USA > Iowa > Buchanan County > History of Buchanan County, Iowa, with illustrations and biographical sketches > Part 26
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RELIGIOUS SERVICES
have been held in the chapel on Sunday afternoon, be- ing conducted by the pastors of the Presbyterian, Epis- copal, German Presbyterian and Methodist churches in turn. Attendance is voluntary, but is always good.
AMUSEMENTS AND RECREATION.
Concerts, reading, magic lantern exhibitions, etc., are continued during the fall and winter months. But the most popular amusement is the dance. The music is all furnished by the household. Two of the male at-
tendants play the violin, one calls the figures, a female attendant plays the organ, and latterly one of the patients plays the bass viol, an instrument which he made during his stay at the hospital. Quite a number of newspapers have been contributed, and some books for the forma- tion of a library.
OUT-OF-DOOR EXERCISE, ETC.
Many of the male patients are at times employed on the farm and garden, in the various out-buildings, laun- dry, boiler-room, etc. It is not unusual for twenty female patients to be employed at one time in the kitchen, laundry and sewing-room. A large amount of ward work is done by the patients. Nearly all male patients go out of doors daily in summer when the weather is not wet.
THE FARM.
Of the three hundred and twenty acres belonging to the institution about thirty acres are occupied by the brickyard, one hundred and twenty are in corn, oats, potatoes, beans and garden stuff. The remainder is in meadow and pasture lands. The value of farm and garden products in 1878 was five thousand six hundred and forty-three dollars and forty-nine cents, and in 1879 six thousand and seventy-seven dollars and seventy-eight cents. The wheat grown on the farm for the two years was valued at nine hundred and thirty-six dollars, and plants in the green-house at eighty-two dollars and eighty- five cents.
The current expenses for the year ending October 1, 1879, were sixty-six thousand five hundred and fifty-six dollars and sixty-three cents.
The farm stock and implements are valued at four thousand dollars, and the current expenses of the hos- pital for the year ending October, 1880, were seventy- one thousand and seventy-one dollars and ninety-two cents.
OPENING OF THE HOSPITAL.
The original board of trustees of the hospital con- sisted of the persons named as follows:
Maturin G. Fisher, Farmersburgh, president; Rev. John M. Boggs, Independence, secretary; George W. Bemis, Independence, treasurer; E. G. Morgan, Fort Dodge; Mrs. Prudence A. Appleman, Clermont; C. C. Parker, M. D., Fayette; T. W. Fawcett, Chariton.
The board of commissioners appointed to superintend the erection of the hospital, called the first meeting of the trustees to take place at Independence, July 10, 1872.
In pursuance of that call they met and organized the board and took the preliminary steps for organizing the local government of the institution. A circular was issued to the several institutions for the care and treat- ment of the insane in the United States and the British Provinces of North America, giving notice that this hos- pital was soon to be opened, and inviting applications and recommendations of some suitable person for the office of medical superintendent. The board adjourned to meet on the first Wednesday in September, the time fixed by law for the regular quarterly meeting. A few
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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
days before this meeting the Rev. John M. Boggs was seized with a malignant fever and died on the day be- fore that appointed for the meeting. Without transact- ing any business the board, after passing resolutions of regret and condolence, adjourned to meet October 2d. The governor appointed Dr. John G. House to fill the vacancy.
From a number of physicians highly recommended, Albert Reynolds, M. D., of Clinton, Iowa, was elected superintendent of the hospital.
Dr. Reynolds, after having received a finished medical education, was employed for a considerable time as as- sistant physician in the Kings County Lunatic asylum, Flatbush, New York, under the superintendency of Dr. Edward R. Chapin, where he had an opportunity to pur- sue his studies and practice in the special department of his profession to which he was devoted. He afterwards travelled in Europe and visited the principal institutions for the insane in Great Britain and Ireland.
Mr. George Josselyn, superintendent of construction, was elected steward, and his wife, Mrs. Anna B. Josselyn, was elected matron. Mr. and Mrs. Jossleyn were steward and matron of the hospital at Mount Pleasant for several years, and had ample experience to qualify themselves for their respective offices.
Dr. Willis Butterfield was elected assistant physician on the fourth of September, 1873.
The hospital was opened for the reception of patients on the twenty-first day of April, 1873.
The number of patients received up to December 13, 1873, was one hundred and seventy-eight, and the num- ber remaining at that time was one hundred and fifty- two. Only one had died.
In December, 1874, Dr. Butterfield resigned his posi- tion, and Dr. G. H. Hill was appointed in his place.
Dr. Reynolds' term of office expired on the first day of February, 1878, and he was reelected.
Mr. and Mrs. Josselyn resigned their positions as steward and matron in May, 1877, and George B. Smeallie, and Mrs. Lucy M. Gray were appointed to their places.
Dr. Henry G. Brainerd was appointed second assist- ant physician in May, 1878.
Mr. Noyes Appleman succeeded Mr. Smeallie as steward in January, 1878, and has retained his position ever since.
Mrs. Gray also retains the position of matron.
CHAPTER XV.
