The glaciers also brought from ledges of granite and other crystalline

rocks in Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Canada the boulders which form a

conspicuous feature in some of our prairie landscapes. These, the

"first settlers," traveled to their destinations far more leisurely

than any ox carts of the immigrant pioneers; for the glaciers can not

have moved faster at most than fifty feet a day, and probably at less

than a tenth that rate, judging by the rates of motion of present

glaciers.

The ice sheets of the glacial epoch plastered the county thick with the

stony clays which they dragged along in their basal layers. The

thickness of these glacial deposits probably averages from fifty to one

hundred feet. Old valleys cut in rock by Tertiary rivers were buried

wholly from view, as, for example, one extending north from

Prairieburg; and the farmer now plows his corn in fields which lie two

and three hundred feet above the channels of ancient rivers. In places

the old valleys were left to be re-occupied by the rivers. Such are the

reaches of wide valley of the Cedar south of Center Point. In other

places the rivers were diverted wholly from their ancient beds and made

to flow in new channels which they have not yet had time to widen and

deepen to their ancient measures. Such are the narrow rock bound

valleys of the Wapsipinicon south of Troy Mills and of the Cedar at the

Palisades.

On the final retreat of the glaciers waters from the melting ice swept

over the county, leaving deposits of sand on the lower lands and in the

valleys. Since the glacial epoch the rivers have cut their beds a score

of feet and more below the deposits of glacial floods and in many

places, as near the Ivanhoe bridge, remnants of these ancient flood

plains are left as terraces or "benches" or "second bottoms." At

Bertram the sands deposited by glacial waters near the mouth of Big

Creek stand about fifty feet above the level of the river.

THE LOESS

A large part of the county is covered with a deposit of fine yellow

silt called loess. Dry, it crumbles into powder at a finger touch; wet,

it is somewhat plastic and can be moulded into brick and tile. On the

hill and uplands the loess is thickly spread, adding in places at least

forty feet to their elevation. Over the lowlands it is thin or absent.

This yellow earth has been and is to be of greater value than mines of

yellow gold. It is of inexhaustible fertility. It contains abundant

mineral plant foods, partly constituent, and partly brought up into it

by ground water; and these foods are so finely pulverized as to be of

readiest solution and absorption by the roots. In wet weather the loess

mantle absorbs the rainfall like a sponge; in months of desert drouth,

like those of the summer of 1910, it returns the water to the surface,

like a wick, to preserve the crops from failure.

A disadvantage of the loess lies in the readiness with which it washes.

The forest which once covered nearly all the uplands protected the soil

from wash by means of its mattress of roots and the thick prairie sod

was equally efficient where hill slopes were grassed over. But where

forests have been thoughtlessly cut down, and steep slopes turned to

plow land, it is but a few years until the brown top-soil is all washed

away and the fields in spring when freshly plowed are as yellow as a

deep cut in road or brick yard. The foot path in the pasture or the

furrow of the plow becomes a gully in a single heavy rain, and unless

checked soon becomes a gulch scores of feet in width.

By accenting the height of the ridges the loess also adds to the

scenery of the county. Our area lies in a part of east central Iowa

where the stony clays deposited by ancient glaciers accumulated in long

ridges and belts of upland rising many feet above the intervening

undulating plains. Because of the alternation of ridge and lowland no

part of the state except the valley of the Upper Mississippi has so

beautiful and wide and varied prospects. Over more or less of their

course the rivers of the county have cut their channels lengthwise in

the ridges, thus giving rise to the bold scenery of the Wapsipinicon

above Central City, and of the Cedar near Mount Vernon. Some of these

picturesque reaches of river and cliff and forest slope should surely

be converted into county parks in the near future and preserved for the

gratification of all coming generations. Unless this is done we may

expect that the forests will be cut down and the hill slopes gashed

with countless gullies; while the lichened rocks of the river cliffs

fringed with fern and tamarisk will give place to unsightly quarries.

While Linn county was sheeted with glacier ice, no life of any sort was

possible within its limits. But during the long interglacial epochs

which intervened between the ice invasions, forests grew and animals

now extinct roamed over our hills and plains. Among these early

inhabitants may be mentioned extinct horses and the giant

proboscidians, the mammoth, and the mastodon. These returned to the

area after the final retreat of the ice and their remains are found in

the peat bogs and river gravels. In the earliest of the interglacial

epochs it is quite probable that some of the gigantic groundsloths of

South America made their home here, since they are known to have done

so in the western counties of the state. No traces of man have been

found in the glacial deposits of Iowa, nor have any indubitable

evidences of his presence in glacial times been found in North America.

Sometime, we know not when, roving tribes of Indians set foot within

our area, and geology gives place to archeology. And when the white man

appeared, inductive history ends and there begins the history of

tradition and written records.

CHAPTER VI

_Beginnings in Linn County_

The Black Hawk war, though confined to the state of Illinois, made an

epoch in the history of Iowa. It was the last of the many Indian wars,

and was concluded by a cession of much of the valuable lands of Iowa to

the government. Reports of the war had stirred up more or less

enthusiasm as to the future of the west, and settlers began to come

soon after the war had ended. Many of the officers, and others who had

taken part in the war, became the government agents and officials in

various capacities in Illinois, Wisconsin, and Iowa. The government

also, through its representatives in congress, planned great things for

the west in opening canals and roads, while rivers were made navigable

and steamship traffic opened up.

One must not be led to believe that Iowa was the only part of the west

which grew so rapidly. The growth was general, it is true, but Iowa

seems to have grown more rapidly than any other of the territories

between 1836 and 1846.

Illinois was admitted as a state in 1818; Missouri three years later;

next came Iowa in 1846, while Wisconsin, which had been explored in

1639, was not admitted to statehood till 1848; and Minnesota, settled

as early as 1680, and having a fort built in 1820, was not admitted to

statehood till 1858. Thus, it would appear, that Iowa remained a

territory for a shorter period of time than any other of the western

states located in the Mississippi valley, but, of course, there is

reason for this. It was a prairie state, in the first instance, and on

the east was bounded by a great waterway and by a state teeming with an

aggressive population, many of whose people soon crossed the borderland

even before the government had made proper surveys and thrown the land

open to settlement.

Henry Dodge was appointed governor of the new Territory of Wisconsin in

1836, Iowa at that time being a part of Wisconsin. With the exception

of a few settlements of white people along Lake Michigan and in the

mining region around Dubuque there were few, if any, white settlers.

Governor Dodge's work was largely with the Indians, in making contracts

and ceding lands to the government. Settlers were coming in constantly

and a demand for a survey of the lands was made from time to time.

Survey of the public lands in Iowa was begun in the fall of 1836. Great

preparations for the land sales were made. These were to take place in

Dubuque and Burlington in November, 1838. The settlers who had arrived

on these lands for some time prior to its survey arranged among

themselves to select an arbitration association, each township making a

register of all claims, and choosing one representative to attend the

land sales, giving him authority to bid off the lands selected by each

claimant.

A. C. Dodge was appointed the first registrar of the land office at

Burlington, and George W. Jones the first surveyor-general of Iowa. One

of the surveyors-general in the early '40s was no other than Judge

James Wilson, of Keene, New Hampshire, a son of a Revolutionary

soldier, and himself a lawyer of more than ordinary ability, a judge,

and at one time a member of congress. He was appointed by General

Harrison, an old friend.

At the first convention which met at Burlington in November, 1837, for

the purpose of organizing a separate territory of Iowa, were the

following delegates from Dubuque county, which, at that time, included

a part of what later became Linn county: P. H. Engle, J. I. Fales, G.

W. Harris, W. A. Warren, W. B. Watts, A. F. Russell, W. H. Patton, J.

W. Parker, J. D. Bell and J. H. Rose. The convention in its petition to

congress asserted that there were 25,000 people in that portion of

Wisconsin Territory known as "The Iowa District;" that houses had been

erected; that farms were cultivated, and still people could not obtain

title to their lands, and asking that the part west of the river be set

aside as a separate territory. This was one of the most important

conventions held on what became Iowa soil, and congress at once took

action to make such provisions as were thought wise and expedient.

Linn county was established by an act of the legislature of the

Territory of Wisconsin approved on December 21, 1837. The county was

regular in shape, but four townships larger than its neighbors on the

north and east, which were created at the same time. The boundaries

received at this time have not been altered. The spelling of the name

was Lynn, although it was spelled in the body of the act itself Linn;

it took its name from Dr. Louis F. Linn, United States senator from

Missouri, who was appointed to that office in 1833 and who was a friend

and admirer of President Jackson, and much interested in the

development of the west.

The eastern part of Linn county, perhaps one-third, had been part of

the original county of Dubuque since 1834, the boundary line running

from the southeast corner of the county in a northwesterly line a

little to the west of the middle in the northern part of the county.

Linn county then embraces within its limits two Indian land cessions.

The eastern part was acquired from the Sac and Fox Indians by the

treaty of September 21, 1832, known as the Black Hawk Purchase; the

western part, or the other two-thirds, was acquired by treaty of

October 21, 1837. The fourteen counties created by an act sub-dividing

Dubuque county into new counties, which was approved October 21, 1837,

were as follows: Dubuque, Clayton, Jackson, Benton, Linn, Jones,

Clinton, Johnson, Scott, Delaware, Buchanan, Cedar, Fayette, and

Keokuk. While most of these counties were established outright the

wording of the act relating to Dubuque county implies that it was

looked upon as the former county reduced in size, which was not

correct, as this land from which these counties were laid out also

included much of the Sac and Fox cession made after Dubuque county had

been formed and laid out, and which county had not been ceded to the

United States government.

These boundary lines were reduced in size later; however the boundaries

of Dubuque, Delaware, Jackson, Jones, Linn, Clinton, Cedar, and Scott

have remained as they were laid out at the time. The Territory of Iowa

was created by an act of congress approved June 12, 1838.

Among the bills passed by the first legislature, which met during the

winter of 1838 and 1839, was the following: "An Act to Organize the

County of Linn, and establish the Seat of Justice thereof.

"Section 1. Be it enacted by the Council and House of

Representatives of the Territory of Iowa, that the county of

Linn be and the same is hereby organized from and after the

10th of June next, and the inhabitants of said county be

entitled to all the rights and privileges to which, by law,

the inhabitants of other organized counties of this

Territory are entitled, and the said county shall be a part

of the Third Judicial District, and the District Court shall

be held at the seat of justice of said county, or such other

place as may be provided until the seat of justice is

established.

"Section 2. That Richard Knott, Lyman Dillon and Benjamin

Nye be and they are hereby appointed Commissioners to locate

the seat of justice in said county, and shall meet at the

house of William Abbe, on the first Monday of March next, in

said county, and shall proceed forthwith to examine and

locate a suitable place for the seat of justice of said

county, having particular reference to the convenience of

the county and healthfulness of the location.

[Illustration: DOUBLE LOG CABIN Built by Wm. Abbe, Linn County's First

Settler]

"Section 3. The Commissioners, or a majority of them, shall,

within ten days after their meeting at the aforesaid place,

make out and certify to the Governor of this Territory,

under their hands and seals, a certificate containing a

particular description of the situation of the location

selected for the aforesaid county seat; and on the receipt

of such certificate, the Governor shall issue his

proclamation affirming and declaring the said location to be

the seat of justice of said county of Linn.

"Section 4. The Commissioners aforesaid shall, before they

enter upon their duties, severally take and subscribe an

oath before some person legally authorized to administer the

same, viz: I, ............, do solemnly swear (or affirm)

that I am not, either directly or indirectly, interested in

the location of the seat of justice of Linn County, nor do I

own any property in lands, or any claims, within the said

county of Linn. So help me God. (Signed) A. B., etc.

"Section 5. If, at any time within one year thereafter, it

shall be shown that the said Commissioners, or any of them,

received any present, gratuity, fee or reward in any form

other than that allowed by law, or before the expiration of

six months after the Governor's proclamation, declaring the

said seat of justice permanent, become interested in said

town or any lands in its immediate vicinity, the

Commissioner or Commissioners shall, upon conviction thereof

by indictment in the District Court of the county in which

he or they may reside, be guilty of a high misdemeanor, and

be forever disqualified to vote at any election or to hold

any office of trust or profit within this Territory.

"Section 6. The Commissioners aforesaid shall receive, upon

making out their certificate of the location of the seat of

justice of said county, each two dollars per day, and also

three dollars for every twenty miles going and returning

from their respective homes. Approved January 15, 1839."

Two of the Commissioners named in the act, Richard Knott and Benjamin

Nye, accepted the trust, meeting at the house of William Abbe, two and

one-half miles west of what is now Mount Vernon.

The Commissioners located the county seat in the middle of the county

and named it "Marion," in honor of one of the Revolutionary generals.

The Commissioners reported to the governor of the territory the

completion of their work, and Governor Robert Lucas proclaimed the

county of Linn duly established.

For election purposes Linn county was attached to Cedar, Johnson, and

Jones, the first polling precinct being located at Westport, which had

been laid out by Israel Mitchell with the expectation that this would

be the county seat, Mr. Mitchell believing that the county seat should

be located on the river, and that that location would be near enough

the center for all practical purposes.

