Judge W. C. James, who was to become prominent later on, came here in December, 1852, flat broke, having tramped across the western part of the state and earned his first dollar here, cutting up a load of cordwood into stove wood for Dr. P. J. McMahon. Like most great men, he had the good fortune to be born in Ohio, at Elyria, Lorain county, January 1, 1830, on a farm where he worked during boyhood, then worked his way through Oberlin College, studied law with Wilson and Wade in Cleveland. He bad also some knowledge of brick laying and plastering, which he turned to account by building a house tor Enos Lowe, which, with two others, lay claim to being the first brick building in the city. He entered into polities with the same zeal that characterized all his movements. He was elected county judge in the fall of 1856; he also was a member of the city council at different times and finally in 1874 was elected mayor of the city. Politically he was intensely democratic. As a lawyer he did very little at the bar, but was a shrewd office manager. He was married in 1857 to Miss Annie Van Arnani, who was a gifted singer. By this union they had three children - two daughters and a son. The son died in his boyhood. The eldest daughter inherited her mother's musical talent and became proficienl in opera and sang with success in New York, London and Paris. In 1867 he and Milton Rogers built the three-story block at the southeast corner of Main and Broadway, long known as the James block. He also owned a large farm near what is now the town of Oakland. He died on Easter Sunday, 1898. His widow at this time is living in Chicago.

Contemporaneous with .Indue James, was Frank Street. He was of Quaker stock, born Jnly 12, 1819. His parents moved from Salem, N. J., to Salem, Ohio, from there he settled in Knoxville, Tenn., where the subject of this sketch was born. From there be came to Springfield, Ill., and from there to Salem, Henry county, in this state. Here he remained until he came to Council Bluffs, in the meantime having studied law in Mt. Pleasant.

Arriving here, he entered actively into politics and became county judge.

On the 6th of April, 1854, congress passed an act to enable the citizens of Council Bluffs to acquire title to their lots. It authorized Judge Frank Street, under rules prescribed by the legislature of Iowa to execute deeds to bona fide claimants, provided these claim- were made within one year from the passage of the act. On the 10th day of May following the approval of the president of the act, Judge Street made an entry of two forty-acre tracts in Section 30, that is known as the Old Town Plat, and also two forties in Section 31 in Township 75, Range 43 west. He also entered for the same use at the same time 240 acres in Section 25, and the same number of acres in Section 36 in Township 75, Range 44. This substantially included the territory embraced in the Bayliss claim in the Old Town plat, and in that east of Madison street, so as to include the George Keeline property.

There were many disputes to settle before titles could in all cases be perfected, and Judge Street employed Thomas Tostevin, a surveyor, to make an accurate survey of the lands held in trust by him for the claimants as just described, and plat the respective lines. This was done and Thomas Tosievin's map has been taken as accurate where a reference is made to that date. Thomas Tostevin and his brother David were both masters of their profession and their work has not been confined to western Iowa, but has extended into Nebraska and Dakota, and their work has been considered authority for a half century. They held alternately the offices of city engineer and county surveyor for many years. Thomas also held the office of mayor of this city during 1868-9, and from 1866 to 1868 that of county treasurer. They were natives of the Isle of Guernsey in the English Channel, came with their parents to Brooklyn, N. Y., and as they grew to manhood drifted west. Both married and reared families. David died in 1898 and Thomas in August. 1905, but was active in his profession until within a few weeks of his death. But to return to Judge Frank Street, after filling the office of county judge he practiced law for several years, built up an abstract of titles, was an active republican at the birth of the party and to the end of his life. Was mayor of city. 1857-8.

At the city election of 1854-5 J. K. Cook was elected mayor, and J. E. Johnson, S. T. Cary, W. Hepner, C. Voorhis, L. O. Littlefield, J. B. Stutsman and S. S. Bayliss, aldermen, and W. D. Brown, city marshal.

In the fall of 1853, following the opening of the U. S. land office, the first bank was started by Messrs. Green and Ware.

With the inauguration of the Pierce administration, Messrs. Ballard and Street were retired from the land office and L. W. Babbitt and Dr. Enos Lowe, democrats, were appointed register and receiver, respectively.

With the first opening of the office, the first entry made was by Joseph D. Lane, the second by Jacob Bush, and the third by Maria Mynster, which included Mynster's addition to Council Bluffs.

During these times the receiver was required to make his deposits at Dubuque and there being no public conveyance, it was quite an undertaking to remove the treasure across the state.

In conversation with Mr. Lowe many years after, he related his experience of one of these trips to the writer. He took a light two-horse rig, hired two men that he had every confidence in and, all being well armed, started with their treasure on their three-hundred-mile trip. There were some twenty-mile reaches without a house, and in making one or two of these the thought would occur, "Supposing these two should prove treacherous, what could I do?" and the thought oppressed me until I pretended to be sleepy, spread down blankets and laid down with my head on the treasure chest and feigned sleep, while watching them with my hand on my revolver, determined to get the first shot if the emergency should arise. On nearing a settlement this feeling would vanish, and I would feel ashamed for having doubted their fidelity. Later, arrangements were made to deposit at St. Louis, with which we were connected by steamboat. This was more convenient for transporting thirty or forty thousand dollars in gold.

At the regular judicial election in 1853, Samuel H. Riddle was elected judge of the district court, but he, not being a lawyer, the canvassing board refused him a certificate of election. His opponent for some reason was also refused, which created a vacancy. It appearing that Riddle had received a majority of all the votes cast, Governor Hemstead appointed him to fill the vacancy. In 1854 he was elected for the full term, and served with credit, his decisions being approved by the people and sustained by the supreme court.

He was a native of Kentucky, plain and companionable, was not an office seeker, bul later, at the request of many citizens, without regard to party, he consented to run for presidenl of the board of education, was elected by a large majority and served acceptably.

Among the most noted arrivals during the early part of 1854 was that of Marshall Turley. He came from Galesburg, Illinois, became interested in a tract of land in connection with William Gale and Clark E. Carr, which they laid out and platted as the Galesburg addition to Council Bluffs. He was an original character, of strong convictions and one of the most progressive of men, although from his deep and patriarchal appearance he would be taken for the reverse. He was quite an inventor, as well as philosopher, and as a public speaker had few equals, always having a fund of anecdotes to emphasize his remarks.

He seemed to care hut little for money and was open and above board in all his transactions, used no secrecy in his experiments and as a consequence was cheated out of some valuable patents. He was undoubtedly the real inventor of the sulky plow, which has worked wonders in farming. He was intensely anti-slavery in his political views, and as a natural result became a staunch republican as that party crystallized. He was also a strong prohibitionist. He was generous to a fault. In 1863, when the Cedar Rapids and Missouri River Railroad was approaching but still holding in uneertainty their point of striking the river, at last, in July an agent appeared and proposed to make this their terminus, and have their cars running in here by the first of January, 1857, providing the people would donate $30,000 cash, the right-of-way from north line of county and depot grounds in the city. It had been years since many of us had heard a locomotive whistle, and although we all knew it wa- coming anyway, enthusiasm was aroused, a mass meeting called at Burhop's Hall, the band got out, and the hall filled. When the proposal was announced. Mr. Turley arose and said: "I will give you eighty acres for your depot purposes." "Which way do the two forties lay," the agent asked, "east and west, or north and south?" "Take your choice," said Turley. The effect was magical - the rest of the donation was soon subscribed, and the cars arrived as promised.