BUCHANAN COUNTY IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
THE record of Buchanan county, Iowa, in that struggle for the life of the Nation, places her shoulder to shoulder with those who were foremost in throwing themselves into the deadly breach made in the union by fratricidal hands. The reverberations of the first cannon fired upon Fort
Sumter had not yet died away among the hills and forests of the north and west, when a tidal wave of patriotic en- thusiasm, bearing high its majestic crest, swept with resistless force from the shores of the Atlantic to break with murmurs upon the coast of the Pacific. The baser fires of partisan and sectional strife which had cast a baleful light over the darkening horizon, and in which the enemies of the Government had a powerful ally, were quenched, no more to be rekindled, and in their stead the pure flame of patriotism burned with a clear and cheering light.
Henceforth there was no wavering allegiance to the Government, no divided love for the Republic, but only the loftiest exhibitions of National pride and devotion, and the sternest resolve to defend the Nation's life and to "repel force by force."
If it should be remembered that treason essayed to lift her hydra head, and even to hiss forth her hatred of the Government to whose leniency she was indebted for envenomed power, it can be answered that the antidote of fervid patriotism was so all pervading and so potent, that the malignity of these feeble manifestations, served only to bring out in more vivid contrast the steadfastness of the true patriot.
To attempt to trace the causes which led to this memorable civil contest is far beyond the humbler task allotted to the local historian, whose narrower sphere limits him to a record of facts and events, in their chrono- logical order, leaving the higher walks of historic com- position to him-the philosopher, statesman, and historian in one-who in the fullness of time having gathered into one broad reservoir, these quiet rills flowing onward with the lapse of years, shall distil from their mingled volumes that wisdom which shall serve for the future guidance of the Nation.
Some one gave an author credit for a "little of the true Shakespearean secret," in that he let his characters show themselves without obtruding unnecessary comment. To merit such a criticism might satisfy the most ambitious.
The ample material found in the contemporary press of the county, during the four years' progress of the great Rebellion, with slight adaptation, will, therefore, be allowed to tell the story so honorable to Buchanan county pat- riots, whether at home or in the field.
A few words will suffice to give to the home scenes of that wondrous drama the needed continuity.
On the twelfth of April, 1861, a cannonade from Fort Moultrie, and the batteries erected by the confederate authorities in Charleston harbor, was opened upon Fort Sumter, which was still in possession of the United States, and under the command of Major Robert Anderson. On Sunday the fourteenth, the fort was surrendered. There was no longer room to doubt the intentions of the South --- she was in open rebellion. The action of the United States Government was prompt. Immediately, under authority of the law of 1795, giving the President power to call out the militia in case of insurrection, President Lincoln issued a call for seventy-five thousand men. The effect of these events has already been described ; but in the editorial columns of the Buchanan County
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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
Guardian, in the number following the announcement of the fall of Fort Sumter, the editor, Mr. Rich, gives utter- ance to the following graphic sentences. Thrown off at a white heat of patriotic ardor, they give a most vivid impression of that fine heroism which animated the loyal people of the north, and are well calculated to awaken in the young men of the present day-sons of the patriots of 1861, a like noble enthusiasm:
We devote our paper, to the exclusion of everything else, to the details of the war news. The taking of Fort Sumter, however, distasteful to those who hoped never to see the stars and stripes trailing in the dust, has proven the salvation of the country. By it freedom has been saved. Through it men have had their patriotism and love of nationality aroused, and now, where the traitors fondly hoped to find divided counsels, political prejudices, obstructing clements, they see nothing but the greatest unanimity, the most intense love of the Republic, the most exalted exhibitions of national feeling, the sternest determination to repel the attack made upon the Government. Almost as soon as the telegraph had conveyed the intelligence of the call of the country, the people had proffered an army twice as great, and means sufficient for its support for a campaign. Pennsylvania, alone, offers more than the contingent, and New York and Ohio will do as well. Our own governor leaves a sick bed, and travels to Davenport in order the sooner to obtain the proclamation, and offers to mortgage his property to obtain the money for the arming and equipping of the troops. Chicago alone proffers the quota of men for Illinois, and Illi- nois proffers nearly the whole number required from the Union. Who dares to say, after this, that money-getting has swallowed up the loftier aspirations of our people?
The contest can have but one end. With us is the power and with us is the right. The issue is emphatically slavery or freedom. The question is as stated by the vice-president of the southern confederacy -- whether we shall live under the constitution of our fathers, based on the idea of liberty, or whether we shall exist under that of Jefferson Davis and his coadjutors, founded on the doctrines of slavery. Whether we shall still hold to the vital principle of democracy, the right of the majority to rule, or whether we shall submit to the des- potic doctrine of the secessionists, that the minority, the few are to govern. Northern freemen will soon give their answer-will soon set- tle the question in favor of liberty and the majority.
