The Oskaloosa herald., 1905-05-25
cnAprrR TWENTY.
History Of the Townships o. Mahsska
County.


NhA mNNlAihhG INV A1WhAhlB hAh'a
were surveyed by VIM. A. Burt In
August, 1s43, and tho section lines
by VIM. Dewey January, 1916. II
took its name from the Des Moines
river, which runs across the town
ship diagonally toward the southeast
dividing IL into two almost equal
parts. From 1916 until 1885 IL was
known on the county records as Des
Moines township. Ehpraim Munsell
was elected the first clerk. In the
latter year the territory on the east
side OF the river was organized un-
der the name Of East Des Monies,
and that on the west as West Des
Moines township. This division was
made necessary by the river, which
formed such a barrier as to prevent
the citizens from efectual co-opera-
zion.
There is quite a growth Of white
oak, walnut and cottonwood timber
along the bottoms Of the Des Moines
river.
In point Of settlement this town
ship was one Of the very first. A
party OF six white men came into
that yection on April 20, 1s43. 1t
was composed Of Ephraim Munsell,
Isaac Dewitt, Harvey Gaze, Phillip
Schuyler, Mr.. Scribner and Harry
Brewer. They found Indian nuts
scattered along Muchakinock creek.
The dragons, mostly on horseback,
were at that time patrolling the
country, Just as the mounted police
do in Canada at this time. II raj
their business TO keep order in the
new country, but especially TO pre-.
vent the whites from making their
way into the New Purchase before
May ! 1913, the date fixed by the
government when all restrictions
should be removed and every n
who cared could have his choice Of
the rich lands. These men had doubt
less been granted the liberty to come
into tho aRunty~rElthont their was'
ons and learn something OF the
choicest locations in the territory.
They carried their axe in their
knaUacks, and impOyised handles
when they were needed. On their
way up the river they passed a burn
ing wagon, which had been set on
IRE by the dragons for yenturing to
treSspass on forbidden territory. 1t
was a pretty severe loss 10 some
bold spirited fellow VINO hoped to e.
cape the yigilant and somewhat reck'
less dragons. These men were
well treated by the Indians, who
kindly took them TO a. fine spring OF
water and showed them about the
country which they loved 30 well.
with their hearts already breaking
TO part with their humble homes
and the dear old enc Of their
childhood, yet they refused not 10
make the newcomers happy. One
Eght the men camped in the hollow
trunk Of a large fallen tree. Some
days later a number OF the settlers
found temporary homes in the aban'
dOned Indian huts until they could
build a claim cabin.
John L. HennLs, HollOm Price, Dan
Eel Downing and a Mr.. Anderson were
other settlers who had taken claims
up on Six Mile Prairie. Colonel Rose
and John Dusenberry were located on
North Mucnakinock, and on the South
were the Benedict brothers, who had
built a saw mill on the lower Mucha.
KNOCK In 1S43 and had added a pair
Of corn crackers the next year. The
mill was built In the simplest name
and dld the eoarsest kind Of work.
The burrs were made Of the hard
stone found in the river bottom. The
old settlers say there vas a larger
flow Of water in Muchakinock creek
then than there is at this time, which
was evidently true. Crude as was
this old min, settlers came to II with
grigts from beyond Fort Des MoineB.
The frat Justices Of the peace were
Holland Benedict and John Brown.
Des Noineg and Harrison formed a
single precinct for holding the first
election, witch was held at the home
Of Col. Vance. The first school was
taught on six1Mile bottom about the
winter Of 1914 in a log cabin. The
6rst school house yas built BY private
enterprise in 1S4S and the school vas
taught by ADELAIDE Schuyler. We
have not been able 20 obtain any par
ucuIaTg OF this school except the
above fact. The timber along the riy-
er was an inviting retreat for game Of
All hnds, and many a reminiscent
esoy is related Of the hunting feats
q the early days. A sad accident ocy
cured 10 a family by the name OF
Ciaywortb, who owned a bome where
Muchakinock is now located. The
father waz working about an old well
near the home when hs CHANGED to
drop the bucket into the wen and
went down 70 recover H. He was oy-
ercome BY the poisonous gases which
Bad accumulated az the bottom. Mrs.
cIayworth missed her husband and
when ne discovered Ms condition she