This is the youngest in the list of Jasper's towns that have been incorporated. It lies in Section 1, Washington Township, and near the edge of the level bottom through which the classic Skunk meanders lazily toward tide-water.

Colfax, which has, in 1878, about seven hundred population, was laid out in 1866, by A. Kimball, about a year before the completion of the Rock Island Road through the county. In the Fall of 1866, Newton & Richey started a dry goods store, West & Kennedy a general store, and a Mr. Parker a grocery. In the following year, Dr. J.G. Ryan started a drug store.

A school house was built in Colfax in 1872, and the first teacher was Miss Nannie Ingerssoll, succeeded by Mr. Crow.

The history of the town has been comparatively uneventful. The prestige acquired by the village as a station of the Rock Island Road, has of course, induced a rapid, and at the same a substantial, growth. It is the market town for a large territory, its only real competitor being Prairie City, six miles south. A fire occurred in 1873, in which West & Weaver and Kennedy & Kelsey, two enterprising firms, lost quite heavily.

A mineral spring was discovered near Colfax in the Fall of 1875. A sample of the water was sent to the eminent chemist, James R. Blaney, of Chicago, who analyzed it and stated various salts to be present in a gallon of the water, as follows: Choride of sodium, 2.097 grains; sulphate of soda, 71.053; sulphate of potassa, 1.253; sulphate of lime, 36.942; sulphate of magnesia, 11.456; bicarbonate of magnesia, 20.052; bicarbonate of iron, .232; alumia, .230; silicia, .450; organic matter, .100 - or about three-tenths of an ounce of saline matter to the gallon. There is a considerable amount of carbonic acid, and the water is highly magnetic. The discovery was accidental. A firm had been engaged in boring for coal, and found themselves interfered with by water which arose to the surface and hindered their progress. The local statement is that the peculiar quality of the water was discovered through the thirst of some workmen. It was not long till invalids began to hear of and to test the virtues of the water, and so satisfactory was the result in many cases that the Colfax mineral water grew rapidly to repute, and a hotel was erected in 1876 to accommodate the people who began to flock hither. The business has increased so steadily that additional room has been required, and in January of last year the proprietors, Messrs. Dixon, Leighton & Gray, erected a building three stories high and 36x115 feet in size, which has been thronged with boarders during the past Summer. The springs are about half mile east of Colfax, and a dozen buildings have sprung up hereabouts in addition to the hotel. It is stated that borings have been undertaken at other places in the vicinity.

A steam flouring-mill has recently been constructed at Colfax, which has been decided help to the business of the town.

MUNICIPAL.

The first meeting of the Town Council was held September 9, 1875, when J.R. Rodgers took oath as Mayor; J.T. West, Recorder; R. Price, R.F. Fullington, William Kelsey, John Logston, W.L. West, Trustees; M.B. Coe, Assessor. On the 13th, three ordinances were passed, the first providing by-laws for the government of the Council; the second to create the offices of Treasurer and Street Commissioner, and the third defining certain nuisances. Under the second ordinance, J.R. Rodgers was elected Street Commissioner, and E.O. Stone, Treasurer. H. Sumpter was chosen Marshal.

The receipts up to March, 1876, were $154.00; disbursements, $103.25.

The officers elected in March, 1876, were: J.R. Rodgers, Mayor. W.T. Baker, Recorder; J.R. Ryan, W.C. Hill, William Kelsey, S.S. Wilson, W.C. Jenks, Trustees; W.J. Small, Treasurer; C.E. Craven, Assessor; J.D. Cross, Marshal.

A calaboose was completed in July, 1876, and in the following month the people voted in favor of a license system, the poll standing 35 to 32.

The officers for 1877 were: P.H. Cragan, Mayor; I.M. Leighner, Recorder; John Fanselor, J.E. Jenks, J.J. Penn, R. Barker, W.T. Baker, Trustees; R. Ryan, Treasurer; J.T. West, Assessor.

The present officers are as follows: L.J. Labour, Mayor; J.W. Janigan, Recorder; W.L. West, W.P. Cain, M.P. Doud, Wm. Kelsey, J.R. Rodgers, Trustees; E. Wiley, Assessor; J.M. Kennedy, Trustees.

THE SCHOOLS.