In 1853 the greal increase in travel seemed to demand better hotel accommodations than already existed, and S. S. Bayliss proceeded to build the Pacific House on the spot now occupied by the John Beno Company's store. It was a plain three-story brick, with long dining room running back, and at that time far superior to any of the others here. Its opening on Christmas with a grand ball at night was quite an event. Additions were made later, and for a number of years it was the leading botel west of Des Moinea and north of St. Joseph.

Besides a number of names already mentioned that arrived in the spring of 1854, who were destined to become prominent, were those of R. L. Douglas and A. V. Larimer, both lawyers of ability. Mr. Douglas was a native of Hagerstown, Maryland, and removed to northern Indiana in his youth, where he studied law, and after practicing there for a number of years came here to resume it. became active in public affairs, was a member of the city council for two terms, then city attorney two terms and later judge of the circuit court, took an active part in the organization of the K. C, St. Jo. & C. B. Railroad, and later in that of the Wabash. Soon after the close of the war, he went to Florida on account of his health, started an orange grove, died there in 1877, and his widow moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where his relatives were living. Judge Larimer was born in Center county, Pennsylvania, March 21, 1829. His early education was in the "little log schoolhouse" during the winter months. Being ambitious, he secured a scholarship at Alleghany College at Meadville, Pennsylvania. After studying a year, his means giving out, he returned to the farm and worked for a time, then went west, and, like Lincoln, engaged in fiatboating for a time and returned to college, studied law and attended law lectures at the law school of Judge McCartney at Easton, Pennsylvania, came to Council Bluffs and became active in public affairs. In the fall of 1854 he became candidate for prosecuting attorney on the democratic ticket against L. M. Kline, whig, and was elected. There being a vacancy in the office of county judge, he was appointed to fill it, holding that position until 1858. In the latter year he was elected to house of representatives against B. R. Pegram. He built up a good practice, made good investments and became wealthy. He was a bachelor, but built a fine residence and for a time occupied it with his sister. Later on he went to Sioux City and remained there several years, then to Omaha, where he died in 1905.
The same year J. M. Palmer came from Chester county, Pennsylvania, engaged in the real estate business, was elected mayor four terms, built a three-story block of store buildings and a public hall and engaged for a time in banking, but failed in the crash of 1857. He married Miss Helen M. Day, of Portage county. Ohio, a niece of H. H. Field. He had one son, Captain Charles D. Palmer, a graduate of West Point, who served during the Philippine war and afterward engaged in banking. One daughter, Mrs. Charles Stilling, died in 1898, one in infancy and one, Mrs. Harriet Fell, is now living in Omaha. He died in 1892.

During 1854, owing to the increasing travel across the Missouri and the prospect of the opening up of Nebraska for settlement, it seemed necessary to improve the means of crossing the river, consequently a company was formed and a charter obtained for the Council Bluffs and Nebraska Ferry Company.

The incorporators were Dr. Enos Lowe, S. S. Bayliss, Jas. A. Jackson, General Samuel R. Curtis, Dr. S. M. Ballard, W. W. Brown, Jesse Williams and J. H. D. Street. Steam ferry boats were put on which continued to run until the expiration of its charter, when bridging of the river made its renewal unnecessary and it became a thing of the past. On the west side of the river, on a beautiful plateau, a town was laid out and platted during the summer of 1854 and named Omaha, from the Omaha tribe of Indians that occupied that vicinity but had sold their lands to the government and settled on a reservation some seventy miles north. This embraced some of the finest lands in the territory. The projectors of this town were mainly the incorporators of the ferry company, whose names were given above, and with one or two exceptions residents of Pottawattamie county. Even at this early day railroad men were casting about for ultimately reaching California by rail, and already a line had been surveyed from Rock Island to Council Bluffs, and the Platte valley seemed to be the most natural route. The line surveyed was known as the Mississippi and Missouri, and was the one mainly adopted in the final construction of that road across the state.

During the summer of 1854 Sylvanus Dodge with his family moved out from Massachusetts and located on a beautiful tract of land on the Elkhorn river in Nebraska.  He had two sons, Gr[e]nville M. and Nathan I'., who were destined to play conspicuous parts. The former not only in Pottawattamie county, hut in the affairs of the state and nation. The Indians becoming troublesome, they settled in Council Bluffs where the sons engaged in banking, the former becoming a member of the firm of Baldwin & Dodge, while in addition to this he continued his surveying and engineering as occasion required; while Nathan P. managed their banking and real estate business. Both of these men are so well known by the entire community to make anything said by the writer at this time superfluous. Both are living and active though having passed their three score and ten years.

The winter of 1854-5 was a remarkably mild one, much of the time like Indian Sunmer, so much so that on Christmas a party of young people were starting out from the Robinson House for a horseback ride, when it came to a sad end by one of the young ladies being thrown from her horse, which resulted in her death in a few hours. Years afterward, old timers, in speaking of the mild winters, would refer to this as the Ann Floyd winter, that being the name of the lady.

During the preceding year a number of substantial people arrived and bought out claims and became permanent residents, among which were D. B. Clark, A. J. Bump and J. J. Johnson, who went into farming extensively from two to four miles east of the city, while another number settled a few miles northeast, convenient to the Wicks mill.

Some of these were Mormons, but remained after the exodus. Among these were William and Henry Garner, George Scofield, Simeon Graybill, Alex Follett and Alexander Marshall. These all secured good farms and became wealthy.

A mail route was now established between Des Moines and the Bluffs, the mail being carried in a small two-horse hack that made the round trip once a week. The first station east being at Silver Creek, the second at Wheeler's Grove, the latter being kept by Noah D. Wheeler, and the third just east of the county line at a little settlement called Indian Town.

Up to this time there were but three voting precincts in the county, those being Council Bluffs, Wheeler's Grove and one in what is now Rockford township.

The first marriage of gentiles in Kanesville was that of M. D. Hardin and Miss Harriet Joiner, January 26, 1852, by Rev. E. E. Rice. This was appropriate. Mr. Hardin, son of Davis Hardin, being the first white boy to locate permanently here. Mrs. Hardin is still with us, Mr. Hardin having died in 1893.

The marriage of James A. Jackson and Miss Henrietta Cook soon followed, also that of William H. Robinson and Miss Mary Ann Lafferty.

