Cedar County Cow War

Completely unaware of the period known as the Cow War, I decided to use the internet for more information. Isn't that what it's for?

What started as a protest against state intrusion onto their farms, the so-called Cedar County Cow War resulted in mostly civil unrest and minor violence. No one was killed in the few months of 1931 during which hundreds of Cedar County farmers prevented state veterinarians from inspecting their cattle for bovine TB. The only casualty was a guardsman who accidentally shot himself in the foot or maybe shot himself in the stomach while cleaning his rifle. Once the National Guard was called out, the movement fizzled.

Read more at:
The Cedar County Cow War of 1931

Iowa Cow War

The papers of Grant White at the University of Iowa - a collection of news releases from the late 20's and early 30's chronicling Cedar County incidents. But you're going to have to go to Iowa City to read them.

Why didn't these farmers rise up in violence against the state?

One reason would be the 1400+ National Guard troops, as staring down the barrel of a gun with a fixed bayonet tends to change one's outlook. But another possibility could be the Quaker history of the county and their roots in non-violence. Breaking windows, and pelting the veterinarians with eggs seems to have been it. Taking up arms against fellow Iowans would have required a much larger leap.

"...we are first of all peace loving American citizens, and we do not want, unless forced by further arbitrary confiscation of our property, to enter into controversy with the officers and young men of the state militia, who, we feel, do not understand our grievences."

From Milo Reno, Farmers Union pioneer By Roland A. White which contains a detailed, but slanted, history of the Cow War in Iowa.

It's worth the read. From the link:

Oh yes they put it over
And they have us on the run
They're the doctors, judge and jury
And appraisers all in one.

What can you do about it
When your choicest cow they kill?
Just pretend to like it
While your taxes pay the bill.

From Knights of the Squirt Guns - J. S. Stamp

Other counties in Iowa held their own protests during this period, but it seems the biggest rabble rousers were from Cedar County and from Sioux City.

Insurrection in Iowa? Iowa farm history lesson

The Des Moines Register gives us a glimpse back to one the bleakest times in Iowa's agricultural history.

I listened to many of these same stories from my father and grandfathers. But I hadn't heard of the posting of machine guns at intersections in an effort to keep the farmers in check.

Sunday (not so) funnies. 11/28/10 - TSA edition

For more TSA follies, foibles and failures, got to Borepatch who has rounded up some brilliant postings.

I'll be groped for Christmas

By Des Moines artist Roxi Copland

"It's got to stop"

And putting these two in prison for life is a good start.

SE Iowa counties consider gun bans

With Iowa's preemption law prohibiting local municipalities from enacting gun control measures, this may be a tough row to hoe.

Des Moines, Henry and Lee counties are considering banning weapons within their control:

Regarding the Des Moines County Courthouse, Des Moines County Sheriff Mike Johnstone, a vocal opponent of the new law, said he will meet with supervisors today to discuss security options at the North Main Street building.

"I encourage anyone coming in the courthouse not to come armed," he said.

Does that include law enforcement personnel?

Lee County Sheriff Jim Sholl said he's not planning any adjustments in Lee County's courthouses in Keokuk and Fort Madison.

"I know our county attorney is prepared to propose an ordinance before the board which basically states no weapons on county property or on county buildings," Sholl said.

And Henry county?

In Henry County, Sheriff Allen Wittmer said he and his deputies make periodic runs to the courthouse to check security. As far as making adjustments, he shares the opinions of Johnstone and Sholl.

"I urge (the board of supervisors) to talk to the county attorney and get some guidance from him on what could or could not be done," Wittmer said.

I wonder why there is such hostility towards regular common folk by the Des Moines county sheriff:

"There is a law against intimidating public officials or creating disturbance inside a public building," Johnstone said. "There's going to be discussions across the state regarding this (possible ordinances.)"

Out of steam, 11/21/10

Upgrade weekend that lasted longer than planned (and I prepared for an extended downtime).

With only 3 hours of sleep, I'm definitely out of steam today.

****************************************************************
Update 11/23 - the upgrade introduced a whole host of new and exciting features like:

Random disconnects to the database.

Permission change that prevents users from saving work.

"Informative" notices to users of non-existent network/server errors.

So the past two days have been spent dealing with these unresolved issues.

Sombody is looking at the wrong cookbook

Regarding the new carry permit law:

"It's a recipe for disaster," [Sheriff] Johnstone said.

And the old canard:

"This is like a return to the Old West," Supervisor Dan Cahill said, calling the relaxed permit standard "a step backward" for civilization.

A step back for civilization? Really?

Back to when men were men and women were women. Where Winchester and Colt ruled the West.

Keep in mind this is Des Moines county that has been ruled by Democrats for the last 50+ years.

"I'm required to sign (permits)," Johnstone said. "Even for those I know in my heart should not be carrying."

How nice that his heart is in protecting us mere citizens. (Sigh) And how many permits has this fine protector of the weak signed recently?

In 2008 it was 211 non-professional permits from over 40,000 residents.

But his heart is in the right place.

Backlog in carry classes in Iowa

According to this article at KCRG regarding the carry law going into effect January 1, there is a backlog of 6 to 8 weeks to get a class.

In response to concerns of local sheriffs, a director of one of the companies conducting classes had this to say:

“As long as the person has done the firearm safety course that’s required and can successfully complete the background check, I don’t think it’s really about personal opinion,” [Rob] Shewmake said.

2nd Amendment Forum at Southern Illinois

I missed getting this out earlier

The issue of gun ownership rights in Illinois will be the focus of a forum next week at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

"The Second Amendment in Focus," will be at 6 p.m., Monday, Nov. 15, in the Student Center Auditorium. The Paul Simon Public Policy Institute is sponsoring the event. Admission is free, and the event is open to the public.

Forum at SIUC will focus on Second Amendment

The Paul Simon Public Policy Institute is run by David Yepsen, long time political hack writer for the Des Moines Register. (For more insight into Yepsen look at State29.)

For those of us who missed the forum go to Second Amendment in Focus:

Part One:


Part Two:


Part Three: