Polk County IA Archives History - Books .....Odds And Ends 1898
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Book Title: Annals Of Polk County, Iowa And City Of Des Moines

CHAPTER XVIII.
ODDS AND ENDS.

IN June, 1852, the physicians of Polk County met together in the Court House and
formed themselves into a Medical Society. Dr. A. Y. Hull read an address. The
doctor afterwards dropped medicine and took up law and newspaper work.

   One of the first of many Irishmen to settle in Des Moines was generous, good
hearted Michael McTighe, so well remembered by older citizens. He died a few
years ago. lie was for years a prominent working Democrat and member of the City
Council. He also owned and, for years, with his good wife, conducted the well
known Shamrock House, on Second, between Vine and Market streets.

   From 1854 to 1856 the number of voters in Polk County was more than doubled.

   In the early days Skunk Bottom was the "holy terror" of travelers, stage
drivers, teamsters and emigrants, it was frequently blocked by high water, and
when the water was low it was muddy, bogg3r and treacherous. This Skunk has been
the cause of more verbal damning than all the rivers of the State combined.

   The State Register would have been named the State Journal by John Teesdale,
had it not been for the fact that the writer had previously purchased the
Statesman and changed it to the State Journal. Mr. Teesdale had for a time been
connected with the Ohio State Journal, and liked the name. He had to make a
second choice and that was State Register.

   The first piano was brought here by Capt. F. R. West in 1853, and furnished
the music at the marriage of his daughter, Arethusa, to B. F. Allen in 1854.

   Keokuk, the Indian chief, had two residences or wigwams a short distance from
where the town of Avon is now located. The one in the timber for winter use,
while the other on the prairie was his summer residence. The tepees, or wigwams,
of his encampment were visible in 1846, hut soon totally disappeared.

   Judge William McKay held his last term of court in March, 1854. P. M. Casady
was elected his successor, but resigned before holding a term of court. Governor
Hempstead appointed C. J. McFarland to fill the vacancy, and the latter held his
first term in September, 1854. Dan O. Finch, it was generally expected, would be
Judge Casady's successor, but McFarland lived in Boone County, in the Northern
Congressional District, and Governor Hempstead lived in that district and had
congressional aspirations. Hence McFarland's appointment.

   In August, 1857, when the present Constitution of the State was being voted
upon a separate vote was taken on striking out the word "white," so as to permit
negroes to vote, and have other civil rights. The vote in Polk County upon this
was: Yeas, 65; nays, 557. Twenty-three years later, November, 1880, the same
proposition was submitted and the vote showed an immense change in public
sentiment in Polk County, the vote being: Yeas, 3,052; nays, 678. When the first
vote was taken negro slavery existed in many of the States of the Union. When
the last vote was taken slavery was abolished and dead.

   Up to 1857 there had been forty-four additions made to the original town,
thirty-four on the West and ten on the East Side. There are now within the city
limits 573 additions and subdivisions, and 109 official plats, making a total of
682 plats.

   Frank M. Mills started at printing and book publishing in Des Moines in 1856,
and is yet the chief of the Mills Publishing Company. From the first he has been
the head of the company or firm, and for years they conducted the largest
printing and publishing house west of Chicago. For a long time they employed at
one time from 150 to 200 men, some of whom received high wages—130 to $50 per
week. The books show that Frank M. Mills and the companies with which he has
been connected have paid out here in Des Moines, as wages alone, during these
forty years more than two and one-half million dollars!

   In 1853, while J. C. Savery was keeping the Everett House on Third street, a
young man came to Des Moines and stopped a day or two at this hotel, looking for
an opportunity to teach a school. Seeing no opening here and hearing of Fort
Dodge, and being short of money, the young man shouldered his carpet bag and
started on foot for that place, more than eighty miles from this town. This
young man was Cyrus C. Carpenter, afterwards for four years Governor of the
State of Iowa.

   In 1856 an allowance was made for the keeping of an insane boy, Jesse Weise.
He was subsequently sent to the poor farm and now an aged man, yet remains
there. For over forty years he has been taken care of by the county.

