Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1854-03-23
VOLUME 6.
rom the Iowa Farmer and Horticulturis
WAPELLO COUNTY.
EDITORS Iowa FARMER.

tSlRs:-ht our EtQueSt VIII uuueT-
take TO give brief sketch of Wapello
county, embracing items, historical and
physica for The columns of the Farmer.
This county was settled on the first day
OF May, 1858, and under such peculiar
circumstances that the prominen, Incl
dents should be preserved in the history
of the country; and gladly embrace
this opportunity Of occupying a space
in your columns with their outline,
imrerfec, though it be.
It's territory lay Immediately adj acen,
to the Indian boundary Tine, and suf-
ficien, explorations had been made TO
acquaint the settlers below the line, and
the public abroad, with its superior value
in an agricultural estimate. Such was
the iuducement to get footing in the
county, tina. every scheme was tried TO
gain admission by permits or licenses as
appendages TO the Indian Agency, or the
several trading establishments, Indian
farms, &c. The press Of applications
Of this character became grea, annoy
ance to the Agent, whose unAincbing
integrity aroused no small clamor agains,
him.
Resort was also had TO sor. of per-
nit from Indian Chiefs, and several
settlements were made under this un-
substantial authority. This and other
violations of the hon-intercourse laws
made it necessary for the Agent to call
the aid Of a company of U. s. Dragons
to preserve their integrIty-to prevent
the county from being overrun with
settlements, before treaty could be
made for its righ.ful occupancy. This
step Of the Agent, though strictly proper,
greatly augmented the intense anxiety to
&c, possession of the country, and ap-
prehensions were even felt, that organ
lied opposition nigh. be Sc. on foot 10
resist this martial law; yet proper re-
spect for the laws prevailed, and SEM
blance of order was preserved.
After an Intellectual attempt by the
Government Commissioners to make a
treaty, in the fall Of 1871, the efor. was
renewed in the following year, which
proved successful, and opened the coun-
try below Red Rock for settlement, on
the fret day Of May, ls43.
The almost vigilance of the Agent,
aided by The Dragons, was now neces-
sary, TO prevent the country from being
overrun before the Indians were required
by treaty to give possession.
Permission was however given, to
simply explore, without making any
marks or other evidences of location,
under the penalty of a military escort
over the boundary. In addition TO this
restraint, from making claims, the Statute
was bar TO the maintenance of a claim
made on Indian lands. In the mean
while ample preparations were made for
occupation, when the first day of May
should arrive--a day famous in the
recolleciions of the first settlers, and its
events should be preserved in the records
of this county, and the country, as a
striking example Of the lndomilable en-
terprise of the western settlers, in open.
ing up lew fields, for the spread OF civil
ization and refinement.
Some weeks previous was spent in
selecting sites for claims-when the day
arrived--many moved their families and
stock to the boundary line, so as moi to
lose even a day in the full and complete
occupancy. On the last Gay Of April
every one was posted at the spot selec-
ted for marking out his claim, when the
hour of midnight arrived, that ushered
in the first of May. Al that moment.
Gus hour, signal guns were fired at the
several encampnienls where reliable time
pieces were kept,--lhese signals were
from can ? to camp, until the
whole country was notified that the time
of suspense was over, and the time for
action had come. And action il vas
every one straining every nerve TO close
his lines to prevent conflicting rights
with his neIghbor. These surveys
made by torch and starligh, often did
conflict, which had to be settled Ivy COM
promise or purchase, or by the claim
courts, Immediately established for their
adjudication. Though the writer par
ticipaied in the events of this memorable
night, it would require more graphic
pen than nine 10 give their true portrait
/ will leave il for some reminiscent, who
may take The trouble to collect them and
clothe them in pronex draperyfor the
amusement and edi6c6(ion q sue.
ceeding generations. Itis sufdci61 for
my present purpose TO say that at 1pn
down. on the last day Of April, th(e
was not settler in Wapello county, IA
a shutdown Of The next day, there wseH
moro than THOUSAND, and many WI
their families, stock and implemsutG of
husbandry. Nor did the cnterpfising
spirit flag with possession, for the cue
cseding winter found the settlers IMPLY
provided with means to pass il in conior.
and abundance, the produce Of veil
fenced and cultivated fields.
Lest should spin out this branch Al
my subject beyon the patience of your
readers. / will now leave it.
or the statistical history. ] have not,
been able to find one syllable on the
county records, showing the increase q
population from year to year, though
enumeraiions were often taken - ne
county expense. Nor have ~ 4gri-
cnltnral statistics been collee1 any
n ~, n -,