The Independent District of Colfax was not formed till April, 1876. The Directors elect met to organize on the 19th, when William Kelsey became President; Richard Price, Secretary; Homer L. Weston, Director.

April 22d, an election was ordered to be held on the 6th of May on the question of building a new school house. The electors at the latter date authorized the Board to issue bonds for $3,500 for the purpose. The house was built during the same year, and is very noticeable object to a stranger visiting the town. It is forty feet square and two stories high. It cost was about $4,000. The first teachers were Mary Wilmington and Anna Troth.

The present School Board is as follows: J.W. Cocharan, R. Price, J.M. Kennedy, E.O. Stone, J.T. West, H.L. Weston, Directors; W.T. Baker, Secretary; M.P. Doud, Treasurer.

[Colfax High School, ca. 1907]

J.W. Jarigan is Principal of the school; Mrs. M.M. Leighner, Miss Ellie Edmundson, Assistants.

COLFAX CORNET BAND.

This is the name of fine organization recently formed, which has already attained much proficiency. The services of the band are frequently called into requisition both at home and abroad.

RELIGIOUS.

Presbyterian. - This society was the first to organize in Colfax. The petition to the Presbytery was dated April 6, 1868, and was signed by J.T. and Salina Lamb, R.N. and Lizzie Stewart, W.H. Bonnell, E.O. Parker, G.W. Parker, Jane A. Parker, James and Sarah McCracken, Levi McCracken and Sarah C. Mytinger.

September 20th, J.T. Lamb and R.N. Stewart were chosen Elders. On the same day, W.W. and Catharine A., children of James L. Hall and wife were baptized.

The church was built in 1868, at a cost of $1,200. It is 36x50 feet in size.

The Pastors of the society have been Rev. Messrs. Thompson, Wilson, Agnew, Gordon and Hammer, the latter now having charge.

R.N. Stewart, James Love, J.M. Kennedy, Mr. Marquis and Joseph Emery are now the Elders of the society, which has a membership of about thirty-five.

William Smalley is Superintendent of the Sabbath school; Mrs. Rodgers, Assistant; Amanda Williams, Organist. There are six teachers, and about forty pupils.

Methodist Episcopal. - The first minister of this faith to preach here was Rev. J.W. Anderson, in 1869, followed by Rev. Mr. Roby, who preached till 1872. Rev. David Shenton succeeded, who found here Mr. Foy and wife, Mrs. Hinton and another lady. The prospect seemed so dismal that he transferred his appointment to Sand Ridge.

November 1, 1874, Mr. Shenton tried Colfax again, preaching his first sermon at the Presbyterian Church, from John xiv, 15-17. A class was formed, composed of Mr. and Mrs. Foy and R. Price and wife. In November, 1875, he began to hold services in West & Weaver's hall, and on the 19th of December a Sabbath school was organized.

Rev. Mr. Osborne became Pastor in 1876, followed in 1877, by Rev. J.A. Smith, and in 1878, by Rev. D. Thompson.

The church was completed in February, 1878, and was dedicated by Bishop Andrews, May 5th. It is 32x50 feet in size, and cost, including ground and steeple, not far from $2,400.

There are eighty members. The Stewards are: Dr. E.M. Holland, Z.K. French, W.P. Cain, W.L. West, Sr., E.H. Wright, Z.K. French, C.D. Munson, John F. Dixon.

R. Price is S. S. Superintendent; R.H. Black, Assistant; Adella V. West, Organist. The teachers are: Ellie Cain, Adella West, Mollie West, Z.K. French, W.P. Cain, Mollie Dixon. The attendance of pupils is about fifty.

MASONIC.

Riverside Lodge, U. D., A., F. & A. M. - A dispensation has just been granted to the members of this Order to open a Lodge with the above name. J. R. Rodgers is W.M.; I.N. Paschal, S.W.; J.T. West, J.W.; W.L. West, Secretary; John Fanselor, Treasurer. The remaining petitioners are John Cochran, C.A. Dotson, D.M. Morrison, John D. Dee, E.M. Holland, Dr. J.R. Ryan, William Foy, William Clark, J. Keasey, William Little, Dr. S.K. Pickens, and three others. With so goodly a number to start with, the Lodge cannot fail to be a credit to Grand Master J.C. Wilson, who issued the dispensation.

Pages 497-499