Reminiscences of Newcastle, Iowa, 1848; a history of the founding of Webster City, Iowa

Front matter

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A History of the Founding of Webster City, Iowa

Narrated by

Preface

The fact that this volume is published under the auspices of the Historical Department of the state of Iowa is evidence of its real historical value, as well as the general accuracy of statement contained therein. It is written in an attractive style, and possesses literary merit in a high degree.

The conditions depicted in the pages of this work are, no doubt, typical of many communities, and they illustrate the struggles and hardships of the pioneer in conquering the wilderness; nor was that life all struggle and hardship; there were many compensations. Life was full and free, self-reliance was a necessity, the blight of selfishness and the greed of the money-grubber were conspicuously absent, and the inter-dependence of the pioneers encouraged and developed a friendship and a spirit of helpfulness and co-operation which stand out in refreshing contrast to the narrow commercialism of the present day. All the finest qualities were developed in pioneer life. Courage, self-reliance, honesty, hospitality, perseverance, patience and kindness were pioneer virtues. Individualism came into flower, and the result was a hardy race of strong, independent, capable, resourceful men and women.

The work of preserving a permanent record of the pioneer life of such a community is seldom attempted. In this instance, it is done comprehensively and well, and one feels in reading each succeeding chapter that the account is a truthful one, and from first-hand information. There is not a dull chapter in the book, and the story shows clearly the early life and times as they actually were. There are few living at the present time who have the faintest conception of the labor, sacrifices and accomplishments of the early settlers.

The narrative by Mrs. Bonebright, daughter of the founder of Newcastle, or Webster City, as it is now called, is written by her daughter, Harriet Closz, and is a faithful

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presentation of the recollections of her mother. Much of it has been verified by a search of contemporaneous records and talks with surviving pioneers, as in the chapter on remedies for diseases.

There are some chapters in the book, which aside from the narrative, possess a philosophical and literary value, notably the chapter on the relations of the Whites and the Indians. It must always be borne in mind in considering these relations and in weighing the common opinion on this subject, that the Indians had no opportunity to state their side of the case. The Spirit Lake Massacre never would have taken place had the Indians in Iowa been treated as they were treated by William Penn.

Webster City and Hamilton County furnished one of the companies which visited the scene of the massacre, and Mr. Thomas Bonebright, husband of the narrator, was recognized by the thirty-fifth general assembly of the state of Iowa as one of the honored survivors of the expedition.

The account given as Major Brassfield's of the Lott affair, may be called hearsay, but those living who know the writer and knew the original narrator, accept it as the truth, and it possesses a high historical value. It is complete and probably is the most connected portrayal of the doings of Lott, and is illustrative of his strong antipathy to the Indians. There have been other pioneers who had this strange, unreasoning hatred of the redman, notably the Brady's and other Kentucky pioneers. The reputation of Major Brassfield and Mrs. Bonebright for veracity renders this statement of untold value in clearing up the Lott affair, which has long been a puzzle to investigators. It also bears strongly on the motive for the Spirit Lake Massacre.

Much credit also is due to the Curator of the Historical Department, E. R. Harlan, who has sponsored the work, and furnished many illustrations, valuable suggestions and expert advice on various subjects. The spirit in which Mr. Harlan has extended his assistance deserves more than passing notice.

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A work of this kind could be widely used as a text and reference book in our common schools. The account as it appears in these pages of the sterling qualities developed by self-reliant pioneers is a wholesome lesson, and should be of great value in forming the character of the youth of our generation.

It is fortunate that this simple record of pioneer life and achievement can be handed down to successive generations who live in this county. Seldom is such a thing possible, and never to my knowledge, has it been better done. It has a value far beyond the confines of this community. It fills a gap which generally is neglected, and has a historical importance which is state-wide and permanent, and which increases in importance as the years go on.

In these days of comfort and luxury few realize the life of those who first saw the woods and prairies of this beautiful state, who enjoyed to the full the fragrant woods, the wild-flowers, the fish and game, the pure air and clear water, the wild fruits and nuts which abounded everywhere in those days, and which have almost wholly vanished never to return.

