The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1910-03-04
INTERESTING DOCUMENTS.

CHS Vi LHe earliest cltiZenS Oh ASu-
kuk was L. B. Fleak, who enjoyed the
distinction of being the first postmas-
ter here Mr.. F1eak died number of
years ago at Brighton. Iowa, where he
/ conducted a hotel for many years.
Recently in looking over his effects
son. L. C. Fleak. came across a num-
Der of interesting documents which he
1 was kind enough to send TO Hon.
James r. Dougherty of this city, sec
rotary of the Lee County Old Settlers
association. Among the documents Is
| Mr.. Fleak's commission as postomas-
life. postmaster general of the United
States, January q, 1872 What is now
/ the State of Iowa was then the Terri
tory of Iowa. Apropos Mr. Fleak's
/ priority as postmaster, 1t is interest
/ ing to note that he was also keokuks
| first justice OF the peace. its first hotel
/ keeper. its first merchant, and was the
I first man in the community to build
frame house His first residence
was the old Kangaroo saloon build
| ing, which was torn down few days
I age.
! Under date of February Is, 1850.
Mr. Fleak was commissioned by the
governor of Missouri, Austin A. King.
to administer oaths and to take depo-
sitions and afidavits TO be read in
/ that state: also to take acknowledge
ment OF deeds and powers of attor-
ney to be recorded in Missouri. This
( commission was attested by Ephraim
1 B. Ewing, secretary OF state. A SINH
i lar commission was issued April IL,
1850, in the name and by the author
lily OF the State of Ohio" by Governor
/ Seabury Ford, Henry w. King. secre-
I tary of state. A third commission of
the same kind was from the governor
Of Indiana. Joseph A. Wright. These
commissions are quite formidable
looking documents and were doubt
less intended to impress the recipient
with the Importance and gravity of
his esponsibiIities.
Mr.. Fleak was elected justice of the
peace for term OF two years, begin
ming April 4. 1S4S, and included among
the papers is a certificate to this
effect, signed by R. ". Albright, clerk
OF the district court, by l. W. Randle,
deputy The remaining papers in the
collection are deeds 10 various pieces
encourt Vanorsdal executed a quit
claim deed to L. B. Fleak to lots q
and u, block g.. The instrument is
dated June 8, 1913. Another deed dat
ed September 80, 1S43, conveyed loi
z, block 4 fronting on Main street
from Henry Abel to L. B. Fleak fol-
the sum of $500. The acknowledgment
was made before l. A. Clark, justice
Lot IL in block 4 fronting on John
son street, was decided by Henri.
: Abel to Valencourt Van Orsdal, Nov
ember 6, 1913, for the consideration
of sl42. The earliest deed in the 10
was executed September S, 1910, b.
Issac Galland and wife, Elizabeth Ca
land. TO stephen Field of ST Louis
!. The property was lot I, block 4, an
the consideration was $500.
NOT the least interesting featur
of the collection is a deed dated Jul
10, 1S4s, bearing the signature 0
Antoine LIE Claire and wife. Marguel
8 tie lie Claire, conveying lot in bloc
I SO to L. B. Fleak for $50 1t is i
the old, formal style with a super
abundance of verbiage. After descrif
ing the property it goes on to sa
, that the same is hereby given, gran
I.o ,aI I'D .ef
alienated, and confirmed unto tn
party of the second part, togethe
g with all and singular the heredits
l. ments and appurtenances thereunt
l. belonging. or in any wise appertair
E ing, and the reversion and reversion
n remainder and remainders, rents, i
. sues and profits thereof; and a
e the estate. right, title, interes
II claim or demand whatsoever, of til
n said parties of the first part, either
y law or in equity. either in possessio
u or expectancy of, in and to the aboy
$ bargained premises and their heredit
ments and appurtenances: To hay
and to hold the said premises aboy
described, with the appurtenances II
"a to the said party of the second PAL
and to his heirs and assigns forever
e. This is only portion of the doc
5e ment but it is sufficient to show TIL
ie the making of deed in Keokuk
- those early days had about it son
re of the elements OF capital oper
a. ton
II