In October, 1838, the entire county composed one precinct, and

thirty-two ballots were cast for candidates for the legislature.

Charles Whittlesey was chosen for the senate and Robert G. Roberts for

the house. The first county election was held in August, 1839, when

three commissioners were selected at Westport--L. M. Strong, Peter

McRoberts, and Samuel C. Stewart. This body had the same powers as was

later conferred upon the county supervisors. This commission first sat

as a body officially September 9, 1839, in the log house of James W.

Willis. Hosea W. Gray was sheriff and acted as clerk of the court until

a clerk was duly appointed.

The minutes state:

"The Board proceeded to the appointment of a Clerk.

Thereupon it was ordered that John C. Berry be and is hereby

appointed to the office of Clerk of the Board of Linn County

Commissioners.

"Ordered. That the county seat of Linn County be and is

hereby called and shall hereafter be known and designated by

the name of Marion."

At this session W. H. Smith and Andrew J. McKean were appointed

constables for the county. Jonas Martin was appointed road supervisor,

his district embracing all the land east of Marion and west of Big

creek and east on the Marion and Davenport roads crossing Big creek.

"It was also authorized that as Linn County had no safe place for the

keeping of criminals that Sheriff Gray contract with the Sheriff of

Muscatine County for the keeping of one Samuel Clews, and that the

Sheriff borrow funds to pay for the support and keeping of said Clews

while in confinement."

It seems that the board met monthly and the county was divided into

three voting precincts as follows: One at William Abbe's, known as

Sugar Grove Precinct, with the following judges: William Abbe, John

Cole, and John McAfferty; one at Marion, with James W. Bassett, Henry

Thompson, and Rufus H. Lucore, judges; one at Michael Greene's, with

Michael Greene, James Cummings, and Bartimeas McGonigle, judges.

At this time Ross McCloud was appointed county surveyor and was ordered

to make the survey of the county seat and report, which he did, and

also to lay out additions, which was done. A county jail was also

ordered erected in January, 1840, and the contract for the building of

the same was let to William Abbe and Asher Edgerton for the sum of

$635.00; the first money raised by sale of lots in Marion was applied

on the contract for the erection of the jail.

THE FIRST SURVEY

The first survey was made in 1838, being all of Jones county and

townships 84, 85, and 86 north, in range 5, west, in Linn county. This

was made public in the newspapers and many settlers came in, taking the

best lands that had been surveyed and squatting on the other land which

they knew would soon be open for settlement. Linn Grove was an ideal

place, and here in an early day a large number settled. The sale of

lands in the county was advertised to take place in January, 1840. On

account of the difficulties of transportation, the settlers petitioned

to have the same postponed until the summer of that year, which

petition was granted. George Greene, who had been a school teacher near

Ivanhoe and even at that time was a man of no ordinary ability, was

asked to see what could be done in changing the place from Dubuque to

Marion. Mr. Greene volunteered to go to Washington and lay the matter

before congress, or the men in charge of the land department. After

some time he succeeded in his mission and won the grateful respect of

his fellow pioneers, saving them a great deal of money. Thus, for a

time, Marion was a United States land office, and the people of Linn

county who had little money to spend could claim their lands without

much trouble.

THE FIRST COURT HOUSE IN THE COUNTY

The first court house built in the county was a log structure for the

use of the pioneers. This structure was erected during the years 1840

and 1841. As there was no money in the county treasury and as the court

house was needed, the settlers donated their labor. They cut the logs,

hauled them to Marion, and constructed the building, the roof being of

shakes and the floor of puncheons. Among those who helped erect this

first seat of justice were James and John Hunter, the Stambaugh

brothers, James and Elias Doty, and others. The first case, it is said,

tried in this court house was one brought against James Doty for

jumping a claim on the west side of the river, adjoining the claim of

Robert Ellis, the question being whether or not a man erecting a bark

building and claiming the land had complied with the law. The jury was

impaneled and a trial had which lasted for some time. When the case

went to the jury the judge and all vacated so that the jury could use

the small room in arriving at a decision. The jury was out the

afternoon and all night, and at ten o'clock the next morning they

reported that they were unable to agree. During all this time they had

had nothing to eat, and the water they had to drink was very poor. Upon

this jury sat James Hunter, one of the first settlers of the county,

who was the only stubborn one to hold out in favor of Doty. He used to

tell later that he felt that he could never look James Doty in the face

if he should consent to such a verdict as the other eleven had framed

up against him. The case was tried at a subsequent term when the jury

decided in favor of Doty, to the effect that while he was later than

the claimant in making his claim he was a _bona fide_ settler with the

intention of becoming a permanent settler.

The next court house built in Marion was a frame structure still

standing just west of the present brick building, and now used as a

hotel. The present brick court house was erected by George W. Gray, the

brick superstructure being built by Peter D. Harman, of Bertram, father

of Warren Harman, of Cedar Rapids. Much of the carpenter work was done

by that old pioneer, recently deceased, William Patterson, father of W.

D. Patterson, of Cedar Rapids.

The first jail was erected in January, 1840, the contract for the

building being awarded to William Abbe and Asher Edgerton for $635.00.

The building was finished by May 1st of the same year. The first moneys

raised by sale of lands were applied on this contract.

At the July session, 1849, the county was divided into three districts

as follows: the townships of Washington and Fayette composed District

No. 1; Franklin and Brown composed District No. 2; and Marion and

Putnam District No. 3. At the July session, 1840, the board of

commissioners began to discuss the question of township organizations.

A vote of the county was ordered at the next election to determine the

voice of the people; the election took place in August of that year and

resulted in favor of the proposition.

Lists of townships are as follows: Marion, Franklin, Washington,

Fayette, Putnam, and Brown established in 1841; Linn and Rapids, 1843;

Otter Creek, 1844; Buffalo and Maine, 1848; Monroe, 1849; Spring Grove,

1853; Clinton, 1854; Jackson, 1855; College, Bertram, Boulder, and

Fairfax, 1858; Grant, 1872; and Cedar, 1906.

THE JUDICIARY

The first records of the district court held in Linn county are dated

Monday, October 26, 1840, Iowa Territory, Linn county. Pursuant to an

act of the legislature of the territory, approved July, 1840, the

district court of the United States and also for the Territory of Iowa

met at Marion in said county on Monday, October 26, 1840. Present: The

Hon. Jos. D. Williams, judge of the second judicial district for the

territory; W. G. Woodward, district attorney of the United States for

the district of Iowa; R. P. Lowe, prosecuting attorney for the second

judicial district; H. W. Gray, sheriff of the county of Linn; S. H.

Tryon, clerk of the district court; Lawrence Maloney for the marshal of

the territory.

The following grand jurors were among the best known settlers: Aaron

Usher, Samuel Ross, James Leverich, D. W. King, Israel Mitchell, W. H.

Chambers, William Donahoo, Dan Curtis, W. T. Gilberts, G. A. Patterson,

Isaac Butler, John Goudy, J. A. Gibson, Joe Barnett, Asher Edgerton,

William Chambers, O. L. Bolling, Dan J. Doty, and Joseph Warford. As

bailiff of the grand jury served Perry Oxley, one of the best known

settlers.

The petit jurors were: D. A. Woodbridge, Isaac Carroll, G. W. Gray, B.

McGonegal, John McCloud, Thomas Goudy, J. W. Willis, John Long, J. W.

Margrove, Ira Simmons, John Crow, Joe Carroway, Steve Osborn, H. B.

Mason, O. R. Gregory, John Nation, Thomas Maxwell, and George Yiesly.

One of the early cases of record is that of A. Moriarty vs. N. G.

Niece. One of the early jury trials was that of H. C. Dill vs. John

Barnett: one of the first criminal cases was that of Territory vs. W.

K. Farnsworth, indicted for starting a prairie fire; the jury returned

a verdict of "not guilty."

The probate docket is a very small volume but is filled with entries of

much historical interest concerning the old citizens of the territory.

Among a number of entries can be found the following: In the estate of

A. Coles, claim filed and allowed November 8, 1842; in the estate of

Thomas Gray, claims allowed in 1844; in the estate of J. Barnett,

claims allowed in 1843 in favor of Israel Mitchell in the amount of

$4.50; in the estate of John Crow, claims allowed 1842, as well as

against the estate of Elias Doty, administered upon in 1843 by M. J.

Doty and Jos. Crain, administrators. The estate of A. L. Ely takes up a

number of pages.

The first default case seems to be listed for the October term, 1840,

that of James D. Stockton vs. Stephen Osborn, et al, the claim being

assigned by John O. Gray to plaintiff. The next case was that of Thomas

W. Campbell and Perry Oxley vs. John Barnett, which was a transcript

from J. G. Cole, a justice of the peace. R. P. Lowe acted as district

attorney, while Isaac Butler was foreman of the grand jury.

The first entry made by a native of a foreign country to become a

citizen of the United States was made by Peter Garron, stating that he

was then a resident of Linn county and that he was formerly a subject

of Scotland of the United Kingdom of England and Ireland, and that it

was his intention to renounce allegiance to Queen Victoria and become a

faithful citizen of the United States.

The first divorce action was brought by Dyer Usher against Mary Usher

at the October term, 1842, but it seems that the notice of publication

was not served as ordered and no decree was granted.

The first decree of divorce granted was that on the petition of Mrs.

Parthena C. Hewitt vs. Abraham Hewitt, rendered at the March term,

1844.

CIRCUIT COURT

Pursuant to an act of the legislature of Iowa, approved April 3, 1868,

the county of Linn became part of the second circuit of the eighth

judicial district, the circuit consisting of Cedar, Linn, and Jones

counties, Hon. S. Yates, of Cedar, being elected judge.

The first term was held at Marion January, 1869, when W. G. Thompson

appeared as prosecuting attorney and A. J. McKean as clerk.

The legislature in a few years changed the boundaries of this circuit,

making it composed of Cedar, Linn, Johnson, Jones, Iowa, Tama, and

Benton counties. It was known as the eighth district of the circuit and

district courts. John McKean was judge of the circuit court and John

Shane, of Vinton, judge of the district court.

By an act of the legislature the circuit court was abolished and Linn

county was incorporated into a district composed of Linn, Cedar, and

Jones counties with three judges.

NOTED AND EXCITING TRIALS

Linn county has had its share of noted trials, and many are the pages

which may be gleaned from its musty records to show how treachery,

cowardice, and selfishness have here, as in many other places, played

their parts. It is not best to uncover many of these pages, as it would

perhaps add nothing to the general information or be of any value

except as historical relics of a former age.

One of the first murder cases in the county, at least as far as known,

was that of Nathan Carnagy who was brutally assaulted by James Reed in

Marion in 1847. Reed had been drinking heavily and got into a quarrel

with Carnagy about some old trouble. Reed was arrested, tried before a

jury, and acquitted.

Another case was that of the killing of Pat O'Connell by Samuel Butler

in 1865, the affair growing out of a dispute over some property

interests. The parties met on a public highway, a quarrel ensued with

disastrous results. The jury in this case also returned a verdict of

"not guilty."

[Illustration: FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, CEDAR RAPIDS, COMPLETED IN

1851]

[Illustration: RESIDENCE OF WILLISTON JONES, WHERE COE COLLEGE WAS BORN

FROM CARROLL'S HISTORY]

John Akers was murdered in a saloon in Cedar Rapids in 1864 by one

Decklots; the jury returned a verdict of "guilty." This sad affair was

due to liquor, both parties being more or less under its influence at

the time the quarrel began.

There are a number of murder cases of an appalling nature on record;

sometimes a conviction and sometimes an acquittal resulted.

On the civil side of the calendar can be found many cases attracting

attention, sometimes on account of the charges made, at other times on

account of the large amounts of money involved. In this forum

magnificent addresses were heard, and no lawyer practicing at the Linn

county bar was ever a miser of his eccentricities, whatever they might

have been. Most of them had the thread of the attorney in their nature

and took to oratory like a duck to water, and most of them in these

early pioneer days went in to win the jury at all hazards, possessing

the power to stir the heart and to make their personality felt.

THE ERA OF THE OUTLAW

Along the American frontier were always found the outlaws; sometimes

they outnumbered the honest settler and sometimes not, depending more

or less upon conditions. Outlaws preferred to hover on the frontier

where courts of justice were unknown and where the sons of toil, busy

with making a living, had no time to defend themselves against

outlawry. Some of these outlaws had committed theft and robbery and

were living upon this borderland of civilization, knowing that it would

be perfectly safe under assumed names. Others came here for the special

purpose, knowing it was easier to make a living by theft than by honest

toil. Thus, the Linn county frontier at an early date was infested with

this class of people, and for a number of years the rights of the

people had to be protected by associations organized for this purpose,

and made up of the best class in the community, until such a time as

law and order could be enforced by decrees of court and by penitentiary

sentences.

When the first white settler came into the Red Cedar valley there were

only two counties fully organized west of the Mississippi, with the

exception of the state of Missouri. These counties were Dubuque and Des

Moines. They extended from a flag station at Fort Armstrong back into

the country forty miles, and from the Missouri line to a line running

westward from Prairie du Chien in Wisconsin. It was a large tract of

country, and offered secure hiding places for law violators. In this

wild country, along rivers where the timber was thick, hiding places

for the outlaw were offered, and when settlers did come in the outlaw

did not like to remove, and, consequently tormented the actual settler

and frequently took by stealth or force such personal property as he

wanted.

