HISTORY: History of Osceola County by D. A. W. Perkins 1892 Chapters X - XVI This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Roseanna Zehner June 2003 Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.org/copyright.htm ________________________________________________________ NOTE: For more information on Osceola County, Iowa Please visit the Osceola County, IAGenWeb page at http://iagenweb.org/osceola/ ________________________________________________________ History of Osceola County by D. A. W. Perkins 1892 CHAPTER X In May 1871, W.H. Gates arrived in Osceola County from Buchanan County. He started with O. Dunton and T.J. Cutshall, Dunton and Gates having teams and outfit of their own, while Cutshall was sort of a passenger with them. Gates filed on the southeast quarter of Section 26, Township 100, Range 42, and Dunton and Cutshall on the south half of Section 32, Township 100, Range 41. They built, to start on, a sod house on Dunton's claim, and made that their headquarters. Mr. Gates returned soon after for his family, and brought them out in the fall of 1871, and lived in the Dunton sod house during the winter of 1871 and 1872, and in the spring of 1872 he built a small house on his own claim, which is still there, and Mr. Gates still owns the land. At present he is a County Recorder. In the fall of 1871, after Mr. Gates had become settled with his family, he met Mr. Glover for the first time. Glover ventured over to the Gates household bringing a tin pail, bearing all the marks of a siege in batching. He modestly and timidly inquired if he could get some milk, which was generously supplied him, and John was treated so hospitably he ventured another request, doubtfully asking Mrs. Gates if he could get a piece of pork rind to grease his griddle for pancakes, and the request was accompanied with a skillful gesture of the hand, following the movement usually made in greasing a skillet for that purpose. Glover was surprised with a nice piece of pork from a barrel which Gates had brought with him, and the ex-Representative went home in a feeling of supreme delight. Mr. Gates was very much afflicted that winter with acute rheumatism, and no physician within forty miles. After laying helpless for almost a month he got about again. Cutshall alternated for several years between his claim and cobbling shoes at Sibley. He now lives at Omaha, Nebraska. Dunton a few years ago went to Dundee, Illinois where he now lives. During the season of 1871 deer and elk were plenty in Osceola County, and they who were hunters and good marksmen had plenty of it. The next season, of 1872, the incoming railroad and influx of settlers drove them westward, in the same direction civilization pushes the Indians- toward the setting sun. This Township, in which Mr. Gates settled, as will be seen elsewhere, was first named Fenton and afterwards Viola. But few of the 1871 and 1872 settlers are left in the Township. In 1871 John Stamm and Robert Stamm came to the County, driving through with teams from Jefferson County, Iowa. John settled on the southwest quarter of Section 34, Viola, and Robert on the northeast quarter of Section 4, Holman. We will now continue as to Viola Township. John Stamm is still a resident of the County, and was elected Sheriff in 1891. Frank Vanamburg settled in 1871 on the southeast quarter of Section 34. The same year Theodore Stage took a part of Section 30. Mr. Stage now lives at Little Rock. Also in 1871, John Smith and his mother took the northwest quarter of Section 20, he taking one and his mother the other eighty. On this same section C.C. Collerson also settled in 1871. H.W. Tinkhum settled the same year on a part of the northwest quarter of Section 26. Mr. Tinkhum is now at Barraboo, Wisconsin. The remaining part of the northeast quarter of Section 26 was taken by Eleazer Headley in the spring of 1872. He is now in Indiana. On this same Section 26, J. S. Patterson in 1871 took the northwest quarter. He came from Cerre Gordo County, Iowa, and still lives on the same piece of land. On the southwest quarter of Section 26, J.W. Blair settled in 1871. He still owns the same piece and resides in Kansas. J.W. Nimms filed on the northeast quarter of Section 34 in 1871. On the northwest quarter of the same section, J.T. Barclay settled in 1872, and put up the usual shanty. He sold the land afterwards to W.E. Ripley, and Mr. Barclay resides in Sibley. Also in the spring of 1872, H. Jordon settled on the southeast quarter of section 28. Mr. Jordon was afterwards a lawyer in Sibley, and died in -------. The remainder of Section 28 was taken by George Carew, the northeast quarter; D.B. Wood the northwest quarter; and Mr. Willie, the southwest quarter. Mr. Carew still lives in Sibley, and his claim is now owned by Jacob Brooks. Mr. Wood now lives in Springfield, Missouri. The northwest quarter of Section 32 was taken by James Dalton in 1871. He now lives in Buchanan County, Iowa, and Mr. Shapley owns the claim. George S. Downend, in the spring of 1872, filed on the northeast quarter of Section 32, and still lives on the land, with good improvements. Mr. Downend was from New York, was in the war, and went on crutches. Patrick Piesley came to the county in 1871, and took the southeast quarter of Section 32. He returned to his former home in Wisconsin, and was married there July 3, 1873, and still lives in Osceola County on the same piece of land. The southwest quarter of this same section was taken by Abraham Shapley in the spring of 1870. Mr. Shapley drove through by team from Clayton County, and along with him was N.D. Bowles and John Gray. He put up a comfortable home, hauling his lumber from Worthington. Mr. Shapley had a blacksmith shop, and like the rest, had a hard time at the start. After he had got through June of that year, he had just three nickels left; but he had other capital, consisting of grit, of muscle, and ambition. Mr. Shapley still lives on the same place, has fine improvements, owns a section of land in the county, and this year will establish his residence in Sibley, and take life easy. Asa Vanblorcon settled on the east half of the west half of Section 30, in 1872, and is still living in the same place. On this same section, Mr. Knowlton took the southeast quarter in 1871. Mr. Shapley now owns the land. The northeast quarter of Section 30 was taken in 1872 by Henry Graham, who has since died. On a part of Section 20 Mr. Samuel Smith filed and settled in 1872. He put up first a sod house, and now has a fine residence and is still living on the place. John Pann also filed on a part of Section 20 in 1872, and sold the land this year (1892). On the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 20, Edwin Smith filed in 1872. Mr. Smith still holds the land, and is engaged in the hardware business at Little Rock. In 1872, A.B. Graves filed on the southeast quarter of Section 18, and has since died. A part of the northeast quarter of Section 18 was taken in 1872 by A. Averhill, who now lives in LeMars, but who still owns the land. Sidney Beckwith and Mr. Barnard took the northwest quarter of Section 18 in 1872, which quarter is now owned by Mr. Beckwith, and upon which he still resides. He has other land around, since purchased. The south half of the southwest quarter of Section 18 was taken by Mr. Beeman in 1871. Mr. Beeman perished in the February 1872 blizzard. He was hauling logs and was lost in the storm. David Averhill and Obid Averhill took the south half of Section 8 in 1872. David died about two years ago and Obid moved from the county. On the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 10, William Rubow filed in 1872. He still owns the land, but lives in Missouri. On this section also, Eugene and Charles Bennett settled in 1872. Charles returned to Illinois a few years after, and Eugene still lives in the county on the same land and is a prosperous farmer. On Section 22 M.D. Hadsell took the northeast quarter, John Hart the southeast quarter, J.P. Hawxshurst the southwest quarter, and C.C. Hadsell and John Joseph the northwest quarter. These all filed in 1872. The Hadsell's are in Nebraska, Josephs in Kansas and J.P. Hawxshurst resides in Sibley. Peter Shaw and Charles Shaw came in 1872, and filed between them on the northeast quarter of Section 14. Prof. J.F. Ranson filed in 1872. He left the county some years ago, and lives in Florence, Kansas. Also, in 1871, C.C. Ogan filed on the southeast quarter of Section 14. He died since in California. On the southwest quarter of Section 14, John H. Douglass filed. This gentleman is elsewhere mentioned. The Scribner family among themselves took Section 12 in 1872, and have since moved away. On Section 24, N.J. Wetmore filed on a part of the southeast quarter, Merritt Winchester on the southwest quarter, G.W. Ketchem on the northwest quarter, all in 1872. Mr. Wetmore is in DeKalb County, Illinois, Mr. Winchester in Des Moines, and Mr. Ketchem went to Sioux City; he is now preaching on the Pacific Coast. Levi Shell settled on the southeast quarter of Section 36 in 1872. Mr. Shell has been here ever since, and is now in the lumber trade in Sibley. Joseph Ferrin, C.F. Torrey and Rev. Jones also filed in 1872 on other parts of the same section. These parties who filed on Section 36, except Mr. Shell, have been away from the County several years. These settlers in Viola who are still here have weathered the disagreeable hardships of the first years of pioneer life, and are now comfortable and well off. Mr. John Stamm's first wife died in the county in 1885. Viola is a thrifty township, and one of the most prosperous in the County. Among its leading farmers, in addition to those already mentioned, are the following named gentlemen: A. Ackerman, B. Ackerman, W.M. Achenbach, C. Barnum, R. Black, S.M. Bullington, T. Boyenga, C. Bauman, W. Beckman, H. Branidt, W. Christian, J.W. Councill, Henry Douglass, S.R. Dunwoody, W. Downs, D. Dexter, E. Fisher, Geo. Gates, H. Hancuch, H. Hatterman, L. Hoffman, J. Hollenback, E.D. Hollenbach, H. Hall, H.M. Heindres, H. Houke, John Iverson, G.C. Iverson, B. Koolman, I. Kimball, W. Kuhn, P. Keer, F.E. Kennedy, A. Kiser, C. Kreager, A. Lusk, H. Luterman. J.M. Likes, H. Likes, J. Mont, D.H. Morse, S. Newman, T.P. Norman, N. Olson, J. Peters, B. Robert, J.C. Schroder, W.F. Smith, H. Temmenna, T.W. Tarbell, John Tann, S.S. Thatcher, H. Vietmeyer, C. Vink, W.J Wohleater, A.A. Wyant, T. Wyant, R. Wyant, T.P. Waldran, Fred Witt, J.H. Harbets, J. Harbets, W. Harbets. Chapter XI In the fall of 1871 S.J. Cram came from Alamakee County and settled on a part of Section 32, in what is now