Indian or seen anybody who had. Mr. McKinney furnished two horses and Mr. Hook one, and McConnell, Smith (who afterwards killed Gatchell), and Jones, were sent out to reconnoiter while the others were to remain until they were heard from. The scouts were charged if they found danger, not to spare the horses but to bring in the news quickly at all hazards. When these men got to Homer, they found that a courier had been over from Webster City the night before and purchased all the powder and lead there was in town. They therefore hurried on to Webster City, but when they got there they found the excitement dying down and the settlers starting out north to their homes again. They concluded that no danger was to be apprehended and Jones went back by way of Homer to tell the news, and the other two went down the river. About half way down, they saw a couple of ox teams and a horse team coming up. These settlers were returning home. Anxious to let them know, they started towards them on a gallop, but the returning settlers, seeing them coming on a gallop, jumped at the conclusion that the Indians were after them and without waiting for them to come up, turned their teams, laid on the "gad," and were running away again for dear life. They made such good time that it was quite a while before the horsemen could get near enough to tell them there was no danger.

As soon as the news reached Boonsboro, Judge McFarland raised a company of volunteers and made a forced march across the country to the relief of Webster City, arriving there on the afternoon of the day after the fright began. Many of the old settlers remember the coming of the little army, commanded by the redoubtable judge, how the soldiers were drawn up in line on our streets and welcomed by the citizens; the speech of the judge; and how, the danger being passed, the soldiers were feasted, and how a general drunk was indulged in that night in which the would be gallant soldiers, and the but lately panic stricken citizens, vied with each other in a hand to mouth conflict with "red eye" and "fortyrod," and how the list of the fallen would have paralyzed the heart of the stoutest warrior had they fallen in battle; and in which conflict, no one became more gloriously drunk than the commander of the army.

By the time the scare was over, along the Boone, the news had reached the Skunk river, and many of the settlers from there began to flock over, only to learn that it was all a mistake and happily they could return in peace.

THE IOWA FRONTIER GUARDS

During the fall of 1857, there was considerable talk of another Indian outbreak at Spirit Lake. As near as we can learn, Jared Palmer was responsible for most of it. Several letters written by him were printed by the newspapers of the settlements. He succeeded in creating a sentiment of fear and a demand for state protection, thus securing the passage of an act by the state legislature at its session in 1857-8, providing for a company of mounted militia to be enlisted as near the scene of the expected outbreak as possible and Palmer was made the commissioner to enlist the company. The company was recruited at Boonsboro, Webster City and Homer. Its officers were Capt. Henry B. Martin, Webster City; First Lieutenant W. L. Church, Homer; Second Lieutenant D. S. Jewett, Boonsboro; Sergeants W. D. Grason, W. S. Defor, E. N. Wilcox, C. C. Stratton; Corporals R. D. Haskell, D. N. Carver, T. Mulraney, A. McPhetters.

The company was called "The Iowa Frontier Guards." Governor Lowe issued an order that the company should march for the frontier on Tuesday, March 2, 1858. On Saturday before marching the company assembled in Webster City and a ball was given at the Willson House in the evening, in honor of the company, at which the ladies of Webster City presented it with a flag. It was formally presented on behalf of the ladies by Colonel John Peak, with the following remarks:

"Captain Martin, officers and soldiers of the Iowa Frontier Guards: I have had the honor of being appointed by the ladies this day, to perform an agreeable duty. You are on the eve of marching to defend the homes and firesides of many unprotected families on our frontier, from the savages. Your duty is an arduous but noble one, and to cheer you in its performance, these ladies have prepared this emblem as a token of their regard for you and their confidence in your ability to perform the task you have voluntarily espoused. While on tedious marches, through privations and fatigues, storms and dangers you may have to pass, look on it and take renewed courage. Remember that the eyes of the state and nation are upon you. Think of the many hearts that beat for your success; think how the bright eyes of these ladies will sparkle with delight when they hear you have acted bravely and nobly. Prove that you will be as true to your trust as the 'Old Guard' were to Napoleon, or the Tenth Legion' were to Caesar. Remember with this flag I now present you-in behalf of these ladiesthat you carry with you the honor of northwestern Iowa, and may you prove by your valor, and the bravery of the Iowa Frontier Guard, that it is safe in your hands, and that you will be as ready to defend, as to bear, these colors— that never run."