In placing these early scenes and the early life of the pioneer before the eyes of present and future generations, Mrs. Bonebright and Mrs. Closz have performed a notable service. To the pioneer we owe much of what we enjoy today.

All honor to the sturdy pioneer,

The prime explorer of the wondrous West;

A broad and crowded thoroughfare is here

Where led the narrow path his foot first pressed.

A love of Nature's beauty stirred his blood;

A wanderlust that hurried him along To brave the lurking foe, the fire and flood.

But he was patient, resolute and strong.

His prairie schooner crossed the trackless wild To halt at last in some sequestered place;

Some shelter by a stream yet undefiled, Mayhap the seat of a forgotten race.

His lowly cabin in the clearing stood ;

Of logs rough hewn, and puncheon floor of oak. Late riven from the giants of the wood,

And fashioned by his axe's cunning stroke.

Alone he wrought; sufficient for the day;

As free as air, and equal to his need; His manly spirit never owned the sway

Of vice or envy, luxury or greed.

He lit the torch; he blazed the lonesome trail;

Crusader with the vision of the seer! High courage his; deep faith that could not fail;

All honor to the sturdy pioneer!

D. C. Chase.

Webster City, Iowa, August 29, 1920.

Foreword

(DICTATED BY SARAH BREWER-BONEBRIGHT.)

These reminiscences are recorded in the first person, because I believe the bond of personal interest may be strengthened and the touch of human sympathy sustained by pursuing that course.

Except in a few instances which touch our family life, I restrict the record to the years immediately following our advent into Iowa, in 1848, before the fuller flow of immigration had begun. I confine myself to the activities and incidents which have not been related in other records of our city, for later historians are numerous and their work has been voluminous and painstaking.

I make no claim for absolute accuracy in dates. Periods marking life epochs such as moving, building, births, weddings or deaths always were vividly impressed, and other incidents arrange themselves approximately in order. The first few years were the best memory markers. I was young, active, alert, and anything of importance was mentally recorded without effort. Exceptional happenings were not numerous, when compared with the present, but many of the events of early years are clearer to me today than those of the past decade.

There is, in this account at least, the advantage of first-hand narrative which eliminates hearsay evidence and obviates, in a large degree, the possibility of inaccuracy which easily may creep into often-related second-hand statements.

These reminiscences may savor somewhat of family history, but such early recital could not be otherwise; for our family alone, made the initial journey to what now is Webster City, and the home of Wilson Brewer furnished the objective point for a community nucleus. My father was the moving spirit in securing and locating additional settlers during the first few years after our arrival.

The pioneer privations of one family were duplicated by all others for more than a decade, and there was no

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social preferment. The few hunting and trapping exploits recounted herein, with the members of my own family as the star actors, are related because I am more familiar with these particular ones than with the many others, which perhaps were quite as picturesque or as perilous.

I shall not endeavor to follow the details of the settlement of Homer and Fort Dodge. I made only occasional trips to those hamlets, and during the intervals of absence there was the usual shifting of scenes which I cannot accurately record.

The population of a town was not numbered by its group of residents, but the families throughout the country were listed to the different towns. In referring to Newcastle, now Webster City; Fort Clark, now Fort Dodge; Liberty, now Goldfield ; or to Homer, Hook's Point, Boonsboro or Batch Grove, the names simply are to designate parts of the country occupied, for these settlements were not officially named until some time after our arrival.

The land office was opened in Des Moines in 1852. Prior to that time it was necessary to file claims at Washington, D. C. My father's first entry — according to advice from the Department of the Interior — was the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 7, township 88, north, range 25, west of the fifth P. M. Entry number 6131, July 1, 1851. The early settlers, however, frequently staked claims which were sold for ridiculously small amounts, and these squatters' names do not appear on the papers patent.