Nebraska was rapidly settling up and although this history relates to Pottawattamie county, it is so closely interwoven with that of those adjoining, both in Iowa and Nebraska, that we are compelled to step over the line occasionally. Claims were being made constantly by persons from this side, frequently resulting in violence and bloodshed. A case of this kind occurred at the old site of Fort Calhoun. A party consisting of Hadley D. Johnson, Addison Cochran, A. J. Poppleton, Jas. C. Mitchel, J. P. Casady, H. C. Purple, A. V. Larimer, and a number of others of Council Bluffs, all prominent men, had made a claim for a town site. Sherman Goss, of Rockford township, was also associated with them. Word came that their claim had been jumped. It has never been legally determined which claimant was in the right, but it was true, another party was in actual possession of the cabin, and was making improvements, and it was resolved to dislodge him, peaceably if possible, forcibly if necessary, and, organizing themselves into a little army, well armed, with Mr. Goss for their captain, they took up the march. Arriving; they found they had been correctly informed. The fortress was occupied, but the strength of the garrison was not known, but chinking had been removed from between the logs, forming good embrazures. Halting within a few rods of the cabin, a command to surrender was made, to which, after a parley, the commandant refused, whereon an order to charge was made, and as the storming party got within a few feet the garrison opened fire and Captain Goss fell dead, with two shots in the breast and Mr. Purple lost an arm; and a spectator declared the retreat was the most masterly previous to that of Bull Run. A little later Council Bluffs parties had a conflict over a claim over on the Elkhom in Nebraska. The claimants were R. P. Snow on the one side and Jesse Winn on the other. They met in the cabin and a quarrel ensued, in which Mr. Snow was severely cut and Winn killed. The Snow side of the story is, that Winn cut him with a knife and his father-in-law, Mr. Tabor, shot Winn in defense of his son-in-law. Winn being dead, his story could not be heard, and their cause has long ago gone to a higher court than any here, as all the parties have passed over.

A. J. Poppleton. mentioned in connection with the Fort Calhoun affair, came to the Bluffs in 1854 from the state of New York. He opened a law office here and boarded at the Pacific House, where he formed the acquaintance of -Miss Sears, a relative of the proprietor, which resulted in their marriage in 1856, after which he moved to Omaha, where he rose to the head of his profession and when the Union Pacific road was built he became its general solicitor.

The Kansas-Nebraska Bill

We have now passed the occupation by the Pottawattamies, and also that of the Mormons, for, although many still remained, thev were in the minority. The great California emigration had subsided, when another great movement was looming up in which Pottawattamie county would be largely interested, viz: organizing the Territory of Nebraska.

In the winter of 1853 General A. C. Dodge, one of the Iowa senators, was traveling through Fremont county on horseback on a tour of investigation of the condition of western Iowa, its settlement, and the character of the country west of the Missouri. He became impressed with the importance of organizing all the country now included in Kansas and Nebraska as Nebraska Territory, and on his return to Washington he introduced such a bill. When it came back from the committee on territories, of which Senator Douglas was chairman, it was so amended as to provide for the organizing of two territories, one to be called Kansas and the other Nebraska. The passage of this bill was the most momentous evenl in its consequences since the purchase of Louisiana, if not since the Declaration of Independence.

It was conceded from the first, that whatever the result in Kansas, Nebraska would become a free state and only a few slaves as house servants were ever brought into the territory. During the perilous times of the contest in Kansas, a person on coming up the river through Missouri would feel a sense of relicf when they began to breathe the glorious free air of Iowa and Nebraska; and although Pottawattamie county was at that time strongly democratic and believed in the doctrine of squatter sovereignty, these democrats would have been quick to exercise it in excluding slavery from among themselves. In fact, there were a few men that went to the other extreme to the extent of aiding slaves to escape. Of this class was one Calvin Bradway, in the eastern end of the county, that for a long time kept an underground station and constructed a large cave cellar in his corn field, and when enough were received for a load he would take them to the next station, which was at or near Lewis*, in Cass county; and although his neighbors did not approve of it he seemed to like to show his hatred of the institution by sometimes taking them through boldly by daylight. He was violent and fanatical in other ways, and killed a man named Fairstein over business trouble, fled the country and, after some three or four years, returned and gave himself up to Sheriff Field in open court, Judge Fay presiding, and after being in custody two or three days, and no probability of finding any witnesses, his case was dismissed on motion of the prosecuting attorney. He finally met his death while sitting in the house of a neighbor in the evening by a shot through the window. His slayer was never known.

With the organizing of the Territory of Nebraska, it became a matter of importance to the people of Council Bluffs that the capital should be located at Omaha and after a pretty brisk contest it was accomplished, although a majority of the population was south of the Platte river and made an effort to take it there, but influence was too strong for them, and for a short time the government of Nebraska though nominally in Omaha was actually in Council Bluffs.

Omaha continued to hold it for years, notwithstanding the majority of the population as well as representatives in the Legislature were south of that river, and it was currently reported that sufficient South Platte representatives had to be fixed at each session to hold it. Be this as it may, Council Bluffs had men well versed in making locations, as appeared a little later when two of her leading citizens were largely instrumental in locating the Iowa capital at East DesMoines, in which, even at that early day, graft was suspected of playing a conspicuous part.

Other Settlers

Among the men that came to Council Bluffs during 1854 and 1855 were John Hammer and J. T. Williams, both large contractors and builders. The buildings constructed by them during a long series of years would make a pretty respectable town of itself. They also took an active part in public affairs, were members of the city council more terms than any, except J. B. Lewis, since the organization of the city. The former, in connection with F. T. C. Johnson, built the brick courthouse in 1858, the Ogden House in 1869, of which he (Hammer) was one-third part owner, Burhop's Hall, besides other public and private buildings too numerous to mention; while Mr. Williams has done an immense amount of building, has filled the office of sheriff, which he resigned during the war and raised and commanded Company A of the Twenty-ninth Iowa Infantry, and, the best of it is, that at this writing they are both with us. well and hearty in their eighty-third year.

Another one worthy of notice who came here in 1855 was Dr. Seth H. Craig. He, like all great men, was born in Ohio, in 1825, worked his way west, was in the Mexican war one year, studied medicine, came to Van Buren county in an early day, volunteered in time of boundary dispute with Missouri, was elected sheriff of Pottawattamie county on the democratic ticket in 1859 over H. H. Field, republican, and George Doughty, independent, receiving more votes than both of them. He was holding this office when the war broke out and resigned, raised Company B in the Fourth Iowa, served in that capacity until detailed on staff duty, when his first lieutenant, Kinsnan, became captain and afterward colonel of the Twenty-third, and finally fell at the Battle of Black River, Mississippi. After the war he became
warden of the penitentiary at Fort Madison, later postmaster at Wymore, Nebraska; moved back to Council Bluffs and died August 1, 1905.