Captain Martin received the flag and replied as follows:

"Ladies of Webster City: Permit me in behalf of the Frontier Guards to tender you a thousand thanks for this acceptable and sacred gift. The American flag is always looked upon with emotions of pride by every lover of liberty, and well it may be, for the stars and stripes proudly float over millions of free men and are seen and respected on every sea. And such a gift at this time is in true keeping with the spirit which has been manifested by the ladies of Webster City-lovely, intelligent and patriotic-they are first in every enterprise, in every act of benevolence. But a few months since, when the sad tidings reached us of the cruel depredations that had been committed upon our northern frontier, the willing and efficient aid rendered in sending relief to the sufferers fully demonstrated that the spirit which animated the mothers and daughters of the Revolution is alive in Webster City. And now, fair ladies, we take leave of you to hasten to the northwest to prevent the recurrence of the Spirit Lake outrage. We go with the expectation of suffering privations and encountering dangers by flood and field, but in the darkest hours this manifestation of your kindness, well wishes and patriotism, will nerve us to indure every danger. The 'Ladies of Webster City' shall be our watchword, and this cherished gift shall be the standard around which we rally, and although its bright colors may be bleached by the storms of heaven, and the sweeping winds of the boundless prairie, or perchance the bullets of the enemy may riddle it, yet we promise that it shall not be disgraced by deeds of ours, that it shall be returned with fame as untarnished as the hand that wro't it."

The above addresses are copied from the Freeman of March 4, 1858.

The company, numbering thirty-one men, left Webster City on Monday, March 1st, but never saw any active service, as the Indians made no hostile demonstration towards the settlers. They were out four months, when they were recalled and disbanded by the governor.

In November, 1858, a new Indian scare arose at Spirit Lake, caused by the camping in that vicinity of a large body of the red skins. Applications were made to Governor Lowe for aid, and Captain Martin and his frontier guard were again ordered out. They started for the seat of war on November 23. Captain Martin had orders from Governor Lowe to order all Indians, whether friendly or otherwise, to leave the state, and if they refused to drive them out at all hazards, and he was enjoined to make every possible effort to capture Ink-pa-du-tah, and as many of his tribe as could be identified as implicated in the massacre in the spring of 1857, in order that they might be dealt with according to law. The command stayed out all winter, but no difficulties were met with.

August 12, 1887, was set apart by the people of Hamilton as the day for the unveiling of a tablet erected in honor of the company of men who went to the relief of the sufferers from the Spirit Lake massacre in 1857. This enterprise had been promoted and organized by Charles Aldrich and contemplated the erection of a brass tablet in a prominent place in the county court house. The tablet was completed, appropriately inscribed and fixed to the west wall of the court house hall. A large assemblage of people attended and appropriate ceremonies were held. The following is the inscription as it appears on the tablet:

IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THE HEROIC VOLUNTEERS FROM HAMILTON COUNTY, IOWA, IN THE SPIRIT LAKE EXPEDITION

Commanded by Major William Williams, of Fort Dodge, for the relief of the settlers who survived the Indian massacre of March 8, 1857

Roster of Company C

Captain, J. C. Johnson; First Lieutenant, John N. Maxwell; Second Lieutenant, Frank R. Mason; Sergeant, Harry Hoover; Corporal, A. N. Hathway.

Privates-Michael Sweeney, John Gates, James Brainard, William K. Laughlin, J. C. Pemberton, James Hickey, Morris Markham, Andrew S. Leonard, Sherman Cassaday, Humphrey Hillock, F. R. Moody, Jareb Palmer, John Howland, Patrick Stafford, A. K. Tullis, Alonzo Richardson, M. W. Howland, William L. Church, Henry E. Dalley, John Eric, Elias D. Kellogg, Thos. B. Bonebright, Josiah Griffin, Emery W. Gates, Thomas Anderson, Patrick Colon, John Bradshaw.

This tablet was erected at the public expense to commemorate the patriotism, valor and sufferings of these gallant men in one of the severest marches recorded in Indian border warfare. In memory also of Mrs. William L. Church, who shot an Indian while defending her babies, and of her sister, Drusilla Swanger, who was severely wounded.

CHAPTER VI

JUST BEFORE THE WAR-EVENTS OCCURRING IN '57-'58-'59 AND '60

By F. Q. Lee

FOUNDING OF THE FREEMAN-THE FIRST FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION-COUNTERFEITERS-ANOTHER PAPER TOWN—A COUNTY ELECTION—AN ELECTION CONTEST

A COUNTY FAIR IN '57-AN EARLY TRAGEDY-RIVER LAND GRANT-WILD CAT

MONEY-HORSE THIEVES-RAILROAD EXCITEMENT-THE TOWN OF HAWLEYBUILDING THE FIRST BRIDGE-ARRIVAL OF JACOB SKINNER-CARPENTER VS. DUNCOMBE THE FIRST HAY SCALES-AN ATTEMPT TO INCORPORATE-RESCINDING

THE RAILROAD BONDS THE WET SEASON OF '58-WADING THE SLOUGHS-THE

FIRST BREWERY-PROMINENT MEN ARRIVE-THE RIVER STEAMER REACHES FORT DODGE THE SWAMP LAND FUND AN ATTEMPT TO GET A NEW COURT HOUSEAN INDIGNATION MEETING-JUDGE MAXWELL-MORE RAILROAD TALK-PIONEER POLITICS A COUNTY ELECTION-A NEW SCHOOL HOUSE-POLITICS IN 1860STATISTICS-THREE NEW BRIDGES.

FOUNDING OF THE FREEMAN

As we progress with our history, we record no event that gives more pleasure than the establishment of a newspaper in Hamilton county. Such a medium of intelligence is so entirely necessary to every locality, that no community, no matter how well it may be endowed in every other respect, can do without it.

About February 15, 1857, Charles Aldrich arrived at Webster City, searching for some suitable place to locate and start a newspaper. He was an experienced printer, having worked at his trade in Buffalo, New York, and Warren, Pennsylvania, and for three years had published a weekly paper at Olean, New York. He quit the newspaper business once, and went to farming, but his love for the old trade called him back and he began to look about for a location. He afterwards accidently got a book in which the writer spoke in glowing terms of Fort Dodge and the valley of the Des Moines and also mentioned, incidentally, Webster City. This somewhat aroused his curiosity and animated a desire to see the great western country where Greeley advised all young men to go and he resolved to make a tour of inspection extending as far west as Fort Dodge, Iowa. Accordingly in the fore part of February he set out. All along the idea of starting a newspaper at Fort Dodge was foremost in his mind; but when he arrived at Dubuque he learned that a democratic paper had already been started there, and as he did not believe two newsappers could live in so new a locality, he gave up the project. He had been informed, however, that Webster City was a lively little

place and wanted a paper. So he made up his mind to visit it, and accordingly set out across the country by stage, a journey which gave him ample opportunity to get familiar with the inconvenience of being snowbound, and "sloughed down." This gave him a good practical idea of the rough venturesome life the pioneer must endure.

As we have said before, he arrived at Webster City about the 15th of February and at cnce made known his business. He was well received by the citizens who fully understood the necessity of having a newspaper, for how could a town grow and prosper without some way of proclaiming its existence to the world; without some medium of conveying intelligence?

A public meeting was held and after ample consideration, it was resolved that providing Charles Aldrich should start a paper, a guarantee of five hundred subscribers and a bonus of five hundred dollars would be given; the bonus to be paid when the printing office had been equipped. In spite of the above very liberal offer, things looked somewhat discouraging to the young editor at first. Times were very hard, prices very low and money, which consisted mostly of "wild cat" currency, was very uncertain. But when he considered the fact that Webster City was the county seat, and had unusually fine agricultural country to support it, he knew the hard times could not last always, and that the country was bound to settle and become more or less wealthy in time, so he concluded to accept the offer, and returned to New York for his family and printing materials for his office.

About May 1, 1857, Mr. Aldrich had purchased the outfit for the Hamilton Freeman and had it shipped to Dyresville in this state. Here he was met by C. T. Fenton with good teams, and the types and furniture were loaded in and started for Webster City. The Washington hand press was so heavy it had to be left for several weeks until the roads became more settled and then John Meeks with his ox teams brought it forward.

On the 26th of June, 1857, the first number of the Hamilton Freeman, the first newspaper published in Hamilton county, and the first Republican paper in the state, north of Boone, was issued.

THE FIRST FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION

The people of the county held great reverence for the "Declaration of Independence," but their numbers had been too few, heretofore, to properly celebrate its birth. But this year (1857) it was resolved that all delinquencies of the past should be "made up" and a "grand and glorious fourth" was prepared for. The festivities commenced in the evening of the third with a grand ball at the Willson house where the young folks "tripped the light fantastic" until the national salute was fired at sunrise. At ten o'clock a procession was formed under direction of Col. John Peake, and marched to the grove west of town (near where A. N. Boeye now lives). A. Moon was president of the day. Rev. J. K. Large offered a very impressive prayer and J. J. Wadsworth read the Declaration of Independence. John F. Duncombe, of Fort Dodge, was to have delivered an address, but for some reason he failed to be present, and S. B. Rosencrans took the stand and made a very excellent, though very hastily prepared oration. He was loudly applauded for his witty "hits" intermixed with much good solid