Many land seekers came west, located claims, and returned to the east for one or two years, perhaps longer. There was very little claim jumping, however. For a long time many of our neighbors were from one to twenty miles apart. They were more or less dependent on each other, and many were quite as friendly and jovially familiar as members of the same family; hence, I express no discourtesy in designating them as: "Jack," "Bill," "Alec,"

xvi REMINISCENCES OF NEWCASTLE, IOWA

"Rube," "Walt," or "Bob" instead of by their longer and more euphoneous appellations.

The details of the pioneer days of Newcastle — the early comers and their habitations, the hardships and privations of isolation, the primitive inadequacy of house and farm implements, the exposure in rigorous weather during hunting, trapping and travel trips — are almost unbelievable by a generation moving along modern lines.

Accounts of the generosity and helpful spirit of pioneers have become proverbial; although one now may doubt the wisdom of such open-handedness especially after the taverns were ready for business. Foodstuffs were scarce and difficult to procure, but they were dispensed freely by us. Whether it be a credit to business judgment or not, I have followed our family custom and never have charged a single cent for meals or lodging during my lifetime.

I shall have to admit, after taking a retrospective view, that much of our work could have been made easier by the practical use of brains instead of brute strength. The hardest, most grueling, grinding toil, the most laborious and unceasing methods were always and everywhere in favor, when viewed from the present outlook. It appears to have been necessary that we receive at first hand an application of the principle that: nothing is effective as an educator except it be sufficiently difficult to impress itself upon the mind; no local or larger constructive agency can be made available except through the growing pains which expand and make possible the new order of things.

Looking at the past through the glasses of the present it may be somewhat difficult to understand the pioneers who gazed undaunted upon the uncompromising visage of nature, and braved the angry, inhospitable elements. The humorist may dispose of the subject by declaring: "They were possessed of more courage than common sense"; but the pathfinders, the empire-builders must have lifted the

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veil of future events and viewed the scene of opulence and opportunity which their privation and penury were to make possible. My only regret is: in leaving the East, we practically closed schoolhouse doors for the children.

Many of the surroundings and happenings of seventy years ago were painfully commonplace, when compared with the scientific concepts of today; and but for the fact that we have more than three-score years perspective, these reminiscences would have been unworthy the work of preparation.

CHAPTER I. Making the Trip to Iowa

Five families with ox teams and covered wagons left Kokomo, Indiana, September 15, 1848, to make the long trip overland to Iowa.

The company comprised the families of my father, Wilson Brewer; Thomas Long; Robert Palmer; William Stanley, a brother-in-law; and William Brewer, a nephew of my father.

There were, in our family, six children ranging in age from a babe in arms to twenty years. William Stanley — "Uncle Billy" — fathered seven youngsters; one son, Nathan, was married just before leaving the Hoosier home; he made the trip with his father. William Brewer — "Little Bill" — had no children, but one or more of our boys or girls constantly were under his care during the journey. There were six lusty lads and two young women in the Thomas Long family, and Mr. and Mrs. Palmer had two children.

Seventeen yokes of cattle, five prairie-schooners and a truck-wagon made up this emigrant train. Of this out-

AN APPRECIATION AND EXPLANATION.

My mother, Sarah Brewer- Bonebright, is a resident surviving member (1921) of the first family to locate m our present Webster City. She is the daughter of Wilson and Margaret Moore- Brewer, and was born in Henry county, Indiana, in 1837.

I recount these reminiscences of my mother's early life as an acknowledgment of her sterling qualities of head and heart; as a tribute to her tireless effort and unfailing courage; as an expression of approval for her homely hospitality; as a measure of gratitude that the grandeur of motherhood grew large in our log cabin; and I lay in her hand this volume as a loving token of the good will she has dispensed with such unselfish prodigality.

This book has been a long time in preparation. The same quantity of copy, written by the newspaper assignment method, could have been prepared in a few days. A reminiscent mood, however, cannot be coerced, hurried or directed; like any other worth while thing it must be spontaneous and take its own course.

