graves. Their services and their fame are secure.

"And today also the graves of the Confederate dead are decorated and strewn with flowers. It is a deserved tribute to their valor and patriotism. They had been educated to believe that the South alone was the nation. We believed and knew that the nation was from ocean to ocean and from the gulf to the lakes. But it was half slave and half free.

"Today it is all free, and fifty years hence, if our hopes of the future of the Republic are realized, the South and North will rejoice in a common joy, that 'Union and Liberty' have been so signally preserved to them and their posterity forever.

"And while we wreath flowers for these graves, let us not forget to return thanks and give honor to the brave seamen who guarded our coasts, and let the 'Father of Waters go unvexed to the sea.'

"And the widow and orphan of the soldier and sailor, let them be remembered with blessings, with charity and with thanks. All they have left them for their great sacrifice is their country and its gratitude. Let these be generous and unsparing.

"And still again let us not forget the brave men and women who fed and clothed all, who nursed and cared for the sick and wounded, who cheered and encouraged all with patriotic deeds and words. And finally, and above all, let us thank God who gave us the victory, whereby it has become possible that the Stars and Stripes float over an unbroken emancipated Republic, strong enough to maintain its existence against all foes, and yet without power to abridge the liberties of the humblest citizen."

FIRST LOCAL LABOR UNION ORGANIZED IN THE CITY

FROM CEDAR RAPIDS REPUBLICAN, JUNE, 1906

It was in 1882 that an agitation was instituted in the city of New York, in which all the great labor organizations of the United States took part, and out of which grew the setting apart of Labor Day as a day of recognition of the cause of labor. It was not until 1887, however, that the germ thus planted gave fruit. On February 21, 1887, the state of Oregon passed a law setting aside the first Saturday in June for the observance of the cause of labor, and six years later the first Monday in September was chosen by the same state. That day has been observed ever since. The second state to legalize the holiday was New Jersey, and in May of the following year New York passed a similar law, Colorado and Massachusetts soon followed. In 1890 many of the other states passed acts recognizing the day. West Virginia and North Carolina were far behind the rest in this regard and did not legalize the day until 1899.

The first great labor demonstration was held in New York city in 1882 and the parade which took place on that day is still remembered as an event of unusual magnitude. All the labor organizations of the city were in line and with their splendid floats, banners, etc., they made an imposing spectacle.

The following year it was determined to repeat, if possible, the parade of 1882, which had come to be termed "The Labor Day Parade." This time the date was changed to the first Monday in September and when in 1884 the discussion of a repetition of the occasion came up, George B. Floyd offered a resolution in the Central Labor Union convention to the effect that the first Monday in September be declared Labor Day. The resolution was unanimously adopted and at the next session of the legislature a bill was introduced declaring Labor Day a legal holiday. There was considerable objection to the measure, however, and it was not until 1887 that a majority in its favor could be rallied together.

With the day recognized by the legislature of New York and two other states a concerted effort was made to secure action by the various labor organizations throughout the country, and in a few years the majority of the states had declared in its favor.

Curiously enough the original Labor Day was just after the organization of the first local in this city, which the "old residents" say is Typographical Union No. 192. There may be some objection to this claim on the part of some of the present members of the typographical union. The charter of the Typographical Union local is now hanging in the K. P. hall, and it is dated December 26, 1881. Unless challenged the members of the Typographical Union will claim the honor of being the first organization of union labor in the city of Cedar Rapids. The charter bears the names of the following charter members:

C. M. Hopkins, George S. Bradley, Harry Ingalls, J. D. Canan, L. C. Hay, L. B. Kramer, J. H. Enos.

If the memory of Sam Snouffer is correct the local was organized among the employees of the Republican office and it was a local of newspaper printers only. Sam says that he was a job printer at the time and the boys on the cases who organized the local didn't at first allow job printers to hold membership in their organizations. He says that the local was organized for a fight and it had it at frequent intervals during the early part of its history. But it grew and flourished and today the Typographical Union Local in Cedar Rapids is recognized as a conservative, yet aggressive body of men, with the courage to ask for its rights and the level headedness to get those rights without trouble.

THE STORY OF A MOUNTAIN HOWITZER

During the war when the boys were about to return home they sought to carry back mementoes of the long struggle. Company E of the Twelfth Iowa as a trophy of the war picked up a mountain howitzer which had been captured by the rebels and re-captured by the United States troops. Some members of Company D of the Twelfth Iowa then, by some means known only to the soldier boys, unlawfully laid claim to the cannon and Homer Morehead, one of the old Cedar Rapids boys, was able to get the cannon as far as Davenport, the city council of Cedar Rapids providing means to get it to Cedar Rapids.

The cannon, a two hundred pounder, was used freely by every organization for a number of years whenever any celebration took place. During the Grant campaign, in October of that year, the republicans had a blow-out and the cannon was used; in this celebration the cannon was slightly damaged and was hauled down to John Mehan's for repairs. While there some person, or persons, saw fit to take it in the night time and nothing was heard of it for many years. A note was tacked up to the wall where the cannon had been left for repairs to the effect that it would be returned and shot off when a democratic president was inaugurated. The soldier boys and many of the prominent citizens of Cedar Rapids were very much stirred up over this affair and publicly accused a number of prominent Cedar Rapids democratic citizens of stealing the cannon, but no one, at least who was publicly accused, admitted having anything to do with it.

The incident was nearly forgotten when Cleveland was elected, the first democratic president since the Civil war. One morning as Harry Brown was walking down the street John Mehan called to him to come over and see what he had found. There, sure enough, was the same old mountain howitzer cleaned up and in first class repair, with a note tied to it that it was returned as agreed and would be ready for action in due time. This affair stirred up the republican camp once more and threats were made that this cannon would never be shot off to celebrate a democratic victory, and it never was.

It now remains as a relic in the old postoffice building, and many are the citizens of Linn county who have inspected this little cannon and have heard the story told by the old settlers.

Not until a short time ago was it definitely known who removed the cannon from the Mehan shop in 1868. A Center Point person had been accused of having something to do with it; how true this is no one knows. It is thought that two young men in the employ of N. B. Brown, a stanch democrat, took the cannon and placed it in the stable owned by O. P. Emery which stood on the ground where the Denecke building now stands. Mr. Emery no doubt knew of the whereabouts of the cannon, and when he removed up on Second avenue a heavy box was moved by workmen supposed to contain tools. When Mr. Emery removed to the home of his son-in-law, John B. Henderson, on First avenue, the same heavy box was once more moved. Mrs. John B. Henderson noticed that her father, after the election of Cleveland, spent several days in the barn working steadily polishing up some iron, but she never inquired what he was doing or what he wanted to accomplish. A short time before his death O. P. Emery admitted to his daughter that while he did not remove the cannon he knew of its whereabouts and had some of his intimate friends restore it to the Mehan shop after Cleveland's election as it had been agreed in the letter or note left the night of the capture of the cannon when no one was around to watch this much prized treasure.

A FORTUNATE TUMBLE

Linn county during the Civil war had its share of so-called "copperheads," as well as a goodly number of loyal sympathizers known as "fire eaters." During this period of our country's history many unfortunate affairs occurred of which all parties ever afterwards were ashamed. In a state where the majority was strong in favor of the war measure it behooved those who were against this measure not to say too much. Frequently innocent people had to suffer for the acts of some one who talked openly and above board, not only against the president but against those who were instrumental in sending troops to the front. Democrats in the north were classed by the republicans as follows: Those who went to the front as loyal democrats, and those who stayed at home as "copperheads," although they may have been otherwise law-abiding citizens.

On the morning that news was received of the assassination of Lincoln Cedar Rapids became a town of turmoil and strife. Never in the history of the town had excitement run so high. The question of another war was discussed in saloons and on street corners, and during the entire day this strife was kept up. Towards evening a story got started that Bill Harper, a well-known anti-war democrat and a person who had frequently when intoxicated said some pretty mean things of the republicans in general, said "that he was glad that Lincoln got killed; that he should have been shot four years ago." The story spread like a western wild fire, and in less than an hour it was all over town. A crowd got together and it was not long till a self-appointed committee was organized for the sole purpose of hanging Bill Harper to a rafter or a sour apple tree at sight and without trial. A good sized rope was procured and the yelling crowd, headed by the late I. N. Whittam and others, made for the store room kept by Brown & Harper, on what is now North First street. That Harper was a well-known and outspoken so-called "copperhead" was universally known and no question arose in the minds of the mob as to the truth or falsity of the charge. A few in the party uttered remarks that there might be a mistake and that there ought to be some investigation to bear out the facts before the rope was applied, but the majority ruled and these faint-hearted fellows were laughed to scorn. N. B. Brown, who had heard of the trouble and who was a partner of Harper, got into the store building, mounted a barrel and talked to the crowd, claiming that Harper could not have said the words with which he was charged, for he had not been in town for several days. Squire Knowles, a republican and a believer in fair play, tried to persuade the mob to disperse, but his plea found little favor with a mob who insisted on a hanging. Then Bill Darr, a neighbor of Harper, also a republican, had to come to the front and tell what he knew about Harper. He said that Harper had been at home near Bertram and had been sick in bed for several days, and that he had been to his house and called on him the day before and he was certain that Harper knew nothing of what had taken place at the national capital. Darr was not treated any better than the others and was called "traitor" and all sorts of names because he wanted to save his neighbor's life if possible.

A. BOWMAN
E. M. CROW
J. M. MAY

Many of the crowd had been drinking heavily and insisted that something be done, and if they could not do any better they ought to fire the building and burn up the whole thing, while Brown insisted that most of the property was his and that he would vouch for his partner's honor and reputation as far as that charge went. Whittam by this time had gotten over the blood curdling period of his leadership and was willing to turn the job over to other hands, but no one seemed willing to come to his rescue, and there was no opportunity to put a motion for an adjournment till the violence and the temper of the mob would somewhat abate. Brown wanted to hold the mob as long as possible, having in the meantime sent messengers to notify Harper of what might happen. He realized that the infuriated mob at that stage of the game might hang an innocent man.

Just at this point of the delicate proceedings, the crowd yelling like warlike Indians, and threatening to hang any "copperhead" and to burn the building provided Harper was not brought into the room, a fourteen year old boy, long, lank and lean, who had also crowded into the building wanting to see what was going on, and to get more air, climbed on top of a hogshead which stood in one corner of the room. As he was gazing out over the crowd others tried to get on to the same hogshead, pushing and pulling, when suddenly the end gave way and the boy fell into a mass of lard and dye stuff up to his neck. The stench acted like morphine upon the infuriated mob. Someone called for the rope to pull the boy out and then a general laugh broke out and when the boy ran down through the crowd, dripping with lard and lye, making for the river, the panic became general and they all followed his movements and forgot all about Bill Harper or the words he was supposed to have uttered.

The boy who thus saved the day and perhaps a life or two is no other than O. C. Carpenter, for many years one of the best known constables in Rapids township. Carpenter still insists that he saved the day, although the ordeal he had to pass through was somewhat harsh. The lye burned his legs and spoiled a suit of clothes, and he got a good thrashing at home, in the bargain. The Greek boy of old fell on his sword, but the modern Linn county boy fell into a soap barrel and by that side-stepping cast honors on himself and on members of his family for all time to come.

Bill Harper never uttered the words of which he was accused, and never knew that Lincoln had been assassinated until the evening of the day when the infuriated mob was hunting him with a rope, wishing to put an end to his earthly existence. This shows how dangerous it is to stir up the mob spirit at any time. It always leads to disgraceful acts, from which a community suffers for a long time afterwards.

HERE'S AN INTERESTING BIT OF ANCIENT HISTORY

In running through the files of the early years of the Cedar Rapids Daily Republican, the following interesting historical contribution, from the pen of the late Sampson C. Bever, was found:

"Editor Cedar Rapids Republican:

"I notice in the last 'Daily Republican,' in referring to the City National Bank of this city, in connection with the death of the Hon. Oakes Ames, the following:

"'The death of Mr. Ames recalls to mind the successful aid given S. C. Bever, Esq., in getting the charter of the City National Bank. The First National had already been established and as Cedar Rapids had a population of only 2,000 people at the time the comptroller of currency declined to establish another bank here, but by the assistance of Mr. Ames the charter was finally obtained.'

"The facts in the case are these: The City National Bank received its certificate of authority and had commenced successful business some time before the application for charter or certificate of the First National Bank was granted.

"It is true an application for a City National Bank, with a capital of $50,000, was first made, and it was provided by the law of congress, creating National banks, that no charter for less than $100,000 should be granted, unless it should receive the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury. Mr. Ames being in Washington at the time this application was made, and being a warm friend of mine, he kindly offered to give me his influence, and wrote a strong letter to Mr. Chase, then Secretary of the Treasury, urging him to sanction my application for $50,000, but before presenting this letter I was urged by Mr. McCullough, then comptroller of the currency, that as there was no other national bank organized in Cedar Rapids, and the population was about 4,000, I should by all means make my application for $100,000, to which I finally agreed. And as greenbacks and government bonds were at my command, I had no further need for 'successful aid' from anyone, being well known to Mr. McCullough, the comptroller of the currency. But I none the less highly appreciated the kindness tendered me by my friend Mr. Ames.

"I make this explanation, not so much on my own account, as that of others, who so well understand all the circumstances.

S. C. Bever."

The Republican of that date, May 12, 1873, also printed the following remarks:

"The statement that was made in the columns of the Republican on Saturday, concerning Oakes Ames and the City National Bank, is one of those unfortunate kind of errors that often creep into a daily newspaper. The statement, as it appeared in print, was precisely as it was handed us by one of our prominent citizens, and we took it for granted, of course, that it was correct. Since Mr. Bever's communication has been handed us, we have made a personal examination into the matter, and have discovered an important fact which, it is due the City National Bank, should be published. We find in the report of the comptroller of the currency, that the City National Bank stands upon record as number 483, and the First National Bank as 500, which goes to show that the former was organized some time before the latter. Of course neither bank has any interest in this matter further than to be placed before the public correctly, and we have it to regret that the statement appeared in our columns on Saturday in the form in which it did."

CHAPTER XXXVII

Beginnings of Churches and the Fraternities in Cedar Rapids

The following accurate account of the beginnings of the churches and the fraternities in the city of Cedar Rapids, written by the late James L. Enos in the early '60s, will have a double interest. It not only gives the story of the beginnings of the various institutions, but also comments upon their condition and prospects at the time the article was written.

Methodist Episcopal—This society was organized in 1844, by Rev. Isaac Searles with nine members. As early as 1841 meetings were held by a Rev. Hodges, but no society was organized. In 1845 the Rev. Alexander Bushnell organized the first Methodist Sabbath school. Hodges, Searles and Bushnell were the first three Methodist ministers who preached in Cedar Rapids. Rev. Elias Skinner [still living at Waterloo] was the first pastor who permanently or wholly occupied his time with the church. During his appointment here the church was in a prosperous condition. Since that time, from a variety of causes, the interest of the church has fallen off and its former popularity seems to have departed. The present number of members is 90; number attending the Sabbath schools on both sides of the river, about 130. Rev. Mr. Miller is the present pastor. The church edifice was erected in 1854.

First Presbyterian—This society was organized July 9, 1847, with seven members, of whom Mrs. Mary Ely is the only surviving member. Bennet Rogers preached here and at Marion on alternate Sabbaths for a time. Rev. Williston Jones was the first regular pastor. He continued his labors with this society until July, 1856, when he removed to Iowa Falls. Rev. L. F. Dudley was the second pastor and J. W. Atherton followed in 1859. James Knox is the present pastor. I have not been able to learn the present number of members attending the Sabbath school. The church edifice was erected in 1850 and was the first of the kind in the city.

United Presbyterian (Seceders)—This church is located on the west side of the river; it was organized in 1851 with eight members. Rev. J. B. Forsythe was the first pastor, Rev. H. Sturgeon the second, and Rev. J. L. Fulton the third and present pastor. The church now numbers fifty members and is in a flourishing condition. Sixty pupils attend the Sabbath school. The church edifice is a plain brick, erected in 1859.

Second Presbyterian (Old School)—This society was organized May 27, 1855, with twenty members. Rev. R. H. Morrow, a most exemplary and worthy man, was the pastor. By his admirable qualities he won the regard of all with whom he came in contact. D. H. Mitchell was the second pastor. Following the expiration of his labors the pulpit was temporarily occupied by I. N. Reed, a thoroughly Old School divine. J. B. McBridge came next, and S. W. Miller is present pastor. The church now numbers some sixty members, and the Sabbath school has 80 to 120 enrolled. The church edifice is a neat but unpretending structure on the east side of Adams street, between Market and Sugar streets. It has a bell weighing 800 pounds and is furnished with a cottage organ. The pastor's salary is $1,000 a year, and the church is free from debt.

Catholic—This church commenced holding meetings in Cedar Rapids in 1853. Rev. Fr. Hannah officiated here at monthly intervals until 1857, in which year the church was formally organized. Mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Emmons this same year in the home of Alexander Hager. When first services were held, 1853, there were but three adherents to the faith in town. The church edifice, 24×50 feet, located at the south corner of Jackson and Market streets, was erected in 1857-8. Rev. Emmons served three years and was succeeded by Rev. Fr. Gillespie, and he by Rev. Uhlenbrock. The fifth and present priest of this parish is Rev. Fr. Cannon. The congregation now has about 300 members, most of whom live in the surrounding country. Last year (1863) a mission was conducted by Rev. Father Weniger.

Episcopal—The organization of this church took place in 1851, with but ten members. James Keeler was the first rector, then followed Revs. C. C. Townsend, Samuel Goodale, Samuel Starr, William Fulton and C. S. Percival, the present pastor. The corner stone of this church was laid by Bishop Kemper in 1851, and was consecrated in 1856. It now has about 80 members and the Sabbath school over 100 attendants. The church building is situated on the south side of Linn street, between Madison and Monroe streets. The exterior is not yet completed according to original designs.

Baptist—The present church was organized by Rev. W. Eberhart, the first settled pastor, June 3, 1860, with a membership of twenty-eight. He continued in charge until November, 1861, resigning to take chaplaincy in the Twelfth Iowa Infantry Volunteers. Rev. N. F. Ravlin followed and remained with the church until April of this year (1864). The society is at present without a pastor. The congregation now numbers nearly 140 and the Sabbath school has about 100 attendants. The society has no church edifice but has purchased a lot on Eagle street and will build soon.

In addition to these there are scattering members of other religious denominations, among which are Universalists, Christians, Lutherans, New Jerusalem adherents, Spiritualists, and perhaps some others are represented. None of the church edifices are of the first class. In fact each society is too feeble to erect a church creditable to the city. We might hope for a more perfect Christian union and with that would come the ability to sustain a sufficient number of churches, without the necessity of appealing for foreign aid to enable them to drag along an existence of doubtful value.

ESTABLISHMENT OF LODGES

Masonic—The Masonic lodge was instituted in November, 1850, by a warrant of dispensation from Grand Master McCord, and its charter was issued June 4, 1851, being the twenty-fifth lodge of that fraternity organized in Iowa. George Greene was the first Worshipful Master; John Vardy, Senior Warden; Isaac Cook, Junior Warden; Thomas Downing, Treasurer; N. B. Brown, Secretary; Stephen L. Pollock, Senior Deacon; J. H. Kelsey, Junior Deacon, and Samuel Hook, Tyler. Seymour D. Carpenter was the first person made a Mason in this lodge. The following have been Masters to this date: James Keeler, Thomas Downing, John Vardy, Hiram Deem, S. L. Pollock, Jacob H. Camburn, and James L. Enos. James C. Adams is the present Master. The lodge numbers about 75 members and has the reputation of being one of the best working bodies of Masonry in the state. It was first organized as Cedar Rapids lodge, but has changed its name, being now known as Crescent lodge No. 25.

Odd Fellows—A lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was instituted December 28, 1850, about a month after the Masonic lodge was organized. It was known as Hope lodge No. 30. It continued its existence until some time during 1860, when it became defunct. The original charter members were George Greene, John F. Ely, Absalom Sines, Joseph Greene and John H. Kelsey. Those who have been honored with election to office of Noble Grand in this lodge are: George Greene, Absalom Sines, John P. Ely, W. W. Smith, Joseph Greene, F. A. Wilmans, L. H. Keyes, Homer Bishop, D. M. McIntosh, Hiram Deem, Charles Weare, Samuel Milligan, George Livensbarger and C. Fordyce. At one time the lodge was in a flourishing condition, but through some unfortunate circumstances it declined, and finally surrendered its charter.

Various minor orders (Good Templars, Sons of Temperance, etc.) have had a temporary existence in the city from time to time, but none of these now have a local being.

LATER SKETCH OF THE CEDAR RAPIDS CHURCHES

The following extracts are from an address on Church Day delivered by Rev. C. W. Maggart, D. D., during the semi-centennial celebration in Cedar Rapids, June, 1906:

Without doubt the first church organization was the St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal. The Rev. John Hodges preached here as early as 1840, but it was not until 1841 that the "class" was organized with twelve people, one of whom, Mrs. John Listebarger, is yet living and with us today.

This church was organized in the log cabin of Mr. and Mrs. J. Listebarger on the west side of the river near the west end of the B avenue bridge. Service was later continued in the first building in town, in which lived Thomas Sharp. At the time of the incorporation of Cedar Rapids this church had 148 members and their own little brick church, built in 1854, and located where the union station now stands. This church has had thirty-six pastors. Its present church was built in 1873 and is valued at $30,000.00. The number of members is 669.

The second church organized was the First Presbyterian, on July 12, 1847, with nine members, with the Rev. Williston Jones as the first regular pastor.

The first church building to be erected in the town was the "Little Muddy" church, which was on the postoffice site, 26×40 feet, and cost $1,200.00. It was dedicated January 12, 1851.

Fifty years ago this church had sixty-seven members. Prior to the organization of this church a union Sunday school was held in the first frame building in the town, in the cabinet shop of John Vardy. This church has had five pastors, was built in 1869, and has property valued at $70,000. It has 477 members.

The Grace Episcopal church was the third church organized in the town. The organization took place in the school house in the summer of 1850. The first rector was the Rev. James Keeler. These services were later held in Tisdale's carriage factory. The upper floor was sometimes used for grain storage, and as it would drop through the cracks it would attract the attention of the porkers, which would frequently disturb the meetings with responses not found in the litany. At other times the upper story was inhabited and frequently the service would be carried on to the music of the nurse and cradle above. A great interest was taken in this church when Mr. S. C. Bever and family arrived from the east with a 750-pound bell. But a still greater interest was manifested when Judge Greene presented the church with a melodeon. In 1856 this church had thirty-six members. Today it has 505 members, has property valued at $100,000.00, and has been served by thirteen rectors.

The fourth church organized was the United Presbyterian, on April 19, 1851, with eleven members; and the first pastor was the Rev. Hugh Sturgeon. This is the oldest church now in existence on the west side of the river. Fifty years ago they had about fifty members. Today they have 225 members, property valued at $20,000.00 and have been served by six pastors.

The fifth church was the Second Presbyterian, now Westminster, which was known as the old school Presbyterian church and was organized May 27, 1855, with twenty members. Its first minister was the Rev. R. H. Morrow. Their first building was located on the east side of Adams street, between Market and Sugar, and the principal thing mentioned by former church historians was that they had a bell weighing 800 pounds and their music was led by a cottage organ. Fifty years ago they reported fifty members. They report today 500 members, with a property valued at $60,000.00, and have been served by twelve pastors. Their present church was built in 1905.

It seems that the First U. B. church was organized in 1855 in the Dairy Dale district, which was probably then in the country. Rev. McWilliams was the pastor. They had thirty-five members at the time the city was incorporated. This church, however, later, went down for some years and was afterwards reorganized. They have today 260 members, church property valued at $25,000.00 and have been served by fifteen pastors. Their present church was erected in 1879.

The Baptist and Congregational denominations had organizations on the west side prior to 1856 but both were too weak to live.

During the first decade of the city's history two more churches were started, viz., the Roman Catholic and First Baptist. Fathers Hanna and Emmons of Iowa City held services for some time before organization and they only had three adherents. This shows pluck and faith and devotion to their own church. The church was organized in 1857 and Father Gillespie was the first regular pastor. This church has had five pastors. Their present church was built in 1870 and is valued at $40,000.00. They report 1,500 members.

The First Baptist church was organized in Franklin hall, above Kilborn's gallery, on June 3, 1860, with twenty-seven members. Rev. A. G. Eberhart was the first pastor. They purchased a lot on Eagle street, where their first church was built. Their present church was built in 1894 and is valued at $50,000.00. They have had fifteen pastors and have now 365 members.

The next decade four or five organizations came into existence. The first Lutheran services were held in the winter of 1855-56 and an organization was formally effected in the First Presbyterian church, on March 3, 1856, with about twenty-two members, under Rev. H. F. Ealy, minister, who walked from Iowa City to preach to the scattered Lutherans. Services were irregularly held by Revs. H. F. Ealy, Solomon Ritz, of Tipton, and J. G. Schaffer, of Lisbon, until 1868, when the organization was re-formed in the home of J. A. Hart, 211 Fifth avenue, with thirty members under the Rev. Cephas Baird as regular pastor.

The first church was built on the lot now occupied by the Cedar Rapids Savings bank, Third avenue and Third street, but this congregation refused to permanently locate there on such an expensive lot, which was then worth $300.00. This church has now 368 members and has been served by eight pastors. The present church was erected in 1881 and is valued at $20,000.00. A new church costing $35,000.00 is now in course of erection on the corner of Third avenue and Tenth street. It will be occupied early in 1911.

The Universalist society was organized in 1869 and the first pastor was the Rev. W. C. Brooks. For nearly seven years their services were held in a hall. Their present church was built in 1875 and has been served by eight pastors. They have approximately 100 members and property valued at $16,000.00.

The Bethel African Methodist Episcopal church was organized in 1870, and the first pastor was the Rev. J. W. Lewis. They have had sixteen pastors and have now seventy-nine members. Their church was built in 1874 and is valued at $5,000.00.

In 1874 St. Wenceslaus church was organized and its first pastor was the Rev. Francis Chmelar. They began with a church family of sixty. They have now 1,200 members, a church property erected in 1904 valued at $50,000.00, and have been served by five pastors.

On July 1, 1874, the Second United Presbyterian church was organized with the Rev. W. J. McCallister as minister. It continued in existence for about twenty-four years and its property is being used today by Sunshine Mission.

The First Christian church was organized August 1, 1875, with thirty-four charter members. Its first pastor was the Rev. N. A. McConnell. Since the organization there have been eight pastors. The present church was built in 1882 and its value is placed at $15,000.00, although the original cost was $22,000.00. They have a membership of 350.

The Second United Brethren church was organized in January, 1876, under the Rev. Father Bookwalter, and did good work for a number of years, but has ceased to exist.

The German Evangelical church was organized April 30, 1877, and its first pastor was the Rev. C. C. Pfund. They have had twelve pastors and have now sixty members. Their church was built in 1888 and they have property valued at $12,000.00.

The Free Methodist church was organized in 1877 and they have had eighteen pastors. The first pastor was Rev. W. C. Thompson. Their church was built in 1878, is valued at $4,000.00, and they have forty-seven members.

The First Congregational church was organized on May 13, 1879, and its first pastor was the Rev. A. T. Reed. They have had seven pastors and have now 350 members. Their present church was built in 1889 and their property valuation is placed at $35,000.00.

The Zion Evangelical church came into being February, 1880, through the work of Rev. Ilion. The Rev. J. E. Stauffacher was the first regular pastor. They have had nine pastors and have now 175 members. Their church was built in 1905 and is valued at $23,000.00.

The German Lutheran church was organized August 24, 1884, with twenty charter members. Revs. Studt from Luzerne and Aron from Atkins, Iowa, preached for nearly one year on alternate Sundays when the Rev. J. Denckmann, its present pastor, became the first regular pastor. They have a membership of 350 and a church property valued at $10,000.00.

The Swedish Lutheran church was organized November 8, 1885, and its first pastor was the Rev. C. E. Cesander. They have had six pastors and have now fifty-four communicants. The present church was built in 1891 and they have property valued at $10,000.00.

St. Patrick's church was organized April 18, 1886, with twenty-eight members. The Rev. T. F. Richardson was the first pastor. This church has had but three pastors. Its present church was erected in 1892 and the value of their property is $50,000.00. They report at present 1,000 members.

In the decade 1886-1896 the first church organization was that of Trinity Methodist Episcopal in 1887, with the Rev. Frank P. Shaffer as first pastor. The present church was built in 1890, and the value of all property held by this society is estimated at $20,000.00. They have 450 members and have been served by seven pastors.

Sinclair Memorial Presbyterian church was a growth out of a Sunday school fostered by Mr. T. M. Sinclair. Its organization was effected October 14, 1887, and its first pastor was the Rev. Alfred K. Bates. They have had four pastors and now enroll 215 members. Their present church was built in 1902, the gift of Mrs. T. M. Sinclair, and is valued at $30,000.00.

The Bohemian Presbyterian church was organized in 1889. Its first and only pastor was and is the Rev. V. Hlavaty. They have now 257 members. Their church was built in 1889 and is valued at $5,000.00.

The Calvary Baptist church was organized on September 5, 1890, and its first pastor was the Rev. E. F. Perry. It has been served by four pastors, and has a membership now of 165. The present church was erected in 1891 and is valued at $5,000.00.

The John Hus Methodist Episcopal church was organized May 15, 1892, and its first pastor was the Rev. John Tauchen. The church has had three pastors and has now seventy members. They have property valued at $7,000.00 and their present church was built in 1897.

The Bethany Congregation church came into being in 1893 and its first pastor was the Rev. E. M. Vittum. They now enroll 106 members and have had six pastors. Their present church is valued at $3,000.00.

The Central Park Presbyterian church was organized May 4, 1893. Its first pastor was the Rev. R. A. Van der Las. They have now 205 members and have had three ministers. Their present church was built in 1904 and is valued at $20,000.00.

The Danish Lutheran church was organized in 1893. They have forty-eight members, have had six pastors and have property valued at $4,000.00.

The Danish Baptist church was organized April 1, 1895, and its first pastor was the Rev. A. Charlsen. They have had six pastors and have now 17 members. Their church was built in 1899 and is valued at $700.00.

The first church organized in the last decade was the Second Christian church which grew out of a Bible school organized in 1901 and has a membership of 125 and has been served by three pastors. They have property valued at $5,000.00.

The Olivet Presbyterian church came into existence on May 15, 1904. Its first and only pastor is the Rev. C. F. Ensign. They have today 160 members, a church property erected in 1904, and valued at $8,000.00.

The Dunker church has been in existence for several years, but was not formerly organized until 1905 under the present pastor, Dr. S. B. Miller. They have been served by five pastors, have a church property valued at $4,000.00 and have thirty members.

The Reformed church came into formal existence March 29, 1906. The pastor is the Rev. Frank S. Bromer. Services were held for about a year before this organization by the Rev. Rohrbach. They have now twenty-nine members and are building a new church. The present value of their property is estimated to be $2,900.00. At the completion of this new church their property will be worth $6,300.00.

Fifty years ago this town had about 1,500 people. Of these 386 were members of the six churches, one in four. Today, with a population of 30,000, the thirty-three churches report 10,286 members. With five and one-half times as many churches and five times as many ministers we have twenty-seven times as many members.

The city has twenty times its former population, and the churches have twenty-seven times their former membership.

The total value of the church property today, exclusive of schools and outside property, is above $750,000.

All of this goes to show that the churches are very much alive and are among the most progressive institutions in the city.

Two hundred and forty ministers have served these churches since the beginning of their history.

RECAPITULATION

| Members
The Catholics report today | 3,700
Presbyterians | 1,814
Methodists | 1,315
Lutherans | 820
Baptists | 547
Episcopalians | 505
Christians | 475
Congregationalists | 466
United Brethren | 260
United Presbyterian | 225
Universalist | 100
Dunkers | 30
Reformed | 29
| ———
Total | 10,286

FATHER LOWRY

CHAPTER XXXVIII

Catholicism in Linn County

BY REV. P. J. FLYNN

All honor to those pioneer clerics and laity for the work they accomplished under trying and difficult circumstances. In the pioneer days no musical sound of silvery bell, from lofty steeple or tall minaret called them on the Sabbath morn, no swelling peal of organ or trained choir entertained or invited the worshipers in those early days, there were no Godly ministers to bury the old and instruct the young, no books, or papers to read and to gather wisdom from their pages, to strengthen the weak and enlighten the dull. No need to be scandalized if in some instances, we find men grow weak under such trying circumstances. No wonder that pioneer conditions among miners and others, were such as to indicate little fear of God or little regard for men. Little do we know, in this age of ease and facility, of the difficulties and dangers, offered in those days to priest and people.

The effort of the writer of the following pages will be to chronicle facts, well established and authentic, relative to the church in Linn county, rather than to draw on imagination or to give color to his assertions from a rhetorical viewpoint. It is the scope of history to chronicle events relating to the past, for present and future use. There is no assertion made in these pages that has not been investigated and truthfully established, in most cases by those who were eye and ear witnesses to the events referred to.

In order to understand how difficult it is to obtain correct information about the early days in a new country it is both educational and interesting to engage in such research. One would not imagine that information concerning things and conditions of less than fifty years ago would be so difficult to obtain. Yet the fact remains, and this fact is in itself a strong argument in favor of works like the present.

It is hardly credible that the early settlers could accomplish what they did under circumstances as they were in those days. What strength of character and determination of purpose these early settlers showed in the face of difficulty and danger is truly admirable. What noble ideals they had, and how earnestly and well they strove for their attainment. The present prosperity is due in no small degree to their untiring efforts in laying the foundation of present advantages. Posterity may well hold their names in benediction, and the heart may with pride and reverence swell with admiration for the hardy pioneer whose heritage is now enjoyed. The present moral standards of the people, the numerous schools and churches and the general intelligence have been builded on the foundations laid by our ancestors and are monuments and tributes to their character, influence and enthusiasm. When Linn county was but a mission district from Iowa City, meetings were held whenever and wherever the priest found it convenient for the best results or for the convenience of the greatest number of souls. Sometimes service was held in a log cabin, sometimes in a district school house. When the missionary contemplated a visit his intention was announced through the district; the date and place of meeting were made known and thither the scattered settlers gathered on foot or on horseback or in wagons. They were happy in their inconvenience at being allowed even in such circumstances to make their peace with God and receive the consolations of religion.

Such were the conditions in Linn county half a century since. How little we realize the advantages we enjoy in this day.

Few and far between, however, were the visits of the shepherd to the scattered hamlets of the early settlers. Missionary men went about, preaching and teaching and their lives were an example to all with whom they came in contact. Of such men and their life work, we have now to treat.

The first record we have of the interests of Linn county in things Catholic was in 1853, when Father Emmons of Iowa City with apostolic spirit and Christlike zeal journeyed through the trackless wastes to cater to the needs of the children of the faith.

In those days, fifty-seven years ago, it is needless to say Cedar Rapids was not known as the Parlor City. Its pretensions were very modest. It consisted of only a few small residences with a few stores to supply the needs of the people.

THE CHURCH IN CEDAR RAPIDS

The chief business industries in those days were the lumber mills of Mr. J. J. Snouffer, Sr. The wild and trackless wastes were being gradually cleared, and the logs were being fitted for the formation of rough log cabins to shelter man and beast. Rough fords or bridges were thrown across the irregular and meandering streams which flowed in undisturbed tranquillity on their way towards the Father of Waters. It was nothing unusual frequently to find that the temporary bridges were carried away over night and the log dweller found himself in the morning isolated and compelled patiently to wait the subsiding of the waters to furnish himself with the necessaries of life.

In these days the missionary priest passed along giving his blessing to the work as he went, and in log cabins or improvised chapels fed the bread of life to the hungering sheep of the fold.

The first record there is, and that in the memory of those who were present, of mass being offered in Cedar Rapids was in 1853, when Father Emmons of Iowa City, celebrated the holy sacrifice for the first time in the old Dubuque House in B avenue between Fourth and Fifth streets. It is a regrettable fact that the location has since been turned to uses less holy. During his visits afterwards from his home town to Cedar Rapids he always stayed, and officiated at the Snouffer home on Second street, which in those days occupied the site on which now stands the Denecke store.

In those days the Catholic settlers came for miles around to Cedar Rapids, and assisted at divine service whenever the goodly priest found it possible to come among them. In wagons drawn by oxen they wended their way from the western part of the county, from Fairfax, and along to the Benton county border line, and even beyond. Often their journey meant days of delay owing to impassable ways and washed out bridges. All honor to those pioneer Catholics who so prized their religion and their faith. No wonder that seed sown under such trying circumstances brought forth fruit which abides. Among the early settlers who gave such proof of their worth and dared difficulties for their religious opinions we find the names of Murray, Keenan, Cook, Hayden, Lilly, Kehoe, Meehan, Flaherty, Cahill, Langan, Christopher, Villeen, Harrington, Hager, and others.

Another pioneer of those days was Father Smith who occasionally visited the itinerary of Father Emmons when the latter was unable to do so. Fr. Harmon, also of Iowa City, came a few times into this territory and assisted in sowing the seed and nurturing it in its tender years.

After Fr. Harmon's departure the duty again rested upon the shoulders of Father Emmons until Father Gillespie was sent by Bishop Smith to form a new parish in Cedar Rapids, along in the early sixties.

The first effort that was made to establish a church in Cedar Rapids was when a piece of property was secured on Sixth avenue and Sixth street, near the present residence of Dr. Skinner. Those who were leaders in this laudable undertaking were J. J. Snouffer, Sr., Alexander Hager, and Francis Lilly. Objection was made to the selection of the site on Sixth avenue and Sixth street from more sources than one and attention was next directed towards the present site on Third avenue and Seventh street. Through the efforts of the above mentioned men three lots were secured, and operations were begun and a little church constructed large enough for the needs of the time. The lumber was obtained at Snouffer's mill, the workmanship was contracted for by Alex. Hager, who was a carpenter, and the means were supplied by Mr. Lilly, Mr. Thos. Murray, Andrew Stark, John Meehan, Flaherty, and others. After Father Gillespie came Father Enlinbrook, who retained the charge only a short time. After his departure Fr. Shields came occasionally in missionary work.

In 1865 Fr. Cannon assumed charge and remained about two years.

In the fall of 1867 Father P. V. McLoughlin came and remained about six months.

One would naturally expect that by this time the congregation should have grown considerably, but the fact is that on the first Sunday of October, 1866, rosary Sunday, the congregation consisted of between 20 and 30 souls and they were from the surrounding country as much as from Cedar Rapids.

In 1870 Fr. Lowry (who was a convert to Catholicity) took charge of Cedar Rapids and from that date we have a continued resident priest and a regular history. Soon after his arrival he set to work to build a church more in keeping with the needs of the place, since at this time many settlers had come from Illinois and things began to look more encouraging for our religion.

Though his resources were limited, yet he had confidence that while the purses of the people were light, their hearts and their hands were generous. Nothing daunted, he put his hand to the plow and the result was the front part of the present Immaculate Conception church. The foundation in rock work was the gift of Mrs. J. J. Snouffer, Sr., who was ever willing and generous to aid both the priest and the people, though she was not of the household of the faith. I venture to predict that her generosity and true Christian charity is on record in the "Liber Scriptus" and that it will not go unrewarded by the Just Judge.

To aid in the completion of this great work Fr. Lowry engaged both men and women, old and young. Among those who contributed materially in money and cooperation in every way we find the names of Mrs. J. J. Snouffer, Sr., Mrs. F. Lilly, Mrs. James Cook, the O'Hara family, Hayden, Hager, Kehoe, Harrington, O'Keefe, Foley, Cook, Mullally, Keenan, Murray, Meehan, Langan, Cahill, Flaherty, McVann, Brecht, Peter Flynn, Killen, Thos. Murray. By the generous and combined efforts of these and many others the desired end was attained and God's house was a reality in Cedar Rapids.

Having secured the church the next ambition of the good and zealous Father Lowry was to secure a parish school, wherein the foundation would be laid and the seeds sown in future church members and pillars. The first and only parish school up to this time was a modest and unpretentious institution in which a young lady named Caroline Hager taught the children of the parish, who numbered about fifteen.

In 1874 under the direction of Father Lowry the following men were chief among those who built the school: James McNamara, John O'Hara, Charles O'Hara, Peter Flynn, Mr. Springer, Alexander Brecht, John and Charles Murray, the Cannons, Mullally, O'Briens, McVann, McDonalds.

The first Catholic cemetery was the present Bohemian Catholic cemetery purchased by John O'Hara, Peter Flynn, John Foley, John O'Keefe, and James Barrett. The first Catholic buried in this cemetery was Mr. Flaherty, father of Pat. Flaherty of the west side. The second funeral held there was that of Mrs. Martin Sheehan, about the year 1865.

In 1878 or thereabouts Fr. Lowry secured through Mr. Mullally the ground for the present cemetery at Kenwood for a consideration of about $100.00. Then the old cemetery became the exclusive property of the Bohemian Catholics of Cedar Rapids. This transfer was effected through Father Francis Chemlar for a consideration of $900.00. Of this amount $300.00 were contributed by E. R. and W. H. O'Hara. In 1880 Fr. Lowry was transferred to Burlington and was succeeded by Father T. F. Gunn, of blessed memory. At this time many settlers had located around Cedar Rapids and it began to be an important town. Soon the church had to be enlarged. In order to do so, the old parochial residence which was to the rear of the church edifice had to be removed and a new residence constructed. When this was accomplished, an addition was built to the church, giving it its present shape and dimensions. In the construction of this addition and all the incidental work that such changes entail as well as in the erection of a parochial house Father Gunn found plenty to do during his declining years in Cedar Rapids. He was not a man given to material building, as much as to the upbuilding of spiritual conditions in the hearts of his people. He was active and energetic even to his dying day. He was in sympathy with his charge and lived in the heart of his congregation, not above them. He was a thorough christian gentleman, and a man of honor. He believed in "being" and not "appearing," in doing and not in saying. He was the servant of his people, not their lord. He was a faithful follower of Him who forgot Himself in His care for others. No man ever held a warmer place in the hearts of the people of Cedar Rapids than Father Gunn. Even today his name is in benediction and his praises sung by non-Catholic and Catholic alike.

The Rev. Thos. F. Gunn was born at Strokestown, Roscommon county, Ireland, December 3, 1840. He studied the classics in Ireland and philosophy and theology at St. Francis Seminary, Milwaukee. He was ordained priest at Cape Girardeau, Mo., in 1867. His first appointment was to Cedar Falls, Iowa. At the time there was only one priest west of him, at Fort Dodge. While stationed at Cedar Falls Father Gunn had under his charge thirteen stations in Blackhawk, Grundy, Butler, and Bremer counties. During these times a seventy-mile drive in a springless wagon was a common experience.

In 1870 Father Gunn was transferred to Sioux City. His charge was St. Mary's parish which then consisted of a modest frame structure on West Seventh street, across Perry creek. At that time the priest's house consisted of a one room structure. Father Gunn after a short time in Sioux City was transferred to Dubuque Cathedral, where he remained three and one-half years and went thence to Burlington, where he remained till 1880, when he came to Cedar Rapids to succeed Father Lowry.

