HISTORY: Guthrie County From the A.T. Andreas Illustrated Historical Atlas of the State of Iowa, 1875 ************************************************* Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************* ________________________________________________________ NOTE: For more information on Guthrie County, Iowa Please visit the Guthrie County, IAGenWeb page at http://iagenweb.org/guthrie/ ________________________________________________________ GUTHRIE COUNTY. This is the fourth county, both from the southern and western boundary of the state; is twenty-four miles square, and contains a superficial area of little more than five hundred and seventy-six miles. SURFACE FEATURES AND STREAMS. The surface drainage is excellent, as numerous streams meander throughout nearly every portion of the county, collecting the surplus water, and affording lasting supplies of stock-water at all seasons of the year. The principal streams are Middle and South Raccoon Rivers, with their affluents, the most important of which are Brushy Ford, Bear, Beaver and Mosquito Creeks, while the Middle River rises in this county and waters the southwestern portion. The larger streams all afford good water power, which in the future will become a source of much wealth to the county. The streams are generally clear and pellucid, being supported mainly by springs, which, however, instead of appearing at the surface, percolate through the loose deposits in the valleys, and reach the streams by subterranean channels, which render them not easily affected by extremes of wet or drouth. Excellent well water is usually obtained at a moderate depth in most localities, although in the uplands, in the southwest townships, the bluff deposit must be penetrated to the underlying gravel beds, before a permanent supply of water can be obtained. The general surface of the county is high rolling prairie, gently sloping towards the valleys, with some ridges along the streams, which are considerably rough and broken as compared with most of the other portions of the county, but they are being occupied, and are considered desirable farming lands. There is very little land that is too wet for cultivation, nearly all that was reported as swamp land in the original surveys, having been taken up for agricultural purposes. The valley of the Middle River is well defined, and like all the streams which rise in the great divide in this region, the waters are collected by a system of numerous ravines which reach up to the very crest of the watershed, while in the western range or townships bordering on this divide, which separates the drainages of the Mississippi and Missouri, the prairies are undulating, presenting a wide contrast to the country to the eastward. Between the South Raccoon and Brushy Fork, as well as between the latter stream and Middle Raccoon, the same physical features are exhibited, being composed of symmetrical ridges, flanked by graceful declivities, and culminating in broad rounded summits, from one to two hundred feet above the valleys. While the valley of the Middle Raccoon is narrow, and usually bordered by more abrupt acclivities, to the eastward the country sweeps away in gentle undulations, which are only interrupted by the shallow prairie streams which water that section. The soil includes two well marked varieties, which are found co- extensive with the two widely diverse deposits composing the superficial formations in this region. A larger portion of the uplands in the southwestern half of the county, afford a light, fine silicious soil, which is derived from the bluff deposit, while in the eastern and northeastern townships is found the rich, black loam characteristic of the drift region. The native forests are mostly confined to the valleys and ravines, though there are now some large tracts covered with a vigorous growth of oak, hazel, etc., which were formerly swept by the fires of early Spring and late Autumn, so that not even a shrub was found on them at the time of the early settlement of the county. Although this is emphatically a prairie county, what timber does exist is so evenly distributed that no considerable portion of the county is more than five miles distant from a good supply. Planted groves mature so rapidly that but a few years are required until timber for ordinary purposes can be obtained from them in large quantities. MATERIAL RESOURCES. The agricultural resources of Guthrie are perhaps second to no other county in the state. Both the deep black soil of the uplands, and the light colored or mulatto soil peculiar to the bluff deposit, are alike noted for productiveness, and their warm forcing nature. Corn and wheat are the staple productions, while all the grains, grasses and vegetables common to central Iowa, are grown with a luxuriance unexcelled, amply rewarding the industry of the farmer. The natural advantages of Guthrie County for stock raising are unsurpassed by any county in Iowa, possessing as it does numerous beautiful valleys and arable tracts of land on which wild and tame grasses grow with all the exuberance of their native soil, while living streams and brooklets of sparkling water meander through nearly every section of the county. Before they were crushed out by the march of civilization, wild fruits in profuse varieties annually yielded rich harvest, showing that the more luscious and delicate cultivated fruits need only planting and judicious care and culture to richly repay the labors of the careful