CHAPTER VI _________ OBSOLETE TOWNS OF THE COUNTY Of the obsolete towns in the county the most conspicuous and important was Frankfort, situated on Section seventeen, Township seventy-two, North of range thirty-seven, near the geographical center, but not the center of population, and the county seat from 1854 until 1865. Here the county business was transacted and the law administered. Its local, business, educational and religious affairs, brought the town into no little prominence. There was a peculiar charm about the small cluster of houses huddled together on a summit showing against the distant horizon. At first sight in approaching them from any point of the compass they had the appearance of a citadel. The picture dissolved and the actual was a row of four buildings fronting the east, and on the west side was what the town plat designated as the public square, in which stood a flag pole. The building on the north was the court house, beyond which was a stretch of prairie extending to Pilot Grove. Jason Strait occupied the next building south~~~an incomplete two-story, double, log structure built by R. W. Rogers, ex-county treasurer. Then comes a residence derisively called "Montgomery County Castle," a two story frame affair, beside which was a large building devoted to a general merchandise business conducted by the firm of "Strait & Stout," though curiously enough both were "strait" and both were "stout." There was another building of two floors facing northward toward the square. This was the only attempt at regularity in locating buildings, except those toward the south, on the west side of the street, where was Dr. Amasa Bond's residence, a treble log Page 46 house sometimes used for a hotel, and the houses of Doctors Davis, Glover and Adair, respectively. John Shafer lived near the west line of the town and Judge J. R. Horton on his farm just outside the town limits. There were a few smaller buildings such as a blacksmith shop, owned and operated by Noah Baer, stables, etc. The town itself, however, was then as conscious of its existence as anything else that ever existed, or any town that now exists. It has now glided off into the airy nothingness of all material things; it sank out of sight on a limitless ocean of prairie when the fates decided that Red Oak should be the county seat. The wave that had carried Frankfurt up receded and left that little village stranded. One by one the buildings were torn down or removed. Some of them converted into residences in Red Oak or remodeled into farmhouses. The first two buildings on the south side of Red Oak creek, on Grimes and Fourth streets, and a two story frame building on Coolbaugh street on the present location of the Red Oak Wholesale Grocery establishment, and the court house that stood on the northwest corner of the square, now occupied by the implement house of Stover Brothers (1905) and which is now a part of their stables, were all removed from Frankfort. The house on Grimes street, occupied by the writer for fourteen years, was a part of the Strait & Stout building at Frankfort and was purchased at $2.75 per running foot. Twenty eight feet were thus sold and separated from the remaining portion by sawing it in two, commencing at the ridge pole. A part of "Montgomery County Castle" was removed to the farm of the late Edward Hall. The original owners of the land upon which Frankfurt was located were Samuel Baer, Dr. Enos Lowe, a surgeon in the regular army and then stationed at Fort Omaha, and Isaac Bolt. The last building erected was an addition by Mr. Strait of a large two story front to his log house. One room was set apart for a harness shop where the late O. P. Whittier learned his trade, afterwards carrying on the same busi- Page 47 ness in Red Oak in the building now occupied by David Artz' drug store. Mr. Baer was the only resident owner and occupied a hewn log house~~built in 1855 by one John Burnsides, who also dug the first well in Frankfurt. Owing to the scarcity of lumber for a windlass and the want of a chain or rope, this well was descended and ascended by means of a ladder. Burnsides, who had the reputation for doing things original and uncommon, considered it no hardship to grind his corn in a coffee mill to obtain meal for his bread. One of his accomplishments was said to consist of being able to manufacture a very good passable article of money. Isaac Binns was one day complaining of the want of money, and knowing Burnsides' reputation, asked him jokingly "if he would not make him some." Burnsides taking him aside replied, "Ike, I'll make you some if you really want me to." Fortunately this species of the genus homo of a type generally found hanging on the rough and ragged edges of border life soon sought other fields to display his peculiar talents. Previous to the winter of 1861 and 1862 there was very little money in the country and a very limited market for things produced except in furnishing an immense emigration that passed through after the Pike's Peak gold fever broke out in 1859, followed by and exodus to Oregon, Idaho and Washington. Led by visions of gold and driven by the dread of draft, many turned their footsteps toward the Rocky Mountains and the farther west. Some of our people joined the process in, leaving their farms to grow up in weeds. At this time there was a ready market for everything eatable, such as bacon, butter and eggs, but there was a limited supply which was soon exhausted. The demand for supplies for the army was