   In the early days when farm houses were few and scattered, it was of frequent
occurrence for men to get lost while traveling over these wide prairies. If the
weather was mild no special damage occurred, beyond fright, hunger and
inconvenience. But in the winter time to be lost on one of these bleak prairies
was no trifling matter. Loss of limbs or death might be the result. A number of
persons lost their lives in this manner in the early days of this county and
section of the State. Even as late as the winter of 1870, we find an account of
how in February of that year, four men lost their way in Carroll County, and
were frozen to death within a few miles of their homes. Two were found dead
under the sleigh, and the bodies of the other two were found but a short
distance away. During those winters many men suffered the loss of fingers and
toes, and too frequently lost hands and feet. Many thrilling stories were told
of men, and women, and children, who were unfortunately caught out on the open
prairie by a snow or sleet storm, and experienced great suffering and danger.

   In November, 1859, Bartrum Galbraith located his blacksmith shop on the
northeast corner of Third and Locust streets. It has remained at this locality,
now in the heart of the city, continuously up to this time, a period of more
than thirty-six years. And during all this time he has himself wielded the
hammer and industriously followed his trade. Who can beat this?

   The firm of Stacy, Johns & Co., boots and shoes, commenced business in Des
Moines in 1855, and continued in business without any change in the style of the
firm until 1893, thirty-eight years. This is a long time in a new and ever
changing city.

   October 2, 1857, the County Judge "ordered that S. A. Robertson be allowed
$10 for drawing, plan of jail and house for the county." That jail and house has
never been built, although much needed. Truth of history compels the statement
that the Polk County jail has been for years and is now a disgrace to the county
and the good citizens thereof.

   August 30,1851, W. W. Moore was allowed $15 for acting as deputy clerk.

   The following order is found upon the county records: "December 9, 1851,
ordered, that Thompson Bird be allowed for ink furnished for the use of the
county offices the sum of $0.50."

   Ed R. Clapp was the first ice man in Des Moines, and under date of November
18, 1856, the County Judge "ordered, that Ed R. Clapp be allowed $8 for ice
furnished the August term of the District Court."

   The first county warrant drawn by and against Polk County was in favor of
Thomas McMullin, for services as clerk at April election, 1846.

   In 1846 a Territorial tax (same as State) was levied of only three-fourths of
one mill. The county tax was fifty cents on every $100 of taxable property. The
poll tax was fifty cents.

   The first assessor of Polk County was Green B. Clark. He afterwards removed
to Marion County and became prominent there having been several times elected a
member of the Iowa General Assembly.

   The steamer Colonel Morgan was once owned and controlled by a syndicate of
Des Moines merchants, and for one or more seasons plied between Keokuk and Des
Moines. For a time Peter Myers, of Des Moines, acted as captain. From all
accounts this venture of the citizens was not altogether successful, and the
Colonel Morgan passed into the ownership of others. This boat was engaged in the
Des Moines River trade during the season of 1857, and having lingered too long
on the upper river was caught by low water and compelled to stay at Des Moines
until the spring of 1858. On February 9th, of that year, this boat gave an
excursion from here, the river being clear and high enough for her to travel a
number of miles on the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers. On March 10, 1858, the
rivers here were about clear of ice and navigation could be resumed.

   Among the many improvements made along in 1856-57 was the erection on Front
and Vine, East Side, of a very fine flouring mill. This mill was erected by
Stanton and Zeigler, and had all the latest improvements known at that time, and
turned out a very fine grade of flour. But on February 3, 1858, this valuable
mill was totally destroyed by fire, entailing a loss of some $15,000. It was
insured for some $10,000. This was a great loss, not only to the proprietors,
but also to the city.

   July 5,1855, one day after the first prohibitory law went into force, it was
ordered by the County Judge that Dr. D. V. Cole be paid the sum of $1,000 with
which he, as liquor agent, was to purchase a stock of liquors for the county, to
be sold by him at an advance of 25 per cent above cost for medical, mechanical
and sacramental purposes only, and he was instructed to procure a supply of
liquors for such purposes as soon as practicable, and he was also authorized if
possible to purchase a supply of liquors in Fort Des Moines sufficient to meet
the necessary demand until he could procure them elsewhere. It will be seen by
this there was no delay in establishing the "county grocery" after the
prohibitory law took effect. The thirsty did not have to wait very long.

