HISTORY: History of Osceola County by D. A. W. Perkins 1892 Chapters XVII - XX This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Roseanna Zehner June 2003 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ________________________________________________________ NOTE: For more information on Osceola County, Iowa Please visit the Osceola County, IAGenWeb page at http://iagenweb.org/osceola/ ________________________________________________________ History of Osceola County by D. A. W. Perkins 1892 Chapter XVII Horton township's first settler came in 1871. In 1871 Seymour Coyour, then under age, came to Minnesota with his father, and lived just over the line of Horton in Minnesota. When Seymour came of age he made contest of the northwest quarter of Section 24 and succeeded in obtaining the land, which he filed upon and still lives on the same place. The first settler in Horton Township was L.G. Ireland, who, is elsewhere mentioned as coming from Clayton County, Iowa with A.B. Elmore and E.N. Moore. Mr. Elmore was also one of Horton's first settles, on Section 34, but he did not long remain in Horton, as he soon after took a claim in Ocheyedan. Mr. Ireland took the southeast quarter of Section 34, and turned the first furrow of the soil of that township. He was also a lawyer, but he was not a distinguished member of that profession and did not claim to be. He was politically ambitious, and was once a candidate for the Legislature on the independent ticket. He has since died. His claim is now owned by Dick Wassmann. So far as we can learn there were no other settlers in Horton Township in 1871 except Mr. Elmore and Mr. Ireland. In 1872 there were many who settled in this township. N.W . Emery, who is elsewhere mentioned, came that year. W.R. Boling, mentioned also in another chapter, came in 1872. Mr. Boling had two brothers, J.T. and E.W., who lived in Horton, but have since moved away. E.W. moved from the township into Ocheyedan and resided there until about two years ago, when he moved to Powshick County, Iowa, where he now resides. J.T. was justice in that township several years, and is now an evangelist and lives in Illinois. In 1872 also C.M. Richards, W. Bisby, W.W. Herron, Henry and Dan Gibson and Jacob Brooks settled in Horton, coming from Butler County, Iowa. Richards left about eight years ago, and now resides in Pipestone, Minnesota. Bisby went to Butler County. Herron is in California. Mr. Brooks is now a merchant at Sibley. Also H.B. Clemens came that year to the township, and a few years ago went to Washington. During the residence of those Butler County people Richards was one of the township trustees, and in the fall went to Butler County and remained during the winter. While thus away on a visit, the other trustees declared his office vacant, and made an appointment. Richards returned in the spring and was present at the annual meeting, when he was informed that during his absence the office had dropped from under him, and that another had been appointed to fill the vacant place. Richards was not of that kind to surrender so easily--sing a common expression-he was not built that way. He first gave vent to his feelings, spoke his mind, and this, with the talking back, culminated in an open fight, in which the other fellows got the worst of it, and the affair finally drifted into court. Richards, however, held the office until the expiration of his term. Samuel Collett settled in Horton in 1871, he proved up on his claim and moved to Montana, where he now resides. Jacob Brooks owned the original quarter upon which he settled until recently, and it is now occupied by Mr. H. Keith. Since the earlier settlements in Horton Township quite a number of German families have moved into the township and these Germans are considered as some of its most substantial and industrious citizens. In 1882 Henry Wassmann, with his son Dick, Charles Griep and several others of the neighbors left Indiana and bought tickets to Chicago, from there to Glendive, Montana. They were simply going west as men do go, without knowing exactly where until the looked it over. They got to Bismarck in North Dakota, when the elder Wassmann thought that any more west was too much for him, and told the rest of the party they could go on, but as for himself he should look over a part of Iowa. This caused the three parties above named to return to St. Paul where they bought tickets to Sheldon. They drove from Sheldon to Bigelow, Minnesota and not desiring to settle there were returning, when, by parties at Sibley, they were induced to settle in Osceola County, which they did. The Wassmann's bought several pieces of land, among which was the L.G. Ireland place on Section 34, where Dick Wassmann now lives. His correct name is Diedrich Wassmann, but is commonly called Dick. There is no better farm in the country than Dick Wassmann's, and no better place for a home than right there among the large variety of forest trees, set out by the lamented Ireland and later by Dick himself. About one hundred different kinds of trees stand there in the gorgeous grandeur of their green foliage and as the leaves rustle in the breeze, they seem to whisper a voice of contentment, of thrift and independence which mark the surroundings, and are expressed in the hospitality of the occupant, for Dick Wassmann is no more diminutive in heart and soul than he is stature. There are kinds of trees on this farm that probably couldn't be found anywhere else in the state, and fruit trees in abundance. Henry Wassmann returned to Indiana where he still resides. Charles Griep bought the northeast quarter Section 27 where he still lives and is a successful farmer. The coming of these parties here was the means of other Germans following them and buying land in Horton. Henry Pinkerburg took a part of Section 25, also did Conrad Hattendorf; Henry Rusche the northwest quarter of Section 14; Fred Glade a part of Section 23; William Lick a part of Section 21, and Conrad Oldendorf a part of Section 23 and 25. W.H. Noehren bought the northeast quarter of Section 22, and still lives there. Mr. Noehren has been prominent in township matters, and at present is a member of the Board of County Commissioners. This township has a good class of people, and among its other substantial farmers not otherwise mentioned are the three Piscators, father and two sons, who we believe are on Section 8, Gustav Johnson on Section 10, William Rehborg on Section 11, and August Polinski on Section 13. On Section 14, besides Henry Rusche, lives August Bremer on the northeast quarter, and John Estabrook on the southwest quarter. Conrad Bremer is on Section 15, William Filk and John Farragher on Section 18, and Peter Wickland on Section 19. On Section 20 is Vaclave Sixty, also John Maske, Joseph Rhomatko and Joseph Cload. On Section 22 we find Chris Bremer and Henry Redeker. John Robertson has the southeast quarter of Section 24, and John Gielow and William Grave are on Section 26. On Section 27, besides Mr. Griep, are Charles Schmidt and William Sehr. Mr. John Thompson lives on a quarter of Section 28, and Mr. I.B. Titus owns a part of Section 30, and is the only resident on that section. Frank Engle is on Section 31, and William Maske on Section 32. Chris Wassmann is on Section 35 and has recently built there a house and barn. On Section 36 William Carney has a quarter, also A.V. Randall, and on the same section Mr. Elmore has a tree claim. Mr. Randall formerly lived on his quarter, but is now in business in Ocheyedan. J.T. Boling's place is now owned by Herman Bauermeister, who lives in Worthington, Minnesota. GRASSHOPPER PERIOD. The history of the great world itself recognizes certain distinct periods which have marked the ages with their different characteristics. Osceola County is but a small part of this mighty universe, but its brief history has it periods which are readily recognized by those of its citizens whose residence here reaches back even for only a decade. The first was its filing period, when settlers made record in the government office, that they claimed certain pieces of land for residence and occupation. The next was the grasshopper period, and the last a period of general contentment and prosperity. This part of the history is devoted to the grasshopper period, and following this, the relief campaign which followed in the wake of destroyed crops and destitution. The writer himself went through this "reign of terror" and knows all about it by personal contact and experience. The grasshopper itself was a curiosity; we call it grasshopper because then among settlers it bore no other name, while the books designate the pest as the "Rocky Mountain locust. The natural home of these insects was on the barren table lands along the eastern base of the Rocky Mountains. There they deposited their eggs every year. In Wyoming Territory, Western Nebraska, Texas, the Indian Territory and New Mexico, the broods were annually hatched. In their native haunts they attained an enormous size, many specimens being three inches in length. Scientific men, who have studied the habits of the grasshoppers state that each succeeding brook degenerates in size, and after three or four generations the weaker are obliged to swarm and seek other quarters, being driven out by the larger and stronger insects. These exiles rise and go with the wind, keeping the direction in which they first start, stopping in their flight for subsistence and depositing eggs in a prolific manner during the incubating season, which lasted from the middle of June to the middle of September. This region had been visited by grasshoppers before, but did not excite a great deal of attention for the reasons that the county was sparsely settled and but a small area of land under cultivation, and they came so late in the season that small grains were generally out of their reach, but extreme Northwestern Iowa then was not settled, so that their ravages were further east. Their first appearance at Sibley was on the 5th day of June 1873. The first seen of them was a huge black cloud, which was none other than a swarm of grasshoppers, and which sent out a roaring sound that terrified the ears. Where there was any grain to cut even before its maturity, the settlers went at it to save what the could, but the grasshoppers were not bad reapers themselves, and the modern and latest improved of agricultural machinery cut but little figure in the race, when that swarm of grasshoppers came down and went to work. They were possessed of great vitality and enormous appetites; their first appearance was alarming and their devastations were appalling. It introduced to the settles a serious problem; they were new to the country, or rather the country was new to them, and this strange visitation raised the question as to whether or not this grasshopper business was a part of the country itself, and that the pests would remain off and on indefinitely in the future. This thought, aside from their coming and the destruction they did in 1873, caused much concern and consternation. These grasshoppers had crossed the Missouri River and commenced foraging in the bordering Iowa counties. and devoured the crops as they went to a greater or less extent. In this season of 1873 some of the Osceola County settlers lost what crop they had by the grasshoppers, and others their crops were partially destroyed. Some saved a small garden patch by means of "shooing" them off and keeping the patch free from them, although