At his advent to Cedar Rapids the condition was much different from what it today presents. It was but an outpost of the onward march of civilization and no one dreamt that the coming years would bring about so great a transformation as is today in evidence. Father Gunn was twenty-six years in Cedar Rapids at the time of his death. Shortly before his death he delivered his last public address at the opening of the semi-centennial celebration held on June 10, 1906, in which he forcibly manifested his liberal views and referred to the transformation which had taken place within his memory in the city.

Father Gunn died on June 24, 1906, and his funeral was one of the largest and most representative ever held in Cedar Rapids. His eulogy was delivered by Dr. J. J. Fitzpatrick, of Marshalltown, and the speaker paid a becoming and merited tribute to the beloved and popular clergyman. His remains lie buried in Kenwood cemetery and the citizens of Cedar Rapids have erected a suitable monument to perpetuate his memory and hold his name in benediction.

BOHEMIAN ST. WENCESLAUS CHURCH, CEDAR RAPIDS

ST. WENCESLAUS SCHOOL, CEDAR RAPIDS

After the death of Father Gunn, Father Toomey became pastor of Immaculate Conception church, which position he still occupies. Great hopes are held out by the people of Cedar Rapids congregation for the welfare of the church interests. A new and commodious church is talked of and the hope entertained it will some day materialize. However as it is not becoming to praise the soldier while he is in the firing line, and as "Praise after death" has been my motto I must leave to the pen of the future historian to chronicle the deeds and sing the praises of the present pastor of Immaculate Conception church.

ST. WENCESLAUS PARISH

St. Wenceslaus Bohemian Catholic parish of Cedar Rapids was established in 1874. Those through whose prayer and cooperation this new and independent field of activity was called into existence were chiefly the following: Thomas Brouzek, Vaclav Charipar, Natej Charipar, Thos. Chadima, J. Hajek, Fr. Horek, Joseph Kofron, Jos. Pivouka, Vit Kuba, Fr. Kofron, Hynek Krejic, V. Lessinger, Jos. Pivouka, V. Hrebec, H. Sindelar, Jan Stolba, V. Stolba, Jos. Sefranek, Jan Tomanek, Votja Zaruba, Ignace Sindelar, Mathew Kofron, Frank Biskop, Jan Vanous, Marie Tuba, and some others from the surrounding country districts.

A lot was purchased, and in August, 1874, the foundation of the first Bohemian Catholic church in Cedar Rapids was begun. It was an eventful day for the Bohemian element in the city. In 1875 money was borrowed and collections made by parishioners, and all resources were drawn on to obtain the necessary means of perfecting the work already begun. In 1878 the balance of the debt was paid by the united effort of a poor but earnest people. In fact the donors, considering their circumstances, were generous.

In those days of difficulty and want the parish was in charge of Father Chemlar, who with all the zeal and earnestness of an apostle attended to the varied duties and needs of the scattered and needy congregation. From his limited salary of $200.00 he gave to the more needy and often donated his time and talent without any consideration whatever. God be with those days of disinterested and apostolic labors.

The old St. Wenceslaus church was a rock building 75×27 feet. It was without a tower. The bell was erected on an improvised structure in front of the church and its silvery tones seemed to more effectively accomplish its mission and reach the hearts of the people, than our costly and superior ones of today as they ring out from their costly towers or tall minarets.

To house the good father of the flock, a modest parochial residence was built by the people and in the basement of the unpretentious home, parish meetings were held and school was taught for years. It was in the days of the good Father Chemlar also that the first Catholic cemetery was secured by the people of St. Wenceslaus parish.

In 1889 Father Francis Chemlar was promoted to the charge at Norway, and he was succeeded at St. Wenceslaus by Father John Broz. Fr. Broz remained about two years in Cedar Rapids and during his short stay was by no means inactive. He added to the seating capacity of the church building and also built a tower in the church.

The next pastor was Father Kopecky. To his zealous and persistent labor is due the parish school which still remains, in which the youth of the parish receive the rudiments of knowledge in things secular and religious from the good Sisters of Mercy.

At this time the pastor's income was only $650.00, yet from this comparatively modest sum the good father found a modest means of doing material good for others and himself. He was a great school man and often spent hours in the school room, keeping at the class work. He was popular with the people and accomplished much good.

Following Father Kopecky came Fr. Vrba who remained only a short time and was transferred to Protovin.

In 1900 the present incumbent, Rev. Florian Svrdlik, was installed pastor of St. Wenceslaus. Soon after his advent a new church was spoken of and being a man of action as much as of word, he began to feel the pulse of the parish on the matter. Seeing the interest and earnest manner in which the new pastor took hold the people flocked to his aid and in a short time the work assumed practical shape. Ft. Svrdlik is not a man who builds a church on paper years before he has his brick and mortar on the ground. He builds first and then talks of a reality and not of a dream. With the unanimous aid of the people, he organized a fair, and from this realized about $4,000.00.

Through the other ordinary means of collections and donations this amount was increased in a short time to the extent of $10,000.00. To this fund his grace, Archbishop Keane, of Dubuque, contributed $500.00.

At Christmas, 1903, the necessary property was secured, and on August 4, 1904, the corner stone was laid, and on October 18, 1905, the new church was dedicated with solemn and impressive ceremony. The occasion was one long to be remembered by the people of St. Wenceslaus and Cedar Rapids in general. The new church is beautiful in design and faultless in execution. It was erected at a cost of about $40,000.00, a lasting monument to the zeal and efficiency of the pastor and to the piety and generosity of the Bohemians of Cedar Rapids.

The parochial school erected in Father Kopecky's time is his imperishable monument. It is in charge of the Sisters of Mercy. It is a beautiful building, plain and substantial in its style, spacious and well ventilated and well calculated to develop a sound mind in a healthy body. There are about 175 pupils at present attending the school and sowing the seed which will enable them to develop into sturdy men and women.

ST. PATRICK'S, CEDAR RAPIDS

St. Patrick's parish on the west side, Cedar Rapids, was organized April 18, 1886. Its first resident pastor was Rev. T. F. Richardson, who was transferred from Fairfax. The first parish church was a modest frame structure on Second avenue and Seventh street west. While its seating capacity was limited yet it gave ample accommodation for the few parishioners, whose interests had heretofore been attended to, from the parent church on the east side, and occasionally from Fairfax. Father Richardson retained the charge till the time of his death, which occurred on September 12, 1888. After his demise the interests of the young and struggling parish were entrusted to Rev. M. J. Quirk, who was succeeded by the present incumbent, Rev. T. J. Sullivan who was appointed November 17, 1889.

At this time many were locating on the west side who retired from the country around to spend the evening of life in a well earned rest after enduring for years the trials and difficulties of pioneer conditions. Soon the little frame church became inadequate to the needs of the place, and Father Sullivan, with that solicitude which has ever marked his life and labor, began to entertain the wish of a more suitable building. It did not take long for his efforts to be supported by the hand and heart of his people, and on October 18, 1891, the corner stone of the present beautiful building was laid. The late Very Rev. Father Gunn officiated and the sermon on the occasion was delivered by the Rev. C. M. Carroll, D. D.

The new church at First avenue and Fifth street, west was dedicated on August 28, 1892, by Bishop Hennessy, of Dubuque.

St. Patrick's church is one of the most sightly buildings in the city and when the frescoing which is now being done is completed it will be one of the neatest houses of worship in the city.

The building when completed cost about $15,000.00. Father Sullivan took charge of the parish about November 17, 1889. The congregation is now large and representative.

Having secured a beautiful church Father Sullivan's next undertaking was the building of a school in keeping with the needs of the parish. The corner stone of this beautiful and spacious building was laid on May 10, 1902, by Dean Gunn.

The school is in charge of the Sisters of Charity of the B. V. M., whose mother house is at Mount Carmel, Dubuque. The Sisters of Charity as educators hold a similar place in the religious congregation of women to that occupied by the Jesuits among the male orders. They are the leaders in their respective classes. And the pupils turned out by both orders today are an honor to their alma mater.

There are several sodalities and societies attached to St. Patrick's church and the parish is growing rapidly.

THE CHURCH AT PRAIRIEBURG

It has been asserted that the first mass celebrated in Linn county was at Prairieburg. This assertion I have sought to establish, but have failed, so I take it for what it is worth. As far as I can learn the first mass was said in a log house belonging to James Brislawn, but who the priest was I have not been able to establish. The first authentic record we have is when Rev. P. J. Maher, late of De Witt, then at Anamosa, officiated in the home of Bernard McLaughlin in 1872. The present brick church on the prairie at which a goodly number worship and which is in charge of Rev. Fr. I. J. Norris of Stone City, was erected by Fr. Maher in 1874. The Bohemian element who live in and around Prairieburg built a church a few years ago in the town. It is in charge of Father Ballou of Oxford Junction.

THE FAIRFAX CHURCH

The first Catholic church in Fairfax was built by Fr. John in 1875. This cradle of christianity in the wilds was located on the state road in Johnson county about six miles southeast of Fairfax. For the construction of this primeval temple oak logs were hauled from the Henderson mills on the Iowa river below Robert's Ferry. From this same mill, which was the only one at that time in these parts, except the Snouffer mills in Cedar Rapids, the early settlers hauled the lumber for their log cabins and for the shelter sheds for their limited live stock. This pioneer church in Fairfax district was afterwards removed to Walford, later to the site of the present building.

After Fr. John came Fr. Urbin occasionally from Norway. He returned to Bohemia and died there.

Among the early settlers were John Flaherty, who came in 1855; John B. Murray in 1858, Wm. McNamara, Andrew Stark, whose children now enjoy the fruits of his labors; the McDonalds, O'Connells, Donohues, Winekes, Wickies, Brechts, Springer, Barretts, O'Hara, P. Flynn, Foleys, Cook, Haydens, Hager, Cahill, Langan, Killeen, Kehoe, Meehan, Harrington, Lilly, Murray, Cannon, O'Brien.

Before this time however there were some scattered settlers in and around the site of the present town. Among the early settlers were Thos. Murray, father of J. E. Murray and Charles Murray of this city, John B. Murray who came from Illinois in '56 or '58, and located in Benton county. John Flaherty, father of P. Flaherty, who came from Illinois in '55 by way of Iowa City. In those days there were very few settlers and the country around was densely wooded where the wild deer and wolf held undisputed sway. The nearest and only Catholic church was in Iowa City and there the pioneers journeyed periodically to make their peace with God. There were no roads, and travelers were compelled to follow the beaten path through thicket and forest. In these journeyings danger and difficulty were ever present. The hardships endured for the sake of religion remind one of the experiences of Saul of Tarsus. Whenever Father Emmons came from Iowa City to Cedar Rapids, his intention was declared some days before and a herald brought the glad news to the settlers who came in from their desert haunts and swelled the congregation at Cedar Rapids. These were literally the days when these faithful pioneers, poor in the world's goods but rich in faith, hungered and thirsted after justice.

When the church was built at Cedar Rapids the faithful at Fairfax were looked after for some years till their number increased. Fr. Urbin, who was stationed at Norway, later on also aided in keeping the lamp of faith burning brightly. This was along about 1868. Later on Fr. John Chemlar took care of their interests till in 1875 Father O'Farrell came to abide with the faithful of Fairfax and was their first resident priest.

The field of operation in Fairfax was too limited for the zeal of Father O'Farrell and he remained only a short time. He was succeeded by Father McCaffrey who was energetic in his labors, but because limited in his resources was not able to accomplish much, and time hung heavily on his hands. He left soon after. After this time, however, things began to look more encouraging and we find some such sturdy men as John Flaherty, Thomas Murray, John Murray, Pat Harrington, Wm. Harrington, Maurice Cahill, Andrew Garrett, John Sears, Henry Wickie, putting their shoulders to the wheel and from their limited resources, giving material aid in the upbuilding of conditions. The next resident priest was Father Quinn who came from the east. He was a man of action. He set to work and organized the parish in practical shape and doubtless had he been spared Fairfax would be today one of the leading parishes in Linn county. He died after two years from pneumonia contracted while attending to his flock.

After the death of Father Quinn, charge of affairs was assumed by Father Kelly, who was succeeded by Father Richardson, who enlarged the church edifice, which still remains a monument of early days and pioneer conditions, but hardly in keeping with these days of opulence and ease. After about four years pastorate in Fairfax, during which time he attended Cedar Rapids west side people, he was transferred to the west side of Cedar Rapids and built the first church in that place.

This church was located at Second avenue and Fifth street west, and was a frame structure 60×32 feet. It was at this time, April 18, 1886, that St. Patrick's parish was first organized and Father Richardson was its first pastor and he retained the charge until his death in September, 1888. Father John Brogan assumed the charge of Fairfax parish in April, 1886, and remained seven years, during which time he labored earnestly for the good of religion and was much beloved by the people. During his pastorate he built a beautiful, well equipped modern residence, which still remains and is occupied by the present incumbent. After Father Brogan's removal Father John Hogan assumed the charge of the Fairfax parish and during his stay of five years he labored zealously to pay off the indebtedness on the church property and has improved things generally. He afterwards exchanged Fairfax for his present charge Van Horne, and Father Thomas Reynolds of Van Horne came to Fairfax where he remained till his death. He was succeeded by the present pastor, Rev. P. Reynolds, who has done much to better conditions and who hopes one day to build a church in keeping with the present enviable status of this wealthy community.

THE LATE VERY REVEREND DEAN GUNN

THE CHURCH AT WALKER

For many years, the faithful of this town and the surrounding districts were attended from Independence. In 1887 Very Rev. Fr. O'Dowd, of Independence, erected a church at Walker, and for four years attended to the same from his home in Independence. In 1891 a new parish was established by Bishop Hennessy, and Rev. James Ryan, now of Calmar, Ia., was appointed first resident pastor. Having a church already secured the new pastor directed his zeal towards the erection of the present parochial residence. While the parish was not numerically extensive, yet what it lacked in numbers was supplied in interest and zeal, and the new pastor in his apostolic spirit and unflagging zeal soon had the good will of his congregation entirely at his disposal and with their generous cooperation in hand and heart and as far as circumstances permitted in currency, he erected a fine home for the use of the priest and had it paid for in a short time. During his stay of three years in the parish he also improved and completed the conditions in church and church property which required attention. Fr. Ryan is the best type of a truly apostolic priest, the zeal of God's house and the happiness of God's people, being the single purpose which at all times animates and actuates his life and action.

After three years, Archbishop Hennessy, recognizing his earnestness and efficiency, assigned him to a new and more varied field of operation and he was succeeded at Walker by Rev. John McNamara, now of Key West, Dubuque. Fr. McNamara's stay in Walker was of only short duration, about three months, when in obedience to the wish of authority he went to Key West. After his departure the present pastor, Rev. Wm. Leen, assumed jurisdiction and his stay in Walker for sixteen years is the explanation of the present flourishing condition of the parish. Vast improvements have been effected, in the church and church property, and today Walker takes its place not only among the Catholic churches in Linn county but among the churches in any county in the state.

The pastor is a most zealous and priestly man, an erudite scholar and a profound and persistent student. He is not selfish, and generously gives of the fruits of his research through the columns of pamphlet and press. Fr. Leen also occasionally lets his thoughts run along metrical lines.

Besides Walker, Fr. Leen also extends his zeal and paternal care to Rowley and another mission station which is not in Linn county. But while frequently engaged in historical research, and contributing to current literature, he finds abundant time and opportunity to feed the sheep and the lambs over which he is shepherd and does his duty so well that he is most popular not only with his charge but with the community in general.

THE MARION CHURCH

One of the prettiest churches in Linn county today is St. Joseph's at Marion. It was built by the present pastor, Father P. M. Loughvane. Like most other places in Linn county the early settlers in Marion had to endure hardships for their religion. The settlers were few and far between and the only consolation they had from a religious standpoint was the occasional visit of a missionary priest from some outside charge.

In the years 1855 and 1856 a good priest named Father Smith came occasionally from Iowa City to minister to their needs and preach them a word of encouragement. In those days Father Emmons also came from Iowa City and contributed to keep the lamp of faith burning. Father Laurent, of Muscatine, also came to Marion occasionally and did missionary work among the pioneers.

As a rule the faithful journeyed to Iowa City whenever the weather permitted. In these days there were no automobiles nor telephone service, and it was not at all uncommon for the travelers to be weather bound on their way to or from the scene of their religious observance. Sometimes they had to sleep all night in the wagon in the midst of the woods when the swollen streams prevented their going any farther. It looks like something one may read about, but there are those living today who recall it as a fact. Waiting till the river flowed by, or at least till its current became less rapid, or till the hidden ford appeared—such were the trials of pioneer days in Linn county, and such the tests the faithful were subjected to.

After 1870, Marion was attended by Father Lowry, of Cedar Rapids. After Father Lowry's time the faithful of Marion were attended by Father Richardson, of Fairfax, and after his transfer to St. Patrick's he continued to minister to their needs. His successor, Father McQuirk, continued to assist in bringing the consolations of religion to the early settlers. In later days Father John Brogan, of Fairfax, ministered to their needs whenever time and opportunity permitted.

Father Timothy Sullivan, after his appointment to St. Patrick's, also ministered to their needs and to this day has many friends who are mindful of his kindness in the days of want.

The first resident priest in Marion was Father Laffin, who came in 1890. At this time and indeed previous to this the chief settlers in the Marion district were the Senekir family, the Reillys, the Davises, Colburts, Zimmermans, and Zackeries, and these were the first who took hold and established the first church.

The church, by reason of the fewness of its members, was a difficult problem to maintain. It was supported chiefly by the active and energetic assistance of the people in holding sociables and picnics and such other ways and means as were worthy of the noble cause.

When the building was completed there was an indebtedness of $1,800, and nothing to pay this amount from. The sale of the property was threatened by those who held the lien on the church. But the zealous and hard-working members of the congregation set to work, and in two years this amount was paid off.

After Father Laffin's departure the charge was taken by Rev. J. Hartigan, now at Strawberry Point. For eight years this zealous and interested young priest labored early and late for the welfare and comfort of his flock. During his time the present parochial residence was erected at a cost of $3,000. It is a modest, unpretentious building, but fitted up with all the modern systems of hygienic and healthful appliances. Not content with being comfortably housed himself, Father Hartigan decided to secure also a becoming habitation for his Lord and Master. He decided that a new church was now a matter of necessity in Marion, and gradually he got the members of the congregation to his way of thinking. He held fairs and sociables to obtain the necessary funds to make his dream a reality, and at his transfer from Marion he left in the church treasury more than $2,000 as a nucleus for the new church building. The completion of the work was, however, reserved for his no less interested and zealous successor.

Writing of the conditions in Marion at his appointment, Fr. Hartigan says:

"I got my appointment to the charge in the winter of 1896, about December 1st, and I shall never forget my feelings on arriving there. I found the parish in excellent condition to try a man's grit and patience. There were about thirty-five families, more or less actively engaged in parish work. There was a debt of upwards of $3,000, with no home except a log cabin, and an old church that had stood the test of the winters' blast for well nigh forty years. I heard murmurs on all sides, some thinking that all their property would be lost. I had many expressions of sympathy. I told the people in very few words that I was not looking for sympathy (although I needed it), that I was sent there to work, that works, not words, were of more avail in those circumstances. I tried to arouse their fainting spirits and told them to go and put their shoulder to the wheel, which they did with a willingness and energy that was beyond my most ardent aspirations. In about two years we had the parish clear of debt. Then it was necessary to build a home to supplant the poor log cabin, one of the old landmarks that did its work for well nigh half a century. To show the dilapidated condition of that abode I may say that I was frequently compelled to move my bed around to escape the rainfall. But thanks to the generosity of the people and their willingness to work and to give, the home was built in almost as short a time as it would take to tell it. It was a gigantic undertaking at the time, but where there is a will there is a way, and the home was built and paid for in about one year after the church property debt was liquidated. That home cost about $3,000, and every cent was paid before it was occupied. Then the cement sidewalks were laid at a cost of about $120, and last but not least came the greatest struggle of all. The parish had progressed so far so well, and it was my desire and the people's desire that their work should be crowned with success. The crowning work of all was the building of that magnificent little church that now stands on the corner of Tenth street. It was not my privilege to see it built before I left the parish, but for that purpose the people and myself labored tooth and nail in season and out of season, so that when I got my appointment to Strawberry Point in October, 1904, I turned over to the present pastor upwards of $2,000. I may say before I close that the spiritual advancement of the people more than kept pace with the material development of the parish."

Rev. P. M. Loughnane, the present pastor of St. Joseph's, was born in County Kerry, Ireland. He received his classical education at St. Brendan's Seminary, Killarney, and studied philosophy and theology at St. Patrick's College, Thurles, where he was ordained to the priesthood on June 18, 1803. Coming to Dubuque, he was assigned as assistant to Very Rev. E. McLoughlin, at St. Mary's, Clinton, Iowa. He was afterwards transferred to take charge of the parish at Sabula. Thence he went to State Center, in Marshall county, where he remained eight years. While at State Center he interested himself much in school work which he loved. Fr. Loughnane is a versatile scholar, a man of bright mind, and keen sense of discernment. His ability as a priest he has demonstrated by the beautiful new church which will ever remain a monument to his competency and the earnestness and worth of his people. Bearing in mind that the congregation at Marion is not numerically large nor gifted with the possession of any too much of this world's goods, the sacrifices they made for the new church are much enhanced. The greater number of the members of the charge are railroad employees and more or less of a fluctuating class. But the Catholic heart is cold and callous, indeed, that cannot grow eloquent with faith when contemplating the visible, the material evidence of a great personal sacrifice for the faith.

Soon after his advent to St. Joseph's parish the pastor applied all his energy to collect for the new church, and by earnest and energetic effort raised about $5,000, each and every member of the congregation doing his or her duty in a manner truly admirable.

THE CHURCH AT LISBON

One of the oldest, if not the mother church in Linn county, is that at Lisbon. We have evidence of its existence and of early settlers for whose use it was erected dating as far back as 1854. Records show that Fr. Emmons, of Iowa City, the father of Catholicity in Linn county, made frequent visits to the little town, and baptized and ministered to the needs of the early settlers. Even farther back than 1854 it is on record that this pioneer of the faith offered the holy sacrifice and administered the holy sacraments in the home of Thomas McAllister, east of the town of Lisbon.

There are those living today who remember these times and conditions, and the fact is not questioned that some of the present members of the Lisbon congregation were regenerated by the saving waters of baptism in the home of Thomas McAllister, and it is even possible to meet occasionally those who well remember Father Emmons and his teaching.

It was through the efforts of this faithful pioneer shepherd, aided by the good will and support of the scattered few, that the old church of Lisbon was called into existence, and it is through veneration for the pastor and the pioneer that it is still allowed to stand, though no longer used for divine worship. This old landmark was erected in 1854. The site on which the little edifice was erected was donated by Jacob S. Pfautz, who also contributed to the present church building. Be it said to their eternal honor that among the contributors for the first church there are several names which are not belonging to the limited list of Catholics of those days.

Among the pioneers of those days we find such names as Peter Heller, George Ringer, Mike Hoover, Samuel Bell, Fred Rabenau, William Andre, Thomas McClelland, I. G. Trigenfuse, Sam Ellison, John Walton, J. A. McClelland, Joseph Owens, Thomas Andre, and others.

Father Emmons was only a missionary in Lisbon at the time his home charge was Iowa City, but as far as preaching and teaching the word and breaking the bread of life to the children of the faith his jurisdiction was not confined by any boundary or limitation.

The first resident pastor of Lisbon was Rev. W. Downey, who resided there for about three years after his term of service. Father Daly followed, and for a short time resided in Lisbon, and afterwards in Mechanicsville, and is spending the evening of his life in Atlantic, Iowa. After this time Lisbon was attached to Marion and was attended for a while by Father Laffin. When Father Hartigan succeeded to the charge at Marion he also attended Lisbon.

It was reserved, however, to the present popular pastor of Marion, Rev. P. M. Loughnane, to add another laurel to his crown by replacing the old time-honored landmark with the present ornate and well designed church building.

The Catholic cemetery, which is a part of the property of this charge, was purchased in Father Downey's time.

THE SISTERS OF MERCY

The Sisters of Mercy came to Cedar Rapids on the Feast of St. Mary Magdalen, 22d July, 1875. They came from Davenport, which at that time was subject to Dubuque Bishop for there was only one diocese in Iowa. Sister Mary Isadore and Sister Mary Gertrude were the first to visit Cedar Rapids, and in a few weeks afterwards Sister Mary Agatha and Sister Mary Francis came. These four formally took possession of the building which had been secured for school purposes, and in September, 1875, St. Joseph's Academy and parish school was opened for the first time in Cedar Rapids.

This community at Cedar Rapids remained subject to the mother house in Davenport until 1881, when the southern part of the state was cut off and made a new diocese. This new division of the Dubuque diocese necessitated the subjection of the Cedar Rapids community to the diocese of Dubuque and so the branch house became an independent community in November, 1881.

At this time the community at Cedar Rapids consisted of about ten Sisters, and there were about twenty-five boarders at St. Joseph's Academy at the time.

Previous to the installation of Father Quinn as pastor of Immaculate Conception church the parish school was independent of the academy. After this they were united and the academic school became a free school for all those who were unable to pay for tuition.

QUAKER OATS TRAIN

SCENE ON CEDAR RIVER

ST. PATRICK'S CHURCH, CEDAR RAPIDS

This arrangement continued till the spring of 1905, when the Sisters secured the beautiful house and property known as Mound Farm, on which they now have a beautiful mother house and academy. Up to 1905 St. Joseph's was the mother house of the Cedar Rapids community. Now the mother house is at "the Mound."

The new Sacred Heart Academy opened in September, 1905, with thirty boarders. It is situated on the same location as the mother house of the community.

From the Cedar Rapids mother house of the Sisters of Mercy the following branch houses have been and are supplied: Decorah, Grand Junction, Anamosa, Manchester, De Witt, Charles City, Elma, Oelwein, Bernard, New Haven, Waterloo, Marion, St. Wenceslaus, St. Joseph's, Cedar Rapids, with Mercy Hospital, and a new hospital at Kalispel, Montana.

In the community at present there are about one hundred and thirty members. In the novitiate or preparatory school for aspirants to the Sisterhood there are about forty young ladies laying the foundation for their future life work.

Any attempt at church history in a state or in a city would be incomplete without honorable mention of the Sisters. The history of the parish school is also the history of the Sisters, that glorious body of women who have given and who give their lives to the uplifting of the human race. That branch of the Sisterhood which devotes their lives to teaching is one of the most powerful allies the church has in keeping her members faithful. The teaching orders are not alone in the work of education. The Sisters have done a great work on the battle field and in hospitals in opening the eyes of the world to the great ends sought by the church.

MERCY HOSPITAL

There are many orders, each doing their own work in their own place. Wherever there is work to be done, or good deeds to be performed, there we find the Sisters with an eye single to their work and looking for their reward in the world to come. To come from general to particulars, I would be untrue to my promise if I did not call particular attention to one institution in particular, namely, Mercy Hospital. There are few Catholics in Iowa who are not acquainted with Mercy Hospital, Cedar Rapids, and the great work being done by the Sisters of Mercy.

The absolute need for such an institution became so much a necessity in Cedar Rapids that on November 15, 1900, the Sisters for the first time began operations in an old residence quite near their convent. For three years, under conditions entirely inadequate, they ministered to the needs of their constantly increasing patrons, till they were compelled by necessity and their rapidly increasing work to build the present institution, which compares favorably with any similar institution in the country and offers every facility to the medical profession.

The corner stone of this beautiful building was laid on August 15, 1902, and the building was completed by December 1, 1903. It cost over $100,000. It is in charge of the Sisters of Mercy of Cedar Rapids community, who also have charge of Sacred Heart Academy on Mound Farm, and of St. Joseph's parochial school, with St. Wenceslaus' school and St. Berchman's Seminary, Marion, together with several schools through Iowa, and of the Mercy Hospital at Kalispel, Montana.

So great has been the success of this institution that there is need at present for an addition. There is a large training school for nurses in which at present there are twenty-five pupils. The management of the institution is accomplished by the Sisters, who at present number about fifteen, among whom there are seven qualified trained nurses.

Ability of more than ordinary character is required to manage successfully an institution like Mercy Hospital. And as the work increases the greater the strain on the management. This position of trust and responsibility has been capably filled for nearly ten years by Sister Mary Alphonsus. She it was who first assumed charge of the little hospital on Third avenue. She has seen that mustard seed grow into the present beautiful institution. Sister Alphonsus, always solicitous for the comfort of others, overtaxed her limited strength. Never physically strong, she has given herself most generously in constant care and vigilance to the duties of her responsible position. Forgetting herself to be of help to others, it is not surprising that her frail constitution should give way, when one considers the responsibility of her position. This fact, coupled with the recent death of her beloved mother, to whom she was much attached, almost completely undermined her physical condition, and acting on the advice of her medical adviser and that of her superior mother, N. Teresa, Sister Alphonsus retired from the hospital to recuperate her failing strength. During her years of office she made herself a general favorite with all with whom she had to do.

SACRED HEART ACADEMY

This high grade school fills a long felt want in Cedar Rapids and Linn county. There is no more suitable location for a young ladies' academy than Cedar Rapids, and for its site there is not perhaps in the west a place more suited than where the Sacred Heart Academy stands. Situated on the highest elevation, perhaps, in the county, it is by nature and the skill and taste admirably fitted to generate both sound minds and healthy bodies. Recently a new addition has been built to the former academy.

The church realizes that true progress is the law which God has given to His creation. Any progress is creation continued. The gospel of Christ is the gospel of progress. The mind to be progressive must seek Him and find Him, and finding Him, be of value to the child and the state.

This the church understands better than she gets credit for, and this is the reason why her parish school is her first care after her own existence has been established. Hence any attempt at her history which would not include her schools would be incomplete and dwarfed. In the school is sown the seed which is afterwards nursed and cared for by the church, in its life-giving sacramental system.

One of the chief parish schools in Linn county is Sacred Heart Academy, at Green Mound Farm. It is a school for young ladies in which are taught all subjects which qualify candidates for the varied positions to which they may wish to aspire, such as teaching, bookkeeping, stenography, etc., etc.

St. Berchman's Seminary at Marion is a boarding school for boys who have not attained the age of fourteen. In this school, which is in charge of the Sisters of Mercy of Cedar Rapids, the most approved methods are employed in imparting thorough and comprehensive instruction in all the elementary branches of an English education, together with a marked attention to the moral culture of the boys, which makes them an honor to their parents and society. Careful attention is given to their physical needs and bodily comfort, and diligent care is extended in seeing that their time in the seminary is put to the best advantage. Music and elocution are among the subjects taught.

The seminary is located on First avenue and Fifteenth street. It is situated on a twenty acre area, beautifully wooded, and affording excellent facilities for outdoor games which boys usually indulge in.

The seminary has its own sources of supply in all edible stuffs. It has a beautiful orchard and vegetable gardens, and its needs in the way of dairy produce and poultry are supplied from its own farm. While within the city limits, it is far removed from noise and all disturbing elements which may in any way militate against the best results.

The apartments are spacious and are furnished with every modern improvement conducive to health and comfort. The building is heated by steam, well ventilated, and lighted by electricity. Hot and cold water are in use for the bath system. At the present time a large addition is being built to meet the needs of the increasing patronage.

CHAPTER XXXIX

Linn County Statistics

POPULATION

In 1840 the greatest number of people to the square mile was in the extreme southeastern part of the territory. This was but natural, as nearly all the settlers had come by river from St. Louis, only a few coming by wagons up to this time. The settlers had in part come up along the Red Cedar river, and Linn county claimed a population of 1,373, few of whom had lived more than two years in the county. Settlers also ascended the Iowa and Des Moines rivers. By 1850 land seekers had followed the Des Moines river and had already found homes as far west as Boone county.

It was a severe blow to the agricultural interests of Linn county and the newborn state when news of the gold fever reached the borders. Not only the newspapers stirred up the people, but hundreds of parties crossed the state in wagons, stopped along the way and talked incessantly about the great diggings in California. The young men were fired with enthusiasm. Work on the farm was hard and the returns small. Thus Linn county lost many of its best and most enterprising young men. Some, it is true, returned again after a stay of a few years in the gold fields, but a large number never came back, but either died or remained on the coast. While Linn county lost many settlers it also gained others, who started west expecting to join mining parties, but who settled down as farmers instead. From 1849 to 1857 was a restless era of migration in what we call the middle west. In fact it extended over the entire country. There were many causes for this. An era of prosperity sprang up after the Mexican war, the gold discoveries and the opening up of much fertile land by the government. All this, no doubt, stirred people to find new homes or seek new adventures. The panic of '57 of course for a time put a stop to all speculations, especially in western lands.

The greatest influx of people into the state was from 1850 to 1856, when the population increased from 192,214 to 517,875, an increase of 169.4 per cent. The population of the state for 1910 is 2,225,771. Linn county felt the same influx, for the population increased from 5,444 in 1850 to 14,702 in 1856.

There seems to have been an increase of about 8,000 by the census of 1860, showing that while the panic may have kept some at home who might have gone west, few new settlers sought the west to make new homes. The population of the county and the towns will give the reader an idea of the gradual growth in the population.

Here are some figures showing our development:

In May, 1838, the population of the county was 205. This had increased to 2,643 in 1844. In 1847 we had 3,954 people, 4,762 in 1849, 5,444 in 1850, 6,870 in 1852, 10,802 in 1856, 18,947 in 1860, 18,693 in 1863, showing the effects of the Civil war, this conflict not only taking many of our substantial citizens to serve in the armies, but for the time impeding emigration.

In 1865 the figures had increased to 20,754, in 1867 to 24,549, in 1870 to 31,080, in 1875 to 31,875, in 1880 to 37,237, in 1885 to 40,720, in 1890 to 45,303, in 1895 to 49,905, in 1900 to 55,392, and in 1905 to 57,362.

MERCY HOSPITAL, CEDAR RAPIDS

At the time this is being written the population for the county for 1910 has not been announced.

The cities and the towns of the county have grown with it.

Cedar Rapids in 1885 had 15,426 people; in 1890, 18,020; in 1895, 21,555; in 1900, 25,656; in 1905, 28,759; and in 1910, 32,870.

Marion in 1885 had a population of 2,673; in 1890, 3,094; in 1895, 3,766; in 1900, 4,102; in 1905, 4,112.

Mt. Vernon boasted of 859 people in 1885, 1,259 in 1890, 1,178 in 1895, 1,629 in 1900, and 1,664 in 1905.

Lisbon's population in 1885 was 703. No statistics are available for 1890, but in 1895 the town had 817 people, 956 in 1900, and 948 in 1905.

The population of Center Point in 1885 was 565; in 1890, 615; in 1895, 595; in 1900, 674; and in 1905, 823.

Springville in 1885 was credited with 561; in 1890, 518; in 1895, 562; in 1900, 509; and in 1905, 582.

In 1890 the population of Central City was given as 467; in 1895, 594; in 1900, 623; and in 1905, 607.

Walker in 1895 had 485 people, 505 in 1900, and 571 in 1905.

In this connection it is of interest to note that in 1836 the population of Wisconsin Territory, of which Iowa was then a part, west of the Mississippi river was, Dubuque county 4,274, Des Moines county 6,257, or a total of 10,531.

A second census was taken in 1838, which showed that there were in sixteen counties organized from the original two counties a population of 22,859. Jones county had 241 people at this time, Cedar 557, Johnson 237, and Linn 205.

In the first constitutional convention, which met at Iowa City October 7, 1844, and adjourned November 1, 1844, this county was represented by Thomas J. McKean, Samuel W. Durham, L. M. Strong.

The constitution adopted by this convention was rejected by the people at an election held August 4, 1845, the vote being, for 7,235, against 7,656.

In the second constitutional convention, which met at Iowa City May 4, 1846, and adjourned May 19, the county was represented by Socrates H. Tryon.

At the election on August 3, 1846, this constitution was adopted by the people by a small majority. It was presented to congress in December, 1846, and on the 28th of the same month an act was passed for the admission of Iowa into the Union.

The third constitutional convention sat in Iowa City from January 19 to March 3, 1857, and adopted a constitution which was ratified by the people on August 3 following. In this convention Linn's representative was Hosea W. Gray.

In this county the vote on the constitution was 1,307 yes, 955 no. In the state the vote was, yes 40,000, no 38,681. The result shows the first sign of a change in the political sentiment in state and county. The republicans favored the constitution, and the democrats opposed it.

Following are the members of the General Assembly from Linn county from 1846 to date. In the Territorial Legislature, 1843-4, Robert Smythe was our representative in the House of Representatives, and William Abbe in the Senate.

- J. S. Alexander, Marion, senator 26th, 26th extra session, 27th, 28th and 29th.

- H. G. Angle, Cedar Rapids, senator 8th, 8th extra session, 9th, 9th extra session.

- Ellsworth N. Bates, Cedar Rapids, representative 7th.

- E. J. C. Bealer, Cedar Rapids, representative 29th, 30th, 31st.

- A. Sidney Belt, Cedar Rapids, representative 11th.

- J. W. Bowman, Marion, representative 33d, 34th.

- I. P. Bowdish, Waubeek, representative 17th, 19th.

- David Brant, Cedar Rapids, representative 26th, 26th extra session.

- W. R. Brown, Viola, representative 18th.

- J. P. Carbee, Springville, representative 10th, 11th.

- J. P. Conkey, representative 5th, 5th extra session.

- Jennings Crawford, Wapsie, representative 8th, 8th extra session.

- Joshua Doran, Mt. Vernon, representative 22d.

- William G. Dows, Cedar Rapids, representative 27th, 28th.

- Stephen L. Dows, Cedar Rapids, senator 16th, 17th.

- Charles G. Gitchell, Walker, representative 23d, 24th.

- John T. Hamilton, Cedar Rapids, representative 21st, 22d, 23d.

- John W. Henderson, Cedar Rapids, senator 18th, 19th, 20th, 21st.

- Robert Holmes, Cedar Rapids, representative 5th, 5th extra session.

- Moses C. Jordan, Central City, representative 16th.

- Ezekiel B. Kephart, Western, senator 14th, 15th.

- John E. Kurtz, Lisbon, representative 6th.

- William B. Leach, Cedar Rapids, representative 12th.

- William D. Linzenberg, Waubeek, representative 14th, 15th.

- Dan Lothian, Marion, representative 6th.

- John McAllister, Cedar Rapids, representative 30th, 31st, 32d.

- F. McClelland, Cedar Rapids, representative 26th.

- Arthur M. McKeel, Fairfax, representative 15th.

- Isaac Milburn, Cedar Rapids, representative 9th extra session.

- Ernest R. Moore, Cedar Rapids, representative 32d, 33d, 34th.

- H. J. Neitert, Walker, representative 25th, 26th, 26th extra session, 27th.

- Jonathan J. Nugent, Nugent, representative 20th.

- Adam Perry, Western, representative 12th.

- Isaac M. Preston, Marion, representative 3d, senator 4th, 5th, 5th extra session.

- A. St. Clair Smith, Cedar Rapids, representative 25th.

- J. H. Smith, Cedar Rapids, senator 22d, 23d.

- Robert Smythe, Mt. Vernon, representative 1st, 1st extra session, senator 12th, 13th, representative 20th.

- Oliver O. Stanchfield, Cedar Rapids, representative 13th.

- Redman D. Stephens, Marion, representative 18th.

- W. C. Stuckslager, Lisbon, representative 28th, 29th, senator 30th, 31st, 32d.

- John M. Terry, Cedar Rapids, senator 24th, 25th.

- W. G. Thompson, Marion, senator 6th, 7th, representative 21st.

- William Ure, Fairfax, representative 16th, 17th.

- E. D. Wain, Mt. Vernon, representative 7th.

- Edgar A. Warner, Waubeek, representative 13th.

- Charles Weare, Cedar Rapids, representative 10th.

- Amos Witter, Mt. Vernon, representative 8th, 8th extra session.

- Joseph B. Young, Marion, representative 9th, 9th extra session, senator 10th, 11th.

Linn county has never had a governor, lieutenant governor, a secretary of state, state auditor, state treasurer, or member of railroad commission.

John W. Atkins served as superintendent of public instruction from 1882-1888. John T. Hamilton served as speaker of the house during the session of 1890. S. N. Parsons served as secretary of the senate in the 24th General Assembly. George Greene, Jr., served as adjutant general from 1890-1894. L. S. Merchant was state binder during the years 1885-88. George A. Lincoln has been fish commissioner continuously since April 1, 1901. James H. Trewin is serving as a member of the state board of education. J. T. Hamilton was a member of the state board of control from 1906-1909. Johnson Brigham, a former resident of Linn county, has been state librarian since 1898. On the supreme bench of this state sat George Greene, Norman W. Isbell, and J. H. Rothrock. L. S. Merchant was state oil inspector for a few months in 1893. He was succeeded by Luther A. Brewer, who served from 1893-1897.

In congress we have had the following representatives: Wm. Smythe, and Wm. G. Thompson, Marion; J. T. Hamilton, and James W. Good, Cedar Rapids.

CHAPTER XL

The Bridges Across the Cedar at Cedar Rapids and Early Steamboating on the Cedar River

One of the most enterprising men who devoted all his time to the upbuilding of Kingston, which later became part of Cedar Rapids, was David W. King, who arrived a short time after Robert Ellis. Mr. King and the settlers on the west side of the river early devised schemes by which to get in touch with the east side and the county seat. True, it was all right when the river was frozen over and in summer when the river was down so that it was safe to ford the stream, but there were times when it was impossible to ford the river on account of high water.

D. W. King obtained a license to operate a ferry across the river, which he continued to run up to the time of his death in 1854. This ferry was operated till about 1857 when the bridges were opened. Even for some time after the first bridge was put in operation did the ferry do much business, as the first bridge soon after it had been completed went out with the flood in the spring of '57, and the second bridge, finished that fall, also went out by an ice gorge in January the next year. Then for a time the ferry was used from and to May's Island as the bridge from the east side to May's Island had been properly erected so as to stand the floods.

The establishment of a ferry at this point brought trade to Cedar Rapids and accomplished much in making Cedar Rapids a business center, to which place travelers and others came. It was not till many years later that free bridges could be offered to the citizens of the town. But in this respect the city was ahead of other cities of the state.

It was David W. King who early began a toll bridge, and it is said that "when the boulder in the river near the Watrous mill was visible the early pioneer could with safety drive across the river." If it was not they had to pay for crossing on the toll bridge. David King's ferry was the first step in the direction of progress in Cedar Rapids. By virtue of a law which went into effect December 22, 1848, Mr. King was authorized to establish and keep a ferry across Cedar river at a point in Linn county opposite Cedar Rapids for a term of ten years with exclusive privilege for the space of one mile on either side. Here King for a number of years did a thriving business, and Cedar Rapids received the benefits of the trade which extended west into Benton county.

THE FIRST BRIDGE

In an old paper, being part of the records of the house passed January 23, 1853, the following may be found: "An Act to create a Board of Commissioners with authority to erect a free bridge across the Cedar River at Cedar Rapids in Linn County.