the first general market the farmers ever had for hogs. They were mostly produced along the valley of the Nodaway where they had developed good frames from free ranging and living on acorns and hazel nuts. A few weeks feeding them on corn fitted them for market. Page 48 The buyers freely paid ten cents per pound. This was the golden era for the farmers who had a surplus. This stock was driven to Council Bluffs, and Frankfort was but a way-station en route to market, having no financial interest in the movement of stock. The public square was an enclosure used nights to prevent the swine from straying away, and on stormy nights their shrill notes of discomfort rang out on the midnight air. The streets were not illumined at night, excepting at times when the flickering rays of a dipped or moulded tallow candle shone through a perforated tin lantern. This was used before electricity or even kerosene for lighting purposes came into general use. The wire of the telephone lay coiled up in the brain of the inventor and the electrical current was not used as a means of conveying intelligence~~at least not to the people of Frankfort. The only method of communication with the outside world was through the United States Mail Service, daily but irregular, conveyed from eastern Iowa by "hack" and "buckboard," the greater part of the way by the latter, being drawn by one horse. On one occasion there was an attempt to deprive the town of this service. A bridge had been built across the Tarkio, near the present town of Stanton, shortening the route from Sciola to Red Oak and was used for a short time. Some enterprising citizen of Frankfort sawed off the stringers or supports of that bridge, wrecking it, and that route was abandon[e]d as impracticable. The old route was resumed and continued until the advent of the railroad when there was no further need of it. The industries of the place had already been diverted so that the thump of the saddler's hammer, the ring of the blacksmith's anvil, and the monotonous rattle of the loom were heard no longer. There was but little rivalry. All told, society could not muster four hundred souls and if any imagined themselves a part of the "elite" that fact was carefully kept secret, although once in a while it would break out in a mild form. Mary, a domestic in Mr. Stout's family, was emphatic in her declaration that "all of them Facing page of 48 (click on images for larger size.)
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Page 49 what's got manners boards at Stout's." There was a general desire to promote sociability. Dancing parties and sleigh rides were of frequent occurrence. Well do I remember a young gentleman, now a staid Presbyterian and lawyer of renown, making his first attempt at dancing. He was somewhat longer north and south than east and west and his dancing, if by any stretch of the imagination it could be called that,~~reminded one of an old fashioned Kentucky flax break in action. Sleigh rides were usually taken with ox teams~~time not being the essence of the contract with the driver. Upon one occasion a party of middle-aged people called on Silas Smith and family, then living on a farm two miles east of Red Oak, now owned by Mr. J. V. Pringle, the round trip taking well into the morning hours. The lyceum was the principal entertainment in which nearly every adult took an interest. One evening in each week, in the winter months, was devoted to the reading of the "Budget," a weekly paper prepared by the ladies. Editorials of fair ability were often read and the current happenings, social and otherwise, commented on by the different contributors. The women would bring their knitting and fancy work while the men engaged in a discussion of some subject previously selected. The whole social, religious, literary and political fields were levied upon to furnish suitable material for this purpose. Isolated from the great world and dependent on our own resources for everything necessary to our existence and enjoyment, we followed our own lead and looked not elsewhere for patterns. We instituted our own modes and used our own means. Originality marked all of our society and social proceedings; not always the best, but good enough under the circumstances, and remembered as affording greater enjoyment than modern social functions. Duties to ourselves and others were the animating motives. Mrs. Cornelia A. Packard, a woman of education Page 50 and refinement, contributed not a little in transfiguring by word and pen these rugged and unclassified elements in a period of romantic realities in the history of Frankfort. She was not alone in attempting to make the most of existing conditions and in contributing to the social union so desirable and necessary. The prominent families at that time were the Bonds, Hortons, Straits, Stouts, Shafers, Sperrys and others, all offering something to relieve the prevailing prosey social conditions. The school house was built in 1859 and was depended upon for all public gatherings including church services, political meetings and lyceums and was also used for a court room, as it was the largest room in town. Here took place the most memorable political debates that were ever held in this county, beginning with the joint discussion between Samuel J. Kirkwood and Gen. A. C. Dodge, the opposing candidates for governor in 1860; afterwards came Gen. S. R. Curtis and C. C. Cole, the opposing candidates for congress. John A. Kasson was there at two different times, once in