the task was tedious and difficult. The early part of the season was extremely dry. No rain fell from the first of May to the middle of June. Grain did not grow much, but the grasshoppers did, and before the drought ended, the crops were eaten and parched beyond all hope of recovery. About the middle of June, however, considerable rain fell, and outside of the before mentioned counties the prospect was generally favorable for good crops. The young grasshoppers commenced to get wings about the middle of June, and in a few days they began to rise and fly. The prospect seemed good for a speedy riddance from the pests. The perverse insects were waiting for an easterly wind, but the wind blew from the southwest for nearly three weeks, so they stayed and visited, and eat and continued their ravages. Early in the spring of 1874 the eggs deposited the season before, commenced hatching, and the soil looked literally alive with insignificant looking insects, a quarter of an inch in length but of enormous eating qualities. As if by instinct, their first movements were toward the fields where tender shoots of grain were making their modest appearance. Sometimes the first intimation a farmer would have of what was going on would be from noticing along one side of his grain-field a narrow strip where the grain was missing. At first, perhaps, he would attribute it to a "balk" in sowing, but each day it grew wider and a closer examination would reveal the presence of young grasshoppers. The settlers of Osceola County in the spring of 1874 did their sowing and planting under a feeling of apprehension. They were here and the work must go, even with the grasshopper difficulty staring them in the face. Many got out of the country, owing to the grasshoppers of 1873, but they who remained had naught else to do but to work on. The grasshopper ravages were the worst in 1874 and 1875, and from then on the pests degenerated in size and did less mischief each year, but were still here until 1879 when they did but little damage and in 1880 the county felt itself well rid of them. All sorts of suggestions and devices were made with reference to the destruction of grasshoppers during these years, and it was much of a topic of discussion how to get rid of them. Judge Oliver, in a communication to the Sioux City Journal, said: "Farmers should not be discouraged. Crops, especially wheat and corn, should be put in as early as possible, so as to get a start while the hoppers are small. Late potatoes and beans may be planted as late as is safe, so as not to get up until the hoppers are gone. Young trees and shrubs may be protected by a sack of thin cloth drawn over them and tied at the bottom. I desire to impress on farmers, where the eggs are unhatched, the absolute necessity of early seeding. One weeks' difference in the time of seeding may make all the differences between a good crop and a failure." The Sioux City Journal said: "The grasshopper deposits its eggs at the roots of the grass in the latter part of summer or early autumn. The eggs hatch out early in spring, and during the months of April, May and June, according as the season is early or late; they are wingless, their sole power of locomotion being the hop. "To destroy them, all that is needed is for each county, town or district to organize itself into a fire brigade, throughout the district where their eggs are known to be deposited. "This fire brigade shall see that the prairies are not burned over in the fall, and thus they will have the grass for the next spring and to be employed upon the pests while they are yet hoppers, the means of sure death. To apply it, let all agree upon a certain day, say in April or May or at any time when they are sure all the hoppers are hatched and none are yet winged. All being ready let every person, man, woman and boy, turn out with torches and simultaneously fire the whole prairie, and the work, if well done, will destroy the whole crop of grasshoppers for that year, and none will be left to "soar their gossamer wings" or lay eggs for another year." The Gazette of July 10, 1874 had the following: "Grasshoppers are being successfully chased by many people in this county. There is usually a slight wind blowing, and people take ropes one or two hundred feet in length, and stretching them out, walk or ride across the fields, the trailing rope disturbing the grain, which causes the 'hoppers' to fly up, and then the friendly wind carries them off the field. "Mr. Dunton, who has been saving his wheat by the use of ropes, finds it useful to tie rags, newspapers, etc., to them on account of the greater rustle the rope makes as it trails over the grain with these attached. As the grasshopper years went on, the people themselves, scientific men and even the halls of legislation were discussing the important question of how to drive the "hoppers" from the country. Many and varied were the experiments. They tried smudging, burning the prairie, burning tar, digging ditches and every conceivable thing that the ingenuity of man could suggest, even to a huge trap in which to snare and catch them. Minnesota offered a bounty of a certain amount per bushel for them, and actually paid out quite a sum, which helped the people along, but the idea of delivering a crop of grasshoppers for a consideration, strikes us now as bordering on the ridiculous. These pests lasted about seven years, and the latter years of the seven they were much less troublesome than the first. The grasshopper business, too, had its humorous side, there was much wit grew out of it, and the eastern papers made much fun of us, and not only that, but seriously charged us with being a country liable to such things, and hence unfit to live in. The county papers around in Northwestern Iowa would each claim that the other county was the worst. The Gazette said in one issue they were mostly in Dickinson County, and the Beacon gives this assertion the lie and says they are on the border of Osceola "peeking" over. Some agricultural house printed a card bearing the picture of a grasshopper sitting on a board fence gazing at a wheat field, and underneath the words: "In this s(wheat) by and bye." The poet was also at work, and the following one of the numerous productions: CHARGE OF THE GRASSHOPPER BRIGADE Half a league, half a league, Half a league onward, Right from the West they came, More than six hundred --- Out from the forest and glade: "Charge for the corn! they said Then for the fields they made--- More than six hundred. Fields to the right of them, Fields to the left of them; Fields in front of them, Pillaged and plundered; Naught could their numbers tell, Down on the crop they fell, Nor left a stalk or shell--- More than six hundred. Flashed all their red legs bare, Flashed as they turned in air, Robbing the farmers there, Charging an orchard, while All the world wondered! Plunged in the smudge and smoke, Right through the corn they broke, Hopper and locust; Peeled they the stalks all bare, Shattered and sundered; Then they went onward--- but More than six hundred. Since these grasshopper days the old settlers can see what they missed by the ustom ng, recently published: "Some very important uses for grasshoppers have recently been discovered. There would seem to be no reason why they should not be applied to commercial advantage in the event of a plague this year. Not long ago four quarts of liquid, expressed from half a bushel of "hoppers" under a cheese press, were shipped in a glass from Spirit Lake, Iowa, to Professor William K. Kedzie, of the Kansas State Agricultural College. He made a complete analysis, and by distilling the juice with sulphuric acid obtained a colorless, limpid solution of formic acid. Now, this acid is very valuable, having a present market quotation of sixty cents an ounce. It is not only employed in medicine to a considerable extent, but it is also utilized in the laboratory to reduce salts of the noble metals, gold, silver and platinum. Hitherto it has always been extracted from red ants, but the possibility of getting it in large quantities from grasshoppers suggests a method for employing these insects to an unlooked-for advantage. An interesting feature of the analysis was the discovery of a certain amount of copper in the liquid. This metal has been found in the blood of other animals, particularly in the horseshoe crab, which always furnishes a trace of it. It is not suggested, however, that grasshoppers would assay a sufficient amount of copper to the ton to make it worth while to smelt them. "A while ago, Professor C.V. Ripley, United States entomologist, sent a bushel of grasshoppers, freshly caught and scalded, to Mr. Bonett, a St. Louis caterer. The latter made a soup of them, which was pronounced perfectly delicious by many people who were afforded an opportunity of tasting it. It closely resembled bisque. Mr. Bonnett declared that he would gladly have it on his bill of fare every day if he could only obtain the insects. His method of preparing the dish, as described by himself, was to boil the hoppers over a brisk fire, seasoning them with salt, pepper and grated nutmeg, and occasionally stirring them. When sufficiently done they were pounded in a mortar with bread fried brown; then they were replaced in the saucepan and thickened to a broth, which was passed through a strainer before being served. Professor Riley treated some friends of his on one occasion to curry of grasshoppers and grasshopper croquettes without informing them as to the nature of the banquet, but an unlucky hind leg, discovered in one of the croquettes, revealed the secret." RELIEF. In January 1873 there was organized at Sibley what they called the "Citizens Farmers' Club." This was before the "Grange" swept over the state, but both of these had the useful conditions of existence. They had their birth, maturity and death. The Citizen Farmers' Club was organized December 7, 1872, and its object as declared by a resolution was for the purpose of mutual protection, assistance, encouragement, instruction and social intercourse generally. Meetings were held every Friday afternoon at one o'clock, and no doubt many an ambitious orator, after the fame of Cicero, electrified and delighted the audience. This organization had quite a number of meetings, but soon as the Grange was introduced into Osceola County, the Citizen Farmers' Club began to decline and last, in the language of the illustrious Cleveland, went into "Innocuous desuetude." Following these and really as a basis upon which to secure relief for the people by reason of grasshoppers, the following announcement appeared in a September number of the Gazette : "HOMESTEADER'S PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION.-There will be a meeting of the citizens of Osceola County, on the fair grounds, near Sibley, at 1 o'clock p.m., September 25, 1873, for the purpose of organizing a Homesteader's Protective Association, the object and aim of which, will be to look after the interests of all true homesteaders. It is hoped that there will be a general turnout, that the organization may be permanent as long as it may be needed in this locality. In union there is strength. MANY HOMESTEADERS." The meeting was held according to announcement and the following is a report of it: HOMESTEADER'S PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION. A large number of homesteaders were present at the meeting held at the Courthouse on Saturday last. D.L. Riley was chose temporary Chairman, and F.M. Robinson temporary Secretary. Appropriate and earnest remarks were made by D.L. Riley and H. Jordan. A committee on resolutions, consisting of J.H. Douglass, H. Jordan and A.W. Clark, was appointed. Remarks were made by J.L. Robinson. W. Rea, A. Halstead and Allen Garvin. The committee on resolutions reported a preamble and resolutions which were adopted. We have not space for them, but the gist of them is as follows: After setting forth as reasons for the forming of an association, the fact that many homesteaders, owing to the failure of their crops, would be compelled to leave the county for a time to obtain work in order to provide for their families; also that fears were entertained of their claims being unjustly contested, thereby causing them expense which they were unable to bear; "therefore, be it "Resolved, That we, the undersigned, band ourselves together for the purpose of protecting ourselves in our rights. A series of resolutions, fifteen in number, establishing the number of officers as one President, one Vice President from each range of townships, a Secretary and Treasurer; appointing a regular meeting on the first Saturday of each month, at 1 o'clock p.m., in the courthouse; establishing certain committees, defining their duties; giving the terms of admission to the association; and making it necessary for the Treasurer to give a bond, etc., were adopted. The officers elected were as follows: President, D.L. Riley; First Vice President, C. W. Wyllys; Second Vice President, C.M. Bailey; Third Vice President, A. Garvin; Secretary, H. Jordan; Treasurer, J.L. Robinson. Any resident of Osceola County may become a member of this organization by subscribing his or her name to the preamble, resolutions and by-laws, and paying the sum of fifty cents. Any one wishing to examine the by-laws, etc., or to become a member of the association, can do so by calling at Jordan's office. This meeting was the foundation of a call for relief. Grasshoppers had devastated the county, and what crops there were had generally been ruined by this pest. On the start, the people were divided on this relief question, as many were opposed to it on the ground that it would give the county a bad reputation and retard settlement. Several men in Sibley offered to carry such families as were extremely needy, through the winter and furnish them the necessaries of life. Others, of those opposed to the relief, thought the county had better make provision for its own, but the relief party was numerically the stronger, and finally its opposers had to fall into line. It is often the case when some sudden catastrophe has fallen upon a community, like the Chicago fire or the Johnstown flood, that the community itself is unable to take care of its unfortunates. Where hundreds of families are left homeless and thrown upon the charity of others, then, indeed it is well to call upon other parts of the country for contributions. But there is always more or less fraud connected with it, and it is apt to be the case that the modest people, but more deserving, get but little of the relief goods, while the "cheeky" one" get the most. It was a question then, and is now, whether that relief movement for Northwestern Iowa was advisable, but the people had it, organizations were effected to handle it, the state was solicited particularly, and the country generally, for supplies. Adjutant-General Baker was the state manager, and each county, and indeed each township had its committees. At a meeting of the Sibley Grange, held the evening of the 7th of October 1873, the following among the proceedings was had: "On the motion, J.F. Glover, H.C. Hungerford and F.M. Robinson were authorized and instructed to prepare an address to the Master of the National Grange, and to the State and Subordinate Granges of Iowa, soliciting supplies of grain for seed, to be used by the farmers of Osceola County in the spring of 1874, who are and will be unable to purchase the same on account of the almost total failure of crops the past season. The Gazette notes one weeks receipts as follows: "Two boxes, three sacks, eight barrels of flour and two carloads of coal. General Baker reports nine more carloads of coal, which will make seventeen in all. About $200 in cash have been received, which will be used to procure seed grain." The relief business soon fell into controversy and the newspapers were wrangling over the question. The Gazette of December 19, 1873 had the following article: "THE RELIEF QUESTION-We notice that some of the papers in this part of the state are attributing all the destitution to this county; some of them even intimate that all the supplies which come to this place are distributed to the people of this county. In order to correct this impression, we have obtained from J.L. Robinson, the secretary of the distributing committee, the following figures: "From the 10th to the 16th inclusive, of this month, only six days, there has been filled sixty-seven orders for families of Lyon County, and thirty-four from Rock and Nobles Counties, Minnesota. Sixty-seven orders in six days from a county whose prominent men boasted in the Sioux City Journal that they could take care of their own poor, does not look much as if they were backing up their talk by deeds. It should be remembered that these orders are not for single articles, but are from half a ton of coal to provisions and clothing for a whole family, and in many instances all combined. The above explanation will also apply to the Minnesota applicants. "We publish elsewhere a communication from Minnesota men in regard to the matter. "While we have not denied the need of aid in this county, we think it hardly fair that we should have to bear the whole odium, especially when we are giving out supplies to people whose own county was going to take care of them, and to inhabitants of another state where there is no more than ordinary destitution. No doubt some have obtained supplies who did not really need them, but we should hesitate to call all those thieves who get aid, and they certainly would be such if they had taken when not deserving. As we understand the matter, the supplies were sent for the needy homesteaders of the northwestern part of the state, and all received at this place have been so distributed, except those furnished destitute people in Minnesota. The distributing people are faithful careful men, and have done their work well; they may have been deceived, but we think that what complaint there may be, has come from those who have been refused when it was ascertained that they did not need. "We hope that the papers of these neighboring counties will at least give us credit for what we have done, and not try to shove all their destitution off onto Osceola County, because it might injure their future prospects- especially in the face of the above mentioned facts." On November 14, 1873, the following appeal was issued: "AN APPEAL FOR AID-To the People of the State of Iowa: We, the undersigned, a committee appointed by the Homesteader's Protective Association of Osceola County, an organization effected for the purpose of looking after the extreme and urgent necessities of the people of said county, caused by the almost total failure of the crops, do deem it just and proper that we let our sister counties, who are in affluent circumstances, have positive knowledge of the situation of a very large proportion of the citizens of this county. "The most of the settlers came here last spring with little or no means, and depending entirely on their efforts during the summer to carry them through the winter; honestly and faithfully have they toiled. A very large amount of ground was sown and planted in the spring-more than sufficient to raise subsistence for all for the coming winter, if it had not been for an extremely wet, backward spring, and the invasion of a vast army of grasshoppers, which caused almost a total failure of corn and small grain crops, so that they now find themselves on the eve of a long, cold winter, worse off than in the spring; without food of the plainest kind, and without means to purchase fuel to protect themselves and families during the coming winter. There are hundreds of families who have not sufficient clothing, and know not where the bread that they will eat ten days hence is coming from, or their fuel. These same people relying on their crops to carry them through the winter, have labored diligently through the summer, and thousands of acres of the prairie have been turned over ready for a crop next spring. "Now, therefore, be it known to the people of the State of Iowa, that without liberal assistance from some source, a very large portion of the citizens of the county will be without the necessaries to sustain life, and also fuel to keep them from freezing, and unless, from some source, seed is furnished to these people to sow and plant in the spring, many of the broad acres that are now ready will have to lie idle the coming season. "We therefore appeal to the liberal, Christian hearted people of this state for assistance in the shape of money, clothing, fuel and staple articles of food. "At the present writing there are at least two hundred families in the county needing immediate assistance. "All consignments will be made to "C.M. Bailey, Agent H.P.A., "Sibley, Osceola County, Iowa "(For relief.) "Allen Garvin, "Robt. Stamm, "W.W. Cramm, "J.L. Robinson, "J.H. Douglass, "Committee." At a joint meeting of the Relief and Grange Committees, held Saturday, January 3, 1874, the following township committees were appointed to canvass the several townships and ascertain the actual necessities of the inhabitants: Township 98, Range 42-S. Haney, A.H. Miller and A.W. Mitchell. Township 98, Range 41-C. Thompson, J. Mandeville and W. Rea. Township 98 Range 40-N.D. Bowles, J.C. Moar and D.W. McCullam. Township 99, Range 42-Wm. Anderson, F. Townsend and E. Huff. Township 99, Range 41-W.S. Westcott, W.A. Spencer and Curtis. Township 99 Range 39---40-0-C. Boyd, W.A. Walder and F. Thayer. Township 100, Range 42-N.I. Wetmore, F. Reynolds and S. Crum. Township 100, Range 41-Wm. Thomas, P. Piesley and A. Shapley. Township 100, Range 40-W.W. Herron, Q.E. Cleveland and J.F. Pfaff. Township 100, Range 39-J.S. Flint, C.M. Richards and Ira Stevens. The State Senate of 1873-74 appointed a committee to visit Northwest Iowa with reference to legislative action for the purpose of securing a loan with which to buy seed grain. December 3, 1874, Geo. D. Perkins, Senator from Woodbury County, and Samuel Fairall, Senator from Johnson County, went to Sibley and held a conference with the people. They examined the Auditor's books in order to ascertain the financial condition of the county, and the feasibility of the county issuing warrants for the purchase of grain, and ascertained that the county could not obtain the supply needed from its own resources. These men expressed themselves as wishing that the entire General Assembly might be there and see for themselves, and promised that they would make an appeal for its sympathy and to its patriotism for action in the matter. A bill was presented by Mr. Perkins asking an appropriation of $105,000 for the purchase of seed grain and expenses of three commissioners to purchase and distribute: $5,000 out of the amount appropriated to be paid for expenses. Under this bill the money was to be in the nature of a loan, which the parties were to pay back. After a discussion, a bill was