Wilson Township, and still resides here. W.W. Cram, a brother of S.J., also came in 1871 and filed on a part of Section 14, in West Holman Township. He left here in 1882, and now lives at Butte, Nebraska. A.H. Clark also filed the same year on Section 32, in Wilson Township. In Holman Township at this early day, S.A. Wright settled on a claim, also the Halsteads, father and son, F.R. Cole, O.C. Staplin and the Widow Rosenbury, and Randolph Kinney on Section 28, in Wilson Township. S.A. Wright was Treasurer of the County one term, and now lives at Beatrice, Nebraska. O.C. Staplin still lives in the County on the original claim, and is one of our pushing farmers. S.H. Westcott came from LeMars to Osceola County and filed on a claim in the fall of 1871 on the southeast quarter of Section 22, Township 99, Range 41. Mr. Wescott has held township and County offices, and now lives in Sibley. In April 1871, there came from Alamakee County to Osceola, Mr. E. Morrison, R.O. Manson, F.M. Robinson, W.W. Cram, Myron Churchill and Thomas Parlan; these came to file on land, and with them to see the country was Mr. McFarland. Mr. Morrison settled on a part of Section 10 in Township 99, Range 42; Mr. Manson on northwest quarter of Section 24, West Holman; F.M. Robinson on ----- -, West Holman; Myron Churchill on a part of Section-------; and Parlan on --------, while Mr. Crum has heretofore been described in his location. Mr. Morrison now resides in Sibley, having been here since his first settlement, except to return for his family in the fall of 1871. Mr. Manson still resides on the claim originally taken. After these incoming settlers had got here from Alamakee County, they looked around and decided upon the claims they wanted. A part of them then started for Sioux City to file, while Mr. Morrison drove to LeMars to get some groceries, for there were no provisions left, and it was a long ways to market. When Morrison got to the Huff shack he found that Mrs. Huff was out of bread and no flour to make any; he then had to drive to Orange City, or where Orange City now is, before he could get anything for himself or team. In the meantime he had left Robinson, Manson and McFarland at Frank Stiles' habitation. This consisted of an old stagecoach, approximating the Deacon's one-hoss shay when it fell to pieces. Stiles had hauled it to his claim and placed it there as a settlement which the law required. At this stage coach Morrison left the three parties above named, they to wait until Morrison returned with something to eat, but hunger got the better of them, so they started on southeast to find somebody or something to eat, and came across a shack near the Ocheyedan, where Mr. Miller lived, but here there was nothing to eat so they returned again to Frank Stile'' cottage on wheels. After about forty-eight hours' absence Morrison returned, and by this time Robinson, Manson and McFarland were in about the same condition that Greeley was when discovered in the Artic regions. They were handed out some bread, and the loaves disappeared about as fast as water in a gopher hole, they couldn't wait for butter or anything else, but soon the boys felt better with a satisfied appetite. W.A. Morrison, a brother of E. Morrison, came in July 1872, and made settlement here, but left the county a few years ago and now resides in Kettle Falls, Washington. In June 1871 Rev. Smith Aldrich arrived in the county and settled on Section 30, west Holman. When it became known that Aldrich was a preacher, it was thought best to have services the following Sunday, so E. Morris and some others went around to what few there were and gave out the notice. The preaching was in Morrison and Churchills shack. There were about twenty-five present, and the sermon, no doubt, was the first preached in the county, though W.W. Webb claims that some other was the first. In the fall of 1871 Mrs. Aldrich, wife of the reverend gentleman, died on their claim. This was the first death in the county, and at that time the undertaker's shop was far away so that Mr. A.M. Culver made the coffin and Mrs. John Douglass stained it with grape juice. The simple service and the funeral were impressive, for Mrs. Aldrich was a woman much respected. Her body was removed east some time after its burial here, and Mr. Aldrich himself went away after remaining here a few years. Mr. Wallace Rea came here in the spring of 1872 and settled on the southeast quarter of Section 14, Township 99, Range 41. He is now at the Soldiers' Home. At the first school election held in the Rea district there were only three present; ---- Rea, O.C. Staplin and J.S. Reynolds. Staplin was Chairman, Rea the Secretary and Reynolds the people. A ballot was taken, and the vote stood: Rea, 1; Staplin, 1, Reynolds, 1. On the second ballot Staplin was elected. Reynolds declares that on the first ballot he voted for Staplin and Staplin for Reynolds. At that time there was much eagerness for the establishment of a school, and it was all right in that feeling of personal anxiety for a fellow to vote for himself as school officer. Of the early settlers in Township 100, Range 41 (now Wilson Township), but few remain. Will Thomas still owns the original claim, and in this township he still retains his residence. On Section 26 in this township are two early settlers. Mr. John Klampe took the northeast quarter about twenty years ago, and still occupies it. On the southeast quarter, Benj. Davis settled in 1872, and has borne the burden and heat of the day from that time to the present, farming the same piece of land. Mr. R.S. Eakin also came to this township about twenty years ago, and first settled on Section 8. He now owns 240 acres on Section 28. On the southwest quarter of Section 14, Mr. Jacob Widman has lived since about 1873. He has made very fine improvements, and on his place there is a spring of very nice water, which we believe is the only spring in the township. On Section 32 lives C.P. Reynolds, who settled there in 1872, and has lived there continuously since. He has good improvements, and has been a member of the County Board of Supervisors. The north tier of sections in Wilson, as in other townships on the north bordering the Minnesota line, are clipped off, or rather the surveyors run out of land when they reached the line; or, as some one with bar-room proclivities remarked ""hey were lost in the shuffle." The absence of this north tier of sections has been the cause of trouble to some, as well as a loss of money, and has brought others to grief. Some years ago several sharpers, who were of that class of men constantly seeking opportunities to perpetrate a swindle, actually made conveyance of some of these quarter sections which had no existence, to innocent and unsuspecting parties, who took the deeds all right and paid for the land, only to soon find out they had bought nothing, and couldn't buy what the deed described if they wanted to. Some of these villianous grantors were apprehended and made to languish in the penitentiary, and to suffer punishment for the crime which was involved in this method of conveyance. Allen Cloud filed in 1872 on the northwest quarter of Section 34, and lived there until he died in January 1884, and was buried in the Wilson Township Cemetery. His widow now lives in Sibley. The only old settlers still living in Wilson Township are Will Thomas and W.A. Cloud. Mr. C.E. Yates, on Section 10, went there about ten years ago; James Zweeck, on Section 14, about five years ago, and Mr. H.A. Cramer, on the same section, two years ago. The Makee boys, on the northwest quarter of Section 15, have been there some time. Mr. Joseph K. Shaw, on Section 18, was reasonaably early in settlement, as he filed on a claim and made final proof in 1876, and still resides there. On this same section resides Fred Theise and Mons Sorem. On Section 22, the northwest quarter, W.J. Miller filed, and still owns the land. The balance of this section belongs to the Thomas family, with Clifford Ling as renter. F.J. and J.D. Engle are living on the west half of Section 23, and on the northeast quarter John Ackerson resides. Other parties in the township, and among Wilson's best farmers, not before mentioned are Terkark Benezek, on Section 24, and F.A. Klampke, on Section 25. Mr. Klampke has 320 acres, and has lived there about 14 years. The east half of Section 27 is owned by Claus Klepka, who has lived in the township about two years. Mr. Comstock lives on the southwest quarter of Section 29; also, on the same section is H.S. Lindsey. J.N. Robinson, on the northwest quarter of section 30, owns the land, and has lived there about six years. On Section 31, Mr. W.C. Connor owns the northeast quarter, and on this same section lives Charles Hoffman. Mr. A.B. Evarts is the owner of a part of section 32 and has lived there seven years. W.A. Cloud is on section 33. This gentleman has been in the township seventeen years, and would pass for an old settler. On the northeast quarter of section 34 lives E.A. Beaston, while the southwest is owned by J.W. Kaye of Sibley, and upon which there lives at present, Mr. H.S. Lindsey. Mr. N.W. Williams who settled in O'Brien County in 1871, has recently purchased the southeast quarter of section 36 and will soon be a resident of Wilson. In 1871 W.N. Bull settled on the northwest quarter of section 26. Mr. Bull still resides in the county at Sibley. Chapter XII There ought to be the strongest ties of feeling between the old settlers of a country who have remained with it and borne the burden and heat of the day, and there is. By reason of the weakness of human nature there may be sometimes a hostile feeling over some petty and insignificant affair between neighbors, but, as a rule, the surviving settlers of a new country whose experiences run back a quarter of a century, are attached to each other; it would be unnatural to be otherwise. Age may bring upon us its infirmities; it may palsy the limbs, and gather the crows' feet insidiously about the eyebrows, but as long as the faculties remain we shall ever retain a feeling of fond recollection of the scenes and incidents of other days, and of those who shared with us its experiences, its joys and sorrows. And then again, people who bear the same misfortune together become united in each others interest and are bound together. Every new County has to wrestle in the throes of doubt and difficulty. The incoming population are generally of moderate means, and come for the purpose of building a home and acquiring a competence. The first acts of settlement are liable to absorb the little that was brought with them, and