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MAJOR THOMAS CAVANAGH
 EARLY settlers of Des Moines often recall with pleasure their remembrance of Thomas Cavanagh. On Christmas Day, in 1848, he walked across the Mississippi River at Clinton on the ice, and arrived here early in 1849; a man about thirty-five years old, of large physique, athletic, muscular build, who was for many years a model, valued citizen, known to everybody as the "Major." He was of that class of pioneers noted for their humility, stability, and progressiveness.
Born of prosperous parents, in Ireland, liberally educated, with aesthetic temperament, eminently social nature, refined taste, he, with his parents, had passed through the terrible Famine of 1847-8, which had invoked the world's charity for relief. When it had partially subsided, they determined to come to America, the Land of Promise. The "Major" came in advance, bearing letters to Judge Casady and R. L. Ticrick, then in law and real estate business. He was received in the kindly, open-hearted manner of the pioneers, whose gospel of living was to help one another. Would that there were more of that among the present generation. The Judge was impressed with his politness, courteous mien, and scrupulous neatness of apparel, for in those days, old settlers did not give much attention to fine clothes, and fastidiousness in dress was a noticeable distinction.
The "Major" had some money, which he desired to invest in the most remunerative way. The Judge naturally suggested "corner lots," he having just purchased a couple at the corner of Fifth and Walnut streets, where Clapp's Block now stands. He recommended the southeast corner of the same block, at Mulberry Street, where the Youngerman Building now is. The "Major" purchased it for thirty dollars, and received the first and original deed from the County Supervisors, the county having received its title direct from Uncle Sam by donation. In 1891, when the corner-stone of the
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Youngerman Building was laid, the "Major's" deed was, with other articles, deposited therein. He also made several other good investments in real estate.
His parents came soon after, went to an Irish settlement in Dallas County, and the "Major" joined them, where he laid out and established the town of Redfield, remaining there five years. It was while there he got the title "Major," which he carried by common consent, and his own hearty assent, to the end of his days. In his little town was a couple of Southerners, jolly, jovial fellows, named Owens and Burns, who were his close chums. Under the rule that all Southerners are "Colonels," Owens was dubbed the "Colonel," Burns the "Judge" (a title he afterward actually acquired), and Cavanagh the "Major," and the titles stuck.
At the September Term of the District Court, in 1854, the "Major" was admitted to the Bar of Polk County, and the next year returned to Des Moines and opened an office as a lawyer, real estate broker, and emigrant agent.
The bibulous Judge McFarland was then on the bench, and one day a divorce case was up for a hearing. The Judge had evidently been out the night before with agreeable friends. He came into court "half seas over," and, after getting into his seat and turning over the record, called the case, but before the lawyers had got fairly ready to proceed, he had lapsed into somnolence. The first witness was asked if he knew the parties to the suit. He replied, "Not very well, but they were always fighting and fuddling around."
The Judge aroused himself from his stupor, and mumbled: "Fud-dling around and a-r-o-u-n-d. Call the next case."
Such a spectacle was so abhorrent to the "Major," he seldom appeared before that court, and confined himself to his real estate business. He at once came into public esteem and favor, for he was of that temperament which drew people to him. His extreme suavity and courtesy gave him the distinction of being the most polite man who ever lived in the city. There was nearly the counter-part of him in J. D. Seeberger, the well-known hardware merchant. Old-timers would frequently smile when those two, meeting on the streets, would tip their hats and side-step to give the right-of-way, and the parting bow.