agreed upon and this bill passed both houses and became a law. Out of this donation Osceola County got about $8,000. The Legislative Committee, Messrs. Brown and Tasker, arrived in Sibley March 12, 1874, and "opened court." They were armed with blanks, requiring the settler to state where he lived, whether he was owner or renter, and how many acres he had broken; also that he had no seed, no money to buy seed with, and that he would use the seed for sewing. They also required testimony where one's word was not considered good, and admonished each and all that the penitentiary stared them in the face if they swore falsely. This Legislative tribunal did their work and went home. On March 2, 1874, after the relief business had undergone its usual trials and vexations, and charges of fraud had gone around, and considerable discontent and dissatisfaction, the following instructions were issued by General Baker to committee: "In the distribution of all supplies the utmost caution and care must be exercised, and only the really needy must be supplied, and they must be careful to save something to reserve for emergency or in case of sickness . "In order to conform to the above instructions the committee will require each applicant for aid to take and subscribe the following oath: "Sibley, Iowa, -----------1874. "I, ------------------------------do solemnly swear, so help me God, that I have not flour or other provisions sufficient to last my family one week, and that I have no means, on hand or at my command, to procure subsistence for my family. "------------------" Soon after this, which was in March 1874, the relief business was ended. On March 12, 1874, the state committee issued the following: Des Moines, March 12, 1874 "To the Public: The undersigned would state for the information of all concerned, that all supplies in our possession for Northwestern settlers, will be distributed by April 1st, 1873. There may be a small amount left on hand at that date but hardly worth consideration. The settlers and committees must now act most cautiously and govern themselves in accordance with the existing condition of supplies. Any Grange or other benevolent people who have anything to forward should do so at once. All our advantages on railroad lines will probably cease by the date above designated. And here in conclusion, we wish to thank the railroads, express companies and the telegraph companies for all the great favors they have done to the Northwestern settlers, in forwarding the generous donations of our benevolent people. N. B. Baker. J.D. Whitman, R.R. Harbour, D.W. Prindle, State Grange Committee. March 23, 1873, after an extended announcement, the people gathered in the courthouse at Sibley, crowding the house to its utmost capacity, to listen to General Baker and others, and to have sort of a speaking love feast over the winding up of the relief department. General Baker told them that he had done what he could for the people, that the supplies would soon end and that they were now thrown upon their own resources and must view it in that light and act accordingly. Messrs. Jordan, Glover and Riley also spoke to the people and with three cheers and tigers for Baker the meeting dispersed. Thus ended the great relief campaign of 1873 and 1874. Chapter XVIII Soon after the Huff residence was established Mr. R.J. Shaw put up a store building and put in a stock of goods; the building on the same section with Huff. Mr. Shaw afterwards filed on a part of Section 14, in Gilman, and in 1872, put up a store building in the town of St. Gilman (now Ashton) and moved his stock there. Shaw's store was the first store in the county, and in it in 1871, the old settlers used to congregate, and if we had a record of all their doings, and the stories there told, our readers would be highly entertained. Every blizzard would find about so many who happened to be at the store, and unable to get home. In one of the blizzards there were several of the old settlers caught there, among whom were Dr. Gurney, August and C. Thompson, W.A. Spencer and others. They took their horses in the store except one of them, and this they put into the railroad tank near by. This was not in the days of prohibition, and the boys had plenty of the ardent, and hence quite a jollification. One of them was preparing a pan of biscuits for baking while the others were watching the operation, when Shaw declared that his mother always striped biscuits when she made them, and these must conform to the parental ustom, upon which he brought his foot down on the soft dough, giving them the required stamp, when they were pronounced ready for the oven, and in they went. When the settler got to Shaw's store he generally tarried awhile, talked over the news of the day, smoked a clay pipe and sat around on the barrel heads, and of the old settlers there were several there at all times during the day and evening. In April, 1871, Joseph Reagan with Uriah Cook, Jacob Henshaw and some others who settled in Lyon County, came to Osceola County from Madison County, Iowa. They went to the "Huff" house and through the services of our first settler secured claims. Mr. Reagan filed on a part of Section 20, Township 98, Range 42, now Gilman Township, and Uriah Cook filed on the same section Huff was on. Mr. Reagan still lives in the county, is one of the prominent men in Ashton and its postmaster. Mr. Cook now lives in Montana. Reagan and party arrived at Huff's on the 8th day of April, 1871. Their outfit consisted of five wagons, twelve horses and mules and six head of cattle. Each of the wagons had occupants sleeping in them on the night of the 8th, and early on the morning of the 9th a terrible blizzard set in, and these wagon sleepers were soon covered with snow and crawled out and into a house. The next day they took the wagons and formed a half circle of them at the south side of the house, making a corral, in which they put their horses and then tied the cattle to the wagons on the outside. This storm lasted two days, and the company, consisting of about twenty men, women and children, filled the house, and at night it taxed the ingenuity of all to arrange the packing. Along with the inmates already named, there were three dogs and forty chickens, so that the time was not passed in Quaker silence, and everybody was in everybody's way, though all were jolly. The first night all were packed around systematically. Huff and his wife were placed in the northeast corner, then came Henshaw and his family, then the chickens and the rest of the crowd as they could be accommodated. The end where the horses were was considered unsafe, as the pressure against the boards was liable to break them in, so that Reagan, C.M. Brooks and Uriah Cook were assigned to that part of the shack to counteract the pressure from the outside. The morning of the third day was pleasant, and each went their way to their separate claims. C.W. Freeman came to Gilman township in June, 1872, and settled on the northeast quarter of Section 8. Mr. Carson died in January, 1883, and his popularity and his large circle of friends in the county justifies a reproduction of the following from January 24, 1883, number of the Osceola County Review, then published at Ashton: "In Memoriam" James W. Carson was born at Batavia, Genesee County, New York, February 16, 1883. When about thirteen years old his parents, leaving their eastern home, became pioneers in the then Territory of Wisconsin. A wonderful tide of immigration was pouring into the newer states and the territories bordering the Mississippi, and two years later, when Mr. Boyd Carson, the father of the subject of this sketch removed to West Oregon, Dane County, Wisconsin had become a state. The father was one of the hardy pioneers of the olden time, who, without the help of railways and modern conveniences of travel, made the long and tiresome journey to the frontier lands, and laid the foundations for prosperous communities and states. He is described as a man of sterling integrity and fine Christian character, and James W., the son, inherited from his father a high regard for what was true and pure in religious life. James, or "Kit," as he was popularly called by settlers old and new in this county, of which he was one of the first pioneers, grew to man's estate and was industriously employed in trade or farming, but the agitation of the slavery question and the disloyalty of the South, leading to the civil war, he early in the rebellion enlisted in the Second Wisconsin cavalry, and earned the merit of being a good soldier, but incurred hardships and injuries which laid the foundation of the disease which has taken him away, to the grief of his family, the sorrow of his friends, and the loss of the community. After the war, and soon after his marriage, he removed to Humboldt County, this state, where he remained two years. In 1871 he, in company with F.E. Cook and C.W. Freeman, removed to this county and located homesteads in Gilman Township. During his twelve years residence in this county he formed a wide acquaintance. The hold he had on the hearts of the settlers was well attested by the crowd that turned out to his funeral on the bitter cold Wednesday of this week. People gathered in from the three counties of Osceola, O'Brien and Lyon-one family driving fully ten miles across the country. Sheldon sent a large delegation and quite a number of old soldiers, bringing choice flowers and wreaths for the grave. Kind neighbors and comrades of both Sheldon and Sibley army posts served as watchers from the time-early Tuesday morning-that his remains reached Ashton from Minneapolis, where he died early on Monday-the immediate cause of his death being his inability to withstand the shock to his system, induced by an operation performed by surgeons at a hospital in Minneapolis, removing a large and bony-like tumor under the arm in the left side, which had developed until it reached the region of the heart. In 1871, Nick Boor, along with John Streit and William Shultz, landed in Gilman Township. They came from Wisconsin, and drove through with a team. Nick filed on the southeast quarter of Section 4, Township 98, Range 42, Streit on the northeast quarter of same section, and Schultz on the northeast quarter of Section 18. Mr. Schultz lives at Sheldon, and Boor and Streit still live in Gilman Township. C.C. Osgood came in 1872 and settled in Gilman Township on the southwest quarter of Section 30. Mr. Osgood still lives on the same place, has weathered all the difficulties, and is a successful farmer. Mr. William Foster settled in Gilman Township in 1872, on a part of Section 14. Mr. Foster died a few years ago, and his widow with her sons still live on the old homestead. Ephraim Miller, in 1871, located on the southwest quarter of Section 26, Gilman Township; still owns the land, and still resides in the township on land he has since purchased. Of these 1871 and 1872 settlers in Gilman Township but few remain in the township now. As far as we can learn they are Joseph Reagan, Nick Boor, John Streit, Ephrarim Miller, C.C. Osgood and the Foster boys. In the spring of 1873, J.E. Townsend, along with his brother George, came to Gilman Township from Michigan. George returned soon after and J.E. filed on the north half of the northwest quarter of Section 8, upon which he still lives with his family and has other land afterwards purchased. J.E. Townsend is now County Treasurer. This same year, 1873, also Fred Poschack came from