"Section 1. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Iowa that John M. May, Frederick A. Williams and Gabriel Carpenter be and are hereby appointed and constituted a Board of Commissioners to receive voluntary subscriptions in trust for the erection of a free bridge across the Cedar river at Cedar Rapids in Rapids Township, Linn County, with a draw of not less than forty feet in said bridge for the free passage of boats and other craft navigating said river.

"Sec. 2. Provided, that the Board should furnish Bonds in the sum of $20,000.00 to be approved by the County Judge of Linn County.

"Sec. 4. Providing, that the construction of the bridge should be begun within ninety days from the time of the beginning to collect subscriptions and that the bridge should be completed within two years from the time that active work was begun."

This bridge was begun in the fall of 1856 and completed during the winter of 1856 and 1857. It was located below May's Island at the foot of Daniels street, now Seventh avenue. This bridge was really gotten up to spring a real estate boom in property owned by Carpenter, Major May and others on the west side of the river. It is said Major May himself subscribed $1,000. However, the location of the bridge was ideal. It was needed and was something the people of the town took a great pride in; in the early day toll bridges were the rule and not the exception. During the early spring of 1857 this bridge in a high flood was carried away and two sisters by the name of Black, living on the west side and who were crossing the bridge at the time, lost their lives.

During the following summer there was much agitation for a bridge, especially by the people having real estate and residing on the west side of the river and farmers who had located in the western part of the county as well as in southeast Benton county. During the summer a floating bridge was built across the river at what is known now as First avenue. This was also a short lived bridge, having been carried away by the ice gorge in the spring of 1858.

During the same summer materials were secured and some was saved from the old bridge and a temporary bridge was erected across May's Island, between May's Island and east Cedar Rapids, while on the west side a ferry boat was used. In February, 1855, the county court granted a license for twenty-five years to H. G. Angle for the erection and maintenance of a toll bridge at First avenue. It provided that no other toll bridge should be erected on the river for two years within two miles on either side of this contemplated toll bridge. In the decree of the court it was also mentioned that in case a free bridge was constructed within two miles a reasonable sum of money should be paid to the person or company owning the toll bridge. This toll privilege was transferred in the following year to George Greene, John Weare, William Greene, P. W. Earle, A. F. Steadman, H. E. Higley, N. B. Brown, Lowell and Lawson Daniels, E. H. Dobbs, J. J. Child, and J. P. Rogers. This bridge, however, was not opened for traffic until the winter of 1859-60. The stockholders were made up of Cedar Rapids people, and at one time the stock was above par. The prices charged were as follows: 25 cents for a double team and wagon; for driving cattle 5 cents a head: for driving sheep 3 cents a head; and for pedestrians 1 cent each. Some time later reduction was made by the management for round trip ticket holders. Many squabbles were had over these tickets. It is said that an Irishman came to T. J. Dudley, Jr., wanting to start suit for preventing him returning, he having lost his round trip ticket, and offering him $10.00. Mr. Dudley quietly went down to the office of the company and told the man to cross. He was permitted to do so and willingly parted with his $10.00 to Dudley, the latter paying the customary price to the gatekeeper. This story of Dudley's wit, showing how a lawyer got the best of it, was repeated in many families in Cedar Rapids, and as a consequence a number of young men took up the study of law for a profession.

For a number of years citizens residing in west Cedar Rapids and in the eastern part of the county made various attempts for a free bridge across the river. Much of the grain and produce came from Benton county and the western part of Linn county. A number of grain merchants and others were located on that side of the river and had their grain in storage at that place and were asking the railroad authorities for permission to erect freight houses on that side of the river. A number of citizens of Cedar Rapids who were interested in Kingston real estate also attempted this enterprise, believing that the time was not far distant before Kingston would become the more important town of the two. A petition was circulated for a free bridge across the Cedar river and presented to the board of supervisors to take the matter under consideration. At the January term, 1871, the board appropriated $14,000 for the purpose, providing that the city or citizens of Cedar Rapids, or both, should guarantee to furnish the balance of such sum as should be necessary to pay for a first-class iron bridge across the Cedar. It was further provided that no part of the county funds should be expended until the whole sum necessary had been raised by subscription or otherwise. The citizens of Cedar Rapids, and others interested in the city, at once circulated petitions for funds and also authorized the mayor of Cedar Rapids to call an election and vote on the question of issuing bonds to aid in the construction of said bridge. This petition was signed by S. C. Bever, one of the early bankers, and by more than fifty citizens wanting a bridge located at what is now First avenue, asking that the city vote bonds to the extent of $6,000, promising that the citizens would guarantee the balance for the erection of a bridge.

Another petition was signed by John F. Ely and about one hundred other citizens all interested in locating the bridge at the foot of Park avenue, now Third avenue. These gentlemen asked for the issuance of $12,000 worth of city bonds, and were willing to guarantee any additional sum necessary over and above the amount appropriated by the county and city, which they were to raise by private subscription. Thus, there were two factions within the city, one working against the other in the matter of the location of the bridge. These factions were composed, of course, of people who were interested in the location at a point that would be most advantageous to their private interests.

During the winter of 1870-71 it was very cold and severe until in March when it became suddenly warm. Heavy rains followed and the river on or about the first of March was very high and the ice commenced to move out. Large quantities of ice came rolling and surging down the stream and carried everything down the river. In a few days the toll bridge at First avenue went down, struck by one of the ice floes which made it collapse. The Bourne saw mill also became a total wreck, and more or less damage was done to all the mills along the river. On account of the disaster to the toll bridge all communication with Kingston was cut off and it became necessary to do something at once.

The city council was called together and the mayor called for an election. In this council sat J. J. Snouffer, Dr. Mansfield, Stephens, C. C. Cook, David Denlinger, E. S. Hill, James Bell, and E. Robbins, with Mayor Thomas Z. Cook. The city voted bonds to the extent of $12,000 by a majority vote of 483 for and 83 against the bond proposition. All this time E. Robbins, one of the aldermen, operated a small boat called the "Aurora," which had previously been used between this point and Vinton, as a ferry boat above the dam. It was so arranged that eight teams could cross at the same time.

About the same time Keech & Co. established a ferry boat that was operated by horse power attached to a cable stretched across the river.

JUDGE N. M. HUBBARD

The two men having the most to do with the building of this bridge were William Ure, a member of the board of supervisors, from Scotch Grove, and William Richmond, a part of the city council, who had charge of the entire work. These men devoted a great deal of their time in helping along the speedy construction of the bridge. The contract for the superstructure was let in April to Messrs. O'Hanlan and O'Hara at a cost of $22,000.00. The contract provided that the work should be done within ninety days from April 15th. The bridge proper was erected by the Canton Bridge Company, of Canton, Ohio, and cost about $20,000 for the abutment and piers. The other necessary masonry work made a total cost of $42,000. The bridge fund consisted of the following amounts: The county expended $15,000; city bonds, $12,000; subscriptions paid, about $16,000.

For many years this bridge was considered as a county bridge and all moneys used for repairs were paid from the county bridge fund; later it was looked upon as a city bridge, and repairs, etc., were paid for out of the city treasury. This bridge was completed August 15th and a celebration was had. It is still used and the bonds have long since been paid.

During the year 1874 the board of supervisors appropriated $8,000 for the B avenue bridge and the citizens subscribed $22,000, of which sum N. B. Brown subscribed $5,000, George Greene $4,000, William Greene $4,000, Higley estate $2,000. A contract was let for the bridge in September, 1874, in the amount of $28,500; other additions were made, making the bridge cost about $32,000.

Fourteenth avenue bridge, known as the James street bridge, was begun in August, 1875, and completed in December of the same year at a total cost of $27,000. The county appropriated for this bridge $11,500, the city $6,000, and the property owners paid $9,500, T. M. Sinclair paying the largest amount.

The First avenue bridge was constructed in 1884 at a cost of about $25,000, the bridge being opened for traffic in November, 1884.

The Second avenue bridge, being a cement bridge with railings, cost about $110,000, and was opened for traffic in December, 1905.

The new Fourteenth avenue, or James street, bridge was commenced by the Union Construction Company in 1909, and completed in the spring of 1910 at a cost of about $80,000.

EARLY STEAMBOATING ON THE CEDAR

The following account of some early steamboating adventures on the Cedar river is from the pen of B. L. Wick, and is taken from the first volume of the Proceedings of the Historical Society of Linn county. It is of interest.

The subject matter of steamboating on the Cedar will scarcely attract any attention today and means only a pleasure jaunt with more or less inconvenience among sandbars on the upper river. However, historically speaking, steamboating on this river was an epoch-making period for this section of the country, and the prosperity of our city was due in a large measure, to our dam, our grist, saw and woolen mills; and to our steamboat traffic. These industries made Cedar Rapids.

It has been said that the history of a town is frequently the history of a great river. This is true of nearly all the great European cities and is equally true of the great marts of commerce in this country. The great Father of Waters has, however, played an important part in the development of the middle west, of which great body of water the Red Cedar is one of its many tributaries. It has been stated that this great river system has 16,000 miles of navigable waters, and it is further the river along whose banks at least three of the European powers have contested for the extension of territory. I shall leave this discussion out of the question, and confine myself to one of its many branches—the Red Cedar.

It was not till August 7, 1807, that Robert Fulton propelled the Clermont up the Hudson by means of steam navigation at the rate of five miles an hour, and solved forever, the great question of water navigation. It was not long till the inventor and his friend, Livingston, extended their operations to the great west, and began building steamboats at Pittsburg, and on December 6, 1812, the "Orleans" of 400 tons burden, was the first steamer which made the trip to New Orleans, and thus opened up the newly acquired possessions. This boat was commanded by W. I. Roosevelt, a sturdy ancestor of a worthy descendant.

Prior to this time the products of the great West had been transported by means of rafts and flat boats, both slow and dangerous. Now river trade could be carried on up as well as down the river, and in what was then considered very quick time.

During the year 1819, Capt. Nelson was the first to propel a steamer, "The Independence," up the Mississippi river from St. Louis. It was not till 1825, according to an old pioneer, Dr. Isaac Galland, that Capt. James White, commanding the steamer "Mandan," passed the rapids at Keokuk.

In 1831, Col. George Davenport, the founder of the town which bears his name, explored the Red Cedar as far as Rock creek, and at this place established a trading post with the Indians, which continued for four years. This is the first navigation of this river by the whites on record. The first steamboat on the Des Moines river, of which we have any knowledge, was in 1837, which arrived as far as Keosauqua. The first keel boat was owned by Capt. Cash, and came up in the following year.

It seems that the settlers of the territory early began to encourage steamboat traffic with the world. On the 12th of January, 1839, the legislature of Iowa Territory empowered a company to incorporate in the amount of $200,000, in order to build a slack water canal from the Cedar river to the Mississippi by way of Rock creek. An act was also passed for the inspection of steamboats, boilers, etc., at this session. Congress on November 6, 1846, for the purposes of improving the river traffic, granted certain lands to the Territory of Iowa, to aid in the improving of the Des Moines river for the purpose of navigation. Even the other day a large appropriation was granted for the erection of locks and a canal at the Keokuk rapids on the Mississippi.

The Red Cedar river is about 248 miles long and is comparatively free from any rapids as far as this city, and hence, was early looked upon as one of the most favored rivers for steamboat navigation. The Iowa, into which the Cedar empties, is about 240 miles in length, and not so favorable for navigation.

It is well known that Linn county was created by an act of the legislature of Wisconsin territory, and approved December 21, 1837; and the spot which our city now covers, was settled the following spring, by Osgood Shepherd and William Stone, soon followed by Robert Ellis, Philip Hull, the Listebargers, Thos. Gainer and David King.

VIEWS ALONG THE CEDAR RIVER

One cannot speak of steamboating without mentioning Robert Ellis, our respected pioneer who landed on the present confines of our city May 8, 1838, and found only one shanty inhabited, which was on the present location of the T. M. Sinclair packing house, and was owned by Philip Hull; the other hut was built near the Cooper mills and was then vacant as the owner, Osgood Shepherd, had gone east for his family. Mr. Ellis located on his present farm that summer and obtained a patent for it from President Polk, and he is no doubt one of the very few in this county who hold title direct from the government of this date. Mr. Ellis in the winter of 1846, had three flat boats built at Palo, each boat being sixty feet long, sixteen feet wide and drawing three feet of water when loaded. On these boats he loaded four thousand bushels of wheat which he consigned to Noble and McCutchins, of Burlington, millers of that place. On each boat he had three men and these were provided with side oars to be used when they got into bends of the river. They started with their cargo the latter part of March and arrived after some trouble at Burlington; when arriving at Burlington the firm were in financial trouble and it looked as though the men could not get their pay, but it was finally arranged if Mr. Ellis could take flour to New Orleans, they could then realize some money and he would be paid. They remained here for some little time, and started out the three flat boats again, loaded down with flour. They were a long time in getting down the stream but kept on paddling when they got fast in the stumps and otherwise floated down the river. By the latter part of June they arrived at New Orleans in safety and disposed of the flour, but again were unable to realize on the flour as it had been consigned to certain brokers and the payments were tied up. They took in the slave markets and otherwise looked around the great city which was now the great emporium of the west and the southwest, and then took steamer for Burlington. Arriving at Burlington Mr. Ellis stood no show of getting his money, but trusted to luck and bought a horse, riding horseback from Burlington to Cedar Rapids. Not till that fall did he realize anything on this wheat deal, and finally was paid after much trouble by the parties, who were not dishonest, but whose property interests had been tied up so they were unable to realize on their goods sufficiently to pay creditors.

The new waterway of Robert Ellis became the subject of conversation for some time afterwards, and it inspired others to greater activity. The people realized that they must have an outlet, for their produce and cheapen transportation, if possible. It became the subject of serious consideration by the settlers. If this question could be solved, the greatness and importance of the city as a commercial center would be assured. By 1839, keel boats had reached Ivanhoe, and quite a trade was carried on at certain seasons of the year, mostly in the spring, and much grain and farm products were taken away in trade for provisions.

Thus Squire Holmes, the Higley Bros., Daniels & Co., and several others, from Marion and Cedar Rapids, in the early forties built flat boats at Westport and Ivanhoe and traded groceries and other articles the farmers needed for wheat, pork, and other produce. This stuff was shipped in the early spring on flat boats. Sheds were also erected so as to store the grain until such time as the boats could be loaded. Old Henry Rogers also erected a saw mill and shipped a little lumber down the river. It was dangerous and not practical to get the lumber down stream, and the scheme was abandoned.

The first large Mississippi steamer, which came as far as our city limits, was in the month of August, 1844, called the "Maid of Iowa," when a number of settlers and also a part of Mormons came as landseekers.

"The first stream boat at Cedar Rapids was the 'Maid of Iowa' commanded by Capt. Chas. Ross. She landed and cabled to the saw-mill on the 3rd of August, 1844, just as the sun was setting."—Extract from Account Book kept by N. B. Brown.

On this boat was Rev. Isaac Searles, born in 1812, who located in Johnson county in 1842. He gave the first sermon in true Methodist fashion from the deck of the steamer, and talked to a large concourse of people who had assembled from the surrounding country. Each passenger was offered a lot by the enterprising people of the city. As a result of this steamboat venture, a Methodist church was organized at the home of one of the Listebargers. During the next ten years, many large and small Mississippi steamers made the Cedar river points as far as Cedar Rapids, and quite a trade had been established between St. Louis, Keokuk, Burlington and this part of the state.

The last of the large Mississippi steamers, which made Cedar Rapids, was the "Uncle Tobey," of two hundred tons burden, which made her way up here among the brush and overhanging willows in the spring of 1853, and remained at the Third avenue landing for several days, at what is now the Warfield-Pratt-Howell building. When departing, after taking on a large cargo of grain and produce, she steamed up the river and turned down the channel on the west side of May's island. A number of people are still living who remember this steamer and the shouts and waving of handkerchiefs as the steamer glided smoothly down the river and out of sight.

From the Annals of Iowa, Vol. 5, page 401, I quote the following showing the rainfall in this state from 1848 to 1855: "In 1848, 26 inches; 1849, 49 inches; 1850, 49 inches; 1851, 74-1/2, inches; 1852, 49 inches; 1853, 45 inches; 1854, 23 inches and in 1855, 28 inches." Up to 1858, the rainfall was below the average, while during the years from '58 to '59, it was above the average. From the newspapers of that time, it seems that there were a great many floods during the summer months, so that steamboating was common on all the rivers during the entire year until frost came.

The question has frequently arisen, whether or not the rain fall was greater fifty years ago than now, and on the whole, from the old settlers, and from reports, as kept, it would seem to be about the same. All agree, however, that there was more water in the rivers, and they give their reasons as follows: "That the channel of the river was more narrow, and that the rivers were deeper, and free from the mud and the sand, which have now accumulated due to the tilling of the soil. Then the river banks were lined with trees, which protected the water from the rays of the sun, and the sloughs were filled with water all summer on account of the high grass, and all these sloughs, creeks, bayous, supplied the river with water during all seasons of the year, which is now not the case." All the water which fell in those days found its way into the river, which is not true after the ground became cultivated to any extent, so that it has been figured out that only about a fourth of the water finds its way into the river. This, of course, may be one of the reasons why steamboating was possible fifty years ago and is not now.

Of the many enterprising settlers, who came west to make this city their home, there were a number of enterprising, wide-awake and industrious men, who had courage and besides possessed more than ordinary ability along commercial lines. Among these settlers, George Greene, who was a prime mover in every new enterprise, succeeded in organizing a company for the building of a steamboat, to be called the "Cedar Rapids," and to be especially built for navigation upon the Red Cedar river. In this company were, besides Mr. Greene, W. H. Merritt, the Daniels family, Dr. J. F. Ely, Dr. S. D. Carpenter and later, W. B. Mack. A contract was entered into with parties at Pittsburg for the building of a modern steamboat, to be of white oak 155 feet long, single deck, stern wheel, clinker built, to be arranged for freight and passenger traffic, and to draw the least possible amount of water. The contract price for this steamer was $20,000, and it was launched in June, 1858, about three months after the contract was let. It was built at Freedom, Beaver county, Pennsylvania, not far from Pittsburg.

As to the subsequent history of this steamer, I shall confine myself to press notices from the Cedar Valley Times, which will give you an idea of the people and how much interest they took in this vessel, which was to connect them with the outside world. From the issue of July 8th, I find the following: "News has arrived that the 'Cedar Rapids' left Pittsburg July 1st, with 100 tons of freight." From the issue of July 22nd: "The 'Cedar Rapids' arrived from Pittsburg in three weeks, and is around at the dock at Market St. Roman candles were sent up from her decks when she arrived, and the crowd upon the shores saluted her with renewed cheers and with a firing of cannons; below is her Log: 'Left Pittsburg July 1st, at dark. At Cincinnati the 5th; at Louisville the 8th; arrived at St. Louis the 12th; left the 15th; arrived at the mouth of the Iowa river at 11 o'clock, and took in tow, 60,000 feet of lumber; five feet of water in the channel up to the mouth of the Cedar river. Arrived at Moscow Friday evening. Consignees, William Greene, W. B. Mack, H. C. Camp, groceries; L. Daniels, R. C. Rock, Greene and Hay, hardware; W. W. Smith, O. O. Stanchfield, lumber." The article further goes on describing the steamer as follows: "She is 155 feet long, 26 feet wide, and three feet in the hold. She is a stern wheel, 14 feet in diameter, 18 feet long, buckets being 15 inches wide. She is provided with a decker or smaller engine for supplying the boiler with water, also with a smaller engine for hoisting freight out of the hold. All four engines are separate machines. She is also supplied with appliances, such as water gauge, two Evans safety guides, one on each engine, life preservers, fire hose and force pump, in short, everything to make her a first-class passenger boat. The captain is J. M. Andrews, a gentleman who has had much experience with river navigation; the pilot is Albert Wemper; mate, T. Risley; engineers, J. P. Fulton and W. M. Hunter; clerks, J. C. Graves, A. W. Lamb. She had on 300 tons of freight, and drew only three feet of water, and when light, draws eleven inches. She had on board eighty-four passengers."

The above description will give you an idea of the first passenger boat of any note built for traffic in Iowa, and was no doubt at that time, one of the best equipped steamers for passenger and freight traffic owned exclusively by Iowa men and operated upon Iowa rivers.

On this steamer, which made its first trip in 1858, was W. B. Mack, a person well known to Cedar Rapids people, and who for half a century, up to the time of his death a few years ago, had been one of the most active business men of our city, and in an early day did much in the east in securing funds from the rich in various investments in this city. Mr. Mack had come to this city in March of this year, at the solicitation of Greene and Merritt, and he entered into a partnership relation with said men in the banking business. He early saw the opportunity for Cedar Rapids as a wholesale center, and purchased stock in the steam ship company, went east in June, purchased a stock of groceries in New York City, had them transported by rail to Pittsburg, and personally saw that they were properly stored on the "Cedar Rapids." On the route he made a purchase of a considerable cargo of Kenawha salt. All of which were shipped to Cedar Rapids, and was the first exclusive wholesale stock of groceries in this city. This had an effect of reducing the price of salt from $5 per barrel, to one-half, and it had the further effect of reducing the price of nearly every commodity, so that Cedar Rapids, on account of its transportation facilities, became known as a cheap trading center, and I believe has retained that reputation up to the present time.

On this first trip of the "Cedar Rapids," came as a passenger from Pittsburg, Susan H. Greene, better known to you, as Mrs. A. S. Belt. If we could only have the impression of what this seventeen-year-old young lady saw on this trip from Pittsburg to Cedar Rapids, in the '50s, along this historic waterway, we should undoubtedly have at least a chapter of the history of the country and of the life of the people as she observed it, and it would no doubt make a valuable addition to the history of this county.

The "Cedar Rapids" made in all, twelve trips during the season, to St. Louis, stopping at every point along the way to pick up cargo or passengers. In this respect, the captain was much like President Stickney, of the Great Western, who replied to the manager of an electric road the other day, wanting certain traffic relations established, that he would stop for a farm wagon, providing there was anything in it. Of the Cedar Rapids business men, who, during this time received large shipments of goods from time to time, I note the following: A. C. Keyes, J. S. Cook, A. H. Atwell, H. C. Camp, H. G. Angle, W. W. Smith Bros., Stanchfield, Taylor, Greene, and W. B. Mack.

From the issue of July 29th, I find the following: "The 'Cedar Rapids' left for St. Louis yesterday, and had in tow, a barge loaded with 1,138 sacks of oats, 736 sacks of wheat, some corn and 938 barrels of flour. At Rochester it will take on 200 barrels of flour. It had besides twenty passengers. It was frequently difficult to get under the bridge at Moscow, so a quantity of sand was taken on board at Cedar Rapids to weigh the steamer down sufficiently to get under the bridge, when the weight of the cargo was not sufficient." On October 14th, the newspaper again mentioned the steamer having arrived from St. Louis with a good cargo, the bulk of which was 45,000 feet of lumber, consigned to O. O. Stanchfield and Gordon & Enos, the captain further reports low water and numerous sand-bars.

The steamer seems to have run until about the middle of November, when she was laid up at St. Louis, and was expected to have gone into winter trade on the Red river. Dr. S. D. Carpenter and G. W. Hollet having gone to New Orleans to make the arrangements. The newspaper for December speaks of the parties having returned unable to book the steamer for the winter trade on the Red river, as she was not constructed properly for Southern trade.

Early in March of the following year the whistle of the "Cedar Rapids" again greeted the denizens of this city, bringing a large cargo of freight, leaving again on the 14th with 4,300 bushels of grain and sixteen passengers. On this trip was one of our honored townsmen, George Haman, who had come from Mifflin county, Pennsylvania, two years previously, and who now was on his way to St. Louis to buy his first stock of drugs. He returned in about ten days with a well selected stock, and has been in active business in the same location ever since. The officers this year were captain, B. Tay; clerk, G. W. Hollet, mate, T. G. Isherwood, and pilot, Merrit. Mr. Haman speaks in glowing terms of the fine treatment received while on board, of the luxurious staterooms and of the magnificent table which was fit for a king. On one of these trips certain machinery was broken at Rochester, and it was thought that they had to go afoot to Muscatine to make the repairs before the steamer could proceed further. A village blacksmith by the name of Jim Grant, a cousin of the general, after looking over the broken piston rods, said in his laconic way, "I'd rather pound away here all summer, than have a man walk to Muscatine and back," and he was as good as his word, for in the morning he had the damage repaired and received a good day's wages and three cheers from the crew and the passengers.

In the issue of May 5th, the paper mentioned the steamer "Cedar Rapids" as departing from this city for Burlington with 9,000 bushels of grain with A. W. Lamb as captain. This was the last trip the "Cedar Rapids" made on Cedar river water, as by the issue of May 19th the paper speaks of the "Cedar Rapids" sinking another steamer near Burlington. Mr. Isherwood tells me, that the steamer which was sunk was called the "Canton" and owned by John Roads of Savannah, Ill. The accident was due to a mistake of signals. The injured parties held the "Cedar Rapids" and a long litigation ensued, which was a severe blow to the stockholders, who lost their steamer. The sound of the whistle of the "Cedar Rapids" was never heard again, and it closes the chapter as far as steam boating below the dam is concerned.

The day of steamboating was about over. A new method of transportation was devised, and millions of dollars which had been spent by the state and by the nation was now of but little account, and the grants of land which had been made in order to improve the navigation of our river, was now changed, and given in the extension of railroads. June 15, 1859, is the great gala day of Cedar Rapids, for it is on this day that the last rail was laid which connected us with Chicago, and the far East, and the celebration of this occasion is the most noted that we have ever had up to the present time. There were orators from the East, from the South and from the North, and the news of this celebration was spread broadcast over the land and it seemed to have been of such a flowery kind that it caused the waters of the Cedar to flow backwards, and only Elias Doty has ever since that time succeeded in piloting a steamboat on the murky waters of the Cedar, as far as Rochester.

As I have stated before, the dam across the Cedar was erected in 1842, although Mrs. John F. Ely says the dam was never completed, and her husband constantly spent large sums of money to keep it up, and it was not long till quite a traffic was going on above the dam as far as Cedar Falls. Early in 1858, T. G. Isherwood came from Brownsville, Pennsylvania, the son of a boat builder, and he set to work to build the first boat of any size for river traffic. It was built for Freeman Smith & Co., and nearly all the lumber was sawed by Snouffer & Watrous and came out of Bever Park. It made its trial trip on September 30, 1858. It was a stern wheeler, single deck, 125 feet long, 125 tons burden, called the "Export." From the paper of October 7, I quote the following: "The new steamer 'Export' made her trial trip up the river last Friday, having on board some 70 or 80 of our citizens. She performed well, and all on board were delighted with the trip. We are happy to know that the whole community unite in awarding the owners, Freeman Smith &. Co., much praise. The list of officers are as follows: Master, Freeman Smith, Jr.; clerk, S. D. McCaulley; engineer, Tom Stanley; mate, Tom G. Isherwood." The paper for the next few weeks speaks in glowing terms of the "Export" and what a trade the merchants of this city have worked up with the towns along the river. That the boat makes the distance by river from Waterloo in fourteen hours and from Vinton, in five hours. The Waverly Republican, then edited by our townsman, J. O. Stewart, asks the people of Waverly and the surrounding country to obtain their goods by way of Cedar Rapids, as the cheapest and quickest method by which to get goods into that region of the country.

Mr. Isherwood speaks of the boat doing a big business, both in freight and passenger traffic, and that on the whole he did a paying business for the short time it was in service. On this first trip, was enrolled as a member of the crew, George Horridge, a young tinner, who had recently come from the east, and who is now well and favorably known as a banker and capitalist at Vinton. Marion Evans, now mayor of said town, tells me of running a mile and a half to the river to see this first steamer, and when he saw the smoke from the smoke-stack he hid behind the hazelbrush thinking of the eruption of Vesuvius. The paper of October 21st speaks of a picnic party having chartered the boat and gone up the river, and among the names of those well and favorably known to most of you, at least by name, I shall mention a few: George Greene, Dr. S. D. Carpenter, Dr. Lyon, J. F. Ely, J. S. Cook, Rev. Durley and ladies. During the winter the "Export" was sold to J. J. Snouffer and W. D. Watrous. It was remodeled, called the "Blackhawk," and on March 16th made its first trip to Waterloo, with J. J. Snouffer as captain and George A. Ohler as chief carpenter. Arriving at Vinton, they were unable to get under the bridge, and threatened to destroy it. A council of war was held and it was finally decided to elevate one span of the bridge about four feet, and Ohler superintended the work. Mr. Snouffer tells me that the biggest business the steamer did was on June 15th, when he carried 107 passengers at $5.00 a head for round trip for the Cedar Rapids celebration, including board and lodging. He made in all, twenty-nine trips, and during this season, free of all expenses, netted the owners $2,000. The "Blackhawk" as remodeled, was 110 feet long by 19 feet wide, and had two rows of berths on each side, and accommodated 24 passengers, besides a crew of seven people. It took four cords of wood per trip. The table of distances by river compiled by the pilot on the "Blackhawk" is as follows: Palo, 14-1/2 miles; Benton City, 42 miles; Vinton, 50 miles; La Porte, 82 miles, and Waterloo, 113 miles. It was sold to Burley & Durlin, and the owners accepted one-half of the purchase price in land. The cash was never paid, and attachment was gotten out for labor claims and the boat was sold for $19.00. It was sold to a preacher, at Western, who threw up the deal, and again the boat was sold to N. B. Brown and John Curliss, the entire purchase price being paid in woolen goods. On account of dry season, the boat was sent south and was sold by the owners to the government for $6,000 during the war, and was used for carrying provisions for the soldiers on the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers. At one time some of the Linn county soldier boys saw the little steamer make its way up one of the rivers, and a yell went up for the old "Blackhawk." The sight of the steamer brought them nearer home.

On one of the trips Mr. Snouffer made that summer, the wife of the fireman, who was acting as maid, was taken ill and the captain sent two doctors who were passengers to examine her. After a hurried examination both came up very much excited, stating that the patient was suffering from spotted fever and for him to stop the boat that they wanted to get off at all hazards. Mr. Snouffer thought perhaps of damages and financial loss so he was in no hurry to comply, but took the husband and went into the small cabin up next to the smoke-stack to investigate for himself. There was the woman in great stress of mind and much worried. He took hold of her hand and tried to rub the spots out and sure enough it was found that during the night the coloring in the cotton goods had colored her arms and the headache was no doubt due to the stuffy room and extremely warm quarters. It is needless to say that for the rest of the trip the doctors were made the butt of ridicule by the passengers.

The "Surprise" freighted between this city and Vinton in '63 and the next steamer was known as the "Nettie Munn," being a stern wheeler 70 feet long and 12 feet wide, and was brought here from Wisconsin by Mr. Passmore in 1866, and was blown up at Kelsey's landing the following year. Another steamer was built by E. Robins and used as a ferry boat, and in the wool and lime trade, but was never fully equipped, and was sunk many years ago. The "Carrie Wallace" was built by W. G. Brock in about 1870; was 16×40, a stern wheeler without state rooms, and was used mostly to tow barges, excursion steamers, etc., and was blown up about 1879-80. The "Kitty Clyde" was run awhile and abandoned. John Kozlovsky built the "Rose" in the early days, and after a steamboat venture on the river, was minus several thousand dollars, but had gained a heap of experience in the meantime. The boiler of the "Rose" was shipped to Solon to be placed in the grist mill, and the engine was sent to Spirit Lake, while Captain Elias Doty bought the hull for a mere song in 1884. In this "Rose" hull, Capt. Doty installed the boilers of an abandoned steamer, the "Carrie Wallace," and into it he also installed the engine of an old freighter, called "General Weaver." This combination, Doty called the "Climax." A stock company was organized with the amount of $1,000 and is the only stock known on record which never at any time went below par. Doty put in $600, and his Cedar Rapids friends the balance. He says that he was not out any interest as he had the money in the bank when he started. He was out only his time, but he didn't count that much, as he had all the time there was, and a whole lot of fun in the bargain. It is true, he lost the principal, but then the captain consoles himself with the fact that he might have lost that anyway. The "Climax" was not the only boat the "Governor" ran, for a number of years he had a side wheeler called the "Khedive" and another boat named after his patron saint of greenback days and called the "General Weaver." After his exploits upon the river the captain, like the snail, carried his house with him, and for a number of years, one of the hulls of one of his stranded boats is said to have served him as a photograph gallery.

There had been more or less trouble growing out of the fact that this river and the Iowa, which seems to have been known as one stream, were navigable, as the people preferred bridges and dams to open river fronts. In an Act of Congress passed May 6, 1870, the following appears: "That so much of the same river as lies north of the town of Wapello be and the same is hereby declared not a navigable stream." Another act was passed on the 18th day of August, 1894, to the effect that "so much of the same river as lies between the town of Toolsborough and Wapello in Louisa county, Iowa, shall not be deemed a navigable stream, but dams and bridges may be constructed across it." Thus it would seem that the Iowa and Red Cedar rivers for nearly the entire distance in Iowa are not navigable so far as Congress has the right and power to enact such laws, which of course merely refer to whether or not such streams may be used for other purposes than navigation.

After all, the story of steamboating is a history of a struggle, which began under auspicious circumstances, and ended in financial failure, but for all that, it made a new Cedar Rapids, and we perhaps today, are profiting by the failures of half a century ago, for it shows what energy and public spirit its first citizens had, which left an impression upon the community and upon the state. We must bear in mind, that Cedar Rapids had only 2,000 people and the county less than 18,000, when these enterprising men of energy, perseverance and thrift put $20,000 into a hazardous undertaking, and even presented passengers and crew with corner lots on arrival.

Well might the first passenger have said, when he stepped off the steamboat landing, at Third avenue, much like Moore said of Washington a hundred years ago,

"An embryo capital where fancy sees,
Squares in morasses and obelisks in trees,"

but the observing traveler, amid these crude surroundings, must have been alive to new impressions, for Cedar Rapids was a thrifty place, even then, where the new man was a pilot on a boat today, and a banker tomorrow, and although the waters of the Cedar henceforth ran quietly by, unhindered by paddle or screw, railroad building claimed the attention of its people, and they became equally at home on land, as they had been on water. Just the other day I asked one of your old settlers why they could keep up several newspapers in that day, really before they had a postoffice. The venerable ex-postmaster replied with fire in his eye, "Why, heavens sakes my man, it took three newspapers to keep up the town."

I have attempted to give you an idea of steamboating on the Red Cedar. I have omitted much, and can only say in the words of the old miller, that he sees not all the water that goes by his mill. Neither have I mentioned all the steamboat ventures on the beautiful Cedar.

In this connection it is of interest to note a report made by B. L. Wick to Lew W. Anderson, chairman of the River Front Improvement Commission of Cedar Rapids, under date of May 8, 1909, which report was later submitted to the authorities at Washington, and an appropriation made for a survey of the Cedar. The survey was made in 1909, and report submitted that it was not feasible without a large expenditure of money to make the river navigable except for a short distance from its mouth.

Dear Sir:

I have been requested to state my views on the practicability and the importance of the navigability of the Cedar river, and will say that for the past ten years I have devoted more or less study to this subject from a historic standpoint, and will herewith give you my views. I believe that what you want more than anything else is whether or not the Cedar river has been navigated formerly, whether or not the rainfall is the same as it used to be, and whether or not there is at present a demand for the opening of this river as a water way for transportation purposes.

Historically speaking, traffic on the Cedar river was an epoch making period of this section of the country in the early pioneer days, and the prosperity of Cedar Rapids and other cities was due in a large measure to the river traffic which in those days made, at least, this city what it later became.

The first notice we have of a white man exploring what is known as the "Red Cedar River" was by Col. George Davenport as early as 1831 when he established a trading post, at Rock Creek. The first steamboating on the Des Moines river was about in 1837, and from this time on the Des Moines, the Iowa and Red Cedar became the inland water ways by which grain was exported and freight was brought up from the cities on the Mississippi river. As early as 1839 the legislature of Iowa territory empowered a company to incorporate in the amount of $200,000.00 to build a slack water canal from the Cedar river to the Mississippi river by way of what is known as "Rock Creek," and while this project did not come to anything, it shows that the people of this early day believed in a public water way in order to come in contact with the towns along the river further up.

The Red Cedar river is about 248 miles long and is comparatively free from any rapids as far as Cedar Rapids, and hence was early looked upon as one of the most favored rivers for steam boat navigation. The Iowa river, into which the Cedar river empties, is about 240 miles in length and is not so favorable for navigation. One of the early settlers who first saw the use of this inland water way was Robert Ellis, who came to these parts in 1838 and who is still living, and who, as early as 1846, caused three flat boats to be built, each boat being about sixty feet in length, sixteen feet in width and only drew three feet of water when loaded. On these boats he loaded 4,000 bushels of wheat consigned to certain millers at Burlington; at Burlington he unloaded the wheat and loaded the same boats with a cargo of flour which was duly taken to New Orleans. From this time on much wheat, corn, bacon, and other articles were shipped from Cedar Rapids to Burlington, Keokuk, St. Louis, and other places on the Mississippi.

It is also true that Mr. Haman, one of the oldest druggists of this city, went to St. Louis for his first stock of drugs and these were brought back by water.

W. B. Mack, one of the early settlers, and one of the first wholesale grocers, secured a cargo of salt in Ohio, which was duly freighted to Cedar Rapids and caused a decline in the price of this commodity in the amount of $5.00 a barrel.

It is known that as early as 1839 keel boats had reached Ivanhoe, and quite a trade was carried on at certain seasons of the year. The first Mississippi steamer which came as far as our city limits was in the month of June, 1846, called "The Maid of Iowa," when a number of settlers came this way as land seekers and at a time when each passenger was offered a lot by the enterprising people of this city. During the next ten years many large and many small steamers made the Cedar river towns as far as Cedar Rapids, and quite a trade had been established between St. Louis, Keokuk, Burlington, and other cities. One of the large Mississippi steamers of 200 tons burden was "The Uncle Tobey," which made her way up here among the brush and hanging willows in the spring of 1853, having on board a large cargo of freight.

To show how much importance the river was to the early settlers it might be well to state that in the fifties—in about 1857—a contract was entered into for the building of a steamer about 155 feet long, single deck, stern wheel, clinker built, to be arranged for freight and passenger traffic and to draw the least possible amount of water. The contract price of this steamer was $20,000.00, and it was launched in June, 1858, and was put into service, arriving at Cedar Rapids July 22, having arrived from Pittsburg in three weeks, stopping at all the cities along the way; this boat had on board about three hundred tons of freight, drew only three feet of water, and had on board nearly one hundred passengers. This was, undoubtedly, the best built passenger and freight boat put on Iowa rivers at that time; during that season this boat made in all twelve trips. On the first trip down stream on July 29, of that year, the papers show that she was loaded down and had in tow a barge loaded with 1,138 sacks of oats, 736 sacks of wheat, some corn, and nearly 1,000 barrels of flour. On one of the trips in October up stream this boat had on board 45,000 feet of lumber; in the following summer this boat got into a collision with another steamer on the Mississippi, and on account of a lawsuit the boat was tied up by litigation.

For a number of years a profitable steamboat business was carried on in the spring of the year above the dam between Cedar Rapids, Vinton, Waterloo and other places. The early settlers all agree that navigation was possible in those days and profitable as well. It was just at this time when steamboating became certain and settled that the railroad entered Cedar Rapids in June, 1859, and from that time every enterprise which was started was in the line of railway extension as well as transportation.

PARK VIEWS IN CEDAR RAPIDS

As to the rain fall, it seems that there has not been much difference between the rains of sixty years ago and now. I collected the following from the Annals of Iowa, Volume 5, page 401, being the rain fall from 1848 to 1855.

In 1848, 26 inches; 1849, 49 inches; 1850, 49 inches; 1851, 71 inches; 1852, 49 inches; 1853, 45 inches; 1854, 23 inches; 1855, 28 inches.

From this the average rain fall of Iowa, I believe, is estimated at about 33 inches. It would appear from 1858 the rain fall was below the average, while during the years up to 1858 the rain fall was above the average. From the newspapers that I have consulted in regard to the rain fall during these years it seemed that there were a good many floods during the summer months so that the steamboating was good until about November, when the boats were taken down south for winter traffic on the southern rivers. As to the rain fall, I have further investigated among the old settlers, and from reports which were kept, it seems that there is not very much difference in the rain fall now and fifty years ago; however, there is this difference, which all agree on, that the channel of the river was more narrow and that the river was deeper and free from mud and sand, which has now accumulated due to the tilling of the soil. The river banks were lined with trees which protected the water from the rays of the sun, and the sloughs were filled with water all summer on account of the high grass, and these grasses and sloughs supplied the river with water more so then than now, as more of it evaporated on account of the tilling of soil and on account of the cutting of the grass than formerly. All the water which fell in those days found its way into the river, which is not true after the ground became cultivated to any extent, and it may be true that only one-fourth of the water which falls now finds its way into the river.

Another question may arise "is it practical?" This is a question not easily answered. It is certain that it can not be done through private enterprise; if it shall succeed at all it must be through state or government aid in part, at least. There is no question but what it will be useful, but whether or not the expenses would be too great to undertake such an enterprise—that remains a debatable question. There is water enough in the river, especially by putting in a dam at Moscow and by straightening the channel a little, so that there will be enough water for the number of months during the year to haul much of our heavy freight, and, if necessary, these products could be stored further along the river until such a time as it was deemed advisable to sell and dispose of the same. Heavy freight requires slow transit and a cheap rate, and such can as well go by water as by rail. For this reason it would be possible to ship by water, grain, cereals, as well as cattle, and there would be a great saving to the farmers of this part of Iowa.

A conservative estimate of freight paid in Cedar Rapids during the past year is no less than $2,500,000.00, all of which is paid to five railroads which have connecting lines in this city. It is also estimated, and I have been told on good authority, that during October, 1908, the tonnage receipts in this city were as follows for the Rock Island railroad:

| Live stock | 4,638,800 pounds
| Coal | 14,659,303 pounds
| Brick | 383,900 pounds
| Stone | 1,603,200 pounds

These are only a few of the larger items and there are a great many more of nearly equal importance with those cited above. There has also been shipped out in farm and dairy products for the year ending 1908 from

| Linn county | 1,980,218 pounds
| Cedar county | 733,708 pounds
| Benton county | 451,297 pounds
| Black Hawk county | 1,032,444 pounds
| Buchanan county | 1,980,218 pounds

These are a few of the items from the counties which are tributory to this river.

For the year 1907 I will mention the yield of a few cereals in counties adjoining the Cedar river, to-wit:

Buchanan county | 1,942,750 bushels corn | 1,011,000 bushels oats
Benton county | 3,686,100 bushels corn | 1,842,800 bushels oats
Linn county | 3,851,500 bushels corn | 1,166,160 bushels oats
Johnson county | 3,415,170 bushels corn | 1,231,100 bushels oats
Cedar county | 3,211,230 bushels corn | 804,500 bushels oats

Say nothing of hay, potatoes, barley, wheat, rye and other products.

