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HISTORY OF WOODBURY AND PLYMOUTH COUNTIES.

Of the ninety-three pioneers who settled at Sioux City up to the autumn of 1858, the present whereabouts are as follows: Twenty-four are now dead; ten have removed to other parts and fifty-nine are still residents of Woodbury county. And among them may be found some of Iowa's most wealthy, highly-esteemed and public characters. Prominent among such men are A. W. Hubbard, who became judge, and finally held a seat in several terms of the United States congress, the Hedges and Booges, Weare Allison, Dr. William R. Smith, who have all come to be wealthy citizens through their enterprise and good business qualifications. William L. Joy and Isaac Pendleton have long since won high legal standing; E. R. Kirk is the present effcient postmaster of Sioux City, whilemany of the remainder are leading, active busines men of to-day, or else retired with a handsome competency. In this connection it may be well to state that Sioux City, a frontier town, and now the "Corn Palace City," has always been advanced by a genuine business tact, with considerable capital to operate on from an early day. The following is exhibited to substantiate this assertion, and was taken from the internal revenu reports as found in the United States census, and bears date of 1868.

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The same spring, by a vote of fourteen majority, the county seat was removed from Floyd's Bluff to this point.

The 1st of July, a steam-mill was put in for the cutting of native lumber, near the mouth of Perry creek.

July 5, 185G, the survey of the Dubuque & Pacific railway was commenced from Sioux City, running east, in accordance with an act of congress approved May 20, of the same year, During the year, fifteen steamboats landed at Sioux City,

Early in 1856, during the winter of 1855-56; the Indians, who were encamped three miles above Smithland, discovered some unhusked corn under the deep snow in a field below the settlement, and set the squaws to gathering it. As they passed through the settlement, carrying the corn in blankets slung on their backs, they were accused of stealing it from cribs. Messrs. O. B. Smith and John Howe procured switches and began whipping the squaws, who dropped their burdens and ran to the camp, pursued and punished all the way by the aforesaid gentlemen. This so aroused the ire of the Indians that they began to kill the settlers' cattle in revenge. The whites

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now assembled and surrounded the Indian camp-most of the bucks being absent in pursuit of game-and took away all the guns found in the teepes. This was more than the vengeful redskin's would brook, and, instead of going down the river to visit the Omahas as they had intended, they at once broke camp and started up the stream. This expedition, marked by depredations from the time they left Woodbury county, culminated in the Spirit Lake massacre.

During 1858, 1859 and 1860, the Santee Sioux Indians became very troublesome to the settlers of the northwest. They made frequent raids on the settlers, stealing their most valuable stock, and not unfrequently murdering some unoffending citizen. So frequent and alarming were such depredations, that, in the spring of 1861, it was thought necessary to use military force to awe the savages into subjection. Accordingly a company of "home guards" was formed, a full history of which will be found under its proper heading within this work.

SIOUX CITY'S INFANCY. * A REMINISCENCE BY S. P. YEOMANS.

The location of Sioux City was rather accidental. Sergeant's Bluff was already an established town, well known, and having the support of men of influence and means. Floyd's Bluff was also so much of a success as to have secured the honor of being the county seat.

The former was conceded to be a desirable and attractive location, hence efforts were made by those having interests there, to concentrate all business matters at that point. These efforts failed for the reason that Dr. Crockwell, Clark, and others, were so sanguine of success that they refused to make amicable division of their interest in the town site. This failure resulted in determination to start a rival town, the friends of which, secured the location of the land office, and this alone enabled them to speedily distance all competition. Sioux City then owes its birth to the short-sighted policy of the proprietors of the ground where Sergeant's Bluff and Floyd's Bluff were located, and its success to the aid rendered by Gen. Dodge and Gen. Jones, together with Bernhart Renn, who gave the town the benefit 01 all the favors congress could grant, and ever continued the firm friends of the youthful aspirant for city fame. * * * *
I reached Council Bluffs on my way to Sioux City in October,

*S. P. Yeomans was the first register of the United States land office at Sioux City, and contributed this article to the S1oux City Journal in,1881.

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1855. I found there a large number of mail pouches filled with blanks and documents for the Sioux City land office, and learned upon inquiry that there was no public conveyance north from the bluffs. However, I prevailed upon the stage company to send up a coach, in which I was the only passenger. We were two days in making the trip, stopping the first night at Ashton, and I think this was the first stage that ever entered Sioux City. The post-office had been established and Dr. John K. Cook appointed postmaster, and it was said that what few letters he received at first, he carried in his hat, giving them out as he chanced to meet the parties to whom addressed. No contract had as yet been let for carrying the mails, but the same was sent by any person who chanced to go that route.

The appearance of the town at that time was very unpromising. There were but two cabins on the plat, and the town site was pretty much covered by a large encampment of Indians. In the tree tops at the mouth of Perry creek, were lashed a number of dead Indians, while upon scaffolds upon the summit of the bluffs west of town, were a number more sleeping the long sleep that knows no waking.