Wisconsin and filed on a part of Section 6, upon which he still resides. Other parties living in this township came in the years following these first settlements, and quite a number are renters. Among others of the farming people in Gilman Township, Mrs. John Neff resides on Section I; also on the same Section John Rabe. M.A. Schend was an old settler in Lyon County and now lives on Section 2 in Gilman Township. On Section 2 also Mr. Frank Walrich and John Barbien. On Section 3 John Thorn; on Section 4 Joseph Dries, Anthony Geiver and also Mr. Streit; on Section 5 Jacob Johannes; on Section 6 Fred Poschack, Matt Spartz, John Seivert, B. Sturber and R. F. Pettingell. Mr. Pettingell is a Yankee from Massachusetts. Warren Robbins is on Section 7; Henry Shaa, Joseph Ehlen, besides J.E. Townsend on Section 8. Of still other residents of the county Joseph Dries, Jr., is on Section 9; also Matt Seivert and William Fuger; R. Linzen, Jacob Leinen, William Fuger on Section 10, Peter Kappes on Section II; Thomas Cox and Charles Winters on Section 12. The town of Ashton is on Section 15 in this township and on Section 18 we find Henry Arends, W. Popkes, H. Lenitzens, and Mr. DeGroat. On Section 20 lives Rev. Mr. Nolte, a Quaker preacher; also C.W. Conner. Mr. Conner is a prominent citizen and was a member of the County Board of Supervisors, George Jamison also lives on Section 20. Mr. John Jackley and Issac Smalley are on Section 21 and B.H. Lyman and J.C. Wilmarth on Section 22. Wm. Keith and Wm. Craig live on Section 23; Nick Seivert, Nick Leinen and Phillip Grats on Section 24; on Section 27 lives Mr. Charles Lingleman and C. Groendyke; Mr. Ruben Heritage and James Sturgeon on Section 29, and on Section 30 is the old Iselin place improved by these boys John and Harry who came from New York with money but made a failure in business. Neil Porter and S. Laber are on Section 32 and C. Beck, Chalres Huntsley and James Bunce on Section 34, with R.J. Stemm on Section 35. Gilman Township is one of the best and finest improved townships in the county and is well settled. Referring again to Goewey Township, quite a number still live in the county who were among its earlier settlers. In May, 1871, George Perry, along with his brother John and W.A. Spencer, landed here, having drove through from Wisconsin. George settled on a part of Section 10, John on a part of 14, and W.A. Spencer on Section 24. T.E. Perry, father of John and George, came in the fall of 1871, and resided here until he died, July 14, 1890. The boys used the wagon covers and wagons for awhile as a habitation until they got something built for a house. Their first load of lumber was hauled from Windom, Minn., and the two Perrys, along with Spencer, went after it. On the road they overtook a traveler on foot who accepted an invitation to ride. When they got to Worthington, which was then starting as a town with only a few shacks, the traveler got a quart of whisky and brought it around to treat the rest of them. Spencer not being a drinking man, declined to take any, and the fellow soon went away by himself, and about as the boys were starting on, came around again drunk as a lord. Pointing to Spencer he said, if that man had drank his share I wouldn't be tight, raising a question in moral philosophy whether or not after all Spencer was to blame for the man's drunkenness. After this first lumber hauled from Windom, they afterwards hauled from Cherokee. On one of George Perry's trips he drove through the Orange City settlement, which was composed mostly of Hollanders, and with these people wooden shoes being principal commodity, they were well stocked and the shoes were conspicuously displayed. George Perry bought a pair for himself and also a pair for his wife more for the novelty of it than anything else. His wife saw him coming home and as usual walked out about a mile to meet him. George made a little speech to her about the elegant foot gear he had seen, and thinking she needed a pair, he had invested for her, and presented to her the pair of wooden shoes. After that Mrs. Perry let her liege lord reach the house before she greeted him. She preferred to take her surprises in the way of presents at home. Clark Perry, another brother, came in the fall of 1871, and settled on the southwest quarter of Section 10 and still lives on the original claim. John Perry now lives on the claim originally taken by his father, and George now lives in Sibley. W.A. Spencer resides in Sioux City; he has a son, however, C.A. Spencer, now residing in Goewey Township on Section 22. In June, 1872, T.M. Spencer, a brother of W.A., came from Wisconsin and took the northeast quarter of Section 23. He has lived in the county since, except one year during the grasshopper period he worked in Cherokee. Mr. Spencer now lives in Ocheyedan; his sons, Charles A. and E.E., live in the same town, while another son, O., lives in Sibley. G.L. Van Eaton also settled in this township in 1872, and is still the owner of the land upon which he settled. He is now in the lumber business at Little Rock. John Gray, another settler of 1872, lives at Ashton. Among other of the 1872 settlers now living in this township are George Barrager, Louis Folsom, James Ford, E.Ellis, Robert Edwards, George Spaulding, who still resides in the township, came in 1871, and also the same year James Hollands. Mr. Hollands now resides in Sibley. W.L. Daggett, now living on Section 36, also came in 1872. Mr. E. Elling and J.C. Inman, who, we think, are on Section 34, are also early settlers. Mrs. Clarinda Baker, who is also an early settler, resides on Section 30. Her husband was gored to death by a bull several years ago. In addition to those mentioned, among the early settlers in this township we find D.G. Crippen, Henry Hoffman, Alexander Gilkerson, George Haskins, Frank Finley, Eugene Guertin, L. Daggett, N. Madison, John Freeman, P.F. Jones-Mr. Jones was one of the early settlers of 1872-Nelse Christensen, W.H. Winney, P.O. Gillis, A. Bronson, John St. Clair, John Christensen, Henry Pollman, P.N. Folkers, D. Irish, T. Stephens, Mr. Brandt, the Johannes brothers, Walter Phillips, W.P. Reeves, I. Brandt, C. Crumb, P. Foley. Peter and Andrew Sherbonda, who are still living in the township on Section 6, settled there in 1872. B.F. Curtis, who settled on Section 34 in 1872, now resides in Sioux City. Charles Bangert, living on Section 19, is at present one of the County Board of Supervisors. W.R. Foster lives, we think, on Section 20, and Lent on Section 21. In referring to these present residents, there will no doubt be some omissions, as the writer has gathered several townships from inquiry. COURTS There was in 1872 a District Court, and also a Circuit Court, both being courts of record. Their jurisdiction was about the same, except that the District Court had exclusive criminal jurisdiction, and the Circuit Court had exclusive probate jurisdiction. Both districts comprised several counties, of which Osceola was one. The first term of the Circuit Court was held in Osceola County in 1873, with Hon. Addison Oliver presiding. The first case on the calendar seems to have been Jacob Frauz & Co. vs. F.L. Ward, and the case was continued. John H. Douglass was then Sheriff and John F. Glover, Clerk. The following attorneys seem to have figured into the business of that term: H. Jordan, J.H. Swan and James T. Barclay. The record does not show any litigated cases, owing, perhaps, to the fact that the attorneys were not numerous enough. Everybody seemed to get judgment in what cases there were. The next term of this Court was held in December and in 1884 the State Legislature abolished the Circuit Court, leaving the District Court as the only Court of Record. The first term of the District Court, Hon. Henry Ford presiding, was held at Sibley in July, 1872. The record makes mention of the fact that it was the first term of any Court of Record held in the county. The officers were: Judge, Henry Ford; District Attorney, C.H. Lewis; Clerk, C.M. Brooks; Sheriff, Frank Stiles. The record states that C.I. Hill, C.W. Blackmer, H. Jordan and J.T. Barclay were present as members of the Sibley bar, and Sioux City attorneys as follows: L. Wynn, W.L. Joy, O.C. Treadway, H.B. Wilson and J.H. Swan. The first case on the calendar was L.F. Diefendorf vs. J.H. Winspear and others. The action was to restrain Winspear, Frank Stiles and others from building school houses. The injunction was modified, and in September following, in vacation, Diefendorf dismissed the action, and the school houses, under the direction of Winspear, Stiles and others, went on in construction. This term of court lasted two days and consisted, principally of a few judgments, there being no criminal cases and no jury, either grand or petit. The next term of the District Court was held in April, 1873. The same officers were present, except that John H. Douglass was Sheriff and John F. Glover Clerk. District Attorney C.H. Lewis stated to the court that there was no irregularity in drawing the grand jury, and asked that the precept be set aside, which was done, and the court then ordered a new precept to issue, which was issued, and the following were the first grand jurors of the county: H.G. Doolittle, B.A. Dean, J.L. Robinson, E. Morrison, J.I. Halstead, A.M. Culver, N. Thompson, J. Slecht, H. Babcock, J.W. Kerr, T.J. Cutshall, Charles Mandeville, R.F. Kime, D.L. Riley and O. Dunton. Frank Stiles and F.M. Robinson were held to answer to the grand jury from a preliminary examination before a justice, and upon inquiry to these parties as to challenge, Stiles challenged Riley and Dunton. H.G. Doolittle was chosen as foreman, and the jury was instructed and charged by the court. The record then says, after being charged by the court they retired to consider upon their duties. There is no further record as to this grand jury, or the case against Robinson and Stiles, so that we are left to conclude that the grand jury are still out considering their duties, and Robinson and Stiles are still waiting in doubtful apprehension of an indictment. The first civil case tried in this court was H. Jordan vs. J.H. Winspear, and the nature of the case is not disclosed. A jury was had, which was the first petit jury in the county, and was composed of the following named members: J. McKinney, H. Reeves, C.W. Wyllys, Thomas B. Jackson, W.H. Morrison, S.W. Lang, G.R. Helmoly, A. Buchman, C. Anderson, C.T. Torey, Joseph Kappes and George Taylor. Jordan was defeated in his suit, and retired at an expense of $13.40. Several individual judgments were rendered, and Osceola caught it to the tune of $14, 851.12 from several different parties, altogether aggregating that amount. It is not necessary to follow the record of these courts further; the only desire is to show something connected with their first terms. We might add, however, that the first person naturalized in the county, was John R. Robertson by Judge Ford, and the first estate to be probated was that of Patrick Baker, deceased. We also omitted to state that the only litigated case is the first term of the Circuit Court was that of G. Toun vs. Sioux City and St. Paul Railroad Company, in which case J.T. Barclay was attorney for plaintiff and J.H. Swan for defendant. The jury was as follows: H.L. Baker, C. Manderville, J.W. Collman, E.E. Headley, S. Cram, C.W. Wyllys, Daniel Busbu, Frances F. White, Thomas B. Jackson, George Fablinger, H.F. Manderville, Lewis Cole. Barclay carried off the honors