debate with his opponent for congress, Henry, father of Judge Henry, and another year when F. W. Palmer was assisting him canvass through the district, and who also made a speech. Upon these occasions the entire voting population of the county would be present. Here also assembled from time to time, the officers of the district court and members of the bar from adjoining counties whose custom it was to accompany the judge from one county seat to another attending to or looking for business in their line. Many a legal battle has been fought in that little school house out on the prairie. Among the attorneys were J. W. Russell, and James M. Dews, of Glenwood, a democrat who was once a contestant for the position of district judge with E. H. Sears; Col. J. R. Morledge, Bowen, subsequently a senator in Colorado, and Napoleon Bonaparte Moore, of Clarinda, Robert Percival, L. Lengenfleter, Cornish, Mitchell, Rector and J. A. Harvey, of Sidney. Mr. Harvey was at one time registrar Page 51 of the state land office and was a noted temperance advocate. Members of the bar from Council Bluffs frequently were in attendance. The home attorneys were: W. L. Boydson, the late Allen Beeson, of Plattsmouth, Nebraska, D. Ellison, now of Kansas City, the late A. P. Morehouse, governor of Missouri, and Martin Van Buren Bennett, subsequently the editor of the "Copperhead," a paper published in Ottumwa, Iowa. The foregoing included a number of men able, honorable and influential in their several communities~~a credit to the learned profession of the law. This old school house was also the floral and agricultural hall of our county fair. Here was exhibited specimens of grasses, grains, vegetables, sorghum, syrup, jams and jellies made from crab apples and wild plums, pickles and soft soap. It could also boast of the first preliminary meeting of the Masonic lodge and of the first teachers' institute of the county. Giant cottonwoods now stand silent sentinels, guarding the spot where once stood the village of Frankfort. The memory of men and events of that time, for the most part, might be likened to a vessel disappearing at sea, or a fair landscape fading form view, and yet there are moments when one is living again the open, free-breathing life of the prairie; when the mind wanders back, and through the distance, one seems to hear the merry song of the pioneer mingled with the laughter of children. Of the actors that crossed the stage in that far-off day, but few still live in the county of their early choice and some have wandered afar. Many of them lie sleeping in the old cemetery below the town, having crossed the river, and are resting in the shade of the trees, waiting for their comrades. All have passed their hey-day of life, yet the few remaining will ever remember the little hamlet on the plateau of Franfort~~its joys~~its sorrows~~"its sighs~~its tears~~its hope of future years."
FLORA. Page 52 If Flora had been though of a little sooner it would probably have proven one of those successful paper town speculations such as the west was full of prior to 1857, and which were so effectually flattened out by the panic of that year. As the Flora idea did not develop, however, until 1859, nobody was hurt. In consequence of the financial panic of 1857 no one had any money for any uncertain ventures or speculations. Especially had eastern men learned a lesson regarding investments in western town lots, or lands either, for which there was no market at any price, and into which most of their surplus money had been scattered. The town of Flora, I think, never got farther than to get platted on paper~~the plans drawn up, but the survey of the land into lots was never made, nor was the plat recorded. Therefore there was never any assessment of town lots in the town nor lots sold. In the hurry of pioneer life these were considered insignificant details, which for the time being, might be omitted. This would in no way interfere with the stock exchange, the necessary accompaniment of all such towns in their infancy. Judge J. R. Horton has preserved as a relic an original certificate of stock. On the left is the impress of the beautiful seal, "Flora Town. Co., Montgomery County, Iowa," and 100 shares on the upper right hand corner, 350 acres, No. 4, dated April 11, 1859, signed by the secretary and president. Certificate entitles the holder to an equal division of the lots and property of the town of Flora, subject to an equal division of the expenses, liabilities, etc. Flora was to be no small, second rate affair crowded into the narrow limits of 160 acres like Red Oak, with seven by nine lots and narrow streets. But it was thought that three hundred and fifty acres would be sufficient for a nucleus, a modest beginning, and as the town grew the streets could be indefinitely lengthened. The first preliminary survey of the railroad was made about 1857. This survey went through Red Oak, but somewhat Page 53 north of the final location, and missed Frankfort entirely by some two or three miles. Flora was located on this survey and south of the head of Red Oak creek. The effect of this preliminary survey was to discourage or suspend any improvements in Frankfort, though at the same time the people of Frankfort never for a moment entertained the though of adopting Red Oak as their town. On the contrary, there was a certain degree of hostility or feeling of opposition existing between the two towns. During 1859, Rev. D. N. Smith, (who was identified with a great many prospective