Iowa Cow War
Encyclopedia
The Iowa Cow War of 1931 involved violent disputes over the testing of cows for tuberculosis
. After distrustful farmers tried and failed to repeal the testing program, they gathered in numbers to block tests from taking place. Such confrontations sometimes led to violence. Subsequently, the Republican
Governor Dan Turner
of Iowa
declared martial law
and called out Iowa National Guard
troops to restore peace and to assist in capturing the ringleaders Jake Lenker and Paul Moore.
The State of Iowa required the tests to reduce the frequency with which dairy cattle
with tuberculosis would contaminate the milk supply and cause milk-drinking humans to contract the disease. An Iowa law passed in 1929 required all dairy and breeding cattle be tested by veterinarians. Any animal that showed signs of infection was to be destroyed. The owner was paid an indemnity
. The program was financed by a property tax levy of up to 3 mills
.
The adoption of the testing program unfortunately coincided with the Great Depression
. Farmers already impoverished by low prices for their milk and beef viewed the testing program as another threat to their livelihood. They claimed that the test was unreliable and caused abortions in cattle. They also asserted that the test lowered the quality of milk and reduced a cow's milk output.
In February 1931, two years after the adoption of the testing law, an estimated one thousand farmers went by special train from Tipton, Iowa
(in Cedar County, Iowa
) to Iowa's Capitol
in Des Moines. On arrival, they demanded that Iowa Legislature
make the tests optional rather than mandatory. After the Legislature refused to act, farmers began to take things into their own hands.
In rural areas of southeast Iowa, veterinarians attempting to test cattle were increasingly met by large groups of farmers mobilized to obstruct the tests. They were subjected to minor levels of violence, such as thrown eggs or mud, and kicks from farm wives.
In areas where testing had been frustrated, Iowa officials responded by providing veterinarians with escorts from law officers. This came to a head on September 21, 1931 at the Jake Lenker farm south of Tipton. Two veterinarians convoyed by 65 officers appeared at the farm. Barring the way were 400 farmers. Violence flared. The following day, Iowa Governor Dan Turner
declared martial law
and sent 31 Iowa National Guard units to Tipton. The effect of this show of force was dramatic. As Iowa historian George Mills explained decades later, "Objecting farmers gave in almost without exception to the show of force." When all of the tests were completed (often under armed guard), the conflict also ended.
Ultimately, Lenker and another leader of the revolt, Paul Moore, were arrested and convicted of criminal conspiracy, and sentenced to three-year terms in the Iowa State Pentitentiary in Fort Madison, Iowa
. Each was paroled well before the end of their sentences.
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
. After distrustful farmers tried and failed to repeal the testing program, they gathered in numbers to block tests from taking place. Such confrontations sometimes led to violence. Subsequently, the Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
Governor Dan Turner
Daniel Webster Turner
Daniel Webster 'Dan' Turner , a lifelong Republican, was elected the 25th Governor of Iowa, and served only one term from 1931 to 1933.-Biography:...
of Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
declared martial law
Martial law
Martial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis— only temporary—when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively , when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the law...
and called out Iowa National Guard
Iowa National Guard
The Iowa National Guard consists of the:*Iowa Army National Guard and the*Iowa Air National Guard-External links:* compiled by the United States Army Center of Military History*...
troops to restore peace and to assist in capturing the ringleaders Jake Lenker and Paul Moore.
The State of Iowa required the tests to reduce the frequency with which dairy cattle
Dairy cattle
Dairy cattle are cattle cows bred for the ability to produce large quantities of milk, from which dairy products are made. Dairy cows generally are of the species Bos taurus....
with tuberculosis would contaminate the milk supply and cause milk-drinking humans to contract the disease. An Iowa law passed in 1929 required all dairy and breeding cattle be tested by veterinarians. Any animal that showed signs of infection was to be destroyed. The owner was paid an indemnity
Indemnity
An indemnity is a sum paid by A to B by way of compensation for a particular loss suffered by B. The indemnitor may or may not be responsible for the loss suffered by the indemnitee...
. The program was financed by a property tax levy of up to 3 mills
Mill (currency)
The mill or mille is a now-abstract unit of currency used sometimes in accounting. In the United States, it is a notional unit equivalent to of a United States dollar...
.
The adoption of the testing program unfortunately coincided with the Great Depression
Great Depression
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in about 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s or early 1940s...
. Farmers already impoverished by low prices for their milk and beef viewed the testing program as another threat to their livelihood. They claimed that the test was unreliable and caused abortions in cattle. They also asserted that the test lowered the quality of milk and reduced a cow's milk output.
In February 1931, two years after the adoption of the testing law, an estimated one thousand farmers went by special train from Tipton, Iowa
Tipton, Iowa
Tipton is a city in Cedar County, Iowa, United States. The population was 3,155 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Cedar County.-Geography:Tipton is located at ....
(in Cedar County, Iowa
Cedar County, Iowa
-2010 census:The 2010 census recorded a population of 13,956 in the county, with a population density of . There were 8,064 housing units, of which 7,511 were occupied.-2000 census:...
) to Iowa's Capitol
Iowa State Capitol
The Iowa State Capitol is located in Iowa's capital city, Des Moines, and houses the Iowa Senate, Iowa House of Representatives, the Office of the Governor, and the Offices of the Attorney General, Auditor, Treasurer, and Secretary of State...
in Des Moines. On arrival, they demanded that Iowa Legislature
Iowa General Assembly
The Iowa General Assembly is the legislative branch of the state government of Iowa. Like the federal United States Congress, the General Assembly is a bicameral body, composed of the upper house Iowa Senate and the lower Iowa House of Representatives respectively...
make the tests optional rather than mandatory. After the Legislature refused to act, farmers began to take things into their own hands.
In rural areas of southeast Iowa, veterinarians attempting to test cattle were increasingly met by large groups of farmers mobilized to obstruct the tests. They were subjected to minor levels of violence, such as thrown eggs or mud, and kicks from farm wives.
In areas where testing had been frustrated, Iowa officials responded by providing veterinarians with escorts from law officers. This came to a head on September 21, 1931 at the Jake Lenker farm south of Tipton. Two veterinarians convoyed by 65 officers appeared at the farm. Barring the way were 400 farmers. Violence flared. The following day, Iowa Governor Dan Turner
Daniel Webster Turner
Daniel Webster 'Dan' Turner , a lifelong Republican, was elected the 25th Governor of Iowa, and served only one term from 1931 to 1933.-Biography:...
declared martial law
Martial law
Martial law is the imposition of military rule by military authorities over designated regions on an emergency basis— only temporary—when the civilian government or civilian authorities fail to function effectively , when there are extensive riots and protests, or when the disobedience of the law...
and sent 31 Iowa National Guard units to Tipton. The effect of this show of force was dramatic. As Iowa historian George Mills explained decades later, "Objecting farmers gave in almost without exception to the show of force." When all of the tests were completed (often under armed guard), the conflict also ended.
Ultimately, Lenker and another leader of the revolt, Paul Moore, were arrested and convicted of criminal conspiracy, and sentenced to three-year terms in the Iowa State Pentitentiary in Fort Madison, Iowa
Fort Madison, Iowa
Fort Madison, situated on the Mississippi River, is a city in and one of the county seats of Lee County, Iowa, United States. The other county seat is Keokuk. The population was 10,715 at the 2000 census...
. Each was paroled well before the end of their sentences.