Such a water course would also offer inducement to manufacturing concerns for the manufacture of cereals, etc., which are shipped out in carload lots daily, as well as grain which is cleaned here and sent out to other cities. This will give you somewhat of an idea, not only of the value and productiveness of Iowa soil, but to show the chances of such a water way by which freight products could be handled at a much lower rate than at present, as we have here the same freight rate as they have at Council Bluffs, and by this means we would get the Mississippi rate, which is much less. Such a water way would open up the heart of the corn and oats belt of Iowa and make it possible to get the water rate on large shipments of freight. If the government is now urging a water way enterprise, surely the Cedar river should not be overlooked, for it is a large body of water, with a rich adjoining territory, and by government promotion could be made the carrier of all our products which, as above set out, means millions in bushels annually.

It is not likely that the freight shipped into our city would come by water, as it is generally of a kind which is wanted quickly, but there is no question but that the products of our farmers, and all our mills and factories, would be sent by water, on account of cheaper rates to better markets than now.

It is only when I visited other countries and studied transportation from cities in England, Holland, Belgium, France and Germany that I realized the small rivers of those countries which have been used for centuries to such an advantage for the carriage of freight. For instance, a river of any size is dredged to a certain depth at government expense; there is a uniform depth of a little better than three feet of water on many of these rivers, and on these bodies of water barges of not less than 1,000 tons pass up and down loaded with freight. This means cheaper freight rates than we have and this in consequence makes products cheaper to the consumer and higher for the producer. Canada, during the past few years, has spent millions of dollars on its rivers and canals, and it is money wisely spent; while we have spent little or nothing in any effort to help the people in the promotion of water ways, which will be the real source of competition in freight rates in the future.

I fully believe that the survey of the Cedar should be made, and I believe that if such a survey is made that this stream will be declared navigable, and that the state or nation will step in in order to make definite plans for financing this great enterprise for the carrying on of freight steamers, carrying cargoes as far as the Mississippi, and I believe that enough tariff exists now to warrant such an enterprise. The Cedar river is an important factor now for the purpose of furnishing power, and should also become a factor in transportation as well. This would be the case provided the river would be improved as demanded, which would result in re-establishing heavy freight traffic by water instead of as now wholly by rail.

CHAPTER XLI

Banks and Banking in Linn County

The history of banking in Cedar Rapids and Linn county may appropriately be divided into three periods, designated respectively, Frontier Banking, Country Banking, and City Banking, each possessing characteristics peculiar to itself and expressive of its time.

Frontier Banking was coincident with the beginning of business in Iowa, and continuing, covered the pioneer days, prior to the coming of the railroad, and its story is most interestingly told in his own words by Dr. S. D. Carpenter, whose youthful activities were a part of that early life, and who, in his eightieth year, writes as follows:

"Something over fifty years ago, as I recall the circumstance, I was greatly elated when the local printer at Cedar Rapids produced a card on which was imprinted 'Carpenter, Lehman & Co., Bankers.' At an earlier period of my life, I had read Æsop's Fables, but if I had, the story of the Ass who paraded in the Lion's skin did not seem applicable, and I mingled boldly with my companions, who, with equal effrontery, wore the same apparel. The 'protoplasm' from which the bankers of that day evoluted was plentiful and the environment all that could be desired. In a technical sense, it is quite true, there was no necessity for a bank and no business for a banker; there being no commerce, there were no bills to discount; but nevertheless, we established banks and became bankers. This was possible, because we had squatted down in the midst of millions of acres of a very fertile soil, in a genial and healthy climate. The product of land could not be exported, but a large immigration was pouring into the country, hungry for land and sufficiently numerous to consume all the surplus products. Land was the basis of all the live business, and the land agent and real estate dealer evoluted naturally into a banker. Land warrants took the place of commodities, dealers in the east collected them, and sent them to their agents in the west, who sold them at a large advance to the immigrants for whom they entered the land. The western real estate dealer ordinarily did not have capital enough to buy the land warrant, but handled it on a commission for his eastern correspondent until such time as he could accumulate from his profits sufficient cash to buy it outright. The price of the land warrant as purchased from the party to whom issued, was less than one dollar per acre, and was always sold to the buyer who used it at $1.25 per acre, that is a profit of at least 25 cents per acre, and with the continual increase of immigrants the business became of great volume and was correspondingly remunerative. Often the purchaser wanted more land than he had cash to pay for; then the real estate man sold the warrant at the rate of $1.25 per acre, took the purchaser's note for the balance at three per cent per month interest and held all the land as security. At this point, the real estate man became a banker. The first real estate firm in Cedar Rapids was that of Weare, Finch & Co., consisting of John Weare, Jr., Daniel O. Finch, and George Greene. They began business either in 1850 or 1851. I was offered a one-fourth interest in the syndicate for $500.00 and would gladly have taken it, but was unable to raise the requisite capital. Although unable to break into the crib, like many others, I hung around and was able now and then to grab an ear from the overflow. In other words, I became a customer of the bank. Being in the practise of medicine, I became familiar with all the surrounding country. When I discovered a choice location as regarded timber, water, etc., I went to the bank, bought a land warrant at $1.25 per acre, gave my note at three per cent per month, with a cast iron mortgage, and took my chances in the hope of selling at an advance before the maturity of the note. I was so successful in these ventures that I soon abandoned my profession and devoted my whole time to real estate. The real estate operator took advantage of the fact that many of the immigrants brought money with them, which it required time to invest. They had to look up locations to enter or to examine tracts which they desired to buy at second hand. Meantime, they did not wish to carry their money about with them and therefore they deposited it in the bank. The trade of the local merchants also increased, and they gradually became customers, and from these sources came the deposits. The volume of exchange was small, but the bank added something to its income by acting as agent for the payment of taxes for non-residents. The firm of Weare, Finch & Co. soon merged into that of Greene & Weare, D. O. Finch removing to Des Moines to establish a branch of the same house. Greene & Weare did not long enjoy a monopoly at Cedar Rapids. B. S. Bryan, who had been a clerk in their house, and had become familiar with the business, with a brother-in-law named Ward, from New Jersey, opened a rival establishment under the name of Ward & Bryan, some time in 1852 or '53. At that time, the immigration was so large that both establishments had all the business they could manage with their limited capital. It is not probable that either concern was very conservative, but the newer firm had but little capital, and the members branched out in the way of building new residences for themselves, and Bryan went so far as to buy a top buggy and a fine horse. This was going beyond the limit; the pioneer whose aspirations in the way of a pleasure carriage did not extend beyond a two horse wagon, became suspicious. Some renewals of paper in Iowa City and Davenport were refused them, and they had to close their doors. Then ensued a mild financial earthquake, which did not affect the town itself, because no one in the town, except the merchants, had any money on deposit, and they but little, but the sufferers were those who had put their money in the bank preparatory to buying land, and the bankers of whom they had bought land warrants on credit. Wm. Greene and myself, were appointed receivers. The assets amounted to about $35,000.00 and the indebtedness to something more. It took a year or two to close up the business and there was not a very great loss to any one.

IN AND AROUND MT. VERNON

"The town had scarcely quieted down from this excitement before it was struck by another financial cyclone of an entirely different character. We had a mail three times a week from Dubuque to Iowa City, the service being performed by four horse Concord coaches; it was before the day of the express companies. All money and other valuable packages came by mail. One day about 9 o'clock in the morning, the postmaster from Marion dashed into town at full speed, bringing the alarming intelligence that a mail pouch had been stolen from the coach in Marion, which had been found cut open and rifled and then concealed in some shavings back of a carpenter shop, near the hotel where the stage stopped to change horses and allow the passengers to breakfast. In the sack and near it, concealed in the shavings, were letters, and a package of land warrants, amounting to several thousand dollars. What was missing was not known. The land warrants were addressed to Greene & Weare. A crowd gathered about the bank and it soon became known that a money package had been in the pouch, but the amount was not given. Soon the report spread about that the bank had lost five, ten, or twenty thousand dollars, the sum varying according to the guessing power of the relator. Immediately John Weare and Wm. Greene started post haste to Marion, where they found a high state of excitement. The town had resolved itself into a committee of 'Sherlock Holmeses,' all devoting themselves to detective business. As a starting point, they were told that the money consisted of bank notes, issued by the Bank of Elgin, Illinois. Suspicion soon pointed to a disreputable blacksmith, living in a small frame house nearby. The stage had arrived at the hotel just before daylight, first driving to the postoffice, where the driver thought he had thrown all the sacks from the boot, but the small one had escaped his notice. The stage stood in front of the hotel and the horses were taken to the stable and fresh ones brought to supply their places. While this was being done and the passengers being at their breakfast, the stage was quite deserted, and it was then, it still being dark, that the thief got in his work. The stage proceeded on its way, and it was not till the carpenter shop, which stood just across the street from the hotel, was opened up for work, that a workman discovered the papers scattered about and finally the pouch itself. The alarm was at once given and the postmaster, as stated, carried the news to Cedar Rapids. It was not known that money had been stolen till Mr. Weare and Mr. Greene arrived. Soon after their arrival it became known that the blacksmith, quite early in the day, had been to the town grocery and much to the surprise of the grocer, paid up a standing account, and bought several dollars' worth of goods, for which he paid cash, with bills of the Bank of Elgin. These bills had not been in general circulation, and the grocer was making inquiries about them, which at once fixed suspicion on the blacksmith, who was immediately arrested and a guard placed about his house. He was searched, but nothing of an incriminating nature found. The house was then thoroughly gone over, and a five dollar bill of the Bank of Elgin found in the crack in the wall behind a looking glass. The man declared his innocence, and the woman said she knew nothing about the discovered bill. They had three children, a boy about thirteen, another eight, and a younger girl. In explanation of the bills paid the grocer, he said a man from Illinois, where he had formerly lived, had passed through the town the day before, and had paid him a bill of long standing in the bank notes that he had given the grocer. This story they stuck to, through all sorts of cross examination. Another diligent search of the house and adjacent premises was made, but nothing found. People living in the house nearest them, said that before daylight they had heard them up, and saw a light in the house, which was an unusual circumstance. The eldest boy, however, explained that he was raising a pet pig by hand, and that he was up so early because his pig was hungry and he had to feed it. Things went on in this manner till nearly night, when a new clew was struck. A woman living at the outskirts of the village had seen the eldest boy pass her house about eight or nine o'clock in the morning, carrying a sack, which apparently had something in it. No one had, however, seen him leave or return to his father's house, and he was there when the arrest was made, but the time that he was seen corresponded to about the time the grocer was being examined about the bills, and the detectives concluded that the blacksmith had his eyes open and surmised that they were getting warm on the trail, and had then sent out the boy with the money in the sack. The boy stoutly denied that he had left the house and that the woman was mistaken. So the matter rested for the first night. The next morning two other persons were found who had seen the boy and the sack at the time mentioned. Then the boy being hard pressed confessed that his mother had sent him out to a neighboring farm to get meal, but not finding any he had left the sack. Mr. Greene took the boy to the farm, but the people said he had not been there. Then he was brought back and again cross examined. He told numerous and conflicting stories, which I have forgotten, but succeeded in baffling the detectives the whole day. In the afternoon, Mr. Weare wrote me from Marion a very despairing note, saying that they were perfectly sure that the blacksmith was the thief, but that there was no clue to the money, which was the main thing, and suggesting that I bring three or four determined men and join him, and try by intimidation, whether it was not possible to frighten him into giving it up. I acted upon his advice and joined him in Marion about nightfall.

"I found him at the house of his mother-in-law in company with a couple of dozen of the amateur detectives. They were awaiting the return of Wm. Greene, whom the boy was leading another wild goose chase. It was the consensus of opinion that if the last effort with the boy failed, the crowd should take the old man from the jail and threaten to lynch him. This might possibly make him confess. I felt perfectly sure that the boy had taken the money in the sack and concealed it and argued that it would be more easy to intimidate him than his father, who seemed to be hardened and determined. Objection was made on account of his age, and on the score of cruelty, but they finally agreed that I might make a trial on the boy, and that in case of failure, they would deal with the old man. Pending the discussion, William Greene and the boy drove up in a buggy. The boy had added another to his many lies about the disposition of the sack. He was a sturdy chap of thirteen, and under the embarrassing circumstances seemed pretty cool. When they got out of the buggy William Greene made a final appeal to him. 'My boy,' he said, 'you have been lying to us all day as you well know, but I will make a last offer to you. If you will tell where you have hidden the money, I will give you $200.00 and you shall not be hurt, or anything done to you, but if you don't, I will turn you over to these men, and I don't know what they will do to you.' The boy said, 'that as true as there was a God in heaven, he didn't know anything about the money, and could tell nothing.' Then I took up the role; I seized him by the throat and threw him pretty heavily to the ground, and called for a rope; the crowd had a rope prepared for the old man, which was immediately put about his neck; then I raised him up and told them to throw the rope over the limb of a tree under which we were standing. They did so and drew it taut, and I said, 'now you lying young rascal, we are going to hang you instantly, and if you have anything to say, this is your last chance.' The suddenness of the attack, and the jar he received in falling sort of dazed him; at all events he cried out, 'don't hang me and I will tell.' He at once confessed that he had the money in the sack, and had buried it in a clump of bushes within three hundred yards of where we were. I led him by the rope, followed by the crowd, and in a few minutes a couple of the men unearthed the sack. We then returned to the house, the money was counted and only a few hundred dollars was missing from the original $6,000.00 which the package contained. The boy in the meantime had regained his courage, and on being asked to explain who gave him the money, said that while going with the sack for the meal early in the morning of the robbery, he had met two men, who gave him the money and told him to bury it and they would call in a few days and pay him $200.00 for his trouble, and that his father had nothing to do with it, and knew nothing about it. Asked to describe the men, he looked at the crowd and gave a very accurate description of myself and John Weare, who stood beside me. The bystanders appreciated the joke, and inquired whether Weare and I were not the men. He gave us another look and said he was not quite certain, but they were men who looked mightily like us, if we were not the very men.

"The old man was kept in jail but the boy was left with his mother. In a few weeks the prisoner escaped, the boy having with an axe one night dug a hole in the wall of the jail. He and his father were heard of no more, and were never brought to justice. I have always had a sneaking sort of an admiration for that boy and feel certain that he must have reached distinction in some way or another.

"The above episode took place, if my memory is not at fault, about 1854-5, and at that time and on till 1857, the real estate dealers and bankers throve apace. Personally I had arrived at a position that I thought entitled me to become a financier, and in company with L. H. Lehman, of Wooster, Ohio, and E. C. Kreider, of Lancaster, Ohio, we opened our doors and proclaimed ourselves bankers under the firm name of Carpenter, Lehman & Co. Soon afterwards another bank was started, the firm name of which I have forgotten, but of it Henry Wood, an early settler of the town, was a member. Thus Cedar Rapids, with a population of less than 2,000, could boast of three banks. Meantime Greene & Weare grew apace, and besides the home institution, within a few years they established branches in Des Moines, Council Bluffs, Omaha, Ft. Dodge, Sioux City, and it may be at other places, and in almost every county seat that I can think of there were two or three banks. Cook & Sargeant, of Davenport, were the Pierpont Morgans of the day, and had even more branches than Greene & Weare.

"I cannot remember that there were any banks of issue in Iowa, nor do I know what the banking laws of Iowa were at that time, but if there were any, they were not so favorable as those of the territory of Nebraska. Cook & Sargeant, I believe, were the discoverers of the new field, and organized a bank at an obscure town in that territory named Florence, and very soon currency of the Bank of Florence was in active circulation; to keep abreast of the times, Greene & Weare started a bank at Fontanelle, a still more obscure place in the territory, and bills of the Bank of Fontanelle were greatly in evidence. I do not remember what provisions were made for the redemption of the notes, but imagine that the holders had a pretty tedious journey to get to the places of issue. They however did duty as money, made times good, and stimulated speculation. When the land office was opened at Fort Dodge, I made a trip to that place with John Weare, Jr., who went, I think, to establish a branch there. The journey consumed several days, and on arriving we found all the buildings that had formerly been occupied by the soldiers filled to overflowing with land seekers and bankers. Not only were the old buildings full, but many were in hastily built cabins, and even in tents. There were seven banks in full operation; one in a tent which served as a background for a large sign, announcing that ten per cent would be paid on current deposits. John Garaghty, of Lancaster, Ohio, an old friend of mine, had his bank in one of the recently built cabins. I found him on the floor of the bank, diligently sewing at a bed tick, which was to garnish a bunk in one corner where he slept. He seemed cheerful, but animadverted severely on his competitor in the tent, whom he said was taking a rascally advantage in offering ten per cent interest. Things went on swimmingly for a couple of years. Immigration was large, lands advanced rapidly in price, with plenty of buyers; to make money one only had to buy real estate, so we all cheerfully used all our cash and credit in that line.

"Without much warning, so far as I can remember, the hard times of 1857 struck us, as the stringency extended over the whole country. Our supplies were suddenly cut off. We that were wearing the 'Lion's skin' began to bray, and to take to the tall timber. Our firm fortunately had not gotten entirely beyond its depth, but it was in well up to the chin. By strenuous efforts we managed to pay our depositors and then divided our lands, and went out of business, as did the other concern which had started in about the time we did. Greene & Weare were left alone in the field, but their difficulties were great, and the firm was soon dissolved by the withdrawal of John Weare, Jr., whose place was taken by Wm. Merritt, and the name changed to Greene, Merritt & Co. That financial cyclone I should say wiped out at least one-half of the bankers of Iowa, and had they been asked why they failed, they could have answered in the laconic terms of John Thompson, the bank note reporter, to a similar question, 'for want of money.'

"For a couple of years thereafter I devoted my whole time to real estate, trying to get rid of my holdings, which were more than I could comfortably carry. In 1859, or thereabouts, having gotten my affairs into better shape, I again embarked in the banking business, having for partners John Weare, Jr., and Henry B. Stibbs, both of whom had been with the firm of Greene & Weare, the former as a partner, the latter as cashier. The firm name was Carpenter, Stibbs & Co. Banking had then become more legitimate. The railroad had been completed to Cedar Rapids. Commission houses had been established. Grain, hogs, and cattle were shipped in carloads, which furnished bills for discount; merchants were on a firmer basis and did a larger business, and the deposits were of considerable volume: real estate and tax paying still had a place, but were inconsiderable.

"Things in a commercial way went on pretty smoothly till the breaking out of the Civil war. At that time our currency consisted principally of bank notes from Wisconsin and Illinois, which were based mostly upon state and other bonds held by the banks which issued the notes. As these securities fluctuated so did the value of the notes. Those who held them wanted to deposit in the banks, and when a customer came in, the banker had to refer to Thompson's Bank Note Reporter to ascertain their value, and even when so determined, the risk of the banker was great, because of their liability to depreciate. I remember going to St. Louis, shortly after the war began to withdraw our account from a bank there, and I had to pay 13 per cent for a gold draft. Still we managed to worry along and I do not remember that many failures occurred. When the war broke out, Cedar Rapids raised a company for the first regiment, and as the state had no money, our bank furnished the funds to equip, maintain, and transport the company to Keokuk, where it was mustered into the service. From that time till I entered the army early in 1862, I had little to do with the bank. I was chairman of a committee of thirteen whose duty it was to encourage enlistments and the formation of companies for the service, and by subscription to raise money for bounties, till finally I went myself and was not mustered out till August, 1865.

"From the time I left for the war, I had nothing to do actively with the banking business and have never since been behind a banking counter in an official capacity. What little knowledge I have of the early banking in Iowa, I gained there, but as Cedar Rapids was a typical town, I imagine that the banking done there was very similar to that done in all the other towns of the state.

"After a lapse of forty-four years, one's memory is not reliable and you must therefore make liberal allowance for errors in date as well as other things. In writing I regret the want of old papers and other data, but have done the best I could under the circumstances.

"Truly yours,

"Seymour D. Carpenter."

The first constitution of Iowa made the following reference to banks:

"The General Assembly shall provide for the organization of all other corporations, except those with Banking privileges, the creation of which is prohibited."

For this reason early banking was conducted as a purely private enterprise, or as a branch of some bank incorporated in another state.

Prior to the adoption of the second constitution in 1857, it became evident that the state was very much in need of a more stable banking system, so provision was made for incorporated banks, when approved by vote of the people and for "The State Bank of Iowa," which was incorporated July 29, 1858, with power to establish branches and issue circulating notes. Elihu Baker, a Cedar Rapids banker, was the first secretary of the State Bank, and in time fifteen branches were established at different points in the state.

Although none was located here, our business interests received substantial benefit from the improved financial conditions that resulted from a safe system and a sound currency.

With the coming of the railroad in 1859, Cedar Rapids entered the field of commerce and forever put an end, not only to frontier banking, but to one of the most wonderfully heroic, and, in some respects, beautiful scenes of its human history—the pioneer life.

R. D. STEPHENS
ADDISON DANIELS
J. B. YOUNG
I. M. PRESTON

Country banking as conducted today, is less crude, more scientific, and safer than in the time of which we write, but a fundamental condition that has always made it a public necessity remains the same, namely, a local community engaged in the activities of development, production, and commerce.

It goes without saying that the banking needs of Cedar Rapids as a railroad town were greater than ever before and several applications were made for permission to establish a branch of the State Bank, none of which, however, was successful.

This worthy institution itself proved to be short-lived, for the need that brought it into existence was broader than Iowa and soon crystallized into the National Bank Act, which was adopted by the Federal Congress in 1863, and which provided for a National Bank currency and effectually put an end to all other bank note issues, and the State Bank of Iowa, having fulfilled its mission, redeemed its notes and all other liabilities, and ceased to exist.

Although the national system met with much opposition on the part of the larger state banks of New York and elsewhere, and had to overcome prejudice in the minds of many people throughout the country, its positive improvement on the old order of things was quickly apparent to Cedar Rapids bankers, resulting in the establishment of two National banks in 1864, and the race for charters illustrates a degree of alertness and competition in those days that would do credit to the chief of present day hustlers, and verified the old proverb, "the first shall be last," for the First National Bank, with a capital of $50,000.00, received charter No. 500 on August 23d, while the City National Bank, with a capital of $100,000.00, received charter No. 483 on July 19th of that year and was the first to open its doors for business. During the following year, the First National Bank increased its capital to $100,000.00. Published reports, about the end of the year 1865, show total deposits in both banks of nearly $150,000.00, and the full limit of outstanding bank notes $90,000.00 each, thus promptly and amply providing banking facilities for the rapid development that followed the close of the Civil war.

City banking within the memory of our older bankers was practically confined to the east and to a very few of the larger cities of the country, and its development in Cedar Rapids and other cities of her class illustrates the evolution of banking methods and evidences the remarkable financial growth of Iowa and the west. In response to the growing needs of jobbing and manufacturing lines, which were then in their infancy, the Merchants National Bank was organized in 1881 by R. D. Stephens. He was an exceptionally able banker, and his untimely death in 1883 deprived the community of a strong force.

With the organization of the Cedar Rapids National Bank, which succeeded the private banking business of G. F. Van Vechten in 1887, there was inaugurated a systematic effort to encourage and build up a business with country banks within this territory. Such deposits were carried in moderate amounts before this, but were handled more as a matter of necessary collections on account of the shipments of live stock and grain to this center than as a permanent and profitable branch of banking. It became evident at this time that the rapid development of the state and of wholesale and manufacturing businesses at this point was bringing Cedar Rapids into closer business relations with many other towns, that currency and credit could be handled here with equal safety and with greater profit and convenience than in the distant east, and with population and wage earners increasing, the savings banks assumed their most important place, and thus it came about that city banking, like country banking, was the outgrowth of our mutual business requirements and advantages. Its natural development led to the organization of the Cedar Rapids Clearing House Association in 1902, the designation by government authority of Cedar Rapids as a reserve city for deposits of other national banks in 1903, and to the existence of ten active banks today, holding total deposits of over sixteen million dollars, and completes a record of banking safety that has paid its depositors in full throughout its history.

List of Cedar Rapids banks in the order in which they began business:

No. | Name | Opened | Liquidated
1 | Greene & Weare | 1852 | 1858
2 | Ward, Bryan & Co. | 1853 | 1856
3 | Carpenter, Lehman & Co. | 1856 | 1857
4 | Dodge, Carr & Co. | 1856 | 1857
5 | Elihu Baker & Co. | 1857 | 1860
6 | Greene, Merritt & Co. | 1858 | 1862
7 | Carpenter, Stibbs & Co. | 1859 | 1869
8 | S. C. Bever & Son | 1862 | 1864
9 | City National Bank | July 19, 1864 | 1898
10 | First National Bank | August 23, 1864 | 1886
11 | Union Savings Bank | February, 1870 | 1879
12 | G. F. Van Vechten Private Bank | February 1, 1877 | 1887
13 | Merchants National Bank | March, 1881
14 | Cedar Rapids Savings Bank | May 15, 1883
15 | O. N. Hull's Real Estate Bank | August 12, 1884 | 1890
16 | Cedar Rapids National Bank | February 28, 1887
17 | Security Savings Bank | April 26, 1889
18 | Bohemian-American State Bank | June 13, 1892 | 1894

19

{Iowa Savings Bank
{changed name to
{Bohemian-American Savings Bank

May 1, 1893}
}
September 1, 1894}

1898

20 | Citizens National Bank | March, 1898 | 1908
21 | American Trust and Savings Bank | April 5, 1898
22 | Cedar Rapids Loan and Trust Co. | February 1, 1900 | 1904
23 | Peoples Savings Bank | May, 1903
24 | Fidelity Trust and Savings Bank | June 1, 1904 | 1907
25 | Commercial Savings Bank | December 14, 1905
26 | Iowa State Savings Bank | July 1, 1906
27 | Commercial National Bank | July 7, 1908
28 | First Trust & Savings Bank | August 4, 1910

THE CEDAR RAPIDS CLEARING HOUSE ASSOCIATION

The Cedar Rapids Clearing House Association was organized largely through the efforts of R. T. Forbes, at that time cashier of the Citizens National Bank, and J. M. Dinwiddie, cashier of the Cedar Rapids Savings Bank. During the summer of 1902, Mr. Forbes and Mr. Dinwiddie agitated the matter and in October of that year, as the result of their efforts, a committee of Cedar Rapids bankers, consisting of John T. Hamilton, J. M. Dinwiddie, Ralph Van Vechten, James E. Hamilton, J. W. Bowdish, Lawson Daniels, E. W. Virden, E. M. Scott, Ed. H. Smith, E. E. Pinney, and R. T. Forbes, visited Davenport and investigated the workings of the clearing house association of that city.

Following that visit to Davenport, a meeting of the representatives of the banks of the city was held on November 3, 1902, at which meeting it was formally resolved to form a local association. A constitution and by-laws were adopted on November 6, 1902, and the clearing house was regularly organized, with the following banks as members: Merchants National, Cedar Rapids National, Citizens National, Cedar Rapids Savings, Security Savings, American Trust and Savings, People's Savings. The first officers, elected December 3, 1902, were: President, J. M. Dinwiddie; first vice-president, E. M. Scott; second vice-president, Ed. H. Smith; treasurer, E. W. Virden; secretary and manager, R. T. Forbes.

After formal organization the clearing house lay dormant for several months and it was not until January 4, 1904, that the association actually began the work of daily clearings. The clearings for the first day amounted to a total of $127,000. The average per week for the first year was about $400,000. That the banking business of Cedar Rapids has grown with giant strides the past five years is evidenced by the fact that the clearings are now running well over one million dollars per week and are showing an average gain of 40 per cent over the corresponding weeks of last year. The week ending June 5, 1909, showed the remarkable increase of 130 per cent over the same week of 1908.

At the time of organization the banks of Cedar Rapids had a combined capital of $630,000, surplus and undivided profits of $400,000, and deposits of $7,800,000. At the present time they have a combined capital of $900,000, surplus and undivided profits of over $800,000, and deposits of $16,000,000. Since the organization of the clearing house the deposits of country banks has increased from $2,000,000 to more than $6,000,000, savings and time deposits from $4,200,000 to $7,200,000, and individual demand deposits from $1,200,000 to $2,200,000. Such a showing of growth and prosperity is an absolute index of local conditions and speaks more eloquently than words of the substantial manner in which this city is forging ahead in things financial.

J. M. Dinwiddie served as president until December, 1906, being succeeded by E. M. Scott, who served until December, 1908. Mr. Scott was succeeded by J. W. Bowdish, who resigned in March of this year, being succeeded by Kent C. Ferman. R. T. Forbes served as secretary and manager until December, 1906. He was succeeded by Charles Fletcher, Jr., who held the office until July, 1908, when he was succeeded by W. J. Elliott. E. W. Virden, the first treasurer, was succeeded by John Burianek, Jr., who served until December, 1907, when he was followed by Louis Wokoun. The present officers are: President, Kent C. Ferman; first vice-president, James E. Hamilton; second vice-president, John Burianek, Jr.; treasurer, Louis Wokoun; secretary and manager, W. J. Elliott.

The present membership comprises all the banks of the city, as follows: Merchants National, Cedar Rapids National, Commercial National, Cedar Rapids Savings, Security Savings, American Trust and Savings, People's Savings, Iowa State Savings, Commercial Savings. The clearing house association rooms are under the Merchants National Bank, and here representatives from each bank in the city meet at eleven o'clock each day to exchange checks, or "clear" the day's business.

The Commercial Savings Bank was organized December 13, 1905, with a capital stock of $50,000. Its officers were C. H. Chandler, president; W. C. LaTourette, vice-president; James L. Bever, Jr., cashier; with C. H. Chandler, James L. Bever, Sr., W. C. LaTourette, H. Cushman, John B. Bever, C. B. Robbins, E. J. Carey, A. Jeffrey, and C. Denecke, directors. The bank has enjoyed due prosperity. There have been some changes in its officers, C. H. Chandler continuing as its president to this date. C. B. Robbins and E. J. Carey are the present vice-presidents, and Ed. B. Zbanek, its cashier.

The Iowa State Savings Bank opened for business January 6, 1906, at the corner of Tenth avenue and Third street. The capital stock was $50,000. It is known as the "South End Bank," and was organized for the especial accommodation of business men and individuals in the southern portion of the city. The first officers were: A. Tomec, president; V. O. Hasek, vice-president; and Joseph Lesinger, cashier. The present officers are: V. O. Hasek, president; J. J. Cerveny, vice-president, and Joseph Lesinger, cashier. Present capital stock $50,000; surplus, $5,000; total resources, $525,000; deposits, $700,000.

The People's Savings Bank was organized March 10, 1900, with T. McCarthy, president; H. E. Witwer and J. J. Powell, vice-presidents; E. W. Virden, cashier; and T. McCarthy, H. E. Witwer, J. J. Powell, John M. Redmond, Wm. King, George H. Boyson, A. H. Wolf, Theodore Stark, and Fred H. Shaver, directors.

A. H. Wolf and George H. Boyson, having disposed of their interests in 1903, at the annual election held January, 1904, C. L. Miller and George G. Grupe were elected in their places.

T. McCarthy, on account of his health, did not desire a re-election as president, and E. W. Virden, having accepted a position in Louisiana, caused a vacancy in the presidency and cashiership. At that meeting the following officers were elected: H. E. Witwer, president, J. J. Powell and Fred H. Shaver, vice-presidents; and John Burianek, Jr., cashier. On January 9, 1906, at the annual meeting, Mr. Redmond being unable to serve as a director, did not desire re-election and in his place John Burianek, Jr., was chosen. On the death of J. J. Powell in 1908, Wm. King was chosen one of the vice-presidents. The directors now are H. E. Witwer, T. McCarthy, F. H. Shaver, G. G. Grupe, Wm. King, C. E. Tuttle, E. S. Seeley, John Burianek, Jr.

Originally this bank had 83 stockholders, the number now being 53. It has a surplus of $25,000, undivided profits of $10,000, and deposits of nearly $900,000.

Early in 1911 the bank will occupy its new building on the corner of First street and Third avenue west, one of the handsomest in the state.

The Cedar Rapids National Bank was incorporated February 28, 1887, and succeeded to the business of G. F. Van Vechten, banker. The original directors were A. T. Averill, Geo. B. Douglas, G. F. Van Vechten, Joseph S. Cook, C. Magnus, J. M. Ristine, and C. B. Soutter. Changes in the board of directors have occurred as follows:

In 1888 P. E. Hall succeeded J. M. Ristine. In 1891 Ralph Van Vechten succeeded C. Magnus. In 1896 Mr. Magnus was reelected to succeed C. B. Soutter. In 1899 Ed. H. Smith was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of J. S. Cook. In 1906 P. E. Hall was succeeded by J. H. Ingwersen. In 1906 C. Magnus retired from the board, and in January, 1907, J. M. Ristine was elected to fill the vacancy. In 1909 C. D. Van Vechten was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of G. F. Van Vechten, and in 1910 Glenn M. Averill was elected to fill the vacancy caused by the death of his father, A. T. Averill.

The present personnel of the board is as follows: Ralph Van Vechten, Geo. B. Douglas, Ed. H. Smith, J. M. Ristine, J. H. Ingwersen, C. D. Van Vechten, and Glenn M. Averill.

The original officers were A. T. Averill, president; G. F. Van Vechten, vice-president; Ralph Van Vechten, cashier. A. T. Averill served continuously as president until his death in 1910, and was succeeded in office by Ralph Van Vechten. G. F. Van Vechten was vice-president until the time of his death, which occurred in 1909, and he was succeeded in office by Geo. B. Douglas. In February, 1905, Ralph Van Vechten resigned his position as cashier, to assume the second vice-presidency of the Commercial National Bank of Chicago. At that time he was elected to the position of second vice-president of the Cedar Rapids National Bank, being succeeded as cashier by J. H. Ingwersen. In 1908 Mr. Ingwersen resigned as cashier to accept the presidency of the Peoples Trust and Savings Bank of Clinton, Iowa, and Kent C. Ferman, who had been assistant cashier since 1904, was appointed cashier. In 1904 John Fletcher was appointed assistant cashier, and Miss Anna Smouse auditor. In 1906 Mr. Fletcher resigned to accept the assistant cashiership of the Drovers Deposit National Bank of Chicago. In 1908 Louis Visha was appointed assistant cashier, and in 1909 Martin Newcomer was appointed as assistant cashier.

S. S. JOHNSON
An Early Cedar Rapids Settler

The present officers are therefore as follows: Ralph Van Vechten, president; Geo. B. Douglas, vice-president; Kent C. Ferman, cashier; Louis Visha, assistant cashier; Martin Newcomer, assistant cashier; and Miss Anna Smouse, auditor.

The bank has a capital of $100,000, a surplus of $100,000, undivided profits of over $100,000, and deposits of more than $3,500,000.

The Security Savings Bank was incorporated March 18, 1889, and opened for business April 26, 1889.

The original stockholders numbered 87, of whom 22 have since died.

The original directors were G. F. Van Vechten, C. J. Ives, J. R. Amidon, Walter D. Douglas, Chas. H. Clark, Jno. E. Murray, W. W. Higley, J. R. Morin, and W. F. Severa. Changes in the board of directors on account of death or disposition of stock have occurred as follows: In 1894 P. C. Frick succeeded J. R. Morin; in 1895 E. M. Scott succeeded W. F. Severa; in 1896 B. H. Witwer succeeded Chas. H. Clark, whose death occurred during that year; in 1899, on account of temporary removal from the city, W. D. Douglas resigned and was succeeded by C. D. Van Vechten, but on the death of W. W. Higley, later in the year, Mr. Douglas was reelected to succeed him. In 1906 D. K. Harbert succeeded C. J. Ives, who died that year, and in January, 1910, Emma M. Van Vechten was elected to succeed her husband, G. F. Van Vechten, whose death occurred the previous September.

President Van Vechten and Vice-President Ives served the bank continuously from its organization to the date of their respective deaths; Vice-President Amidon continuously since organization, and President Scott the same—first as cashier, then vice-president, and after Mr. Van Vechten's death, as president. On January 1, 1908, J. W. Bowdish was engaged for one year to relieve Mr. Scott, during the building period, and served as cashier throughout that year. Cashier Frank Filip entered the employ of the bank in 1894, was promoted to assistant cashier in 1904, and made cashier in 1909.

The original capital stock was $50,000, which was later increased to $75,000, then to $100,000, and on March 24, 1908, to $150,000. The present surplus is $100,000. Its total deposits are now about $1,800,000, belonging to 5,000 depositors.

The bank first opened for business at 211 South Second street. In 1893 it erected on its own ground, 26×60 feet, on the corner of Second avenue and Second street, a three-story brick bank building, containing the first exclusive safety deposit vaults in the city. In 1902 additional ground was purchased and in 1907 the three-story brick adjoining on the south was purchased and the bank removed to a temporary office in this building, while its old home was replaced by its present eight-story, steel frame, fire proof office building, where its banking apartments are modern and complete.

The Bohemian-American State Bank was organized under state charter and commenced business June 13, 1892, with a capital of $60,000, its officers being W. F. Severa, president; S. L. Dows, vice-president; J. W. Bowdish, cashier; V. A. Jung, assistant cashier. Among its organizers were W. F. Severa, S. L. Dows, J. H. Douglas, F. Braun, Jos. Woitishek, Jos. Renchin, E. E. Pinney, H. B. Soutter, T. C. Munger, C. Butler Weeks, J. J. Powell, and Warren Harman. It had a successful career and paid dividends from its commencement. It was consolidated September 1, 1894, with the Bohemian-American Savings Bank, in order to avail itself of the more liberal charter given by the state to savings banks, the stockholders and depositors practically all remaining with the new organization.

The Iowa Savings Bank was organized under state charter and commenced business May 1, 1893, with a capital of $50,000. Its officers were James H. Douglas, president; W. F. Severa and H. B. Soutter, vice-presidents; J. W. Bowdish, cashier; and V. A. Jung, assistant cashier. The directors were J. H. Douglas, F. Braun, H. B. Soutter, Warren Harman, Jos. Woitishek, S. L. Dows, W. F. Severa, T. C. Munger, C. Butler Weeks.

On September 1, 1893, the articles of incorporation were changed, increasing the capital to $60,000, and changing the title to Bohemian-American Savings Bank. At the same date the Bohemian-American State Bank, desirous of the benefits of the more liberal charter offered savings banks, arranged to consolidate its interest with the Bohemian-American Savings Bank, which consolidation took effect September 1, 1894.

The Bohemian-American Savings Bank enjoyed a prosperous growth, notwithstanding the effect of the panic of 1893, probably as severe a financial panic as at that time had ever been experienced. It paid regular semi-annual dividends and continued prosperous until its consolidation, March 28, 1898, with the Citizens National Bank and the American Trust and Savings Bank, two newly organized banks, the Citizens National Bank taking over the commercial department, and the American Trust and Savings Bank absorbing the savings department.

The Cedar Rapids Savings Bank was incorporated March 13, 1883, and opened for business May 15, 1883.

The original stockholders numbered 36, of whom eight have since died. The original directors were Jno. T. Hamilton, Lawson Daniels, Chas. B. Soutter, Robert Palmer, F. C. Hormel, Jas. L. Bever, Geo. W. Bever, A. T. Averill, and F. J. Upton. Changes in the board of directors on account of death or disposition of stock have occurred as follows: In 1884 E. I. Foster succeeded F. J. Upton; in 1891 M. A. Higley succeeded Mr. Foster; in 1892, at the death of F. C. Hormel, J. M. Dinwiddie succeeded him; in 1897, J. M. Terry succeeded A. T. Averill; in 1900 Robert Sinclair succeeded M. A. Higley, Geo. Goodell succeeded Jas. L. Bever, and E. R. Moore succeeded Geo. W. Bever. President John T. Hamilton, Vice-President Chas. B. Soutter, and Cashier J. M. Dinwiddie have served continuously since the organization of the bank.

The original capital stock of the bank, paid in cash, was $50,000, which has been twice increased—the first time to $75,000, and then to $100,000. The present surplus of the bank is $65,000, and the deposits over $1,850,000.

The contract for the bank's six-story, fire proof building, the first six-story structure in the city, located at the corner of Third avenue and Third street, was let May 30, 1895, and the building was occupied in May, 1896. In 1909-10 an addition was erected, so that the building is now 90×140 feet.

Its present officers are John T. Hamilton, president; Chas. B. Soutter, vice-president; Robert Palmer, vice-president; J. M. Dinwiddie, cashier; and W. J. Elliott, assistant cashier. Its directors are: John T. Hamilton, Chas. B. Soutter, J. M. Dinwiddie, Robert Palmer, Robert S. Sinclair, J. M. Terry, and Walter L. Cherry.

The Merchants National Bank, of Cedar Rapids, was organized February 28, 1881, the first board of directors being R. D. Stephens, John W. Henderson, P. C. Frick, W. W. Higley, J. C. Broeksmit, A. B. George, S. L. Dows. Its first president was R. D. Stephens. John W. Henderson was chosen vice-president, and Charles E. Putnam, cashier.

Mr. Stephens died in April, 1883, and was succeeded by M. A. Higley as president. In the spring of 1899 John T. Hamilton purchased the Stephens and other interests in the bank, and on June 5, 1899, succeeded Redmond Stephens as director. On July 1, 1889, M. A. Higley tendered his resignation as president, after more than sixteen years' service in that position, John T. Hamilton being chosen president, which office he still holds.

Chas. E. Putnam remained as cashier of the bank from the organization to January 14, 1905, when he resigned and was succeeded by James E. Hamilton, who had been assistant cashier since January 28, 1901. On the consolidation of the Merchants National and the Citizens National, May 18, 1908, James E. Hamilton was made vice-president, and John S. Broeksmit, who had been cashier of the Citizens National, was made cashier of the new and consolidated Merchants National.

The original capital stock of the Merchants National was $100,000. The present capitalization is $200,000; surplus, $200,000; deposits of nearly $5,000,000.

From the time of its organization in 1881 until the consolidation with the Citizens National in May, 1908, more than twenty-seven years, the Merchants National occupied the room in the Ely block at the corner of Second avenue and Third street. The bank is now occupying elegant quarters in the remodeled Cedar Rapids Savings Bank building. The present officers are John T. Hamilton, president; P. C. Frick, vice-president; James E. Hamilton, vice-president; John S. Broeksmit, cashier; Edwin H. Furrow, assistant cashier.

The American Trust and Savings Bank was organized under state charter and commenced business April 5, 1898, with a capital of $50,000. Its first officers were George W. Bever, president; E. E. Pinney and W. F. Severa, vice-presidents; R. T. Forbes, cashier. Its first board of directors consisted of E. E. Pinney, J. L. Bever, J. B. Bever, W. F. Severa, Jas. H. Douglas, Geo. W. Bever, F. Braun, T. C. Munger, and Joseph Renchin. The object of its organization was to establish and conduct a strictly savings business. It took over at the date of its commencement the savings department of the Bohemian-American Savings Bank, and its total deposits on April 9, 1898, were $175,338.23, its location then being at the corner of First street and Second avenue.

On February 22, 1899, it moved into the Masonic Temple at the corner of First street and First avenue, which location it still occupies. In 1901 the capital was increased from $50,000 to $80,000. This was rendered necessary owing to increased deposits, in order to comply with the then existing statutes governing the relative allowable amounts of deposits to capital stock.