of the victory, and obtained a verdict for seventy-five dollars and costs at the first trial; but the clever and tenacious Swan, who knows but little of the word defeat, appealed the case to the Supreme Court. It is said that when a lawyer gets beaten in a case he either appeals, or goes down to the tavern and swears at the court, and in this case Swan appealed. We have now only a District Court, comprising Woodbury, Sioux, Lyon, Osceola, Plymouth, Monona, O'Brien, Cherokee and Harrison Counties. Within this Judicial District are four Judges, who agree among themselves as to the time and place each shall hold. The Judges are: George W. Wakefield, of Sioux City; Scott M. Ladd, of Sheldon; Frank R. Gaynor, of Le Mars, and A. Van Wagenen, of Rock Rapids. These Judges, all of them being members of Different political parties are men of unquestioned integrity, of ability, learned in the law, and preside with a desire to hold the scales in equipoise and do justice to all. Will Thomas is Clerk of Court in Osceola. JUSTICES Justices' courts were in running operation before there was held a court of record. The office of Justice of the Peace, says Judge Conklin, is of somewhat remote origin, having been first instituted in England, it is said, as early as the time of William the Conqueror. The office was introduced into this country by our forefathers on their first settlement here, so that the people are accustomed to these courts and have them. At the 4th of July meeting in 1871 nominations were made for Justices of the Peace. The first year of the county organization the Justices were as follows: H.L. Clapsaddle, O. Dunton, Frank Stiles, D.F. Curtiss and J.H. Winspear. Since then others have been elected and retired, and the Justices of the county in 1892 are as follows: Holman---D.L. McCausland and E. Walton Ocheyedan---A.E. Smith and R.J.O. McGowan Harrison---Charles Mietke and E.L. Krukenberg Baker---Dirk Frey Wilson---R.S. Eakin Fairview---Thomas Jackson Gilman---Joseph W. Reagan Horton-W.R. Boling Goewey---W.J. Reeves Other District Court officers are, John F. Stamm, Sheriff and T.P. May, Deputy. There are often many amusing things occur in justice courts, and in the early days of Osceola County there were many here, but the records have not preserved them, and the lawyers who still survive them are reticent, while others who were in practice here then, have gone and some have died. Among the justices at an early day was W.R. Boling in Horton Township-in fact, he is now justice. An action was brought before him of ejectment, and was between---Wassmann and G.B. Garvy. McCallum brought the suit for Wassmann, the trial was set for January 2 at nine o'clock. McCallum, the Sheriff and his deputy, Webb, with McCausland, started over from Sibley, starting at three o'clock in the morning, and at daylight the thermometer was twenty-six degrees below zero; but they were going to a law-suit, and the stimulus of the coming contest kept them warm-for we wouldn't for a moment intimate that anything else contributed to their comfort. P.R. Bailey, of Sheldon, was to be McCallum's opponent, but the distance to go and the early hour was too much for him, so he staid at home. The parties were all there in season, and a jury was called, whose qualifications were inquired into, and Mc found that all of them were quite satisfactory. The trial commenced and proceeded, the testimony was in and McCallum was making his argument. Just as Mc commenced, Jack Blair and A.V. Randall arrived, and Blair, seeing a chance for a little fun, went on top of the one-story building, laid a sack over the stove-pipe, sticking up through the roof, and sat down on it. The stove had just been replenished with soft coal, and in an instant the room was filled with black, sulphurous smoke, but Mc kept on until Webb went to shaking the stove-pipe to make it draw, when about twenty links of pipe, filled with soot, came suddenly down on the heads of the jurors, the litigants, the court and the counsel, when all beat a hasty retreat out of doors, and there was such a similarity in appearance, that it was hard to tell one from the other. They found out, however, what the trouble was, re- adjusted things and went at it again ,but Blair's escape saved him from a fine for contempt. The case lasted all night, and at six o'clock the next morning, the jury were led off to a school house by Sheriff Lent for the purpose of deliberation, and were out some time before they returned, and when they did their verdict was for Wassmann. The court room for the purposes of the trial was Seymour Coyour's shack, and while the jury were out McCallum, Randall, McCausland and Webb "turned in," as the sailors call it, that is all four of them went to bed together, and while they were snoozing quietly, Blair appeared again and laid a hog's head carefully between Randall's head and McCallum's, which woke Mc up, and himself and what was left of the hog were staring at each other, for their countenances were in close proximity. The trial ended with a judgment for Wassmann, and then followed an execution to collect the costs. There was nothing in sight to levy on but some potatoes, and these were hardly in sight, for they were buried in a pit under ground. The Sheriff, however, armed with the usual process, went out to Garvy's place, took a man with him, and spent nearly a day digging into the frozen ground and finally into the pit, but the potatoes were missing. Upon a closer examination there was found to be another hole on the other side of the pit from where the Sheriff had excavated, where the debtor had stole a march on the expected execution, and removed his potatoes to other quarters. Since writing the above, A.V. Randall denies the four in a bed, and the pig's head story so far as he was concerned, and states that he was a member of the jury. In 1873 Charles Brannock who lived near the Ocheyedan and who was like most of the settlers, hard up for something to eat, had caught some kind of an animal, probably a muskrat and after skinning it was cooking the carcass on a fire out of doors. In an unfortunate moment the prairie grass caught fire, and soon the fire was spreading in every direction. Brannock was arrested and bound over. He was allowed to remain at home to get bail, but the next day the fury of the people demanded his incarceration and Sheriff Douglass was ordered out with the necessary papers. In order that the arrest should be a complete success, quite an army volunteered to go along and did on horseback, armed with Winchesters, so that their going presented quite a body of cavalry and they soon reached Brannock's cabin and the terrified fellow was ordered to surrender which he did. He asked leave, however, to go inside and change his clothes and once in, crawled out of a back window and by cautiously creeping at first and getting in the grass he made his escape. There were some who understood his condition of poverty and his peaceful and law-abiding disposition and who felt that while the act was a violation of the law, still it was not malicious nor intended; these wanted him to get away and we suspect that Douglass was one of them. They waited for his return in changed suit, and when sufficient time had elapsed, an investigation was made and it was found that he had escaped. Some one, a friend to Brannock, said that he just saw him going over the hill towards the south, and away went the cavalry flying after him; when that hill was reached the friend said he saw him going over the next one, and on went the horsemen in furious following, and thus for several miles they were led, and this with searching took up about the whole day. In the mean time Brannock had started north while the searchers were still searching he was safe in Minnesota, as only a few miles travel was required to get there. D.D. McCallum's first case was before a Justice of marked morality, who was extremely harsh with criminals. His weakness was his veneration for veterans of the late war, all of whom he esteemed as unrewarded heroes. McCallum had fought four years. His client was a thief. "The only thing I can do for you," said McCallum, after having gained the man's confidence, "is to implore the mercy of the court. When you get on the stand tell the whole truth." The man had stolen a cow, killed it, sold the hide and taken the carcass home to his family, which was really suffering for the necessaries of life. The prosecution, with a long line of witnesses, had made a perfect case, and the brow of the Justice was draped in ominous frowns when the prisoner was called. The latter did as directed by his attorney, concealing nothing-from the almost starving condition of his wife and family to the dressing of the stolen beef. "Now, your honor," said McCallum," the defense has no witnesses. My client is guilty. He has hidden nothing from this court. It is the first time he has ever transgressed the law. He was inspired to do wrong by that instinct we even admire in brutes." Then, turning to the prisoner as if the fact had nearly escaped him, McCallum said: "By the way, you were a soldier in the late war, were you not?' "Yes, sir." "Weren't you at Gettysburg?" "Yes, sir." "So was I. And you were in other historic battles, fighting for your country, while your wife and family suffered at home?" "Yes, sir." The prosecution at this point saw the way the case was drifting, and attempted to ridicule the "old soldier defense," as the prosecuting attorney named it. The effect upon the old Justice was to arouse all his loyalty and indignation. "Enough of this," said he, bringing his hand down on the desk in front of him with a thundering thud. "No soldier, no man who shed his best blood for his country, not even if he be a criminal, can be reviled in my presence. The prisoner is discharged. And, sir, when you are suffering for the necessaries of life again, come to me." The joke was too good to keep. McCallum one day told him the old soldier was an ex-Confederate; but never again did McCallum practice in that court. COUNTY OFFICERS--1872 Recorder D.L. McCausland Treasurer A.M. Culver Sheriff Frank Stiles Surveyor M.J. Campbell Supt. of Schools Deilily Stiles Auditor F.M. Robinson Clerk of Courts C.M. Brooks Supervisors J.H. Winspear   Geo. Spaulding   H.R. Fenton 1873 Recorder D.L. McCausland Treasurer A.M. Culver Sheriff J.H. Douglass Surveyor M.J. Campbell Superintendent of Schools Delily Stiles Auditor F.M. Robinson Clerk of Court J.F. Glover Coroner J.M. Jenkins Supervisors, until April 21 D.L. Riley   H.R. Fenton   Geo. Spaulding Supervisors, after April 21 D.L. Riley   P. Dunton B.F. Mundorf 1874 This year there was no change in the offices of Recorder, Sheriff, Surveyor and Coroner. The other officers were as follows: Auditor W.M. Moore Treasurer S.A. Wright Superintendent of Schools J.M. Jenkins A change of one in the Board of Supervisors--T.E. Perry in place of B.F. Mundorf. 