About this time a great temperance wave that was sweeping over the country struck Council Bluffs and resulted in organizing a lodge known as the Sons of Temperance, with Thomas Tostevin as its chief officer, and it had among its membership Judge Frank Street and Thomas P. Treynor. The latter now commenced forging to the front. He held the office of city recorder for six years, was appointed postmaster and served during the Grant administration, became associated with the Nonpareil, was county committeeman and as such became a power in western Iowa. His sons appear to be following closely in his footsteps, one having succeeded him as postmaster through two administrations, another was connected with the Nonpareil in different capacity for more than a quarter of a century, while a third studied medicine, built up a large practice and has been coroner for two or three terms.

The first lodge of Ancienl Free and Accepted Masons was constituted July 21, 1855, under the name of Bluff City Lodge No. 71. Its first master was L. L. Brown, the other officers were Dr. P. J. McMahon, Judge Samuel H. Riddle, Samuel Knepper, A. W. Hollister, J. C. Fargo and Dr. S. W. Williams. Among the earliest members were Joseph Weirich, W. W. Maynard, Judge A. V. Larimer. John Keller. Judge W. C. .lames, Guy Benton and Leonard Sears.

Among the buildings erected this year was the Phoenix Block, a three-story brick on Upper Broadway, in which a large stock of goods were kept by Babbitt & Robinson, the former being the owner. The United States land office was in the second story, with L. W. Babbitt as register and L. S. Hills his deputy.

Another old citizen that must not be overlooked was Judge A. S. Bryant. He came here during the Mormon occupation and, although nol a Mormon himself, was very popular with them, as well as with everyone that knew him, as was also his wife, Aunt Puss, as all her friends called her. This venerable couple lived for several years after their golden wedding. They had no children. As early as 1852 be was elected to the legislature by the Mormon vote, though, as before stated, he was not one himself. His investments proved profitable. He became quite wealthy, built two hotels at different times, became interested in stores, laid out and platted Bryant and Clark's addition to Council Bluffs, and was also interested in a stone quarry in Sarpy county, Nebraska. Although from Missouri, he was strongly antislavery, and when the republican party was born he cast his lot with it and continued to act with it to the end of his days.

The winter of 1855-6 was much colder than the one preceding it, and a Mr. Barret, of Crescent township, being overtaken by a storm on the prairie, was frozen to death.

In the spring of 1856, at the city election, D. W. Price, democrat, was elected mayor; J. E. Johnson, J. B. Lewis, James Orton, J. T. Baldwin, W. C. James,  J. D. Test, Patrick Murphy and G. A. Robinson were elected aldermen; city recorder, F. E. Welch; marshal, H. D. Harl; treasurer J. B. Stutsman: engineer, Samuel Jacobs; assessor, David DeVol; city attorney, R. L. Douglas.

This was a boom year. The great rush for California and Salt Lake was over, but quite a large number were moving in for permanent settlement. The counties adjoining us were settling up, as well as those across the river. Boats arrived and departed almost daily, while the Great Western Stage Company ran a tri-weekly line of four-horse coaches to and from Des Moines, and there was a like line to and from St. Joseph, and a two-horse hack line to Sioux City, while H. D. Harl ran a line of four-horse buses to and from Omaha, going west in the forenoon and back in the afternoon. Fare, fifty cents each way. These ran in connection with the steam ferry boat Lizz Bayliss. Buyers came in from within a radius of sixty or peventy miles, and trade was good. The building up of Omaha had necessitated an upper landing, giving us two, as the lower, where Manawa now is, was still used. What would strike a stranger on arriving was the inferior class of buildings. Lumber was scarce and dear, and people were compelled to make those vacated by the Mormons do, although a few brick buildings were beginning to be in evidence. The city was moving west. A brick three-story block was just completed. This consisted of four storerooms, which were being filled with large stocks of goods. This was called the Empire Block and occupied the ground on the south side of Broadway, between Main and Pearl streets. Two of these firms had been in business up town for years. Officer & Pusey had built a one-story frame on the corner of Main and Broadway and had opened their bank. Thus a nucleus of business was formed near the Pacific House and a great rivalry was the result between up town and down town, which became so fierce as to affect the people socially and resulted in up town and down town parties, balls, etc. Horace Everett had opened his real estate office on the southwest corner of Broadway and Pearl and the banking house of Green, Ware & Benton was located about a hundred feet west in a brick two-story building, Dr. Enos Lowe, United States receiver, having his office in the second story. Finley Gusman had opened a drug store west of Officer & Pusey's bank and Dillin & Doughty opened one during the summer next to the Pacific House, and Henn, Williams & Houten had started a bank next west of it. Also a dry goods store was started on the corner of Scott street by B. B. Brown. Casady & Test had opened their office at the angle where Hamilton Shoe Store now stands. The business was divided nearly enough equally to make the rivalry quite interesting, while between the two there were about two squares of neutral ground without stores and but few dwellings. The Phoenix block on Broadway, near First street, had been built and was occupied by Babbit & Robinson with a large stock of goods. The postoffice, courthouse and land office were up town. Council Bluffs at this time contained perhaps about three thousand people, but was doing the business of towns of eight or ten thousand. There were five banks, and a tenderfoot on seeing a little frame or log shanty with BANK in large letters would feel like laughing, but if he went in he would see a big safe open and displaying more gold and silver than he could carry. Similarly in passing an old log house a feeling of compassion would steal over him for the poor inhabitants of the wretched abode, but what would be his surprise on seeing elegantly dressed ladies leaving, and as the door opened disclosing elegant furniture and carpets, and perhaps hearing the notes of the piano, of which there were now three or four in the city.

But, owing to lack of building material, it was the best they could do, and most of them seemed to really enjoy it. The house first occupied by General Dodge, and where his first child was born, was one of this kind. A six-foot man could not enter the front door without stooping, the floor was of puncheons, the roof of shakes, and for inside finish it was lined with cheap muslin, and it is quite probable they enjoyed it as much as any they have since occupied.