for a time it is a struggle with hardship, and sometimes for the necessaries of life. Their manner of living was not in commodious dwelling houses, but in what was called a shanty or a shack. A settler's shack, or shanty, was an exclusive western institution. It was the first castle of the settler, was of generally uniform size, 8 x 10, with a shed roof and tarpaper covering. If anyone doubted the continuous residence, the shanty was referred to as the mute but standing witness and the doubter became silent under this avalanche of proof. There was also provided a stovepipe, projecting through the roof, and this, added to the shanty, emphasized the good faith of the settler. Occasionally when the shack was left too long to itself, some mischievous, or malicious fellow carried away some part or all of it, and the place that once knew it, knew it no more forever but among settlers themselves it was regarded as the sacred habitation, the legal improvement, and everybody was warned neither to disturb nor molest it. Sometimes, instead of this kind of a habitation, the settler had a dugout or a sod shanty. A dugout consisted of an excavation in the ground, a hole large enough to live in, with a covering to it of some kind, sufficient to shed the rain and enclose it; or, if the opportunity was had, it was built into a knoll or the side of a hill. One room served all the purposes of the homesteader and his family. If he prospered for a season he would add to the front of his abode by erecting walls of sod on the sides and putting in a new front; the old would serve as a partition between the two rooms. You would often, upon entering such an abode, be surprised, for once you got through the narrow hole, called a door, to get into it, you would find elegant furniture, left over from the former residence, and an organ with an imposing cathedral back, towering high in one corner of the room. Sometimes a settler's claim would be jumped, as they called it, but jumping claims was a very disreputable and sometimes a serious business. It was expected in those cases where a party entirely neglected his duty as a settler and paid no attention to the requirements of the homestead or pre-emption law, that some one who could comply would take the land and earn it with a continuous residence. But where the settler was performing his duty to the best of his ability, and was faithful to his claim, with good intentions, that he who undertook to deprive him of it was a miscreant, and the neighborhood would sit down on him with a determined vengeance. Any person of character and respectability would not jump a claim without the surest and safest of reasons, and where a claimant abandoned his claim without actual settlement, and with continued neglect, then it was the duty of any seeking government land to take it, and let the other party lose his rights by his delay. They did not blame anyone for jumping a claim where the claimant showed bad faith, but where good faith was exhibited, then the act was reprehensible. We will conclude this chapter with an experience of W. R. Boling: Mr. Boling came to Osceola in the fall of 1872 and left papers for filing on his claim in Horton Township where he now resides. He returned and remained that winter in Powshiek County, and came back to Osceola in the spring of 1873. While traveling out, he was joined by Ol. Hemnenway and John Wood, who were pointed for Sheldon and settled there. Boling's trip was uneventful until he reached the Little Ocheyedan, about ten miles south of now Ocheydan Town, and was then on his way to Sibley. The river from heavy snows that winter had become quite a stream, but the ice was still underneath in some places. Boling had a span of mules, a covered wagon filled with the requirements of a settler, and the difficult task of crossing the Ocheyedan was before him. He took a long pole, walked in sounding the bottom to decide the question of safe crossing, and satisfied himself that he could make it. He got aboard the wagon, started up the mules and ventured to cross. When he was about eight feet from the opposite side, the mules went into the water out of sight, also one of the front wheels, leaving the wagon partly tipped. Boling jumped into the stream to try and right things, but had a narrow escape from drowning and only by desperate effort reached the other side, and without time to worry over the fix he was in, went to work at once to save the outfit. One mule was completely under water, and the other had his head just out of it; finally Boling got one mule out and hitched on the other one and pulled him out upon the bank more dead than alive. A mule's existence does not always require soft bedding and a palace barn, and this one's experience demonstrates the fact that a mule can be pretty well drowned and still life. Boling waited until both of them got life enough to travel, then rode one and led the other about eight miles to a settler's cabin, where he staid all night, and, returning next morning with assistance, rescued the wagon and its contents and renewed his journey. Chapter XIII The blizzard of January 7, 1873, was a fearful one, and considered as the worst this country ever experienced. These storms are generally disastrous for the reason that they come up suddenly. The morning may be fine and clear, causing people to start out on the prairie, and in a sparsely settled country where houses are several miles apart, a sudden blinding snow storm makes it almost impossible to find a shelter, and is extremely dangerous to any who are out. On the morning of January 7, 1873, the sun rose bright and warm, giving promise of a beautiful day. There was then a stage line between Spencer and Rock Rapids, the stage driver being Peter Baker. He started out from Sibley in the forenoon with one passenger, Mr. A.K. Jenkins, and when ten miles west from Sibley they encountered that terrible blizzard out on the unsettled prairie. It continued warm and pleasant until about noon, when the treacherous northwest wind commenced blowing and a dark cloud hovered in the western horizon. The snow commenced creeping and sifting over the ground in the peculiar insidious style so well known to every dweller on our broad and unprotected prairies. In a very short time the storm king was holding high carnival, and the air was filled with flying snow, driven by the force of the wind into the minutest apertures and piling it into drifts wherever it encountered an obstacle. The storm raged with scarcely an abatement until Thursday morning, when the thermometer indicated 22 degrees below zero. As above stated, Mr. Jenkins, in company with Mr. Baker, the stage driver on the Spencer and Rock Rapids Stage Line, left Sibley for the latter point named; when about ten miles distant from their destination the storm struck them in all its fury, so completely hemming in their horses that they soon yielded to the influence of the cold and sunk down in a deep snow drift and soon died. Mr. Jenkins tried to keep his blood in circulation by walking, but to the contrary, he became so helpless from the effects of the cold that even with the help of his companion he was unable to regain his seat in the coach. After eighteen hours insane from suffering he laid down before Mr. Baker's eyes and died. Meanwhile, Mr. Baker was conscious that he was losing the use of his limbs, and could render his companion no further assistance. Mr. Baker was found fozen to the knees on Friday afternoon about 3 o'clock, about one-half mile from the stage road; he was taken to the nearest house and cared for until the next day. He was then taken to Sibley. Soon after, both his legs were amputated, and on the 25th day of May, 1873, he died. George Hamilton was out in the same blizzard, and a man of less nerve and endurance would have certainly perished. Mr. Hamilton started in the morning to go to Milford, and while only about four miles from home crossing the prairie the storm struck him. To face the storm and try to return would have been the height of folly. So that all Mr. Hamilton could do was to go with it. This he did, and kept on traveling until he came to a corn field, where the snow had formed in large drifts, and into one of these his horses got down. Mr. Hamilton worked with his horses until they were on their feet again, and then as night was coming on, he unhitched and after having shoveled the snow away from the front end of his wagon tied his horses there. Here he spent the night, with that terrible storm howling in its fury, with no shelter and really without sufficient clothing, for the storm wasn't looked for. He kept at work shoveling the snow away from where the horses stood and twice lay down near the horses feet and got into a dose, and each time a horse stepped on him, just enough to wake him up and he went to work again. It is only a wonder that he didn't go to sleep never to wake again, and probably such would have been his fate, only for the horses feet. Finally morning dawned and Mr. Hamilton feeling that he was near somebody's place, hollered as loud as he could and there came a response. By this communication of voice the parties living near by came to where Hamilton was and himself and horses were gotten over to the house, it being where ----Smith lived. The horses were placed under shelter and soon Hamilton was in the Smith shack which had the comforts of a stove, red with heating. Mr. Hamilton found that his clothing was not proof against the driving snow, for it had drifted through in considerable quantities next to the skin. He staid at the Smith habitation two days, then when the storm was over made his trip to Milford and on his return found parties searching for him, supposing, of course, that he could not be otherwise than lost. This narrow escape which George Hamilton had in this April blizzard shows how easily a man of caution and of excellent judgment can drift into danger, and where the chances of living are against him, but a blizzard on an open prairie, comes sometimes so unexpected and unlooked for that it is not a lack of caution nor an error in judgment to be caught out where life becomes suddenly in danger. Mr. Hamilton's claim, as will be noticed elsewhere, was then on Section 30, in Fairview Township. Mr. Hamilton believes that his deliverance was providential; that it was there on the prairie he made his first original prayer which God gave him then and there the assurance that it would be verified. In this same storm a resident of Fairview Township lost his life. There was then a postoffice on the Spirit Lake and Worthington route, about a mile south of where