1875 The officers of preceding year remained the same, except County Surveyor, H.G. Doolittle, and A.H. Brown, member of Board, in place of T.E. Perry 1876 This year the county officers were as follows: Recorder D.L. McCausland Treasurer Levi Shell Sheriff John Douglass Surveyor H.G. Doolittle Supt. of Schools C.L. Gurney Auditor W.M. Moore Clerk of Court J.F. Glover Coroner Wm R. Lawrence Supervisors D.L. Riley   O. Dunton, Ch'n   A. H. Brown 1877 The above officers remained the same, except the following changes: Clerk of Court W.J. Miller Recorder E. Huff Supervisor--C.W. Wyllys in place of O. Dunton 1878 County officers were as follows: Recorder E. Hugg Treasurer Henry C. Hungerford Sheriff John H. Douglass Surveyor M.J. Campbell Superintendent of Schools Mrs. W.L. Parker Auditor W.M. Moore Clerk of Court W.J. Miller Coroner W.R. Lawrence Supervisors D.L. Riley   Henry C. Allen   C.W. Wyllys 1879 The officers of 1878 remain the same, except the following change: Supervisor--H.L. Emmert in place of D.L. Riley 1880 The only changes in county officers for this year were, Wm. R. Lawrence, Superintendent of Schools, in place of C.L. Gurney; W.H. Barkhuff, Coroner, in place of Lawrence, and Geo. S. Downend, Supervisor, in place of ----. 1881 The county officers of 1881 stood as follows: Recorder Mrs. C.I. Hill Treasurer H.C. Hungerford Sheriff John H. Douglass Surveyor M.J. Campbell Superintendent of Schools Wm. R. Lawrence Auditor W.M Moore Clerk of Court John S. Davison Supervisors H.C. Allen Robert Stamm   Nicholas Boor   William Mowthorpe Geo. S. Downend It will be noticed that this year the members of the Board were increased to five. 1882 Recorder Mrs. C.I. Hill Treasurer Robert S. Hall Sheriff Jacob B. Lent Surveyor M.J. Campbell Superintendent of Schools J.R. Elliott Auditor W.M. Moore Clerk of Court John S. Davidson Coroner W.H. Barkhuff No change in Board of Supervisors 1883 There was no change this year in county officers from that of 1882, except H.G. Doolittle, Surveyor. 1884 The changes this year from 1883 were: Auditor, J.S. Reynolds in place of W.M. Moore; H. Neill, Coroner, in place of Barkhuff, and G.W. Barrager, Supervisor, in place of H.C. Allen. 1885 County officers for the year were as follows: Recorder Mrs. C.I. Hill Treasurer R.S. Hall Sheriff J.R. Lent Surveyor H.G. Doolittle Superintendent of Schools J.R. Elliott Auditor J.S. Reynolds Clerk of Court W.H. Kimberly Coroner H. Neill Supervisors Wm. Mowthorpe, Ch'n   G.S. Downend   Geo. W. Barranger   Albert Romey N. Boor 1886 The officers for this year remain the same as 1885, with the following changes: W.J. Reeves, Superintendent of Schools, in place of J.R. Elliott; W.S. Webb, Coroner; C.P. Reynolds and Wm. Foster elected Supervisors in place of N. Boor and G. S. Downend. 1887 The county officers of this year were as follows: Recorder S.S. Parker Treasurer R.S. Hall Sheriff J.B. Lent Surveyor H.G. Doolittle Superintendent of Schools W.J. Reeves Auditor J.S. Reynolds Clerk of Court J.B. Mead Coroner W.R. Lawrence Supervisors S.A. Dove   C.P. Reynolds   Geo. W. Barriger J.E. Townsend A. Romey, Chairman 1888 Recorder S.S. Parker Treasurer J.B. Lent Sheriff J.H. Douglass Surveyor H.G. Doolittle Superintendent of Schools W.J. Reeves Auditor J.S. Reynolds Clerk of Court W.R. Lawrence Coroner W.R. Lawrence Supervisors same as 1887 1889 Recorder S.S. Parker Treasurer J.B. Lent Sheriff   J.H. Douglass Surveyor   H.G. Doolittle Superintendent of Schools   W.J. Reeves Auditor   J.S. Reynolds Clerk of Court   J.B. Mead Coroner   W.R. Lawrence There was also elected in the fall of 1889, under a new provision of the Legislature, a County Attorney. County Attorney O.J. Clark Supervisors G.W. Barrager, Ch'n.   A. Romey   C.P. Reynolds   S.A. Dove C.W. Conner 1890 Recorder S.S. Parker Treasurer J.B. Lent Sheriff J.H. Douglass Surveyor John A. Flower Superintendent of Schools F.W. Hahn Auditor J.S. Reynolds Clerk of Court J.B. Mead Coroner W.E. Ely Attorney O.J. Clark Supervisors C.P. Reynolds, Ch'n   A. Batie   C.W. Connor A. Romey S.A. Dove 1891 Recorder W.H. Gates Treasurer J.B. Lent Sheriff J.H. Douglass Surveyor J.A. Flower Superintendent of Schools F.W. Hahn Auditor J.S. Reynolds Clerk of Court Will Thomas Coroner W.E. Ely Attorney G.W. Lister Supervisors S.A. Dove, Chairman   Adam Batie   C.W. Conner   P.A. Cajocob C.P. Reynolds 1892 The county officers for the present year are as follows: Recorder W.H. Gates Treasurer James E. Townsend Sheriff John F. Stamm Superintendent of Schools F.W. Hahn Auditor J.S. Reynolds Clerk of Court Will Thomas Attorney G.W. Lister Coroner W.E. Ely Supervisors A. Batie, Chairman   S.A. Dove   W.H. Noehren   Charles Bangert P.A. Cajacob Chapter XIX Returning again to Ocheyedan Township, we find the settlement in 1871 was not extensive, but its incoming settlers in 1872 were quite numerous. In July, 1872,Daniel H. Boyd filed on the west half of the northwest quarter of Section 2. Himself and son Charles first looked the county over, and, when final place of location was fixed upon, Mr. Boyd went to Cedar Falls, where his family were, and all came back with him to the claim. In the spring of that year, 1872, Mr. Boyd, with the desire to go west which seized many people then, left the State of New Hampshire, that beautiful country of scenery that Bayard Taylor called the "Switzerland of America." Mrs. Boyd first put up a small building on the shack order, and in the fall built a better house-the one he still resides in on the original claim-and, after a lapse of twenty years, he has a beautiful home there, overlooking the thrifty town of Ocheyedan, and where its magnificent foresttrees add to its attractiveness and beauty. Along in September of 1872, Mr. R.S. Hall and Albert March came to the Boyd place, they, too, fresh from the Granite State. Mr. Hall, a few years ago, went to Long Pine, Nebraska, where he still resides. Mr. March still lives on the original claim. On the morning of the January 7 (1873) blizzard, Mr. March, who was putting up a building on his claim, started from Mr. Boyd's to work that day. As stated elsewhere concerning the blizzard, the morning was beautiful, and Mr. March went with clothing for only ordinary weather, as he was to return again at night. His partially built shack was two miles east from Mr. Boyd's, and before Mr. March reached it the blizzard had commenced, so that, once there, he did not long remain, but started back from Mr. Boyd's house. He lost his way and wandered for over two hours, not knowing which way he was going, with the storm increasing and the atmosphere growing intensely colder. Mr. March went down upon his knees, and in the face of death offered up a prayer for his deliverance. Soon after rising he saw, not far from him, in a lull of the storm, a small shanty, which proved to be that of Mr. Sutton, which was about two miles southeast from Mr. March's own claim. Mr. Sutton had been caught in the storm at Mr. Ireland's place, and Mr. March remained with the other members of the Sutton family until the third day, when the storm was over. On the second day of that blizzard Mr. Boyd and Mr. Hall started from the Boyd place to go to March's shack to look after him. It was a hazardous undertaking to go two miles in that terrible blizzard and back, but these two men had concluded that March was still there and might still be alive, and that they might save him. They carried a string with them, stretching it out about forty rods, and at the end of this, by going slowly and carefully, they followed the blind road which had been made by some hauling to the March place, and at last reached the shack, but there was no occupant. These two disappointed men concluded that March was lost, and that, rigid with freezing and with death, he lay out somewhere upon the prairie. The task of returning was then before them. Mr. Hall was about exhausted and wanted to lie down, but Mr. Boyd-of an iron constitution and good pluck, and fearful that Hall would give out on the way-encouraged his companion to make the venture, which they did, and, after a few hours of tedious plodding and in a feeling of apprehension for their own safety, they arrived back at the Boyd residence. On the third day, after it had cleared up some, Charles Boyd was about to go, under the direction of his father, to the Sutton place to see if March was there, when March himself, to the delight and astonishment of the Boyd household, opened the door and walked in, alive and well. On this same Section 2, upon which Mr. Boyd filed, Frank Taylor took the east half of the northeast quarter in 1872, Charles R. Boyd the east half of the northwest quarter. The southeast quarter of this same section was a tree claim, filed on by Mr. Ruttenburg, but which D.H. Boyd subsequently became the owner of. The southwest quarter was settled upon originally by Mr. Greenleaf. James Goodwin, of Spencer, afterwards became the owner of it, and sold to Lorenzo B. Boyd, who still owns it and there resides, except fifty acres on the east side conveyed to Mrs. Tracy, and upon the south half of this Section 2 is a part of the Ocheyedan Townsite. Lorenzo B. and Charles R. Boyd are sons of D.H. and the Boyd family in one of sterling integrity, and are among the best citizens in the county. Mr. A.B. Elmore still resides on his original Ocheyedan Township claim, and, quoting from a former work on Northwestern Iowa, it is said of him: "He is an energetic, hard-working farmer, possessed of broad ideas, and is well known as an honorable upright citizen." Geo N. Taylor and S.S. Parker left Minnesota, where they were then living about sixty miles northwest of St. Paul, on the 6th day of May, 1872, and landed on the bank of the Ocheyedan on the 28th. They both took claims on Section 6, Township 99, Range 40. Mr. Parker was afterwards elected Recorder and moved to Sibley, where he still resides. Mr. Taylor lives in Ocheyedan. Taylor's first crop, or a part of it, was two acres of wheat intended for family bread. He harvested just one bushel, the grasshoppers had harvested ahead. Mr. Taylor lost a yoke of oxen in the January, 1873 blizzard. Luke Horrobin settled in Ocheyedan Township in 1872, and came here from Ohio. He first settled on Section 6 and afterwards removed to Section 14, where he now resides. About 1873, Mr. L. Tatum, with his son, C.A. Tatum, drove through from Floyd County, and arrived in Osceola in May. L. Tatum filed on a part of Section 14, in West Ocheyeddan, and in the same Township C.A. Tatum filed a homestead on a part of Section 24. L. Tatum is now in Nebraska, and C.A. Tatum still owns his original homestead and resides in the Town of Ocheyedan. A picture of his residence is on another page. W.H. Barkhuff, who has a very fine farm in this township, came from Fayette County in March, 1872. He has braved the new country adversities with final success. John Hesebeck came in 1872, and still lives on the original claim. John has had a hard time of it like the rest of us, but is a successful farmer. In this township also resides Hans Graves, who is mentioned as one of the Graves family, most of whom settled in Baker Township, also John Graves. Hans and John came in 1872, and both have as fine farms as can be found in the state. Claus Yess, living in this township, also came in 1872. Mr. Yess now lives in a fine residence, across the road from which stands the original cabin which he first built. Geo. Raynor has a very fine place, having purchased it from one of the Scotch settlers, so called, for at one time there was a Scotch settlement in Ocheyedan Township, which scattered from misfortune or inexperience in farming. G.A. Peter, who still lives in this township and is a good farmer, is a son of one of the Scotch settlers. On the east side of the township are C.E. Benson, E.J. Benson and F.E. Benson. E.J. has been some time in the township. Other residents are John Armstrong, I.N. Beanger, A.C. Barnett, A.A. Barnett, Anton Barta, C.H. Button, C.S. Buchner. George Bremmer is an old resident of this township and lives in the southwest part of it. J.J. Callender has been