pg 177

The first territorial governor of Iowa, Robert Lucas, was himself something of a military man, and at once interested himself in an effort to organize a territorial militia. He had difficulty in many of the counties in getting them to take any interest in the matter, but it is understood that the military spirit showed itself quite early in this county. on January 19, 1839, Gov. Lucas made the following militia appointments in this county, all of them being of the 1st Regiment of the 1st Brigade of the 2nd Division:

Colonel, John Ronalds.
Lieutenant, Z. C. Inghram.
Major, Robert Childers.

There are no records to be found showing just what military organizations were perfected in this county at that time. Such as there were, however, came very near having something to do in connection with the controversy between the state of Missouri and Iowa territory over the location of the southern boundary of the territory. This incident is sometimes called the Border War, or the Puke War. The state of Missouri claimed that the northern boundary of that state extended far enough North to include a great part of Van Buren County, and brought the matter to a crisis by sending an officer up there to collect taxes. This officer was arrested and put in jail in Van Buren County, whereupon the governor of Missouri issued a fierce proclamation and called for a thousand volunteers. Gov. Lucas responded with a much bigger proclamation and called for 120 troops. In an article on Louisa County history in the Annals of Iowa for 1870 William L. Toole, referring to this incident, says:

"Louisa County, like its adjoining counties, had for its early settlers a people patriotic and spirited, as was fully shown at the time of our border war; for, although then but few in number, they eagerly and freely attended to the call to repel the invaders." Mr. Toole then relates that public meetings were held and patriotic speeches delivered and resolutions made to stand ready for a move against the intruders from Missouri. The display of patriotism was not confined to the males, but the wives and daughters were also zealous in their patriotism. Maximillian Eastwood, justice of the peace, blacksmith and tavern keeper in Toolesborough, was a man of considerable local note and influence and his cabins were places of public resort. On the occasion of one of these "war meetings," ... ...

pg 178

...... Mrs. Eastwood, who was a favorite among the people, "assisted by her female friends, prepared a free dinner for all assembled, and enough for all. The dinner was made noted through the huge (John or journey) cake she prepared for the occasion; it was fourteen feet long and about one foot wide, baked on a board before a fire fixed along a large log, and perhaps the largest cake ever made in Iowa."

In addition to the public meetings referred to by Mr. Toole, there were other I warlike occurrences in this county at the time, notably the march through the county of a company of the militia from Muscatine. It is said also that a company from Johnson county came as far as the bluff south of Wapello, and then, learning that there would be no war, returned home. The controversy over the boundary was settled some years after by the Supreme Court of the United States, in favor of the contention of Iowa.

Among the old files are found the records of two courts martial held in 1840 The following, which seems to have been held on Sept. 19, 1940 was doubtless held in Grandview township, although it does not so state. We quote it literally:

"I do heare by certyfy that the folowing is a corect transaction acording to law. Martin Gray Capt. (Spelling as written)
"A court marcial" being Detailed of the underlined acording to law of the 5 "comp. I Reg. I Birgade 2 Division, S. M. on the 19th "organised, an as folows asesed the fines of Delinquents as follows:
       Jacob Holbrook fined $2.00
       Wm. Thompson, Jun. fined $3.00
       Lot Thornton, fined $2.00
       Thomas MCoy, fined $3.00
       Thomas Suleven, fine'd $2.00
       Wm. Shoemaker, fined $3.00
       Abraham Mclearey, fined $3.00.
       Abraham Sellers, fined $2.00
              S. R.CROW, prs
              JESSE BENEFIEL,
              WM. P. NORRIS,
              JOH N TAYLER,
              ALEXER. ROSS."

It seems from the foregoing that Martin Gray was captain of the militia at Grandview. The record of the one held at Florence is as follows:

Court Martial Held at Florence on the I7th Day of September A. D., 1840 the following are the names of persons Returned by the Court and each one Fined two dollars: James Morris, James Hate, Joseph Ogle, Obadiah Garison, Mark Davidson, James R. Willson, John Devenport, James Willson, Samuel Dunham, Nathan Linton, Thomas Stanly, Henry McFall, Jefferson Frizzle, Richard Curry.
Attest SAMUEL SMITH,
President of the Court.

pg 179

These fines were probably for failure to attend drills. The executive journal of Gov. Robert Lucas shows that on January 13, 1841, he appointed John Rinearson captain of the Wapello Cavalry, in place of M. Wilson, who had resigned. Mrs. Sarah Hurley says she remembers the Wapello Cavalry quite well, and that it was in the habit of drilling out west of town; and that her uncle, David Clark, who at that time lived in Muscatine and had been commander of a militia company back in Indiana, came down here occasionally, to drill the boys.

It was the duty of the township assessors at one time to make a return of all of the able-bodied males between the ages of eighteen and forty-five, and these returns are among the files for Wapello, Florence, Jefferson, Grandview and Columbus City townships, but none from Fredonia township. From the report made by John Gilliland, Clerk of the County Board of Commissioners, to the adjutant general, on June 24, 1844, it appears that the persons subject to military duty in the county were as follows: Wapello township, 143; Florence township, 191; Jefferson township, 86; Grandview township, 117; Columbus City township,143; Fredonia township, estimated, 55. Total, 635.

The return from Grandview township made by Joseph Burr, assessor, shows that there were the following officers residing in that township at that time: Robert Childers, Colonel; Alex. Ross, Major; Nicholas T. Brown, Lieutenant; Morton Brown, 2nd Lieutenant.

The returns from other townships do not make mention of any officers. one military item of interest is found in the report of Treasurer George F. Thomas, made January I, 1847, for the year 1846, in which he mentions the payment to Francis Springer, "Captain of Louisa Guards," of the following amounts:

One stand of collars	$15.00
One French Horn.	$8.00
One Bugle	$2.00
One Trumpet, 4 Crook	$6.00

The history of the Union Guards, will be found in the chapter on Columbus City.

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