the town of Round Lake now is. It was kept by William Mosier, and Mr. Wheeler, who claim was on Section --- in Fairview, was at the postoffice in Mosier's house when the storm came up. Wheeler started for home and unable to find his house, he wandered with the storm and at last exhausted, benumbed with cold, lay down and died. He got nearly to West Okoboji Lake in Dickinson County. He was found soon as the storm cleared up by Mr. Tuttle, whose house was not far away from where Wheeler perished. Some others were out in the blizzard, but not far from home so that these got home safely. One other death occurred in the county, that of Peter Ladenberger. After the storm he was missing and no trace of him could be found, it was concluded that he must have perished. He was still unaccounted for until the 29th day of November, 1873, when the account of his being found, given at the time, is as follows: When Fred Krueger, while out hunting in the valley of the Ocheyedan fifteen miles southeast of Sibley, found the remains of some person, they proved to be those of the unfortunate Ladenberger. Mr. Krueger did not inform any person of the finding of the remains until Sunday, when he related the facts to Mr. S.S. Parker. Early Monday morning Mr. Parker came to town and informed the proper authorities, who immediately summoned a jury, consisting of Messrs. McCausland, Parker, and Warren; these gentlemen with the acting coroner, Mr. Turner, Dr. Mellen and some witnesses to identify the remains, started for the spot to determine, if possible, whose the remains were. The party proceeded eastward to the Parker settlement, where Krueger joined them; then going southeast, they crossed the Little Ocheyedan, the rolling prairie, and descended into the broad valley of the Ocheyedan. When near the junction of the Little Ocheyedan with the Ocheyddan, the party separated, and going to the southwest Mr. Parker soon discovered the remains. The dead man was lying-probably as he fell-breast down, with right arm thrown back. The skull lay a few feet from the trunk. At his right foot was a hole, and it is possible that the surface of the snow was on that account uneven and caused him to stumble. A pipe, a carpenter's pencil, a silver ring, several pocketbooks, cap and pieces of clothing were found. The remains of the body were placed in a coffin and taken to Sibley. The pocketbooks were thawed out, and furnished conclusive evidence that the dead man was Peter Ladenberger. On Tuesday the remains were buried. Mr. Ladenberger was a carpenter, and the last work he did was to put up the liberty pole on the court house. He came from Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, and had no relatives in the country. The first settler in Fairview Township was Mr. Ellis, who took his claim there in 1871. This was the only claim taken in that township during that year. There were considerable many claims taken in this township in 1872, the year of a general rush to Northwest Iowa. In April, 1872, George Hamilton settled in Fairview and took east half of the northwest quarter of Section 30. Mr. Hamilton drove with his team, his wife with him, from Clinton County, Iowa, and after taking the claim lived on it continuously until final proof, himself and wife not being away from it at the same time except one night. He has now other land adjoining, but of these early settlers in Fairview, who came there in 1872, Mr. Hamilton is the only one of them who still lives in that township. He put up on the start a very comfortable house, broke only about four acres the first year, but has since been engaged in extensive farming, and is a very worthy and substantial citizen of Osceola County. S.A. Dove came to Fairview in May, 1872, and settled on the southwest quarter of Section 8. C.A. Foote the same year took the northeast quarter of the same section. During a later residence in the county, and after one of the blizzards, it was impossible to get around with a team, and the necessaries of life to subsist upon were obtained by going on foot with snow shoes. Dove and John Hanna went to Worthington, eleven miles, with snow shoes, and drawing a hand sled. They hauled butter to town and returned with flour; there was no road, but they made the journey in a day, though their return was after dark. Dove came from Clinton County, Iowa, and drove through with a team. He put up first a sod house, in which he lived two years, and then built a frame house, and in 1890 moved to Ocheyedan, where he now resides. Most of the settlers in Fairview have come at a recent date, and but few reach back any number of years. Among its leading farmers at the present time are S. Wright, Samuel Peterson, John Ward, Frank Palmer, Levi Coyour, Charles McLagen, S.C. Palmer, Fred Barneking, Fred Hindt, Ed. Ward, Thos. Jackson, W.E. Proper, D.A. Hall, John Hanna, Ed. Severence, Matthew Walling, William and Samuel Hanna, E.S. Webster, George Miller, Jerry Bean, Milton Woodrow, George Shephard, ---Steinkuehler, W.D. Hendrix and William Mowthorpe. The following is the way Osceola County stood in the year 1873: Holman Township Number of dwellings 180 Number of families 189 Number of white males 320 Number of white females 281 Number of persons entitled to vote 187 Number of militia 153 Number of foreigners not naturalized 3 Number of acres of land improved 2,553 Number of pounds of wool shorn in the year 1872 45 Bushels of Grain Raised in 1872   Wheat 2,269 Corn 4,800 Oats 1,572 Goewey Township Number of dwellings 143 Number of families 146 Number of white males 277 Number of white females 199 Number of persons entitled to vote 147 Number of militia 1 Number of foreigners not naturalized 1 Number of acres of land improved 3,464 Bushels of Grain Raised in 1872   Wheat 2,174 Corn 5,420 Oats 2,605 Barley 346 Fenton Township Number of dwellings 39 Number of families 40 Number of white males 76 Number of white females 65 Number of persons entitled to vote 43 Number of militia 39 Number of acres of land improved 866 Bushels of Grain Raised in 1872   Wheat 694 Corn 2,265 Oats 680 Wilson Township Number of dwellings 32 Number of families 32 Number of white males 64 Number of white females 63 Number of persons entitled to vote 34 Number of militia 22 Number of acres of land improved 420 Number of pounds of wool shorn in 1872 5 Bushels of Grain Raised in 1872 Wheat 39 Corn 1,337 Horton Township Number of dwellings 17 Number of families 426 Number of white males 40 Number of white females 30 Number of persons entitled to vote 20 Number of militia 18 Number of acres of land improved 144 Number of bushels of corn raised in the year 1872 40 In 1873 Osceola County had the following: Number of dwellings 419 Number of families 426 Number of white males 779 Number of white females 630 Number of persons entitled to vote 431 Number of militia 324 Number of foreigners not naturalized 4 Number of acres of land improved 7,444 Number of pounds of wool shorn in the year 1872 50 Bushels of Grain Raised in 1872 Wheat 5,176 Corn 13,862 Oats 4,857 Barley 346 Chapter XIV We will now leave the general run of settlement for a few chapters and speak of the County's finances in its method of doing business in the early days. Lawyers' fees seemed to be the most prominent method of "raising the wind." Winspear was a lawyer, Blackmer was a lawyer, and indeed, it was the old saying repeated, that "Ceasar had a party, and Brutus a party, but Rome had none." Other lawyers, also outside the County, had a hand in it, but still there were several lawyers in the County at the time who were battling the gang in their thieving operations. The early part of the Osceola County, indeed northwestern Iowa, for the Sioux City lawyers, was, as Deacon Howell remarked of Lyon County, "a field for legitimate speculation." Sioux City itself then was not prolific with litigation, clients were not numerous, and the Argus eyes of some of its distinguished disciples of Blackstone magnified the gigantic wrongs of this grasshoppered district, and their tender sympathies were manifested by professional services and condolence to the tune of retainer fees, which in the days of old Rome would have made the eloquent Cicero himself blush with hesitation in receiving them. The many grievances that seemed to afflict these northwestern Counties then were simply astonishing, but the remedies suggested by the legal fraternity to be applied by use of County warrants were appalling and apparently numberless. Sioux City then was the guardian of these afflicted Counties, and when a steal was to be perpetrated, or when suspicion of its coming perpetration caused a ripple of comment and excitement among the people, then both boodler and reformer would hie themselves to Sioux City, and within the offices of their respective counsel the shadow of defeat for the one, or the sunshine of success for the other, would be thoroughly discussed, which would result either in an exhibition of unbounded "check" or triumph for the watchers and waiters for an honest administration. But the time finally arrived when the scathing voice of the people brought these wild speculations and exorbitant retainer fees to a close, and County affairs were held down to the bed- rock of reason and economy, and there was established rules of good government and efficient administration, which no one since has been disposed to violate nor depart from. The boodler gang which had fastened itself upon Osceola County in 1872, had by the boldness and mercenary motives of their operations, excited a strong and desperate feeling of opposition among the settlers. That year it was a theme for discussion, the topic of conversation, and taxed the ingenuity and better judgment of the honest element of the county as to what to do. Each side had their friends, and no other question entered into the election in the fall of 1872, except to elect into office representatives from one side or the other. On the 26th day of August 1872, by a previous call, there was assembled in Sibley, near the Sibley hotel, a large concourse of settlers from all over the county, numbering about five hundred. These men were eager and determined in the feeling and spirit of reform, and were indignant. The meeting had been called by H.G. Doolittle, D.L. Riley and John Hawxshurst, and a circular requesting the settlers to meet had been sent over the county. The meeting was organized by electing D.L. Riley chairman. It will be seen by the records of the board that there was to be swampland selections, and that Frank Stiles was appointed to select them. Settlers in the county were afraid that this unscrupulous gang