In the early day the country bordering on the Cedar river was flooded

with counterfeiters, and it is stated that this counterfeit money was

so well made that it was difficult to tell which was the good money and

which the bad and, in fact, at times it seems that the good money was a

scarce article. No one was able to tell where this counterfeit money

came from, but it is supposed very little, if any, was made here but

that it was imported from other places and distributed by "healers" on

a percentage basis. While a cry was raised against counterfeit money,

only the government could handle such cases and very little was done to

start proceedings. Now and then the government attorney would bring a

case or two, but as a rule the defendants were generally released by a

jury, many of whom were friends of the parties accused.

It was not until horse stealing became prevalent that the people arose

in arms against the outlaw and formed associations called "anti-horse

thief" associations. It was a difficult thing at first to prosecute,

as the gang was well organized and had a perfect system of stations,

agents, signs, and signals. The members of these gangs which infested

Cedar, Jones, and Linn counties in the early days dressed better than

the honest farmer, were more charitable, and in the day time, at least,

were looked upon as the most respectable persons in the community. They

were shrewd and cunning in their business transactions, and hedged

themselves in such a way as to escape detection and exposure for a long

time. These "free booters" and plunderers would move from county to

county and from community to community if things got a little hot and

they feared exposure. In counties where they were in the majority they

would intimidate and scare the actual settlers, even if these knew

positively that depredations had been made. And frequently the honest

settler who attacked and complained was forced to leave the country

instead of the outlaw who had many friends who came to his rescue. Many

a man who was known to make a complaint before a grand jury, to a

prosecuting attorney, or judge would be trailed by a company of

outlaws, threatening letters would be written against himself and

members of his family, that his buildings would be destroyed by fire if

he persisted in bringing suits or attempted to file an information of

any kind against any members of the band.

A few of these men who were at least accused of being members of these

various gangs of counterfeiters, horse thieves and other desperadoes

may be mentioned.

Perhaps the most noted ones were the members of the Brodie gang,

composed of John Brodie, and his four sons--John, Jr., Stephen,

William, and Hugh--who came into Linn county in 1839 and were among the

first settlers in this county. They were natives of Ohio. Some had

lived in Michigan for a time, and before coming here had commenced

their career of villainy. On account of some misdemeanor they were

driven from Clear Ford on the Mohican river in what is now Ashland

county, Ohio, in 1830 or 1831, and sought refuge for a time in Steuben

county, Indiana. Here they remained for a couple of years when they

became so notorious as to arouse the country against them, and they

fled westward in about 1835 and found their way into what was known as

the Rock river country, or Brodie's Grove, Dement township, Ogle

county, Illinois. In this part of Illinois at this time the country was

completely under the control of outlaws and desperadoes, and here the

Brodies found congenial companionship.

Early in 1839 the Brodies gang were driven out by an organized society

called the "regulators," composed of law abiding people who insisted

upon law enforcement. They then drifted westward and located in Linn

county. From this time on for a number of years there was scarcely a

term of court but that one or more members of this family was arraigned

for trial on some criminal charge or other.

Sam Leterel, Christian Gove, James Case, also known as Jim Stoutenberg,

McConlogue, Squires, McBroom, and others were members of this gang.

McConlogue resided for a time at Cedar Bluffs, later removing into

Johnson county where Morse is now located. Stoutenberg resided at times

with McConlogue and at times with Squires. A number of others

associated with the gang and lived on the borders of Linn and adjoining

counties and went by various names. Where they came from no one knew

and they dropped out of sight if there was any danger of arrest and

conviction.

In 1839 John Goudy and his son-in-law, Thomas McElheny, and a son

settled in Linn county, and it was noised abroad that the family was

very wealthy. To ascertain whether or not they had money, some time in

April, 1840, a man by the name of Switzer was sent to visit the Goudys

under the pretense of wanting to borrow money, the real object being to

ascertain whether or not the parties kept money and whether or not he

could obtain a pretended loan. The loan was declined for some reason or

other, but it is supposed that Switzer learned enough in his talk with

the Goudy family to know that they had money and there would be a

chance to make a good haul. The gang went up along the Cedar river on

the west side and crossed the river about where Goudy's home was. Here

McConlogue had some conversation with a person who knew him. About

midnight of a day in April the door of the Goudy cabin was forced open

and the inmates awoke to find themselves surrounded by five burglars

who threatened their lives if they did not give up their money. Old Mr.

Goudy replied that he had but little money, only $40.00, and that they

could find that in his vest pocket. The vest was searched and the money

found. They insisted that he had more and demanded it. The old man

persisted that it was every dollar he had, or that was about the house.

The leader of the gang then ordered the house to be searched and

directed the occupants of the beds to cover their heads at once. In the

shuffle for places Mrs. McElheny, a daughter of Goudy, recognized

Switzer, who had been there to borrow the money a few days before, and

also another member of the gang who was well known by the family. In

the search for money a purse containing $120.00 belonging to a

daughter, Hannah, was found by the burglars. In an old leather belt

used by Mr. Goudy there was also a $100.00 bill which the robbers

overlooked or could not find in their hurry to search the house.

They became very angry at not finding any more money, having expected

to find $9,000.00 which Mr. Goudy was reported to have had in the house

at the time. The robbers on leaving the house cursed every member of

the family, and seemed much put out at the haul they had made. Captain

Thomas H. Goudy, a married son, lived near his father's cabin. He had

been a captain of militia in Ohio and his uniform was hanging upon the

wall. The robbers seeing this remarked "a military officer must be a

rich man," and his money was demanded, but they received nothing, and

after turning over everything in the house and finding only some

provisions, they left Goudy and went to the cabin of William F.

Gilbert, another prominent settler in the neighborhood, who was also

supposed to have considerable money. On the night in question Gilbert

had stopping with him three men, the mail carrier who operated a stage

between Dubuque and Iowa City, and two others. In the Gilbert house, as

in the other house, the cabin consisted of only one room with several

beds, and on this night Mrs. Goudy and her children occupied one bed,

the strangers another bed, while Goudy and the mail carrier slept on

the floor by the fire. The entrance of the robbers was so sudden that

before the occupants knew what was going on they were covered with guns

and clubs, and their money was demanded. Goudy rallied to defend his

home, and so did the mail carrier who slept near the door. Both men

were knocked down and the cheek bone on one side of the mail carrier's

face was smashed completely by a blow from a club wielded by one of the

robbers.

The house was thoroughly searched and the drawer of a box which was

supposed to be opened by a secret spring known to no one but members of

the family was forced and a $50.00 bill and some $30.00 or $40.00 in

change were found and taken. While all the older members were

frightened Mr. Goudy's son, during the plundering, arose in bed and

recognized a neighbor--one Goodrich, who lived but a half mile

distant--as one of the robbers. This neighbor had up to this time been

looked upon as a respectable man. It was he who opened the drawer as

quickly as though he was one of the family. The robbers secured as

their share of the booty this night about $240.00. A young daughter of

Mr. Goudy, who remembered well that night, was later married to Judge

John Shane, of Vinton, a well known jurist and a most excellent judge.

This wholesale robbery stirred the whole country, and Captain Thomas

Goudy especially, being a military man, insisted that now it was high

time for the people to arouse themselves and if the officers of the law

refused to do anything then the settlers would take the law into their

own hands and start something going. Thomas and his father went to J.

W. Tallman at Antwerp and Colonel Prior Scott at Pioneer Grove for

advice and counsel, and especially to apprehend one Wallace who was

implicated in this robbery. Colonel Scott went among his people and

organized a "mutual protective association," the settlers hunted up

their rifles and shot guns, and the organization was ready to begin

work. Wallace had fled, but pursuers were on his track and he was

apprehended in Illinois City in Illinois, ten miles above Muscatine, by

a citizen named Coleman and turned over to Thomas Goudy and his party.

Coleman's reputation in the vicinity was not the best and he had been

suspected of harboring outlaws, but it was stated on account of some

difficulty in the division of spoils he and Wallace had had a falling

out and hence Wallace's easy capture.

A warrant was taken out for the arrest of Switzer, and when Wallace was

returned Switzer was also arrested and a preliminary examination was

held before John G. Cole, one of the first justices of the peace in

Linn county. Both of the parties were held to bail. Their cases came on

for trial at Tipton at the October term, 1841, of the district court.

James W. Tallman, a resident of Antwerp, accompanied by several

neighbors, started out to arrest Switzer, a large man and an ugly one.

Switzer resided near Halderman's mill. At two o'clock in the morning a

posse surrounded Switzer's home. He refused to open the door and they

waited till daylight before he was taken in custody. Switzer's cabin

was a perfect arsenal, there being guns, pistols, and ugly knives

scattered all around.

Later James Stoutenberg, also known as Jim Case, was arrested at

McConlogue's as an accomplice and member of the gang. He was taken into

the woods near McConlogue's and examined in the court of "Judge Lynch"

in order to obtain a confession from him, and he was finally tied to a

tree and severely flogged. He was never seen alive again. Some assert

that he left the country, and others that members of the party carried

him to the Cedar river, tied him to a stone raft and left him to his

fate.

McConlogue was also arrested as being a member of the gang in the

robbery, but he established an alibi. Being satisfied that he was

guilty of helping to plan the robbery, the pioneer settlers, duly

aroused, tried him by rules not known in the ordinary law court. He was

sentenced to be hanged, but finally it was agreed that this sentence

should be changed to whipping, and that each one of the citizens should

give him five lashes on the bare back, and if that failed to bring a

confession as to the particulars of the robbery and the extent and

names of the gang, then he should be whipped the second time until he

died. Blows continued to fall upon his quivering and bleeding back

until he implored for mercy and promised to reveal all he knew about

the robbery and the operations of the "free booters." He admitted

having knowledge of the Goudy robbery and that he received as his share

of the booty $25.00. He also admitted that Wallace was the leader of

the gang at this time and that Switzer was another member of the gang

of five men who perpetrated the robbery. The members of the association

after this confession let him go, but first applied a solution of salt

on his lacerated flesh, followed by an application of slippery elm bark

to remind him of the ordeal he had recently passed through, and which

he never forgot. At this time McConlogue was under indictment in

Johnson county for assaulting a man named Brown with intent to rob him;

on this charge he was tried and sent to the penitentiary.

Goodrich, a neighbor of the Gilberts, who had taken part in the robbery

and who had been recognized by the latter's son, was also horse whipped

and gagged at the same time but he refused to answer any questions and

denied having taken part in the robbery. Soon after this he removed

from the county and was never heard of afterwards.

McConlogue's admission implicated McBroom, who had been known for some

time previously as one of the brightest men of the gang, and who was

also supposed to be a lawyer. He was also caught and whipped nearly to

death near what is known as Scott's mill, without making any

confession, but with threat that if anything more was heard of any

attempted robbery of any kind by any member of the gang everyone,

including himself, would be swung up to the first oak tree. It is

needless to say that he immediately left the country and was never

heard of again.

[Illustration: DANIEL SEWARD HAHN One of the First Settlers in Linn

County]

William Stretch, an old settler, many years afterwards made a trip down

the Mississippi and there in one of the river cities, either New

Orleans or Memphis, he met and recognized McBroom who had been so

severely flogged on the banks of the Cedar river. McBroom claimed that

he had lived an honest life since removing from the Cedar river and he

begged Stretch not to say anything about it, at least in his new home.

Stretch agreed to this, but investigated to ascertain whether or not

McBroom had told the facts, and found that he was a respectable

citizen, one of the leaders in that city, and had accumulated a

fortune--between forty and fifty thousand dollars.

Another member of the gang, a cousin of the Brodie boys, and in many

ways a bad fellow, was overtaken in Washington township, this county,

while driving and there shot by a band of what was known as

"regulators" or members of the "anti-horse thief association."

Seventeen bullets had penetrated his body. Who had a hand in this act

is not known, although the members are said to have belonged to some of

the first families of the county. When Wilson was caught he was passing

through the county with a team of stolen horses which had been brought

from the eastern part of the state.

The trial of Switzer, who had been indicted for burglary in 1840, was

transferred on a change of venue from Linn to Cedar county. It came up

at the October term of the district court, Joseph Williams presiding.

George McCoy was sheriff and William Knott was his deputy. The

following named persons, all well known settlers, sat on this jury: C.

Kline, William Morgan, Elias Epperson, Abe Kiser, Porter McKinstry, P.

Wilkinson, J. S. Lewis, John Lewis, William Denny, W. H. Bolton, Peter

Diltz, and Samuel Gilliland.

Considerable excitement prevailed at this trial. Switzer was

represented by able counsel who put up a great defense. Mrs. McElheny

and other members of the family unmistakably identified Switzer as the

person who had been there before to borrow the money and who was one of

the leaders on the night of the robbery. Switzer tried to prove an

alibi, and had a number of people who swore that he had been at another

place on the night of the robbery. It is said that the jury was out two

days and two nights and during this deliberation Switzer tried to

approach Knott by saying that he wanted help and that as soon as Knott

found out the jury had found him guilty he asked him to give him some

sign by taking a handkerchief out of his pocket. What he would have

attempted then is not known. Knott refused, the jury disagreed, eleven

standing for conviction and one for acquittal.