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The "Major" became prominent in social affairs——not the fashions of society, but in that which pertains to the betterment of social life. He was an ardent admirer of the Church and School, and a strong temperance advocate. In 1856, when Father Plathe was striving to build the first Catholic Church, at the corner of Sixth and Locust, the "Major" did valiant service, and when, in 1863, that grand, good man, Father Brazil, sought to build a larger and finer structure on the same spot, at a time when it was harder to raise one hundred dollars than it is now one thousand dollars, the "Major" canvassed the town with him for funds, and one day they ran up against Isaac Brandt, who is known to be a radical hater of whiskey. Isaac agreed to subscribe twenty-five dollars, provided——he tied a string to it, half hoping it would be refused——that Father Brazil should occasionally preach a good temperance sermon to his congregation. Both men quickly grasped his hands, and said the terms pleased them greatly. Some time after the new edifice was dedicated, Isaac thought he would go there one Sunday and hear the sermon. The usher gave him a seat well in front, and not far away sat the "Major." The house was packed. Whether or not Father Brazil knew of his presence, Isaac never learned, but the sermon was a most eloquent and scathing one against the evils and wrongs of intemperance, in which he made pointed allusion to the habits of a well-known man there present, now dead——he might as well have given his name——in which he said a man who will get drunk, spend his earnings for whiskey, and deprive his wife and children of the many things money would bring them, he would refuse to give absolution. The sermon had its intended effect. The man reformed and became a useful member of the church and the community. Isaac never regretted the investment of that twenty-five dollars.
The principles of sobriety and right-living thus founded by Father Brazil and the "Major" permeated society generally, and have remained to this day. It is a fact that very few communicants of the Catholic Church are ever seen in the Police Court.
In 1862, during the exciting events of the Civil War period, when a Democrat was suspected of being a Rebel, a Copperhead, or a member of the Knights of the Golden Circle, the "Major" was
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nominated for City Mayor. He was a Democrat, but not a politician. He knew very little of the chicanery of politics, and took no part in it, or the excitement of the times. Such was his popularity, he was elected. Scarcely had he taken the office, when, on the Twenty-eighth of June, occurred the murder of Michael King by A. D. Marsh, the City Marshal, a hot-headed Kentuckian, conspicuous for his immense watch chain, which hung down to his knees, and his truculent nature, which found vent a short time prior by shooting a German and arresting a negro without a warrant, with evident purpose to deliver him to his slave master. King was a man of athletic build, at times a littel pugnacious. Some ill-feeling existed between him and Marsh over the impounding of his pigs by Marsh. the two met at the Sherman Building, corner of Third Street and Court Avenue, in which then were the city offices. On the way upstairs, they got into an altercation, when Marsh stabbed King, who struggled up to the Mayor's room, in the third story, where he died in a few moments. Marsh, seeing he was dying, quickly went to his home, and immediately fled the country. A Cornoner's Jury was called, before whom the Mayor testified as follows:
"I was coming up the stairs toward my office, in company with King and Marsh. They were very unfriendly, and passed hard words as they came up. I was in advance of them, and when they were about turning the platform to get up the upper flight of stairs, as I supposed, I heard a noise which I supposed was King and Marsh at blows or quarreling. I turned around and saw Marsh putting a dirk in the scabbard. King came up the stairs, and when he had reached me at the top of the stairs, he said: 'I am stabbed.' I told him to sit down. He commenced falling, lay down, and grew worse very fast. He repeatedly said: 'Marsh has stabbed me.' I ordered a doctor, who was soon in attendance. I also acquiesced in the suggestion that Marsh be arrested."
The whole community was aroused, especially the Irish, and summary vengeance was threatened against Marsh. Search for him for several days was made, with great caution, as his desperate character was well known, but no trace of him could be found, and the event was passing into history, when, several years later, T. E.