here about six years, Edmund Devine about three years and John Ginnie about two years. James Hall, on the east side, is something of an old settler, enough so as to have had a touch of the grasshoppers and has been here about fourteen years. F.H. Hunt, along with H.C. March, came in 1875 from New England. Mr. Hunt purchased the Luke Horrobin place and now has an elegant home. Mr. March is well situated, and had the misfortune about a year ago to lose his wife by death. Richard Harrison, living south of town, has resided there about three years. Others have been here as follows: M.N. Herbert about five years, Joseph Korth about seven, while J.H. Kerby has been here considerably longer. H.J. and R.C. Lutson have been residents about five years, D.J. Smith about the same; also B.J.J. Morritz, O.J. Barkhuff and J.F. and E.J. Bradley. Among other residents of a latter date are M.J. Swazy, Thomas Wise, I.W. Olmstead, Wallace Olmstead, John A. Smith, Otto Rumford, Charles F. Porter, Manley Pickett, J.S. Floyd, Ira Swaney, George Dearhalt, T.B. Fletcher, who lives near the noted Ocheyedan Mound, came about five years ago, as also did W.A. Cooper. C.N. Moar is considerable of an old settler, as is also Gilbert and Milan Gee. Hope Graham has been here about ten years, and William Siver is considered an old settler. Among other residents are W.A. Cook, J.H. Kuntz, N. Richardson, N.I. Peter, Albert and Charles Shephard, P.H. Tierney, Cornelius Tierney, R.S. Thompson, J.H. Welsh and George Waldholm, F.L. James and A.W. Stephens are old settlers; also Walter Woolridge and C.C. Webster has been here about four years. James Thomas, who is considered an old settler, lives on the east side of the township. P.L. Thompson, a recent settler, and neaar him H. Tjden. Tjden, in addition to farming, is in the insurance business. J.P. Tower is an early settler and is still living on the original claim which he settled upon in 1872. John S. Robinson, on the west side, has lived there about five years, and Joel Carl, after an experience in Dakota, settled in the south part of the township about two years ago. J.J. Lintner has been here quite a number of years. There are also E.T. Evins, E.J. Lee, who has lived in the township about two years; also A.H. Paddock. We might further mention David Kratzer, H.M. Trumbauer, W.E. Phinney, W.C. Ondler, Andrew Naab. O.J. Nenno is an old settler, M.N. Smith has lived in the township several years and C.R. Marsh about two years and H.W. Anderson about the same. Edward Everett lives near Ocheyedan, in this township. He first settled in the county in 1871, east of Ashton, in Gilman Township, and has been identified now for over twenty years in Osceola County affairs. His wife is of a literary turn of mind; has written some very elegant poetry and will soon publish a volume of her poems. Mr. Everett was one of the first justices in Gilman township and the first Sunday school superintendent in that part of the township, and indeed we believe the first in that part of the county. Ocheyedan has gained very much in settlement in the past two years and is a thrifty, productive township. On Section 17, west of Ocheyedan, is I.C. Stewart and M.M. Hulburt, and on Section 18 Charles Moore, and Max Decker on Section 33. Joseph Smith lives in the southeast part of the township. Ocheyedan Township, as a part of Osceola County, would still be incomplete without a mention of C.B. Knox. Mr. Knox, it is true, lives in Dickinson County, on the banks of Silver Lake but not a great distance from the east line of Ocheyedan. He came from Wisconsin in 1869 and camped for a few weeks on the banks of Spirit Lake, and in that same year settled upon the northeast quarter of Section 28, Township 100, Range 38, where he still resides. Mr. Knox had occasion to pass across Osceola County several times when not a white man was living in the county and when he encountered bands of Indians and saw nothing but the original untrodden prairie, an occasional wild animal and the roving red man. Mr. Knox has a lovely home overlooking the placid waters of that beautiful lake, and there enjoys life in contentment and with the respect of his neighbors and fellow citizens. CHAPTER XX The settlement of Holman Township east and west outside of Sibley began in 1871. The township is twelve miles east and west, by six miles north and south. The township was named after Supervisor Holman, of Woodbury County. Goewey Township and Horton were also named after members of Woodbury County's Board of Supervisors at the time that Board started Osceola County into existence. The only settler in the township near the neighborhood of Sibley was Frank Stiles, and west of Stiles was J. H. Winspear, who had a small house near where C.F. Benson's residence now is. Just north of Sibley L.C. Chamberlain had a homestead, and near him Ed. Shufelt, now of Canton, South Dakota, had a pre-emption. Mr. Chamberlain lived there about twenty years, and now is in San Francisco, California. Near these D. Busbee, M.V. Beebe and J.K. Shaw were located, while west of these were Robert Stamm and John O'Neill. Garrett Irwin and James Bailey were in the same neighborhood. A mile west of Chamberlain's were E. Morrison, John Beaumont and D.L. Riley, while still further were Daniel Call, Charles Call and N. Richards and Busbee. On the section directly west of Sibley, where is now the fine stock farm of H.L. Emmert, were Henry L. Baker, W.W. Cram, Myron Churchill and Thomas Parland. On the first section south of town were R.O. Manson, Geo. W. Bean, A. M. Culver and his son, Andrew. West of these were G.F. Nixon, A.W. Mitchell and Pat Larkin, and stil further west were John Coughlin, C.M. Bailey and Edward Lindsey. Near this section were located William Proper, William and Joseph Anderson, Rev. Mr. Aldrich and Thomas Jackson. East of these was the Robinson section, John L., F.M. and Ed., and near these were the Rice brothers, Martin and Hughes, also Doc Ward. South of the Culvers was W. Belcher and near him David Chambers and sons. West of these was David Johns, Peter Wagner, Thomas Thompson, and near them John Welcher, S.F. Thompson and C.B. Hann. Of these old settlers mentioned, Winspear went to Colorado; Stiles and Shufelt are in Dakota; M.V. Beebe is in Ellsworth, Minnesota; J.K. Shaw is in Salt Lake City; W.H. Morrison is in Kettle Falls; John O'Neill and James Bailey have died; D.L. Riley is in Iowa Falls; H.L. Baker is in Indiana; Myron Churchill is in Pipestone, Minnesota; W.W. Cramm is in Nebraska; Edward Lindsey is dead, and his two sons, Harvey and Henry, have farms in this county; C.M. Bailey is in the Auditor's office at Des Moines; F.M. Robinson is at Atlanta, Georgia, and Pat Larkin is in Kansas. Of the pioneers mentioned, but few remain on their claims. Robert Stamm continues to live on his claim, and A.W. Mitchell and John Coughlin are on the same original claims; David Jones, John Chamberlain and R.O. Manson also live on the land originally taken. East of Sibley, Dr. J.M. Jenkins and his brother John filed; near them, John I. Halstead and his son, Al Halstead, and also Rev. John Webb. A mile north of these was located J.F. Glover, F.F. White, E.A. White and S.A. Wright, and east of, C.F. Krueger and sons. Near these last mentioned, were Chauncey H. Bull, John E. Johnson and John E. Sclecht. West of Bull was James Bowles, E.C. Jenkins, Howey Walters and Mr. Loharty. In the same neighborhood were the parties heretofore mentioned on Section 8. On Section 14 were Wallace Rea, O.C. Staplin, John Roberts and C.A. Kirkpatrick. On Section 22 were J.S. Reynolds, Frank Coe and S.H. Westcott. On Section 24, H.G. Doolittle and John McDonald; near there was the Mandeville section-H.N. and his sons William and Charles. On Section 28 were John H. Miller, W.J. Miller, G.H. Perry and John Q. Miller; east were Hiram Burt, Michael Clapsaddle, H.S. Brown and J. Budworth; near by, Jack Kettle, Wm. Horton, H.L. Clapsaddle, W.H. Philips and J.B. Jenny. The Jenkins people have all moved away. The Halsteads moved to Nebraska, the White boys returned to Wisconsin, S.A. Wright to Nebraska, and Mr. Loharty perished in a blizzard. C.M. Brooks lives in Cedar Rapids and Hiram Austin in Kansas. Thus the early settlers of Holman Township have scattered, except what few remain, and some have died. Those who left got discouraged and disheartened with the disadvantages which every new country has, and returned to their former homes, or sought other fields. The land of these early settlers is now occupied by other and later comes, who will reap the harvest, which, with the absent settlers failed to materialize. Among the present settlers, some of whom may through inadvertence be omitted, are Geo. N. Argubright, P.C. Alexander, Gens Anderson, Geo. Alberns, Horace Ackerson, Dirk Albers, Charles Andrews, Charles Thomas, William Brechel, C.F. Blackmore, J.W. Bechet, Frank Burton, A.L. Baxter, Will Chase, P.A. Cajacob-Mr. Cajacob is a member of the Board of Supervisors-J.W. Campbell, who bought the fine Philips farm, Geo. Cooper, M.J. Chambers, David Chambers, D.J. Chambers, Aaron Cox, H.L. Clapsaddle, J.J. Conway, G. DeBries, William Drahe, William Dix, J.L. Dufree, C.N. Flower, G.W. Flower, D.R. Flower, John Gerver, J.T. Greenfield. This last named gentleman is a pioneer who has a large farm. J.H. Gallagher also lives in this township, who is a find stockbreeder; also J.H. Gee, John Gache and Jonathan Gross. There are also A. Hunter, John Hess, Nick Hess, J.H. Karem, Claus Hoffman, George Heritage, Mahlon Harvey, E.A. Hunter, Matt Hillers, P. Henry, Peter Johannes, D.D. Jenkins, J.G. Johnson, J.B. Jenney, Joseph Kappes, F.L. Kruger, W.H. Ketchem, A. Klossen, William Kastor, Theodore Ling, C.F. Ling, Thomas Larson, J.S. Martin, R.F. Maloney, D. Myer and J. Miller, whose wife is one of the big turkey raisers of the county, Peter Nelson, Dan O'Neill, John McCone, John Pfeffer, Peter Philbern, L.S. Patterson, Thomas Pell. This last named gentleman is a Congregational clergyman, who has been pastor of a church in the county and last winter preached in Florida. There are also Charles Parker, P. Redmond, N. M. Reynolds, Joseph Roth, John Redmond, B.A. Stamm, who is also a pioneer, Henry Shroeder, Will Shroeder, John Schulte, Robert Smith, who was also a pioneer, Martin Schmidt, G.L. Smith, Peter Shaw, James Stevens, James Thomas, Robert Taylor, J.F. Taylor, W.L. Taylor, G.B. VanNorman, David Whitney, John Wagner, who is a large farmer, John E. Wagner, T.M. Wagner. These names do not include all the residents of Holman Township, but such as could be ascertained by observation and inquiry. They have taken the even numbered sections of the government land, and the railroad land, being the odd numbered, and following the little settlements and small improvements of the pioneer, they have made Holman Township one of the finest agricultural districts in the country. The farmers of this township, as well as all other townships, have, in less than a quarter of a century, built highways, made substantial homes, built schoolhouses, and today this township, that in the sixties rated at $1.25 per acre and in the seventies rated at $2.50 to $5 an acre, has advanced to be worth from $25 to $50 an acre. Industrial development is marvelous. The Nineteenth Century advancement is wonderful to contemplate, but right here at our doors, before our very eyes, has been a transformation as remarkable as can be noted in any department of industry in the wide field of this great republic.