We will start from the postoffice, a story-and-half log house, with the Bugle office on the upper floor and Dan Carpenter working the old hand press. This was on North First street, where Ex-mayor Vic Jennings now lives, and going south the next house is the Yankee Notion, a kind of restaurant, then two or three dwellings, the grocery store of Mr. Clough and some warehouses and the bookstore of Sanford & Craig, where the Zaller store now is, brings us to Broadway. Crossing, we come to the Ocean Wave Saloon, and. although the glory of California emigration times has departed, it is still a pretty hard proposition, and the waves ran pretty high al times. Next to the Wave is the jewelry store of Charles Luemler, the drug store of N. T. Spoor, the general store of R. P. Snow, the stove and tinware store of R. D. Amy. a ball alley and the large log boarding house of Mrs. Amy brings us to Pierce street, and from here south are only dwellings. Go another square south and cross over to the west side and we come to the old log courthouse and cottonwood jail, then the Union Hotel, a huge log partly weatherhoarded and kept by W. L. Biggs. A dozen or so of dwellings bring us back to corner of Broadway, where we find the store of Thomas Henshal. Going west on the south side we come to Sam Perrin's real estate office, the Phoenix Saloon, store of Huntington & Pyper, stove store of Milton Rogers, county judge's office, real estate office of Louden Mullen, jewelry store of Mr. Harris, and we come to the Robinson House, another huge log partly weatherboarded and kept by G. A. Robinson, a clothing store, drug store of Emanuel Honn, Daguerrean gallery of .lob Damon, Broad Gauge Saloon. This brings us to the Chronotype office. A few small dwellings brings us to the City Hotel, another log, with long porch in which is a huge triangle for calling guests to meals. This is where the Ogden House now stands. Crossing, we come to the residence of A. C'. Ford. We now strike the neutral belt, in which we find the law office of Judge A. V. Larimer, some small buildings, one of which had been used for Rev. Rice's mission, and find Thomas Tostevin's office on the angle formed by Broadway and Fourth, or. as it was called. Bancroft. Crossing over, we are supposed to be down town. Here, where the ten-cent and two or three other stores were, was the lumber yard of Keller & Bennett, and one or two shops bring us to Guittar's Indian store, where the Pierce shoe store now is. Crossing Main, we come to the Flephant store of Tootle & Jackson in the Empire block, the store of George Doughty, hardware store of C. J. Fox and general store of McBride & Bowen brings us to Pearl. Crossing, we find Horace Everett in a one-story frame where the cigar store now is, the offices of Addison Cochran, R. L. Douglas and J. M. Palmer, bank of Green, Ware & Benton, residences of Joseph Bayliss and W. H. Robinson, Washington Hotel and some small houses bring us to Sixth. Crossing, on the corner is the residence of Samuel Jacobs, next the little brick of Enos Lowe. This is one of the claimants for the distinction of being the first brick building. Both of these were torn down to make room for the postoffice. Keeping west, we find the residence of R. L. Douglas, a story-and-half house, and on southwest corner of Eighth street a little brick built by Moses Shinn brings us to the end on that side. We will now return to the northwest corner of Broadway and First, and take in the north side. On the corner is the brick store of Stutsman & Donnel, still standing and having a good trade; next Babbitt & Robinson, with United States land office in second story, store of C. Voorhis, a long frame sometimes called the Rope Walk, meat market of Debolt & Ponder, bank of Baldwin & Dodge, barber shop of Robert Russcl. bank of Pegram & Riddle, a dry goods store, drug store of J. Hann, grocery store of Patrick Murphy, a saloon, H. D. Harl's bus office, harness shop of J. B. Lewis, grocery store of John Poolman; Woodbine saloon and one or two small shops bring us to Second street. Crossing, we conic to the Nebraska Hall saloon, Beebee's hall and dwelling, Meridith's novelty works, Hepner and Graves livery stable, Noak's liquor store, S. N. Porterfield's furniture store, Stein's restaurant, Oliver's tailor shop. We now come to the neutral belt with the dwelling of Mrs. Brown and her daughter, Mrs. Perry, who is one of the claimants for the distinction of bringing the first piano. A dwelling, and carpenter shop of James Larue, bring us to the down town boundaries. Here we strike the law and real estate office of Casady & Test, a saloon of .lames Orton. another hard proposition, on the corner where the State Savings Bank now is, and we come to Main street. Crossing, we take in the bank of Officer and Pusey, jewelry store of Lafferty and Back, drug store of Dillin and Doughty, a shoe store of Samuel Knepper, drug store of Finley Gusman, and we reach the Pacific House, John Jones, manager, Western stage office, bank of Henn, Williams and Hooten, dry goods store of B. B. Brown, which ends the business.

Continuing on are several dwellings, among which are those of Thomas Officer, S. N. Porterfield, Mr. Kellogg, and Broadway degenerates into a crooked trail through a sea of prairie grass and sun-flowers for three miles to the ferry, and upper steamboat landing. The residence portion of the city was bounded substantially by Washington avenue on the north, by Frank street on the east, Bloomer street and Fifth avenue on the south and Ninth street on the west. There were a few dwellings beyond, but not enough to notice. Only a few warehouses, the Waverly House, an unsightly hotel, and a half dozen small dwellings were the extent of the improvements on South Main, with about as many on each of North Main and Pearl streets. The church was not very aggressive at this time. The Congregationalists had built a small brick church on Pearl street, about where Peregoy & Moore's wholesale store is situated; the Methodists a small frame on Pierce street, back of where the Ogden now stands, while the Presbyterians worshipped in a room in second story of one of the rooms in the Empire block.

During this year quite an amount of improvement was made. Broadway was only a crooked mud road with some of the houses jutting from six to ten feet into the street. These were ordered moved back and Broadway brought to its present shape. The city mill at the corner of Bryant street and Washington avenue was built by a man by the name of Jackson, but was sold by him to Baldwin and Dodge, and by them used in manufacturing flour, which was shipped by ox teams to the government forts and reservations for some years, then sold by them to Officer and Pusey, and by them to J. C. Hoffmayr during the '70s.

He caused it to be improved by taking out the antiquated machinery, adding another story and storage room, besides installing the roller system. It was conducted under this management until the last few years, when Mr. Hoffmayr retired, snice which time it has remained idle. Lately the machinery has been removed and the building condemned. And so a venerable land mark of half a century must give way to something modern. But this applies to all of us as well as to inanimate things.

During this year J. M. Palmer built a three-story brick block of four store rooms on the northwest corner of Broadway and Scott street that for many year- was the home of the Nonpareil. L. W. Babbitt also built a three-story block adjoining the Phoenix on the west, and the Hagg brothers a two-story one a half square farther west. In the second story of this building one or two terms of the district court was held, after abandoning the old log one on First street, and later, one term was held by Judge Lynch, of which more will be related hereafter.

During this summer a finely uniformed military company was organized, called the Council Bluffs Guards, with G. M. Dodge for captain, but he being absent, so much of his time being taken up in surveying, the command devolved upon Lieutenants Craig and Dunn. A brass band was also formed and instructed by C. C. Kuhn. Its construction was substantially as follows: E flat bugle, ____ Whitaker; E flat saxhorns, N. T. Spoor and D. W. Griffey; B flat, Conductor C. C. Kuhn and C. E. Haggerty; E flat alto, G. F. Smith; B flat trombone, Sidney Smith; B flat bass, James Orton; E flat tuba, John Huntington; snare drum, Dr. Alex Shoemaker: bass drum and cymbals, Samuel Perrin. During the summer they made such progress that they could render plain music in a creditable manner.

Sioux City was now forging to the front and boats were frequently passing up, and during the latter part of summer, arrangements were made with the captain of the steamer Emmigrant, that was bound up for that place, to take on a large excursion party of Council Bluffs and Omaha people, and the band by invitation went along, and played at landing places as customary. The boat landed at the Omaha agency and laid up for the night.