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Brown, the lawyer and capitalist well known in the early days, returned from a business trip to Texas, where he said he saw Marsh and had a little experience with him. He was informed while there that Marsh had formed a conspiracy to rob him, knowing that he was accustomed to carry large sums of money. He did not propose to give him the opportunity. He had him arrested on a charge of murder, and he was put in jail. Sheriff McCalla and Jonathan Stutsman were sent after him, and in due time returned, but without Marsh, to explain which they said that when passing up the river from the gulf of New Orleans, Marsh, who had declared he would not be taken to Des Moines alive, watching the opportunity, suddenly leaped overboard; his ankles and hands being heavily manacled, he at once went down in the rapid current and was seen no more. Articles in their possession taken from him gave credence to their statements. But some time later, James F. Kemp, a boot and shoe merchant, was in New Orleans, where he said he met Marsh, who said he was in the cattle trade in Texas. No further attempt to get him was made, and it became the general opinion that his escape from the Sheriff was a myth——that he was given opportunity to get away and stay away, thus saving the county considerable expense.
That was the second murder in Des Moines, the first being that of a woman, also named King.
The "Major" was an efficient official, performing the duties of Mayor and Police Magistrate upon a higher plane than is usually given the place. He closed his term with so much credit, he was nominated for a second term. The city was in a most turbulent condition. The war spirit was high. A draft for the army had been ordered. United States Marshals were here, hunting Knights of the Golden Circle, which the Register declared was a "secret organization, a Jesuitical sneak, plotting in the dark against the liberties of the people." Every Democrat was an alleged sympathizer with Jefferson Davis, but the most scathing attribute that could be applied to the "Major" was to call him the "acquiescent" candidate, referring back to his testimony in the King murder hearing.
The campaign was an exciting one, and so was the election, the "Major" using his best effort to allay the tumult. When the time
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for counting the votes came, there was a big crowd present. Several acrimonious disputes arose, in one of which, Hy. Hatch, an active politician and well-known character, told the "Major," who was present counseling a fair and honest count, to "Go to h——l," to which the "Major" quietly replied, "I cannot do that," clearly illustrative of his character.
The result of the count was: Leas, four hundred and sixty-four; Cavanagh, four hundred and forty-eight, the defeat of the "Major" by sixteen votes.
To show the intense feeling prevailing, the Register the next morning announced in big type: "Great Union Victory!" "Copperheads Floored!" "Old Acquiescence Subsides!" "Copperheads Carry One Ward!" "We wonder if Kavanaugh [witness the spelling] 'acquiesces' in the decision?"
The "Major" was satisfied with politics. That was the only public office he held. He thereafter devoted his energies to the social side of life, in the broadest, humanitarian sense. He was a diligent helper of churches and schools. Though an ardent member of the Catholic Church, his catholicism and liberality of sentiment embraced all things which tended to promote good society. It was not uncommon to see him, a large, robust man, going about visiting schools and other public functions with S. F. Hanna, a very diminutive person, of frail physique, about four feet high, a good Presbyterian, for they were great chums, both bachelors, and popular. It was amusing, as it was singular.
In 1862, when the Savery House (now Kirkwood) was opened, the "Major" was one of the first guests, and there made his home until his marriage, in 1872.
He was one of the founders of the City Public Library, and one of its firmest supporters.
He had a fine library of law and literature. Occupying a part of his office was a pseudo-lawyer, who one night left town, taking with him the "Major's" library. Some time after, he returned the "Major's" much cherished family Bible, for which manifestation of conscience, the "Major" expressed complete satisfaction.
He retired from business in 1890, and died April Twenty-fifth, 1891, leaving a wife and three children.
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Those who knew him will bear witness that he was ripened, cultured, benevolent, public-spirited, and the best type of manhood. For womanhood and motherhood, he had the most profound regard. It is no marvel, then, that with so many estimable qualities, he had the esteem and confidence of all good people. He held many important fiduciary trusts, as administrator of estates. As a benefactor to Des Moines, and especially to its domestic and social life, it can be truly said of him, as it was of the renowned French statesman, Thier, at his death, "He has lived."
April Twenty-third, 1905.
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EDWIN R. CLAPP
 IF you search his old family records, you will probably find it written, Edwin Ruthven Clapp, but for the last fifty years he has been familiarly known as Ed.
