The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1905-07-20

Indians who hung around tho trad
fng post. Tho homo was built for
tho family Of John u. Gray, who ar
rived from Texas In November, and
occupied the place until the following
spring, when he to,k claim just
over the county line in Monroe coun-
~ on small stream since known as
Cray's Creek We have this inform.
alton from the Gray family, and also
from Mr. j. II. McTlvain's son, now in
Kansas.
The first Judge OF Mnnaska county
was ]. A. i. Crooltham. His term
OF service begain in August, 1854,
and ended In August, 1855
David stump was the first survey
or In the county, serving from 1874
20 1886 IL 4eli TO his lot to survey
the original plat on which the city
Of Oskaloosa is now located.
The first grand jury in the county
held ITS first session in the hollow q
quarter OF mile norlh Of the square
surrounded by tall prairie grass.
This was in the summer oil 1874.
The first court house owned by the
county was built on the northwest
corner OF the square during the win
ter OF l844.45. II was two story
frame structure James Edgar was
the contractor, NV Us szs.-
r. $500
The first jail was built in 1S45,
II was built OF logs and was located
on the old Jail site on North A
street. After a prisoner named Les.
ter had distinguished himself by bor-
ing his way out with common au-
ger the building was ulated with
iron.
The first senool in the county was
opened In a ruGS. doorless log cabin
IN the timber two miles east OF o.
kaloosa In September, 1894. II was
taught BY Mis Semira A. Hobbs,
now Mrs. r. @. Phillips Of oskaloosa.
A. 81 Nichols was chairman OF the
nrHt board OF commissioners Of the
county. The financial affairs OF the
county were managed by three com
misgioners. Mr.. Nichols had charge
Of laying out the original plat OF the
town OF oskaloosa.
He dug the first well In oskaloosa.
poultney Loughrldge Of Spring Creek
dug the first well In the county.
The settlers depended on springs for
water. Henry Stafford says there
war a spring In the early years
where tho Presbyterian church now
stands. When wells began 10 be dug
II ceased 10 flow.
Mr.. Nichols also started the first
blacksmith shop in the county. ne
Rad customers who came from fifty
miles west Of Des MONIES. There
was no shop further west in this part
Of Iowa.
W. d. CampHeld was the first treas.
urer Of Mahaska county. His report
for the year 1914 was s505.63 az total
amount OF taxes due. Amount col
lected SSe1.99. leaving balance Of
unpaid tax Of yl43.GA
The fret appropriation for a pup.
lie highway In the county was made
about 1854 by Judge ia. J.. Crook
ham for q rope TO stretch across the
river at Bellefountaine for the use
- af ma n
made in the presence OF John White.
While Mr.. Crookham hesitated, doubt
Ing bis authority, Mr.. White said 10
him, Il will stand by you II you
make the appropriation II would BIO
interesting 10 know the full amount
Of money that has been appropriated
By county and township boards for
public highways since that cautious
beginning.
The FIRST brick lIln burned in the
county was undertaken by Goodwin
& TIarbor in 1916, over on Spring
Creek. From this kiln the first
brick house In Oskaioosa was built.
II BtiIl stands. tho frat house south
Of tho Christian church, and is now
occupied aB rctluence.
Tho first cemetery In the county
was located on the ridge southwest OF
the Second ward school house building.
II was known as the Judge John
white cemetery In distinction from
the second cemetery on north Market
street
me FIRST grave robbed In the coun-
" occurred at this cemetery in 1s49.
"A California emigrant mad died and
was buried here. An about-town fell
low known as Captain Moore, robbed
the grave. II produced d great zen
sation Al the time Moore ned, Hesl