Intervals of weeks and months have elapsed with not a single line added to these pages; then a picture, an incident, a conversation, a newspaper story would fit, my father owned two wagons and eight yokes of oxen and cows. Twelve of the critters were driven regularly, and the four extra "cow-power" was distributed along the wagon train wherever the exigencies of transportation required. Uncle Billy owned and rode a horse.

Male members of the party who were old enough and able to walk, in turn tramped beside the teamsters during the day and slept on the open prairie at night. If the weather threatened a tent was raised. The women and small children occupied the covered wagons, and six weeks were consumed in making the journey which now requires but a day and night.

Weather and Roads.

The weather was fine and the trip not unpleasant. At the camping places father sought to interest the residents in our early Iowa adventure. We crossed the Mississippi River at Flint Hills, now Burlington, Iowa, and declared that we had reached the promised land. Directing our course toward the northwest, we reached Fort Des Moines the latter part of October.

We found bad roads all along the route, although the rivers and sloughs were at low-water mark compared with the spring season. Many of the swamps seemed to be bottomless, which characteristic of Iowa topography has furnished the historian with a topic of perennial interest and amusement; for the highway commissioner, the paving

awaken the sleeping past — open the closed doors and permit an intimate view and minute review of the life of half a century ago.

The material herein has been sought diligently, and gathered piecemeal through the seasons of coming and going and close companionship with my mother.

The pioneers of Iowa did not consider their life harder or their surroundings more picturesque than any passing period develops; hence their reluctance to assume an attitude which smacks of seeking commendation for following a course which was chosen as a preference and pursued from inclination.

Repetition, intervening pains or present pleasures have not enlarged the proportions of past hardships; rather have distance and discussion minimized their importance in the mind of my mother. With this predilection, it is but natural that many of the vital, the interesting, the ludicrous happenings of pioneer times may have escaped her memory.

Harriet M. Bonebright-Closz.

contractor and the good roads expert had not then begun operations upon the swamp-lands of this commonweahh.

We crossed no railroads in the state, and not a wagon bridge contributed to our comfort or safety. All streams were forded, and sloughs of dubious proportions were "doubled" through; although frequently the teams were mired in the virgin muck of the Hawkeye prairie. Log chains and pry-poles often were brought into requisition and were as much a part of the paraphernalia of emigration as the smithy's tools or the tar-bucket dangling at the rear from the wagon-reach.

When there were particularly aggravated cases of being stuck in the mud, the household goods were unloaded and carried to solid ground to lighten the pull for the oxen. For this work, slabs provided for the purpose, were placed one in front of another for the walking convenience of women and children. This method of transportation was slow and wearisome, but our party worked stoically and occasionally sang cheerful and hopeful songs.

Blazing the Trail.

Blazing trees — scalping a patch of bark which could be seen from one tree to another — was a forest method of location; and a "point of timber" was a guide-post from miles distant. When traveling over an unknown piece of prairie, a tree or "rise of land" was sighted in a direction to be taken by the company. If the distance was great a man was sent ahead as far as he could be signalled to the right or left. His location was lined up with the course already traversed, the main body came forward and the same work was repeated until the plain was crossed. Indian trails served us very little.

My father was the path-finder on our trip from Indiana. He walked ahead of the wagon-train nearly the entire distance from our old home. He viewed the prospects for advance and directed the drivers by the routes which seemed to offer the least resistance. Incidentally, he

I

kept the company supplied with game which was shot on ; his scouting trips.

Tall weeds or rushes were tied in standing bunches '

if the same course was to be re-traversed, and furrows often ' were plowed through unmarked low-grass levels. Bunches

of bright colored wool tied to the rosin, artichoke or blue- j

stem stalks were good guides across an expanse of waving ' meadow.