He came to Henry County with his parents in the year 1837, a young boy, and has eaten the ashen crust of poverty in common with many other pioneer lads, who, with willing hands and determined purpose, have assisted their parents in opening up farms and doing the drudgery which usually fell to the lot of the pioneer boys of sixty years ago.
He started out in the wold with merely a hint of education. Two Winter terms of three months each, in a log schoolhouse near Mount Pleasant, Iowa, was all that was vouchsafed to him. There was no time nor place, after that, for even a partial education. Penury and untoward circumstances chained him to such manual labor as could be found, and his own busy hands and resistless energy carved out a career and fortune of which any citizen of Iowa might well be proud.
His entire time, after the death of his father, which occurred very soon after arriving in Iowa, was employed, together with an older brother, in supplying, very scantily, food and raiment for the widowed mother and young sister. Later, he found employment at the Tiffany House, Mount Pleasant, at the sum of four dollars per month. His duties were various——from stable boy to table waiter.
In 1845, his brother Wallace came to Fort Des Moines to engage in the grocery business. Ed. followed him a year later, in February, walking the entire distance, his trunk coming on a wagon-load of groceries from Mount Pleasant, the driver kindly giving him that much of a lift, his purse being lighter than his trunk. He was a young man of eighteen years, with pluck, ambition and great expectations. For one of such temperament, the town presented
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little encouragement. It was composed of the log cabins deserted by the soldiers, and about a hundred people. He did whatever he could find to do. His first job was running a ferry-boat for the season at ten dollars a month, and it was not an easy one, for the rush of people into the new territory was great. He worked a year as a clerk for his brother, who had a general store in the log building used by the soldiers for commissary storage, down at The Point, just east of 'Coon bridge.
As the community increased, so did its needs. Transportation facilities were meager. There were no railroads. The river was passable for steamboats only at flood times in the Spring. Flour mills were a hundred miles away. St. Louis was the nearest point for merchants to get supplies, which were sent by boats to Keokuk, and from there hauled by wagons to The Fort. At Fairfield and Oskaloosa were the nearest flour mills. That was an opportunity for Ed. He went into the business of hauling freight from Keokuk and flour and meal from the mills. He often made trips from Des Moines to Keokuk and back. He was a good handler of stock. He drove oxen well. Alone, he would drive a yoke of oxen the one hundred and eighty miles to Keokuk, and return, laden with supplies. The old flint-lock musket was his only protection; and that meant only the one shot. Trouble he may have had on these journeys, but he always managed to come through it smoothly, for he was a man of cool nerve.
In 1849, he engaged in farming, but two years later returned to town, and, being of genial, jolly, good nature, he was popular, and found business abundant, as the town was growing.
In 1850, Judge Casady bought two lots at the southwest corner of Fifth and Walnut streets, which he paid sixty dollars. Being low in part, ice covered it in Winter, and the boys made it a skating rink. The Judge built a three-room, one story house on the lots, in which he made his residence.
In 1853, Ed. concluded there was money in real estate, and in June, bought the lots of Casady for five hundred and fifty dollars, and in July, sold them to Israel Spencer for five hundred dollars, reserving the rental and use of the buildings for five years. Thereon, Ed. had a wool yard for a time.
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In the Spring of 1851, came what is known in history as the "big flood." The whole East Side was under water. On the West Side, Jesse Dicks rafter logs along Second Street, of which he built his house. Bottom lands for miles in width along the Des Moines were overflowed. The previous Winter had been very severe and the Spring rainfall had made the roads impassable for teams, merchants' stocks of goods had become depleted, and family larders bare of supplies. Nevertheless, inspired with patriotic fervor, the people had a public dinner on the Fourth of July, which was attended with genuine Western enthusiasm and enjoyment. The table spread was elaborate, but the good housewives were put to their wits to supply the absolute want of flour in their cooking, for there was none to be had. On the next day, the steamboat, Caleb Cope, came into port heavy laden with merchandise, flour, etc., on which there was rejoicing. Captain Price caught the infection, and invited the town to take an excursion up the river on his steamer. About fifty leading citizens responded, taking with them refreshments, solid and liquid (the Captain having given notice that the bar and steward's quarters would be locked). It was a jolly, hilarious crowd of men and women, among whom was Ed. The newspapers said nothing about it, but Ed. will probably say, if you ask him, "It was rather noisy."