pomologist. Numerous orchards have been set out, and various other kinds of fruits cultivated, all of which have grown and produced with remarkable luxuriance. The Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad passes through the southern tier of townships, while the Chicago & Northwestern is within convenient reach of the northern portion of the county, so that Guthrie possesses all the advantages to be derived from railway communication, which exerts such an undeniably important part in developing the resources of all interior counties. Although the coal beds have not been so extensively worked in this as in some other counties, yet there is no doubt that the coal resources of Guthrie, in quantity and quality, are fully equal to any of the neighboring counties. There is no doubt but what the different strata of the coal-measures underly the entire county, though no exposures have been made in the western portions. The beds that have been worked are not so thick as those in the Des Moines valley, as the local demand has been supplied without deep mining, otherwise the more productive veins might have been reached by shafting. Stone for building purposes is obtained from the limestone beds of the middle coal-measure, though the supply of this material is not very abundant. That on Little Raccoon and Beaver Creek furnishes an excellent material for quick lime. Iron in the form of brown hematite ore is found in limited quantities in the coal-measure, is more largely disseminated through sand and gravel beds, and is not infrequently found in a purer condition, as nodules in other positions, yet it is the opinion of Doctor White, State Geologist, that the quantity is too small ever to become valuable for economic purposes. Good brick clay and sand are obtained in sufficient abundance to supply any possible demand of the future. EARLY HISTORY. Guthrie County was named by Theophilus Bryan, in honor of his friend, Captain Guthrie, who served in the Mexican War. The first white settler was John Nevius, who made a claim and built the first log cabin in Jackson Township, in the southeastern portion of the county, in 1848. The county was organized July 8, 1851, by Theophilus Bryan, organizing Sheriff. He died October 8, 1856. At that time the county was divided into two civil townships, or voting precincts, the north half being called Cass, and the south half Jackson. The same territory is now divided into sixteen townships. The first election for county officers took place on the first Monday in August, 1851, the citizens of Cass Township voting at the house of Andrew Brumbaugh, while those of Jackson met at the house of Fredrick Fry. At this time the county had a total population of two hundred and twenty-two, and the number of votes cast was seventy-two. The following county officers were chosen at this election; Theophilus Bryan, County Judge; Silas G. Weeks, Clerk of the District Court; S. M. Bayles, Treasurer and Recorder; and M. Messenger, Sheriff. The county seat was located on the southeast quarter of section 32, township 80, range 30, and the place named Panora. This being well toward the eastern boundary of the county, as settlements extended westward the question of removal soon began to be agitated, and a rival town was laid out in 1855, at the geographical center of the county, to which the name of Guthrie Center was given. In 1859 the friends of this point succeeded in obtaining a vote on removal, with successful results. They retained it only about two years, when it was returned to Panora. In 1873, the county seat was a second time removed to Guthrie Center. SOME FIRST THINGS. The first warrant on the county treasury, to the amount of three dollars, was issued to Theophilus Ryan, for pre-empting land for the county seat; and the first marriage license was issued by the county judge, to George Messenger and Lucinda Casteel, who were married by Judge Bryan. To show the extent of the finances of the county in 1852, the following record may be found; Mr. M. Linehart, who was appointed treasurer to fill a vacancy, received during his term of service the sum of five dollars, all of which the county voted him. Another instance; In September, 1862, Judge Bryan and Clerk Weeks gave to the county all the fees received by them in their several offices, amounting to some $50 or $60. The first warrants issued for jurors in the District Court, were for the May term in 1854. The first record of any court being held was in the Spring of 1855, though it is thought that a court was held previously, the records having been burned when the log building occupied by the clerk was consumed. The first seal used by the county is somewhat rude in its construction and lettering, and exhibits some hard usage, which is not surprising, when it is stated that impressions were required to be taken on a flat stick of wood, with a handspike for a lever and a maul to strike with. Among the first things, the following is remembered and published, being a charge of the notorious Judge McFarland, who was never known to hold a court or feel at home without having his skin full of whisky. It was delivered to the jury, at the Spring term of court in 1858, held in the old Presbyterian church, now used as a carpenter shop; "Gentlemen of the Jury, you will (hic) find the law of Iowa-in the laws-of Iowa. And it is your (hic) duty, gentlemen, to see that the said (hic) law is obeyed, and that it is not violated. You are made (hic) gentlemen, a body to inquire