This story appears to have been from William A. Meacham. He tells the story of the Reeves Gang of horse thieves and general marauders. The gang, on their way to Missouri, had camped near McGlothlen’s place, and during the night one of their wagons was burned by fire from their own camp. The settlers in the neighborhood, not knowing the character of the outfit, made up a purse to compensate the gang for their loss, at which time the Reeves gang hurried out of the state escaping the Vigilance Committee.

The following continues the letter of Ms. G. Reynolds:

In 1848, the settlers began to consider some form of civil government. In August , the Old Settler’s Claim Club was organized. J. D. McGlothlen was elected first Vice-President of the Club. In the same year he was elected a County Commissioner. At that time the Commissioners had control of all county affairs. They could levy taxes, organize townships, locate public roads, build bridges and public buildings. Since their decisions could not be appealed it was important that the Commissioners execute good judgment.

The first Court House was a two-story brick standing on Cherry Street. The first floor was used as a court room, public hall and on Sunday for religious meetings. The second story contained offices for the auditor, clerk, recorder, and treasurer.

In April 1849 the Board granted a license to build a dam on the Des Moines River at the foot of Center Street, to be maintained for 50 years. The license expired but the dam remained.

In 1850, during discussions concerning moving the Capitol from Iowa City, McGlothlen suggested an “appropriation of eight thousand dollars be and is hereby made for the purpose of erecting a Court house of sufficient capacity that the same be used by the State of Iowa as a State House so long as the state desire to occupy the same.”