Iowa Cow War facts for kids

The Iowa Cow War was a big disagreement in Iowa in 1931. It was about testing cows for a sickness called tuberculosis. Farmers were upset because they had to test their cows. They tried to stop the tests, and sometimes things got a bit wild.

The governor of Iowa, Dan Turner, had to step in. He declared martial law, which means the military takes over to keep order. He sent the Iowa National Guard to help calm things down and arrest the leaders of the protests, Jake Lenker and Paul Moore.

Why Test Cows?

Iowa wanted to test cows to stop the spread of tuberculosis. This disease could make cows sick and even get into their milk. If people drank infected milk, they could also get sick.

In 1929, a law was passed in Iowa. It said that all dairy and breeding cows had to be tested by animal doctors (veterinarians). If a cow had tuberculosis, it had to be put down. The owner would get some money for the cow. This program was paid for by a small tax on property.

Hard Times for Farmers

The testing program started during a very difficult time called the Great Depression. Many people were struggling financially. Farmers were already having a tough time. They weren't getting much money for their milk and beef.

Because of this, farmers saw the cow testing as another problem. They worried it would hurt their farms even more. They also said the test wasn't always right. They claimed it made milk quality worse and made cows produce less milk.

Farmers Protest

In February 1931, about 1,000 farmers took a special train. They traveled from Tipton, Iowa to Iowa's Capitol building in Des Moines. They wanted the state lawmakers to change the law. They wanted the tests to be optional, not required.

But the lawmakers said no. So, the farmers decided to take action themselves.

Protests Get Tougher

In the countryside of southeast Iowa, animal doctors tried to test cows. But they often met large groups of farmers who tried to stop them. Sometimes, the protests got a bit rough. Farmers threw eggs or mud, and some farm wives even kicked the doctors.

To help the animal doctors, Iowa officials started sending police officers with them. This led to a big showdown on September 21, 1931. It happened at Jake Lenker's farm near Tipton.

Two animal doctors arrived with 65 police officers. But 400 farmers were there to block them. Things got violent.

Governor Steps In

The very next day, Governor Dan Turner declared martial law. He sent 31 units of the Iowa National Guard to Tipton. This was a very strong show of force.

It worked! As a historian named George Mills later said, "Objecting farmers gave in almost without exception to the show of force." The tests were completed, often with armed guards watching. Once all the tests were done, the conflict ended.

What Happened Next?

Jake Lenker and another protest leader, Paul Moore, were arrested. They were found guilty of planning to break the law. They were sent to jail for a time, but they were let out early.

The Iowa Cow War officially ended by 1935.