During the trial a large grey horse was hitched in front of the

building used as a court house, for what purpose no one ever

understood, nor did any one know who was the owner of the horse.

Switzer had a number of friends who hung around the jury and around the

court house during the trial. As the jury came out one of the jurors

had a handkerchief protruding from the side pocket of his coat. Switzer

recognized the signal. With the nimbleness and quickness of a bare back

rider he jumped on to the horse and darted away like a cyclone. Knowing

the proposition Switzer made to Knott there seems to be some reason to

believe that this member of the jury had given Switzer the sign. When

the jury reported they were unable to agree, Switzer's friends started

out to find and convey to him the result, but could not find him until

the day following, when they found him concealed among some of the

timber along Sugar creek.

Another warrant was issued for his arrest, but there was some delay in

serving this notice and in the meantime he made his escape. In 1852

William Knott was in California and there met Switzer at Carson river

in Nevada territory and had a conversation with him. Switzer admitted

that he had been in a very tight place when he was under arrest in

Cedar county, and he asked Knott to convey his best wishes to the juror

who had hung out in his favor. Mr. Knott ascertained that Switzer's

morals had not changed any on account of his removal. In 1874 Judge

John Shane and his wife visited California, and upon inquiry at Vallejo

ascertained that Switzer lived in that vicinity, and although a very

dissolute and reckless man and feared by all, he had accumulated a

handsome fortune. He also discovered that the sons were following in

the footsteps of their father, and that one of them was under

indictment for having killed a man.

At the time of the Switzer arrest and trial for the Gilbert robbery a

civil suit had also been brought against him for the recovery of the

money and a judgment was obtained. Judge Shane consulted an attorney

and tried to get a transcript of his judgment in order to collect the

same, but for some reason the records could not be found and the

judgment could not be transcripted. Switzer died in California in 1877.

One of Switzer's best friends and a hanger-on at the court, a

desperado, surrounded by a number of fellows of the same type, was

Christopher Burns. He carried revolvers and bowie knives and wore a

gentleman's cloak of the old style thrown loosely about his shoulders.

The sheriff, his deputy, and a number of men surrounding them also

carried arms, and in case the jury had returned a verdict of "guilty"

it was Burns's intention, no doubt, to rescue his friend and a bloody

battle would have taken place. Burns left the country immediately and

was shot by a neighbor in a quarrel on the upper Missouri river in

1845.

The whipping of McBroom, Case, and others, and the arrest of Switzer

and his flight put a stop to these outrages, so from 1841 to 1855,

while many suspicious persons still lived in the community, they were

more guarded in their movements than before, and these desperate acts

did not take place, although for many years after this a good horse was

not always safe property to keep in the country.

EARLY SETTLEMENT

From _History of Linn County_, 1878

It seems that the first store was located at Westport where there was a

barter trade carried on with Indians. W. H. Merritt ran a store at

Ivanhoe in 1838, which was located on the government road. John Henry

seems to have operated the store at Westport, but whether he bought

this from Wilbert Stone is uncertain. It is stated that William, or

Wilbert, Stone, sold his store or had one at Westport about 1837 where

he did some trading with the Indians. He must have been there as early

as 1837 because he sold out his interest to John Henry and removed

further up to what became Cedar Rapids, and had been living there for

some time when Robert Ellis found him on the west side of the river

upon his arrival in May, 1838.

None of the land at that time had been surveyed, so all the rights the

people had were known as "squatter" rights, which they sold as any

other land, and which would give them the privilege of filing on it

when the land would get into the market. Much of this land was handled

that way. The southeastern and eastern part of the county were first

settled, and then settlements were made along the Cedar river, which

would be natural for the reason that people had to use the river more

or less in keeping in communication with other places.

It would be impossible to give the names of all the early settlers for

the reason that some only remained a short time and moved away again

and the names of these have been lost. A few only can be mentioned to

give the reader an idea of where and how certain towns were staked out

and buildings commenced. The Linn county lands first came into the

market in March, 1843, and not till then, did the settlers come in any

large numbers. All were anxious to get free lands. The town sites were

laid out as follows, though they were only squatter's rights: Westport

in July, 1838, by Israel Mitchell; Columbus (Cedar Rapids), September,

1838, by William [or Wilbert] Stone; Ivanhoe, October, 1838, by Anson

Cowles; while the town site of Cedar Rapids was laid out by N. B. Brown

and others August 4, 1841. The first plat, however, recorded was by the

father of Elias Doty. This was recorded after the land had come into

market, when Westport was re-named Newark, and was filed November 12,

1844.

The tide of civilization gradually flowed westward from the Mississippi

river. The regular chain of progress is clearly shown, and forms a

portion of the history of Linn county. Young men pushed bravely ahead,

claiming rights to unsurveyed lands, expecting in a short time a rise

in values and big money in their holdings. Many of these men were

single and never intended to make this, or any other community, their

permanent home. All they wanted was to pick out the best claims, erect

shacks, hold them down until men with families came, who had a little

money and were willing to pay so as to get a home at once. Many of

these young venturesome spirits frequently in six months or a year

would pick up from $500.00 to a couple of thousand for a claim,

depending somewhat upon the improvements made. At times these squatters

would erect fairly good log houses and stables, and dig a well or two,

and would also put in a little garden stuff--potatoes and the like--so

as to keep the family partly, at least, over winter. Crops and all

improvements would go with the bargain. Many of these men drifted

farther westward and undoubtedly lived nearly all their lives on what

might be known as the border land of civilization. They preferred this

kind of life, and whenever a community was settled up it lost all

interest for the original pioneer; he wanted and preferred to live

among frontier ruffians; would fight if he had to, and would always

defend himself against any intruder. These men enjoyed this kind of a

life and thrived upon it, and all they cared for was a little money,

good times, and the freedom they so much craved and which the frontier

afforded.

"While it is true that those who located in this county in the years

1837 and 1838 came from the east, it is also certain that this section

would not have been reached so early in this century had the lands

immediately west of the Mississippi been unselected. It was, and still

is, the desire of genuine pioneers to find a spot beyond the confines

of civilization, no matter how crude the outlying stations may be."

The first settlement of whites in Iowa had been at Dubuque, where

Dubuque and his followers worked the mines at that place. This at one

time was a great center of attraction, but as the government restricted

settlers from coming in, they were driven back until treaty

arrangements were made with the Indians, who were the owners of the

land upon which the mines were located. These men who first came as

miners early saw the exceeding beauty and fertility of the Iowa lands,

and thus news was spread among the people of the east before the Iowa

lands were thrown open for settlement. Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois were

by this time pretty much settled up, and so was Missouri and nearly all

the land adjoining the Ohio and Mississippi rivers. Thus it was that as

soon as the word came from the government that part of Iowa was thrown

open to settlement adventurous men and brave women soon began to cross

the Mississippi and to settle in various parts of what was then so well

known as the Black Hawk land. There were no roads in those days, not

even trails, and consequently a person did not dare to venture out on

the prairie, but he generally followed some stream so that he could

find his way back to the starting place, at least.

Most of the people who came west to settle had no idea of where to

locate or of the condition of the Iowa lands. They were bold, fearless,

and determined, as well as resolute, and they pushed on until they

found a locality which suited their fancy and here they pitched their

tents and lived in their wagons until suitable log cabins were erected.

Prior to 1829 there was not even a ferry established at any regular

point on which to cross the river into Iowa; even the miner, Dubuque,

when he wanted to re-cross to the Illinois side had to borrow an Indian

canoe. The familiar Du Bois, who came early into Illinois in Joe Davies

county, trading with the Indians, had no other means of crossing the

river than in Indian canoes. By the latter part of 1829 one John Barrel

was commissioned to maintain a ferry at Rock Island, which at that time

was within the confines of Joe Davies county, which extended for miles

and miles along the river, like Dubuque county on the west side of the

river. Col. George Davenport also obtained a permit to run a ferry from

Davenport across the river, the ferry charges being fixed by the

commissioners so that there could be no hold-up. The following charges

were made, which must have been pretty high for the people of small

means in those days:

Man and horse $25.00

Horses or cattle, per head, other than cattle yoke .37-1/2

Road wagon 1.00

For each horse hitched to said wagon .25

Each two-horse wagon .75

Each two-wheeled carriage or cart 1.00

One-horse wagon .75

Each hundred weight of mdse., etc. .06

To avoid paying this ferry charge a great many of the settlers started

early in the spring and would cross the river on the ice and thus save

this additional expense. William Abbe and his family, and many others

who settled in Linn county, at least those who were familiar with the

ferry charges, crossed on the ice.

George Davenport established a trading post as early as 1831 at the

mouth of Rock creek, and another on the east side of Cedar river just

above Rochester a short time later. Thus, gradually, there extended a

system of small stores in the bayous, creeks, and rivers where trading

was carried on mainly with the Indians. The settlers who came generally

followed these trails and would be helped and advised where to go and

where to find the best roads, and also as to whether or not the Indians

in the immediate vicinity of the stores were hostile or friendly.

Block houses had also been erected near these frontier stores for

protection in case of Indian outbreaks.

Another trading point was that of Rockingham which was laid out as

early as 1835, and in the early forties considered one of the best

villages in the territory. It was to this place the early settlers came

up to 1841-42 to trade, as well as to Muscatine and Davenport.

The settlers who came late during the summer of 1838-39 were

unfortunate in case they were unable to get enough hay for their stock,

for the winters were very cold and there were no provisions or food to

be purchased, and many a family along the Cedar river in Linn and Cedar

counties during these years endured some severe trials. Money was

scarce, provisions of all kinds high, and no trading posts nearer than

those at Davenport, Muscatine, and Rockingham. It is said that Robert

Ellis and Philip Hull came to William Abbe's on their way to Muscatine

to get provisions in the fall of 1838. William Abbe gave them

$15.00--all the money he had--and with tears in his eyes told them to

buy what they could, for that he did not know what would become of his

wife and children when that was gone, for it was all the money he had

in the world. They were absent about two weeks, and brought back as

much provisions as they could buy with what money they had, and by

hunting during the winter they got along and helped William Abbe. In

the forties William Abbe secured government contracts, and then became

a well-to-do man. Robert Ellis was a partner with Abbe many times in

supplying the outposts with provisions.

[Illustration: LINN COUNTY SCENES]

Many families during the latter thirties and the early forties

experienced some hard times in Iowa. To make the situation and

surroundings still more difficult the creeks and sloughs between the

settlements were treacherous quagmires in which wagons going for or

returning with provisions were sure to settle in up to the hubs, and

when once in the mud there was no way to get them out except by

unloading or by going to the nearest store for help, which would be

many miles away. Sometimes the assistance of two or three additional

yoke of oxen was secured to pull out the wagon.

The winters of 1837-38-39 and 40 began early, snow falling to the

extent of a foot or two as early as the latter part of October, and it

increased as the winter advanced. There was no thaw in January, and the

settlers were completely shut in until about the middle of April. Then

the snow all melted away and the streams were swollen so as to be

impassable. Thus it was impossible to get to any place for food or for

provisions until way into the summer. Consequently the settlers

experienced many hardships, and much of the stock died from sheer

starvation. As early as possible in the spring the settlers would unite

and start off for Muscatine, Dubuque, or Rockingham for provisions, and

on their return would help the needy settlers who had no opportunity to

get away. Sometimes these journeys were undertaken on foot, when two or

three would start off with knapsacks to get the necessary foods and

medicines, and would return as soon as possible.

It is wonderful what the old settlers endured--how they walked a

distance of 100 miles in less than two days. Robert Ellis walked from

Michigan to Iowa; he walked to Dubuque, Muscatine, Davenport, and

Burlington many times, while it is said of William Abbe that he walked

easily 60 miles a day without being very much exhausted. Then, again,

when roads were impassable for wheeled vehicles they would ride

horseback, leading sometimes one horse to be used as a pack horse to

bring back provisions.

To show with how much difficulty the early settlers toiled to get a

foothold in Linn county, it might be well to state the story of the

life of Edward M. Crow, who, as a young man, in 1837 came into the

county to a place near where is now located Viola. He was only 21 years

of age, and came west from Chicago, having previously come from

Indiana. He stopped first in Illinois and having heard of Iowa, came

here in search of cheap land. He was accompanied by James Dawson and

James Gillilan, the latter owning a team of horses. They constructed

ferry boats of their own on which to cross the river. The other two

parties got tired and left. Crow later found Dawson in Illinois. They

travelled over much of Iowa, back and forth, mostly on foot; sometimes

together, sometimes setting out in different directions alone. Finally,

both Dawson and Crow united in Jones county, staking out a claim in

Linn county in July, 1837. Returning to Fox river, Illinois, again in

quest of provisions, they did not come back to Linn county until in

August of that year, when Ed and Garrison Crow and James Dawson began

their settlement, erected a cabin and cut some hay for the winter. They

were without food, and had to make another trip to the borders of

civilization for provisions for the winter. The monotonous months of

winter rolled by, Crow's party subsisting by hunting as best they

could.