Seventy years ago Iowa prairie vegetation was vigor- j

ous and abundant. All over our present town site, espe- |

cially the southeastern part, the grass was higher than a j

man's head. East of Superior street a man on horseback j

was just distinguishable making his way through the j

marshy flat; and both north and south of town the hazel- !

brush grew in rank profusion. I

Pioneer traveling, even in the best of weather, was j

attended by discomfort and hazard, but traveling while a !

storm was in progress increased the peril an hundred fold. |

j

Fords. 1

j

Fording streams was one of the prils of pioneer j life. The ability of a pathfinder did not extend to improv- | ing roads. Once a trail was located it was followed across i side-hills that threatened to, and with an inexperienced ■ driver often did, upset the wagons; up and down bankpitches that would have demoralized any motive power ex- '■ cept the deliberate oxen; through thickets and among trees : so close growing it was necessary to worm a way around j them. For many years these conditions were unchanged. ' Occasionally a tree was cut in the line of march, but the ; stump remained to straddle or bump into in passing. | When a creek or river was reached the train halted. I A scout "took up" the river and another "took down" it. i Locating a safe ford often was a day's work. At this dis- , lance I feel justified in asserting that none of them was safe. It was desirable, if a ford could be established on a ' spreading riffle, although that was not always possible. Tlie ;

Stony bottom which characterized the riffle furnished solid footing, and an expansive surface indicated shallower water dian was found in the smooth-flowing narrow runs.

An ox, and a man who was a good swimmer were chosen to try out a dubious looking ford. When dangerously deep the rider slipped off" the back and clung to the tail of the ox. If neither one was drowned the ford was pronounced safe. I do not remember that we crossed a river on our trip that did not swim the "critters." Our wagonboxes all were calked against the contingency of just such wettings. We did not use the boat-shaped wagon box as some emigrants did.

We could not always land opposite the point of starting. Often we made some distance up stream in the water to reach an accessible bank. At other times we were floated down stream by the force of the current in spite of our eff^ort to make the desired landing. We never were overturned in the water, however. Some of the old fords still are used during low water periods. Foot-logs over small streams served the man a-foot.

We remained in Des Moines several days; replenished the provision wagon, did the party washing, were entertained with horse-racing on the main thoroughfare during the day and at a public dance in the evening. Dr. Campbell furnished music for the occasion on a fiddle which he had purchased from a frontier scout. One of our party bantered the doctor for a trade, but the articles off^ered in exchange were worth only about fifteen dollars and the owner wanted twenty dollars for the violin.

Des Moines Town Lots.

I clearly recollect the delegation that visited our party while we were encamped near the settlement. They offered business inducements for us to remain with them. We learned later that when Des Moines was platted, lots sold for $7.50 apiece, payments to be made annually in one dollar installments. Many Iowa towns have passed through seasons of muddy streets. It has, however, been reported of Des Moines that through the springtime the mud in Walnut street rose and fell with the tide, and that skiffs were towed about the center of the Capitol city during high water.

The early settlers of Des Moines included the Messrs. Bryant, Scott, Sturtevant, Cassady, Kinsey, Newcomer, Rankin, Cypher, Moore, Sherman, McHenry, Dicks, Clapp, Dr. James Campbell, who later became well known in our community, Rev. Thompson Bird, Barlow Granger, later of Granger's Grove, and Alexander Turner, who soon came to Homer.

Thomas Long and family of our party, having had quite enough experience in traversing the western prairies, accepted the business proffer of the delegates and remained in Des Moines. My father, however, signified his intention of continuing the journey; after a consultation the other emigrants, except Long, decided to accompany us.

On our way northward we camped where were, afterward, the trading posts of Boonsboro and Hook's Point. We were entertained at the latter place by Major Brassfield, who, the previous season, had arrived in what now is Hamilton county.

Our First Location.

We located on the Boone river the first week in November, about six miles south of Webster City; my father selecting and staking his claim to include what now is known as Bone's mill site, S. W. 1/4 31-88-25. Along the ravine our party constructed rude log cabins, which, with pole-supports for thatchings of bark, provided comparatively comfortable shelter. Nature smiled upon us the fall of 1848, the weather was ideal and not a flake of snow fell until after New Year Day. Christmas was close at hand when the four cabins were completed and the log stables, surrounded with brush corrals, were ready as shelter for the cattle. Every one worked with a will. Some of the men were delegated to cut a supply of hay from the already dry fields of prairie-grass; others were detailed to provide wild game-animals for food, and all participated in the work of wood chopping and grubbing.