might report some of their claims as on the swamp land order, and thus complicate their titles and throw their claims into contest and litigation, which would be troublesome and expensive. This question was discussed at the meeting also, and several made speeches. However much the settlers then may have been poor in this world's goods, there was not at this meeting any poverty of language. Winspear himself appeared and made a statement that in swampland selections it was the railroad company lands they were after, and not the land occupied by settlers. He also read a letter from the Sioux City attorneys stating this fact, and among other things the letter instructed the Board to issue the six thousand dollars attorney fee in warrants of one thousand each. Speeches were made by D.L. Riley, Hawxshurst, Doolittle and others, and the meeting finally culminated in appointing a committee of twenty- seven men, and these men were instructed to take the necessary steps to bring about the resignation of objectionable members of the Board of Supervisors, and to carry the feeling of reform into practical results in all departments of the county administration. This committee consisted of D.D. McCallum, George Hamilton, M.J. Campbell, C.W. Wyllys, M.D. Hadsell, John Douglass, E. Huff, Geo. Ketcham, John P. Hawxshurst, C.M. Brooks, F.M. Robinson, J.F. Glover, A.M. Culver, W.H. Gates, H.L. Baker, Robt. Stamm, H.G. Doolittle, C.C. Jewel, ------Stickney, B.F. Tabler, C.C. Ogan, Rev. Jones. This committee demanded of the Board of Supervisors that they resign. The committee also organized, electing George Ketcham Captain, John Douglass First Lieutenant and M.D. Hadsell, Second Lieutenant. Nothing was done by them except upon a general conference, discussion and deliberation, and a final decision by vote of the committee as to the moves to be made. It was first decided to proceed in the house of H.R. Fenton, and demand his resignation at once, and if he refused to resign to carry out the vigilance committee act, and suspend the victim, as is usual in such cases, in mid-air. About the first day of September in this year of 1872, the committee met at the house of C.W. Wyllys and at about 10 o'clock in the evening started from there and went to Fenton's house. The committee took a rope along with them sufficient in strength for the hanging, and if the demands of the committee were not complied with, were anxious to use it. The committee halted in the slough west of Fenton's house and sent the Captain and the two lieutenants to make demand upon the Supervisor. Inquiry was made at the house and the three committee delegates were informed that Fenton was away from home, and it was learned afterwards that there was a traitor in the reform camp, and that Fenton had been notified and was in hiding. Fenton was then living on Section 20, in Wilson Township. The committee then proceeded to Winspear's house, which is where------ ---now lives, and the larger part of them remained in the railroad cut, near the house, while a delegation went to the house to demand the resignation. Winspear and friends, this committee's representatives were informed, said there would be no resignation, and that the inside of the house was an arsenal, and any attempt at violence would be resisted and that somebody would be killed. The committee, upon learning this state of affairs, retired peacefully to their homes, and probably wondering when would this "cruel war be over." The next day it was rumored that Stiles had a warrant of arrest for Douglass, so that this irrepressible Scotchman cleaned up his six- shooter, went to Sibley, and tackled Stiles about the warrant, which Stiles denied. At this time Stiles had appointed twenty-six deputies, for his own and friends protection, and these were in Ward's saloon when Douglass went in. Their guns were standing around against the side of the building, when Douglass got some fellow to go around behind Pat Larkins' building and make a cry of fire, which he did, when the twenty- six deputies rushed out of the building at this unusual sound, and Douglass, left alone, dumped the shooting -irons through a trap door where there was about four feet of water. In the fall of 1872 Blackmer and some others went to Sioux City with $40,000 of Holman School District warrants for the purpose of negotiating, and D.D. McCallum happened to be in the city at the time and learning that these parties were there with the warrants and of their intentions, and knowing the fraudulent character of the paper, notified the banks so that Blackmer and his party were unable to negotiate them. Blackmer returned to Sibley with them, and was made to give them up; all but a $1,000 warrant which was kept upon the statement that he had none left. A.M. Culver was then one of the most active participants in the opposition forces against the Winspear crowd. During the winter of 1871- 72 Culver took Winspear to Sioux City in a sleigh, in February, and Winspear had with him the $350 warrant issued for a map of the County which the County had not yet seen. Culver knew nothing of the warrant, and Winspear in the genial feeling of companionship, suggested to Culver that as he was Treasurer of the County, there was a chance to make some money, and upon inquiry from Culver how it was to be done, said, to buy the warrants at a discount and turn them in for cash. Culver replied to him that as a county officer the law forbid it, and aside from that he did not want to make money that way. Winspear negotiated the map warrant at Sioux City on this trip, and on his return Winspear was accused of selling the warrant which he did not deny, but undertook to lay some of the blame onto Culver and told their conversation, distorting and misrepresenting what Culver had said. There was a crowd of settlers on that day in Sibley and this trip to Sioux City being the topic of conversation, Culver mounted a dry goods box and with that spirit of energy characteristic of the man, and in a feeling of indignation, he told the conversation that had taken place between himself and Winspear and branded Winspear as a liar and a knave. This was expected by some to bring about an open warfare and a resort to weapons for the ripple of excitement was great and almost irrepressible, but the occasion passed off without disturbance, save and except a war of words. County officers then, as now, were required to give bonds, but as all were homesteaders a bond could not be given in the county that would fill the requirements of the law but bonds were accepted with such signers as the officials could obtain. Soon after the Winspear administration had charge of the affairs it was found that Culver would not do their bidding, so that under the pretense of apprehension Culver was notified that he must give a gilt-edged bond or the books would be taken away from him and he was given a certain length of time to procure the bond. Culver immediately, unbeknown to anybody, went to LeMars and obtained good names and then to Sioux City and obtained the name of T.J. Stone for $5,000. When the board met it was supposed that Culver had been unable to better the bond and Sheriff Stiles was ready to turn Culver out, but the Treasurer showed up what he had and the Board relapsed into silence and acquiescence. The $6,000 allowed to H.B. Wilson and Joy & Wright as a retainer on the swampland business was paid, but no swampland was ever reclaimed or recovered. In justice, however, to all parties concerned, we present the following communication from the attorneys, which appeared January 9, 1874: EDITORS GAZETTE: We are compelled, by the position in which we find ourselves placed, to make the following statement to the citizens and taxpayers of Osceola County: It is well known to the majority of your citizens that we have been employed to commence and prosecute the necessary suit or suits to recover for Osceola County her swamplands, and that a retainer was paid us for that purpose. By the terms of the agreement entered into between the county and ourselves, the county was to employ a competent surveyor-accompanied with good and truthful men, as witnesses-to make a selection of swamplands, and ascertain the owner or owners thereof. And under this agreement, but against our advice and in opposition to our protest, the Board appointed Mr. Frank Stiles to make said selection. We urged upon the Board that Mr. Stiles was not the person to make the selection, not from any animosity to him, but because he was neither a theoretical or practical engineer or surveyor; because he was at that time (whether justly or unjustly) unpopular with a large number of your citizens, and any selections he might make would meet with more or less opposition, by reason of a want of confidence in him. Under said appointment, Mr. Stiles went on and made a pretended selection of swamplands, and did the work in such a manner that it was universally admitted, by citizens of the county, that no action could successfully be maintained upon it. We so advised the Board of Supervisors-the selection was repudiated, and the Board agreed to have another and proper selection made. Soon after this a new Board of Supervisors came into office, and we have been constant and unremitting in our efforts to induce them to have the swamplands of the county selected, so that we can commence the necessary suit or suits, but without avail. Now we want the citizens of Osceola County to know and understand that we entered into an engagement with the county in good faith. It is impossible for us to make the selection; this the county must do, and the interests of the county imperatively demand that it should be attended to at once. For reasons, that it would be improper here to state, the county may lose her swamplands if she does not move in this matter promptly. It is certain that further delay will greatly complicate the matter. If the county expects to acquire swamplands, there must be a speedy assertion of her rights, and this can only be done by making the proper selections. We will not be answerable for the result of such delay. We are about to commence the necessary suit to recover the swamp lands of Lyon County in the next term of the District Court, ad it would be convenient to commence in your county about the same time. We submit to the people of Osceola County that it is not treating us in good faith to place us in our present position in reference to this matter, and we wish it to be understood that if the swampland claims of Osceola County are not prosecuted it will not be our fault. H.B. Wilson, Joy & Wright. This sort of belligerent