A number of settlers came into Brown township during the early years,

such as Jacob Mann, David Mann, his brother, William P. Earle, Asa

Farnsworth, and many others. John Crow, father of Ed Crow, John Lynn,

O. Bennett, Charles Pickney, Benj. Simmons, Solomon Peckham, and

Alexander Rhotan were emigrants who settled here in 1838. All those who

came that year and have been definitely corroborated, or who were

there as real settlers, were the following: Samuel C. Stewart, Peter

McRoberts, John Afferty, William Abbe, Israel Mitchell, Will Gilbert,

J. G. Cole, Hiram Thomas, Joseph Carraway, Jacob Leabo, John Henry, J.

Wilbert Stone, Osgood Shepherd, wife, father and several children,

Robert Ellis, O. S. Bolling, Mr. Ashmore, W. K. Farnsworth, Robert

Osborn, Thomas Campbell, Perry Oxley, Will Vineyard, James Hunter, J.

J. Gibson, Robert Deem, Michael Donahoo, William Chamberlain, Mr.

Williams, Mr. Evans, J. B. Sargent, John Sargent, A. J. McKean, John

Scott, H. W. Gray, S. H. Tryon, Anson Coles, Andrew Safely, Rev.

Christian Troup, D. S. Hahn, Hiram Bales, Asher Edgerton, Peter Roland,

John Stewart, J. E. Boyd, Philip Hull, John Young, Mr. Granger, L. H.

Powell, John McCloud, Mr. Kemp, Listebarger brothers, and many others.

The Hoosier Grove settlement was made in 1838, being in Putnam

township; Isaac and Abner Cox and John Holler, and several others,

settled here that year.

During the year 1839 Otter Creek was settled by Stevens, Michael

Greene, Bart McGonigle, Henry Nelson, William Chamberlain, Dr. J.

Cummings, Will Sullivan and Perry Oliphant.

Dyer Usher and Joel Howard ferried people across the Mississippi near

Muscatine in the summer of 1839. These men died near Covington a few

years ago. Usher always claimed that he was on the site of Cedar Rapids

as early as 1836 and located west of the river two years later. The

young men could make no money in a new country, and while they took

claims they frequently left for civilization to earn a little money. So

it might have been that Usher was a bona fide resident of Linn county,

while he could get no employment nearer than Muscatine.

A number of persons settled early around Cedar Rapids in the timber a

few miles from town. William Knowles located on what is known as Mound

Farm in 1839 and gave this up to the Brodie family, consisting of

parents, five sons and three daughters. The names of the sons were

Hugh, John, William, Steven, and Jesse. Rev George R. Carroll speaks of

the family as having an unsavory reputation. The family removed further

north when some of them at least were accused of being notorious horse

thieves.

Joel Leverich next became the owner of Mound Farm, a person who had

somewhat of a history in the early days of politics in the county. In

1843-44 this property was purchased by George Greene.

A number of people lived along the trail between Marion and Cedar

Rapids. Among those well known not already mentioned may be named

Ambrose Harlan, Dave Woodbridge, J. E. Bromwell, J. P. Glass, Rufus

Lucore, John and Will Hunter, Thomas Hare, Will Willis, and many

others.

* * * * *

We quote the following from directories and gazeteers published years

ago. These statements may not be correct in some details, but the facts

were obtained from some who were doubtless familiar with them.

Thus Wolfe in his Cedar Rapids and Kingston directory of 1869 speaks of

John Mann, of Pine Grove, as the first settler in Linn county, he

coming in 1838, and of the first marriage in the county as that of

Sarah Haines to Richard Osborne, in 1839, and the first death as that

of Mrs. Haines, an elderly lady who died from an accident in July,

1838.

He further speaks of the first store in Westport as that of Albert

[should be John] Henry in 1838. It is thought that Stone also carried

on some store or trade with the Indians before this. He speaks of the

second store as being operated by W. H. Merritt in 1839. This should be

1838, as is seen from Merritt's letter to S. W. Durham, found in

another portion of this volume.

The first claim of land in Cedar Rapids was made by William Stone, in

1838, who built a cabin on the banks of the river on Commercial street,

now First street. Is this the Shepherd cabin, and was this so-called

first tavern erected and occupied by Stone, who later was compelled to

vacate it and give up his claim? Mr. Wolfe also speaks of the first saw

and grist mill built by Brown in 1842, the second flour mill built by

Alex Ely in 1845, and the first woolen factory erected by Brown in

1845. Miss Legare built a saw mill in 1851.

As late as 1869 Wolfe speaks of eight flour and saw mills being

operated in and around Cedar Rapids. He speaks further of two woolen

factories and the steam bakery of I. H. Shaver & Co., and of the Fish

paper mill, manufacturing 300 tons of paper annually. The directory

speaks of the American Express Company having an office here as early

as 1859, with W. B. Mack as the first local agent.

The editor also mentions that the learned professions were represented

by ten clergymen, thirteen doctors, and about fifteen lawyers.

He also mentions J. Bell's stage line running daily between Iowa City,

Solon, Western, and Cedar Rapids, and also of a line to Vinton.

The following as seen by a traveller may be of interest. It is from _A

Glimpse of Iowa in 1846_, by J. B. Newhall, Burlington, Iowa, _W. D.

Skillman_, publisher, 1846:

"Linn county has become proverbial for the excellence of its

soil, its salubrity of climate, abundance and admirable

adaption of woodlands to the wants and convenience of the

settler. The prairies are remarkably fertile, and of

moderate extent; the timber equally and amply apportioned,

generally of full growth, consisting, principally, of red

and white oak, black and white walnut, linn, sugar, maple,

etc. Linn county is famous for its extensive sugar orchards,

from some of which 500 to 1,000 weight have been annually

made. It is well watered by the Red Cedar and its

tributaries, affording abundance of mill power, much of

which is already improved.

"Marion, the seat of justice, is located near the center of

the county, about four miles east of the Cedar, at the edge

of a beautiful grove, on a gentle prairie roll. It contains

several stores, a commodious hotel, postoffice, various

mechanical establishments, and is a place of considerable

importance."

The modern traveler speaks of broad meadows, of rich corn fields, and

of large manufacturing interests. This traveler of sixty-five years ago

speaks of timber which has disappeared and of maple sugar orchards

which makes us wonder what they were like.

From Bailey & Hair's _Iowa State Gazetteer_, 1865, we gather these

facts:

"The county of Linn is so named in honor of a distinguished

senator of the United States, the Hon. Louis F. Linn, of

Missouri. It is situated centrally in the eastern half of

the state, and from fifty to sixty miles west of the

Mississippi river.

"It was defined by act of the Territorial Legislature of

Wisconsin, at its session of 1837 and '38; that Territory

then including the whole of Iowa within its jurisdiction.

The county limits were the same as they now remain,

consisting of twenty Congressional townships, containing an

area of 720 square miles. It is bounded on the north by

Buchanan and Delaware counties, east by Jones and Cedar,

south by Johnson and west by Benton. It is now divided into

nineteen civil townships, as follows: Bertram, Boulder,

Brown, Buffalo, Clinton, College, Fairfax, Franklin,

Fayette, Jackson, Linn, Marion, Maine, Monroe, Otter Creek,

Putnam, Rapids, Spring Grove, and Washington.

"The county was duly organized by the Board of County

Commissioners at their first session held September 9th,

1839, at the farm house of Mr. James W. Willis, one-half

mile north of the present town of Marion. The board

consisted of Samuel C. Stewart, President, Peter McRoberts,

and Luman M. Strong, Commissioners; Hosea W. Gray, Sheriff;

and John C. Berry, Clerk.

"This Board also approved the selection of the county seat,

which they ordered to be called Marion; divided the county

into election and road districts; and appointed Andrew J.

McKean and William H. Smith, Constables. Of the officers and

persons above named, but two, Messrs. Gray and McKean,

remain residents of the county, the latter being the present

Clerk of the District Court.

* * * * *

"The first white settler in this county was John Mann, who

erected his cabin on Upper Big Creek, in Linn Grove, in the

month of February, A. D., 1838. He was an emigrant from the

mountainous region of southwestern Pennsylvania. He was an

honest, industrious, unlettered, rude sort of man.

Subsequently he built a small flouring mill. A great flood

in the spring of 1851 carried away his mill and himself

together. The unfortunate man was drowned, and his body

recovered only after several days had elapsed. The flood was

unprecedented, and was thought to have been caused by a

water spout. The Little Creek is said to have risen twenty

feet in about as many minutes.

"The next permanent settler was John Crow, a North

Carolinian, who made his home near the east line of the

county on the Wapsipinicon river, in April, 1838. He was a

very gentlemanly person, of more than ordinary intelligence,

wealth and enterprise. He died about five years afterwards,

much respected. His son, Edward Crow, Esq., now a member of

the Board of Supervisors of this County, and other

descendants remain. During the summer of 1838 the

settlements gradually extended in the east part of the

county. The only persons now recollected, of that early

period, as remaining, are John Gibson, of Mount Vernon, and

Andrew J. McKean, and Hosea W. Gray, of Marion. The first

family west of Big Creek was that of Jacob Leabo, from

Kentucky. The first west of Indian Creek was that of James

W. Bassett, from Vermont. The first Justice of the Peace was

John McAfferty, commissioned in 1838. The first Judge of

Probate was Israel Mitchell, a Tennesseean, now residing in

Oregon. The first Sheriff was Hosea W. Gray. The first Clerk

of the District Court was Joseph Williams, a Pennsylvanian:

now said to be in the military service at Memphis,

Tennessee.

"The first officiating minister was the Rev. Christian

Troup, a German Lutheran, who preached regularly in his own

cabin near the mouth of Spring Creek every Sunday during the

latter part of the summer of 1838. The first marriage was

that of Richard Osborn and Sarah Haines, in the spring of

1839. The first birth was that of a daughter of Mrs. Samuel

McCartney, in July, 1838. The first death was that of Mrs.

Haines, an invalid elderly lady, who died from the effects

of an accidental fall in July, 1838. The second was that of

James Logan, an Irishman, who was killed by the caving in of

a well which he was excavating in Marion, July, 1840.

"The first selected town site was called Westport, of which

Israel Mitchell was proprietor. It was near the present site

of the village of Bertram, and was selected in July, 1838.

This was afterwards abandoned. The next in order of time,

was called Columbus, built by William Stone, in September,

1838. He abandoned his town the next spring, there being

only a single log cabin. The site was that occupied by the

present city of Cedar Rapids. The next was Ivanhoe, by Anson

Cowles, in October, 1838, since vacated. The fourth was

Marion, the present county seat, in April, 1839.

"The first election was held at Westport in October, 1838,

that being the only poll opened for the county. The only

candidates were for members of the Assembly; thirty-two

votes were cast. The first member of the General Assembly

elected from this county was the Hon. George Greene, member

of the Legislative Council, elected in 1840. The first store

opened was at Westport, by Albert [John] Henry, in the fall

of 1838. The second at Ivanhoe, in the spring of 1839, by

Col. William H. Merritt.

[Illustration: GOING SHOPPING IN THE EARLY DAYS FROM CARROLLS'S PIONEER

HISTORY]

[Illustration: INDIAN BOYS]

[Illustration: INDIAN TEPEE]

[Illustration: LATER INDIAN HOUSE]

[Illustration: INDIAN GRAVE]

"The first celebration was on the 4th of July, 1839, at

Westport, Judge Mitchell, Orator. There was a dinner,

toasts, and a ball, whereof William H. Smith, Andrew J.

McKean and H. W. Gray, were managers.

"The fifth decennial census of the United States was taken

in 1840, in this county, by H. W. Gray, Deputy Marshal. The

population was 1,342. The influx of settlers for the next

three years was quite rapid, during which time the

population reached probably three thousand. The largest

proportion of the emigration was of Southern origin. The

early settlers were plain, honest, hospitable people, not

much accustomed to legal restraints, and rather impatient of

the slow process and technicalities of the law. As usual, in

all new countries, they were annoyed by vagabonds, who

flocked into the settlements, calculating on impunity in

their depredations, on account of the inefficiency of the

police regulations. A rude justice was not unfrequently

meted out to offenders without recourse to legal forms, or

the intervention of courts.

"In common with all frontier settlements, the first settlers

here were poor; they were obliged to transport their produce

in wagons mostly, to the Mississippi River, at points sixty

or seventy miles distant. When reached at such disadvantage

the markets were very low, consequently the accretions of

wealth were slow, and were mainly invested in the homestead

of the farmer. The discovery of gold in California with the

resulting emigration, opened a good market for the farmers

at home. Afterwards, eastern emigration, with the building

of railroads, connecting the people with eastern markets,

greatly accelerated the prosperity of this county as well as

all other parts of the west. The financial crisis of 1857

interposed a check to this onward career of prosperity. It

was but temporary, however, and the people had fully

regained their former standing when the rebellion commenced.

"It is felt that a county which contributed one general, and

fifteen field officers, with more than two thousand

volunteers in defense of the Union, without draft or

conscription, and without seriously lessening its productive

energies, has an assured basis of future greatness and

prosperity. A basis which nothing short of the entire

upheaval and destruction of the foundations of human society

shall be able to disturb."