On January 1, 1908, the controlling interest in the bank passed into the hands of Ernest R. Moore, Louis Wokoun, and others of their associates who were the dominant factors in the Fidelity Trust & Savings Bank, of this city. They arranged and carried out the consolidation of the two institutions. The officers then elected and board of directors named continue until this time. The present officers are Ernest R. Moore, president; W. F. Severa, S. G. Armstrong, and Otto Sikora, vice-presidents; Louis Wokoun, cashier. The board of directors are: C. J. Deacon, Lew W. Anderson, George Chadima, F. Braun, S. G. Armstrong, W. F. Severa, Ernest R. Moore, W. R. Boyd, and Frank J. Pudil.

On January 1, 1909, the capital of the bank was increased to $100,000, and the surplus to $50,000. The deposits now aggregate $1,650,000, with total assets of $1,900,000.

The Citizens National, Cedar Rapids, was opened March 28, 1898, capital $100,000 which was increased to $200,000 January 2, 1906. Its first officers were J. L. Bever, president; J. R. Amidon, vice-president; J. W. Bowdish, cashier; directors, J. L. Bever, W. F. Severa, J. B. Bever, F. Braun, J. H. Douglas, E. E. Pinney, J. T. Hamilton, G. W. Bever, R. Williams, J. R. Amidon, T. C. Munger. In May, 1908, after a prosperous career this bank was consolidated with the Merchants National.

The Commercial National, Cedar Rapids, was organized July 7, 1908, with a capital of $100,000, and the following officers: Jas. L. Bever, president; W. C. La Tourette, vice president; J. L. Bever, Jr., cashier; Homer Pitner, assistant cashier.

The First Trust & Savings Bank, which is closely connected with the Commercial National, having the same officers, was organized August 4, 1910, with a capital stock of $50,000.00.

These two banks have had a remarkable growth, the combined resources now being over $1,500,000. The dean of Cedar Rapids bankers, Jas. L. Bever, takes an active interest in both institutions. The present officers are: J. L. Bever, president; J. L. Bever, Jr., W. C. La Tourette, vice-president; Homer Pitner, cashier, and F. D. Snakenberg, assistant cashier.

The Cedar Rapids Loan & Trust Company was organized on February 1, 1900, with a paid up capital of $50,000 for the purpose of doing such a trust business as the laws of Iowa authorized. Those who were most active in the organization and who constituted the first board of directors were as follows: Ed. H. Smith, president; L. W. Anderson, first vice-president; W. G. Dows, second vice-president; S. S. Dorwart, S. S. Sweet, E. E. Clark, Ralph Van Vechten, N. M. Hubbard, Jr., John A. Reed, S. G. Armstrong, and W. L. Crissman.

Its board elected L. M. Rupert as secretary and the officers as first selected remained the same during the corporation's continuance under the name of the Cedar Rapids Loan & Trust Company. The company was located at the northwest corner of First street and Second avenue and was conducted as a trust company until June 1, 1904, when a majority of the capital stock passed into the hands of Ernest R. Moore and Louis Wokoun and their associates. In order to bring the institution under the operation of the general savings bank laws of the state and to permit it to transact a general banking business the articles of incorporation were amended to change the name to The Fidelity Trust & Savings Bank while at the same time the office of the bank was changed to 116 South Second street, a location much nearer the business center of the city. Under the reorganization the stockholders selected the following officers and directors: W. W. Hamilton, president; Ernest R. Moore, first vice-president; W. G. Dows, second vice-president; Louis Wokoun, cashier; S. G. Armstrong, E. E. Clark, H. L. Walker, C. J. Deacon, L. W. Anderson.

This bank was later consolidated with the American Trust & Savings Bank.

The Ely Bank, of Ely, was organized in January, 1903, with J. H. Smith, president; Ed. H. Smith and I. B. Smith, vice-presidents, and George L. Benish, cashier. The bank is a private one, and the present officers are the same as the original ones.

The Bank of Palo was organized May 23, 1908, with a capital stock of $10,000, and the following officers: J. W. McClintock, president; Carl Rabe, vice-president; G. E. Carrier, cashier. Its present officers are: J. W. McClintock, president; John Lewis, vice-president; R. W. Waite, cashier.

The State Bank of Central City was organized January 17, 1906, with P. G. Henderson, president; E. K. Hatch, vice-president; Ed. Leclere, cashier; A. T. Minehart, assistant cashier, and P. G. Henderson, E. K. Hatch, F. W. Blakely, O. R. Barber, Eugene Doe, H. L. Shakespeare, and E. E. Henderson, directors. Since that time there have been but few changes in the officers. At present the officers and directors are: P. G. Henderson, president; Eugene Doe, vice-president; F. Leclere, cashier; H. F. Lockwood, assistant cashier; E. G. Henderson, Eugene Doe, O. R. Barber, H. L. Shakespeare, W. N. Goldsberry, Anton Falcon, and E. E. Henderson, directors. When the bank was organized it took over from the Bank of Central City deposits to the amount of $72,802.29. The bank has grown steadily, and the deposits are now over $350,000.00. Originally the capital stock was $25,000.00, which was increased to $35,000.00 in July, 1909. The stock is owned by forty-one farmers and is conducted principally for the farmers. It opens at seven o'clock in the morning and does not close until six o'clock in the evening.

The Linn County Savings Bank, of Center Point, was organized April 23, 1906, with L. Gilchrist, president; W. Langsdale, vice-president; Homer Pitner, cashier, and J. F. Stauffer, assistant cashier. Owing to the resignation of the cashier, J. F. Stauffer was later made cashier, and E. E. Silver, assistant cashier. The capital stock is $20,000.00, and the bank has a surplus of $3,000.00.

THOS. J. McKEAN
N. W. ISBELL
WM. GREENE

O. S. BOWLING
An Old Cedar Rapids Settler

The Fairfax Savings Bank was organized May 15, 1907, with a capital of $10,000.00 and with officers as follows: H. N. Woodward, president; Henry Lefebure, vice-president; Charles Young, cashier; Lewis Stallman, Joseph Vorel, J. F. Dvorak, William Park and D. J. Cahill, directors. On August 1, 1908, G. W. Storey was chosen cashier in place of Charles Young, resigned. C. J. Knickerbocker was elected assistant cashier in September, 1908. The directors today are: James M. Rogers, E. J. Cahill, J. F. Dvorak, Joseph Vorel, L. F. Lefebure, H. N. Woodward, and Henry Lefebure. The bank has grown steadily since its organization and now has deposits amounting to $100,000.00.

The private bank of Stuckslager & Auracher, of Lisbon, was founded in 1874 with Harrison Stuckslager as president, and Gotleib Auracher as cashier. The officers today are W. C. Stuckslager, president, and John Auracher, cashier. It has a capital of $100,000.00.

The Alburnette Savings Bank was organized in April, 1908, with E. M. Lanning, president; Samuel Maier, vice-president, and Geo. F. Miller, cashier. There has been no change in officers except that W. F. Stauffer was elected assistant cashier in August, 1909. The bank has a capital of $15,000.00, and a surplus of $1,500.00. It succeeded the Alburnette Bank, which was a private institution, and has enjoyed a steady growth.

The Prairieburg Savings Bank was organized October 1, 1904, with C. L. Niles, president; H. F. Came, vice-president, and F. J. Cunningham, cashier. There has been but one change of officers, C. E. Buckley being the present cashier. The bank has a capital stock and surplus of $14,600. Its growth has been steady and satisfactory.

The Bank of Troy Mills was organized in March, 1908, with Floyd J. Ware, president, and Thomas A. Ware, cashier. These, with Marie R. Ware, assistant cashier, are the present officers. The institution has a capital stock of $20,000.00, and a surplus of $5,000.00.

The Coggon State Bank was organized in 1892 with Jacob Mangold, president; G. A. Schenkowitz, vice-president, and H. T. Brainerd, cashier. The present officers are S. N. Goodhue, president; J. H. Ehlers, vice-president; D. D. Johnson, cashier, and Wallace S. Hamilton, assistant cashier. The bank has a capital stock of $25,000.00, and a surplus of the same amount. It has deposits of nearly $300,000.00.

The Exchange Bank of Springville was established in 1878 by Joseph S. Butler, with a capital of $25,000.00. The firm name of the owners is J. S. Butler & Son, with C. F. Butler, president, and Sam James, Jr., cashier. It has a capital stock of $75,000.00 and resources of $400,000.00.

The Exchange State Bank of Walker was established in 1885 as a private bank by H. J. Nietert, and was organized as a State Bank March 1, 1907. The present officers are H. J. Nietert, president; Martin Schneider, vice-president; Theo. W. Hawkinson, cashier; H. J. Nietert, Martin Schneider, Henry Fairchild, E. N. Beach, William Trevor, John B. Michael, Theo. Hamblin, Chas. O. Barry, and Adam Zimpfer, directors. It has a capital stock of $50,000.00, a surplus of $5,000.00, and undivided profits of $10,000.00. It is worthy of note here that this was one of the few banks that met their payments in cash during the panic of 1907.

The Mount Vernon Bank was organized January 16, 1884, by William Smith, James Carson, and H. H. Rood, Mr. Carson being the president; Mr. Rood the vice-president, and Mr. Smith the cashier. The officers today are: W. C. Stuckslager, president; D. L. Boyd, vice-president, and Chas. M. Hartung, cashier. The bank has a capital stock of $100,000.00.

The Marion Savings Bank was incorporated February 22, 1889, by Andrew J. McKean, E. A. Vaughn, F. G. Hervey, J. S. Alexander and Jay J. Smyth, Mr. Smyth being the president and S. N. Goodhue the cashier. It has a capital stock of $30,000.00, and deposits today of over $300,000.00. The officers at present are: B. F. Mentzer, president; J. W. Bowman, cashier; B. F. Mentzer, W. W. Vaughn, F. A. Shumack, J. S. Alexander, Karl W. Kendall, C. H. Kurtz and J. W. Bowman, directors.

The Farmers & Merchants State Bank, of Marion, was organized in 1894, with Samuel N. Goodhue, president; George W. Toms, vice-president, and E. J. Esgate, cashier. Two years later George W. Toms succeeded Mr. Goodhue as president, and T. J. Davis became vice-president. In 1902 A. M. Secrist succeeded Mr. Davis as vice-president. The present officers are George W. Toms, president; A. M. Secrist, vice-president, and E. J. Esgate, cashier. The capital stock of the bank is $60,000.00, surplus, $5,000.00. The directors of the bank are: George W. Toms, A. M. Secrist, W. B. Carpenter, Garry Treat, D. H. Correll, C. C. Carpenter, W. P. Secrist, W. E. Beall, A. E. Granger, W. J. Goodyear and E. J. Esgate.

The Commercial Savings Bank, of Marion, was organized March 1, 1905, with E. R. Mason, president; F. A. H. Greulich and H. C. Oxley, vice-presidents; H. C. Millen, cashier, and E. H. Millen, assistant cashier. There has been no change in officers since organization. The bank has a capital stock of $25,000.00, and undivided profits of $3,000.00. It has deposits of over $350,000.00, and has shown a steady growth each year.

The First National Bank, of Marion, succeeded the private banking firm of Winslow, Stephens & Co., in 1862, with R. D. Stephens as its first president, and A. W. Cranden as its first cashier. Later, J. W. Bowdish became cashier until succeeded by Jay J. Smyth.

In 1881 Mr. Stephens organized the Merchants National Bank of Cedar Rapids, but continued as president of the First National Bank of Marion until his death, March, 1883, when Louisa B. Stephens, his widow, was made president. She continued as such for three years. Mr. Jay J. Smyth then became president, and S. N. Goodhue, cashier. Mr. Goodhue was succeeded by J. S. Alexander in 1892. In 1896 Mr. Alexander became president, and C. H. Kurtz, cashier, the officers so continuing until September, 1908, when C. H. Kurtz became president, and J. W. Bowman, cashier. In January, 1909, T. J. Davis was chosen president, and J. W. Bowman continued as cashier, and these gentlemen are at this date its present officers. The capital stock has remained since the organization at $50,000.00, and the surplus at $10,000.00. This is the only First National Bank charter now in existence in Linn county. The bank was the 117th National bank chartered by the government. It has declared in cash dividends $170,051.32, and has never passed a dividend or even temporarily closed its doors. Among some of its employees who went out into the world to win success from this bank are Ed. M. Scott, now president of the Security Savings Bank, of Cedar Rapids; W. S. Goodhue, cashier of the State Bank of Vinton; J. W. Bowdish, who became cashier of the American Trust & Savings, and later cashier of the Security Savings of Cedar Rapids; Chas. Jackson, now cashier of the First National Bank, of Manilla, Iowa; F. J. Cleveland, now county auditor. Dr. Jno. M. Ristine, now very prominent in Cedar Rapids, was employed as a young man in this bank. The present president, T. J. Davis, was employed as bookkeeper in 1881, continuing for five years, when he became actively engaged in the lumber business in Marion and vice-president of the Farmers & Merchants State Bank until he again entered the First National as its president.

CHAPTER XLII

Roster of County Officers

Linn county was organized in 1838 and the first election for county officers was held August, 1839. The legislative board of the county, or what corresponds to our present board of supervisors, was composed of three members called a board of commissioners. The following persons served on the board of commissioners:

- Samuel C. Stewart, Peter McRoberts, Luman M. Strong, 1839.

- E. T. Lewis, B. McGonigle, S. C. Stewart, 1842.

- E. T. Lewis, Oliver Day, B. McGonigle, 1843.

- Oliver Day, E. T. Lewis, W. B. Davis, 1844.

- W. B. Davis, Andrew Safely, 1846.

- Andrew Safely, Benjamin Waterhouse, Samuel Hendrickson, 1847.

- S. Hendrickson, Andrew Safely, Johnson Hill, 1850.

- A. Safely, Johnson Hill, Wm. A. Thomas, 1851.

The above system continued until the first code was enacted in 1851 which abolished the board of commissioners and provided for the election of one officer to be called "county judge" who performed the duties of our present board of supervisors and in addition was probate judge and presided over what was called a "county court." The old election books now preserved in the county auditor's office show the following persons to have been elected to this office:

- Norman W. Isbell, elected August, 1851.

- James M. Berry, elected August, 1854.

- Daniel Lothian, elected August, 1857, three terms.

- Johnston Elliott, elected October, 1863, two terms.

- A. B. Dumont, elected October, 1867, one term.

Isbell resigned June 12, 1854, and Joseph B. Young, prosecuting attorney, acted as county judge until the next election when James M. Berry was elected to fill the vacancy.

The legislative duties of the county judge were vested by the Eighth General Assembly in a board of supervisors consisting of one member from each township or two in those townships having over 4,000 inhabitants. The first board sat January 7, 1861. The clerk of the district court was ex-officio clerk of the board of supervisors. The Twelfth General Assembly abolished the office of county judge altogether and vesting the judicial duties in the district court created the office of county auditor to assume the ones not already vested in the supervisors and clerk of the district court. The first auditor's term began the first Monday of January, 1869.

Bertram—Perry Oxley, 1861-1867 and 1870; Wm. G Darr, 1868-1869.

Brown—Wm. Carbee, 1861-1862; Hosea White, 1863-1866; T. M. Giffen, 1867-1868; J. F. Gritman, 1869-1870.

Boulder—Jos. Whitney, 1861-1862 and 1869-1870; Earhart Burke, 1863, resigned and term completed by John B. McQueen; J. B. McQueen, 1864; Neeley Parsons, 1865-1867; Wm. Wagner, 1868.

Buffalo—Jos. Story, 1861-1862; E. M. Crow, 1863-1870.

Clinton—D. M. Smith, 1861-1863; Geo. Buchanan, 1864-1866 and 1868-1869; I. T. Updike, 1867; Edwin Cadwell, 1870.

College—John W. Henderson, 1861-1862; Robert Pierce, 1863-1864; Adam Perry, 1865-1867; Jonathan Neidig, 1868; W. H. Shuey, 1869-1870.

Fairfax—Phillip Moody, 1861-1864; W. B. Reynolds, 1865-1866; Wm. Ure, 1867-1870.

Fayette—Levi W. Johnson, 1861-1863; resigned and last term completed by J. D. Hays; John E. Langley, 1864-1865; W. J. Whiting, 1866-1868; H. B. McKean, 1869-1870.

Franklin—Wm. Hayzlett, 1861-1862 and 1868-1869; Henry Kepler, 1863-1867; C. H. Kurtz, 1870.

Jackson—Jos. Blodgett, 1861-1862; John P. Fay, 1863 and 1866-1867; Seth Bishop, 1864-1865; Wm. Henderson, 1868-1870.

Linn—William L. Miller, 1861; George Yeisley, 1862-1863; D. M. Richardson, 1864-1865; J. W. Handley, 1866-1867; James Johnston, 1868-1869; H. C. Platner, 1870.

Maine—Samuel F. Buxton, 1861-1862; L. D. Jordan, 1863-1866; Ormus Clark, 1867-1868; E. A. Warner, 1869, seat contested in 1870 and board declared seat vacant and notified trustees of Maine township.

Marion—A. J. Twogood, 1861-1862; A. B. Dumont, 1863, resigned and term completed by A. Manson; A. Manson, 1864; R. D. Stephens, 1865-1869; R. D. Stephens and E. A. Vaughn, 1870.

Monroe—Daniel Albaugh, 1861-1869; M. N. Kramer, 1870.

Otter Creek—James H. Mason, 1861-1862; L. F. Dance, 1863-1864; Caleb Hendryx, 1865-1866; John Lanning, 1867-1868; Henry Harris, 1869; A. F. Yambert, 1870.

Putnam—Wiley Fitz, 1861-1862; Elmore H. Prickett, 1863-1864; Abner Arrowsmith, 1865, resigned and term completed by Ferdinand Kershner; Ferdinand Kershner, 1866-1867; Joseph Moorhead, 1868-1870.

Rapids—John Weare, 1861, 1864 and 1867; J. F. Charles, 1862; Charles Weare, 1863; J. M. Chambers, 1865; H. G. Angle, 1866; William Stewart and William Richmond, 1868; William Stewart and Charles Weare, 1869; Charles Weare and W. D. Watrous, 1870.

Spring Grove—J. H. Fairchild, 1861-1862 and 1864 to 1866, and 1869-1870; R. C. Shinn, 1863; J. H. Walton, 1867-1868.

Washington—Corydon Gilchrist, 1861; John Carr, 1862 and 1867-1868; Z. Mentzer, 1863-1864; William Langsdale, 1865-1866; E. D. Hazletine, 1869-1870.

In 1870 the number of the board was reduced to three members, one being elected each year in the county at large, but at the 1874 election the county had been divided into three supervisor districts and a supervisor was elected from each district as at present. The following persons have served up to date:

FIRST DISTRICT

- William Ure, elected October, 1870, two terms.

- James Yuill, elected October, 1875, two terms.

- John T. Hamilton, elected October, 1881, one term.

- James Yuill, elected November, 1884, two terms.

- Patrick Mullaly, elected November, 1890, one term. Resigned and Charles H. Playter appointed to complete the term.

- William J. Donnan, elected November, 1893, two terms.

- Andrew J. Fuhrmeister, elected November, 1899.

SECOND DISTRICT

- Robert P. Rose, elected October, 1870.

- Robert P. Rose, elected October, 1871.

INDEPENDENT HOSE COMPANY, CEDAR RAPIDS, 1875

T. A. F. Nusz, Baxter S. McQuin, C. A. Laurance,
Geo. P. Gordon, Will Ferguson, Archie A. Ayers, Lyman M. Ayers

- Daniel Travis, elected October, 1874, two terms.

- Robert Smith, elected November, 1880, one term.

- Mordecai E. Bunting, elected October, 1883, two terms.

- Garry Treat, elected November, 1889, three terms.

- John J. Ives, elected November, 1898.

THIRD DISTRICT

- Joseph Whitney, elected October, 1870.

- Joseph Whitney, elected October, 1873.

- Miles M. Crookshank, elected October, 1876.

- Albert C. Burnett, appointed June, 1881.

- E. D. Wilson, elected October, 1881.

- James H. Davis, elected November, 1882, two terms.

- Abraham C. Coquillette, elected November, 1888, two terms.

- Henry Fairchild, elected November, 1894, two terms.

- Leonidas L. Wilson, elected November, 1900.

George E. W. Leonard was declared elected supervisor in October, 1873, but the election was contested by Joseph Whitney and the court for trial of contested election reinstated Mr. Whitney.

Crookshank resigned and Albert C. Burnett was appointed and took his seat at the June, 1881, session and at the general election October, 1881, E. D. Wilson was elected to fill the vacancy.

COUNTY AUDITORS

- J. P. Coulter, elected November, 1869, three terms.

- Samuel Daniels, elected October, 1875, three terms.

- Jos. Moorhead, elected October, 1881, three terms.

- Jas. K. Bromwell, elected November, 1887, two terms.

- Wm. G. Treat, elected November, 1892, one term.

- Edward L. Camp, elected November, 1894, two terms.

- Wm. T. Jackson, elected November, 1898, two terms.

The terms of all county auditors were extended one year by the legislature during Mr. Bromwell's second term, so that county treasurer and auditor would not be elected the same year.

RECORDER AND TREASURER

The code of 1851 provided that these two offices should be held by one person.

- Isaac Cook, elected August, 1851, two terms.

- Nathan M. Day, elected August, 1855, two terms.

- Wm. Cook, elected October, 1859, two terms.

- Jas. Johnston, elected October, 1863, one term.

COUNTY TREASURER

- Richard T. Wilson, elected October, 1865, four terms.

- Stephen T. Berry, elected October, 1873, three terms.

- Robert M. Jackson, elected October, 1879, four terms.

- Jos. Barnhill, elected November, 1887, two terms.

- Jos. S. Lake, elected November, 1891, one term.

- Franklin E. Witter, elected November, 1893, two terms.

- Geo. W. Eakle, elected November, 1897, two terms.

COUNTY RECORDER

- John J. Daniels, elected November, 1864, four terms.

- Chas. E. Putnam, elected November, 1872, four terms.

- Christian H. Kurtz, elected November, 1880, four terms.

- R. Hershey Jones, elected November, 1888, one term.

- Chas. C. Mentzer, elected November, 1890, one term.

- Elvin H. Dunbar, elected November, 1892, two terms.

- John H. French, elected November, 1896, two terms.

- Perley O. Clark, elected November, 1900.

SHERIFF

- Hosea W. Gray, 1840.

- Ambrose Harlan, 1844.

- Samuel W. Durham, 1846.

- Ambrose Harlan, 1848.

- Vincent Beall, elected August, 1851, one term.

- Samuel Brazelton, elected August, 1853, one term.

- Levi H. Mason, elected August, 1855, two terms.

- Thos. J. McKean, elected October, 1859.

- Resigned and John A. Ide appointed February 28, 1861, who in turn resigned and W. W. Smith appointed March 11, 1861.

- Wm. W. Smith, elected October, 1861.

- Resigned and Oliver O. Stanchfield appointed September 3, 1862, to fill the vacancy until the next general election.

- Oliver O. Stanchfield, elected October, 1862.

- Hiel Hale, elected October, 1865, one term.

- John G. Hayzlett, elected October, 1867, three terms.

- G. D. Gillilan, elected October, 1873, two terms.

- David Carskaddon, elected October, 1877, one term.

- Aaron F. Yambert, elected October, 1879.

- Died in office and J. H. Yambert appointed to fill vacancy. At the next general election (November, 1880) E. L. Swem was declared elected by the board of canvassers, but the court for the trial of contested election seated B. F. Seaton.

- J. H. Yambert, appointed September 6, 1880.

- B. F. Seaton, elected November, 1880.

- Geo. W. Burnside, elected November, 1885, two terms.

- Dan R. Kinley, elected November, 1889, three terms.

- John Cone, elected November, 1895, two terms.

- Martin Evans, elected November, 1899.

CLERK OF THE DISTRICT COURT

- S. H. Tryon, 1841, 1842, 1843.

- John C. Berry, 1844, 1845, 1846.

- Porter W. Earl, 1847, 1848, 1849.

- Hosea W. Gray, September, 1849, 1850.

- James M. Berry, 1851.

- James M. Berry, elected August, 1852.

- Andrew J. McKean, elected August, 1854, nine terms.

- John L. Crawford, elected November, 1872, three terms.

- George L. Stearns, elected October, 1878, four terms.

- Jackson W. Bowdish, elected November, 1886, one term.

- Oscar F. Lamb, elected November, 1888, one term.

- David W. Reynolds, elected November, 1890, one term.

- Oscar F. Lamb, elected November, 1892, two terms.

- James W. Bowman, elected November, 1896, two terms.

- Charles W. Braska, elected November, 1900.

COUNTY ATTORNEY

- This office was created in 1886 by the Twenty-first General Assembly.

- M. L. Ward, elected November, 1886.

- Resigned to remove from the county and Milo P. Smith appointed September, 1887, to fill the vacancy until the next general election.

- Milo P. Smith, elected November, 1887.

- John M. Redmond, elected November, 1890, one term.

- John M. Grimm, elected November, 1892, three terms.

- William O. Clemans, elected November, 1898, two terms.

COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

This office was created in 1858 by the Seventh General Assembly.

- Albert Manson, elected April, 1858.

- Ira G. Fairbanks, elected October, 1859, two terms.

- P. W. Reeder, elected October, 1863, one term.

- H. S. Bradshaw, elected October, 1865, one term.

- Z. V. Elsberry, elected October, 1867, one term.

- William Langham, elected October, 1869, two terms.

- Eli Johnston, elected October, 1873, four terms.

- John S. Willard, elected October, 1881, two terms.

- Frank J. Sessoins, elected November, 1885.

- Resigned July 30, 1889, to accept superintendency of schools at Waterloo, Iowa, and Fred Chamberlain appointed to complete the term.

- Fred Chamberlain, appointed July 30, 1889.

- F. Sherman Thompson, elected November, 1882, two terms.

- Nathan H. Richards, elected November, 1893, two terms.

- Ira E. Gould, elected November, 1897, two terms.

CORONER

- Oren E. Shipman, elected August, 1851, one term.

- Isaac Whittam, elected August, 1853, one term.

- Benjamin Gaylord, elected August, 1855, one term.

- Johnston Elliott, elected August, 1857, one term.

- Mowry Farnum, elected October, 1859, four terms.

- Mr. Farnum was re-elected a fifth time in October, 1867, but refused to qualify and accept the office and Alexander Laurance was appointed January 11, 1868, to fill this office.

- Alexander Laurance, appointed January, 1868, eleven terms.

- John B. Turner, elected November, 1889, four terms.

- Cordy H. Ranek, elected November, 1897, two terms.

COUNTY SURVEYORS

- Ross McCloud, 1839.

- Samuel W. Durham, 1841.

- Thomas J. McKean, 1843.

- A. D. Bottorf, 1847.

Col. Samuel W. Durham stated that Mr. Bottorf was accidentally killed in office. A gentleman from Putnam township by the name of Cox was in the county surveyor's office on business, and as was frequent in those days, carried a musket which he leaned up in the corner of the door and door frame. The opening of the door threw the gun on the floor, and it was discharged, wounding Mr. Bottorf in the heel. The wound was not considered serious but blood poisoning set in and death resulted.

- John McArthur, ——.

- Samuel W. Durham, elected August, 1851, one term.

- Thomas J. Stone, elected August, 1853, one term.

- Adam Perry, elected August, 1855, one term.

- Plimpton Greer, elected August, 1857, one term.

- George A. Gray, elected October, 1859, one term.

- John L. Crawford, elected October, 1861, one term.

- John M. Greer, elected October, 1863, two terms.

- George A. Gray, elected October, 1866.

- Samuel W. Durham, elected October, 1871, two terms.

- James E. Lyman, elected October, 1875.

- George W. Wynn, elected November, 1880.

- G. A. Mitchell, elected November, 1885, two terms.

- Samuel W. Durham, elected November, 1889, two terms.

- Edmond P. Boynton, elected November, 1893, one term.

- Thos. R. Warriner, elected November, 1895, one term.

- John H. Lary, elected November, 1897, one term.

- Jos. D. Wardle, elected November, 1899.

COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1900

- Supervisors—A. J. Fuhrmeister, J. J. Ives, L. L. Wilson.

- Auditor—W. T. Jackson.

- Treasurer—Geo. W. Eakle.

- Clerk District Court—C. W. Braska.

- Recorder—P. O. Clark.

- Sheriff—Martin Evans.

- County Attorney—W. O. Clemans.

- Superintendent of Schools—I. E. Gould.

- Coroner—C. H. Ranck.

- Surveyor—J. D. Wardle.

- Judges District Court—W. G. Thompson, H. M. Remley, W. N. Treichler.

COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1901

- Supervisors—A. J. Fuhrmeister, A. B. Strother, L. L. Wilson.

- Auditor—William T. Jackson.

- Treasurer—Geo. W. Eakle.

- Clerk District Court—Chas. W. Braska.

- Recorder—P. O. Clark.

- Sheriff—Martin Evans.

- County Attorney—Wm. O. Clemans.

- Superintendent—J. E. Vance.

- Coroner—D. W. King.

- County Surveyor—J. D. Wardle.

- Judges—W. G. Thompson, H. M. Remley, W. N. Treichler.

COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1902

- Supervisors—A. J. Fuhrmeister, A. B. Strother, L. L. Wilson.

- Auditor—William T. Jackson.

- Treasurer—Chas. D. Carroll.

- Clerk District Court—Chas. W. Braska.

- Recorder—P. O. Clark.

- Sheriff—Martin Evans.

- County Attorney—Wm. O. Clemans.

- Superintendent—J. E. Vance.

- Coroner—D. W. King.

- Surveyor—J. D. Wardle.

- Judges—W. G. Thompson, H. M. Remley, W. N. Treichler.

CITY RESIDENCES, CEDAR RAPIDS

COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1903

- Supervisors—A. J. Fuhrmeister, A. B. Strother, L. L. Wilson.

- Auditor—R. C. Jackson.

- Treasurer—Chas. D. Carroll.

- Clerk District Court—Chas. W. Braska.

- Recorder—P. O. Clark.

- Sheriff—Martin Evans.

- County Attorney—Joseph Mekota.

- Superintendent—J. E. Vance.

- Coroner—D. W. King.

- Surveyor—J. D. Wardle.

- Judges—W. G. Thompson, J. H. Preston, B. H. Miller.

COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1904

- Supervisors—A. J. Fuhrmeister, A. B. Strother, L. L. Wilson.

- Auditor—R. C. Jackson.

- Treasurer—Charles D. Carroll.

- Clerk District Court—Chas. W. Braska.

- Recorder—P. O. Clark.

- Sheriff—A. W. Coquillette.

- County Attorney—Joseph Mekota.

- Superintendent—J. E. Vance.

- Coroner—D. W. King.

- Surveyor—J. D. Wardle.

- Judges District Court—W. G. Thompson, J. H. Preston, B. H. Miller.

COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1905

- Supervisors—A. J. Fuhrmeister, A. B. Strother, L. L. Wilson.

- Auditor—R. C. Jackson.

- Treasurer—Chas. D. Carroll.

- Clerk District Court—H. C. Ring.

- Recorder—C. W. Biggs.

- Sheriff—A. W. Coquillette.

- County Attorney—C. G. Watkins.

- Superintendent.—J. E. Vance.

- Coroner—D. W. King.

- Surveyor—J. D. Wardle.

- Judges—W. G. Thompson, J. H. Preston, B. H. Miller.

COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1906

- Supervisors—E. W. Virden, A. B. Strother, L. L. Wilson.

- Auditor—R. C. Jackson.

- Treasurer—Chas. D. Carroll.

- Clerk District Court—H. C. Ring.

- Recorder—C. W. Biggs.

- Sheriff—A. W. Coquillette.

- County Attorney—C. G. Watkins.

- Superintendent—J. E. Vance.

- Coroner—D. W. King.

- Surveyor—S. N. Parsons.

- Judges—W. G. Thompson, J. H. Preston, B. H. Miller.

COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1907

- Supervisors—Allan McDuff, Wm. P. Secrist, J. C. Gritman.

- Auditor—F. J. Cleveland.

- Treasurer—H. E. Pratt.

- Clerk District Court—H. C. Ring.

- Recorder—C. W. Biggs.

- Sheriff—A. W. Coquillette.

- County Attorney—Chas. J. Haas.

- Superintendent—A. B. Alderman.

- Coroner—W. S. King.

- Surveyor—P. F. Randall.

- Judges—Milo P. Smith, W. N. Treichler, F. O. Ellison.

COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1908

- Supervisors—Allan McDuff, Wm. P. Secrist, J. C. Gritman.

- Auditor—F. J. Cleveland.

- Treasurer—H. E. Pratt.

- Clerk District Court—H. C. Ring.

- Recorder—C. W. Biggs.

- Sheriff—A. W. Coquillette.

- County Attorney—Chas. J. Haas.

- Superintendent—A. B. Alderman.

- Coroner—W. S. King.

- Judges District Court—Milo P. Smith, W. N. Treichler, F. O. Ellison.

COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1909-1910

- Supervisors—Allan McDuff, Wm. P. Secrist, J. C. Gritman.

- Auditor—F. J. Cleveland.

- Treasurer—Harry E. Pratt.

- Clerk District Court—Wm. Dennis.

- Recorder—J. E. Cook.

- Sheriff—Wm. G. Loftus.

- County Attorney—Chas J. Haas.

- Superintendent—A. B. Alderman.

- Coroner—W. S. King.

- Surveyor—J. W. Bowdish, Jr.

- Judges District Court—Milo P. Smith, W. N. Treichler, F. O. Ellison.

COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1911

- Supervisors—Allan McDuff, Wm. P. Secrist, J. C. Gritman.

- Auditor—F. A. Canfield.

- Treasurer—J. B. Travis.

- Clerk District Court—Wm. Dennis.

- Recorder—J. E. Cook.

- Sheriff—Wm. G. Loftus.

- County Attorney—G. P. Linville.

- Superintendent—A. B. Alderman.

- Coroner—W. S. King.

- Surveyor—Raymond Swem.

- Judges District Court—Milo P. Smith, W. N. Treichler, F. O. Ellison.

CHAPTER XLIII

History of Marion, the County Seat

BY HON. JAMES E. BROMWELL

Marion, most fittingly called the "City Beautiful," or the "Grove City," was laid out in 1839 on a semi-circular plateau of prairie that lay within a timbered crescent bordering and following the course of Indian creek on the west, and opening into a vast extent of prairie on the east, to which it lay joined like a protected harbor of the sea. Before it was laid out in the spring of 1839, it was located by a special board of commissioners appointed by the territorial legislature of Iowa in 1838, as the county seat of Linn county, and was named in honor of General Francis Marion.

David A. Woodbridge, who was appointed to superintend the work, and Ross McCloud, the first county surveyor, proceeded to lay out the town, and on December 2, 1839, assisted by Hosea W. Gray and A. J. McKean as chain carriers, Elisha Kemp stake driver, and Ira Wilson flagman, and under the direction of David A. Woodbridge, agent, the town of Marion was platted on the west half of the northwest quarter of section six, township eighty-three, range six, and the east half of the northeast quarter of section one, township eighty-three, range seven.

The town consisted of fifty-six blocks, 250 feet square. The lots were 60 by 120 feet, and the alleys ten feet wide. The four streets that enclose the public square were laid out eighty feet wide, all other streets sixty feet wide. The lots on which the court house and other county buildings now stand, were then reserved for public use, as was the park, consisting of the block directly north of that on which the county buildings now stand, and block fifty-six, the southwest block of the plat, was reserved for a public cemetery.

Isbell's Grove, now known as Irish Hill, lay to the southeast of the town plat like a beautiful emerald island cut off from the body of timber lying south of it by a strip of prairie, where, in 1838, William K. Farnsworth had entered a claim. He was the first actual town settler, although James Preston and Prior Scott had entered a large tract of land east of Isbell's Grove about the same time, and a part of which lay open until the eighties, and was known as Scott's Prairie.

Soon after the town was located, Luman M. Strong and James W. Bassitt located northwest of the town; Rufus H. Lucore, west; John C. Berry and Hosea W. Gray, north; James W. Willis, northeast: George W. Gray, south; John Margrave, northwest; and Aaron Moriarity, James and Henderson Smith on the land now owned by Emmett Kemp; James Blackman, adjoining on the northeast; Samuel Ross, his mother and several brothers, adjoining the Willis place, later known as the E. A. Vaughn farm.

VIEW OF MARION, 1868

Henry Thompson erected a mill three miles south on Indian creek. The timber southwest and west was taken up in small parcels; and Ephraim P. Lewis, one of the second board of county commissioners, and A. B. Mason settled between Marion and Cedar Rapids and were the first settlers in that direction. All of these came to Iowa in 1839; and in the fall of that year the Brodies and Leveriches settled two miles northwest of town. A little later Norris Cone settled southeast towards Mount Vernon, and Norman, George, and John Elihu Ives, four miles east; and a large part of the Ives land is now owned by two sons of Elihu Ives, viz: John and Julius Ives. W. L. Winter and wife settled on Dry creek, northwest of Marion, in 1842; and the wife, Clarissa D. Winter, eighty-eight years of age in March, 1910, with her mind unimpaired, and intellect grown seemingly brighter with the years, is living with her daughter, Mrs. R. Lee Taylor, in Marion.

The first house built in Marion, although then without the town plat, was that of Luman M. Strong, erected in 1839. It was also the first tavern. It stood on the Center Point road, now known as Central avenue, and occupied the site where Alvin M. Goldsberry built his home, which is now owned by J. B. Michel. The second house was built the same year by Henry Thompson and David A. Woodbridge, also outside the town plat, and on the site now occupied by the residence known for years as the H. P. Elliott home, on Twelfth street, just north of the Odd Fellows building. These men also built the first store, a log shanty, near where Charles A. Patten's residence now stands on north Eleventh street; and were licensed by the commissioners as follows: "Ordered, that Woodbridge and Thompson be allowed a license to vend and retail foreign merchandise at their store in Marion, for one year from the 9th day of October, 1839." In 1840 Addison Daniels came to Marion on horseback from Iowa City, seeking a business location, although there was not a house nor tree within the city limits, just a sea of tall, waving, wild grass with cow-paths running here and there. But he contracted with Hosea W. Gray for the erection of a store building 20×22 feet in size, and went to Muscatine by horse and thence to St. Louis by boat, where he purchased a stock of goods and returned to Marion. It took him about six months to make the trip, and when he returned he found his store room ready, and three residences in the town proper, viz: that of George Greene, afterwards judge of the supreme court of Iowa, capitalist, and later a prominent citizen of Cedar Rapids, on Main street west of Market street on the lot later occupied by the residence of Joseph Mentzer in the rear of C. F. Reichert's grocery store; that of Joseph W. Bigger, later a prominent farmer southeast of Marion, where Dr. Bardwell lived so many years, and now occupied by Eliza Bardwell: and that of L. D. Phillips, built by Joseph W. Bigger, assisted by James E. Bromwell, as a hotel and known for many years as the American House, later as the Newhall, on the site now occupied by Ed. Sigfred's clothing store.

The first store of Marion, in the city proper, was that of Addison Daniels, who continued in business for nearly half a century with marked success. It stood on the site now occupied by the Home Bakery of Mrs. Smith, on Tenth street. Mr. Daniels was Marion's first postmaster, a man of public spirit, sterling integrity, and unimpeachable character. He died June 18, 1883.

In the spring of 1840, O. S. Hall, a pioneer of marked christian character, built a one and a half story frame building just north of the first store of Mr. Daniels, where he opened a hotel known as the Iowa House. He also served one term as county recorder in 1843. He died in 1846, but the hotel was continued by his widow and son, O. S. Hall, Jr., still living in Marion, until 1871, but in later years in the large brick building in the same block at the corner of Tenth street and Eighth avenue. In the same spring the first jail of the county was built, a log structure, on lot two, block thirty-six, and where the Catholic church now stands, at a cost of $635.00. It was built by William Abbe and Asher Edgerton. William Abbe had removed to Marion from his claim near Mount Vernon on Abbe creek, which was named for him, and where the commissioners met to locate the county seat, and which was also one of the first polling places of the county. The first court house was built on the northeast corner of the block occupied by the present county buildings. Here the first school was held in Marion. The building was bought in 1845 for use as a Methodist church. It was later occupied for many years by Leonard Stowe for a bakery and grocery, and has recently been remodeled for residence flats. However, the county records show that the Methodists had made provision for a church building several years before, but probably by reason of the scarcity of money in those days, had been unable to build such an edifice as was required by a resolution of the county commissioners at their April term, 1842, which read as follows: "Ordered by the Board that the Trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church of the Town of Marion be allowed and they are hereby authorized to purchase of the county agent lots number three and four in block number thirty-seven on condition that they pay said agent the sum of ten dollars and erect on said lots a good and substantial church building worth at least $1,500 within two years; and the said agent is hereby empowered to execute the above sale." This description of the lots was doubtless wrong, for these were the lots where A. J. McKean built his home, where he lived until his decease. The lots intended, and where the first Methodist church was built, were lots one and two in block twenty-seven. The present court house was built in 1841 by George W. Gray, contractor.

In the spring of 1840 Hiram Beales built and operated a saw mill, if not the first, one of the first in the county, on Indian creek west of the town and on the west side of Indian creek, opposite the site of the present Howler Mill. In 1841 Richard Thomas became a partner in this mill and mill stones were introduced for grinding grain. The first upper mill stone used in this mill has an interesting history. Ambrose Harland, once sheriff of Linn county, and who first lived at the place known later as the "Old Stone Barn," on the old road between Marion and Cedar Rapids, was a stone mason and built the first brick residence in Marion in 1842 for William H. Woodbridge. This house stood in the street, where now the Methodist parsonage stands, and was for years known as the Berry house. In 1884 Samuel Daniels, who settled in Marion after the war and was Linn county's third auditor, bought this Berry house, and by reason of it occupying a part of the street and thus disfiguring the block of which Mr. Daniels owned the greater part, tore it down. As one of the corner stones of this house, Mr. Daniels found this first upper mill stone of the Beales and Thomas mill, which had in 1842 been replaced by a larger one, and has preserved it as a relic of early days.

Richard Thomas, commonly known as "Uncle Dick," came to Marion in 1840, and was a remarkable character. His farm embraced what is now known as "Orchard Heights," one of the most beautiful additions of Marion. He was of southern birth, quaint, plain-spoken, energetic, and died in 1893 at the age of 111 years. His widow and daughter, Mary English, also a widow, occupy a beautiful home in "Orchard Heights" near the original building site of the old farm.

In 1841 the first school house was built in Marion by subscription, and on the site now occupied by the C. R. Fairfield Lumber Company's office. It stood alone in the open prairie, and was surrounded by wild grass fully five feet high. Mr. Higby was Marion's first school master. It was in this building that Rev. Mr. Emerson organized the first Methodist society.

In 1838 the territorial legislature appointed Richard Knott, Lyman Dillon, and Benjamin Nye commissioners to locate the "seat of justice" in Linn county, and on the first Monday in March, 1839, two of said commissioners, Richard Knott and Benjamin Nye, met at the house of William Abbe, on Abbe's creek, and chose the site of the town of Marion as the proper location for the county seat.

