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CHAPTER V.

THE FIRST SETTLERS. (Cont'd)

From History of Audubon Co., Iowa (1915)
by H. F. Andrews

WILLIAM P. HAMLIN.

William P. Hamlin came with the first settlers in May, 1851, but soon moved to Cass county, a short distance south of the Exira township line. His place was afterward owned for many years by Almond Goodale. From thence he moved to Buck creek, a short distance south of the Audubon county line on the place owned for many years by Barney Harris. He moved to Exira in i860 and bought the residence of Judge Harris, who at once built a larger dwelling on the site of the present Park hotel. Hamlin was a hunter; had done a little farming; kept a small stock of merchandise in his dwelling for sale, brought by his own team from Des Moines, Council Bluffs and other places; and he sold liquors. He was conspicuous for quarrels and petty lawsuits, and was frequently prosecuted for illicit dealing in liquors. He was a visionary man and dabbled in patent rights. He was proprietor of "Hamlin's Omaha Liniment." In collecting testimonials for advertising the nostrum, he solicited one from Peoria I. Whitted, who said that he had used the article and appreciated its value, and that it would be a pleasure for him to oblige Mr. Hamlin. Whitted said that on one occasion a strange dog was harboring about his place, and in trying to drive it away, he threw an ax at the dog, which cut off its tail; that he was sorry for the suffering of the poor brute and bathed the wounded stump from which the tail was cut with "Hamlin's Liniment," and, behold, a new tail grew out from it. He was surprised at the result, and some time later he discovered the dissevered caudal appendage, and recalling the marvelous effect of the liniment on the former occasion, he applied a dose of it to the defunct member, when, wonderful to relate, a new dog was grown out of it. This romance of Whitted's produced no small amount of merriment at Hamlin's expense, who did not take to it kindly. While a member of the grand jury in 1869, he was himself indicted for selling liquor, and pleaded guilty. On coming before Judge Maxwell for sentence, he was given permission to make a statement in mitigation, and gave an ingenious excuse. He said that he was the manufacturer of "Hamlin's Omaha Liniment," one of the ingredients of which was alcohol, which he kept on hand, and that he had, out of friendship, let his neighbors have some of it. The Judge first cautioned him not to interrupt while he pronounced sentence; ordered him to stand up and proceeded to censure him unmercifully and poured out the vials of his wrath on the heinousness of rum-selling, until Hamlin could stand it no longer, and he said: "I did have a United States license, Judge." "What did you get that for?" mockingly said the Judge. "I did it because I thought it would be no child's play to get into the United States court," humbly replied Mr. Hamlin. "I will tell you now, Mr. Hamlin, before you are through with my court that it is no child's play," savagely responded the Judge. And a stiff fine was imposed.

In 1870 Hamlin resisted an officer who was searching his premises for illicit liquors, and hid himself out for many days to escape arrest. His liquor was seized and, pending trial, it was stolen and the receptacle filled with water. Mr. Scott was prosecuting the case before Squire Dodge, who solemnly condemned the stuff, and ordered it destroyed. The sheriff carried it into the street, broke up the cask and spilled the contents. Mr. Dodge himself tried to set it on fire with a match, but it would not burn. He remarked that any one who kept such miserably poor whisky ought to be punished! But the way Scott and Griggs convulsed with laughter at sight of the justice trying to set water on fire with a match, indicated that they might have known what became of the whisky. It was pronounced bonus by those supposed to be judges of the article.

A warrant was issued for the arrest of Hamlin, and delivered to Henry Huyck, constable, for service, who was afraid, and consulted Mr. Leffingwell, ex-sheriff, as to his duty in the matter. Leffingwell, observmg Huyck's dilemma, and his fear and inexperience, saw a chance for some fun. He caused him to believe that Hamlin was a dangerous man, and cautioned him to be on the alert and to avoid injury. Huyck armed himself, practiced firing a revolver, called Lefiingwell out to witness his shooting and requested his opinion as to his chances of arresting Mr. Hamlin. In firing off his gun, one of the chambers missed. "There," said Lefiingwell, "What could you do now if Hamlin was after you?," It so worked on Huyck's nerves and alarmed him that he resigned his office, and Hamlin was not apprehended. He sold out and went to Arkansas, but kept in hiding until he got away. He had an idea that a Democrat was the salt of the earth and could do no wrong. His favorite appellation was to call Republicans "Thundering Puritan Hounds." His favorite byword was "By gosh!" which was the extent of his profanity. It is fair to say that he was honorable and honest in financial matters and his word was considered good. He had a strong dislike at that time for the writer, whom he classed with the "Puritans," but, in later years, this attitude changed to that of firm friendship and mutual confidence. If there was one thing more than another which he despised it was a "Yankee." When leaving, he was owing me a small sum, which he sent in and paid in full. Many were delighted at his departure and would not have detained him for sake of seeing him punished. He returned to Exira about 1874-5 and drove a hack-line several years. During the same time he resumed selling wine and beer, for which he was again prosecuted. He returned again to Arkansas about 1879. On a visit here a few years later, he said that he had modified his political views, and that he strongly opposed the liquor traffic, having seen so much of its evils. He also said to me: "Frank, you used to think I was on 'Old Moss Back,' but I wish you could see some of the natives in Arkansas. They called me a 'Yankee.' I tell you it was tough." He died on January 17, 1909.

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Transcribed by Cheryl Siebrass, March, 2022, from History of Audubon Co., Iowa (1915), by H. F. Andrews, pages 92-94.