In _Guide, Gazetteer and Directory of the Dubuque & Sioux City

Railroad_, Dubuque, _Bailey & Wolfe_, 1868, we read of Cedar Rapids:

"The first settlement here was made in the year 1838 by

William Stone, who erected a log cabin on the bank of the

river in the rear of No. 1 North Commercial street. The same

year Osgood Shepherd, a supposed leader of a band of

outlaws, jumped Stone's claim and took possession of the

cabin, and held it until the year 1841, when he sold

three-fourths of his interest to N. B. Brown and George

Greene, H. W. Gray, A. L. Roach, and S. H. Tryon, for the

sum of $3,000.

"In 1842 he sold the remainder and soon after disappeared

from the country. N. B. Brown came here in 1840, when Mr.

Brown and Judge George Greene became proprietors of the

water power.

"In 1841 the town was laid out and named from the rapids in

the river. The first frame dwelling was erected by John

Vardy and is still standing at 62 Brown street, corner of

South Adams. The building known as the Old Postoffice

Building, North Washington street, was built for a store by

N. B. Brown, the same year. P. W. Earle's residence, 29 Iowa

Avenue, was the first brick building, and was erected by Mr.

Earle in 1849. Wm. Dwyer built the first hotel in 1847. This

was destroyed by fire in January, 1865.

"The work of constructing a dam across the river, was

commenced by N. B. Brown, July 4th, 1842, though much of the

material had been prepared prior to that date. Mr. Brown

commenced the erection of a saw mill, and also of a grist

mill the same year, and both were completed the year

following. A second saw mill was built in 1851.

"The second flouring mill was built by Alexander Ely in

1844-5. The first woolen factory was also built by N. B.

Brown in 1847. In 1855 a city charter was obtained, and at

the first charter election, Isaac N. Whittam was elected

Mayor. Railroad communication with the Mississippi was

opened in 1859, from which time the growth of the city in

wealth and population has been rapid and constant.

"A superior water power has attracted a large interest in

manufactures of various kinds. As early as 1840 one of the

first settlers determined to apply his energies to the

improvement of the water power, and soon after a dam was

thrown across the river, a saw mill built, and other

improvements followed, till now there are located here five

flouring and custom mills, one saw mill, one paper mill, two

woolen mills, and one fanning mill and separator

manufactory."

CHAPTER VII

_William Abbe, the First Settler in the County_

William Abbe, we believe, was the first white settler to locate a claim

within the boundaries of Linn county. He came as early as the summer of

1836, from near Elyria, Lorain county, Ohio, seeking a location, coming

via Rock Island. He followed the Red Cedar river as far as the present

site of Mount Vernon, where he staked out a claim adjoining a little

creek, which to this day goes by the name of "Abbe's Creek." He

returned to his home in Ohio and in the winter of 1837 he again crossed

the Mississippi with his family on the ice as early as February of that

year, according to his daughter's statement, and in April reached the

location he had selected the previous year on Abbe's creek. Here he

erected one of the first cabins in the county, being about 12×14 feet

square, and covered with birch bark, having no floor. In this little

cabin the family lived all summer. In the fall he erected a large

double log house with three large rooms and an upstairs which was

reached by a ladder from within. On this creek the family lived for

five years where Mr. Abbe owned four hundred acres. He disposed of this

farm and removed a short distance south of Marion where he purchased

another farm where he lived till he removed to Marion.

William Abbe was born in Connecticut April 19, 1800, being of English

descent. When a young boy he removed to the state of New York. He was

married to Olive Greene in 1824 and by her had four children: Lucy,

Lois, Andrew, and Susan. Lois Abbe died young, Lucy Abbe died many

years ago, Andrew Abbe passed away at San Juan, California, in 1902,

and Susan Abbe-Shields now resides at Hollister, California.

William Abbe brought his wife and children to Linn county in 1837; his

wife died in 1839 and was buried in a cemetery located near the farm on

which he settled, about two miles northwest of Mount Vernon. He married

a second time on September 13, 1840, his wife being Mary Wolcott, also

from Ohio, and by her he had two sons, born at Marion: Augustus Wolcott

Abbe and William Alden Abbe. William Alden Abbe died several years ago;

his widow and one child, a daughter, reside in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Augustus Wolcott Abbe, an old soldier, resides in Toledo, Iowa, and has

a family of eight children.

Mrs. Susan Shields was born in 1830 and was about seven years of age

when she came to Linn county. She was married to John Harman March 16,

1848, who died shortly afterwards, and she later married John Shields,

a resident of Vinton, Iowa. In an interesting letter on early Linn

county days she writes as follows:

"There were no white people for a long time after we landed

in Linn county; when they did come my mother used to let

them come and stay there until they would find a place to

suit them; it was always a free home for the immigrants.

When we first went there I was but a child seven years old.

The men I remember most were Robert Ellis, one of our first

acquaintances, and Asher Edgerton, the former being with us

a long time when the country was new. Of course we had men

come in, such as horse thieves, and my father had some of

them chained up in one of our rooms for safe keeping until

they could be tried, as there was no jail for some time in

Linn county.

"I went with my father to Marion, a little place then with

one or two houses and a jail. We carried an iron trap door

for the jail; it was in two rooms, one upstairs and one

downstairs. There were two men in the dungeon at the time;

we took the door for this jail. My father was a justice of

the peace for awhile; he was also a member of the state

legislature when the capital was located at Iowa City. Later

father sold our place on Abbe's Creek and purchased another

on the old Marion road, of about three hundred acres,

further north; there was a lovely creek, a grove of maple

trees was on one side and a boundless prairie on the other

side. The Indians used to come in the spring of the year to

camp and make sugar; I have seen as many as five or six

hundred at a time camped near our house in the timber; they

always made it a camping ground at our place and they seemed

to be very fond of my father, who was kind to them and who

spoke and understood the Winnebago language.

"I remember well the first time I went to Cedar Rapids with

my father; this was in the early '40s; there were five

hundred Winnebago Indians camped there at the time. I had

played with the Indians so much that I could talk the Indian

language as well as themselves, so they had me to talk for

them. There were only one or two white settlers there at the

time. By the way, I was the first school teacher they had in

Cedar Rapids; I think it was about in 1846; I still have the

certificate issued to me by Alexander Ely, who was

superintendent at the time. After residing on this place a

short time my father disposed of his farm and removed to

Marion; he also lived for some time at Dubuque where he held

a government position in the Land Office, I think. The

breaking out of the gold fever in 1849 caused him to get

excited and he left for California, leaving the family at

Marion.

"My father was a born pioneer; although born in Connecticut

he went to New York when the country was new, and then to

Ohio, and later came to Iowa. In California he never mined

gold, but teamed and speculated; he was there about two

years, returning to Iowa in 1851, remaining in Iowa only a

short time when he returned to California with his son,

Andrew. My father died in Sacramento, California, February

15, 1854, when about to go to Iowa to bring his family to

California, and he is buried in Sacramento."

This interesting letter from a real Linn county pioneer more than

seventy years of age gives only an idea of the hardships of pioneer

life, and what this woman has endured as a daughter and wife of the

first settlers.

William Abbe's widow, Mary Wolcott, continued to reside in Marion with

her family until August 27, 1861, when she died, universally respected

by all who knew her.

Mr. Abbe was an old time democrat and as such was in the state senate

session, having the honor to appoint Robert Ellis postmaster of the

senate, as a reward of friendship and good will. Mr. Abbe also was a

justice of the peace for some time, was appointed commissioner to

locate state roads, had the contract for the erection of the first jail

at Marion, and was otherwise a very useful citizen. He was also master

of the first Masonic lodge at Marion, and one of the best known and

best educated men in Linn county up to the time of his removal to

California. For a number of years Mr. Abbe was the only person in the

county having ready money, loaning the same to his friends for the

purchase of their claims. He held government contracts for the delivery

of meat and provisions to the Winnebago agency at Fort Atkinson and to

the troops at Prairie du Chien, Wisconsin, and at other places, and

thus was acquainted with many of the military officers in the Black

Hawk war and with the Indian chiefs and braves of the Winnebago tribe,

as well as the Sac and Fox Indians. It is said that William Abbe

conversed freely with the Winnebago Indians, and frequently acted as an

interpreter when matters of importance came up between members of the

tribe and the white settlers; he was always a friend and protector of

the Indians and frequently helped them in securing their just rights

when they had been robbed by the white free-booters, hunters and

trappers.

[Illustration: FORMER PASTORS UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH, LISBON]

William Abbe was a kind and generous man, and his home was always open

to the people who came into Linn county at an early day to seek homes.

It is also said that Mrs. Abbe was an excellent cook and many of the

old surveyors would ride several miles out of their way to get a meal

at the Abbe homestead, for the latch string of the Abbe home was always

out.

Mr. Abbe rode horseback a great deal and would be gone for weeks at a

time, and while he was away the family lived quietly at home awaiting

for days for his return when provisions were frequently scarce and when

the snow drifts generally were large. During the first two seasons

there were very few crops grown, and consequently the father was kept

busy earning a livelihood, the family subsisting mostly on the chase.

He traded provisions with the Indians, at times bringing home large

quantities of honey which was used as sugar in sweetening black coffee

as well as in place of butter on the hard johnny cake.

His son, Augustus Abbe, born on Abbe's creek in 1841, later a member of

the 9th Iowa Infantry, now a retired farmer residing at Toledo, Iowa,

tells the following of his father's life and history:

"There was not a time in my life when I do not remember the

Indian children. I played with them constantly. Those were

my only playmates in the early days. I learned a little of

the Winnebago language, and got along very well. My half

sister, Susan, spoke it fluently, as well as my father. I

remember when I was about five or six years old a number of

Indians were gathered in our house and I climbed a post,

sitting on the same to watch the redskins race their horses.

One of the chiefs, one that had the most gaudy clothing on,

rode by very fast and picked me off the post and put me in

front on his saddle, going at full gallop; he rode a long

ways down through the prairie and my mother expressed much

anxiety, but my father came out and stood there and watched

for me to return. After awhile the Indian came back and put

me safely down in front of the house, to my mother's joy--I,

all the time laughing, thinking that I had had a good time.

The Indian said to my father, 'papoose no 'fraid.' That pony

ride I shall remember as long as I live.

"I also remember my father going away for two or three weeks

at a time, and my mother fixing up his lunch for the

journey. He had a pair of saddle bags filled with papers and

other articles. I still remember when he put on moccasins,

overshoes, and a buffalo overcoat of some kind; he would

bundle up securely, kiss us good-bye and start off across

the prairie at full speed. Many a time I cried, as I wanted

to go along, but on these long journeys I was refused this

pleasure for my father would not neglect business even for

the sake of pleasing his son whom he loved dearly.

"I also remember Robert Ellis, the Ashertons, Willitts,

Clarks, and many others who came to our house and talked way

into the night about trips they had taken over the wide

prairies of Iowa. Our cabin was full of people most of the

time; they would come in late in the night and in the

morning, much to my surprise, I would find a number of

people at breakfast, I not knowing when they came during the

night. I never knew or heard of my mother making any charge

for keeping anyone over night, whether they were strangers

or acquaintances, whether they were poor or rich made no

difference; whatever she had she would divide with a

traveller or other stranger who came to her hospitable home.

"I do not know that my mother understood much of the Indian

language, but she was kind to them and the squaws used to

sit on our door steps more than once. She gave them food

that she had prepared, sweetened with honey which they liked

very much.

"I remember going to Marion with my father many times when

it was a very small village with a jail which my father

always pointed out as having built. He also taught me that I

must do right or else I might have to stay in that jail or

some other jail if I did not. These lessons were certainly

deeply impressed on me for life. I remember, also, when we

removed from Marion to Dubuque. I think that was in 1847,

and we remained there for some time, but I think less than a

year, when we removed back to Marion. My father held a

government position there in the land office, I think.

"My two uncles, Charles and Eliezar Abbe, resided in Ohio,

one later removing to Michigan. The latter visited my father

frequently. He was related, also, on his wife's side, to Ed

Clark, an early settler in Linn county. These men were much

taken up with the country and we had hoped that they would

come here to locate, but they did not.

"I also, with my father, visited Cedar Rapids many times,

and I do not believe I was more than five or six years of

age, hardly that, when I first saw Cedar Rapids, where I was

much interested in the dam and the mills. The town then

consisted of a few log houses along the east bank of the

river. The remainder of the town was a mass of sand burrs,

weeds, and timber, and along Cedar Lake and along the river

large numbers of Indians were camped, especially up along

the Cedar Lake and along what is now known as McCloud's

Springs. In this locality several hundred Indians would camp

in the winter and spring of the year, trapping, hunting, and

trading skins with the whites for red clothing, guns, and

ammunition. They would hang around the flour mills during

the day time where there were always a lot of people

gathered.

"My mother was a member of the Lutheran church, which church

she now and then attended, but there were not many churches

in that day. My father was not a church member.