In August, 1839, three commissioners were elected to act as fiscal agents of the county. The polling place was Westport, near the present site of Bertram, and Samuel C. Stewart, Peter McRoberts, and Luman M. Strong were elected. This commission was invested with about the same powers as are now exercised by the board of supervisors of the county. They held their first meeting in Marion on September 9, 1839. H. W. Gray, the first appointed and first elected sheriff of Linn county, proclaimed the board in session. Its first official act was the appointment of John C. Berry, clerk. It next named the county seat, Marion. It next appointed A. J. McKean and William H. Smith constables. At its October session, 1839, it divided the county into three election precincts, viz: one at William Abbe's, on Abbe creek, known as the Sugar Grove precinct; one at Marion, known as the Marion precinct; and one at Michael Green's, known as Green's Grove precinct. The first election judges of Marion were James W. Bassitt, Henry Thompson, and Rufus H. Lucore. At this session James W. Willis was allowed $7.75 for five days' work making town stakes and hauling same, "three loads." The first road laid out was as follows, and ordered January 6, 1840: "Beginning at the county line west of Lathrup Olmsted's farm; thence on the nearest and best ground to the town of Marion; thence to the rapids of Cedar river; thence to the county line on a direction to Iowa City, the seat of the Territorial government."

We quote one other entry of the county commissioners made at the January term, 1840: "Ordered by the Board that James W. Willis be and is hereby allowed the privilege of cutting a sufficient amount of timber off from the quarter section of land on which the town of Marion is located to finish a certain frame for which he has already got a part; provided, however, that he shall not cut any timber that is not included in the streets of said town. Said privilege is granted in consideration of house rent and fuel for the January term of this board. 1840." A very significant entry was made by this board of commissioners at its April term, 1840, in which Luman M. Strong, one of the commissioners, was granted a license to keep a grocery and "vend spiritous liquors at retail for one year at his house near Marion by paying into the county treasury the sum of $50.00." In a later record, and the only one referring to the claimant as a public officer, R. P. Lowe, district attorney for 1840, is allowed $75.00.

The county judge plan succeeded the commissioner system of government in 1851, and Norman W. Isbell was the first judge, and was elected in 1851. He was succeeded in turn by J. M. Berry, Daniel Lothian, Johnston Elliott, and A. B. Dumont. The supervisor system, one from each township of the county, by order of the legislature, supplanted the county judge in 1861; and Marion was represented on this first board by A. J. Twogood. In 1871 the present system of county government by a board of three supervisors was adopted. County Judge J. M. Berry, in 1855, in his official capacity, contracted for the erection of the present jail and fire proof building where the county offices are now located, and this brought on the court house fight of 1855, when the issues were fairly joined in the contest for election to the county judgeship between J. M. Berry, representing Marion, and Rev. Elias Skinner, representing Cedar Rapids. Berry won by a handsome majority.

Hosea W. Gray, a man of marked ability and prominent in the early history of Marion, was elected the first sheriff of Linn county. At the same election, to wit: in August, 1839, Thomas W. Campbell was elected county treasurer; Socrates H. Tryon, who was also Marion's first physician, county clerk; and G. H. Tryon, was either elected or appointed the first county recorder. Although it is well authenticated that Richard Osborn and Sarah Haines were married in Linn county in 1839, the first marriage in Marion and the second license of record in the county is that of James E. Bromwell and Catherine Gray, date August 26, 1841. This saintly pioneer died in Marion May 5, 1900, after more than sixty years continuous residence in Marion and on his farm, one and a half miles east of the town, honored and loved by all. The same year John Hunter was married to Hannah Barbary Hines, and Charles Rowe to Phebe Putnam, and Ans Safely to Margaret Hunter, and Samuel Ross to Mary Vaughn, and John Mann to Mary Mann, and Julius Allen Peet to Esther Ann Crowe, and Aaron Moriarity to Hannah Ross, and Joseph Crane to Agnes Bogard.

Hosea W. Gray, who in the Civil war was captain of Company A, Sixth Iowa Infantry, and Linn county's first sheriff, took the first census of Linn county in 1840, which showed a population of 1,373. The vote at the first election in 1839 showed thirty-two ballots cast. October 28, 1840, Peter Garrow, born in Scotland, renounced allegiance to Queen Victoria and declared his intention to become of citizen of the United States. The first divorce case was filed May 26, 1842, and entitled Dyer Usher vs. Mary Ann Usher. At the September term, 1843, it was ordered dismissed. The first divorce granted in Linn county was at the March term, 1844, of the district court, when Parthena E. Hewitt obtained a decree of divorce from her husband, Oliver Hewitt. The title of the first case filed in the district court of Linn county is Richard Thomas vs. O. S. Hall, being an appeal case brought for trespass. After several continuances it was dismissed. George Greene, Marion's first lawyer, was counsel for the plaintiff. William G. Thompson was the first prosecuting attorney for what was called the second circuit, consisting of the counties of Cedar, Jones, and Linn, and of the eighth judicial district after the establishment of the circuit court, in 1868. The first murder committed in Linn county occurred in Marion March 20, 1847, when James Reed—who then and for many years after occupied the farm later known as the Bachman farm, on the old road about half way between Marion and Cedar Rapids, and whose house was destroyed by the tornado of 1860—struck Nathaniel Carnagy with a sled stake, fracturing his skull, from which injuries he died two weeks later. Reed was indicted but found not guilty by a jury.

The tornado of 1860, which passed through Linn county on Sunday, June 3, started about six miles west of Marion. It struck the southwest part of the town but the only damage done was to a brick smoke house standing west of the house then occupied by Willard Harlan, now the home of J. Q. A. Dutton, the last house on the street car line east of Indian creek. The first deed recorded was for lots five and six, block eleven, Marion, and was executed by the county commissioners April 4, 1843, to Horace Metcalf. The second deed is to Addison Daniels. The consideration is nine dollars. It bears the same date and is for lots one and two, block fourteen, the present Clogston home, lot seven, block twelve, where the T. J. Davis building on Tenth street now stands, and lot eight, block thirteen, on a part of which the First National Bank now stands. The selection of these lots is good evidence of the business ability of Mr. Daniels in those early days.

The plats of the towns of Marion and Cedar Rapids were recorded on the same day, to wit: April 3, 1843, "O. S. Hall, Recorder." In volume 216 on page 48, Recorder's office, is a record showing the organization of the Presbyterian society, on November 11, 1839. William Vaughn is named as one of the elders.

A. J. McKean, who came to Linn county in 1839, helped lay out the town of Marion, was the first constable of Linn county, and the first assessor for the whole county, by appointment in 1840. He served as clerk of the courts from 1854 to 1872, and was one of Marion's most prominent citizens for over half a century. His brother, Thomas J. McKean, was the first mayor of the town of Marion which was incorporated in 1865. He was elected sheriff of the county in 1859, serving until the spring of 1861, when he resigned to enter the government army service, having already served in the Florida and Mexican wars, and November 21, 1861, was appointed brigadier-general, and after a brilliant service in the Civil war was honorably discharged in 1865, as brevet major general. On September 5, 1848, he was married to Sarah T. Gray, who still survives him, is a resident of Marion, and still bright and active at the age of ninety years.

One of the most prominent men in the early history of Marion, and we might add of the county, was Samuel W. Durham. A courtly gentleman of the old school, honored and respected by every one who knew him, he died at his home in Marion, May 2, 1909, at the ripe old age of ninety-two years. He was sheriff of Linn county from 1846-1848, county surveyor in 1841, serving one term, in 1851 serving one term, in 1871 serving two terms, and in 1889 serving two terms. He was also a member of the first constitutional convention of Iowa, which convened at Iowa City October 7, 1844.

JAMES E. BROMWELL, SR.

George Greene, Marion's first lawyer, and who built one of its first three residences, was the first member of the General Assembly from Linn county. He also served in the council, now called the state senate, of the third legislative assembly of Iowa, which convened at Burlington November 2, 1840, representing Cedar, Jones, and Linn counties. He also served in the fourth assembly, which convened at Iowa City December 6, 1841.

The first court was held in Marion October 26, 1840, and the following record was made: "Minutes of the District Court of Iowa Territory, within and for the county of Linn:

"Iowa Territory
}
Linn County

"Pursuant to an act of the Legislature of the Territory of Iowa, approved July, 1840, the District Court of the United States, and also for the Territory of Iowa, met at Marion, in said county, on Monday the 26th day of October, 1840. Present: Hon. Joseph Williams, Judge of the Second Judicial District for the Territory; W. G. Woodward, Esq., District Attorney of the United States for the District of Iowa; R. P. Lowe, Esq., prosecuting attorney for Second Judicial District; Hosea W. Gray, Esq., Sheriff of County of Linn; Socrates H. Tryon, Clerk of the District Court; Lawrence Maloney, Marshall of the Territory."

The following are the lists of the early officers of Linn county, who were all residents of Marion:

Sheriffs—Hosea W. Gray, 1840; Ambrose Harlan, 1844; Samuel W. Durham, 1846; Ambrose Harlan, 1847; Vincent Beall, 1850; Samuel Brazleton, 1853; Levi H. Mason, 1855; Thomas J. McKean, 1860; William W. Smith, 1861; O. O. Stanchfield, 1862; Hiel Hale, 1866; John Hayzlett, 1868; G. D. Gillilan, 1874.

Clerks of District and Circuit Courts—John C. Berry (Com.'s Clerk), 1839; S. H. Tryon, 1840; John C. Berry, 1844; Porter W. Earl, 1847; Hosea W. Gray, 1849; James M. Berry, 1851; A. J. McKean, 1854; J. L. Crawford, 1873.

Treasurers and Recorders—Addison Daniels, 1841; O. S. Hall. 1844; John Zumbro, 1844; O. S. Hall, 1845; P. W. Earl, 1846; William M. Harris, 1846; Isaac Cook, 1851; N. M. Day, 1855; William Cook, 1860; James Johnston, 1864.

Recorders after the offices of treasurer and recorder were separated—John J. Daniels, 1865; Charles E. Putnam, 1873.

Treasurers after offices were separated—R. T. Wilson, 1866; S. T. Berry, 1874; R. M. Jackson, 1882.

Auditors of the County—A. B. Dumont, 1869; John P. Coulter, 1870; Samuel Daniels, 1876; Joseph Moorhead, 1882; James E. Bromwell, 1888.

The following is a list of the early State Senators: I. M. Preston, 1852; William G. Thompson, 1856; H. G. Angle, 1860; J. B. Young, 1864; Robert Smyth, 1868; E. B. Kephart, 1872.

The following is a list of the early judges of the Eighth Judicial District: Joseph Williams, 1840; Thomas S. Wilson, 1846; James B. Carleton, 1847; William Smyth, 1853; Isaac Cook, 1857; William E. Miller, 1859; Norman W. Isbell, 1862; C. H. Conklin, 1864; N. M. Hubbard, 1866; James H. Rothrock, 1867.

Ira G. Fairbanks was the first superintendent of county schools.

In the first constitutional convention which was held at Iowa City October 7, 1844, and whose work was rejected by the people at the polls August 4, 1845, Linn county was represented by Thomas J. McKean, Samuel W. Durham, and Luman M. Strong. At the second one, held at Iowa City May 4, 1846, and whose work was endorsed by a small majority at the election held August 3, 1846, Socrates H. Tryon represented Linn and Benton counties.

The first estate ministered upon in Linn county was that of James Travis, who died in December, 1839. James Doty was appointed administrator February 15, 1840. His bond was for $200. His bondsmen were Jacob Leabo and John Stambaugh. Israel Mitchell, who had been appointed by Governor Lucas, in 1839, was the judge of probate. It was this same Judge Mitchell who located the first town in Linn county, viz: that of Westport, near the present site of Bertram, and who was the orator of the day at the first Fourth of July celebration in Linn county, held at Westport in 1839.

The second estate appearing of record was that of William Marion, who died July 4, 1840, and of which William Abbe was appointed administrator in 1841.

The third was the estate of Martin Martindale, who died in February of 1841, and of whose estate William Garrison was appointed administrator.

The following is the record of the first coffin made in Linn county: "Be it remembered that on the 21st day of June, A. D. 1841, James E. Bromwell filed his account in the Court of Probate against the estate of Martin Martindale, deceased, in the words and figures, to wit:

"To J. E. Bromwell, Dr.
"To one white walnut coffin,      $12.00"

Marion was the home for years of three Mexican war veterans, who were also veterans of the Civil war, viz: Thomas J. McKean, G. A. Gray, both deceased, and Samuel B. Thompson, now past ninety years of age and living with his daughter, Mrs. Nellie Schimmerhorn, of Kansas City.

Marion was incorporated in 1865. Its first mayor was General Thomas J. McKean. The other officers were: recorder, G. A. Gray; trustees, D. H. McDanel, who died in Chicago and whose widow is now living in Cedar Rapids; S. W. Rathbun, still living in Marion and editor and proprietor of the Marion Register, which was established as the Prairie Star in 1852 by A. Hoyt; G. F. Woods, who died in Marion some years ago; O. C. Wyman, now a merchant prince of Minneapolis; and Dr. N. W. Owen, who died in 1880.

The Marion fire department was organized in 1874 and consisted of the Phoenix engine company and the J. C. Davis hook and ladder company. D. P. Thurber was elected the first foreman of the Phoenix company, and A. J. Keyes of the hook and ladder company. The first engine house was the old Baptist church which stood on the site of the present C., M. & St. P. depot. Such was the beginning of the later noted Marion Volunteer Fire Department, with its matchless Mentzer Hose Company, which as a drill corps, under the captaincy of James E. Bromwell, for twenty years, in the state of Iowa and elsewhere, challenged all military and civic companies, and met all challengers in competitive contests, winning over fifty first prizes, cups, and purses, acting as special escort to Governor Cummins at the St. Louis Exposition in 1904, and winning over all contestants at the National Firemen's Tournament of the Trans-Mississippi Exposition, held at Omaha in 1898, and retiring without a single defeat as a drill corps after its first three years, although as a fire company it is still active and efficient and the possessor of a beautiful home of its own on Seventh avenue in Marion, the lower story being used as a hose house and armory, and the upper story for reception and club rooms.

In 1864 the Dubuque and Southwestern Railroad, running from Farley to Cedar Rapids, was built into Marion, and in 1872 the Sabula, Ackley & Dakota Railroad—now the C., M. &. St. P.—connected Marion with Chicago. Here it terminated until it was extended west to Council Bluffs in 1880, and south to Kansas City in 1882.

Marion was especially favored in its early history, as it is today, by competent and popular physicians. Of these there were three, probably best known, who are worthy of mention, viz: Drs. Thos. S. Bardwell, Henry M. Ristine, and N. W. Owen. Dr. Thomas S. Bardwell came to Marion with his father, Dr. Leonard Bardwell, in 1841. He studied medicine with his father, and after attending lectures in St. Louis began practice in Marion in 1850. He was a natural doctor, bringing into his practice not only a knowledge of medicine but that intuition and instinctive comprehension of the law of cause and effect as applied to the human system which mark the genius in materia medica and surgery. He was a great hearted man, kind, generous, charitable, a devoted son and brother, a loyal friend and citizen. He died in Marion in 1895.

Henry M. Ristine came to Marion in 1842. He, too, was a master in the ministry of relief to human suffering. His genial presence and cheerful and encouraging words added much to the magic of his medicine. His friends were legion. He was welcomed to the homes where he was called as a physician as a beloved brother, and was always a comfort and a blessing in the sick room. In the early days and to the second generation his name was a household word throughout Linn county. He moved to Cedar Rapids in 1875, where, crowned with success and honors in his chosen calling, he died in 1897.

Norman W. Owen came to Marion in 1856. He continued the study of medicine, which he had begun in the east, under Dr. Henry M. Ristine, and graduated from Rush Medical College in 1862. He at once entered into a partnership with Dr. Ristine, and during his absence in the Civil war, he drove almost night and day, attending the large practice which he was left alone to care for. He was a most skilful and successful physician. He united with a wide knowledge of diseases and their remedies, the tenderness and skill of the trained nurse. An earnest student, of analytical yet comprehensive mind, he became a pioneer in the discovery of new remedies for human ailments, and while he formulated and compounded many preparations now of common use, his greatest achievement was the discovery and composition of Owen and Chamberlain's—now Chamberlain's—Colic, Cholera, and Diarrhoea Remedy, a world-wide panacea, of which Dr. Owen was the sole and undisputed originator. This alone places him among the "immortals" in the realm of medicine. He died in Marion in 1880.

Among the early great financiers of Marion—and we might say of Iowa and the west—was Redmond D. Stephens. He came to Marion in 1855. He was a lawyer, teacher, and scholar, as well as a banker. He obtained the third charter ever issued for a national bank in Iowa, and instituted the First National Bank of Marion in 1863. He was one of the county supervisors in 1867, and was elected to the state legislature in 1879. He organized the Merchants National Bank of Cedar Rapids in 1881, of which, as well as of the First National Bank of Marion, he was president when he died in Cedar Rapids in 1883, where he then resided. His rare acumen, keen perception, unerring judgment, and almost prophetic endowment, mastered every business enterprise he undertook and won for him the merited distinction with which success ever crowns the union of genius and studiousness, of being enthroned, honored, and acknowledged as king in the chosen realm of his life work.

No early history of Marion would be complete without mention of that brilliant coterie which illumined Linn county's seat of justice and as pillars and ornaments of the law established and adorned the now famous bar of Linn county. Nothing in later years has compared with the gladiatorial contests of the early years when true forensic oratory, keenest wit, and brilliant satire made forever famous the legal arena within the old court house at Marion. What memories and achievements cluster about the names of Corbett, Hubbard, Preston, Isbell, Thompson, Young and Smyth.

Nathaniel M. Hubbard, the greatest legal general of his time, who served one year as judge of the eighth district in 1865, was keen, alert, tactful, resourceful, and tireless. He won marked distinction in his profession, and died in Cedar Rapids a few years ago, as chief counsel for the Chicago & Northwestern Railway.

Norman W. Isbell, student, scholar, interpreter of the law, judge of the eighth district in 1862, died in the prime of life, a great mind in a frail body.

J. B. Young, brilliant, scholarly, eloquent, came to Marion in 1853; was elected prosecuting attorney for Linn county in 1854. He served in the state legislature in 1861, in the state senate in 1863, and was re-elected in 1866. He was army paymaster, with the rank of major, during the Civil war, elector-at-large in 1868, and United States pension agent in 1869. Impetuous, fiery, generous, of marked aptness and ability, he honored and adorned his chosen profession.

William Smyth came to Iowa in 1843 and to Marion in 1846—the year he was admitted to the bar. He was elected prosecuting attorney for the county in 1847, appointed judge of the fourth district in 1853, elected in 1854, and re-elected in 1856, but resigned in 1857, and with his brother, Robert Smyth, and A. J. Twogood established the first bank in Linn county, later known as the Twogood and Elliott bank of Marion. In 1858 he was chairman of the committee of three to revise and codify the laws of the state of Iowa, and the criminal code of 1860 is largely his work. In 1862 he was commissioned colonel of the Thirty-first Iowa Volunteer Infantry, serving until 1864. He then formed a law partnership with J. B. Young, and was actively engaged in the practice until 1868, when he was elected to congress. He was renominated in 1870, but on September 30, 1870, before the election, died at his beautiful suburban home adjoining the city of Marion, now owned by the Sisters of Mercy, and known as St. Joseph's Academy. A man of sound judgment, a lawyer of merit, a judge of ability, a statesman of fidelity and purity, he yet stood pre-eminently before all as a man of integrity, honor, and character, the true and highest type of the Christian gentleman.

I shall now mention as the last, the two greatest lawyers of the early days of Marion, judging from their practice, marked success, and general recognition, viz: Isaac M. Preston, and William G. Thompson.

Isaac M. Preston came to Marion in 1842. He was elected probate judge of Linn county in 1842, appointed district attorney for the eighteenth judicial district of Iowa in 1845, again elected probate judge in 1847, the same year was appointed United States district attorney for Iowa by President Polk, was elected to the state legislature in 1848, and elected the first state senator in 1852 for Linn, Benton, and Tama counties. He moved to Cedar Rapids in 1878, where he died in 1880. He was possessed of a strong mind, his reasoning was logical, and his analysis keen. He aspired to greatness in his profession above all else. He was pronounced by competent judges the greatest criminal lawyer of Iowa in his day. Rugged, determined, persistent, tireless, profound, thoroughly versed in the common law, of broad conception, a close student and able judge of human nature, deliberate, careful, prudent; in speech plain, masterful, convincing; he having reached a conclusion in law or taken a position legally or morally, was seldom if ever compelled to compromise or retreat.

T. M. SINCLAIR

J. O. STEWART

William G. Thompson came to Marion in 1853 and first began the practice of law with I. M. Preston. He was prosecuting attorney in 1854, editor of the Marion Register (which he bought to insure a republican paper for Linn county) in 1855 and 1856, state senator in 1856 and 1858, major of the Twentieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry, serving until 1864, elector-at-large on the republican ticket in 1864, district attorney of the eighth judicial district from 1867 to 1874, chief justice of Idaho in 1878, elected to congress in 1879, and refused to accept a renomination. In 1884, to save the republican legislative ticket, he was nominated for the state legislature and elected. He was appointed judge of the eighteenth district in 1894, and was elected in the fall of the same year, re-elected in 1898 and 1902. He is now living in retirement with his son. J. M. Thompson, at his beautiful home, "The Elms," on the boulevard between Marion and Cedar Rapids. Major Thompson was naturally possessed of the elements of true greatness, viz: simplicity, sympathy, generosity, and charity. While he was in truth the "poor man's friend," he was more truly everybody's friend. His was a brilliant mind, a tender heart, an eloquent yet poignant tongue. Of quick intuition, forceful expression, and impassioned oratory, he carried juries with the force of the mountain torrent. His great tender heart was the repository of anybody's troubles or sorrows or legal difficulties "without money and without price," if needs be. As a lawyer he was comprehensive, ingenious, and aggressive. As a judge, merciful, conscientious, and just. The equitable appealed to him in every branch of the law. No truer friend, no more loyal partisan, no more zealous advocate, ever stood rock bound, unchangeable, and immovable as William G. Thompson always stood without malice or offense. Devoted to his home, his wife, and only son, cheerful, sunny, optimistic, unerring in his measurement of men and motives, charitable and forgiving beyond belief, honored and honorable, commonplace and companionable, always kind and considerate and helpful, great hearted, of noble soul, and of almost divine compassion, Judge William G. Thompson has already erected his monument of Christlike deeds, and his sepulchre will be the inner shrines of the hearts of all who knew him.

The character of the early settlers of Marion was of the highest type. Little wonder, then, that it has grown into a city of schools and churches, that its moral atmosphere has been fairly free from the fetid breath of vice and crime, and that its intellectual, spiritual, and social ideals have been largely realized in its system of schools, number and quality of its churches and church membership, and its unexcelled fraternal organizations, literary and musical clubs, and societies. Of ideal location, modern and progressive, its water supply direct from the noted Bowman springs, clean and wholesome, its people contented and prosperous, never destined, under the shadow of Cedar Rapids, to be a great city, but unique, beautiful, the county seat of the great county of Linn, undoubtedly the prize winning slogan of Cedar Rapids, with Marion substituted, would be acceptable to every resident: "Marion suits me."

CHAPTER XLIV

Linn County in War

The men and women of Linn county have always been patriotic. They have responded promptly and cheerfully to every call to arms. One of the earliest settlers in the county had served in the Revolutionary war. Nathan Brown, who came here in 1839 and for whom Brown township was named, at the early age of sixteen years joined the American forces.

T. J. McKean, George A. Gray, A. R. Sausman, William Hampton, S. D. Thompson, "Democ" Woodbridge, and a Mr. Courtney served in the war with Mexico. These men all enlisted from this county, entering the service in June, 1847. J. J. Snouffer, who came to the county in the early days and who long was an important figure in the business and political life of Cedar Rapids, was a veteran of this same war.

It is not out of place here to say a word regarding T. J. McKean, the only man from the county who received the commission of brigadier-general in the Civil war. General McKean was born in Pennsylvania in 1810 and entered West Point in 1827, graduating with honors in 1831. He immediately entered the service with the rank of lieutenant, and was stationed in Louisiana. Resigning his commission, for a time he followed the profession of civil engineer. He came to Marion in 1840, and when war with Mexico was declared he raised a squad of six men as above and joined Company K, 15th Regulars, the only company sent out from Iowa. He served in the Mexican war for a year and a half and then returned to Marion. At the breaking out of the Civil war he was holding the office of sheriff of the county. He was not able to resist the call to arms and surrendered his office to accept a post as paymaster in the Union army. He entered upon his duties early in 1861. In the fall of that year Governor Kirkwood proposed his name for a brigadier-general. He received that commission and served his country with ability.

On April 12, 1861, Sumter was fired upon. On the 15th, President Lincoln issued a call for 75,000 ninety-day men. It was erroneously believed that our internal difficulties could be adjusted in that period. Within thirty days after the president's call had reached Iowa this state had a regiment in the field. In that regiment, the First Iowa. Linn county had a full company under the command of Capt. T. Z. Cook.

Before giving a detailed account of the various companies that served in the Civil war from Linn county, it may be well to treat briefly of some of the stirring events that were witnessed in the county in the early days of the war.

The board of supervisors early held a special session to provide means for the relief of the families of such men as were willing to volunteer for field service. At the September, 1861, session of that body the following resolution was adopted: "That the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors issue an order or orders for the benefit and relief of any of our volunteers now in the United States service, upon the certificate and approval of the resident Supervisor of the township in which the family or applicant resides."

The press and pulpit of the county strongly advocated the cause of the Union. No conservative position on the burning question was taken by either. Many are the emphatic appeals to the loyal spirit of the county. In its issue of April 18, 1861, the Cedar Valley Times has this to say:

"More than ever, it is now the duty of every true man to respond to the call of his country. Party ties are broken, party divisions forgotten, in the common necessity which summons every true American to the standard of his country—to the defence of our Union, our Constitution, our liberty and our rights.... Every man to his post, that post the support of the Administration."

In the same issue there was a call for a meeting on that evening to obtain an expression of the feelings of the people. This meeting was held in Carpenter's Hall, Cedar Rapids, and was characterized by great enthusiasm. Dr. J. H. Camburn presided and Isaac Van Meter acted as secretary. These gentlemen, together with Porter W. Earle, William Greene, H. G. Angle, Dr. Taylor, E. N. Bates, W. H. Merritt, and others gave stirring talks. At this meeting a despatch was read from Gov. Samuel J. Kirkwood, as follows:

"If Linn county shall tender me a full company of seventy-eight good men, properly officered, by Thursday of next week, I will offer the company as one of the regiments required of this state by the President of the United States."

A committee was appointed to push the matter of raising a company. On this committee were E. N. Bates, T. Z. Cook, W. H. Merritt, J. H. Stibbs and W. R. Sweitzer. Twenty-five names were signed that night to a muster roll.

Other towns of the county were not behind Cedar Rapids in enthusiasm. On the evening of April 19th a mass meeting was held at Kingston, with J. H. Elder in the chair. He at once offered his purse to its limit for the cause. Here Rev. A. G. Eberhart, and Messrs. Churchill, Stewart and Detwiler were the speakers. Eight men added their names to the roll of Cedar Rapids volunteers. In Marion a meeting of equal enthusiasm was held and a full company volunteered. By noon of the 19th thirty-five men had signed a muster roll in Mt. Vernon. A great crowd gathered in the chapel of Western college on the evening of the 19th. Young men, students and others, were urged to enroll for the honor of Linn county and the cause of the union. Nine were added to the list. The meeting also contributed five dollars to aid in purchasing bibles for the company—the boys from Western going with those from this city. On Monday the 22d, this contingent came to the city, and on the same day twenty-seven of the Mt. Vernon volunteers were accepted for the first company from Linn county. Captaincy of the company, K, First Infantry, fell upon T. Z. Cook.

In Buffalo township there were but twelve voters, and just half of these volunteered for army service. At Palo a spirited union meeting was held, and at once thirty-five men pledged their lives to the cause.

The boys at once began drilling under J. J. Snouffer, a veteran of the Mexican war. Dr. S. D. Carpenter was made quartermaster of the regiment. On Saturday, May 4, a flag was presented to the company. On May 6 Company K left for Clinton. Following is roster of the company, at the time it left Cedar Rapids: Captain, T. Z. Cook; first lieutenant, J. C. Marvin; second lieutenant, Robert Stinson; orderly, J. H. Stibbs; second sergeant, J. Van Meter; third sergeant, E. Coulter; first corporal, R. L. Wilson; second corporal, J. H. Hammond; third corporal, E. L. Carpenter; fourth corporal, Jos. McClelland. Privates—Geo. H. Angell, Geo. W. Aylesworth, John Agler, Geo. C. Burkmeister, Benj. E. Butler, A. C. Blood, H. H. Boyes, H. C. Bates, John M. Chase, Henry P. Covertson, W. J. Conley, Paul Carpenter, B. Franklin Cook, A. D. Collier, Wilson Certain, A. J. Churchill, J. M. Clark, Edward Calder, Joseph B. Daniels, John K. Daniels, Samuel Daniels, Addison Davis, Robert P. Dewey, John J. Perry, Chas. W. Esgate, B. E. Eberhart, Wm. J. Eckles, Stuart Erwin, E. P. Fellows, John Fitzgerald, J. B. Fisher, J. D. Ferguson, Andrew Geddes, Geo. Granger, Andrew Harmon, Hiel Hale, F. W. Hollingrane, J. J. Hollan, Perry Hoyt, W. P. Hubbard, Peter Hauger, Charles A. Harper, R. W. Hayzlett, J. C. Hayes, Nathaniel Johnson, Geo. A. John, W. B. Jacobs, Frank Klump, J. H. Little, G. C. Miller, Philip Murdock, J. C. Morehead, H. J. McManus, John McGowen, E. R. McKee, Michael Mentz, D. W. Prescott, N. Russell, G. Rifenstahl, H. W. Ross, J. W. Robinson, R. M. Rogers, A. T. Rigby, W. D. Robins, E. W. Stewart, R. B. Stewart, James O. Stewart, Henry Shaffer, John S. Starkweather, L. E. Stevins, J. W. Smith, C. C. Smith, E. B. Soper, J. M. Secrist, Geo. F. Schoonover, J. B. Stine, F. J. Shuey, M. Taylor, E. Thompson, G. F. Vandever, J. N. Van Arsdel, L. P. Winterstein, C. Wynn, William Walt, D. H. Wilson, Geo. H. Yager, L. J. C. Ziengenfus.

The regimental officers were J. F. Bates, Dubuque, colonel; W. H. Merritt, Cedar Rapids, lieutenant-colonel; A. B. Porter, Mt. Pleasant, major.

The company before the close of its services endured many hardships. It took part in the skirmish at Forsythe on July 20. On the evening of the 9th of August the First Iowa, under command of Lieut. Col. Merritt joined the other forces at Springfield, under Gen. Lyon. Marching to within three miles of the enemy's camp at Wilson's Creek, the attack was begun at 3 o'clock on the morning of the 10th. It was a severely contested engagement. At this battle Gen. Lyon was killed, while personally leading the First Iowa. Victory was with the Union army and pursuit of the enemy was continued until nightfall. Following is the report made by Captain T. Z. Cook of casualties sustained by his company:

"Killed—Private Perry Hoyt. Seriously wounded—E. Coulter, leg; Henry Shaffer, leg and arm; John Stine, leg and breast; E. R. McKee, arm; W. D. Robins, leg; Samuel Daniels, leg. Slightly wounded—J. O. Stewart, leg; John Fitzgerald, face; Joseph Hollan, foot; J. M. Chase, back; George F. Schoonover, arm badly bruised by grape shot. Sergeant Coulter and Privates Shaffer and Stine were left at Springfield. Isaac Van Meter, second sergeant, and John H. Stibbs, sergeant, particularly distinguished themselves for coolness and bravery. T. Z. Cook, captain."

This battle really ended the service of Company K. The regiment was mustered out at St. Louis August 25 and started at once for home. On the evening of August 26 the volunteer's returned to Cedar Rapids. The Kingston Guards, of eighty men, with a local company of about the same number, furnished an escort and headed by the mayor and council met the train at the depot. Five thousand people were estimated in the gathering. The dwellings and stores were illuminated in honor of the return. A procession was formed and marched to the same place where a few months before the flag had been presented. On behalf of the city Mayor Bishop voiced its welcome to the volunteers. Judge Isaac Cook supplied a little more speech-making and a supper followed of quality to make these soldiers forget all hardships of camp and march.

In other portions of the county the enthusiasm was as great as it was in Cedar Rapids. The Linn County Register of April 20, 1861, in announcing the commencement of hostilities stated that "already, some seventy-five persons, in the vicinity of Marion alone, have signified their intention to volunteer under the call of President Lincoln." In its issue a week later the same paper said that "on every corner the people are assembled, in squads of a dozen or more, discussing the chances of the conflict. Men in the country leave their plows, and rush into town, to inquire about the news."

In the Sixth Infantry, which was mustered in July 6, 1861, Company A was entirely from this county. It was organized at Marion. The regiment was mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, July 21. 1865. It saw some hard battles, several of its officers being killed in action, and eighteen wounded. Of the enlisted men 274 were killed or died in the service, and 331 were wounded in action. It is said that this regiment suffered more casualties than any other regiment from Iowa. The regiment suffered severely at Shiloh, Mission Ridge, Resaca, Dallas, Kenesaw Mountain, and Jackson, Miss.

COL. T. Z. COOK

Its first captain was Hosea W. Gray, who was succeeded by Tarlton Caldwell, Willard H. Harland, and Rodney E. Barker, who served as captains at different periods. A. L. Ingram, who entered the company as a private, was first lieutenant at the time of mustering out. Other well known names among the officers of this company are those of George A. Gray, W. M. Harbeson, A. P. Alexander, Samuel D. Springer, C. A. Huston, Chas. L. Byam. Among the members of the company are found the names of T. H. Alexander, Daniel K. Kinley, Chas. Robins, S. A. Stearns, D. F. Stinson.

George M. Holmes, of this county, entered as sergeant of this regiment, and was promoted from time to time until he became captain of Company K on July 30, 1863, resigning October 17, 1864.

In the Eighth Infantry Joseph C. Stoddard, yet a resident of Cedar Rapids, was commissioned adjutant November 15, 1865, having been promoted from sergeant-major. Among those from this county in this regiment may be noted Jno. M. Dawley, J. H. Gardner, Hiram Inks, Wm. H. Ostrander, David G. Usher, Homer H. Phillips, D. W. Yount.

The county was also represented in the Ninth Infantry, being especially strong in Company K, in which Abraham Bowman was commissioned second lieutenant and promoted to the captaincy on January 9, 1864. Its first captain was David Carskaddon, afterwards colonel of the regiment. Among the familiar names in this company we find those of David Bowman, Jas. C. Morehead, Oliver B. Cone, John Cone, John S. McKee, J. M. Burkhart, W. S. Dingman, John W. Gray, I. N. Lutz, A. R. Whiteneck. The company was organized in Marion and mustered into the service July 23, 1861.

In the Eleventh Infantry these names are noted: Robt. L. Wilson, Samuel H. Harrison, Chas. W. Mason, Wm. H. McRoberts, Wm. Burge, Henry M. Cook, Jno. Coburn, John Elder, E. P. Listabarger, Wm. Mitchell, Jas. D. McRoberts, And. W. Satley, Thos. Strang, John B. Stine, Geo. W. Sparks, Samuel Shafer, Wm. A. Thompson. Company K of this regiment was organized in Cedar Rapids, John C. Marvin, captain. It was mustered in July 23, 1861.

Company D, Twelfth Iowa Infantry, was captained by John H. Stibbs. The regiment was organized at Dubuque and mustered into the service November 25, 1861, with Joseph P. Woods, a West Pointer, as colonel; John P. Coulter of Cedar Rapids, lieutenant-colonel, and S. D. Brodtbeck, major. The Twelfth was then ordered to St. Louis. The Linn county company was organized in Cedar Rapids, and mustered in October 26, 1861.

First of the year 1862 found seventeen members of the company in hospitals. A malignant outbreak of measles at that time caused many deaths in the Twelfth and other regiments.

During the week ending January 15, 1862, Capt. Stibbs, in a letter to his brother in Cedar Rapids, reported that six of his men had died in hospital. These were William H. Webster, William L. Dailey, John L. Jaques, John S. Lee, Jasper Cyner and Henry Haradon. Seventeen others were in various hospitals at St. Louis. On Saturday, January 11, the regiment was ordered to be ready to start for Kentucky on the 15th, but because of ice in the river, these orders were countermanded. On the 27th it was ordered to report to Gen. Grant at Cairo. From thence the regiment was sent to the mouth of the Cumberland river, and established its camp in the field. On February 5 it joined the expedition against Fort Henry.

The company was at Ft. Donelson when it capitulated. The regiment remained at Fort Donelson until March 12, when it was moved to Pittsburg Landing. On the evening of the 9th of April news was received of a great battle at Pittsburg Landing, in which the Twelfth Iowa had share. It was only known that slaughter had been immense, and until full details were received the anxiety in Cedar Rapids can be imagined. Yet how slow this news was in coming may be judged from an editorial note in the Cedar Valley Times for April 17: "Three of our Iowa regiments—the Eighth, Twelfth and Fourteenth—were cut off and taken prisoners while bravely defending their flag and the glory of their country. They fought like tigers. We are not yet able to publish full lists of losses, and the anxiety so long felt must continue."

The report made by Lieutenant-Colonel Coulter gave the following returns for Company D: Killed—First Lieutenant James B. Ferguson; Privates Daniel Luther and James P. Ayres. Wounded—Sergeant J. M. Clark, Corporal Joseph Stibbs, H. C. Morehead and H. Panborn, all slightly; Privates J. G. Clark and Frank Renchin, severely. R. C. Cowell and Ed. H. Bailey, slightly. Missing—(prisoners)—Capt. J. H. Stibbs, Second Lieutenant Hiel Hale, Orderly Sergeant R. Hilton; Corporals H. W. Ross and J. J. Broughton; Privates L. M. Ayres, Ed. Buttolph, Samuel Baumgardner, Thomas Barr, J. W. Burch, S. Birch, P. Brennan, D. L. Conley, D. Conley, F. Dubois, S. A. Flint, W. A. Flint, A. J. Frees, C. Ferrerbend, H. Grass, P. Gephart, A. Hill, R. L. Johnson, Eli King, William Lee, John Luther, T. J. Lewis, Wm. B. Lutz, J. Lanagan, E. B. Martin, A. J. Milen, D. W. Minor, R. McClain, J. Nicholas, J. O. Sartwell, D. Sivets, J. Scott, L. Snell, R. K. Soper, A. A. Stewart, J. M. Garponning, W. H. Trowbridge, W. Whitenack, J. J. Whittam, J. Wagner, J. Craft, F. Curren, R. P. Zuver, A. McIntyre.

Lieutenant Jason D. Ferguson, one of the killed, was at the outbreak of the war a student in Cornell College. He was one of that gallant band who left their studies to take up men's work. He was a member of Company K, First Iowa, serving throughout the brief but arduous campaign in which that regiment participated. His efforts were untiring in organization of Company D, of the Twelfth.

But the losses of Linn county soldiers were not confined to those of Company D, of the Twelfth Iowa in the battle of Pittsburg Landing. Quartermaster Mortimer A. Higley sent back to friends in this city, a list of those in Company A, Fifteenth Iowa, there killed and wounded. Among the killed were Pat H. Kennedy and Wm. W. Wood, privates, both of Cedar Rapids. Wounded, Corporal John Kimbro, in arm, severely; privates, Elisha Hopkins, severely; Charles Stewart, slightly; Jacob Brown, severely; Newton Dawson, and Henry Bunn, slightly, all being from Linn county.

The Twelfth Iowa regiment was mustered out and the members from this county returned home during the last week of January. Company D, enlisted in 1866, came home with the following Cedar Rapids survivors: S. R. Burch, adjutant; Homer Morehead, regimental quartermaster; John Clark, captain; Eli King, first lieutenant; N. G. Price, orderly sergeant; H. Pangborn, John Burch, I. G. Clark, B. P. Zuver, sergeants; J. Lanagan, John Luther, R. C. Cowell, Josiah Scott, R. L. Johnson, P. Brennan, A. A. Stewart, T. Lewis, corporals; S. Baumgardner, John Whittam, Wm. Whiteneck, J. W. Rowen, W. H. Trowbridge, A. J. Freese, R. S. Martin, J. B. Lambert, Daniel Sivetts, Sam H. Flint, H. Grass, F. Dubois, H. Ross, Wm. Lee and R. K. Soper, privates. Citizens of Cedar Rapids and Kingston gave a reception to these returned soldiers on the evening of February 6. This took form of a ball at Daniels' Hall and a supper served at the American House.

The Thirteenth Infantry was organized at Mt. Vernon and mustered in July 23, 1861, John Q. Wild, captain. Chas. W. Kepler was a captain and E. R. Mason a sergeant. Among the members were Geo. W. Doty, Jacob W. Easterly, Chas. Gardner, Jos. M. Harper, S. P. Harman, D. A. Hamilton, Jas. E. Neal, Robt. W. Thompson, Wm. Thompson, F. A. Varner, Thos. W. Wilson, D. C. Weaver, John Shaver, John Archer, Henry Blessing, Frank Cook, David Hoster, Geo. W. Thompson, John Bierly, Wm. Cline, T. B. Fullerton, John Gregg, Wm. Hackett, Joseph Livington, Jas. A. McClellan, O. T. Petit, M. W. Sweet, Wm. Teeters, Edw. Ware, Julius A. Jackson.

In the Fourteenth Infantry Jos. Legore was a corporal, and a number enlisted in the regiment from this county. The same is true of the Fifteenth. Sixteenth and Eighteenth regiments. Company A of the Fifteenth was composed largely of Linn county men. M. A. Higley was first lieutenant in this company and later a major in the commissary department.

The Eighteenth regiment was organized at Clinton, but Company A was made up almost entirely of men from this county. T. Z. Cook, of Cedar Rapids, was lieutenant-colonel of the regiment.

On July 9, 1862, Governor Kirkwood called for five additional infantry regiments from Iowa. In response to this call a "mass war meeting" was held in Cedar Rapids on the evening of July 22. E. G. Brown was chairman and J. H. Elder, secretary. The result of this meeting was the organization of Company A, 20th Iowa. Many of the most substantial citizens of Cedar Rapids for the time being laid aside their private business to engage in raising men for the war.

The Twentieth Iowa Volunteer Infantry was composed of five companies from Linn county and five from Scott county. The companies from this county were A, B, F, H, and I. They were mustered into service August 25, 1862. The company went from here to Clinton and from there to Davenport. On September 5 they took the boat for St. Louis. The regiment experienced several hard marches in Missouri and Arkansas; it took part in the siege of Vicksburg, saw service in Louisiana and Texas; was in the attack on Mobile, and was mustered out there July 8, 1865.

