This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: farwellwalter Surnames: Taylor, Cowles, Bassett, Fletcher, Moore, Kirk, Parkhurst, Bourbonnais Classification: biography Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.iowa.counties.fremont/7527/mb.ashx Message Board Post: FREMONT COUNTY HERALD. May 17, 1907. "DAN TELLS OF THE EARLY TIMES".-- On Wednesday morning of this week the Herald reporter saw a man hurrying across the southeast corner of the square and on closer observation recognized Dan Taylor and knowing that Mr. Taylor generally has something of interest for the press, he accompanied us to our office and after a few moments reflection of past events he began to tell us bits of history along the pathway of his eventful life. Only on last Tuesday the 14th he closed the 70th milestone of his age and at that quite advanced age he is strong and active and bids fair to enjoy the coming of several birthdays and we all hope that it may be so. Mr. Taylor is native of Franklin county, Arkansas, and dates his birth back to May 14, 1837. His father was born in Richmmond, Virginia and his mother was a Tennesseeian so the subject of this sketch says that he comes by his democracy honestly and but few would do more for good government than Uncle Dan. His life has been one of considerable unevenness in the way of adventure as in 1859 he made a trip to the Cherry Creek gold diggins of Colorado where Denver is and in 1864 he was on the western plains doing services for the government in subduing the Indians who were then commmitting serious depredations. The conversation finally turned to events in Fremont county and a very fine and accurate description of early days was given. Especially did he speak of the first courthouse built in Sidney. It was a frame building and the lumber was hauled from the Pin Hook saw mill near the Egypt schoolhouse four mires north of Bartlett. The contractors and builders of this public edifice were LaFayette and Harvy Cowles and their tools were shipped from Gallipolis, Ohio. Mr. Taylor now has in his possesion the tool chest owned by the above named Cowles. Mr. Taylor states that in speaking of the first courthouse in Sidney many think of the one built by Bassett of Council Bluffs which was finished in May 1860 and on the completion of this building a public dance was given. Among those in attendance at the dance from Atchison county, Missouri were Dan Taylor, Jake Fletcher and Dan Moore. Uncle Dan says that he was never really fond of dancing but in the general round-up of a cotilion he was with 'em. We cannot enumerate all the incidents spoken of by our worthy visitor but suffice to say that the call he made us was highly appreciated and that the latch string to the door of the Herald office always responds to the touch of Uncle Dan. N.B.: Taylor's reference saying he had been living in Atchison county, Missouri in 1860 when Fremont county's second court house was finished, probably identifies where his first three children (Jennie, Ida Mae, Etta E.) were born. Also, his first wife was a Kirk, and the Atchison county cemetery book has quite a few entries in the index under this name. Secondly, his death notice said he enlisted in the Civil War and was fighting Indians in the Far West. Dan Taylor's daughter Anna C. (Taylor) Parkhurst, who was born in 1865, says she was born in Nebraska City. Put the two facts together and we have a strong reason for thinking he had served with a unit from the State of Nebraska during this period. (AND having lived to be 100 years old, I'm wondering if he ever applied for a Civil War pension?) Thirdly, he says the lumber for the second Fremont county courthouse came from the Pin Hook saw mill four miles north of Bartlett. This statement also make sense: Francis Bourbonnais, resident of the Half Breed Farm neighborhood had a woodyard for steamboats just north of Calument Point, in the very southwestern corner of present Mills county. Both would have required the presence of a large grove of trees from which needed lumber could be obtained. I see the spirit of "Young America" as being eagerly grasped by Dan Taylor. This philosophy was the 'rage' in the 1850's. His soul was free to do as he wished, his mind could think whatever made sense to him and to him alone, and I'll bet his reference to the government which allowed this freedom was something he greatly prized. He was responsible for what he did, and he alone. Democracy was very young and was just establishing itself. Dan Taylor was also young.....I'd like to be able to fully grasp what Fremont county's "Golden Age" was like!-- W.F. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.