spirit, or fighting campaign between the contending forces, soon died away, and other and more peaceful methods were concluded upon. It was thought best to resort to legal proceedings and at the coming election in the fall of 1872, to rally and elect a reform member of the board. CHAPTER XV Proceedings of Board of Supervisors, Partially Given, Including All Matters of Importance. The first session of the Board, and the session of the first Board, was held January 1, 1891. The Board was called to order by County Auditor, and there were present as members J.H. Winspear and H.R. Fenton. J.W. Winspear was elected Chairman. Eldredge Morrison qualified as Clerk of Holman Township, A.M Culver as Treasurer of the County, H.L. Clapsaddle as Justice of the Peace for Holman Township, Geo. W. Ketcham as Clerk of Horton Township, O. Dunton as Justice of the Peace for Horton Township, Frank Stiles as Justice for Holman Township, and Delily Stiles took the oath of office as County Superintendent of Schools. The Board then adjourned to the next day, and met with the same members present. It was voted to give orders to Perkins Bros., of Sioux City, for books and stationery required for County purposes. C.M. Brooks qualified as Clerk of the District Court, M.J. Campbell as County Surveyor, and Geo. Spaulding appeared and took the oath of office as County Supervisor. Benjamin F. Cox qualified as Clerk of Goewey Township, and the Board then adjourned to January 3, the next day. The Board met as per adjournment, at which meeting the above members were present, with the addition of Geo. Spaulding. L.L. Webb qualified as Constable for Holman Township, and D.F. Curtiss as Justice in Goewey Township. The following appointments were then made: ------- - Garvin, Coroner of the County; Frank Stiles, Sheriff; and William Jepson, Justice for Goewey Township. A large number of petitions asking that County roads be laid out were presented and allowed, and the Board adjourned to the next day, January 4. At this adjourned meeting January 4, it was ordered that the County Surveyor select ten sections of land that may be marked swamplands on the district land office plat, or as near ten sections as he could. It was voted that Sibley be the county seat. Frank Stiles then qualified as Sheriff, John Beaumont as Drainage Commissioner. Forty-five dollars was appropriated for paupers to be divided among the three townships. It was then voted to call a special election to vote on court house bonds to the amount of five thousand dollars; also to vote as to whether stock shall be prevented from running at large. John F. Glover asked that the County Auditor be authorized to accept the bond of D.L. McCausland as County Recorder, which he was, provided the bond was presented by January 10, 1872. It was also voted to call for bids for a house 14x20 feet, to be used by county officers. Provision was then made for desks and fuel. Salaries were fixed as follows: Treasurer, for the year $1,000 Auditor, for the year $840 Recorder, for the year $500 The following accounts were then allowed: Geo. Spaulding, supervisor and mileage $21.76 H.R. Fenton, supervisor and mileage $17.44 J.H. Winspear, supervisor and mileage $16.00 F.M. Robinson, services to Sioux City $60.00 H.R. Fenton, services to Sioux City $60.00 J.H. Winspear, services to Sioux City $60.00 William Hecker, maps of county $350.00 Frank Stiles, township trustee $2.00 John Beaumont, township trustee $2.00 H.K. Rogers, use of building $8.00 The Board then adjourned to meet February 12, 1872. The Board met as per adjournment February 12, 1872, and the election in the meantime having been held to vote on the court house bonds and on stock running at large, the vote was canvassed and resulted as follows: For court house bonds 9 Against court house bonds 52 For the act restraining stock 61 Against the act of restraining stock 1 The Board then recognized D.L. McCausland as Recorder and approved his bond, and also approved the appointment of John F. Glover as Deputy Recorder. The Board then adjourned to meet the next day, February 13. At this, February 13, meeting Perkins Bros. were allowed $300 on their bill for books. One dollar was allowed on the scalp of each fox in addition to the state allowance, and the salary of C.M. Brooks, Clerk of Court, was fixed at $50 per month. It was also voted to advertise in the LeMars Vidette for bids for the erection of a court house to be 20x40 feet and paid for in county warrants. The Board then adjourned to meet next day, February 15. The Board met as per adjournment, February 15, 1872. Their first act was to authorize the County Auditor to take legal measure to take the books of the County Recorder's office from John Beaumont and turn them over to D.L. McCausland. There was then allowed various bills for the support of paupers, county seals, Supervisors' services, and other things aggregating $342.36, and after this the Board adjourned without day. The next meeting of the Board was April 1, 1872, and at this meeting the reports of road commissioners were acted upon and several roads established and designated. John Beaumont was allowed $30 salary while he was Recorder and D.L. McCausland $62.60 for expenses in obtaining possession of Recorder's books. The next meeting of Board was the next day, April 2, at which time other business was transacted with reference to roads. M.J. Campbell was approved as deputy clerk of courts, and Lewis E. Diefendorf as deputy treasurer. It was then voted to employ Geo. W. Wakefield to secure the adjustment of swampland claims of the county against the United States. The next meeting of the Board was April 3, and no business of importance was transacted. The next meeting of the Board was April 4, 1872, at which time it was voted to accept the bid of Henry Phringston for putting up court house building, for the sum of $1,249. There was also bills allowed for several purposes, supervisors services paupers, officers pay, etc., in all aggregating $639.99. The Board next met May 6, 1872. This session was not extended and no business of importance transacted. Bills were allowed for surveying, goods furnished county, expenses to Sioux City, etc., aggregating $283.55. Next meeting of the Board was held June 3, 1872, which was unimportant. The Board next met on the 4th day of June, at which time Perkins Bros. were allowed $1,500 for county books, and there was no other business except in connection with the establishment of roads. Board met again June 5. At this meeting it was voted to appropriate $500 in building a bridge across Otter Creek on Section 15, Township 98, Range 42. Also the sum of $350 to build a bridge across Ocheyedan Creek on the Ocheyedan Valley road, $200 in bridging Otter Creek on Section 13, Township 99, Range 42, $160 bridging Otter Creek on County road No. 11, and $135 bridging Otter Creek on Section 12, Township 99, Range 42. There was also allowed various bills for salaries, fees, and other things, aggregating $598.21. The next meeting of Board was held June 6, and at this meeting no business was transacted, except bridging Ocheyedan Creek near Section 16, Township 99, Range 40. Board met again June 7, 1872, and it was voted that sealed proposals be received for building six bridges. It was also voted-up9on a petition presented by John F. Glover, John Beaumont and others-that Henry Phringston be allowed $100 to release County from his contract to build court house, and that an election be called to vote on court house bonds to the amount of $5,000 with which to build court house. Bills were then allowed to the amount of $82.18, and Board adjourned to July 17, 1872. Board met again July 17, as per adjournment, and nothing was done except passing the following resolutions: "Whereas, On the 17th day of July, 1872, by a decree of the District Court in and for the County of Osceola, in the State of Iowa, John A. Schmidt, Esq., recovered a judgment against the County of Osceola for the sum of three thousand fifty and twenty hundredths dollars (3,050.20), and, "Whereas, On the 17th day of July, 1872, the said John A. Schmidt, Esq., under the provisions of Chapter 174, Laws of 1872, elected not to issue execution on said judgment, but to receive payment of said judgment in the bonds of Osceola County, bearing 10 per cent interest per annum, and, "Whereas, In our judgment the interests of Osceola County will be best subserved and promoted by issuing said bonds, therefore be it "Resolved, By the Board of Supervisors of Osceola County, that the County of Osceola do issue its bonds, in compliance with the election of said John A. Schmidt to liquidate said judgment, and that the President of the Board and the County Auditor are directed and instructed to duly execute said bonds under the seal of Osceola County." Board met again July 18, 1872, and at this meeting the votes cast for court house bonds at the second election were canvassed, and the following was the count: FOR BONDS Holman Township 59 Goewey Township 1 Horton Township 7 Total number for 67 AGAINST BONDS Holman Township 4 Goewey Township 10 Horton Township 1 Total number against 21 Following this, the usual resolution to provide for bonds and carry out the vote was passed. C.I. Hill, Henry Phringston and D.L. Riley were appointed a committee to prepare plans and specifications for court house. The contract to build the six bridges mentioned in a previous meeting were then let to various parties, the six aggregating $1,521. There was then appropriated $135 to bridge on east line of Section 26, Township 100, Range 42; $250 was also appropriated for bridge on Section 34, Township, Range 42; and $300 for building bridge across Ocheyedan. The next meetng of Board was held July 18. This meeting fixed the sheriff's salary at $200 per year, and passed bills aggregating $981.11. The next meeting of Board was held August 12, 1872. The following resolution was passed: "Resolved, that H.B. Wilson and Joy & Wright are hereby employed as counsel to prosecute the swamp land claims for the county, and that we allow them the sum of $6,000 in county warrants as a retainer and compensation, and the Auditor is instructed to issue warrants for the same, and that the contingent interest in the lands that may be recovered shall not exceed the proportion they are to receive in Lyon County for prosecuting their swamp land claims." Frank Stiles was appointed to make the necessary survey of the swamp lands, and his compensation was fixed at 10 cents an acre. The contract to build court house was awarded to Henry Phringston for $3,447, and the court house was to be completed by November 