William McE. Dye, of Marion, was colonel of the regiment, William G. Thompson was major. Dr. Henry Ristine was surgeon, C. S. Lake, adjutant, and J. S. Lake, commissary sergeant. Company A was captained by E. N. Bates, Company B by Edward Coulter, Company F by N. M. Hubbard, Company H by R. H. Lucore, and Company I by C. C. Cook. Among the well known Linn county men in this regiment may be mentioned the following: Milo Adams, W. H. Boyce, John H. Culp, George W. Homer, Robert Keeler, George W. Mentzer, John D. Mounce, C. E. and Daniel W. Robbins, Erin Rucker, John M. Starbuck, B. F. Snyder, F. Uebel, William D. Robbins, A. J. Mallahan, John J. Robbins, Robert C. Hall, D. G. Manahan, D. A. Dingman, Joseph Floyd, R. C. Ring, L. L. Wilson, N. C. Gillilan, Geo. W. and William Bice, H. Hollenbeck, H. C. Adams, W. C. Bowen, S. A. Beach, George Beebe, Byron Cone, F. M. Elrod, H. P. Eastman, Geo. D. Gillilan, J. N. Huston, James W. Howlett, J. W. Newhall, E. J. Reynolds, W. Stinson, Geo. A. Gray, J. J. Hollan, William H. Scott, George W. Wynn, B. P. Wickham, L. D. Elsbery, A. B. Lucore, William Busby, D. L. Castle, S. P. Hollan, James M. Hunter, Hiram Inks, J. D. Jordan, F. A. McConahy, C. H. Sawyer, J. C. McClellan, S. L. Dows, William E. Earl, E. D. Stedman, S. F. Seeley, Casper J. Hart, John W. Whitenack, S. B. Mann, Chas. Morehead, John C. Weatherwax, John Chambers, George W. Daniels, G. B. Daniels, Abraham Hess, M. B. Plummer, Samuel M. Whiteing, Henry White. J. O. Stewart.

Capt. J. O. Stewart, long clerk in Cedar Rapids of the U. S. District Court, entered Company B of this regiment as first sergeant. In March, 1863, he was appointed second lieutenant and in 1864 commissioned captain. For a year and a half he acted as adjutant of the regiment.

Companies F, G. and H in the Twenty-fourth Infantry were from Linn county. E. C. Byam was for a time colonel of this regiment, John F. Sly was surgeon, John Q. Wilds, of Mt. Vernon, was lieutenant colonel. C. L. Byam, D. W. Camp and William H. Smouse were adjutants, F. W. Vinson was both a captain and chaplain. W. C. Dimmett was captain of Company F. John G. Hayzlett and C. H. Kurtz were first lieutenants, T. L. Smith, A. T. Waln were second lieutenants, and among the members of this company may be noted the following: William Camp, Andrew Doty, John W. Firkins, John F. Goudy, John Geiger, William Hall, John A. Ide, Samuel Johnson, J. H. Kepler, A. Lacock, William McQuiston, John Peddycoard, John Renfrew. This company was organized at Mt. Vernon.

W. W. Smith was captain of Company G and among the members of this company were George F. Coleman, James Morrison, David Briggs, A. Cox, H. H. Felton, Jacob Grow, J. G. Hall, D. W. King, Daniel Matson, John L. Ogan, John F. Prather, Willis Vance, John H. Worden. This company was organized in Cedar Rapids.

Of Company H William Carbee was captain. Among the other officers were F. A. Jones, I. B. Dutton, William C. Glover, George W. Martin, J. H. Shanklin, Josiah Bundy, and among the members may be noted Michael Boyer, C. H. Burlingham, Joe L. Bundy, John B. Bowman, C. H. Branch, David Ely, Z. V. Elsbery, C. R. Elsbery, E. R. Gregg, M. Griffith, T. J. Gibson, Benjamin W. Gibson, Joseph Hyatt, F. C. Hunter, I. Lambert, Charles Penn, D. J. Post, J. S. Vernon, David C. Winans, and John Yount.

This company was recruited from Springville, Waubeek, and Prairieburg.

The Thirty-first Infantry, Company A, Robert Stinson, captain, was recruited in northeastern Linn county and was organized at Marion. William Smyth, of Marion, was colonel of the regiment, G. L. Carhart surgeon, L. H. Mason and A. J. Twogood quartermasters, Milo P. Smith sergeant-major, and Donald Lothian commissary sergeant. J. S. Alexander, at present postmaster at Marion, was promoted to the captaincy of Company A on June 14, 1864. Dyer Usher and John H. Harvey were lieutenants in this company, John M. Robbins, Hiram Deem, Jesse Abbott, Richard Abbott, Alfred Stinson and A. P. McKinley sergeants.

Linn county was represented in the Thirty-seventh Infantry by men in Companies A, D, G, H and I. Jas. S. Morehead, George A. Calder, G. L. Snyder are familiar names on the roster of this regiment. Company A was organized in Cedar Rapids with John Hogendabler as captain. The company was made up of men from Linn, Benton and Blackhawk counties. The regiment was known as the "Grey Beards."

Toward the close of the war some 100-day regiments were organized in Iowa. The county had men in these also—John S. Harrison, J. T. Christian, Geo. W. Bever, Henry S. Bever, B. F. Snyder, Geo. S. Bushnell, I. S. Barger, John Allsbaugh, H. O. Kearns, R. N. Maudsley, S. H. Metcalf, N. H. Martin, P. Otterbein, Homer H. Phelps, and others. Half of Company E, 46th, Infantry were from Linn county. John Harrison of Cedar Rapids, was the captain. David B. Henderson, of Dubuque, was colonel of the regiment.

The county had also scattered representation in several cavalry regiments.

According to the reports of the adjutant general of Iowa, out of a population of 18,947, Linn county furnished 1,737 men for the army from 1861 to 1864 inclusive.

It is scarcely possible to sum up in brief space what Linn county did in raising men for the war. Company K of the First Iowa. Company D of the Twelfth, the companies raised by Captains E. N. Bates, C. C. Cook, R. H. Lucore, N. M. Hubbard, and J. P. Coulter, had already gone out from the county or were ready to enter the service early in 1862. W. W. Smith and Rev. F. W. Vinson had also a full company. More than fifty men had been recruited at Western, seventy-five at Springville, a full company at Mount Vernon, some fifty additional men at Marion, and a company was then forming at Center Point.

In its issue for August 21, the Times stated: "Within the past two weeks she [Linn county] has sent five companies out, and four others, full and organized, are waiting orders to leave. A tenth company will soon be filled. Nothing less than a regiment will satisfy the martial feeling prevailing in our county."

On Monday, August 18, the companies of Captain Cook, Lucore, and Coulter, about 250 in all, left Cedar Rapids for Clinton. Captain Vinson's company was filled on August 20, with Sheriff W. W. Smith as first lieutenant. This company was made a part of the Twenty-fourth, or "Temperance" regiment. Mr. Vinson later resigned as captain to accept a position as chaplain of the regiment. In the meantime Captain T. Z. Cook had received a commission as lieutenant colonel of the Eighteenth Iowa. At the time he was mayor of Cedar Rapids but resigned and Charles Weare was appointed in his place.

SAMPLES OF CURRENCY USED IN PIONEER DAYS
The lower two signed by John Weare, President

In April, 1862, Dr. J. H. Camburn, of Cedar Rapids, was commissioned as surgeon of the Sixteenth Iowa and about the same time Dr. R. R. Taylor was appointed as medical officer of the Fourth cavalry, then stationed at Benton Barracks, St. Louis.

To speak at length of the services rendered in the field by the men from Linn county is not possible at this time. Our boys all distinguished themselves for bravery, and suffered patiently the many privations to which they were subjected. Many of them saw hard service, and quite a number were taken prisoners. At Shiloh among the Linn county officers made prisoners were Capt. John H. Stibbs, and Lieut. Hiel Hale of Company D, Twelfth Iowa. These officers were later released on exchange. Captain Ed Coulter of the Twentieth Iowa fell into the hands of the enemy down in Texas. It seems that officers of the Twentieth were somewhat unfortunate. Major W. G. Thompson was badly wounded at the battle of Prairie Grove. Captain Bates resigned because of ill health, returned home, and died. Captain Lucore became ill with the small pox and also died. Captain C. C. Cook resigned on account of sickness, and was succeeded by Joseph McClelland, who at the time was ill in New Orleans. Lieutenant Joseph Holland resigned and came home sick, dying soon afterward.

Company A of the Thirty-first Iowa reached Cedar Rapids after being discharged on July 3, 1865. This company went into the war 100 strong and returned with only about forty. Early in August of this same year, the three companies from Linn county in the Twenty-fourth Iowa reached home. Of Company C there were only twenty of the original members left.

On the 7th of September, 1865, Cedar Rapids gave the returning soldiers a big reception. The elaborateness of the reception was greatly marred by a heavy rainfall. The spirit manifested was all right, however.

COMPANY C, CEDAR RAPIDS

One of the best known military companies in the state is Company C, of Cedar Rapids. This company was organized November 1, 1883, its first captain being George Greene. Many of the best known young men of the town at one time or another have been members of this organization.

After serving a number of years Captain Greene resigned, and for a short time W. G. Dows was acting captain. Ed. II. Smith was then chosen to the position. He was succeeded by George A. Evans.

W. G. Dows, long a member of this company, for a time was adjutant of the First Regiment Iowa National Guards.

Upon the call for troops because of the Spanish-American war, on April 25, 1898, the entire membership of Company C left that same night for Des Moines, where the entire First Regiment was assembled. This regiment was mustered into the United States service as the Forty-ninth Iowa United States Volunteer Infantry. William G. Dows, colonel, commanding. After drilling for a time they went to Jacksonville, Florida, and then to Savannah, Georgia, where they took a government transport for Cuba. The members of the regiment did all kind of service in the army of occupation, much of it being very laborious. In May, 1899, the regiment returned from Cuba and shortly afterwards was mustered out at Savannah.

While the company was in the service in Cuba George A. Evans was its captain.

A few months later the present Fifty-third Regiment was organized, each city in the old regiment being allowed a company in the new. Company C was reorganized, and is now a part of this regiment. The first captain of the new company was Frank Hahn. He was succeeded by T. A. Berkebile, and he by John Rau, who is now the captain of the company.

Col. William G. Dows, who is now a member of the governor's staff, served for twenty-five years in various capacities in the same regiment, a service for continuity unequalled. Though offered promotions, he maintained that he would rather stay by the old boys and the old regiment.

FIFTH IOWA BATTERY

Promptly upon the declaration of war in 1898 with Spain a battery was organized in Cedar Rapids for service in that war. It was mustered into the service as the Fifth Battery Iowa Volunteer Light Artillery. Nearly all of the 100 members came from Cedar Rapids and vicinity. The members were enrolled during April and May, and the battery was mustered in at Des Moines in June by Major Olmsted of the U. S. regulars. The battery saw no regular service, but it spent ten weeks in camp waiting, ready for service in the field if called upon. George W. Bever was the captain, R. Tasker Forbes and S. Craighead Cook, lieutenants, Charles A. Loring was first sergeant, Robert M. Witwer, quartermaster sergeant. Dr. C. H. French and Roy Waite were also sergeants in the company.

CHAPTER XLV

Odds and Ends of History and Reminiscence

In this chapter we give some odds and ends of history and reminiscence that could not well be inserted elsewhere or that came into our possession after the foregoing chapters were written:

The result of the vote in Linn county in 1860 showed 2,227 for Lincoln electors, 1,220 for Douglas, 24 for Breckinridge, and 84 for Bell. In Rapids township Lincoln had 397, Douglas 201, Breckinridge 3, and Bell 26.

The first telegraph line reached Cedar Rapids February 24, 1860.

On the evening of Sunday, June 3, 1860, a destructive storm occurred, since known as "The Great Tornado." It was most destructive about five miles north of Cedar Rapids, and passed southward, leaving the county in the vicinity of Western. Some lives were lost and many buildings destroyed.

THE TOWN OF WESTERN

Western was laid out in March, 1856, under the auspices of the United Brethren church, with the design of forming proper surroundings for the college. Ground was first broken in June of that year. By August, 1857, there were forty-three dwelling houses and three hundred inhabitants. One college building had been completed. This was of brick, three stories in height, 36 by 62 feet. This was placed upon a campus of seventeen acres. Rev. S. Weaver was first president of this institution. The plan was to operate a large farm in connection with the college, that students might earn their way. In this new town there were already two stores, one hotel built and one building, a blacksmith shop, two physicians, and fourteen busy carpenters. Land in the vicinity was worth from $10 to $20 per acre. Its quality was proven when the college president, on his own farm, raised 1,800 bushels of wheat. There was a railroad coming there, of course, as there was one prospected to nearly every cross-roads in the state. This particular line was the Iowa Union, to run from Cedar Rapids to Iowa City.

Western was above all things a moral town. One Daniel Quin having opened a grog shop near the place, where the college authorities could not interfere, the people took up the matter. Sentiment was aroused and a mass meeting was held. At this meeting resolutions were adopted, which provided that a committee should wait upon the dram seller and urge him to desist. In case of his refusal the committee was to try legal methods for his suppression. If these proved ineffective the meeting was to be again called, to devise further measures. A very significant addendum was that the meeting would support the committee in any plan which might be considered necessary to eradicate the obnoxious business. It was further resolved to use the boycott—though the Irish captain had not yet given his name to the scheme. In other words they were not to employ or trade with any man engaged in the liquor business or who might in any way support the traffic. It is perhaps needless to say that Quin surrendered at discretion without forcing the committee and the people to extremities hinted at.

MT. VERNON

Mt. Vernon makes showing in several directions during 1857. The Congregationalists of that town being without a place of worship were enabled to rent from the Covenanters. But by the terms of the lease with that strict body promise was made that no minister of pro-slavery sentiments should be heard within the building, nor upon any occasion was a musical instrument of any description to be used therein. The institution at Mt. Vernon which had before this time been known as "Iowa Conference Seminary," was in August, 1857, changed in name to Cornell College. And Mt. Vernon, like the other college town of Western, was careful for civic peace and righteousness. Christianity in that time and in a new country was required sometimes to be of a stalwart and muscular kind, that it might meet evil tendencies sharply and effectively. Thus we learn of the discomfitures of a gang of rowdies from Linn Grove, who invaded the peace of Mt. Vernon and disturbed its Sabbath quietude, with intent to break up a religious meeting then in progress. These were overcome, after a tussle, by the worshippers, and held until passing of midnight brought a civic day. Then the justice was roused, the disturbers formally accused, tried and fined to the utmost extent of their resources. The affair was over before one o'clock Monday morning, the rowdies started home with empty pockets, sadder and wiser men, and the godly inhabitants of Mt. Vernon again slept the sleep of the just.

FIRST AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION

The Linn County Agricultural and Mechanical Association was organized in 1855, its first meeting being held at Cedar Rapids in May of that year. The organization was completed in July. The object, as stated, was "the encouragement of agriculture, manufactures and the mechanic arts." To accomplish this laudable purpose an annual county fair was to be held. The first of these was at Cedar Rapids in September, 1855, and the second at Marion the next year. These are reported as very creditable in exhibits, and fairly well attended. In 1857 the association was incorporated, and in consequence drew $200 from the state treasury. The third fair was again at Cedar Rapids, and the management took the public into its confidence in advance by revealing its slender resources. The premiums for '56 were not paid, but those of the next year were very promptly met, and a surplus remained over for the future. These annual fairs were recognized as something to be aided by all parties, and the various toll bridges notified intending exhibitors that all live stock taken to the fair would be passed free.

The statement of the association for 1860 shows total income of $462.00, of which amount $259.00 represented the gate receipts. The expenditures were $414.95, including $146.98 for premiums. The indebtedness of the society had increased to $618.65. The amount received from the state each year was $200.00. Officers elected for 1861 were: President, Charles Taylor, Cedar Rapids; vice presidents, Andrew Safely and W. S. Gott, Marion; secretary, S. D. McCauley, Cedar Rapids; treasurer, Lysander Jones, Marion.

FIRST TEACHERS ASSOCIATION

Another organization, though having nominal existence before this time, was really made effective in 1857. This was the Linn County Teachers' Association.

On October 31, on call of J. L. Enos, the teachers and others interested met in Cedar Rapids. Mr. Enos was then editor of the Voice of Iowa, the educational organ of the state. At this meeting a reorganization of the association was effected, and officers elected as follows: President, Rev. S. Weaver, president of Western college; vice presidents, Prof. S. M. Fellows of Mt. Vernon, E. A. Cooley of Marion, Ira G. Fairbanks of Cedar Rapids; secretary, Prof. N. W. Bartlett, Western; treasurer, Hon. E. N. Bates of Cedar Rapids. The executive committee consisted of M. Bowman, Franklin township; S. M. Bruce, Washington; William Parmenter, Western; J. L. Enos, Cedar Rapids; and A. Witter, Franklin. The work of preparing a constitution was committed to J. L. Enos, E. A. Cooley, and Ira G. Fairbanks. A further meeting of the association was held at Western, December 12th, at which time the constitution was adopted and the organization started on a very useful existence.

STREET VIEWS IN CEDAR RAPIDS, IN 1910

FIRST TEACHER'S CERTIFICATE IN CEDAR RAPIDS

The first teacher's certificate issued in Rapids township reads as follows:

"This certifies that I have this day examined Miss Susan A. Abbe, touching her ability to teach, both in regard to her education and to her moral character, and I find her well qualified for a teacher of common schools.

"This certificate shall be valid for one year.

"Rapids township, Linn county, Iowa, July 16, 1847.

"Alexander L. Ely,
"Inspector of Common Schools for said Township."

Alexander L. Ely was one of the early settlers of Cedar Rapids, was interested in the public matters of the new town, and early engaged in politics. He was also largely interested in real estate, and operated one of the first mills on the Cedar river at the dam, which he caused to be built with N. B. Brown and other leading citizens.

Susan A. Abbe, the person to whom this certificate was issued, is still living in Hollister, California, and is known as Mrs. Susan Shields. She was seventeen years when the certificate was issued, and had then been a resident of the county ten years. She taught for a number of years in the public schools of this county.

Mrs. Shields maintains that she was the first legally qualified person to teach in the public schools of Cedar Rapids, according to the laws then in force in the state.

The evidence seems to confirm her contention.

TEACHERS' INSTITUTE

A teachers' institute, first of which record is made and notable in point of attendance, was held in Cedar Rapids December 26, 1859, and continued for three days. There was constant drilling for the pedagogues in common school branches. Some sixty teachers were present.

Linn county teachers held their institute for 1860 at Western October 29-30, with Prof. F. Humphrey of Cedar Rapids, president. Some of the subjects discussed may serve to illustrate differences in the times. Question of teachers (presumably male) using tobacco came up, and a resolution was adopted expressing "disapproval of the use of tobacco by teachers, and recommend to those of Linn county to abstain therefrom entirely." Dr. J. Maynard of Tipton made an address on the subject of "Children's Rights." Prof. Wheeler of Cornell orated on "Demosthenes." Editor Jerome of the Iowa City Republican urged teachers to use the press as an ally in the cause of education.

Mrs. Ruth A. Dale, of Cedar Rapids, sister of Elias Doty, now living near Bertram, where the family settled in the early days—1839—has distinct recollections of pioneer life in the county. She states that Aretas Crane and Daniel C. Doty, brothers of Elias and James M. Doty, the pioneers, settled at Ft. Stevens, now Davenport, in 1836 or 1837—1836 she believes is the correct date. Daniel Doty and his son, J. M. Doty, and his son-in-law, Aretas Crane, passed over the ground on which Cedar Rapids now stands in 1837. This being the fact, it is evident that these people were the first white men to look upon the present site of the city, with a view to finding a permanent settlement for themselves. They, however, after looking over the ground concluded that the site afterwards known as Westport, and somewhat later as Newark, was the preferable location. They returned to their home at Middletown, Butler county, Ohio, and arranged their affairs. James M. Doty and Elias Doty, sons of Daniel Doty, returned to the county in 1839 and took up a claim at Westport. There they started what was, without question, the first manufacturing plant within the limits of the county, and possibly in the state. This was a pottery. The date of its establishment was probably in 1840. Later the same year Elias Doty began the erection of the first saw-mill in the county.

The Dotys were induced to come to Iowa through the fact that their brother, Daniel C. Doty, was at the time engaged in steamboating on the Mississippi, his headquarters being at Davenport.

In this connection the following extracts from a letter written by Elias and J. M. Doty to their parents and dated May 2, 1841, are of interest:

"I have my mill frame up, that is, the lower frame. The upper frame is almost ready to raise. The millwright work can be done in about six weeks from the time we raise the frame. I have commenced the race. I have three hundred feet in length of a race and two hundred feet dam. As soon as I get water to it, it will be ready to run.

"There are hard times enough here for anybody. There is nothing that will bring cash that I know of. For my part I am hard run to live. I would like to have some money. It has not come yet.

"I cannot say that we are all well, but we are able to keep about. We had a great deal of sickness last fall. I cannot say that I like this country, it is too cold for me, the ground freezes from two to four feet deep. The frost is hardly out yet. The trees look like winter time. I think I will leave this place as soon as I can get my business settled, and money enough to carry me away. I have between two and three hundred dollars coming but can't get enough to buy myself a shirt. I bought corn last fall at three cents per bushel. I have three claims and want to sell them.

"Last night was a pretty moonlight night. Parmelia kicked up a fuss and after all night's watching about six o'clock this morning after a bright sunrise she was delivered of a prosperous looking son, weight nine pounds, seven ounces."

VOTE OF LINN COUNTY 1910

The vote of the county in November, 1910, for governor was as follows:

Twp. | Rep. | Dem.
Bertram | 33 | 75
Brown | 209 | 102
Boulder | 76 | 90
Buffalo | 40 | 27
Cedar | 133 | 127
Clinton | 52 | 64
College | 49 | 95
Fairfax | 60 | 111
Fayette | 94 | 35
Franklin | 385 | 182
Grant | 124 | 95
Jackson | 166 | 51
Linn | 57 | 57
Maine | 225 | 79
Marion | 519 | 391
Monroe | 99 | 66
Otter Creek | 67 | 63
Putnam | 43 | 96
Rapids | 1761 | 2443
Spring Grove | 83 | 22
Washington | 145 | 168
| —— | ——
| 4420 | 4439

In addition to the above there were 382 votes cast for other candidates.

SOME MUNICIPAL FIGURES FOR CEDAR RAPIDS

The net taxable value of property in Cedar Rapids for the year 1910, on the one-fourth valuation, is $6,579,183. In addition the city has a mulct tax revenue and an income from licenses, police court fines, etc., of about $60,000 per year, giving a little more than $300,000 available for city purposes.

The real estate valuation for 1910 is $21,280,294, and the personal property is valued at $5,026,438. The valuation twelve years ago was one-half of the above amount. It has increased at the rate of one million dollars per year since 1898. This increase is largely due to improvements and new buildings. Land values have doubled in the past twelve years. For 1911 the valuation will go above these values as the city has increased in value so fast that it will be necessary for the assessors to raise the valuation on all property for 1911 at least three million dollars, which will bring the total valuation to nearly thirty millions by 1912.

EARLY DAYS IN LINN

IN CEDAR RAPIDS REPUBLICAN JUNE 20, 1910

Being in a somewhat reflective mood today I shall attempt to acquaint you of a few incidents in a life as memory unfolds them to me. It will be necessary before narrating these incidents to introduce to you my friend and acquaintance, Colonel McIntyre of Indian Creek bottom, familiarly known as "Pinkey" by his class mates at West Point. The colonel measured six feet two, symmetrically proportioned, tipping the scale at a trifle over two hundred pounds, eyes of steel grey, beard auburn, bordering slightly on the reddish and a military bearing in keeping with his long years of service as a disciplinarian. The incidents of this life take me back some years to that little cabin, that stood on the east side of the road running north and south past Indian creek bottom, built from roughly finished logs hewn from the trunks of trees cut from the nearby forest. Time does not seem to efface from memory recollections with the boys and girls of the sparsely settled neighborhood, attending spelling schools and such like. The unfolding of memory reveals to me versions of the old place and the childhood days spent beneath the clapboard roof as vividly as though it were but yesterday.

A little farther on up the road from this cabin, perhaps a half mile, there is a fork in the road, one fork leading on to what was then known as Turkey Grove and now to feather ridge, the other on to the Inn dwellers cave on the "Pinican" bluffs. On the flat iron point where the road forks was erected the first school house in that vicinity and is still standing as a monument to the men who were not afraid to do what they knew to be right regardless of the whims and petty clamorings of dissatisfaction that continually sway committees from the paths of rectitude and right. From this nucleus of education there go forth its quota of youth each year to enter higher institutions of learning or grapple with the more serious problems of life. The impressions I received while attending this school by the pleasant grove have not been eradicated by the conquering of new worlds or by the glamour of political conquests. Youthful dreams and the bewitching smile of some fair maid were a source of great pleasure to me; a smile from Miss Rose LaBelle during school time would set my heart going at a two minute clip and detract materially from my studies and the routine of school work.

From this miniature "college" have gone forth men and women who are now wielding an influence almost nation wide in its scope. Some are gradually wandering from the truths that were enunciated and make a cardinal principle of its teaching and are now searching in hidden paths of sociology for new light. I now recall an event that happened while attending this school that conveys to my mind another fact tending to establish the truth of the proposition, that "ingratitude" is no dream.

One bright morning in early spring when all nature seemed aglow with freshness and beauty, myself and a number of girls were the first to arrive at school, the teacher, Miss Theresa McCurty, being a little later than usual. On entering the school house we were held spellbound and speechless for a moment by a strange musical yet weird sound which seemed to come from the rear of the room. It took considerable effort to muster up courage to make an investigation, but finally a search was started and on approaching the rear end of the room the same musical weird sound would be at the other end of the room. Now in order to discover what it was that was making this strange weird noise and put the intruder to rout and discover if possible what kind of a looking monster he was, it was decided that two of us would go around to the rear and the rest remain in front and keep a sharp lookout for whatever it might be, when all at once one of the girls let out an unearthly scream and pointing at some object in the corner of the room shouted, "There it goes." We all gave chase, although some of the girls were rather timid on the start, and succeeded in capturing the intruder alive. It turned out to be a large white wood-mouse. What to do with this new and unruly possession was the important question now up for solution. Some were in for dispatching it at once, others said let's turn it loose, but Miss Orrie, who always had an eye for business when there was any fun in sight, suggested putting it in the teacher's desk and the result was that Miss Orrie had her way and we proceeded with all haste to carry out her plan, the girls holding up the lid of the old fashioned teacher's desk while I dropped the musical wonder in. This done, we went about our play as though nothing was ever expected to happen, impatiently waiting for something to happen, but not quite sure what. We didn't have long to wait.

Now the teacher, Miss Theresa McCurty, was of the type of spinsters who are apparently self-willed and thoroughly versed in the art of throwing round them an atmosphere of ability to convince others of their dependence only on themselves in case of emergency to take care of themselves.

We had barely completed the capture and imprisonment in the teacher's desk of the musical wonder, when Miss McCurty arrived, ready for her day's work of training the youthful intellect. It seemed as if this morning in particular she was more precise than ever and went about her work very deliberately.

It was her custom (a custom that the "Blasting at the Rock of Ages" ought not to minimize) to read a chapter from some book of the bible every morning to the scholars before commencing the further duties of the day, and that chapter which speaks about bearing false witness was the one chosen for this morning, a very fitting prelude too, to the further developments of the day. We were more prompt than usual in taking our seats after school was called this morning with an evident desire to impress the teacher as being very attentive to our studies, but at the same time keeping one eye in the teacher's direction, so as not to miss any of the movements of the teacher in case the anticipated fun was thrust upon us. Lowell Taylor, the boy who couldn't keep still if he had to, was bubbling over with mirth (every school has them) and was severely reproved for not keeping quiet and for disturbing the whole school by his antics. After delivering to Lowell this short lecture on disobedience she went to her desk to get her bible and as she lifted the lid out jumped the prisoner and such a screech as she let out seemed to almost freeze the marrow in your bones and sent the cold chills chasing up and down your spinal column as with one bound she made the first row of seats and in a jiffy was clean to the farther end of the room, perched upon the rear desk with her skirts tucked snugly around her shaking limbs and terror pictured in every line of her face.

In this position she remained impervious to all efforts to induce her to come off her high perch, until a second chase had been made and the intruder ejected from the room.

By recess time she had again settled back in the old well beaten path and assumed her usual calm and dignified way, her reason, which had been so suddenly dethroned by the advent of the harmless mouse, was again gaining mastery of the situation. With the return of reason came the tangled threads of suspicion, that perhaps she had been the victim of a designing bunch of scholars and that a huge joke had been perpetrated on her. With this object in view she began a systematic search for evidence and among the girls she struck a responsive chord. They were ready to convict any one in order to exculpate themselves. They gave the whole plot away and every last one of them persisted in their innocence so eloquently that the teacher was fully convinced of my guilt. She therefore proceeded to relieve her pent up feelings by putting into action several of her "suffragette" ideas about personal liberty. She restrained me of mine for the next two weeks during the noon hour.

EARLY DOCTORS IN THE COUNTY

The following extracts from a paper read in December, 1910, before the Iowa Union Medical Society at its meeting in Cedar Rapids, by Dr. H. W. Sigworth, of Anamosa, himself a pioneer physician in Linn county, is of interest:

I left northeastern Linn county thirty-four years ago.

In 1856 I commenced the study of medicine in Pennsylvania. After that I was a tramp schoolmaster, farmer, student at Wisconsin university, and U. S. soldier. I graduated from Rush in '63. After looking for a location in Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin, I located at Waubeek—think of it—in Waubeek, in Maine township, in 1863.

I had tried it a month at Fairview, in Jones county, before going to Waubeek. By the way, old Dr. Ristine made his first start in Iowa in the same historic town of Fairview before locating in Marion.

Northeastern Linn county at that time was very much on the frontier. There were no bridges on the Wapsie from Quasqueton to Anamosa, but at Central City; now there are five. At Waubeek we had a postoffice but no regular mail carrier. Any one going to Marion took the mail sack and brought back the mail.

Our first mail route was on Friday morning. It left Quasqueton horseback, making Paris, Central City (which was formerly called Clark's Ford), Waubeek, Necot (Perkins), Anamosa. Saturday it would return over the same route.

The earliest doctor of whom I can get any word of locating in this territory was Doctor Ashby at Paris. When I came in 1863, Doctor Patterson was at Central City. Dr. Lanning was at Paris. He sat next to me at Rush in 1861 and 1862. Dr. Stacy lived out the Anamosa and Quasqueton road at Valley farm. I never met him. He sent me my first case of fractured thigh in June of 1863; a boy, eight years old, who lived in a sod house with a board roof, two miles north of McQueen's (now Hill's Mill), now owned by Coquillette. The splints were made with an axe and pocket knife out of an old cradle found on the roof of the house. Extension on the ankle was by the top of an old shoe with strings through the foot-piece of the Liston splint. Results all right.

At Paris, after Lanning came Drs. Byam, Mrs. Dr. Byam, and my brother, M. P. Sigworth, Fullerton, McTavish, and Ellis, all of whom I knew, and not one of them alive now.

Where the thriving village of Prairieburg now is was a cross road, the northeast corner lying out to commons for years.

The first doctor to locate there was Dr. Young. He drove a little sorrel horse in a light rig with one wheel dished, which made a crooked track, and his disposition was something like the track of his buggy. Following him at this place was Dr. Ellis, who went to that place from Paris.

At Central City after Dr. Patterson came Mitchell, a state of Maine Yankee. At an early date a majority of the people here abouts were from the state of Maine, henceforth the name of Maine township. The Jordans, Friesons, Clarks, Waterhouses, were early settlers from the state of Maine.

Dr. Mitchell was a good doctor and a fine man. Poor fellow, he lost his life by having administered to him by a mistake a teaspoonful of poison when he was to have a tonic.

After his death at Central City the place was filled by Drs. Ristine, Fisher, McTavish, my son, Dwight Sigworth, and Percy, a scientific fellow. This field is now filled by Drs. Fisher and Woodbridge.

Waubeek was in the field of Dr. Love, he going northwest to Nugent's Grove at times. Dear old Dr. Love was a splendid man, a first-class diagnostician and a good physician and surgeon. If he lacked anything it was aggressiveness in surgery.

While at Waubeek I had for co-laborers Drs. Phipps, Scott, Bowers, and Grimm. Bowers tried to commit suicide by taking a teaspoonful of poison which made him very sick, but he ultimately recovered. Dr. Grimm was known as the Dutch doctor.

While I was at Waubeek when the river was high I had a stable on the north side of the river and I used to cross in a skiff to feed my horse and attend to calls on that side.

The north side of the river was all woods for three miles in those days, and my practice was largely on that side. I used to go into Delaware county, and I had a large slice of Jones county. And may I say it, there are some families in that county which have had no doctor but a Sigworth for forty-four years. After fourteen years I sold to Dr. Crawford and then in four years he sold to Dr. Woodbridge, who in ten years moved to Central City. At the present time Dr. Ward is in Waubeek.

The practice in those days was fraught with a great deal of difficulty and inconvenience. Swimming the river on horseback was one of the experiences which I did not like. Many times have I been wet while fording the streams with my feet on the dashboard of the buggy, my attention being taken in guiding my horse to an opening in the timber or a safe place to land.

Those were the days in which we drank brandy mixed with sorghum, which was browned in the oven. This served the place of coffee. Grape-nuts, I think, originated from this.

Of all of the forty-two doctors whom I have mentioned in this article I have met thirty-five, and at the present time there are six doctors on this field.

THE OLD MILL OF CENTRAL CITY

One of the land marks of the county is the old grist mill on the banks of the Wapsie at Central City. For a history of this mill, as well as for other interesting matter relative to the neighborhood, we are indebted to E. S. Wetherbee, editor of the Central City News-Letter, which paper in its issue of May 2, 1907, contained the following sketch and reminiscence:

There are in the history of every city or hamlet many incidents of early times which are interesting to the present day generation, and are often worth recording, otherwise they are apt to pass into entire oblivion. But few remain of the early settlers of this community to tell the story of those early days. Although not one of the first, yet being among the very oldest of those yet alive and living here is Mr. James Outing, and it is to him we credit the data of the contents of this article. [Mr. Outing died about a year after this interview.]

Among the very first people to settle here may be named Chandler Jordan, who still lives on his farm southeast of town, old "Uncle Joe" Clark, who came in 1839, and other families by the names of Heubner, Crawley, Pond, Tisdell, and others who might be named who appeared here about the same time. For a number of years the only way of getting across the river, and that only when the water was low, was by fording it somewhere near what is now known as the upper bridge. From this the place received its first name, and whatever honor was attached to it was given Mr. Clark by calling it Clark's Ford.

At that time Mr. Clark owned quite a large tract of land here, comprising all the land now inside the corporation west of Fourth street, the eighty acres lying east of Fourth street being owned by some land concern in Cascade. As did all his neighbors, Mr. Clark farmed in those days entirely with oxen.

The place went by the name of Clark's Ford but a few years, however, for Mr. Clark and a few others conceived the idea of laying out a town, and the Cascade men came over and together they laid off the plat, and it was then decided to call it Central City.

One of the first needs of the people of the little neighborhood was a more convenient way of crossing the Wapsie, and this meant that a bridge must be constructed. Accordingly one was built at the place where the north or upper bridge now crosses the river. It was not what in this day would be called an expensive structure or so very handsome when completed, but it represented much hard work, privations, and expense to those interested in the building of it. The county had but little to do with it, if any, the whole thing being done by popular subscription, and in those times, there not being many to subscribe, the task was indeed a big one for the little handful of people. There was some money raised, but more gave in work, others furnished lumber, a stick of timber, and so on, until finally it was completed and traffic over it was begun in 1857. This bridge did not stand the test long. In the summer of 1859 there came a big freshet and the bridge went down stream. With its going out occurred an incident, which, though possibly forgotten by others, yet still remains fresh in the memory of Chandler Jordan. He was on this side of the river and while the bridge swayed and was considered unsafe he concluded to risk it as he was anxious to get home. He was on horseback and over he started. When about half way across the bridge began breaking loose, and realizing his danger Mr. Jordan jumped off his horse and started on the run for the shore. The horse also made an extra effort to find solid footing and both succeeded in getting on the opposite bank just as the bridge swung out into midstream and started floating down the river. It was soon replaced by another wooden structure built by the county and costing about $4,000. This stood for many years but has long since passed away and been replaced by the steel bridge now spanning the river on the same site.

But we started out to write about the old mill. It still stands, and with the exception of the necessary repairs which from time to time have been made, contains the same timbers and lumber it did when built. In the early fifties there came to this neighborhood two men, one by the name of St. John, the other by the name of John Peet, both men of push and ambition. Realizing the tremendous power to be obtained from the waters of the Wapsie, and the ease with which a dam could be constructed where it now is, with the rocky banks on either side, and knowing the great demand for lumber, in the then fast settling community, they begun the construction of a dam with the intention of running a saw mill with it. The work on the dam was begun in 1855 by the two men mentioned, but was not finished until the next year, the work being engineered by old Mr. Bowdish, father of I. P. Bowdish. It was finished in 1856, as was also the old saw mill which stood for many years on the south bank of the river and did a flourishing business. Like many other old land marks it is gone. But many a stick of timber and lots of the old oak boards sawed there may yet be found in the older buildings about town.

The country all about here was fast settling up, and one of the principal crops was wheat. It was a long way to market, the nearest railroad station being at Marion. St. John and Peet concluded that a flouring mill would be a paying enterprise, and began the erection of the mill. The lumber was sawed at the sawmill, and the heavy timbers, of which there were many, mostly came from a forty on what now belongs to the Gus Hatch farm north of town.

Mentioning these timbers calls to the mind of Mr. Outing an incident which he threw into this narrative. There was a character who lived here by the name of Henry Hutchins. He was fond of hunting and fishing and would be gone often for a period of several days, no one knowing of his whereabouts. About this time he disappeared, and his absence became so protracted that his many friends began to fear that something had happened to him. It was while a party of choppers was hunting for timbers for the mill on the forty mentioned that one day they found Hutchins' lifeless body and beside it lay his gun with every indication that he had committed suicide.

When the timbers were all on the ground, hewed and framed, everybody for miles around was invited and came to help with the raising. It was a mammoth job and occupied the better part of a week. Mr. Outing was there from start to finish. The mill was completed and began operations in 1859. St. John and Peet ran it for only about three years when they sold it to E. R. Burns, who ran it until 1867, when it passed into the hands of Hatch & Co., they paying for it the sum of $16,000. They conducted it for five years when it again passed into the hands of Mr. Burns who owned and operated it until sometime in the latter eighties. Since then it has changed hands several times, but the valuation for many years has not been one-fourth of what it originally was. For a great many years it did a big business grinding thousands and thousands of bushels of wheat each season, the flour being hauled across the country to Marion by teams. As the raising of wheat played out so the value and popularity of the mill depreciated until finally, as now, it was used only as a grist mill. The building is now owned by parties in the east and is being run by T. J. Liddington who runs it and any day may be found there taking care of any demands made upon him. He works alone, surrounded by a vast amount of empty space that was once filled with piles of grain, machinery, and the several men required to look after the big business.[O]

LAND ASSESSMENTS

Statement showing total acreage, valuation and average equalized actual value per acre of land in Linn county for 1909 and 1910.

Township | Acreage | Valuation | Average
Bertram | 15,816 | $705,880 | $44.63
Brown | 22,689 | 1,226,160 | 54.04
Boulder | 22,275 | 1,149,447 | 51.60
Buffalo | 14,985 | 568,850 | 37.96
Cedar | 13,268 | 1,002,296 | 75.54
Clinton | 20,689 | 1,256,772 | 60.74
College | 22,361 | 1,350,511 | 60.39
Fairfax | 22,852 | 1,451,070 | 63.50
Fayette | 15,463 | 770,599 | 49.83
Franklin | 20,621 | 1,222,768 | 57.92
Grant | 22,267 | 1,030,492 | 46.27
Jackson | 22,090 | 1,016,365 | 46.01
Linn | 22,874 | 1,278,324 | 55.88
Maine | 29,537 | 1,345,650 | 45.55
Marion | 46,922 | 2,779,332 | 59.23
Monroe | 22,025 | 1,044,440 | 47.42
Otter Creek | 22,423 | 1,206,721 | 53.82
Putnam | 17,467 | 786,950 | 45.05
Spring Grove | 22,558 | 1,086,186 | 48.15
Washington | 18,026 | 797,423 | 44.23
| ——— | ————— | ———
Totals | 437,208 | $23,076,236 | $52.78

COMPARATIVE TABLE

Showing actual and taxable valuation of Linn county, 1899-1909.

| Actual value | Taxable value
1909 | $67,148,140.00 | $16,787,035.00
1908 | 64,391,760.00 | 16,097,940.00
1907 | 63,806,912.00 | 15,951,728.00
1906 | 59,215,180.00 | 14,803,795.00
1905 | 57,547,092.00 | 14,386,773.00
1904 | 59,404,000.00 | 14,851,000.00
1903 | 57,505,160.00 | 14,376,290.00
1902 | 51,864,092.00 | 12,941,023.00
1901 | 50,501,132.00 | 12,625,283.00
1900 | 48,876,016.00 | 12,219,004.00
1899 | 48,083,716.00 | 12,020,929.00

The history of the settlements in Linn county has been a history of struggle, of privation and of endurance. It was not an easy matter to have to go to Muscatine or Dubuque to mill and market; to travel by night on horseback some fifty miles for a doctor, and equally far to find a drug store. There were no roads passable for a greater part of the year; the rivers were not bridged, and the streams oftentimes were swollen so that the only means of crossing was by swimming or by making some temporary raft. The pioneer settler who wandered out over the prairie in a winter blizzard no doubt many times looked for the "smoke that so gracefully curls above the green elms" to indicate that a cabin was near.

The new settlers found Iowa as they had so often heard of it as "a wilderness of prairie land." It was well watered, and along the streams could be found enough timber to erect fences and furnish fuel and rails. They generally located in the edge of the timber and along the streams, and hesitated about locating on the prairie till much later. There they found richer land than along the timber. These first settlers came from the far east and south, Ohio, Indiana, New York, Virginia, South Carolina, and the New England states. They came from Maryland, from Kentucky, and Tennessee. Some walked, like Ellis and Crow. Still others came in canvas covered wagons, in which the family were housed. They brought enough utensils to cook their scanty meals. The wagon was drawn by horses or oxen, followed by a few cows, an extra horse or two, and several dogs. At night they would camp by the side of some stream or near an oak tree.

Not till the fifties and sixties did the foreigners arrive in any large numbers. As soon as they had been here a short time they wrote home their first impressions, and from that time a steady stream of foreign immigration poured into Iowa. These early pioneers waited long for railroads, for steamboats, and for good roads. Their produce was cheap and money was scarce, while interest was high. But they held on to their claims, ever looking for the brighter day. They possessed courage, hope, and the ability to wait and struggle till the times would change for the better. While many of the first settlers did not live to see their plans realized, later descendants sing their praises and embalm the memories of those who made the county, the cities, and the towns what they are today.