In 1855, the community having increased to some importance, Ed. began to mix in public affairs. He was elected Street Commissioner. The subject of bridges was an important one at that time; but how to get them, and what kind, was the problem. John H. Miller, the Civil Engineer, who made the first map of Des Moines, a copy of which hangs in the rooms of the Commercial Club, recommended to the Town Council a floating bridge. The suggestion was adopted, but the town had no money. The increase of travel, and the slow, cumbersome, inadequate ferries, made bridges a necessity. It was therefore decided to raise a fund by subscription, the subscribers thereto to be allowed to cross without toll. Ed. was given the custody of the subscription list, and nearly three thousand dollars was raised, when dollars were scarce. The bridge was built at Court Avenue, that being the principal east and west street, and was the first bridge across the Des Moines.
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In 1855, Ed. built a bridge over Bird's Run, on Fourth Street, a terror in those days when heavy rain came. It was the first structural bridge in the town, and he was allowed twenty dollars and ninety-nine cents for the job. In the present days of boodle, grabs and "extras" in public works, the particularity of that ninety-nine cents is significant. It shows that Ed. was honest——would not claim a penny he had not earned. Consciences were not as elastic in those days as they seem to be nowadays.
In 1856, Ed. started the first ice business in the town. His storage plant was on the river just above the dam, and it is of record that Judge Napier, who was then general manager of county affairs, ordered the County Treasurer to pay him eight dollars for ice furnished the District Court during the August term that year. Old-timers, who are familiar with the inordinate thirst for whiskey of McFarland, the presiding Judge, will not deem Ed.'s bill for congealed protoxide of hydrogen furnished exorbitant, for the Judge was seldom sober. He came into court one day in a very maudlin condition. The lawyers, litigants, jury, and witnesses in the case on trial were all present. He got himself into his chair, looked vacantly around for a moment, nodded to the Sheriff, and mumbled out: "Well! Well! Gentlemen; call this Board to-morrow morning at eight o'clock," and, gathering himself together, meandered away to his hotel.
In 1856, occurred the famous fight between the East and West Side over the location of the State House. Ed. was a loyal West Sider, subscribe five hundred dollars to the war fund, and did valiant service in the scrimmage.
In 1860, he bought a farm in Walnut Township, now the well-known Flynn farm, and engaged in raising cattle and grain on an extensive sale. He was so successful that, in 1867, he was appointed Live Stock Agent for the Chicago and Rock Island Railroad, and had control of that department from the Missouri River to the Mississippi. In 1865, he sold the farm, and continued with the railroad company several years thereafter.
In 1860, he was elected Sergeant-at-Arms of the Lower House of the Eighth General Assembly.
In 1869, his penchant for town lots was aroused, and he again bought the two lots at Fifth and Walnut streets, but this time he
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had to plank down twenty-seven thousand dollars. On the corner was a hide and leather store, and on the west lot a livery stable. Two years later, he built a three-story brick office building thereon, the Citizens National Bank occupying the corner. In 1882, he added another story. In 1883, it was nearly destroyed by fire, with great loss to the Masonic Lodge, which occupied the upper floor, occupants of business offices, the Citizens' National Bank, and Morris & Humphrey, merchants. The debris was soon cleared away and the building restored. In 1890, he entirely remodeled it, according to modern ideas, added another story, and put in an elevator, the first in an office building in the city, thus constituting him the first bridge builder, ice dealer, and elevator constructor in the city.
