FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE COUNTY JANUARY 3,1842

"James L. Scott reported to the Commissioners that he had collected taxes for the year 1841 to the amount of $1,083.33." Receipts from licenses during the year, $202.50; fines, $15. Total receipts, $1,300.83. The total amount of expenditures for the same period was $1,573.76, leaving a balance against the county of $262.93. In those days, it appears the closest economy was practiced by the county authorities. There was no source of revenue except from the tax assessed against the personal property, licenses collected from merchants, grocers, etc., an fines for misdeeds. The latter were small, amounting to only $15 for the year ending on the 31st day of December, 1841.

LAST MEETING UNDER TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION

The last meeting of the Commissioners under Territorial jurisdiction was held on the 3d day of November, 1846. The following were their last official orders previous to the admission of the Territory into the Union as a sovereign and independent State.

Ordered, That the Treasurer pay William Brown $10 for four days' service as County Commissioner.

Ordered, That the Treasurer pay Albert L. Connable $10 for four days' service as County Commissioner.

Ordered, That the Treasurer pay Smith Ball $10 for four days' service as County Commissioner.

Ordered, That the Treasurer pay John Shields, Commissioners' Clerk, $22 as per bill on file.

Ordered, That Court adjourn until the first Monday in January, 1847.

(Signed)

WILLIAM BROWN,
ALBERT L. CONNABLE,
SMITH BALL.

The transition from Territorial dependency to State dependency was easy, and involved no change in the management of county affairs. The January session was governed by the same rules, and everything went along as smoothly as if "nothing had happened." Wolf-hunters were present in force, and the most of the first day was devoted to the examination of prairie-wolf scalps and the allowance of premiums for the taking thereof. Two full pages of the old journal are take up with orders, of which the following two wree verbatim copies:

1170. Ordered, That the Treasurer pay H. C. Ross $1 for one prairie-wolf sculp, as per certificate on file.

1174. Ordered, That the Treasurer pay W. L. Hamilton, assinee of Joseph Scott, $3 for three prairie-wolf sculps, as per certificate on file.

406

Forty-five dollars were "ordered" paid for this branch of hunters' industry, and it hadn't been a very good season for wolf-sculping, either.

From the date of the first meeting of the County Commissioners at the town of Lockridge, on the 8th day of April, A. D. 1839, to the present—a period of thirty-nine years—the business of the county has gone smoothly along. The county increased in population and wealth from year to year, until now it is among the foremost counties in the State in all that goes to make a people proud, prosperous and happy. The economy commenced by the early Commissioners has been rigidly enforced, and, as a result, the credit of the county is as "good as gold."

Commencing with the first presence of white men in the territory now included in Jefferson County in August, 1835, the history of its settlement and development down to the organization of the county, in 1839, was as carefully and accurately traced as possible. The incidents occurring previous to that date, and which are made to form a part of these pages, were gathered from such of the old settlers as have been spared to the present. That some errors will be detected by critical readers, the writer has no doubt. But the cause of the errors, if errors there be, does not rest with either the writer or his authority. The incidents are all quoted from the memory of such of the surviving settlers as could be seen. Not one of them had ever been committed to paper, and to treasure and preserve such a multiplicity of events, dates, names, etc., intact and unbroken, and recall them in regular order after the lapse of nearly half a century, without written data, is beyond the power of man.

The history of the organization of the county, and the modus operandi of starting the county machinery and of its political economy, is gathered from such of the county records as have been preserved. It was not the purpose to follow in detail and transfer to these pages the entire proceedings of the Board of County Commissioners, County Judge and Board of County Supervisors, but only to quote sufficiently therefrom to preserve the history of the first public acts and establish the economy of the early county authorities. Having accomplished this purpose, we leave the general details of county management and will only note a few of the more important events, such as the building of the present Jail, the Court House, the railroad enterprises, Poor-Farm, war record, Agricultural Society, etc.

SECOND COURT HOUSE AND SECOND JAIL

At the January session (1848), the Commissioners directed the Clerk to "insert a notice in the Iowa Sentinel, offering a premium of $25 for the best plan and specifications for a Court House, to be 40x70 feet, to be built of brick with good stone foundations, to be received until the 22d instant, at which time they will be opened."

From some cause, not explained on the journal, the Commissioners did not "open and examine the plans and specifications" on the day designated. No further mention is made of "plans and specifications," but under date of the 22d of January, the Clerk was ordered to advertise in the Iowa Sentinel and Burlington Gazette for proposals for the "erection of a Court House on the public square, in the town of FAirfield, according to the plans and specifications on file in the Commissioners' office, to be let to the lowest and most responsible bidder."

