THE 1880’S IMMIGRATION AND OUTLAWS

“David John Johns was the brother of Henry Johns and had moved to Hardin county in 1854, the same time that Henry arrived.”

“On October 10, 1858 in Hardin County, Iowa David and Lucinda Emmaline (Emma) Rice were united in marriage. Emma was 15 years of age when she became David’s wife. They became the parents of seven children, three boys and four girls.”

“Lucinda Emmaline Rice, the daughter of Nicholas and Delilah Caroline (Samuels) Rice, one of Hardin counties early settlers.”

“David, Emma and family lived in Clay Township, Hardin County for about ten years and then moved to Shiloh Township in Grundy County. It was here that David and his sons were farming during the traumatic days in Hardin County in the 1880’s. Evidence seems to indicate the sons were members of the vigilantes who were trying to enforce law and order. Records show they testified against the Rainsbarger brothers at their trial.”

“After David’s brother Henry was shot and later died, the family lived in fear for their lives. A short time later all of David’s family left this area of the state and began farming in Cherokee County near Aurelia, Iowa.”

“Ruby Kludas, a granddaughter of David, tells about “A Scare in the Night.”

“The threats made by the Rainsbarger Gang were fresh in the minds of Grandfather David Johns and his family when they came by train to Cherokee County …. One night the family was awakened by a series of crash-bang-thumpthud!! Naturally the first and only thought racing through the minds of the family was, “The Rainsbargers have come to get David! Grandmother Johns was first to discover the source of the din. Everyone was happily relieved when they found a cow on the porch with a salt barrel stuck on her head. Evidently the head went into the barrel easily, but would not drop off. The 100 frightened animal must have been going forward until hitting the wall, then going backward until bumping the opposite side, with lots of bangs and bumps all the way.”

There is a great deal more information about the Rainsbargers in Mildred Janssen’s complete writings. She has included letters and court documents. A copy is available at the Steamboat Rock Public Library. It is well worth the read. Terry Folkerts