The music of the band, as it played from the boiler deck, was revelation to the Indians.

During the evening there was a dance in the cabin and many Indians came down and looked on. One buck that appeared to admire one of the beautiful ladies, on being asked how much he would give for the white squaw, he answered quickly, "Four Horses." But as no one seemed authorized to act, the trade was not consummated. We were royally welcomed at Sioux City, this being the first appearance of a band this far up, unless there were some at the forts above.

It would be interesting to know how many of that parly are living to-day. So far as the band is concerned, it is known Captain N. T. Spoor, of St. Louis, is the only one. He was with us at the last reunion of the Army of the Tennessee, and although his hair is white as snow, his face is as kindly as ever.

It will be remembered that up to this time banks of issue were not permitted in Iowa, but there were kindly disposed men on this side of the river as well as on the Nebraska side that were too generous to see us struggling along without money, and accordingly they proceeded to establish banks at every steamboat landing on the west side. The reader will bear in mind these places were cities, there being no towns or villages at this date. These banks issued most beautifully engraved notes, and they went like hot cakes, circulated freely, and like all new banks were on a strictly sound basis, so we had plenty of money and as a result good times. The summer of 1856 was pretty dry and warm, but the crops were good, and we were a happy people.

The winter set in in dead earnest December 1 with a fifty-hour blizzard and when it subsided there was probably three feet of snow where it was not drifted. Many of the fences were covered, and quite a while was required to get the roads opened, and then another would follow. On the 18th of January, 1857, the mercury reached thirty-six below zero. The hardest job was to get wood, that being the only fuel.

Mr. G. A. Slocum, of what is now Belknap township, in describing the severity of the storm and extent of the drifting, stated that he had a small flock of sheep that were missing after the storm had subsided, and after about a week, seeing some steam coming up from a huge drift, that had entirely filled a deep ravine, he began investigating, and found his sheep. They had huddled together and tramped the snow down, but the drifting formed a complete cover, and they were eating each other's wool, but were otherwise all right.

But for the known resemblance of the relator to George Washington, this might be doubted. However, a person was justifiable in believing anything of that winter. It gave us a farewell benefit April 18, 1857, with eight inches of snow and two degrees below zero, and all severe winters since have been by old settlers measured by that.

When spring came at last and boats began to arrive, business began to look up. Immigration was coming in, though not as rapidly as in the preceding spring. Boats were arriving almost daily during the summer with large stocks of goods. Building commenced in good earnest, railroads were headed this way and all seemed lovely. In the meantime the surrounding country was being settled, but had not got to raising produce sufficient for home consumption, let alone to ship, consequently, the gold and silver was gradually being drained away, and the pretty notes of the Nebraska banks came in to fill the vacuum and for a time all went well. Among the improvements started during the summer were what is still known as the James block, on the southeast corner of Main and Broadway, by Judge W. C. James and Milton Rogers, a large public hall by J. M. Palmer, a large hotel near the present pumping station called the River house, and a large brick hotel where the Congregational church now stands. These last two were started by companies with the view of bringing city lots adjacent to them into the market.

The River house was completed and opened with a grand ball, but was not a success, as persons going west would cross to Omaha, and those going east would keep on up town. It was a frame, and after stlanding useless for a year or two it was moved up town and used as a public schoolhouse, and finally the River house was built in front, and it still forms the rear of that hostelry. While the big hotel, the walls of which had risen four stories, was torn down and the material used in other buildings later on. Work on the James block and concert hall was suspended, and all owing to a money panic in the east, that kepi on and struck us early in the fall. Our cherished Nebraska bills dropped out of sighl and we waked up one morning and discovered we had no money, and the people on the other side of the river were in no better condition. Thomas H. Benton, of banking house of Green, Ware & Benton, had built a large dwelling in Glendale. It was not quite completed, hut he moved into it on Saturday, and on the following Monday the hank failed to open, but he had availed himself of the benefit of the homestead law. We were all in the same boat and had to make the besl of it. Merchants struggled to accommodate their customers, issued pasteboard chips good for ten. twenty-five and fifty cents, took what the farmers had to sell, while they went ragged and burnt ten-cent corn for fuel.

This condition could not last long, however. The ten-cent corn was raising lots of cattle and hogs, and the following spring, when Johnson's army was preparing for the Utah campaign, buyers arrived and money began to reappear, and bridged us over until a year later, when the Pikes Peak excitement filled the valleys with campers, buying supplies and waiting for the grass to grow before starting. We bad no immense packing houses, but the merchants had been buying the dressed hogs of the farmers, and packed and cured, and having their cellars and warehouses full, were in pretty good shape, and this was the beginning of the large packing business that developed later on.

At the spring election for city officers, to serve for the year 1858-9, the following persons were elected: Mayor, J. Smith Hooten; recorder, Frank Street; treasurer, C. W. Boyer; city engineer, Samuel Perrin; attorney, C. E. Stone: marshal, C. W. Bryant; aldermen, Henry Allen, Dudley S. Nye, T. P. Treynor, J. P. Casady, Addison Cochran, J. B. Lewis, D. W. Carpenter, Benedict Hagg, Milton Rogers and Alex Shoemaker.

This was not strictly a party victory, although the head of the ticket and half the aldermen were democratic. The balance were about equally divided between democrats, whigs and republicans - for, although the whig party had been dead since 1852, it still struggled for recognition.

During this summer a man appeared that has, during his life, done more for the cause of music here than any one that preceded or has followed him. This was Joseph Mueller. He had fled from Germany on account of being connected with some revolutionary movement. He was without money or friends, and with little knowledge of our language, but an indomitable worker. He pitched into the first work he could find to do, which was that of sawing wood. While engaged in this at the home of William Folsom, the father of Amelia, afterwards Mrs. Brigham Young, he heard her and some of her young lady friends playing the piano in the parlor, and his quick ear detected an error in the playing. He stepped to the door and said: "Skuse me, ladies, you make some ledle mistake. Shall I show you?" Certainly, they said, anticipating some amusement, as he, in his rough clothes, seated himself at the piano. After showing them the proper rendition of the passage, he could not resist the impulse to let himself out on some heavy work, and their amusement was turned to astonishment, and his career as a wood sawyer was closed.

He soon had all the pupils the few pianos in town could accommodate, besides giving vocal instruction, organizing choruses and giving concerts.

During the spring of this year the Templeton troupe, a dramatic company, appeared and played a month to good houses. They were the first to play Camille, East Lynne, The Stranger, etc.

Previous to this we had dramatic performances by home talent, but this seemed tame after seeing the real thing once more.