1, 1872. Bills were then allowed for various things amountng in all to $368.74. Board again met September 2, 1872. Nothing was done at this meeting, except such business as pertained to the establishment of roads. Next meeting of the Board September 2. The following resolution was adopted: "Resolved, That the chairman of the Board of Supervisors be hereby instructed to employ such counsel as he may deep necessary to defend the county in the measures now adopted by the Board of Supervisors." There was then allowed bills to the amount of $388. and the Board adjourned. Board again met September 17, 1872. There was considerable business done in the establishment of county roads, and levies were made as follows: For State revenue 2 1/2 mills For ordinary county revenue 4 mills For support of schools 2 mills For payment of court house bonds 5 mills For payment of interest on judgment bond 3 1/2 mills There was also passed the following resolution: "Resolved, That C.W. Blackmer is hereby authorized to purchase fifty- one volumes of the Iowa reports, and that we, the Board of Supervisors of Osceola County, hereby appropriate $700 for the purchase of the same, and the County Auditor is hereby instructed to issue that amount of County warrants to C.W. Blackmer, for the purpose of obtaining said Iowa Reports for the use of the county." There was also allowed bills at this session aggregating $600.08, among which were: Frank Stiles, hand cuffs and leg irons $51.00 Frank Stiles, attending court with twenty-seven deputies $2.56 Frank Stiles, attending court with five deputies $3.12 C.W. Blackmer, attorney's fees $40.00 J.H. Winspear, attending court $12.00 J.H. Winspear, expenses and services to Sioux City seeing to the printing of the court house bonds 100 $100 Frank Stiles, hand cuffs and leg irons $ 51 Frank Stiles, attending court with twenty-seven deputies, September 2 56 Frank Stiles, attending court with five deputies, September 3 12 C.W. Blackmer, attorney's fees 40 J.H. Winspear, attending court 12 J.H. Winspear, expenses and services to Sioux City seeing to the printing of the court house bonds 100 The Board next met October 7, 1872. At this meeting Horton Township, as originally organized, was divided into three civil townships, as follows: Township 100, Range 42, to be known as Fenton Township. Township 100, Range 41, to be called Wilson Township. Township 100, Range 100, Range 40, to be called Horton Township. Elections for township officers for these townships were ordered for the general election in 1872, to be held in Wilson Township at the house of James Miller; for Fenton Township, at the house of John H. Hart; for Horton Township, at the house of L.G. Ireland. It was voted to allow Crandall & Hall $900, part payment on bridge contract. Bills were allowed amounting to $1,025.40. The Board next met October 21, 1872. At this meeting a resolution was passed authorizing Henry Phringston to build privy, coal house, steps to court house, one vane and flag staff and to fit up room under the stairway, for which he was to receive in addition to court house contract, $1,053. Bills were then allowed amounting to $310.25. The next meeting of the Board was held November 11, 1872. At this meeting the votes cast at the general election held this month were canvassed. As there is, in another part of this history, the names of all officers of the county since its organization, the officers declared elected at this session will be found there. It was also voted to issue bonds for $1091.65 to J.M. Grant to satisfy a judgment obtained by Grant against the county; also voted to issue bonds to the amount of $1,339.06 to Condion & Harris to satisfy a judgment they had obtained in the circuit court against Osceola County. The next meeting of the Board was on November 13, 1872. At this meeting Henry Phringston was instructed to get the court house furniture from the railroad depot and to set it up and for these services was allowed $250. Delialy Stiles, County Superintendent, was allowed $200 as salary from January 1, 1872 to January 1, 1873. The following resolution was passed: Resolved, That the Auditor is hereby instructed to fit up and furnish the two north rooms on the first floor and a jury room on the second floor of the court house for the use and benefit of the poor of the county and to furnish provisions and everything he deems necessary for the comfort of the same. There was also allowed bills of various kinds and amounts, aggregating $2,403.21, among which were: Henry Phringston, drawing plans and specifications of court house $60.00 J.H. Winspear, inspecting court house 10.00 Furniture for court house 1,102.00 The Board next met November 27, at which no business was transacted, except a small amount for burning around bridge for $4.20. The next meeting of the Board was held December 16, 1872, at which were present the members, as at other meetings, being J.H. Winspear, H.R. Fenton and George Spaulding. The Auditor was instructed to issue a warrant of $106.03 to pay the premium for $2,000 insurance on the court house and furniture, in the Home Insurance Company of Columbus, Ohio; warrant issued to W.H. Turner. H.R. Fenton was instructed to procure safe for Treasurer, and the Auditor ordered to issue warrant to pay what was necessary for it. Board adjourned to Dec. 17. Board met December 17, 1872, as per adjournment. Mr. Spaulding was not present. It was ordered by the Board that the Auditor employ an attorney in Clayton County to get proof of the residence of Thomas Carroll. It was voted to issue bonds to William C. Frye in the amount of $6,300 to satisfy a judgment against the County in the United States Court, and also a warrant of $38.80 to said Frye, which would complete payment of judgment. A new survey of swamp lands was then ordered, and in connection therewith the following resolution was passed: "Resolved, That Frank Stiles is hereby allowed the sum of five hundred dollars for the use of his present survey book of swamp land selections for Osceola County as a guide to the County in conducting the new survey of swamp lands of said County this day ordered by the Board of Supervisors, and that the Auditor is instructed to issue a warrant to said Frank Stiles of that amount, upon his delivering said survey book to the Auditor at his office." Board then adjourned to Dec. 18, at which meeting nothing was done except allowances for bills of various amounts and kinds, aggregating $1,231.76. Board met again Dec. 30, 1872, members all present. The first thing done was to instruct the Auditor to insure court house and furniture in the Hawkeye Insurance Company to the amount of $2,000, and issue warrant sufficient to pay premium. It was then voted to accept the proposition of I.A. Barker to print 5,000 pamphlets on Osceola County for distribution, and the Auditor was instructed to issue warrant for $800 to pay the same. The Board next met December 31. The official bonds were approved and the Auditor's salary was increased; as also that of the Recorder. Polk & Hubbell, of Des Moines, were allowed $100 for service in the case of Wm. O. Frye vs. Osceola County. Bills were then allowed amounting to $1,269.94. Among the bills allowed were: Frank Stiles, balance on bridge grading, etc. $475.00 J.H. Winspear, railroad fare to defend in Frye vs. County 60.00 J.H. Winspear, expenses in same case 40.00 C.W. Blackmer, counsel and advice 250.00 This last meeting of the Board closed the first year's administration of the County Supervisors. As near as can be ascertained from a thorough search of the records and the minutes of the Board, there was issued in county warrants during the year 1872, $29,000. There was also issued bonds in the sum of $17,801.41. These bonds were based upon judgments rendered in different courts, and aside from the court house bonds, the judgments are based upon actions brought upon county warrants which are a part of the $29,000 of warrants issued. The exact indebtedness at the close of 1872 cannot be accurately determined, but to approximate it would stand as follows: Bonds drawing 10 per cent, interest $17,801.31 County warrants 18,000.00 Continuing as to the Board of Supervisors, there was to be one member of the Board elected at the general election in 1872. At this election D.L. Riley and L.F. Diefendorf were candidates for the office, and the votes were a little mixed on the Riley ballots. They read D.I. Riley, D.I. Riley, and L.F. Riley, so that the Board declared the result as follows: VOTES L.F. Diefendorf 78 D.I. Riley 75 D.L. Riley 55 L.F. Riley 1 And officially declared the Diefendorf was elected. It cannot be found, however, from the records that Diefendorf ever qualified or acted with the Board. We know nothing of the man, but he undoubtedly conscientiously felt that he was not entitled to the office, and did not have the audacity nor the desire to force himself upon the people even with the Board's decision that he was "duly elected." Something had to be done, however, to straighten the record and overturn this official decision made by the Board, so that the proper proceedings were instituted by D.L. Riley, as contestant, against Diefendorf, incumbent. The tribunal then to decide contested elections consisted of the Circuit Judge and two associate judges, one chosen by the contestant and the other by incumbent. Riley chose I.N. Gardner, and as the incumbent failed to make a choice, the Clerk of the Court, then J.F. Glover, made choice of A.M. Culver. The court so constituted met at Sibley January 2, 1873, and that day and the day following was taken up in preliminary matters, and making up issues, also receiving evidence, and on these days, and including the next day, the case was fully presented to the court. On January 4, 1873, the court decided that the contestant, D.L. Riley, was entitled to the office, and he then and there appeared and took the oath of office and thereby became a member of the Board, leaving Diefendorf to pay the costs. BOARD PROCEEDINGS OF 1873 The first meeting of the Board in 1873 was held January 6, and was called to order by the County Auditor, and there were present H.R. Fenton and D.L. Riley. Riley elected Fenton chairman, and the Board proceeded to approve official bonds and adjourned until afternoon. At the afternoon session the three members were present, which added George Spaulding, and these three constituted the Board. Some business was transacted with reference to roads, and the Board adjourned until the next day, January 7. January 7, 1873, the three members were present. J.H. Douglass, Sheriff, notified the Board that he had