having damaged the crops on an average of about one-half. Some fields were scarcely touched, while others were totally destroyed. The greatest amount of damage was done to the oats crop-many fields being not worth the harvesting. This was quite a calamity to the new settler, who generally had little to fall back upon, and some left the county, while no doubt emigration was slightly checked by the reports of the disaster.

A PIONEER CAMP MEETING

In July, 1868, was held the first camp-meeting. It was held at Royster's grove, three and a half miles southeast of Homer. Four thousand persons were reported to have been present on Sunday. Between thirty and forty conversions were reported, and thirty-four additions to the church. Everything passed off successfully and quietly.

JUDGE CHASE FOR CONGRESS

Up to the summer of 1868 Hon. A. W. Hubbard of Sioux City had represented the sixth district in congress, but by reason of failing health, he was not a candidate for reelection. As a consequence, G. W. Couch, C. F. Clarkson, Charles Pomeroy, D. D. Chase and John Scott entered the race for the nomination. Judge Chase of Hamilton county had achieved considerable distinction and popularity while district attorney and district judge and went into the convention with more strength than any two candidates. Unfortunately for his chances for success, however, political differences had risen between him and Col. Chas. A. Clark, and Colonel Clark opposed his nomination. He was able, fearless and untiring in his opposition and went to the convention to defeat Judge Chase if possible, though not a delegate. Chase, as the strongest and leading candidate, was unable to make any combinations, while the weaker candidates could and did combine and after two days in convention and seventy-seven bollots, one Charles Pomeroy received the nomination. Pomeroy was a weak man who had nothing to recommend him except his ability to make a speech, and his record as a congressman showed the weakness of a political choice that is determined by political dickering. Judge Chase would have made an able representative in congress, but the animosities engendered in the contest for the nomination were kept alive and though he was often mentioned in connection with that position, the political avenger was always alert, and following Pomeroy, came Jackson Orr and Addison Olliver, and the continuation of such weak men in office provoked Ben Butler to remark, "It was a pity the big northwest district of Iowa could not be represented in congress."

A COUNTY "FAIR GROUND" ESTABLISHED

In the fall of 1867 the people of the county began to agitate the question of organizing a county agricultural society, and the project meeting general approval, a meeting was called to take steps toward effecting an organization. The meeting convened at the courthouse and elected temporary officers, appointed committees to draft by-laws and rules, etc. T. A. Conklin was chairman of that organiza

tion. Several meetings were held during the winter, and early in the spring, everything was in readiness for a permanent organization. This was effected by the election of Judge S. L. Rose, president, and R. E. Fairchild, secretary. The committee appointed for the purpose selected the grounds south of Rosencrans' park; they were purchased at $60 per acre, and the society borrowed $500 of the county with which to make the cash payment therefor. The grounds were cleared up, fenced and a race track one-third of a mile in length made, and the first fair held on the grounds began September 30, 1868, and was to last two days. On account of rain the first day, the time was extended to three days. The fair was regarded as a success and annual fairs were held there for about twelve years. But the society was never able to pay the county the money borrowed and at last the grounds were turned over to the county. The old society is now extinct. The grounds they improved now form one of the finest parks in the state and when public meetings are held there, it is interesting to hear the pioneers of the county recall the many happy incidents of early life connected with, and brought to memory, by a visit to these grounds. But the rumbling of the iron horse is heard in the distance and we must turn to an investigation of the history of its coming and attending incidents.

Vol. I-10

CHAPTER IX

THE FIRST RAILROAD-THE ARRIVAL OF THE "IRON HORSE" AND ATTENDING EVENTS

THE RAILROAD IS COMING-THE LOCATION OF A DEPOT-THE RAILROAD ARRIVESA TOUGH CROWD-A DRUNKEN RIOT-A JAIL NEEDED THE FIRST BRICK RESIDENCE THE FIRST BRICK BUSINESS HOUSE-THE COMMERCIAL BLOCK-SOME NEW MILLS JUDGE ROSE—WILLSON TOWN—A FREE RIDE TO FORT DODGE—THE MURDER OF JOHN ROSS- -OTHER TRAGEDIES—THE SWAMP FUND-MORE NEW BRIDGESELECTION OF 1869—COUNTY STATISTICS—THE THIRD CHURCH A PIONEER PARSON THE SECOND BANK ORGANIZED-THE FIRST GRAIN ELEVATOR-NEW BUILDINGS THE NEW SUPERVISOR SYSTEM-A CONTEST FOR REPRESENTATIVE—A CONTEST FOR SHERIFF_STARTING THE "INDEX"-THE LIQUOR INTERESTS WIN—A sad

STORY-PROSPECTS OF ANOTHER RAILROAD.