It will be seen there is a jog in Walnut Street at Fifth, by which "Clapp's Block," emblazoned on the cornice in gold letters, is made a prominent landmark on the street, to be seen by everybody. When A. D. Jones surveyed the "Original Town," it was done with a rope instead of a chain, and in making the plat, Court Avenue was made one hundred feet wide, as it was expected to be the principal business street of the city. At the head of it was placed the Public Square, on which were to be the Court House and other public buildings. Doctor P. B. Fagen, who owned, or held title to, a portion of the land embraced in the plat west of Fifth Street, raised objection to the survey, claiming irregularities therein. They had some difficulty over the matter, but it was finally settled by letting the survey stand as made as far west as Fifth Street, and to narrow Walnut and Mulberry streets to let in the Public Square as originally platted, and on this agreement the plat was finally made and recorded, and thus came the jog in Walnut Street.
In 1887, Ed. gave an old-fashioned dinner to the early settlers, in honor of his fifty years' residence, which was largely attended. It was a joyous reunion of those who had experienced the trials and vicissitudes of pioneer life, and an occasion for recounting them. Listening newcomers concluded they knew very little about hard times.
In 1903, when the Century Savings Bank was organized, he became a stockholder, one of the Directors, and was also elected
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Vice-president. The bank took the corner vacated by the Citizens National Bank.
Religiously, Ed. is a regular church-goer, but I would not vouch for his orthodoxy in any sectarian creed.
Socially, he is affiable, jovial, fond of jesting and a good joke, whether the victim be himself or some other fellow. Old-timers can recall Hy. Hatch, better known as "Laughing Hatch," a Government mail contractor, an inveterate jester and story-teller, who punctuated his points with a laugh that could be heard half a mile. He was known to every show company that appeared in "Billy" Moore's old hall, for when he saw anything funny in the performance, and started his cachination, the stage business stopped, the players and audience soon caught the infection, and everybody joined in a hearty laugh. When Ed. and Hy. got together on a street corner, every onlooker knew what was coming——there was hilarity galore. Sometimes, Levi J. Wells——he of the 'bus line——an inveterate jester, would join in, and they would fill the air with Hy.'s laughter.
Ed. was an active and popular member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.
The excellent business capacity, pluck, and executive ability manifested in all his undertakings has secured to Ed. a competency, while his loyalty and public spirit have won him a prominent place among those who helped to build up the city from the day of its foundation.*
April Thirtieth, 1905
*Died June Eighth, 1906.
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JOHN D. McGLOTHLIN
AMONG the very early settlers prominently associated with the public affairs of Polk County and The Fort during their formative governmental period, was John D. McGlothlin, a typical pioneer, whose experiences, like others of his class in those days, contrasted with their environments twenty years later, seem altogether mythical.
He came, with his family, in June, 1846, from INdiana, in the proverbial "prairie schooner," and purchased a claim held by G. B. Clark, on Keokuk Prairie, originally a part of Des Moines Township, but now in Allen Township. It was an attractive spot, the favorite camping ground and headquarters of the famous Indian chief, whose name it bears, for many years, and up to the time of his removal from the territory, in 1845, to Kansas, where he died in 1848. It is pertinent here to say the name of the old chief has been aglicized to modern idioms. When he was before the Government Commission to identify the half-breeds in the allotment to them of the Half-Breed Tract, he wrote his name on the record many times, and always "Ke-O-Kuk." The terminal "Kuk," was evidently a tribal or family name, as the names of several chiefs on the record have the same terminal.
McGlothlin's claim was on the west side of Des Moines River, and extended westward to North River, sloping gradually back from the two rivers.
Clark was a bachelor, and lived with a family in a cabin made of poles, a puncheon floor of hewed slabs in one corner for the bed to stand on, the remainder being the natural soil; no door, no chimney, the smoke escaping between the logs. Instead of a door, the opening made for a chimney was used. That was the greeting presented to McGlothlin for a home. He at once built a chimney of stones and clay from the rivers, and made other changes, so that
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it might be more comfortable. During the Summer, the family suffered severely from fever and ague, which was epidemic all over the Des Moines Valley. It was of the vigorous, shaking variety——often fatal.