appointed C. M. Bailey as deputy; J. F. Glover, Clerk of Court, gave notice that he had appointed as deputy, F.M. Robinson, and F.M. Robinson, County Auditor, notifed the Board that his deputy was C.M. Brooks. The Board then fixed the salaries of office, which were to be paid at the end of each month, as follows: Treasurer $50.00 Auditor $100.00 Clerk of Court $40.00 Recorder $40.00 Sheriff $16.65 County Superintendent of Schools $15.00 The Board then allowed various bills amounting in all to $331.57, and adjourned to January 20. January 20, 1873, the Board met pursuant to adjournment, and there were present Fenton and Spaulding, Riley being absent. Nothing was done particularly at this session. John Beaumont was allowed j$58.35 for services as recorder the year before, up to the time McCausland gobbled the books, and other bills were allowed amounting to $541.60. The Board then adjourned to meet February 20 next. February 20, meeting of the Board was held as per adjournment, with Fenton and Spaulding present, Riley absent. It was voted that Chairman Fenton employ any counsel to appear for the county any time he may deem it necessary. The following astounding resolution was then passed: Resolved, That the proposition of C.W. Blackmer be accepted, and the Auditor of this county is hereby directed to issue to the said C.W. Blackmer the sum of twenty thousand dollars, in warrants of such dimensions as the said C.W. Blackmer may determine. It is understood and agreed that, out of the sum so issued to the said C.W. Blackmer, he is to compensate the assistant counsel which he has agreed to employ, and, "Whereas, The said C.W. Blackmer has further proposed to this Board that he will accept for the remainder of his compensation a contingent fee of 20 per cent of the amount recovered from the railroad company and Woodbury County, therefore, be it further "Resolved, That said County of Osceola will pay the said C.W. Blackmer and his assistant counsel the said contingent fee of 20 per cent, provided the same shall amount to more than the said sum of twenty thousand dollars; it being understood that the said sum of twenty thousand dollars is to be deducted from said sum of 20 per cent, and that the said C.W. Blackmer and his assistant counsel are only to receive the balance, if any remaining, as a contingent fee." The Board then appointed L.F. Diefendorf as their clerk pro tem., by reason of F.M. Robinson refusing to act as clerk in issuing warrants to Blackmer. It seems that at this time there was considerable excitement in the county over this $20,000 to Blackmer, which caused the Board in the afternoon of this same session to rescind the resolution, and they passed another, employing Winspear and Blackmer to recover back taxes from the railroad company, allowing the attorneys a retainer of $500 and 25 per cent on the amount recovered. It was also voted that C.M. Brooks should hang blinds upon the court house windows at $4.50 each, and the Auditor was authorized to issue a warrant of $400 to said Brooks, immediately, as part payment, balance to be paid when work was completed. The Treasurer's salary was then increased to $100 per month, and a warrant drawn for $50 for the extra compensation in January. February 21, 1873, the Board again met with Fenton and Spaulding present, and Riley absent. The Board ordered a warrant drawn of $400, part pay for pamphlets, and allowed bills aggregating $2,611.33. Among the bills were the following: H.R. Fenton, expenses to Sioux City, four days time $ 45.00 Blackmer, attorney's fees 20.00 McCaffery & Harmon, attorney's fees 35.00 C.W. Blackmer, balance of bill presented to Board December 31, 1872 250.00 McCaffery & Harmon, attorney's fees 50.00 The next meeting of the Board was held March 11, 1873, at which time there was present Fenton and Riley. Nothing important was done at this session except to pass a resolution dismissing all attorneys and inviting proposals from Sibley lawyers to do the county business. Bills were allowed amounting in all to $565.94. Board met again April 7, 1873. The following resolution was adopted: "Resolved, That J.H. Winspear and S.W. Harmon are employed to appear for the county in all suits now pending in the District Court and defend same." Fenton and Spaulding voting for, and Riley against, Board adjourned to meet April 14. April 14th, as per adjournment, the record shows that only Riley was present and he adjourned over until April 21. The record here shows a change in the Board, and that O. Dunton and B.F. Mundorf were appointed to fill the vacancy caused by removal. The first meeting of this newly constituted Board was held April 21, 1873, at which time there were present D.L. Riley, O. Dunton and B.F. Mundorf. D.L. Riley was elected chairman. The Board transacted the usual business pertaining to county legislation. Bills were allowed, a large part pertaining to court expenses, in all amounting to $1,071.46. The Board of 1874 consisted of D.L. Riley, O. Dunton and F.E. Perry. This Board placed the affairs of the county upon a thorough business basis, and established a system of economy which succeeding Boards have not departed from. The Board of Supervisers from that time up to the present have all been men who had the interest of the county at heart. The debt of the county has been reduced, warrants are at par, and the administration of the county affairs is satisfactory to the people. The different persons who have constituted the Board of different years will be found under the list of county officers. Chapter XVI The Sibley Gazette in its starting out, although published by Ren Barker, was made to sparkle with the wit, the genius and all kinds of advice and suggestions, from Nellie Granger. She wrote many articles of well constructed sentences, under the name of Nellie F. Granger, and the hard and pointed hits she distributed around in the community are remembered by tradition, while the files of the paper have been laid on the shelf for years, and nearly obliterated by carelessness and misuse. Barker himself seemed to struggle against some criticisms, and was foolish enough to notice them, for we see by his early issues occasional items, like the following: "May be some people know our biz better than we do. If so they are invited to take charge of the machine." The January 24, 1873, number of the Gazette, announces that the Rock Rapids Review has been started by O.A. Cheney, and that the Sheldon Mail has started out on the sea of journalism. It also says that the January blizzard has done somebody good, as the homesteaders have found work shoveling snow, which will enable them to live through the winter. It also expresses fears that E.R. Hazen was lost in the storm, in the following item: "Nothing has been heard of Elmore R. Hazen, who worked in Sibley last fall, at carpentering, and who owned a claim in this county, and who started, as we have learned, on the morning of the great storm, to go to Ocheyedan river for wood. It is feared that he has perished." Hazen, however, is still in the land of the living. In January of 1873, the following mail routes were established: From Cherokee to Sibley, 48 miles and back, once a week. From LeMars, by Orange City, Ocheyedan and Sibley, to Worthington, Minn., 74 miles and back, once a week. From Spirit Lake, by Melrose, Silver Lake, Sibley and Doon, to Beloit, 92 miles and back, once a week. From Sibley to Beloit, 48 miles and back, once a week. The reader well knows how the progress of the county has long since abolished these routes for more speedy transporation. The cold snap of January 28, sent the thermometer down to 32 degrees below zero, and at Sioux City 23 below. That kept the homesteaders of Osceola County busy twisting hay. The January 7, 1873, blizzard so blocked the Sioux City and St. Paul road, now the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis and Omaha, that the train was not got through until Feb. 14. In February 12, 1873, the following announcement through the columns of the local press was made to the people: "REPUDIATION.-All the citizens that are in favor of repudiating the indebtedness of Osceola County, for the year 1872, about $20,000, are requested to meet at the court house on Saturday, March 1st. McCaffery & Harmon will guarantee a clear case. Let there be a full attendance." This movement it seems died a "borning," as the following minutes of the meeting will show: REPUDIATION MEETING Proceedings of mass meeting called to consider the propriety of repudiating the county indebtedness, above that allowed by law, held at the court house in Sibley, March 1st, 1873. At half past one o'clock the meeting was called to order by J. McCaffery, of the firm of McCaffery & Harmon. On motion W.A. Spencer was elected chairman and M.J. Campbell secretary. At the request of J. McCaffery, J.F. Glover made a statement of the amount of warrants issued in excess of the amount allowed by law in 1872 and 1873, as follows: In 1872, $14,696.24, and in 1873, up to March 1st, $432.19. J. McCaffery opened the meeting by a speech in favor of repudiation, and was replied to by J.T. Barclay, H. Jordan, et al. The following resolution was passed: "Resolved, That a committee of one be appointed to wait upon the Board of Supervisors at their next session, to request them not to issue any warrants for attorney's fees, in any case whatever except in criminal cases or to an attorney employed by the year." Notion was made by D.M Shuck that the vote of the house be taken on the question of repudiation; and the vote was unanimous against repudiation. On motion of J.F. Glover, J. McCaffery was allowed ten minutes more in which to present his case more fully. The following resolution was then adopted, viz: "Resolved, That a committee of three be elected by the house to confer with the attorneys of this place in reference to making a contract with one or more of them to become the people's attorney for the year, and that we authorize them to make such contract, in case it can be done upon satisfactory terms. O. Dunton, D.M. Shuck and D.F. Curtis were then elected as said committee. On motion of J.F. Glover, J. McCaffery received a vote of thanks for calling this meeting. W.A. Spencer, Chairman. M.J. Campbell, Secretary. In July, 1873, the postoffice was established at the house of L.G. Ireland, with Mr. Ireland as postmaster. This was long before Ocheyedan was thought of. At the same time a postoffice was established at Silver Lake, Dickinson County, at the house of C.B. Knox, with Mr. Knox as postmaster. These were on the Sibley and Spirit Lake route, with Orren Jones as mail carrier.