into every breach of the (hic) the law; and to do this it is your duty sworn, (hic) sworn-sworn. Mr. Roberts, -you will (hic) indict every man in the (hic) world, and Mr. Clerk, you will (hic) will let Mr. Roberts have all the (hic) books in the world. You will retire, gentlemen, to your (hic). Adjourn the court, Mr. (hic, hic) Sheriff, to one o (hic) o'clock." It would be very difficult in these days to tolerate such a Judge in Guthrie County, or any other in the state. But such was the state of society in the newly settled counties, that but little could be done by moral portion to stop such farces. Judge McFarland ended his career as a judge very soon thereafter; and thanks to him, he made drunken judges so unpopular, that there has none appeared on the bench since. A new resident of the county says; "There are fewer criminal cases in this county than in any place in which I have ever lived." THE PRESS. The first newspaper published in the county appeared early in the Winter of 1855, edited by William Tracy, a prominent citizen of the county, and called the Western Pioneer. The Guthrie Vidette, published by L. Apple, at Panora, was established in 1865. It is the oldest paper now published in the county, and is a popular local sheet. The Stuart Locomotive made its first appearance in 1868. It is a wide awake, well managed republican paper, under charge of J. J. Flynn, who is a wide awake, enthusiastic young writer. The first number of the Guthrie Center Beacon Light appeared May 20, 1874, under the editorial management of Kantzman & Mann, who jointly continued its publication until March 20, 1875, when Kantzman retired, and F. A. Mann became sole proprietor. The Beacon Light is an eight column folio sheet, independent in politics, the only newspaper published at the county seat, is one of the official papers of the county, and has a large and growing circulation. The Casey Clarion is a small wide awake local sheet published at Casey by L. H. Boydston. It was established in 1872, and in politics is republican. COUNTY OFFICIALS FOR 1875. HENRY K. DEWEY, Auditor. CHARLES W. HILL, Clerk of Courts. ELIJAH J. REYNOLDS, Treasurer. JAMES H. ROGERS, Recorder. MICHAEL McDONALD, Sheriff. GILES C. MILLER, Superintendent Common Schools. DAVID L. CHANTRY, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. GUTHRIE CENTER. As its name would indicate this town is situated in the geographical center of Guthrie County, of which it is the present seat of justice. It is handsomely located on a high rolling prairie, rising gently from the banks of the South Raccoon River, which flows past it on the west. It is surrounded by high ridges from half to one mile distant, presenting a beautiful panorama of gently rounded hills, finely cultivated farms and fruitful fields and orchards. It was laid out in 1855 by B. Newton, Thomas Suley and William Tracy on lands originally entered by Messrs. Tracy & Newton. The first dwelling was a log cabin, erected by Charles Huxley in March, 1856. There is an excellent water power on the Raccoon adjoining the town plat, sufficient, if well improved, to drive four run of burs. Good building stone are obtained within a mile and a half of town, while coal and timber are abundant and easily and conveniently secured. A spring of pure cold water, sufficient to supply the town, gushes out on the highest ground on the plat, which could be improved at a small expense. Altogether it is a good business point and a pleasant place to live. STUART. Although comparatively a new town, Stuart is probably the most important place in the county. It is situated on the line of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad, near the southeast corner of the county, a portion of it extending over the line into Adair. Much importance has been added to the town by the railroad company establishing a division station here, and erecting extensive machine, locomotive and repair shops. It is the most considerable shipping point in the county, being surrounded by a rich, well improved farming country. It is settled by a wide awake, enterprising class of inhabitants, whose energies are fast making Stuart one of the most important places on the line of the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Railroad west of Des Moines. PANORA. —This is the oldest town in the county, being laid out soon after its organization. It is on the Middle Raccoon River, in the eastern part of the county. There is plenty of timber and coal convenient, and the river here furnishes fine water power, which, with other advantages, will continue to make it a place of business and importance. GUTHRIE. —This is the next station west of Stuart on the railroad, and was laid out in the Winter of 1868'-69. It is surrounded by a good agricultural region, with timber, coal and stone convenient. The town plat is on both sides of the railroad, on prairie land sufficiently rolling for drainage. CASEY. —This is a shipping point on the railroad at the south line of the county, a portion of the town being in Adair County. It was laid out in October, 1868. Indian Branch, a tributary of the Middle Raccoon River, flows at the south border of the town, and is skirted by groves of timber. This is a point of considerable business, especially in the shipment of grain. Among other villages in the county are MORRISBURG, near South Coon River, laid out in 1855 by J. J. Morris; DALE CITY, on South Coon River, eight miles southeast of Panora; and DALMANUTHA, laid out in 1855.