The eating was all done at Dr. Cook's table, and I trust no offense will be taken, at this late day, if I express the opinion that the cuisine of his establishment did not measure up to the standard of Delmonico's; he did as well as any man could have done without supplies, and I don't know but the bill of fare was as good as that served at the "Terrific" and other early-day Sioux City hotels.

The land office was opened in the fall of 1855, I being the first to take charge of it.

There were repeated Indian alarms at that early day, and many were much disturbed by apprehensions of danger. William Tredway will remember the arrangement at the Hotel de Cook whereby it was understood that an attack was to be announced by the prompt military order, "Every man to his pants!"

The first sermon was preached at Sioux City by a presiding elder in the Methodist Episcopal church, from Mount Pleasant. I think his name was Lathrop. The first Methodist preacher assigned to the work was Rev. William Black, a young man, who if not a brilliant preacher, was full of zeal and courage. He is now a lawyer. * *

The first practicing attorney at Sioux City was John Currier. He was a good lawyer and a native-born gentleman. He had the one

Wm. L. Joy
(click for full size)

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HISTORY OF WOODBURY AND PLYMOUTH COUNTIES.

failing which has ruined many another promising attorney. Among the early members of the bar were Isaac Pendleton, S. T. Davis, O. O. Tredway and Hudson & Joy.

The first regularly practicing physician was Dr. A. M. Hunt; Dr. Cook only prescribed and practiced for a time among his near friends. An epidemic occurred that was very fatal, and that troubled the medical gentleman. In these days it would be termed diphtheria. We also had an epidemic of cerebro spinal meningitis that proved quite fatal. A Mr. French, it was though, lost his life through fright and I could name another who was scarcely less frightened, and for whom I prescribed tablespoonful doses of a solution of asafoetida, and thus tided him over a peril that might have made the number of your present Sioux City bankers one less!

The first real estate firm was Cassady & Moore, who were soon followed by George Weare, Bigelow, Chamberlain & White and Charles & Stutsman.

I look back over those early days with much pleasure, and feel a personal pride in the prosperity of Sioux City, for the reason that I was closely identified with everything connected with the first part of her history. I rejoice at the success of those who have well-nigh fought the battle of life there. They have used well the small means they took there, and have achieved a noble victory.

[Signed. J S. P. YEOMANS.

Life in the Fifties.-An "Old Settler" is responsible for whatever of information, as well as laughter, there may be in the following:

Our resources for locomotion in those early days, were the dugout, scow ferry, steamboat, stage coach and Indian ponies, which latter used to be fed in winter on what now might not be considered a very nutritious article of food, viz.: cottonwood limbs; though we have always maintained its advantages over the post and rink feed, not uncommon in these more degenerate days. Sometimes when there was no bottom to our rich and inexhaustible soil, our stage coach would dwindle down to a large dry-goods box placed on the axle and two wheels of the common wagon; about which Pioneer Pizey, of Dakota City, who was known far and near as "Old Reliable," could give many incidents.

We shall never "forget to remember" the time in those early days when he brought us in his dry-goods box a bright, dapper, span new

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school teacher (who came clear from Pennsylvania), when the mud upon our highways was all the way from six inches to two feet deep—the look of utter blank and profound astonishment which stole over the countenance of the landlord of the old Sioux City hotel, and some twenty or more guests, gathered around him, when on the arrival of the teacher he asked the landlord if he couldn't have his boots blacked. The request seemed to be flying in the face of Providence. Our good teacher, however, and he proved to be a good one, lived to do good service for his country, with the rank of captain, enlisting at Council Bluffs.

There was a time in the history of Sioux City when her denizens were blessed with a great deal of leisure, and hence, it is said, were pre-eminently distinguished for their social qualities. It was then that some of them completely mastered the art of resting! For an example: One of the early settlers was sent by his spouse down town to get some butter, and on his way home indulged his social instincts to such an extent that when he arrived home his better-half, greatly to the souring of her amiability, discovered that, under the magic of a hot sun, the butter had all melted and run off the plate, scarcely leaving a respectable grease spot as an evidence of her husband's errand down town!

The merchants in those days were sociable beings--a band of brother traders, always on the alert for each other's (and their own) interests. Every morning they would mingle together to consider how much their goods should be marked up until the next consignment was received. They were men of clear heads and understood the tricks of their calling. For illustration we need only speak of their manner of selling fried and boiled eggs. Fried eggs were fifteen cents a piece and boiled ones ten cents. The reason assigned for the great difference was, that fried eggs had to be good, i. e., like Caesar's wife, above suspicion, while boiled eggs were sold at the risk of the purchaser.