"I remember my sister, Susan, teaching one of the first

schools in Cedar Rapids, much to the satisfaction of the

members of our family. In politics my father was a stanch

democrat and an admirer of Andrew Jackson. He also became

acquainted with most of the officers who remained in the

west after the close of the Black Hawk war, on account of

his government employment in which he was engaged. He was

also personally acquainted with the persons who had charge

of the Winnebago school, as well as those in charge of Fort

Atkinson. Nearly all the people who rode horseback from Iowa

City to Dubuque came by way of Mount Vernon, and would

generally stop over night at our home. I remember my father

and the strangers talking over politics until way into the

night, and still remember many of these discussions as to

the future of Iowa and as to the political aspirations of

the various parties. My father took a lively interest in

politics, as well as in the development of the west, and

when it was settled up he had a longing for starting another

pioneer settlement. He used to say when the land was pretty

much taken that it was too close, he had to get away, as he

wanted more room. By training and environment he was a true

pioneer and full of enthusiasm for the upbuilding of a

pioneer country.

"When he was away in California we were much interested in

his letters and we all wanted to go. When our father

returned we asked him all sorts of questions about the gold

camps of the west, and what he had experienced, and we spent

whole evenings listening to his conversations. He did not

take us at that time, but wanted to seek out an ideal

location and get settled before he took us out there. But

the day never came, and we never saw him again when he left

on his second trip to California in 1852. All that we knew

was that my mother received a letter from a Masonic order in

Sacramento that the order had taken care of him in his

sickness and had seen that he received a suitable burial. He

was sick only a short time and none of his old friends was

with him when he died. Robert Ellis came to Sacramento

looking for his old neighbor and heard to his sorrow that

his friend had died only a week before. He came into

Sacramento from the camps on the American river.

"After my father's death my mother resided in Marion with

her family where she died August 27, 1861, at the age of

fifty-eight years. As I felt downhearted at the time I

joined the army and went to the front. November 29, 1865, I

was joined in marriage to Cynthia Walker, daughter of an old

Linn county pioneer.

"My father was also sheriff of Linn county. However, of this

there does not seem to be any record, as I have been

informed. He may have been appointed sheriff to fill a

vacancy, or he may have been a deputy, I am not certain

about that, but I know he was acting, at least, in the

capacity of sheriff and caused the arrest of a number of

horse thieves and other alleged criminals. My father was

over six feet tall, straight as an arrow, rather slender,

but very active, and I never saw a horse that he could not

mount and ride at any time without the least effort.

"We used cattle for plowing, but generally kept also several

horses, but these were used to drive and ride and not to

work very much.

"I believe that among the early settlers of the '30s and

'40s my father had the good will of all law-abiding

citizens. He was affable to strangers and true as steel to

his friends, and was universally respected."

William Abbe will be remembered as one of the most prominent of his day

and generation in Linn county, for his kindness, his uprightness, his

never wavering from the path of right. Whether amid the influences of

the home circle or surrounded by the temptations of the mining camp, he

was always the same sturdy, upright citizen, wanting to do right and

helping his fellow men who were more unfortunate than himself.

One of his old and true friends, speaking of his long deceased friend,

expressed words of deepest feeling which can be only expressed in the

well known stanzas:

"Green be the turf above thee,

Friend of my better days,

None knew thee but to love thee,

None named thee but to praise."

While a great many are now of the opinion that William Abbe was the

first actual settler within the confines of Linn county, a number are

still of the opinion that Daniel Seward Hahn was the first settler. He

came here, accompanied by his wife, Parmelia Epperson Hahn. John J.

Daniels, an old settler in Linn county, and a son of Jeremiah Daniels,

who came to Linn county in 1844, was pretty good authority on the

subject of the early settlers. In a number of conversations had with

him on this subject and from what he wrote for the _Annals of Iowa_,

Vol. VI, p. 581, and for the Iowa _Atlas_, 1907, it is gathered that he

was of the opinion that Daniel Hahn was the first actual settler, at

least the members of the Hahn family, of whom there are a number still

living in Linn and adjoining counties, claim that their ancestor,

Daniel Hahn, should be awarded the honor. In the _Annals of Iowa_ Mr.

Daniels has the following:

"Daniel Hahn and his brother-in-law, Charles Moberly, came

to Linn county in the spring of 1837, made a claim and built

a cabin upon it, did some breaking, and in August removed

with wife and five children from Mercer county, Illinois. At

this time there was no house in Linn county to his

knowledge."

This, Mr. Daniels says, was the statement made to him and others in the

lifetime of Daniel Hahn.

This may be true, that in the early day very little, if any, social

intercourse was had among the early settlers and no one paid any

attention to time or place, and it might be that Mr. Abbe, Mr. Hahn,

and Mr. Crow might have settled at the same time, one never having

known that the others had located here.

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

"Edward M. Crow came to the county in July, 1837, in company

with his brother, locating near Viola where they made a

claim and erected a shanty; they remained there only a few

days, returning to Fox river to obtain provisions, having

decided to locate in the county. In the latter part of

August Edward Crow and his brother and James Dawson began to

work on their new possessions; about this time there came

also two other pioneers by the name of Joslyn and Russell;

they remained in the crude cabin during the winter and their

time was spent mostly in hunting, tanning pelts and trading

with the Indians. Their cabin was erected at the edge of

what was known as the 'Big Woods' in Brown township."

Thus it would seem that William Abbe in point of time was the first

actual white settler to locate a claim and later to settle on this

claim with his family, within the confines of Linn county. True,

hunters and trappers may have been here earlier, but no actual _bona

fide_ settler, as far as we have been able to ascertain. The testimony

of Mrs. Susan Shields, a daughter still living, would seem to suffice

as to the time when the great river was crossed and as to the time the

family came to Linn county.

[Illustration: HON. SAMUEL W. DURHAM Honored Pioneer]

CHAPTER VIII

_The County Seat Contests--First Railroad in the County_

The county seat of Linn county was established at Marion by a board of

commissioners consisting of Lyman Dillon, Ben Nye, and Richard Knott.

As the years rolled by the question arose as to the removal of the

county seat to Cedar Rapids, where it seems that it was needed, being

what was then known as the commercial metropolis of the county. The

people of Marion insisted that that city was the center. While there

was more or less feeling in the county over the county seat fight, the

legislature of Iowa in 1850-51 created the office of county judge,

which was designed to and did succeed the former legislative bodies of

the several counties of the state. The judge had the same powers

possessed by the board of supervisors which controlled the affairs of

the county later. Among the rights and privileges peculiar to the

office was that most important one of submitting to the people the

question of raising money for the purpose of repairing and erecting

buildings for the use of the county officers. (See Code of 1851.)

In 1855 James M. Berry was county judge, and a shrewd fellow he was. In

pursuance of the law, and what he thought his duty, Judge Berry took

steps to erect a jail and a fireproof building for the use of the

county officers. These buildings were contracted for by a firm at Mt.

Vernon, Ohio, in the spring of that year. Then the people arose in arms

as to the high-handed methods of Judge Berry. Political questions were

lost sight of in the court house struggle. Speakers were employed pro

and con. Judge Berry's term of office expired January 1, 1856, and a

successor was to be elected in August of 1855. Marion put up Judge

Berry for re-election, while Cedar Rapids put up Rev. Elias Skinner, a

well known Methodist preacher who had traveled about the county and who

was well known by everyone as an aggressive fighter and a man who

believed in what he did and would have things his way if possible. The

canvass was in the aggregate with Judge Berry at 1,233 votes, while

Skinner showed up with 993 votes, the judge being re-elected by a

majority of 240 votes, thereby affirming by a referendum vote his

policy.

Reverend Skinner is still living at Waterloo, and not long ago the

writer had a conversation with him about this the most famous fight

that has ever occurred in Linn county over the removal of the court

house. Mr. Skinner just laughed and said he put up a good fight, but

the other fellow had the votes.

In 1871 another court house fight was had, but the board held that

because of many names of voters being on both petitions these petitions

were defective.

In the spring of 1872 another petition was brought out for the

re-location of the court house and an endless number of names were

again filed pro and con. Much money was spent on both sides; again the

Cedar Rapids faction was beaten, some preliminary steps were taken for

an appeal but the appeal was stricken from the docket.

Another attempt was made by Cedar Rapids for a change of location of

the court house a few years ago, and again the petitioners lost out,

and that case has been pending on the court docket but no action has

been taken, so that it has for the fourth time been lost, much to the

surprise of the citizens of Cedar Rapids and to the satisfaction of the

people of Marion and a large portion of the northern part of the county

who have always stood out for Marion in the fights on the re-location

of the county seat.

THE FIRST RAILROAD IN LINN COUNTY

While it may have been charged at times that Iowa was slow in getting

in touch with railway builders, it must be borne in mind that the first

railroad to be built in the United States upon which a steam engine was

used was constructed in 1829; but very little was done until about

1833-34. By 1835 there were not over 100 miles of road in active

operation within the confines of the entire country. Up to 1841 not a

mile of track had been laid in any of the following states: Ohio,

Indiana, Illinois, Michigan. By the end of 1848 there were only

twenty-two miles of tracks laid in Illinois, eighty-six in Indiana, and

none in Wisconsin or Missouri.

Traffic so far had been exclusively by river, lake, canal, or in

wagons. Much money had been expended in opening up rivers for steamboat

traffic and more or less had been voted to build roads and dig canals.

But over such a large stretch of country it was impossible for the

nation to do much.

As early as 1837 many citizens of Iowa and others began to agitate for

a transcontinental line of railroad to run from the Atlantic states to

the Pacific, and for a grant of land by congress for this purpose. Asa

Whitney, of New York, an able and public spirited man, had written much

in the papers proposing such a project. There was of course at that

time more or less speculation as to just where such proposed railroad

might pass. The southern senators proposed a road through St. Louis and

across Missouri to Kansas. There was a spirit of rivalry at this time.

When Chicago began to get its growth the far-sighted people of that

city saw that it would be in the interests of Chicago to have the line

go directly west and through Iowa, and thus cut out a dangerous rival.

The Chicago press henceforth always favored a direct route through

Iowa. As early as 1838 G. W. Jones, then delegate in congress from

Wisconsin, secured an appropriation of $10,000, which was expended in

making a survey from Lake Michigan through southern Wisconsin.

Now the people of Iowa became active. They wanted a railroad from the

lakes west, and this could only be secured by public or state aid. The

legislature of 1844 joined in a petition to congress asking a grant of

public land to the Territory of Iowa to aid in the construction of a

railroad from Dubuque to Keokuk. The grant was to consist of alternate

sections extending five miles in width on each of the proposed roads or

its equivalent in adjacent government lands.

During the winter of 1844-45 a convention was held at Iowa City where

nearly all the counties of the territory were represented by wide-awake

young men in the interest of this railway promotion. Several proposed

lines were agitated and as some of these lines did not start at any

place and went to no place many of these projects failed.

The first grant of public lands in Iowa for transportation was not for

railroads but for improving navigation on the Des Moines river. It was

made in 1846. Strong then was the prejudice against railway promotion,

and little faith did the public men in congress put in this so-called

wild speculation.

The people of Iowa were so enthusiastic in the way of railway building

and in the promotion of enterprises that they even ignored old

political standards. It would appear that when the subject of the

training of the candidates was looked into it, it depended more on what

use such person would be for the work of getting a railway grant than

how he would vote on the tariff or on the rights of South Carolina.

The following letter, written May 28, 1848, by W. H. Merritt to S. W.

Durham, an old friend and fellow democrat, shows plainly the attitude

of one of the leading men of the party, then living at Dubuque, but who

had formerly resided at Ivanhoe and hence was one of the early men in

Linn county. He mentions Preston (Colonel Isaac Preston), and gives his

reasons for not wanting him. The Leffingwell mentioned was the

well-known W. E. Leffingwell, who formerly resided at Muscatine, then

Bloomington, and later removed to Clinton county. He was an eloquent

lawyer and a popular man. He was later defeated by William Smyth for

congress in this district. Bates and Folsom were both prominent Iowa

City men, and well known in political circles for many years. Judge

Grant was the noted jurist of Davenport, and was a well-known railroad

promoter who had much influence in early years in Iowa.

In this letter Mr. Merritt suggests George Greene as a candidate from

Linn county. There is no doubt that if at this time Mr. Greene had been

selected, he would have carried the district and made an enviable

record as a statesman, and no doubt on account of his judgment and his

keenness in business, he would have obtained from congress such favors

as would have amounted to much good for Iowa in the first stages of her

statehood. The letter does not show whether or not Mr. Greene had

consented or would consent to such a course, although it has been

stated that he most likely would have consented to have made the

canvass. For congress the whigs nominated this year, 1848, D. F. Miller

for the first district and Tim Davis for the second district. The

democrats nominated for the first district William Thompson, and for

the second district Shepherd Leffler. The whigs were strong, the total

vote for president at the November elections being, Cass, democrat,

12,093; Taylor, whig, 11,144; Van Buren, free soiler, 1,126.

Leffler was elected, and Miller on a close vote contested the election

of Thompson before congress. The committee on elections declared the

seat vacant. Leffler, who was elected after an exciting canvass, was a

native of Pennsylvania, who came to Iowa Territory in 1835. He sat in

the first constitutional convention in 1844, and two years later was

elected to congress by the state at large, and hence in 1848 he had the

inside track. In 1856 he was again a candidate but was defeated by Tim

Davis, his old whig opponent of 1848. In 1875 he was a candidate for

governor against S. J. Kirkwood, and was defeated. He died at

Burlington in 1879. He had been one of the trusted leaders of his party

for many years.