   May 21, 1857, it was "ordered that John Railing be allowed the sum of $11.55
for plowing, sowing and harrowing wheat in the public square."

   A destructive fire swept over the prairie north of Altoona as late as 1868,
destroying much property.

   Among the county records the following order was found entered under date of
October 8, 1858: "Ordered, that James Stanton be allowed $17.35 constable fees
for prosecuting, draying, stowing, handling, beheading and burning forty barrels
(of Red Eye) whisky belonging to the Des Moines, Polk County, Vinegar
Association." Latter-day constables would have made hundreds of dollars in the
shape of fees out of that much whisky.

   The number of soldiers engaged in the late war and enlisted in Polk County
cannot be exactly given, but it is estimated they numbered at least 2,000. This
would be more than one-half the legal votes of the county in 1862. What a record
of patriotism and bravery this is.

  November 17, 1872, Governor Carpenter ordered the Crocker Veteran Guards and
the Olmstead Guards, two military companies of Des Moines, to go to Council
Bluffs to stop a proposed prize fight between Tom Allen of St. Louis and Hogan
of Omaha. The fighters were forced to go to Nebraska, and the troops had a jolly
time.

   J. P. Day of Saylor Township came to Des Moines from the State of Delaware in
1857 with his father, Squire W. M. Day, who was a resident of East Des Moines
for many years and died there recently. Before leaving Delaware they were told
by a man named John Chandler that he had been a United States soldier at Fort
Des Moines, and not satisfied with the service he and a fellow soldier deserted.
They one night got into a canoe at the mouth of what is now Bird's Run and
quietly floating by the fort proceeded down the river a number of miles. They
then took to the brush and after many hardships finally got safely away.
Chandler reached his home in Delaware with very ragged clothes and in a
generally used up condition. His description of the country around the fort was
found to be accurate by Mr. Day when he came here, and he has no doubt the story
told by the ex-soldier was true.

   The soldiers of the gallant Second Iowa Infantry are touchy over any attempt
to rob them of the glory justly belonging to them for their heroic and
successful charge at Fort Donelson. They led that charge and won it alone. Gen.
Lew Wallace, the romancer, tells a romance of Gen. P. F. Smith having led it.
Gen. Smith was a brave and gallant officer, but he did not lead that charge. It
was led by Gen. Tuttle, then colonel of the regiment. Gen. Smith was not in it.

   P. H. Buzzard of Saylor Township will be remembered by many of the early
settlers. He was a rather eccentric character, but was a good man and citizen,
and at one time owned valuable farms and lands. He was for years a Mormon, but a
brief residence in Utah Territory weakened his faith. He objected strenuously to
the church tithe of one-tenth of the income and property of a disciple. He left
the Mormons, and after residing some time in Webster County finally removed to
Spokane Falls, Wash., where he was living well advanced in years when last heard
from.

   W. D. Christy tells a characteristic story of Gen. Crocker. At the battle of
Shiloh he was Colonel of the Thirteenth Iowa Infantry. When the wearied but
undaunted troops had formed their last line late in the day Crocker rode up to
Gen. Tuttle and said loud enough for the men to hear: "Buell has come to our
relief." Tuttle was doubtful and asked: "Is that true?" Crocker replied in a low
tone: "No, but we must encourage the boys."

   The first railroad locomotive to cross the Des Moines River was one belonging
to what is now the Northwestern Railroad Company, and this made the crossing in
Boone County on April 20th, 1866.

   Des Moines and Polk County have always had their full complement of dogs,
good, bad and indifferent. In 1866 the General Assembly passed a law taxing all
dogs $1 annually per head. This dog tax was so generally unpopular the next
General Assembly hastened to repeal it.

   The amount of swamp lands patented to Polk County was about 7,000 acres.