In October, he built a new cabin. It had one room. As there was no lumber in the country, a part of the room was floored with slabs split from logs. There was no window or door, the chimney opening being used until the chimney and fireplace was built, when a door was made in one end.
He brought with him corn and flour enough to supply the family for four months, but in October they became exhausted. The nearest mill was at Oskaloosa, sixty miles away. Hitching four horses to the "prairie schooner," which he filled with "grists" for himself and neighbors in the vicinity, he went to Oskaloosa, and arriving there found the mill busy for several days. He went to Fairfield, where he found no better prospect, and went on to Bonaparte, where he had better luck. He then started homeward. The roads were in a horrible condition. Several times the team was mired, the grain unloaded, and the wagon hauled out of the mud. On the way, he picked up a lot of sheep and hogs, and arrived at his cabin twenty-one days after leaving it, to the great delight of his family, who had become worried over his long absence, and, beside much suffering from sickness, was deprived of proper sustenance for want of flour.
In the sketch of William A. Meacham, mention is made of the hurried escape from the Vigilance Committee in Camp Township of the Reeves Gang of horse thieves and general marauders. On their way to Missouri, they camped one night near McGlothlin's. During the night, one of their wagons was burned by fire from their camp. The generous-hearted settlers in the neighborhood, not knowing the character of the outfit, made up a purse to compensate the loss, and they hurried out of the state.
In 1848, the settlers began to consider ways and means for some form of civil government, there being none in existence. Accordingly, in August, 1848, was organized the Old Settlers' Claim Club. McGlothlin was elected first Vice-President of the Club.
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In the same year and the same month, he was elected one of three County Commissioners, reëlected in 1849 and 1850, serving until August, 1851, when the office was abolished and the duties thereof conferred upon a County Judge. The Commissioners had full control of all county affairs, could levy taxes, organize township, locate public roads, build bridges and public buildings, and from their decisions there was no appeal. County affairs were then in an embryo condition. Much depended on the intelligence and good judgment of the Commissioners. McGlothlin was an active, progressive member of the Board, and possessed excellent business qualifications. Of genial temperament, he at once came into close relation with all the people. He spent much time at The Fort, and took great interest in its affairs, so much so that he was considered a resident.
The pages of the record of the doings of the Board give abundant evidence of their public spirit. It was a period of progress. The county and town were rapidly growing, and civic affairs must keep pace therewith.
The first important business was the building of a Court House. An agreement was made with John Saylor that he should, "during the year 1848, erect and set up and inclose, and during the year 1849, shall completely finish, in a good, substantial, workmanlike manner, according to the best of his art and skill, a Court House, for the sum of two thousand and fifty dollars." In January, 1850, Saylor threw up his job. He was allowed two hundred and twenty-five dollars for what he had done, and the Commissioners continued the work until completed. Its total cost was two thousand and fifteen dollars. It was where the Union Depot now is. It was sold, with the jail, in 1863, to the Trustees of the Central Church of Christ, for eight hundred dollars. In 1865, it was torn down, to give place to a larger structure, which was occupied until 1875, when the encroachment of railroads along Vine Street necessitated a new location, and the old frame building was used as the Wabash Depot for several years.