SATURDAY, March 26.—This being the day appointed for the opening of proposals for building a Court House in the town of Fairfield, in the county of Jefferson, when, upon opening and examining the said bids, it was decided by the Board that the same be let to—

407

Right there the entry stops, and no further mention is made of the contract or the building until October, 1849. It is stated, however, by George Craine, that the lowest bid was made by a man named Seman, but that James Thompson and Joseph Knott entered into an arrangement with Seman, by which, for a consideration, he withdrew or released his bid to Thompson and Knott, and that they became the recognized contractors. When several months had passed, Thompson and Knott sublet the contract to John Shields, Thompson retaining an interest. Shields and Thompson got some of the material on the ground, and the foundation walls nearly completed, but they finally relinquished the contract to the Commissioners. Daniel Mendenhall, one of the County Commissioners, on behalf of the Board, entered into a verbal agreement with George Craine to complete the building and take in part payment the old Court House and the lot of ground on which it stood, at $600. Craine was making arrangements to commence operations, when Mendenhall advised him that he could not have the contract, but that he himself had determined to build the Court House. Mendenhall then advertised (but not according to law, so it is said) the old Court House and grounds for sale, and did sell it for about $300—one-half less than Craine had agreed to give for it and take it in part payment for building a new Court House. Mendenhall soon found, however, that he could not go on with the erection of the building, and tendered the contract to Craine, which the latter gentleman, through the intercession of a Whig friend, finally accepted at an advance of $100 over his first "bid," and, on the 27th of October, 1849, a contract was entered into between the Commissioners, on the part of the county, and George Craine, by which the latter gentleman agreed to complete the Court House for &7,500. The contract specified that he was to take the materials on the ground, and the work already done at the prices paid, and deduct the same from the contract price; "also, the amount to be paid for hauling the brick from Shelton's, and for stone furnished and to be furnished by John G. Lembarger, and also to pay D. Mendenhall $25 for his services as Building Superintendent up to date," etc.

Under these conditions, Mr. Craine perfected his arrangements, and, in the spring of 1850, commenced work. The stone used in the foundation was hauled from the Cedar and Walnut Township quarries; the cut-stone was all taken from the Walnut Creek quarry, near Pheasant's Ford; the brick was made, in part, at John Shuffleton's yards, and, in part, at Medley Shelton's, and were laid in the wall by the Hoffmans—father and two sons; the carpenter work was done under the immediate direction and supervision of Craine, who is a practical carpenter. The building was completed in January, 1851. The first term of court held in the new building came on in March following.

The present Jail was built in the fall of 1858, at a cost of &7,300—George Craine, contractor and builder. The stone used in this building were from the two quarries of Clinton & Baldwin and Elliott & Clinton. The dressed stone were reduced to the desired facings by John Turney. The brick was made at Shuffleton's yard.

POOR-FARM

Prior to the occupancy of the present County Poor-Farm, those unfortunates who were the charges of the county were distributed among the people, and the care and expense borne by the tax-payers. As the population increased, with a corresponding increase of feeble-minded and indigent, it became necessary to provide a place where better attendance at less cost to the people could be furnished them.

408

At the election in the fall of 1866, the question of buying a Poor-FArm at a cost not to exceed $6,000 was submitted to the people of the county and carried by a large majority.

A selection was not made until the next year, when, through William Hopkirk, J. H. Collins and W. F. Dustin, a committee appointed for the purpose, what was known as the "Traverse Farm," in Liberty Township, was purchased. This consisted of the north 140 acres of the northwest quarter of Section 22, and south 96 acres of the south quarter of Section 15. There was a building on the farm at the time of the purchase, 34 x 18 feet, with an "L" 16 feet. In 1869, H. B. Mitchell, William Alston and William Long were appointed a Committee to prepare buildings for the reception of paupers. They erected a new building 36x40 feet, two stories in height, which was completed the same year, and the next year built a barn 36x40 feet. Other improvements have been made since. In 1875, a story was added to the old building, and there is now in course of erection a kitchen 28x30 feet, two stories high. These building are of frame, well arranged, and of ample capacity for the present need of the county. The average number of inmates for the years 1876 and 1877 was twenty-one, which has increased the present year to twenty-five. James Armstrong is the present Superintendent.

DISTRICT COURT

Section 1 of an act entitled "An act fixing the terms of the Supreme and District Courts of the Territory of Iowa, and for other purposes," provided for holding two terms in each of the several organized counties in each year. "In Henry County, on the first Mondays of April and August."

Section 1 of an act entitled "An act to authorize the holding of the District Courts in the county of Jefferson," approved January 25, 1839, provided "that the time of holding the District Courts in the county of Jefferson, shall commence on the Thursdays preceding the time of holding the District Courts in the County of Henry."

According to this act last quoted, the first term of the District Court for Jefferson County ought to have commenced on the last Thursday in March, 1839, and the County Commissioners made arrangements to that end by selecting grand and petit juries, etc.; but for some reason the Judge did not put in an appearance, and the Court was not held. The first term held commenced on Thursday the 2d of August, 1839; Judge Joseph Williams* presided. John A. Pitzer, Clerk. The court ordered that Willis C. Stone and Oliver Stone act as Constables, and that Alexander Kirk act as crier during the term.

