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May 12th, 1859, Chas. FENNER, Adam BAUGHMAN, Wm. STRINGHAM, George LAFLER, Lew CLARK, Frank HAFLICK, Luke SMITH, Floyd SMITH, J.D. SMITH, Charles SMITH, Wm. E. VANRIPER and George ROOF, left Lewis for California. They had five ox teams and it took them four months and five days to make the trip to the golden State. The fate of those that composed the party, so far as known is as follows: VANRIPER was buried by a mountain slide at Oroville, California. Floyd SMITH returned to the States and died years ago. J.D. SMITH lost his eyesight, and now resides in Atlantic; Adam BAUGHMAN and George ROOF reside at Fiddletown, California; STRINGHAM died in San Francisco; Luke SMITH returned, and now resides in western Iowa; while Lew CLARK came back and makes his home in Pleasant township. George LAFLER remained in California, and was killed by being thrown from a horse about two years ago. Charles FENNER returned and now lives in the edge of Pottawattamie county.

Christmas night, 1856, the Grove City House, a new hotel in Grove City was opened, and the occasion was celebrated with a grand ball. The house was the property of John R. KIRK. Dan BUNNELL and George BROWN were violinists. All present danced , and among the gayest couples were the following: Mr. And Mrs. Peter HEDGES, Mr. and Mrs. R.D. McGEEHON, Mr. and Mrs. P. CRANNY, Mr. and Mrs. H. CRANNY, Mr. and Mrs. A.T. DRAKE. Among the young folks, were the following: Chris SHUART, Isaac COZARD, Osceola BALLARD, Miss DONER (now Mrs. George CONRAD ) and two of Judge LORAH's daughters; Lewis BEASON and A.G. McQUEEN. A number of guests were present from Audubon county.

New Year's Day, 1854, Morris HOBLIT, T.J. and Abraham BYRD and R.D. McGEEHON were out hunting together and killed two deer - killing one of them at a point about where the Congregational church in Atlantic now stands.


From "Miscellaneous," History of Cass County, Iowa Together With Brief Mention of Old Settlers 2by Lafe Young, Atlantic, Iowa: Telegraph Steam Printing House, 1877, pg. 70-71. Transcribed for Cass County by Brenda Magee, November 2009.