   The first insurance company organized in Des Moines was the Iowa Central
Insurance Company, in February, 1864, with J. B. Tiffin, president; E. J.
Ingersoll, vice president, and A. O. Mattison, secretary. Then followed the
State, and shortly afterwards the Hawkeye. The Central in a year or two was
merged into one of the other companies. The State and Hawkeye have continued
their prosperous existence up to this time, and are solid and wealthy
institutions, which promise to continue in business for many years to come.

   Among the former police officers of Des Moines, Adam Hafner should not be
forgotten. He was appointed on the force in July, 1869, and from that time put
in eighteen years of faithful service. During this time he served two years as
Chief of Police, and four years as City Marshal. He was always an honest,
efficient and brave officer, and his record is an honor to himself, the police
force, and to the city. He has also served with credit as a member of the City
Council, having been the alderman from the Fourth Ward for the past two years.
As chairman of the city purchasing committee he has shown his strict honesty and
good business judgment, saving to the city many hundreds of dollars. Alderman
Hafner was always a good man, officer and citizen.

   George E. Spencer, of New York, was for a short time a resident of Des
Moines, and then for a year or two made his home at Newton. He was one term
secretary of the State Senate, and subsequently operated speculative schemes in
Northwestern Iowa. After the war he was for some years a "Carpet-Bag" United
States Senator from Georgia.

  New Year's Day, 1864, was one of the noted cold days of Iowa, the thermometer
showing from 15 to 30 decrees below zero for some twenty-four hours.

   Captain John Browne, of Des Moines, was a private in Gen. Crocker's company
at the beginning of the war, and afterwards partly through Crocker's influence
was made captain in the Seventeenth Iowa Infantry. In the operations around
Jackson, Mississippi, Captain Browne, through carelessness, permitted several of
his men to be captured by the Confederates. The young captain was scared; he saw
the straps disappearing from his shoulders; and finally mustered up courage to
go to Gen. Crocker, then commanding a division, and tell him the truth. Then
Crocker did give it to him; told him he had disgraced himself and his friends
and should by rights be dismissed the service. Browne said nothing in reply, and
after a while, Crocker said: "Here, John, take a drink. Now tomorrow we will
have a fight; it may be hard one. Go in, do your duty, and if you get through
all right you can report your men missing during that fight." John saw the
point, followed the advice, and thus saved his shoulder straps.

   As an instance, showing the zeal of the politicians of these early days the
following is given: In January, 1857, the writer in company with some friends
were on their way to attend a Democratic State Convention, to be held at Iowa
City. They left Newton Saturday morning and managed in the afternoon after much
difficulty to reach the little village of Westfield, a few miles south of
Grin-nell. There they came to what was then called the "Eighteen Mile Prairie,"
and the storm had become so severe and the cold so piercing that they concluded
to spend the night at the hotel in Westfield. True, the hotel was new, built of
native lumber and unplastered, but even these discomforts were better than
venturing out upon that storm-tossed snowy prairie on such a night. Big fires
and buffalo robes permitted the party to pass the night without being-frozen.
The next morning ushered in the celebrated cold Sunday, when the thermometer
dropped down to anywhere between thirty and forty degrees below. Fortunately the
winds had quieted down and the party started on their journey. Out in the middle
of the wild prairie they saw at a distance a man on horseback coming up the road
from the south; curiosity compelled them to stop, and when the traveler came up
he was interrogated. He good naturedly replied that he was from one of the
extreme southwestern counties of Iowa, and was on his way to attend as a
delegate the Democratic State Convention at Iowa City. Here he was traveling in
the midst of one of the most severe winters ever known in Iowa on horseback over
two hundred miles to attend the Democratic Convention. Neither was he a
candidate nor aspirant for any office. Verily, his political faith was strong.

   The following bridges over the Des Moines and Raccoon Rivers have been, by
the County Board of Supervisors, ordered built in the last few years: April 16,
1889, Commerce bridge of Walnut Township, across the Raccoon River, ordered
built at a cost of $9,300; April 16, 1889, Corydon bridge, of Madison Township,
ordered built across the Des Moines River at a cost of $10,200; February 2,
1891, Ball's Ford bridge of Four Mile Township (formerly Grant), ordered built
at a cost of $18,500; July 3, 1894, Valley Junction bridge of Walnut Township,
ordered built at a cost of $9,000.

