THOMPSON'S HORSE

THOMPSON

Posted By: Gloria Dodds (email)
Date: 10/29/2002 at 16:11:46

Thursday, August 15, 1935 The Keosauqua Republican Page Thirty-Three The 80 year Anniversary Edition 1855-1935

THOMPSONS'S HORSE

In the early days before Keosauqua had a bridge across the Des Moines river, a ferry was in operation on the street that runs to the river past the postoffice and the old power house.
Near the site of the present bakery, where the old State Line Democrat office used to be was a large cement watering trough. This corner was what State and Madison is to Chicago. A general store occupied one corner and did a flourishing business. Feed was ground in the rear of the store building and the farmers, while waiting their turn at the mill would water their horses in the above mentioned watering trough.
A Farmer living near Keosauqua but whose identity has been lost, sold a horse to a man living in South Keosauqua by the name of Thompson. The horse was taken to the ferry and transported across the river where he was turned loose.
All was well until the horse became thirsty, so, Thompson's horse swam the Des Moines river, came up main street to drink from the watering trough.
Following this the expression of "no more sense than Thompson's horse" came into common use in this vicinity and as the years passed few individuals knew the origin of the saying.