During the year 1858 Charles H. Stephan started a brewery a few doors east of where the Ogden house now stands. This seems to have been about the first manufacturing after the City and Wicks mills. This was followed the next year by one established at the angle of East Pierce street, where the new residence of Oscar Keeline is being built, by Nicholas Hagg, one of three brothers of that name. They were bachelors, and two of them died, leaving Benedict, the third brother, sole heir to the estate, which included a large amount of property besides the brewery, and thereby hangs quite a romance. It appears that a young German named Charles Bock and a young woman named Louise Geise were engaged to be married, but for some reason the engagement was broken off. Mr. Hagg wooed and married Miss Geise, and Mr. Bock (Charlie, as they all called him) also married. In three or four years Mr. Hagg died, as also did Mrs. Bock, and in due time the old love revived and Charlie and Louise were married and lived happily, with a plentiful share of this world's goods.

During the summer and fall of 1858 marvelous stories were circulating of the discovery of gold in Colorado, which culminated in what was called the Pikes Peak excitement, which, in the following spring, filled our valleys with campers, and resembled the California emigration, ten years earlier. During the summer, however, conflicting reports came back denying the finding of gold, and for a time the return tide became so strong that the column going west became discouraged, and turning about, joined the retreating host, some declaring the whole thing to be a scheme gotten up by the Missouri river towns in order to sell supplies to the emigrants, and threats were even made to burn this city and Omaha in revenge. There was probably no great danger of their doing this, still it was thought prudent to be prepared, and accordingly the Council Bluffs Guards were ordered, and held themselves in readiness to act if the emergency required. Fortunately, the reports came more and more favorable until all doubt was removed, and the great stream flowing west became permanent, as the reader will observe, with the wonderful result of founding a great state, with populous and wealthy cities, all within the life of one generation. Among those first in the push were many from Pottawattamie county, and among these was Henry Allen, ex-postmaster of Council Bluffs, who took his family along, and one of his daughters and Mr. J. B. Atkins had the distinction of being the first couple married in what is now the great city of Denver.

At this time it was only a mining camp, with no one authorized to issue license, but a preacher was found and the ceremony performed, which bound the couple until death separated them in 1905, by removing Mr. Atkins, who had been a prominent and honorable citizen, as well as a Mason of high standing in that order. Mrs. Atkins is still with us, beloved by a large circle of friends.

The opening up of this vast mining region made a demand for provisions of all kinds, as well as for the necessary implements for working the mines, and as a result long ox teams were constantly moving as long as the grass on the plains lasted, and the Platte valley was the great natural route.

A company was formed in the Bluffs, consisting of John T. Baldwin, G. M. Dodge, B. R. Pegram and John Warner, who engaged largely in the business. Thev bought the City mill and kept it running to its full capacity in furnishing flour. Thus the Utah, California and Pikes Peak route paved the way tor the greater enterprise to come later.

The opening up of the mines in Colorado was the cause of the establishment of one of the first manufacturing industries here, as Charles Hendrie, who was largely engaged in manufacturing mining machinery at Burlington, came and built quite extensive works on the comer of Main and Ninth streets, where he and his son, and son-in-law. Mr. Corey, whom he had taken into partnership, did an extensive business lor years, until finding it to their interest to get nearer their customers, finally moved their plant to Denver.

During all this time political feeling was becoming more and more intense. The failure of the south to establish slavery in Kansas created a bitter feeling in that section, in fact, the southern people felt that they had been betrayed, while the great republican party was growing rapidly through the north, and on looking back from this long distance, we can see that the "Irrepressible Conflict" was already on. As for our locality, the democratic party was largely in the majority, and Douglas was the idol, even as Bryan became forty years later.

The republican party in Pottawattamie county was small, but in deadly earnest. It was during this time that Lincoln visited Council Bluffs.

From this long distance we can look back and see conditions as they actually were, and it appears now that the great tragedy was unavoidable.

Previous to this, the policy bad been to admit states so as to keep them about equally divided on the slavery issue, but now the preponderance of the free states, both in population and wealth, became so marked as to cause the slaveholders to fear for the safety of their peculiar institution. In addition to this, about this time, two books appeared that produced a wonderful effect on the minds of the southern people and probably hastened the great struggle. The one being Mrs. Harriet Beecher Stowe's "Uncle Tom's Cabin," and the "Impending Crisis," by Rowan Hinton Helper, and although some of our ablest statesmen strove to effect compromise measures, as in the days of Clay, their efforts were in vain, and freedom or slavery became the "paramount issue," and as the history of this greatest of modern wars has been written by much abler hands, we shall, at the proper time, endeavor to record only the part enacted by those of our county.

In the meantime men of note were coming among us, and among them was one we take special pleasure in remembering, viz., Judge Caleb Baldwin. He was a giant, both in intellect and body, and modest as a woman. Soon after coming here he was made city attorney, and in 1859 was elected to the bench of the supreme court of Iowa, and by due process of law became chief justice of that court. In 1865 be was appointed United States attorney for the district of Iowa. He was also mayor of the city during 1866-67, and afterwards formed a law partnership with George F. Wright, which lasted until his death in the winter of 1876.

After the treaty of Washington was ratified and the Geneva convention had determined the award to be paid by Great Britain for spoliation by their privateers, Judge Baldwin was appointed one of the commissioners to distribute the award. Socially, be was one of the most companionable of men and loved fun like a boy, and notwithstanding his great size, he was active as most men of medium build. Being six feet and six inches tall and weighing four hundred pounds, he wee always conspicuous.

To illustrate his physical strength we will relate a little incident that occurred when he was in his prime. Mr. Pusey and Dr. Honn, both men of over two hundred pounds weight, were standing in front of Officer and Pusey's bank, and one of them dropped a half dollar, and they were scuffling to get it. Just then the judge came along and saying, "Boys, you must not be quarreling on the street," picked up one under each arm and carried them down the street, their feet sticking out behind like a pair of five-year-old kids. His mantle seems to have fallen upon his son, John N., who was born and reared in this city, and graduated at the old high school on the hill, and has made for himself a national reputation as a. lawyer.

At the regular spring city election on the 14th of March. 1859, George Doughty was elected mayor, Cornelius Voorhis, recorder, and J. C. Fargo, marshal. J. B. Lewis, G. M. Dodge, J. W. Damon, S. N. Porterfield, T. P. Treynor, H. H. Oberholtzer, John Hammer and D. W. Carpenter were elected aldermen, and Frank Street was made city attorney.

At this time John H. Sherman was county judge, and complaints became general that graft had entered that office by the corrupt issuance of county warrants. A committee was appointed to examine the affairs of his office, with the result that he was indicted by the grand jury on the 18th of February, and at the August term of the district court was convicted and removed from office. So corrupt had affairs become that county warrants were only worth thirty-five to forty cents on the dollar, and about all the county had to show for its outlay were some bridges, constructed of poles and slabs, across the little creeks by a favorite contractor at any price he saw fit to name. J. P. Casady was appointed to fill the vacancy, but it took a long time to get to a cash basis.