Truly it can be said of the settlers of Linn county that they were a sturdy class of men and women, of whom their descendants may be justly proud. And the old pioneers who remain—when they reflect on the past and recall the days of old lang syne—cannot refrain from shedding affectionate tears for those who have gone hence. They call to mind the lines of the poet:

"Two dreams came down to earth one night
From the realms of mist and dew,
One was a dream of the old, old days,
And one was a dream of the new."

Pioneer days in Linn county were days of hardships, often of exposure, but their trials only served to develop the manhood and womanhood of the early settlers who never thought of returning, whose "only aim was to wait and see."

Certainly Kipling's lines apply to conditions as they existed in Linn county in pioneer days:

"To the far flung fenceless prairie
Where the quick cloud shadows trail,
To the barn in the neighbor's offing,
To the land of the new cut rail,
To the plough in the league long furrow,
To the gray lake gulls behind,
To the weight of half a year's winter,
To the warm, wet western wind."

INDEX

Abbe, Augustus: letter from, 53
Abbe, William: mentioned, 10, 92, 102;
government agent, 11;
mentioned, 32, 33, 34, 35, 44;
first settler in the county, 51;
member state senate, 52;
Ellis speaks of, 147

Abbe, Susan: probably first teacher in Cedar Rapids, 198, 481

Agassiz, Louis: quotation from, 1

Agricultural Association: first in county, 480

Albrook, Rev. J. B.: 209

Alderman, A. B.: gives information as to schools, 200

American Fur Company: 14

Atkins, John W.: superintendent of schools, 418

Attorneys: those now practising in the county, 188

Austin, Leonard: first settler in Spring Grove township, 289

Avery, E. H.: president Coe college, 227

Banks and banking: history of in the county, 435 ff

Bardwell, T. S.: early Marion physician, 87, 467

Barnes, William H.: Cornell professor, 204

Barry, Justin: writes history of Grant township and Walker, 279

Bassitt, James: comes to county, in 1839, 148
Bates, E. N.: tribute to, 112; lawyer, 178
Beales, Hiram: builds saw mill, 462
Belt, A. Sidney: lawyer, 179
Bench and Bar: chatty mention of, 177 ff

Bennett, Henry: early settler at Quasqueton, 101

Benton, Thomas H.: reference to, 19
Berry, James M.: county judge, 56
Berry, John C.: clerk of commissioners, 33
Bertram township: history of, 270
Bishop, Homer: postmaster at Cedar Rapids, 84
Blair building: 232
Blair, John I.: 232
Blair Town Lot and Land Company, 239
Black Hawk: mentioned, 9, 12
Black Hawk Purchase: mentioned, 14
Black Hawk War: 14, 31
Boggs, Governor: of Missouri, 15
Bohemian Element in Cedar Rapids: 121 ff
Bottorf, Andrew: lays out Center Point, 290

Bowling, O. S.: came to Cedar Rapids in 1838, 152

Bowman, George B.: founder of Cornell college, 201

Bowman, H. G.: brilliant lawyer, 186

Boulder township: history of, 278

Boye, Nels C.: first Scandinavian settler, 159

Brice, S. M.: postmaster at Center Point, 82
Bridges: the Cedar Rapids, 420
Brodie Gang: 38

Broeksmit, John C.: treasurer Coe college, 226

Bromwell, James E.: writes history of Marion, 460

Bromwell, James E., Sr.: early settler, 46, 257;
makes first coffin in county, 466
Brown, Alpheus: school fund commissioner, 196
Brown, N. B.: mentioned, 11;
lays out town site of Cedar Rapids, 43;
buys portion of town, 49;
a progressive citizen, 150

Brown, N. E.: speaks of railroad to Cedar Rapids, 64

Bryan, B. S.: 267
Bryan, Hugh L.: 267
Bryan, Michael: 267
Buffalo township: history of, 279
Burke, Thomas: 163

Burkhalter, E. R.: writes history of Coe college, 215 ff

Burlington: first capital of Iowa, 14

Burrell, H. A.: quotation from, 103

Butler, Isaac: first postmaster in Brown township, 84

Calhoun, Senator: quoted, 18
Calvin, Samuel: quoted, 1
Camburn, Dr. J. H.: an able justice, 189

Carroll, G. R.: his Pioneer Life quoted, 92, 93, 215

Carroll, Isaac: came to Cedar Rapids in 1839, 152

Carpenter, Gabriel: buys much land in Cedar Rapids, 160

Carpenter, S. D.: early physician, 88;
quoted, 154;
writes of early banking, 435

Carondalet: Spanish Governor at New Orleans, 13

Catholicism in Linn county: 401

Cavanaugh, Mr. and Mrs. Matthew: first graduates Cornell college, 210

Cedar Rapids: townsite surveyed, 43;
figured in county seat fight, 57;
the postoffice in, 84;
early schools in, 198 ff;
beginnings in, 207;
Robert Ellis reaches, 307;
N. B. Brown here in 1839, 308;
surveyed in 1841, 308;
the Listebargers build log house in, 310;
Rev. Carroll's reminiscences of, 310;
railroad reaches, 312;
ferries established in, 313;
first brick building in, 314;
first store, 314;
first newspaper, 314;
first mayor, 314;
first school, 316;
Dr. Carpenter's reminiscences of, 317 ff;
early hotels in, 328;
business of the city in 1856, 328;
sketch of the city from an early directory, 332;
sketch of Mrs. N. B. Brown, 333;
Cedar Rapids today, 335;
the railways of, 337;
manufacturing in, 339;
the street railways of, 341;
Commercial club, 345;
who paid the taxes in, fifty years ago, 347;
text of incorporation act, 353;
first city officials of, 356;
second election in, 356;
first tax levy in, 357;
election of 1851 in, 357;
first sidewalk ordinance, 357;
election of 1853 in, 358;
the cemeteries of, 358;
election of 1854 in, 358;
election of 1855 and 1856 in, 359;
officials of the city from 1857 to 1910, 359;
the city fifty years ago, 365;
how the first railroad came to, 370;
some of the early brick houses in, 374;
some strenuous days in, 376;
Mrs. Rock's reminiscences of, 379;
when land was cheap in, 382;
first decoration day celebration in, 384;
first labor union organized in, 390;
story of a mountain howitzer, 391;
a fortunate tumble, 392;
interesting bit of ancient history, 393;
churches and fraternities in, 395;
history of Catholic churches in, 402;
bridges, 420;
some municipal figures, 482
Cedar Rapids Clearing House Association: 442

Cedar Rapids & Marion City Railway Company: 344

Cedar Rapids and Missouri River Railroad: 233
Cedar River: early steamboating on, 423
Central City: 284;
old mill at, 486
Center Point: 290
Cemeteries: some of the old, 242
Child. J. J.: lawyer, 172, 182

Clark, Joseph: arrives at Central City in 1839, 148

Clay, Senator: quoted, 18
Clinton township: history of, 278
Coe, Daniel: founder of Coe college, 217
Coe college: history of, 215 ff
Colby, Farnum: early settler, 153
College township: history of, 287
Columbus (now Cedar Rapids): 43, 48
Commercial Club: of Cedar Rapids, 345

Company C, Cedar Rapids: brief account of, 477

Condit, R. A.: principal Coe Collegiate Institute, 223

Conkey, John P.: first member of legislature from Cedar Rapids, 158

Conklin, C. H.: judge, 173

Conway, William B.: territorial secretary, 14

Cook, Isaac: nominated for secretary of state, 158;
mentioned, 170;
lawyer of ability, 177

Cooke, Harriette J.: dean of women at Cornell, 204

Corbett, Thomas: 176
Cornell college: historical sketch of, 201 ff
Cousins, Robert G.: quoted, 20 ff;
elected to congress, 305
Craig, John: 162
Crane, Joseph: early settler at Bertram, 159
Crocker, L. D.: 234
Crow, Edward M.: 45, 48;
came to county, 56;
mentioned, 92, 161

Crow, John: one of first permanent settlers, 48, 161

Dale, Mrs. Ruth A.: interview with, 481

Daniels, Addison: has first store in Marion, 461

Daniels, John J.: quotation from, 55, 270;
early teacher, 148
Daniels, L.: postmaster at Marion, 82;
at Cedar Rapids, 84
Daniels, Samuel: early settler, 462
Davenport: 44

Davenport, J. G.: postmaster at Cedar Rapids, 84, 108

David, John: 176

Davis, William: early settler in Grant township, 280

Dawson, James: 45
Deacon, Charles J.: quoted, 220
Deem, Hiram: early settler, 153

Democratic party: organization of in county, 260

Devendorf, Thomas: article on taxes in Cedar Rapids by, 347;
article on first railroad to Cedar Rapids by, 370

Dinwiddie, J. M.: treasurer Coe college, 226
Dodge, A. C.: mentioned, 31;
senator, 82
Dodge, Henry: mentioned, 31, 82

Donnan, Helen R.: writes of Masonic Library, 248

Doty, Elias: helps on court house, 34
Doty, Elias: a constant litigant, 188
Doty, James: helps erect court house, 34, 35
Doty, James M.: plats Newark, 143;
first pottery maker in Iowa, 146
Doty, Susan: kind to the Indians, 11
Downing, Thomas: early settler, 152
Dows, S. L.: 263
Dows, W. G.: his military record, 477, 478
Dubuque, city: mentioned, 13, 20, 44
Dubuque, Julian: obtains grant of land, 13
Dudley, J. W.: 172

Durham, S. W.: letter to from Col. Merritt, 58;
as to postoffices, 82;
letter by, 143;
address by, 164 ff;
honored pioneer, 464
Eastman, A. V.: secretary Coe College, 225

Edgerton, Asher: gets contract for Court House, 34, 35

Ellis, Robert: knew the Indians, 10;
agent for the government, 11;
walked to Iowa, 45;
meets Bill Johnson, 101;
oldest living settler in county, 146
Elkhorn Land & Town Lot Company: 240
Ely, Alex. L.: 47, 50
Ely, John F.: early physician, 88;
mentioned, 233
Endicott, W. I.: quoted, 335
Engle, Peter H.: letter written by, 19;
referred to, 31

Enos, J. L.: newspaper articles by quoted, 84, 86

Evans, George A.: captain Company C, 477

Ewing, Senator: quoted, 18

Fairbanks, Ira G.: superintendent of schools, 196

Fairfax: Catholic church at, 407
Fairfax township: history of, 271
Fellows, Rev. S. N: 202 note
Ferguson, Henry V.: 233
Ferguson. Jason D.: killed in Civil War, 474
Fifth Iowa Battery: 478
Fifty-third regiment: 477

Fisher, A. W.: writes history of Spring Grove township, 288

Fiske, John: quoted, 8

Florida: admission of, 15

Flynn, Rev. P. J.: contributes article on history of Catholicism in county, 401

Fordyce, Emma J.: writes of early schools, 198 ff

Fort Atkinson: 10, 11, 12

Fort George school house: 143

Fortner, Catharine A.: early Cornell teacher, 204

Foster, Sidney A.: 17 note

Freer, H. H.: professor Cornell college, 208

Fremont, Elkhorn & Missouri Valley Railroad, 237

Gainer, Thos.: came to Cedar Rapids in 1839, 152

Garrow, Peter: first citizen to be naturalized, 464

Geer, C. M.: quoted, 13
Geology of Linn county: 24 ff
Gillilan, James: 45
Glass, J. P.: early settler, 46
Good, James W.: elected to congress, 305
Goudy, John, family of robbed, 38 ff
Grant township: history of, 279

Gray, George W.: builds present court house, 35

Gray, Hosea W.: 33, 35, 47, 48, 49;
takes first census of county, 95, 463;
first sheriff, 463

Gray, Miss Pethenia: early school teacher, 285

Grafton, Dr. S.: early settler at Ivanhoe, 159

Greene, George: school teacher, 34;
member legislative council, 48;
buys portion of Cedar Rapids, 49;
letter to Col. Durham, 61;
lawyer, 178, 465

Greene, Joseph: first postmaster at Cedar Rapids, 84

Grist mill: first in county, 257

Gunn, Thomas F.: 404

Hagey, Joanna: writes of Cedar Rapids library, 250

Hahn, Daniel S.: claimed to be first settler, 55

Hall, O. S.: a pioneer, 461
Hall, P. E.: 233
Hall, Samuel: early settler, 276

Haman, Geo. C.: tells of coming of railroad to Cedar Rapids, 64

Haman, Mrs. George C.: gives her recollections of society in the early days, 261 ff

Hamilton, John T.: elected to congress, 305
Harlan, James: senator, 82;
state superintendent, 201

Harlan, James E.: president Cornell college, 208

Harland, Ambrose, early settler, 143;
early politician, 300

Harman, Peter D.: did brick work on present court house, 35

Harper, Bill: a noted character, 181
Hart, Caspar J.: 159
Hart, J. A.: 159, 269

Hartigan, Father: in charge of the Catholic church at Marion, 410

Haskins, C. C.: 92;
early settler at Mt. Vernon, 159

Hazeltine, E. D.: early settler in Grant township, 280

Headley, J. T.: early practitioner, 164

Heins, B. F.: lawyer, 183

Henry, John: operates store at Westport, 42, 92

Hershey, Christian: pioneer minister, 292
Higley, Harvey G.: 158
Higley, Henry E.: 158
Higley, M. A.: 158
Higley, W. W.: 158
Hoffman, John: postmaster at Springville, 84

Hollis, C. M.: editor of Times, quotation from, 111, 112

Hook, Samuel F.: early settler, 152
Hoosier Grove Settlement: 46
Hormel, Frank: able lawyer, 183

Hotchkin, James K: first postmaster of Walker, 280

Howlett, G. M.: postmaster at Cedar Rapids, 85

Hubbard, N. M.: eminent attorney, 179;
anecdotes of, 180;
Decoration Day address of, 387;
mentioned, 467
Hubbard Smyth: political contest, 302 ff
Hull, Philip: 44, 147

Hunter, James: helps build court house, 34, 35

Hunter, John: helps build court house, 34
Humphrey, Joseph: early settler, 276
Illinois: admitted, 31
Indians: account of, 8
Indian nomenclature: 22
Ingham, W. H.: 163

Isbell, N. W.: first county judge, 169, 176, 468

Ivanhoe: 43
Ives, C. J.: pioneer railroad developer, 161
Iowa: a prairie state, 1;
first inhabitants, 3;
history of, 13
Iowa City: constitutional convention at, 15
Iowa Conference Seminary: founding of, 202
Iowa Falls & Sioux City Railroad: 236
Iowa Rail Road Land Company: 239
Iowa State Gazetteer: quoted, 47
Iowas: mentioned, 9, 13
Jackson township: history of, 285

Jenkins, John: first settler in Maine township, 282

Johnson, Alexander: early settler, 276

Johnson, Bill: hero of Canadian rebellion, 101 ff

Johnson, Kate: 101

Johnson, S. S.: early carpenter and builder, 154

Joliet, Louis: discovers Iowa, 4
Jones, Geo. W.: mentioned, 31;
senator from Iowa, 82
Jones, Stephen M.: 109

Jordan, Chandler: early settler in Maine township, 282

Jordan, Charles: early settler, 163

Jordan, L. D.: early settler in Maine township, 282

Justices: early Linn County, 199 ff

Keeler, C. B: lawyer, 186

Keeler, Rev. R. W.: early president Cornell college, 204

Kelsey, J. H.: early settler, 152

Kephart, Cyrus J.: his history of the United Brethren at Lisbon quoted, 291

Kimball Building, 233

Kimbal, L. C: 233

King, David W.: came to Cedar Rapids in 1839, 152, 161

King, William Fletcher: president of Cornell college, 208

Kirkwood, Governor: dispatch from, 471;
calls for additional troops, 475

Kynett, A. J.: helps found Cornell college, 201, 208

Knott, Richard: commissioner to locate county seat, 32, 33

Knox, Rev. James, 224

Kurtz, John E.: one of the founders of Lisbon, 161

Labor: first union organized in Cedar Rapids, 390

Lake, E. W.: early Marion physician, 87
Langworthy, L. H.: quotation from, 104
Lawyers: early, 169

Lazell, F. J.: author of article on newspapers of county, 106

Laylander, O. J.: quoted, 17

Lea, Albert Miller: quoted, 19

Lee, Guy Carleton: his History of North America referred to, 13

Leffingwell, William E.: candidate for Congress, 179

Legare, Margaret S.: 267

Leverich, James: arrives in 1839, 148

Leverich, Joel: becomes owner of Mound Farm, 46;
arrives in 1839, 148;
Dr. Carpenter on, 148;
Geo. R. Carroll on, 149;
early politician, 301
Libraries: Masonic, 248;
Cedar Rapids, 250;
Coe college, 250;
Mt. Vernon, 251;
Marion, 251;
Bohemian Reading Society, 251
Lichtebarger, Jos. H.: early settler, 148
Linn County: act organizing, 32;
first survey, 34;
first court house in, 34;
names of townships in, 35;
judiciary in, 35;
circuit court in, 36;
noted trials in, 36;
outlawry in, 37;
early settlement of, 42;
first marriage in, 46;
organized, 47;
first election in, 48;
first settler in, 51;
county seat contests in, 57;
first railroad in, 58;
old settlers of, 66 ff, 145 ff;
postoffices and politics in, 82 ff;
physicians of, 86 ff;
material growth of, 92 ff;
first reaper in, 93;
newspapers of, 106;
early Bohemian settlements in, 121 ff;
early marriages in, 127 ff;
historic roads and monuments in, 142;
early lawyers and courts in, 169 ff;
chatty mention of bench and bar, 175 ff;
early justices in, 189 ff;
schools in, 194 ff;
old cemeteries in, 242;
libraries in, 248;
wages and prices in, from 1846 to 1856, 253;
some first things in, 256;
first grist mill in, 257;
early land entries in, 258;
organization of democratic party in, 260;
early society in, 261;
history of townships, 270;
politics in, 298;
statistics for 1856, 332;
Catholicism in, 401;
population of, 416;
early votes in, 417;
members of legislature from, 417;
banks and banking in, 435 ff;
list of county officers, 451 ff;
in war, 470;
vote in, in 1860, 479;
tornado in, 479;
account of Western, 479;
of Mt. Vernon, 479;
first agricultural association in, 480;
first teachers association in, 480;
teachers' institute, 481;
vote in, in 1910, 482;
early days in, 483;
early doctors in, 485;
land assessments in, 488;
taxable valuation in, 489
Linn County Medical Society: 89
Linn, Dr. Louis F.: mentioned, 32;
Linn county named after, 47
Linn township: history of, 286
Lisbon: 291;
camp-meetings at, 296;
Catholic church at, 411

Loughnane, Rev. P. M.: Catholic priest at Marion, 411

Louisiana Purchase, The: 13
Love, J. S.: early Springville physician, 89
Lowry, Father: 403
Lucas, Robert: territorial governor, 14, 15
Lucore, R. H.: early settler, 148

Lund, Mrs. E. J.: early Cedar Rapids teacher, 199

Lynch, Jerry: a resourceful lawyer, 182;
anecdotes of, 183

Lytle, James: early settler in Jackson township, 285

McCabe, Bishop C. C.: 163
McClelland, Freeman: 88
McCloud, Ross: county surveyor, 34
McConnell, N. A.: early minister, 289

McCormick, Samuel B.: president Coe college, 228

McDye, William E.: colonel, 475
McIntosh, D. M.: lawyer, 177;
erects early brick house in Cedar Rapids, 267
McKean, A. J.: appointed constable, 33;
clerk of circuit court, 36;
early politician, 158;
first constable and first assessor, 464

McKean, Thomas J.: first mayor of Marion, 466;
sketch of, 470

McKinney, Ed: early settler in Maine township, 282

McKinnon, William: early settler, 277
McRoberts, Peter: chosen commissioner, 33
McVay, Luther: pioneer minister, 293

Maggart, Rev. C. W.: his sketch of the Cedar Rapids churches, 397

Maine township: history of, 281

Mann, Jacob: one of first settlers, 45, 48, 160

Mann, Sally: probably first white woman to settle in county, 160

Mansfield, E. L.: 88;
came to Iowa on horseback, 162
Maple River Railroad: 238
Marion: named county seat, 33, 57;
U. S. land office, 34;
district court of U. S. and territorial court meets at, 35;
railroad meeting at, 62;
Catholic Church at, 409;
history of, 460 ff;
first house in, 461;
first store, 461;
first hotel, 461;
first jail built in, 461;
plat of town recorded, 363;
first court held in, 465;
fire department organized, 466
Marquette, Jacques: quoted, 4
Marriages: early ones in county, 127 ff
Marshall, James: president Coe college, 227

Mason, Albert A.: superintendent of schools, 196

Matsell, G. W.: early settler, 163
May, J. M.: files plat of Mayfield, 143;
a stirring man, 157;
lawyer, 178
Mayfield: now portion of Cedar Rapids, 143

Maynard, H. H.: field secretary Coe college, 228

Mekota, Jos.: contributes article, 121 ff

Melton, George: and Center Point postoffice, 82

Mercy Hospital, 413

Merritt, W. H.: storekeeper at Ivanhoe, 11, 153;
writes political letter, 59
Mexican veterans: in county, 470
Miller, Wm. E.: judge, 173
Mills, J. G.: his Handbook mentioned, 144
Mills, Mason P.: lawyer, 183
Minnesota: admitted, 31
Missouri: admitted, 31

Missouri Valley & Blair Railway and Bridge Company: 238

Missouri Valley Land Company: 240
Mitchell, Israel: lays out Westport, 33, 146
Mitchell, James: early settler, 275
Mitchell, John: lawyer, 177
Mitchell, John: early settler, 275
Moingona Coal Company: 240
Montrose: 20
Mound Builders: mentioned, 3;
account of, 4
Mt. Vernon: account of, 479
Mulford, Charles R.: early merchant, 153

Murray, F. G.: contributes chapter on physicians, 86

Muscatine: 44
Muskwaki: mentioned, 10
Newark: extinct town, 143
Newberry, J. S.: quoted, 7
Newhall, J. B.: quoted, 47
New Lindon: defunct town, 84, 143
Newspapers: history of, 106 ff
Neutral Grounds: 14

Norton, William Harmon: contribution on geology of Linn county, 24 ff;
writes of Cornell college, 201 ff

Nye, Benjamin: commissioner to locate county seat, 32, 33

Old Settlers' Association: members of, 66 ff
Otoes: mentioned, 9
Otter Creek: settlement of, 46
Otter Creek township: history of, 286
Owen, Dr. Norman W.: 467
Oxley, Marshall: 257
Oxley, Perry: early politician, 300
Parker, N. H.: quoted, 17, 144
Parvin, T. S.: 162

Patterson, William: does carpenter work on present court house, 35

Phelps, Stephen: president Coe college, 226

Physicians: of the county, 86 ff

Plummer, John: first justice in Spring Grove township, 289

Politics: county and district, 298
Pollock, S. L.: early settler, 153
Population: of county and towns, 416
Postoffices: early politics concerning, 82
Powell, J. J.: lawyer, 183
Powell, Major J. W.: quoted, 7
Practitioners' Club: 89
Prairie du Chien: 20
Prairieburg: Catholic church at, 407
Preston, I. M.: 171, 468

Public Instruction: superintendent of created, 195

Railroad: first in county, 58;
letter from Merritt on, 59;
Iowa Central Air Line, 63;
Dubuque and Southwestern, 63;
letter from C. H. Branch on, 64

Reiner, W. Fred: his experience as express messenger, 244 ff

Richardson, Rev. T. F.: 406

Risley, A. P.: postmaster at Springville, 84

Ristine, Henry M.: early county physician, 86, 89, 467

Roads: early ones laid out, 142
Roberts, Robert G.: chosen legislator, 33
Rock, Mrs. R. C.: early teacher, 198;
mentioned, 261;
reminiscences of, 379
Rockingham: 44

Rogers, Wm.: early settler at Rogers Grove, 163

Rood, H. H.: quoted, 210
Rothrock, James H.: judge, 173, 181;
anecdotes of, 181, 182
Runkle, Jesse A.: quoted, 196
Sac and Fox, The: 10, 13
Sacred Heart Academy: 414
Safely, Robt.: 163

Sampson, A. E.: lays out town of New Lindon, 84

Sanford, Julius E.: one of platters of Cedar Rapids, 162, 176

Schools: early history of, 194 ff

Scott, General Winfield: concludes treaty with Sacs and Foxes, 14

Seerley, H. H.: 209
Shambaugh, B. F.: quoted, 19
Shane, John: judge, 174
Shaw, L. M.: quoted, 213
Shepherd, Osgood: 46, 49, 149
Sherman, E. A.: quoted, 341

Shields, Mrs. Susan: daughter of William Abbe, 10, 51

Sigworth, Dr. H. W.: address on early doctors in county, 485

Sinclair, Thomas M.: helps Coe college, 225
Sisley Grove: 279
Sisters of Mercy: 412

Sioux City & Iowa Falls Town Lot and Land Company: 239

Sioux City & Pacific Railroad: 235

Sioux Indians: mentioned, 10

Skinner, Rev. Elias: candidate for county judge, 57;
letter from, 164
Smith, E. W.: Cornell professor, 204
Smith, Judge Milo P.: contributor, 169;
early teacher, 194
Smith, W. H.: appointed constable, 33

Smith, William Wilberforce: president Coe college, 229

Smyth, Robert: an enterprising man, 161

Smyth, William: first county attorney, 170, 179, 468

Snouffer, J. J.: 84, 269
Snyder, Justice: 189
Society in the early days: 261
Southern influence: 267

Soutter, C. B.: president board of trustees Coe college, 228

Speake, John K.: early settler in Grant township, 280

Spring Grove township: history of, 288

Steamboating: on the Cedar, 420

Stephens, R. D.: builds elevator at Marion, 97;
mentioned, 171;
financier, 177;
tribute to, 467
Stewart, J. O.: quoted, 109;
commissioned captain in Civil War, 475
Stewart, Samuel C.: chosen commissioner, 33
Stewart, William: early blacksmith, 154
Stoddard, Jos. C.: in Civil war, 473

Stone, William: had store at Westport, 42, 46, 49;
probable first settler in Cedar Rapids, 151

Stookey, S. W.: acting president Coe college, 228

Strong, L. M.: chosen commissioner, 33;
builds first house in Marion, 461

Sullivan, John C.: surveys southern Iowa boundary, 15

Taylor, A. C.: 85
Taylor, Dr. Robert: 269
Teachers' Association: first in county, 480
Teachers' institute: first in county, 481
Tecumseh: 9
Thomas, Dr. Cyrus: 7
Thompson, Henry: erects saw mill, 460
Thompson, William G.: lawyer, 172, 186;
anecdotes of, 187;
tribute to, 468
Trans-Mississippi Exposition: 20

Troup, Reverend C.: first minister in county, 48, 291

Troy Mills: founded, 290
Tryon, S. H.: 86
Union Medical Society, 89

United Brethren Church: beginning of in Iowa, 291;
at Lisbon, 292 ff.

United Presbyterian Church: origin of the Fairfax, 272

Ure, James: early settler, 275

Ure, Robert: early settler, 272

Ure, William: brings first reaper to county, 93

Usher, Dyer: first divorce action in county brought by, 36;
ferries people across the Mississippi, 46

Vardy, John: erects first frame dwelling in Cedar Rapids, 49;
arrives in Cedar Rapids in 1841, 152
Vinton, Samuel F.: attitude toward Iowa, 16
Walker: history of, 279;
Catholic church at, 409
Washington township: history of, 290
Waubeek: 284
Weare, Charles: early contractor, 154
Weare, John: early banker, 154
Webster, C. L.: quoted, 8
Weld, L. G.: 3 note; 13 note
Western: stage line to, 47;
account of, 479
Westport: 33, 43, 46, 48, 143

Wetherbee, E. S.: gives account of old mill at Central City, 486

Wheeler, David H.: Cornell professor, 204
Whittam, I. N.: pioneer lawyer, 178
Whittlesey, Charles: chosen senator, 33

Wick, B. L.: writes on early steamboating, 423

Williams, Joseph D.: judge, 35, 41

Williams, Horace: 239

Willis, James W.: first county commissioners meet at house of, 33

Wilson, George W.: noted attorney, 187
Wilson, Gen. James: 103
Wilson, Judge James: surveyor-general, 31
Wilson, T. S.: 82
Winnebagoes, The: account of, 9
Wisconsin: admitted, 31

Witter, Amos: early physician in Mount Vernon, 87

Woodbridge, Ward: writes history of Maine township, 281

Young, Joseph B.: lawyer, 177, 468

Zumbro, John: postmaster at Marion, 82

FOOTNOTES:

[A] L. G. Weld, Iowa Journal of History and Politics, vol. i, no. 1.

[B] This is the view of nearly all the writers and historians, but Professor Weld in vol. i, no. 1, Iowa Journal of History and Politics, holds to the opinion that the landing was made at the point in Louisa county where the Iowa river enters the Mississippi and gives cogent reasons for his belief.

[C] Hon. Sidney A. Foster, Des Moines.

[D] N. H. Parker in Iowa As It Is in 1855, p. xiv.

[E] Iowa As It Is in 1855, p. xv.

[F] Response to a toast at a banquet in Waterloo in honor of Hon. Horace Boise, ex-Governor of the State.

[G] Notes on the Wisconsin Territory, pp. 14-15 (1836).

[H] Letter written by Peter H. Engle, of Dubuque, in 1838.

[I] The Constitutions of Iowa, pp. 23-24 (1902).

[J] Rev. Dr. S. N. Fellows, A Record of the Fiftieth Anniversary of Cornell College, p. 91.

[K] The pioneer settlements about Mount Vernon had sent several flat boats down the Cedar and Mississippi to New Orleans with cargoes of wheat, corn and potatoes. With the proceeds of sale of boats and cargo, sugar, molasses and other goods were purchased and shipped by steamers to Muscatine. Col. Robt. Smyth was one of those who thus made the voyage from Stony Point, three miles south of Mount Vernon, to New Orleans.

[L] During the melee a farmer from north of town gave a stentorian yell for Jeff Davis and was promptly knocked down by a federal soldier home on furlough. The soldier was afterwards arrested for assault. On the day of the trial before Judge Preston of Marion some thirty Mount Vernon men were present armed with various weapons, including corn knives. The case was dismissed.

[M] See Minutes of Iowa City Presbytery, Lyons, May 9, 1856.

[N] This is according to Lawrence's history, and in harmony with statements from Dr. A. W. Drury. Mrs. Elizabeth Harner, daughter of Bro. Troup, says he came to Iowa in 1838.

[O] Chandler Jordan, mentioned above, died about a year ago, and Mr. Liddington was killed in the mill in the winter of 1909-10 by getting wound up in the shafting, and since then the old mill has stood idle.

Transcriber's Notes

Obvious typos and misprinted punctuation have been silently corrected.

Spelling and hyphenation variations have been retained to match the original book when no major preference could be determined.

Added to Contents: FOOTNOTES, End of document

Added to List of Maps: Reproduction of the First Map of Cedar Rapids, 316.

Page 11: The Muskwaki Indians were probably the Meskwaki, also spelled Mesquakie or Meskwahki Indians. (a large number of Muskwaki Indians were camping)

Pages 67-81: Some names in the Members List are not in alphabetical order, but match the order in the original book.

Page 113: The following sentence was incomplete in the original book:

The grain rates from Cedar Rapids to Chicago were thirty cents a hundred pounds and the noise of protest which was made then was quite similar to the noise which is sometimes

Page 131: John B. Taylor may be a typo for Joel B. Taylor, as this is the only mention of John B. Taylor in the book. (May 26, John Zumbra to Angeline Eggleston, by Rev. John B. Taylor.)

Some illustrations and text have been moved slightly to avoid breaking up paragraphs. This might cause a few Index entries to be one page off.

The cover image was produced by the submitter modifying the Title Page, and is being placed into the public domain.

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Table of Contents

History of Linn County Iowa

History of Linn County Iowa From Its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time

INTRODUCTION
CONTENTS
ILLUSTRATIONS
MAPS
CHAPTER I The Birth of Iowa

CHAPTER II The First Inhabitants

- THE MOUND BUILDERS
- "LOCATION OF MOUNDS NEAR CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA
- INDIANS

CHAPTER III Iowa Historically

CHAPTER IV Iowa and Her People

CHAPTER V The Geology of Linn County

- THE SILURIAN
- THE BERTRAM LIMESTONE
- THE OTIS LIMESTONES
- THE INDEPENDENCE
- THE DAVENPORT LIMESTONES
- THE CEDAR VALLEY LIMESTONES
- THE CARBONIFEROUS
- MESOZOIC AND TERTIARY
- THE GLACIAL EPOCH
- THE LOESS

CHAPTER VI Beginnings in Linn County

- THE FIRST SURVEY
- THE FIRST COURT HOUSE IN THE COUNTY
- THE JUDICIARY
- CIRCUIT COURT
- NOTED AND EXCITING TRIALS
- THE ERA OF THE OUTLAW
- EARLY SETTLEMENT

CHAPTER VII William Abbe, the First Settler in the County

CHAPTER VIII The County Seat Contests—First Railroad in the County

- THE FIRST RAILROAD IN LINN COUNTY
- LETTER FROM MERRITT
- LETTER FROM GEORGE GREENE
- RAILROAD MEETING, MARION, NOVEMBER 30, 1850

CHAPTER IX The Old Settlers' Association

- OFFICERS

- MEMBERS

CHAPTER X Postoffices and Politics

- THE CEDAR RAPIDS POSTOFFICE

CHAPTER XI The Physicians of the County
CHAPTER XII The Material Growth of the County
CHAPTER XIII Rural Life
CHAPTER XIV A Hero of the Canadian Rebellion

CHAPTER XV The Newspapers of the County

- THE NEWSPAPER GRAVEYARD

- STANDARD HAD A LONG LIFE

- The Good Ones Which Remain

- THE DAILY REPUBLICAN AND THE EVENING TIMES
- THE EVENING GAZETTE
- THE SATURDAY RECORD
- THE IOWA POST
- THE WEST SIDE ENTERPRISE
- IOWA STAATS-ZEITUNG
- OTHER CEDAR RAPIDS PAPERS
- THE MARION REGISTER
- THE MARION SENTINEL
- THE MT. VERNON HAWKEYE
- THE WALKER NEWS
- THE CENTER POINT JOURNAL
- THE SPRINGVILLE NEW ERA
- THE LISBON HERALD
- CENTRAL CITY NEWS-LETTER
- THE COGGON MONITOR
- THE MT. VERNON RECORD

CHAPTER XVI The Bohemian Element in the County

CHAPTER XVII The Early Marriage Record

CHAPTER XVIII Historic Roads and Other Monuments

CHAPTER XIX Some of the Old Settlers

- COL. DURHAM TO THE OLD SETTLERS—ADDRESS BEFORE ASSOCIATION. AUGUST 1902

CHAPTER XX Early Linn County Lawyers and Courts

CHAPTER XXI Chatty Mention of Bench and Bar

- LINN COUNTY JUSTICES

CHAPTER XXII The Schools of the County

CHAPTER XXIII Historical Sketch of Cornell College

- THE FOUNDATION AND THE FOUNDER
- THE IOWA CONFERENCE SEMINARY
- THE FIRST DECADE
- FROM 1863 TO 1910—GROWTH IN RESOURCES
- GROWTH IN ATTENDANCE
- THE STRATEGIC POSITION
- THE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
- THE ADMINISTRATION
- THE FACULTY
- THE ALUMNI
- CORNELL AND THE WAR FOR THE UNION
- THE SOCIAL ORGANIZATION
- ENDOWMENTS
- THE CURRICULUM
- SPIRIT AND INFLUENCE

CHAPTER XXIV History of Coe College

CHAPTER XXV The Old Blair Building

- THE BLAIR BUILDING

- THE CEDAR RAPIDS AND MISSOURI RIVER RAILROAD

- THE SIOUX CITY AND PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY

- THE IOWA FALLS AND SIOUX CITY RAILROAD COMPANY

- THE FREMONT, ELKHORN AND MISSOURI VALLEY RAILROAD COMPANY

- THE MAPLE RIVER RAILROAD

- THE MISSOURI VALLEY AND BLAIR RAILWAY & BRIDGE COMPANY

- THE IOWA RAIL ROAD LAND COMPANY
- THE TOWN LOT COMPANIES
- THE MOINGONA COAL COMPANY

CHAPTER XXVI Some of the Old Cemeteries

CHAPTER XXVII Early Experiences in Stage and Express

CHAPTER XXVIII Linn County Libraries

- THE IOWA MASONIC LIBRARY
- FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY OF CEDAR RAPIDS
- COE COLLEGE LIBRARY
- COLLEGE AND PUBLIC LIBRARY, MOUNT VERNON
- MARION FREE PUBLIC LIBRARY
- THE BOHEMIAN READING SOCIETY

CHAPTER XXIX Wages and Prices in the County from 1846 to 1856

CHAPTER XXX Some of the First Things in Cedar Rapids and Linn County

- THE FIRST GRIST MILL

- A FEW OF THE EARLY ENTRIES TO LAND

- ORGANIZATION OF DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN THE COUNTY

CHAPTER XXXI Society in the Early Days

CHAPTER XXXII Southern Influence

CHAPTER XXXIII Some Township History

- BERTRAM TOWNSHIP
- FAIRFAX TOWNSHIP
- "THE ORIGIN OF FAIRFAX U. P. CHURCH
- "THE CHARTER MEMBERS
- BOULDER TOWNSHIP
- CLINTON TOWNSHIP
- BUFFALO TOWNSHIP
- GRANT TOWNSHIP AND WALKER
- MAINE TOWNSHIP
- JACKSON TOWNSHIP
- LINN TOWNSHIP
- OTTER CREEK TOWNSHIP
- COLLEGE TOWNSHIP
- SPRING GROVE TOWNSHIP
- WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP

CHAPTER XXXIV Lisbon and the United Brethren Church

- THE BEGINNING OF THE CHURCH IN IOWA
- THE UNITED BRETHREN AT LISBON
- CHURCH BUILDINGS
- PARSONAGES
- THE SUNDAY SCHOOL
- LISBON CAMP-MEETING

- LIST OF PASTORS, YANKEE GROVE CIRCUIT AND LISBON STATION

- SESSIONS OF IOWA CONFERENCE HELD AT LISBON

CHAPTER XXXV County and District Politics

CHAPTER XXXVI Cedar Rapids

- "KINGSTON CITY
- EARLY HOTELS IN CEDAR RAPIDS
- BUSINESS IN 1856
- LINN COUNTY STATISTICS FOR 1856
- CEDAR RAPIDS TODAY
- THE CITY'S ASSETS
- THE RAILWAYS
- MANUFACTURING
- THE STREET RAILWAYS

- CEDAR RAPIDS AND MARION CITY RAILWAY COMPANY

- THE COMMERCIAL CLUB

- WHO PAID THE TAXES IN CEDAR RAPIDS FIFTY YEARS AGO

- TEXT OF THE ACT TO INCORPORATE CEDAR RAPIDS
- FIRST CITY OFFICIALS OF CEDAR RAPIDS
- THE SECOND ELECTION
- THE FIRST TAX LEVY
- THE ELECTION OF 1851
- THE FIRST SIDEWALK ORDINANCE
- THE ELECTION OF 1853
- THE CEMETERIES
- ELECTION OF 1854
- ELECTION OF 1855
- ELECTION OF 1856
- OFFICIALS OF CEDAR RAPIDS FROM 1857 TO 1910

- CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS AS IT WAS FIFTY YEARS AGO

- NATURAL ADVANTAGES
- SETTLEMENT
- PROGRESS
- HOW THE FIRST RAILROAD CAME TO CEDAR RAPIDS

- SOME OF THE EARLY BRICK HOUSES IN CEDAR RAPIDS

- SOME STRENUOUS DAYS IN THE OLDEN TIMES
- MRS. ROCK'S REMINISCENCES
- WHEN LAND WAS DIRT CHEAP IN CEDAR RAPIDS

- FIRST DECORATION DAY CELEBRATION IN CEDAR RAPIDS

- "JUDGE HUBBARD'S ADDRESS

- FIRST LOCAL LABOR UNION ORGANIZED IN THE CITY

- THE STORY OF A MOUNTAIN HOWITZER

- A FORTUNATE TUMBLE

- HERE'S AN INTERESTING BIT OF ANCIENT HISTORY

CHAPTER XXXVII Beginnings of Churches and the Fraternities in Cedar Rapids

- ESTABLISHMENT OF LODGES
- LATER SKETCH OF THE CEDAR RAPIDS CHURCHES
- RECAPITULATION

CHAPTER XXXVIII Catholicism in Linn County

- THE CHURCH IN CEDAR RAPIDS
- ST. WENCESLAUS PARISH
- ST. PATRICK'S, CEDAR RAPIDS
- THE CHURCH AT PRAIRIEBURG
- THE FAIRFAX CHURCH
- THE CHURCH AT WALKER
- THE MARION CHURCH
- THE CHURCH AT LISBON
- THE SISTERS OF MERCY
- MERCY HOSPITAL
- SACRED HEART ACADEMY

CHAPTER XXXIX Linn County Statistics

- POPULATION

CHAPTER XL The Bridges Across the Cedar at Cedar Rapids and Early Steamboating on the Cedar River

- THE FIRST BRIDGE

- EARLY STEAMBOATING ON THE CEDAR

CHAPTER XLI Banks and Banking in Linn County

- THE CEDAR RAPIDS CLEARING HOUSE ASSOCIATION

CHAPTER XLII Roster of County Officers

- FIRST DISTRICT
- SECOND DISTRICT
- THIRD DISTRICT
- COUNTY AUDITORS
- RECORDER AND TREASURER
- COUNTY TREASURER
- COUNTY RECORDER
- SHERIFF
- CLERK OF THE DISTRICT COURT
- COUNTY ATTORNEY
- COUNTY SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS
- CORONER
- COUNTY SURVEYORS
- COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1900
- COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1901
- COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1902
- COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1903
- COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1904
- COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1905
- COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1906
- COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1907
- COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1908
- COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1909-1910
- COUNTY OFFICERS FOR 1911

CHAPTER XLIII History of Marion, the County Seat

CHAPTER XLIV Linn County in War

- COMPANY C, CEDAR RAPIDS

- FIFTH IOWA BATTERY

CHAPTER XLV Odds and Ends of History and Reminiscence

- THE TOWN OF WESTERN
- MT. VERNON
- FIRST AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION
- FIRST TEACHERS ASSOCIATION
- FIRST TEACHER'S CERTIFICATE IN CEDAR RAPIDS
- TEACHERS' INSTITUTE
- VOTE OF LINN COUNTY 1910
- SOME MUNICIPAL FIGURES FOR CEDAR RAPIDS
- EARLY DAYS IN LINN
- EARLY DOCTORS IN THE COUNTY
- THE OLD MILL OF CENTRAL CITY
- LAND ASSESSMENTS
- COMPARATIVE TABLE

INDEX

- FOOTNOTES:

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