selected as the site for the county archives in 1853, over the ambitious village of Bloomington, and being near the center of the county, long felt secure in the stability of that honor. When the question of locating the great Industrial College came up, her citizens subscribed personally to expenses and bounties, and voted taxes on themselves to secure the institution for the county. They little dreamed then that around this foster child would flourish influences that would soon endanger the welfare of their own homes. But so it was.
The town of Ames, under the influences so generously furnished by the citizens of the county, led by Nevada in purse and spirit, soon became an ambitious and spirited rival not only for business, but also for public favor. Out of this grew an active contest for the county seat. A vote was ordered on the question of county bonds to the amount of $40,000 for building a suitable court-house. Ames not only opposed this before the people, but also brought the matter into the courts.
On the trial it is said to have been shown that students from the college were illegally voted against the bonds. This, with the active opposition of the numerous excellent and able professors, tended to cause the people at Nevada to feel that their unselfish efforts to do a good thing for the county in the early days had returned to plague rather than to bless them. But there is no thought now that these matters will ever again be unsettled. Harmony prevails within the borders of the county, and all are ready to extend best wishes to every interest. The trial resulted in a judicial declaration in favor of the issuing and validity of the bonds, and the court-house was erected in accordance with the vote of the people.
Although not resulting in a trial, nor even the certain discovery of any crime, another incident that occurred in the McDaniel neighborhood may as well be recorded here. This was the disappearance of a peddler, of whom the last that was known to the ordinary citizen was his visit to this locality. It was a nine days' wonder and gossip among the neighbors. Rumors of violence were rife; doubtless some search was made; but neither the man, his remains, nor any of his belongings were ever discovered. A man known as Doc. Spring, who for many years lived about Iowa Center, and died there, was known to hint when " in his cups" that he would disclose something when he should come face to face with death. It was supposed that his secret referred to the disappearance of the peddler. It seemed to those about him when that time came that he was anxious to do as he had long intended, but he delayed until his power to tell had gone, and for two or three days he was conscious but unable to make his story known. His knowledge, whatever it was, died with him.
When the workmen were excavating for the construction of the railway, not far from Dye's Branch, an old building was removed, and under its walls was found a rough box which contained the skeleton of a man. The place had been in an early day occupied by the Wilkinson family, and afterward by the family of a suspicious character familiarly known as " Old Meeks." The latter left the cabin and the country in the night, and without notice of his intention. It is not known where he went. Some think there is but a missing link between the unknown skeleton and the peddler who disappeared so mysteriously. At least no other explanation can be offered.