Having provided for a Court House, the Commissioners were, as are the Supervisors of to-day, confronted with the necessity of a jail. Accordingly, in February, 1849, a contract was made with
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James Guerant and George Shell to build a log jail for seven hundred and fifty dollars, on the lot adjoining the Court House. It was to be constructed of "hewn timbers one foot square, with double walls, with a space between the walls of six inches, to be filled with strong and substantial stone, closely pounded so as to fill the space, the cracks between the timbers to be filled with mortar." It was to be two stories high. It was to this jail the noted and bibulous Judge McFarland one day threatened to send "Dan" Finch, the well-known old-time lawyer. The Judge had made a ruling in a case "Dan" was trying, to which "Dan" objected, on the grounds that the court had made a mistake. "Daniel," retorted the Judge, pointing with his index finger, "do you see that jail over there? Well, sit down, or I'll send you there in five minutes." "Dan" subsided.
In NOvember, 1849, Guerant, one of the jail contractors, threw up his job. He was allowed three hundred dollars for work and material furnished, and the Commissioners completed the jail at a total cost of one thousand, one hundred and seventy-five dollars and five cents.
In 1850, it became quite apparent that the Capital would be removed from Iowa City. With his accustomed public spirit and business qualifications, and with an eye to the future, McGlothlin suggested, and it was ordered that, "in case the Capital of Iowa shall be removed to Fort Des Moines within four months from the date hereof [November Twenty-second, 1850], an appropriation of eight thousand dollars be and is hereby made for the purpose of erecting a Court House of sufficient capacity that the same may be used by the State of Iowa as a State House so long as the state shall desire to occupy the same."
During the year, the Commissioners discovered an unusual increase in
court expenses. Therefore, in October, they ordered that, "no fees shall be allowed to any person serving as witness before the Grand Jury," a measure as commendable at the present time as then. The service was put upon the ground of a duty owed to the public.
In April, 1849, the Board granted a license, for twenty-five dollars, to Edward and Edwin Hall, twin brothers, to build a dam
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across Des Moines River at the foot of Center Street, and to maintain the same for fifty years. The license expired in 1899, but the dam is there yet, an important factor in public utilities.
The first Warranty Deed executed in the county was signed August 14, 1848, by Mr. McGlothlin, as County Commissioner. It was for Lot Eight, Block Thirty, in the Original Town, the lot next to the alley on the southwest corner of Vine and Second, where Green's foundry is. It was sold, at the sale of town lots, in July, 1846, for two hundred and seventeen dollars and a half, to William McIlvain, of Wapello County. He planked down the money, and, being a stranger, and the only purchaser present with "spot cash," he was suspected of being a land-grabber and speculator, and was given very emphatically to understand that the traveling in rural districts was good. He bought no more lots, and submissively waited two years for his deed.
The first Warranty Deed in the county from an individual was by Doctor P. B. Fagan, and dated the same day as the foregoing. The first Board of Commissioners, in their haste to expedite public affairs, and largely through the influence of A. D. Jones, general superintendent of civic affairs at The Fort, who surveyed and plated the town, took in land that belonged to Fagen and sold it at the town lot sale in 1846. In order to give a good title to the purchaser, McGlothlin and his Board purchased of Fagen his interest, paying him three hundred and five dollars. It was that portion now occupied by the railroad stations and big warehouse below Court Avenue.
While, as Commissioner, McGlothlin was pushing forward public improvements, he improved his farm, until the eight hundred acres, with its large and commodious buildings, orchards, splendid herds of horses, cattle, hogs, and sheep, became a rural paradise. Watermelons were one of his fads. Old-timers at The Fort used to make frequent visits there in the season to feast on them. Judge Casady says the first melon he ate in Polk County was there, and of the best quality and size he ever saw. When he was ready to leave, he was "held up" till his wagon was packed with melons.
Religiously, McGlothlin was a Baptist, and an active supporter of churches and schools. He was emphatically a home-builder, and his home exemplified his ideas of what such should be.
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Politically, he was a Democrat, of the Jeffersonian variety, but not a politician nor an office seeker. During the Greenback craze, he identified himself with that element, and was an active, influential member of the Patrons of Husbandry.
In many ways, he was an important factor in the foundation, growth and prosperity of the county and town. He died in 1878.
May Twenty-first, 1905.
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