In this connection it is certainly befitting to speak of the scratching habits of the old settlers. It is said that custom breeds a habit in man. The "prairie digs," in those times, generated a universal habit of pioneer scratching. The stoic may bear pain without flinching, the philosopher misfortune without signs of grief, but no one can help scratching when they itch. The reader may have heard of the lady

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HISTORY OF WOODBURY AND PLYMOUTH COUNTIES.

who was sick and longed to be poor that she might have the "itch," on account of the solid comfort, not to say downright luxury, of scratching. Had she lived in Sioux City in the "fifties" she could have enjoyed herself right famously! Besides, the "prairie digs" is no vulgar disease, it is quite an aristocratic affair, as much so as the gout, and being such it would not be at all wonderful if it should make its advent as one of the aristocratic events among our new settlers. In this degenerate day it is anything and everything for style.

The Ongie War.—The "Ongie War," as termed by early settlers, grew out of a determination of the Claim Club to enforce their conception of right and justice, with reference to claims. A pre-emption of 160 acres of land was regarded as a very fair thing, but was wholly insufficient for an old settler to "spread himself on," so under the superior ruling of the Claim Club, he appropriated 360 acres for that commendable purpose, and woe to the unlucky wight who presumed to violate this supreme law of the land. A land law of congress that presumed to conflict with an old settler's notion of things, was at once practically squelched so far as he was concerned. Anyone who ignorantly violated the law of the Claim Club was at once waited upon, and in the name of the Great Jehovah invited in true Arkansas style, to "git!" If the offender did not" git," war was at once declared.

A man named Rowe, whose name occurs in one account of the early settlers, took a claim across the Floyd river, not far from the present Exchange flouring mills. He became enamored of a beautiful half-breed maiden, known as "Prairie Flower," but whose true name was Victoria Ongie. To have his charmer near him, Rowe invited her father and his whole family to take up their abode in his humble cabin, which they did. He loved well, but alas not wisely; at any rate he became insane and died. His mother did not enter into her son's romantic ideas of matrimony with a hearty zest, and after his death she came on, and sternly invited the Ongie family to betake themselves to other quarters. Her cause was espoused by the Claim Club. The eagerness to wreak vengeance on the Ongies might have found solution in the possible fact that some of the" "clubbers " were rejected lovers of Victoria.

Be that as it may, an attack was projected, and in the course of a few hours, after the plans were matured, those gallant sons of right and justice might have been seen deployed in true skirmish style, ad-

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vancing on the ill-fated Ongies. They placed themselves in position for a final and successful assault. Two lawyers characteristically took up a position on the side of the cabin, where there were no openings, and hence where there could be no danger from a return fire. The Ongies having sniffed the battle from afar, were making preparations for defense, and by accident discharged one of their guns. At this, the aforesaid legal gentlemen, forgetting the safety of their well-chosen position, found safety in their heels, with Victoria, the" Prairie Flower," in close pursuit. She overtook them and by her wiles and smiles, succeeded as an intermediator between the Ongie forces and the club in bringing about a cessation of hostilities, and thus ended the Ongie War. One of the brave (?) lawyers, who ran away, lived to fight another day, and by many gallant deeds as a Union officer placed himself among the honored of history, and died as governor of Washington territory.

The Fur Trade.—The fur trade of Sioux City at an early day, was an item of no small commercial importance, as will be seen by the single local paragraph extracted from the" Sioux City Eagle" of 1857: In addition to the large number of buffalo robes and skins brought to this place by friendly Indians, immense quantities are brought here by Mackinaws (small boats). Messrs. Frost, Todd & Co. are the heaviest dealers in furs. During one week in June (1857) they received, by steamboat, from the head-waters of the Missouri and Yellowstone, furs and skins to the value of many thousand dollars, one consignment alone containing 7,567 buffalo robes (tanned); 739 beaver skins; 32 elk skins; 14 bear skins; 1 moose skin, and 35 pelt packages.

Sioux City Market Report-1857.—The subjoined was copied from the" Eagle" of August 14, 1857:

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HISTOHY OF WOODBURY AND PLYMOUTH COUNTIES.

An odd advertisement appeared in the "Eagle" in 1859, at least it would seem odd to-day. It was the advertisement of Charles P. Booge & Co., general dealers, and contained the following:

Headquarters, St. Louis, Mo, Branch House, Sioux City, Iowa. * * *

Sugar, Molasses, Hams, Corn, Rio Coffee, Codfish, Tobacco, Soap, candles, Whiskey, Brandy, Gin, Beer, Wine, Powder, Shot, Caps, Gun Wadding, Indigo, Glass and Nails all cheap, but cash must come before delivery.

And now, after this somewhat broken history, we drop the thread, which might be of interest to trace out into farther detail, were it not for the fact that the township historian will visit each subdivision of the county, and from the oldest remaining: pioneers, gather early settlement facts for the various civil townships as now constituted. As much will be gleaned upon this subject as can be, from all reliable sources; however, as one attempts to grasp the whole and reduce it to a few pages, it widens and expands, growing in importance and magnitude. Though yet comparatively new, a complete history of Woodbury county, its growth from the beginning, a mention of its heroes, living and dead, would fill a vast volume. Very exact and patient of research must he be who can do justice to all and fully perpetuate the memory of every event, even for the brief period which has transpired since the first settlement in 1848. The township histories will carry it to a later date than this chapter.