First Birth of a Boy.

Locating on this site was a bit premature, and therefore, not a permanent home for our family; but "the coming events" which "cast their shadows before," caused us to halt the onward march at this place. One day attended by great activity of the women in camp. Little Bill Brewer was presented with a son. The child was called Bryant, and he was the first boy born in Hamilton county.

First Settler in Hamilton County.

The first settler within the present limits of Hamilton county was Minter Brassfield, of Kentucky. He came to Iowa with his family in the fall of 1847. They located at Hook's Point, and for several years their cabin home was a stopping place of interest when members of our family made trips to Des Moines. The visits of the Brassfields at our home always were anticipated with pleasure by old and young. Twenty-five years later, my own family of growing children were delighted at the prospect of a visit from the Major, and his appearance was a joyful assurance to the youngsters that tales of pioneer times were to be recounted.

Our neighbor from the south gained his title from a hunt in the hills of Kentucky. The hunting party agreed that the one who bagged the most game should receive the title of "Major." The youngest member of the company won the honor and thereafter was known as Major Brassfield.

Mrs. Brassfield, a woman of culture and refinement, was the daughter of a southern planter who owned a long retinue of slaves. From ease and opulence to the privations of pioneering was a marked change in her life, but

8 IJKMIXISCKXSES OF NEWCASTLE. IOWA

lears later Mrs. Brassfiold was afflicted with eye trouble. Ihe mother diil not see the taee of her youngest iiaiighter Kate, until the ehiKl ^\as four vears old. Her sight was restored alter treatment by the veteran oculist, Dr. James Campbell, of Des Moines.

The pioneer Iriendship initiated bv Major Brassfiekl and W ilson Brewer has endured through four generations. His daughters and 1 were fast friends and his grand and great grandchildren and mine are appreciative companions.

Some time ago one of Iowa's small town papers contained a ludicrous, although convincing account of an earlv settler. It said: "Mr. was the initial, first pioneer in this section, coming here before anvone else." The exclamation olten was heard when W ilson Brewer and Major Brassfield were seen together: "There go tlie two first settlers." The ambiguous expression easilv could be made clear, however. Brassfield was die first settler in Hamilton conntv. and Brewer the first settler in \\ ebster City.

Soon alter the Major's removal to W right countv. mentioned elsewhere. Mrs. Brassfield died. Several years passed and the Major married Mrs. Montgomery, motlier of Alfred Montgomery, the well known Iowa painter of sheep and corn.

First Deer Killed.

My father was a party ot the first part, at the Bone's mill site location, in what now would be called "easv money" game-takes: altliough at tliat time the revenue from venison and iur-bearing animals was a disappearing quantity since neither the long nor the short haul was practicable. \^ e owned the lariie number ot doss which usually is apportioned to the poor man. Three fine coon dogs. Colonel. Cap and Maje: a bulldog. Lockjaw: and two greyhounds, Typ and Tyler, both good runners as were the political leaders for whom they were named. The common curs we did not count.

One night after the family had retired, the fierce baying of the hounds indicated an attack on some unfortunate animal. Father sprang out of bed, grasped his flint-lock muzzle-loader, drew back the portiere — a quilt hung at the opening — and from the doonvay shot a deer which the dogs had crippled by severing the hamstring with their teeth — a very eflfective hunting method of greyhounds. A crippled deer always fared badly if the bulldog accompanied the pack. His point of attack was the head or neck, and often the brisket was torn to ribbons or the nose chewed to a pulp before the hunter could reach the %"ictim and drive off the dogs. This first specimen was a beautiful young creature that probably never had seen the habitation of man. and therefore did not recognize the arrival of a persistent and relentless enemy.

Nine Coons Caught.

One morning while the boys were tethering the cows and oxen. Typ and Tyler "picked up" a coon trail. The young men followed the dogs, with gim and axes, to a near-by hollow tree which was felled, and nine of the animals were captured and brought home alive.