The WPA Guide to 1930's IOWA p. 242
GRAVE of WILSON ALEXANDER SCOTT SE corner Capitol grounds, is marked with a
tablet. Alexander, "Aleck" Scott, born in Crawford Co., Indiana, Nov. 20,
1818, came to Des Moines in 1846. Overwhelmed in the financial crash of 1857,
he died near Fort Kearney, Neb. Territory, en route to Pike's Peak, June 23,
1859. By his expressed wish, his body was returned and interred in the earth
which, as his homestead, had been exempted from seizure of his debts. Scott
donated 10.2 acres of land in 1856 for Capitol grounds. ...See History of Polk Co., Iowa
Scott, Wilson A. born Nov 20, 1818 in Crawford Co., Ind. married Mrs. Louisa
Jayne in 1824 in Iowa. "Wilson A. Scott went to Fort Des Moines and traded
with the Indians where they were removed west. He accompanied them but
returned to Des Moines, laid out the town on the east side of the river, and it
was largely through his influence and contribution that the capital was build
on that side. He went to California, returned to Des Moines and contributed
two or three years to the building up of the city; started to Pike's Peak and
died at Fort Laramie in 1859. His remains were buried at Des Moines.Page 702 Regarding Fort Des Moines settlement
Besides the soldiers who constitued the garrison, and the officers, there were
the Indian agen, Major Beach, and his interpreter Josiah Smart; The Indian
traders Washington George and George Washington Ewing; Phelps & Co., fur
dealers, J.B. Scott, W.A. Scott (Wilson A.), William Lamb and Alexander Turner,
who had contracted with the government to furnish hay and other farm produce to
the garrison....
Page 392 Regarding mob and a problem crossing the Racoon River....
Many of them did so. A large crown collected at the 'Point' where the band of
insurgents could be plainly seen, endeavoring to gain passage over the stream,
and could be heard uttering loud threats against every power, judicial,
executive and military in Fort Des Moines.....
"But by the coolness and intrepedity of Alex Scott, the ferryman, their
riotous project was completely frustrated. He calmly and firmly refused to
take them over unless they unarmed themselves. They stormed, cursed,
threatened, but not an inch would be he let the boat go until they had stacked
their arms, and laid aside every offensive weapon. Unmoved by their threats
and unprovoked by their maledictions, Scott resolutely adhered to his purpose,
and finally the mob sullenly stacked their arms, and then, and not until then,
were they ferried across the Raccoon.Page 702. Regarding public buildings
In 1854 the Legislature appointed another commission to locate the capital,
consisting of Hon. Guy Wells, of Iowa City; Mr. Pegram, of Council Bluffs; H.H.
D. Street of Wapello; Stewart Goodrell (See wife Lucinda Scott, dau. of Andrew)
and John D. Crookham of Oskaloosa. They came to Des Moines, where they were
at once feted and banqueted to surfeit. They soon discovered there were two
sides to the matter. The people on the west side of the Des Moines river
wanted the location on their side, while those on the east side were equally
anxious to secure it there. A small village had started there, which was
called Demoine, an orthography which the proprietor of the town, Mr. Dean,
pertinaciously adhered to, declaring he didn't know how they spelled it over
the river. He carried his point, for it has attatched to all legal conveyances
of his original plat to the present.
Wilson A. Scott offered to donate the State forty acres of land. A company
was organized, consisting of W.A. Scott, J.A. Williamson, J.M. Griffiths, Alex
Shaw, T.K. Brooks, and others, who agreed to erect a suitable building for a
statehouse. The strife between the two sides was bitter and vigorous. It
entered into politics and every part of the community... (regarding east side)
The capital was located there, an event which was celegrated by the East
Side people with great enthusiasm, while those on the West Side held
indigantion meetings and denounced things in general. Through the efforts of
Judge Casady and others, wise counsel prevailed, and the antagonism died out.
As an indication of the political excitement at that time, the following
incident is narrated:
The State and Polk County had always been Democratic. In 1853 the vote ws
divided between Pierce, Scott and Hale for President. Grimes was the
Republican candidate and Curtis Bates, the Democratic candidate for governor.
It was the off year and hte Republicanss argued that the Scott and hale men of
1853 would all vote for Grimes, and if so, it would only require thirteen votes
to carry the election, but where to get them ws the problem to be solved...
(Grimes got 450 votes and Bates 450 due to a trick played) ...etc.
See pg. 614 of Polk Co., Iowa history, 1880
"Stewart Goodrell, one of the Gommissioners that located the capital at Des
Moines, was a member of the Iowa Legislature at one time. A prominant man in
politics and a citizen of prominence, he deserves a more extended notice than I
have space to give." Stewart Goodrell was husband of Lucinda Scott, b. 17 Apr
1830 in Sangamon Co., dtr. of Andrew W. Scott and wife Anna Longest. (From
Early Settlers of Sangamon Co.)
Only a small scribbled note to indicate that Moses died before 1855, from
Robert Harry. See notes under Jemima and Joseph Tomlinson.
There is also a note which says, "Moses T. s/o William bur. 10/8/1854
W.L. Moor? Birth also given as 5 Dec 1804.Moved to Orange Co., IN, White Lick MM, 29 May 1819.
Resided in White Lick MM, Morgan Co., IN 18 DEC 1827.
Had one source of information of birth as 3 Oct 1726. Corrected information from Teresa Remsberg, Provo, UT May, 1993.
Marriage Notes for John Coppock and Margaret COULSON-203547
1729?