The letters from W. H. Merritt and George Greene show what interest

these men had in the railroad enterprise.

LETTER FROM MERRITT

"Strictly confidential.

Dubuque, May 28, 1848.

"Friend Durham:

"Having retired from the editorial tripod I find more time

to devote to my friends in the reflective and agreeable

exercise of correspondence than formerly. Since my second

return to Iowa it would have been highly gratifying to my

feelings had I been so situated in business as to have

employed a portion of my time in personal communication with

my friends, in viewing scenes connected with the early

settlement of Iowa, and in witnessing the numerous monuments

reared to attest the prevailing, the restless and resistless

enterprise of the Anglo-American. In 1838, when I first

pitched my tent at Ivanhoe, Linn county had but few white

inhabitants, possessed but few attractions for one

accustomed to the society of one of the old Federal

colonies, and was entirely destitute of political or

judicial organization. Everything that the eye could behold

appeared in a rude state of nature. Vast prairies which

extended for miles presented no evidences of civilization,

no familiar sound like that of the woodman's axe appeared to

interrupt the solemn stillness of an uninhabited wilderness.

The marks of wild beasts and wild men were now and then

visible and the similitude was striking between the two, as

though both were born to the same sphere of action and

subject to the same laws of being. A sort of wildness and

sacred stillness seemed to pervade the whole atmosphere.

Reclining upon a buffalo robe in my tent, reflecting upon

the varied scenery without and quietly listening to the

solemn murmurs of the Cedar, I thought I could perceive

visions of earthly happiness for the man of true genius

nowhere else to be found. The longer I remained upon the

spot, the more it endeared itself to my affections, and the

less I thought of cultivated society and the dazzling

beauties of wealth, and its primeval companion, aristocracy.

Nature seemed to be decked in her nuptial dress and wild

beasts danced to and fro with a festive heart to the

harmonious notes of a troop of forest birds.

"Circumstances forced me to leave that consecrated spot

after a year's residence, and once more become a victim to

the cold restraints and relentless laws of civilization. For

five years was I bound by stern necessity to a habitation

worse than a prison, and associated with men as little to be

admired for their social qualities of character as the

cannibals of old. To be engaged in merchandising among a

people whose only article of faith was 'cheat and grow

rich,' and whose friendship could be secured only by

corrupting the morals and lacerating the heart of the

innocent, was a pursuit little to be desired by one whose

heart had been consecrated to a different field of

enterprise and nourished by the sacred impulses of the West.

Be assured I escaped from this thralldom as soon as I could,

and never to this hour has my mind enjoyed that repose that

it did when seated upon the banks of the Cedar and

surrounded by the beautiful scenery of Ivanhoe. I

experienced a kind of maternal affection for the spot, a

mystic tie instinctively chains my mind to its early

history, and a magic like that which bound Blennerhasset to

his favorite island in the Ohio seems to pervade every

recollection connected with its name and its founder.

"But I must abandon this subject, or I shall trespass upon

the time and space designed for another, and convert what

was intended for a political letter into a literary bore. As

you manifested a friendly solicitude when here that I should

take up my residence in Linn county when my studies were

finished, I thought it not out of place to remind you where

my inclination would lead me.

"I would speak privately to you upon the subject of a

candidate for congress in this district. I understand that

Mr. Preston of Linn is to be a candidate; that Leffler will

be a candidate; Leffingwell of Bloomington and Bates and

Folsom of Iowa City. Leffler I do not believe can be

nominated. I think he has acted in bad faith with his

constituents. Leffingwell has no chance, although he has the

untiring vigilance of S. C. Hastings to support him. Preston

I fear has no chance. He is deceived by Hastings and I fear

erroneously counts upon the delegation from Dubuque. We have

appointed eight delegates. I am one. I have spoken to them

all and find that every man is in favor of giving the

nomination to Linn County for the reason that the interest

of Linn is identical with that of Dubuque in properly

agitating and ultimately constructing the Railroad from this

to Keokuk, but they will not support Preston because they

have no confidence in his ability.

"One thing is very certain, Friend Durham, and that is that

we must elect a man who is identified with this great

railroad improvement. Preston would no doubt do all in his

power, but he fails to unite that confidence in his favor

necessary to give him the nomination. Leffler would no doubt

do what he has done, give Davenport the preference.

Leffingwell as a matter of course would feel but little

personal interest in a railroad running through the interior

of the state and forty or fifty miles removed from his

immediate constituency, to whom he is more nearly allied and

intimately associated in political friendship. All residing

upon the banks of the Mississippi and in its immediate

vicinity, except those at Keokuk and this point, are opposed

to any grant by Congress for this railroad, and I can hardly

conceive that it reflects any dishonor upon them as a

community or as private individuals, for they are no doubt

influenced like all men from natural and selfish impulses.

But with Mr. Leffler the case is far different. He was

elected to represent the wishes and interests of one entire

community of people, eight-tenths of whom have a direct and

vital interest in the success of this enterprise. He is

requested and repeatedly urged by petition and memorial to

give it his earnest support. But he pays no regard to their

solicitations until a scheme in which he is more directly

interested is matured, forwarded to him, and he puts it upon

its passage through Congress. At least six weeks before a

single step was taken in aid of the Davenport road in this

state, petitions were forwarded to Mr. Leffler for the

Dubuque and Keokuk road. In truth no move was made for the

Davenport road until Judge Grant returned from Washington

City, which was some twelve days after the Legislature had

convened, and after the petition had gone from this place,

Cascade, from your town, a memorial from the legislature,

and the convention had been held at Iowa City, at which, if

I mistake not, you were present. Under this state of facts I

cannot but regard Mr. Leffler as hostile to this road, in

which case our delegation cannot support his claim.

[Illustration: SOME EARLY MEMBERS UNITED BRETHREN CHURCH, LISBON]

"As to Bates and Folsom of Iowa City, we regard them as

feeling an equal interest in both roads, both proposing to

pass through Iowa City. Under these circumstances what

policy does it become us to adopt? Emphatically to select a

candidate upon the proposed line of road. Can you not bring

forward some man besides Preston? Mr. Boothe and some three

or four of our leading men have suggested to me that if Linn

county should bring forward G. G. [George Greene], he would

get the nomination and be elected by an overwhelming

majority. Mr. G. is absent and I know not whether it would

suit him if conferred. He is in feeling and interest

emphatically a Linn County man, but whether such a proposal

would strike him favorably or meet with his sanction are

questions which I am unable to solve. I think if sent to

Congress he would be a working man and would be very active

towards procuring an appropriation for the said road. He

feels, as does every Linn county man, a very deep interest

in the enterprise. I wish you would give this subject a

candid investigation and then write me upon the subject.

"I have been solicited to become a candidate for the

Legislature. I have peremptorily declined. I feel no

particular aspirations for office. I desire to give my time

to the study of the law. You will recollect that I have

introduced the name of Mr. Greene to your notice without his

knowledge and entirely upon my own responsibility.

"Our families are all well. Mr. Greene has been absent

between three and four weeks. Remember me to all friends and

believe me, your obedient servant and faithful friend,

WM. H. MERRITT.

"P. S.--Will you be so kind as to inform Wm. Greene that Mr.

Bonson is anxiously waiting for that two yoke of oxen, which

George contracted with him for. He wants them immediately.

Respectfully yours,

"WM. H. MERRITT."

Mr. Merritt was a man of ability and prominent in the democratic party

up to the time of his death. As candidate for governor in 1861, against

S. J. Kirkwood, with four other candidates claiming to run on the

democratic platform, Mr. Merritt received 43,245 votes out of a total

vote cast of 108,700. This testifies to Mr. Merritt's popularity among

the people of Iowa.

LETTER FROM GEORGE GREENE

"Dubuque, March 3, 1847.

"Dear Durham:

"I find that I cannot without great injury to my business

here, leave until next week; but still I am very anxious to

see the work go on. If you like my suggestion of finishing

Jo's [Joseph Greene] contract first in order to expedite the

arrival of the money it will be as well to have Wm. [Greene]

send Andrew or some other person out to bring the field

notes in. I propose the finishing of Jo's first because it

can be done soonest. It will not require so long to plat the

work in the S. G.'s office, and it will not interfere with

the operations of Mr. Ross, who will take the field at the

time, or soon after, you do. He wrote Mr. Wiltse that he

should return to the work as soon as the snow decayed

sufficient to justify. If any, he has done but very little

in the T.s south of the one you have to correct. You may get

any one you please to go out in my or Jo's place at our

expense. The weather may not suffer you to start out before

I come down, which I think will be early next week. You will

take my horse, wagon, or anything else of mine that you may

need. Mr. Wiltse thinks you had better make all your

calculations before going upon the ground. He thinks you can

do it more correctly and with a great saving of time and

expense.

"If you should consider it necessary you can employ Major

McKean to go in our place; though I should think Andrew or

some other good hand will do as well. If you should see fit

to adopt my plan I will be at Cedar Rapids at the time the

notes reach there and will bring them on immediately to

Dubuque. Out of the money first received we will of course

pay off the balance of the expenses of the surveys. You can

show this to Wm. and Jos.

"Yours truly

GEO. GREENE.

"S. W. Durham, Esq.,

"Marion,

"Linn Co.,

"Iowa."

The following is a report of the railroad meeting held at Marion in

1850 in which nearly all the public-spirited men of the city took part:

RAILROAD MEETING, MARION, NOVEMBER 30, 1850

Meeting called to order by appointing P. W. Earle chairman

and J. Green, secretary.

On motion of W. Smythe, Esq., Resolved that a committee be

appointed to report names of delegates to attend the State

Rail Road Convention to be held at Iowa City on the

.......... day of December next.

Committee appointed by chair, H. W. Gray, Sausman, Dr. Ely,

Hill of Putnam, Ashlock, Griffin, Mills of Marion.

Maj. McKean was called for to address the meeting. He

proceeded to do so in an appropriate address.

On motion of Hon. G. Greene, Resolved that the delegates

appointed to attend the State Rail Road Convention form

themselves into a Rail Road Association and draft articles of

said association for the advancement of the Dubuque & Keokuk

Rail Road.

The committee appointed to report names of delegates to

attend State Convention through H. W. Gray report the names

of the following persons as delegates:

T. J. McKean, Hon. G. Greene, Dr. Jacob Williams, W. P.

Harman, Esq., Ed. Railsback, Mr. Steadman, E. D. Waln,

Freeman Smythe, J. J. Nugent, E. Jordan, Dr. Brice, Col. I.

Butler, Robert Robinson, Jas. M. Berry, Isaac Cook, Esq.,

John C. Berry, A. R. Sausman, N. W. Isbel, Esq., P. W. Earle,

Esq., William Smythe, Esq., Dr. J. F. Ely, Dr. Carpenter,

Hon. S. W. Durham.

Which report was by substituting the name of H. W. Gray in

place of W. Smythe, Esq., adopted.

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

appoint a substitute.

On motion of Dr. Carpenter, Resolved that the secretary

inform absent delegates of their appointment.

On motion of Hon. G. Greene, Resolved that the delegates

shall assemble in a separate convention if they shall deem

expedient after the action of the State Convention to advance

the interest of the Dubuque & Keokuk Rail Road.

Messrs. Cook, Esq., and Hon. G. Greene being called for,

addressed the meeting in appropriate addresses.

On motion the meeting adjourned.

J. GREENE, Secretary.

The getting of a railroad into Cedar Rapids then was the much talked of

scheme, and many people believed that this would also end in failure as

many other paper railroads had ended before. But the men at the head of

this company were men who had a standing in the financial world and

were in touch with the big banks of the country. They did not rely on

the taxes voted or on empty promises, for if these failed they would

still go on with the work. It is needless to add that this company,

like all others, got as much tax as possible and changed the location

of the route according to the amounts of bonuses offered. When the road

entered Cedar Rapids it was the beginning and the end in the long

struggle for railroad supremacy in the county, and decided for all

times the supremacy of the river city over the county seat. The latter

without a railway could do nothing more than sit down and wait till

such a time as some company saw fit to extend a line across the state

through other points.

For the air line known as the Iowa Central Air Line, the citizens of

Linn county voted in June, 1853, the sum of $200,000 to aid in the

construction of the road. In 1856 congress voted a grant of land to the

state of Iowa to aid in the construction of four roads across it,

including one on the line of this company. The legislature in extra

session conferred the land on this road in case it was completed. A

contract was let to a New York concern to complete the road to Marion,

a distance of eighty miles. On account of the financial crash in 1857

the contractors failed to raise the money and to go on with the work.

While the people were sore over this failure another company began

building from Clinton west and had completed forty miles during the

year 1858. It came as far as Lisbon by the end of this year, and this

was the first railroad station within the borders of Linn county.

The Dubuque and Southwestern was extended through to Cedar Rapids in

1865, just six years after the Northwestern road had laid its track to

the river and had trains running. This caused Cedar Rapids to become at

that early day a sort of railway center, and opened up a new territory

towards Dubuque. It was not a success financially till it was absorbed

by the Milwaukee road in May, 1878.