The first order of the District Court relating to this county, was "that the eagle side of a 10-cent piece of money of the American coin be the seal temporarily for the District Court of Jefferson County, Iowa Territory." This order bears the date of February 26, 1839. "At the same date, Frederick E. Lyon, Sheriff, appointed Samuel Moore, Under-Sheriff."

The following persons composed the first grand jury: Henry Shepherd, John Gillam, William Vincent, William Precise, John Ankrom, Joseph Higginbottom, William Hueston, David Cowan, Josiah Lee, John Parsons, David Peebler, John Miller, Jonathan Turner, James Coleman, James Lanman, Henry

409

McCauley, Frederick Fisher, James Gilmer, Archer Grau, Aiden Nordyke, Rodham Bonafield, Jonathan Dyer and Enos Elmaker.

After being sworn, the grand jury retired to a strip of timber about half a mile north of the Fairfield of those days to deliberate.

The following persons were the first petit jurors: Wiley Jones, Abraham Louden, Isaac Blakely, Isaac Whitaker, Edward Busic, Isaac McCalla, John Vincent, George C. Parker, Charles Holloway, George W. Troy, John Eastepp, David Eller, John Reager, John W. Johnson, Michael Peebler, Benjamin Mount, Greenup Smith and Alfred Aikes.

The attorneys present at this first term of the District Court, so far as their names appear of record, were Van Allen, Buckland, Teas, Cyrus Olney and Samuel Shuffleton. Shuffleton was admitted to practice as an attorney on the presentation of a certificate to practice as an attorney in the State of New York. Olney was appointed to act as Prosecuting Attorney for the term.

The title of the first case called was "Hosea Hall vs. Isaac Bush," and seems to have been a suit for damages. The case was tried before a jury, and after being out all night, the jury returned a verdict of $5 for the plaintiff. The court ordered that the plaintiff recover that sum and costs. Three indictments for gambling and one for perjury were found at this term. At the next term in April, 1840, they were all disposed of, all the parties being discharged except in the case of the United States vs. John Payton, charged with gambling. He pleaded "guilty," and was fined $10 and costs of suit.

When Iowa Territory was organized, President Van Buren appointed Joseph Williams, Charles Mason and Thomas S. Wilson as Territorial Judges. Under an act of the Territorial Legislature, approved January 21, 1839, Charles Mason was assigned to the district composed of the Counties (to which Jefferson was attached), Van Buren, Lee and Des Moines; Joseph Williams was assigned to the district composed of the counties Louisa, Muscatine, Cedar,Johnson and Slaughter (now Washington), and Thomas S. Wilson was assigned to the district composed of the counties of Jackson, Dubuque, Scott and Clayton. When the time for holding the August (1839) term of the District Court of Jefferson County came on, Judge Mason could not be present to preside, and Judge Williams came in his place; and so it came that he presided at the first term of the District Court held in Jefferson County. Cyrus Olney was the first Judge elected in the district under State jurisdiction. Judge Olney has been succeeded by J. C. Knapp, William A. Seevers, Caleb Baldwin, H. B. Hendershott, William M. Stone, William Loughridge, E. S. Sampson and H. S. Winslow. Circuit Court—L. C. Blanchard. J. C. Cook, of Jasper County, was chosen at the October election, 1878, to succeed Judge Winslow.

Of these, Joseph Williams, Caleb Baldwin and William H. Seevers have served on the Supreme Bench. Charles Mason has filled the office of Commissioner of Patents; W. M. Stone, the office of Governor of Iowa, and E. S. Sampson has represented his district in Congress.

John A. Pitzer was the first Clerk of the District Court, and has been succeeded by John W. Culbertson, Sawyer Robinson, David J. Evans, Robert F. Ratcliff, William Long, George H. Case and M. S. Crawford. A. W. Jaques was elected at the last election, October, 1878, to succeed Mr. Crawford.

Frederick Lyon filled the office of Sheriff by appointment until April, 1839, when James L. Scott was elected. He has been succeeded by James T. Hardin, John Shields, Samuel S. Walker, G. M. Chilcott, Jesse Long, George Shriner, James A. Galliher, J. F. Robb, James A. Cuningham, Jacob S. Gantz, James S. Beck and James M. Hughes. Hughes was elected at the October election, 1878.

410

Cyrus Olney, the first Prosecuting Attorney, has been succeeded by George Acheson, Ezra Down, Caleb Baldwin, Samuel Clinton and Charles Negus, as County Prosecutors. George D. Woodin, H. S. Winslow, M. A. McCord, S. G. Smith and G. W. Lafferty have been District Prosecutors. Ed. W. Stone, of Washington County, succeed Lafferty after January 1, 1879, by virtue of the election in October, 1878.

Top

Criminal Mention