   P. M. Casady, C. D. Reinking, Hoyt Sherman and L. P. Sherman were members of
the first town council of Des Moines in 1851, and are all yet living and well
known and highly respected citizens of the city they aided in starting upon the
right road.

   As late as 1858 bounties were allowed by the County Judge for killing wild
cats in Polk County, to Isaac Case, Joseph S. Fagan, Jacob Byers and Claborn
Brazleton.

   The first justices of the peace in Polk County were: Joseph De Ford, W. H.
Meacham, Addison Mitchell, Benjamin Bryant and Thomas H. Napier. All of them are
now dead and gone.

   Among the active and energetic young men of Des Moines from 1855 to the early
60s mention should be made of Ed. H. Brown. Born in Maine, reared in Michigan, a
tinner by trade, he came here in 1855, and soon took an active part in affairs.
He became a republican upon the formation of that party, and was an able and
indefatigable worker among the people and at the polls. He was a hustler, and
also a clever, popular young man. He married Eleanor, daughter of that pioneer
citizen, W. F. Avers. About 1860 he made a trip to Colorado, or "Pike's Peak,"
as that new state was then termed, and early in the administration of President
Lincoln, through the influence of Hon. John A. Kasson, whom he had materially
helped in his political aspirations, was made postmaster at Central City,
Colorado, where he also became prominent in political affairs. Later on he
became interested in railroad building and removed to south-western Missouri. He
remained in Carthage several years until his railroad and other interests
required a residence in Kansas, at Girard, where he now has his home and is
largely interested in railroads, mining and farming, and is a man of wealth,
prominence and influence. He continues to take an active part in politics, and
has been three times elected a member of the Kansas legislature, the last time,
1894, overcoming an opposition majority of more than one thousand. He remains,
as the years go by, the same jovial, good fellow he was in his younger days.

   Brax D. Thomas, a printer, who came here from Maryland early in 1855, was for
several years known by almost everybody in the city and county. He was city
recorder, deputy county treasurer, etc., and was noted for his pranks and his
electioneering ability. In the early 60s he went to Colorado, where he remained
for some time. He then lived for a time in Kentucky, and afterwards made his
home in Missouri and Kansas. He died several years ago at the home of his
brother, a prominent physician of Leavenworth.

   Charles Shafer, so well and favorably known to all our citizens, is now the
veteran of the city police. He went upon the force twenty-five years ago, and in
that time has served eighteen years, as roundsman, sergeant, and deputy marshal.
Charley, as he is familiarly called by his many friends, was for a number of
years with Orton's circus, and was a much trusted and always faithful employee.
On the police force he has distinguished himself by his bravery, kindness and
good judgment. He is very popular with the citizens, and even the criminal
classes respect him, though they know when Charley says "come" or "go," they
must quickly and quietly follow the order given. Were the matter left to the
votes of the citizens generally, Charles Shafer could remain on the police force
as long as he may desire, and then be retired upon a liberal pension.

   The following figures will show in a strong light the rapid gain in value of
real and personal property in Polk County:

   August 4,1859, the Board of Equalization found that the taxable property,
real and personal (of county) amounted to $5,121,928.

   January, 1, 1895.—Valuation of realty and personal, county and city, and
grand total of realty and personal, whole county, as shown by tax books of 1894:

Country realty               $ 4,440,460
City realty                   13,503,090
Total realty                                      $17,943,550
Country personal                    $ 1,519,440
City personal                         3,012,050
Total personal                                      4,531,490
Total country realty and personal   $ 5,959,900
Total city realty and personal       16,515,140
Grand total                                       $22,575,040


Additional Comments:
Extracted from:

ANNALS OF POLK COUNTY, IOWA,
AND
CITY OF DES MOINES
BY WILL PORTER.

"And this volume, dedicated to its people, sets forth in attractive style all
the facts and incidents that go to make up the history of which all citizens are
justly proud."
—Major Hoyt Sherman.

GEO. A. MILLLER PRINTING COMPANY,
PRINTERS AND PUBLISHERS,
DES MOINES, IOWA,
1898.

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