During this summer and fall Council Bluffs was visited by a number of eminent men, chief among whom was Abraham Lincoln. He was accompanied by Judge Test, of Indiana, and both addressed a large audience at Concert Hall, and later in the same hall General A. C. Dodge and T. J. Kirkwood, candidates for governor, held a joint debate. The democrats also had a barbecue and mass meeting, and were addressed by the eccentric but eloquent Henry Clay Dean and Chester C. Cole. All parties were preparing for the great event to transpire a year later.

Owing to the tardiness with which the railroads were approaching from the east, people began to look south with a view of connecting with the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad, which had already reached the latter city. On the 9th of November a vast concourse of our people turned out to witness the breaking ground in the construction of the St. Joseph & Council Bluffs Railroad, and in the evening a large meeting in Concert Hall was addressed by Colonel Sam Black, territorial governor of Nebraska, and Colonel Peabody, chief engineer of the company. So thoroughly waked up were our people iu the matter that a special election, held on the 8th of December, the proposition to subscribe $25,000 of the city was carried by a large majority, and at a special county election, held on the 15th of February, 1860, the measure was supplemented by the transfer of the proceeds of the sale of swamp lands to the same use to the amount of $40,000. The county held this stock for several years and finally made an absolute donation of the stock lo the men in control of the company.

At the regular fall election Judge S. H. Riddle was elected representative, Dr. S. H. Craig, sheriff, and J. B. Rue, county superintendent of schools. At the annual city election, held on March 12, 1880, L. W. Babbitt was elected mayor, T. P. Treynor was elected city recorder for the second term, Perry Smith, marshal, and the following named persons were elected aldermen, to-wit: J. B. Lewis, John Jones, Milton Rogers, W. L. Biggs. Addisou Cochran and D. W. Carpenter.

During the summer of I860 the two great parties became very active, and. as before stated, Douglas was the idol of the great mass of the Democrats. This applied here in Pottawattamie county as well as elsewhere, and although a few old time whigs remained and clung to the old time principles of that party, they were not numerous enough to effect results, and in like manner, there was a small party to whom Douglas was not acceptable. This condition seemed to be general throughout the north.

The nomination of Lincoln struck a popular chord. He was a man of the common people, was hailed as the rail-splitter, and his logic seemed to have the effect of splitting the democratic party.

Although it was openly declared by the pro-slavery element that a dissolution of the Union would follow in the event of the republican party coming into power, the great mass of the people were loath to believe it.

The political campaign of 1860 resembled the hard cider and log cabin campaign of 1840. Both of the leading parties were provided with speakers of great ability, and torch-light processions, stump-speaking and brass bands were the order of the day. Pottawattamie county had local talent of a high order in both parties. The republicans had their Wide-awake and Rail-splitting organizations, and the democrats their Little Giant clubs, and as for speakers, there was no lack. D. C. Bloomer, C. E. Stone, W. H. Kinsman and Frank Street were always available for a republican rally, while Captain Price, Colonel Babbitt, W. G. Crawford and .1. C. Turk were equally qualified to entertain the democrats, while the brass band, whose number were about equally divided politically, caught them "comin' and goin'."

During the summer the city became infested with what the president calls "undesirable citizens." One in particular named Phil McGuire, a powerful man whose headquarters were about the Ocean Wave saloon, had made himself obnoxious in many ways, was finally located with some stolen mules belonging to John Jones in a temporary camp in the timber on the river bottom. He was found one morning hanging on a walnut tree on the western slope of the hill below Fairview cemetery. The coroner was not in the city, and he remained there all that day and the following night, and probably a thousand persons went up to "view the remains." A card was pinned to his coat collar on which was written, "Hung for all manner of rascality."

The coroner not returning, Justice Biggs, acting as coroner, had a jury summoned and held an inquest. Not being able to find any clue as to who were responsible, the jury returned their verdict, as follows: We, the jury, find that the deceased came to his death at the hands of persons unknown to the jury.

The inquest being over, the coroner proceeded to administer on the estate. On the person of the deceased was found a pocket knife, a pair of thimbles for playing the thimble game, a brass medal with chain attached, and a one dollar bill.

A bystander suggested that the coroner and three jurors play a four-handed name of seven-up for the dollar, alleging that there was a precedent for it in scripture. This was overruled by the coroner, and the order was made giving the knife to one juror, the chain to one, the thimbles to a third, and the medal to the constable, providing they would accept them in full for their fees, and that the body be buried at the expense of the county. The coroner retaining the dollar for his fee. The jury and constable agreeing, the order was carried into effect, the burial being by the side of Muir, on the ridge a short distance above the soldiers' cemetery. It is doubtful if anything remains at this time to show their graves. While this was being done, about twenty others received warning to leave town within ten hours, which they were quick to obey, and thugs were scarce for quite a while.

The fall election went democratic so far as local affairs were concernedy but on learning the result, so far as the president was concerned, some of the old wheel horses nearly went wild. A grand ratification meeting was held, in which a grand torch-light procession, with bonfires, music and speaking, was indulged in until after midnight. Notwithstanding the dire threats that had been made, the greal mass of our people believed a way would be found to avoid civil war. J. P. Casady was elected county judge, he being the last to serve in that capacity, as the legislature had abolished the office and inaugurated the system of control of county affairs by a board of supervisors, consisting of one member from each township. The first meeting of the board in this county was on the 7th day of January, 1881, and consisted of the following named persons: Judge Douglass represented Kane township; C. Voorhis, Macedonia; William Elswick, Grove; Josiah True, Knox; J. B. Layton, Center; L. J. Childs, York; Robert Kent, Boomer; Abram Jackson, Rockford; David Dunkle, Crescent; William Lyman, James; and John Bratton, Silver Creek.

During the fall of I860 a new bank was established, of which James A. Jackson was made president. John D. Lockwood, cashier, S. S. Bayliss, Samuel Knepper and J. P. Casady were directors. It did not, however, commence operation until in January, 1861. It was afterwards merged in the First National Bank when the law creating such institutions went into effect. The new board of supervisors found the affairs of the county in unsatisfactory condition, especially that of treasurer, W. D. Turner, and after filing his report, it required that his bond be raised, and instead of complying he tendered his resignation, which was accepted, and Thomas Tostevin was appointed to fill the vacancy, which he proceeded to do so satisfactorily that he held the position by election for six years. He, like G. M. Dodge, was a surveyor, a line scholar, though not a military man, being reared a Quaker, but probably next to General Dodge he has had more to do with the conduct of affairs than any man in the county, and although his field of operation was small compared with that of the General, there were points of resemblance between them, being about the same age, both untiring workers and in politics intensely republican. In addition to county treasurer he has held at different times the office of mayor of the city, county surveyor, city engineer, and was sent by the city as one of a committee to negotiate with the officers of the Union Pacific Railroad Company for the location of their terminal requirements here, wherein the city pledged two hundred and five thousand dollars, to which the company agreed but afterwards repudiated.

*Possibly Hitchcock House

1907 History Index
Section One - Section Three