great towns and business centers, such as Orepolis, Neb., Louden, Mills county, etc.,) on one of his trips through the county, stopped with us at Frankfort and opened up to our admiring gaze a beautifully drawn-up plat of the town of Flora, all drawn off on a large scale,not on ordinary paper, such as our eyes had been accustomed to, but on fine tracing linen. This hit us exactly as we wanted it. Here we had been having the blues because we could not be on the railroad, and to think of such a thing as going over to Red Oak was as the thought of going over to the Philistines; in fact, was so bad that such an idea had not up to this time occurred to anybody. Therefore, when we gazed on that beautiful parchment the way of our deliverance seemed to open up clearly and with distinctness. The year 1859 was full of quietness, something like the lull before a storm, which came with the exciting presidential contest the following year, followed by the war. We at Frankfort, therefore, had few enough matters to take our attention. And so we had a good time building up the town of Flora in our minds and imagining what we should make of it. Most of Frankfort was much "enthused." J. B. Packard had a lot of ditching done and considerable other work to make a good crossing over the "Big Slough" for the road running east from Flora. I remember our Ike Binns, who was clerking in Stout's store at the time, greeting some friend who came in after quite an Page 54 absence from home, saying, "How are you John? Got back have you? Say! we have a new town down here, Flora. The time will come when we will run together, and be one city, ~~Flora~~Frankfort and Red Oak." This is about all there is to be said about Flora. The war came and Flora was forgotten.
ARLINGTON The east side of the county has its quota of obsolete towns, being represented principally in "Arlington." The original idea of devoting a few acres to a townsite at this point, and platting a few blocks as a nucleus for future enlargement in case it became necessary, was not a bad one at the time it was done, which was along in 1857. It was evident that a good town would be built up somewhere along the Nodaway valley. As the heaviest timbered lands of the county were along the Nodaway river, this portion of the county was thought to be the most desirable by the early settlers, who sought as eagerly for timber land as they did for farming land, and located their farms along the length of the valley adjoining the timber. Locations outside of such were looked upon as second choice, and between the small nucleus at Frankfort (which was one of the second choice locations) and the Nodaway valley at Arlington, not an improvement of any kind had been started. Arlington, however, was doomed to future obscurity when the railroad, instead of making a straight line through the county east and west, followed the east Nodaway valley down, making a bend to the south that brought them into the west Nodaway valley at Villisca. When the railroad surveys were being made, a line was tried via Arlington to Red Oak, but the line via Villisca was adopted. If I could give an inside history of this survey I think it could be conclusively shown that the direct route of the C., B. & Q. railroad through Arlington was very much shorter and less Page 55 expensive to build than the route taken, and had there been no such company as the Burlington Town Lot Co., composed of a few of the stockholders of the C., B. & Q., who were on the ground and influential in its location to promote personal and selfish ends, the road would have been located there. To many it remains a mystery that the survey made by the late Col. A. Hebard was adopted in the main through the entire state by the company, and that the only essential variation was when they made the detour to nearly the southern line of the county and then back to the old line again. Possibly the company wished to run through their own lands, as Stanton was central to twenty-five sections, or so, of unsold land at that time. If the choice had fallen on the Arlington survey, our "tale of woe" would have applied to Villisca, and Arlington would have been the flourishing town of the Nodaway valley. Fortunately no extensive amounts of money were ever invested in buildings and improvements in the town; no modern "boom" ever inaugurated for the purpose of getting people to part with their money for the sake of securing a foothold in the town before the lots got to be too valuable for the people to reach. The proprietors did not have modern enterprise enough to build brick blocks or opera houses on some lots to make the others more valuable~~probably did not think of it. On the contrary, there were only three log houses ever built, and afterwards a frame school house. The stakes marking the boundaries of lots and blocks for a town plat, according to legendary history, were seen by the early settlers in Grant township, near Ramp creek, south of Red Oak. When and by whom it was so marked is not known and it was never given a name. One Herman Harlow laid out a town in Jackson township in April, 1855, named Rossville in honor of a family of that name living in its vicinity. Encumbering the county record seems to be it principal history. These villages have been turned into fruitful fields excepting the dead town of Bristol, near the Christian church in Washington township. Dead in a double sense, as the site is now used for a cemetery.
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