By F. Q. Lee

THE RAILROAD IS COMING

As stated in a former chapter, the Dubuque and Sioux City Railroad reached Ackley in the fall of 1865, and continued to move westward until in the spring of 1866 it reached Iowa Falls where work was suspended and the prospect for an early extension of the road to the west, while it was earnestly hoped for, seemed far in the future. It was not until the fall of 1867 that the people began to again have assurances of an early extension of the road. Their prospects were based upon the report that the Illinois Central Company had leased the line and would undertake the building of it, westward. The report so enthused the people along the line that public meetings were called and everything promised that was likely to encourage the building of the road. It was soon found that the Illinois Central had leased the road as far as built but did not intend to build it farther. and as the old Dubuque and Sioux City Railroad did not show signs of activity. and had not built forward fast enough to entitle it to the land granted to it by the state, a new company named Iowa Falls and Sioux City Company was organized for the purpose of building the line westward and securing the land. John I. Blair was the leader of this organization. The organization of this company and its immediate attempts to procure sufficient influence in the next legislature to secure the land grant caused the old Dubuque and Sioux City Company to begin work on the line in the late fall and winter of 1867 and to attempt to secure a renewal of the grant to it. What was termed a final survey was therefore made in the fall and winter of 1867-8, the depot grounds were laid out and some grading was

In

done. The legislature granted the land to the company that built within a certain time, but reserved to the state the right to fix the passenger and freight rates, to be charged by the company accepting the grant. When the legislature adjourned work upon the line substantially stopped. Efforts were at once put forth to have an extra session of the legislature called to repeal the obnoxious rate clause in the law. During the summer the Iowa Falls and Sioux City Company succeeded in buying out the Dubuque and Sioux City Company and, though urging an extra session of the legislature, believed that the obnoxious clause would be repealed by the next legislature, if no extra session was called. They began to push the work with considerable zeal and asked the people along the line to vote a five per cent tax to assist them in the construction of the road. A good many meetings were held in Webster City and railroad talk was the principal theme on all sides. January, 1868, W. C. Willson returned from Chicago and became one of the most zealous and untiring workers for the extension of the road. He went to Chicago in 1862, when the prospects for a road seemed dead, intending to return when a road was secured. The road had been surveyed through the town prior to his going away and considerable controversy had been had over the site for the depot. Willson wanted it located on "the Brewer farm," a short distance west of its present location, while others desired it at the head of Seneca street. The whole matter had died out, however, and now upon his return there was little controversy at first about the location, and it seemed settled that it would be at the head of Seneca street. So there was a pretty general agreement among the people in their work for a road. In August, 1868, a vote was had upon the question of a five per cent tax to aid the road and it carried by a vote of 148 for, and 29 against. The 20 must have made considerable noise, however, for a great deal of rejoicing resulted from the outcome. Bonfires were burned and "The Rattlers" under the leadership of W. L. Church, with a martial band, serenaded some of the principal citizens and generally "painted the town red."

THE LOCATION OF A DEPOT

The work of building was now going on all along the line from Iowa Falls, and it was confidently believed that the road would be completed by January, and the cars running into town. Again the question of the location of the depot became all absorbing. The town was then substantially all on Seneca and Bank streets and the general preference of the citizens was for the depot to be situated on the north end of Seneca street. But the company found objections to that location on the ground of its nearness to the river and preferred a location farther west, which also suited the Willsons and Funk, for they had a large number of town lots that would be increased in value by the location westward.

The depot was located adjoining Des Moines street.

Whether the Willsons or Funk were responsible for the location of the depot or not, they were charged with the responsibility by the residents of Seneca street and considerable bad blood was stirred up, and matters grew worse and worse until in the early spring of 1869, the Willsons left Seneca street and began the erection of a hotel on the site of the present "Willson House," and started to build up what was then familiarly known as "Willson Town."