We can glorify the result at Sumter, in view of the grand develop" ment of patriotism which it has elicited. With the sentiments of the civilized world against them ; with no credit, and the great champion of repudiation at the head of their government , with no navy ; with a scarcity of provisions ; with but few if any manufactories of arms ; with a servile population of several millions to be kept in check; with a disparity of men and resources ; with large numbers of union men among them ; with nothing to depend upon but the bravery of their people-when met as they are by a people equally brave, how can the result be other than against the traitors? It must be against them. They may by their boldness and promptness meet with tem- porary success ; but with the north fully in the field against them, they must go down. They must fall before northern power, northern bra- very, and northern love of freedom. God grant that with their fall, the villainous system of human slavery may be dashed to atoms. . ยท In to-day's paper (April 30), will be found a call for the formation of a company of volunteers. Although there seems to be but a poor prospect of being called into active service immediately, (but one regi- ment being called for from the State and four already offering), it is highly probable that additional quotas will yet be drawn from the States, when, if organized and ready, the company may be accepted. It is plainly the duty of every lover of his country to prepare himself for the conflict. The question is one of life or death for the Republic, for free institutions ; and every friend of the Republican idea, every lover of the principles of free government, should prepare to battle on the side of his imperilled country. It is a glorious cause in which to be enlisted-the cause of justice and right-the cause of democracy against aristocracy-the cause of the masses against an oligarchy-the cause of freedom against slavery. It is the old battle of the Revolu- tion over again. Mothers never gave sons to a nobler cause ; husbands never separated from wives to go forth to do nobler battle; hands never grasped swords, nor voice shouted battlecry in a more holy fight than this on the part of the Government. Let us emulate the spirit of 1776, and, oblivious of self, give onrselves to our country-to human-
ity. Let us be ready when the next call comes. There are men enough in Buchanan county willing to go where there is need of them. Let us be ready to report when that need is indicated. We can organ- ize, get commissioned, become familiar with the necessary drill, arm and equip ready for instantaneous movement. If we are needed, well; the steps taken will not be unprofitable. If we are needed we shall have all the advantage of preparation. Let us make everything sub- ordinate to our duty to our country. We are all heartily for the Gov- ernment ; let there be no delay in making a public indication of this feeling.
These are the fervid utterances which shall give to the youth of Buchanan county in 1881, the key by which they may translate the heroism which moved their fathers and elder brothers, into the prosaic, if not sordid lan- guage, now current. Or better, the glowing words may so stir their hearts as to lift them into an atmosphere in which the language of that heroic, and now historical time, is the vernacular. Thus inspired, they will be pre- pared to preserve inviolate that which has been, first pur- chased, and again redeemed, at so great a price.
CALL FOR VOLUNTEER REGIMENTS.
In the meantime telegraphic news from the east, showed that troops were in motion from all points tow- ards Washington, and that so simultaneous had been the rush to arms, at the call of the President, that no doubt was entertained that the whole number of troops called for was already at the disposal of the Government, and that an equal or larger number stood ready to march, at the first intimation of their acceptance.
Governor Kirkwood, of Iowa, was not, however, idle. Called from a sickbed, as he stated to an enthusiastic meeting in Davenport, he had left Des Moines, which was, as yet, without railroad communication, and had hastened forward to meet the dispatches of the Presi- dent at that point, that he might act without loss of time. Realizing, with all thoughtful men, that "the end was not yet," he inaugurated, as soon as he was clothed with the proper authority, the most energetic means for the raising and equipment of troops. The citizens, not only of Independence, but of all portions of the county, responded with alacrity to the call for enlistments. The patriotic language already quoted from the columns of the county press, was the universal voice, without re- spect to name or party.
An impromptu gathering at the court house, on Satur- day evening, the twentieth of April, was pervaded with such unanimity and sternness of feeling against the plot- ters of treason, as could not fail to culminate, when the hour arrived, in men and means for the defence of the Government. Party spirit seemed to be annihilated,and Democrats and Republicans vied with each other in ex- pressions of devotion to the Government, and in male- dictions upon the heads of the traitors who had plunged the country into a civil war.
In order to obtain a fuller expression of feeling and definiteness of action, a meeting was called for the fol- lowing Monday evening. At the time appointed, with- out other than verbal notice, the large hall of the court house was again crowded with a calm, earnest and de- termined body of citizens, many ladies also being pres- ent. Alfred Ingalls, esq., was called to the chair, and
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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
Messrs. Rich and Barnhart appointed secretaries. On motion of Mr. Lathrop, a committee of five was ap- pointed to prepare resolutions, consisting of the follow- ing gentlemen : C. E. Lathrop, W. S. Marshall, Edward Brewer, D. T. Randall and Lyman Hathaway. While the coinmittee were out, Messrs. Hord and Lee were called upon, and made strong, earnest union speeches- urging the claims of the Government upon all loyal citi- zens, and the necessity of punishing treason by the over- throw of the traitors. The following resolutions were reported and unanimously adopted.
WHEREAS, The fact has been announced by proclamation of the President of the United States, that rebellion exists in a portion of our country, and that the flag of our Union has been fired upon by the constituted authorities of the so-called Southern Confederacy; and
WHEREAS, The President has called upon the loyal States for troops to put down said rebellion and assert the supremacy of the laws, therefore
Resolved, That we, the citizens of Independence, without respect to party distinction, will rally as one man to the support of our rightfully constituted Government, and pledge ourselves to respond to any call that may be made upon us, either for men or money, to the full extent of our ability.
Resolved, That we regard all who refuse to stand by the Government in the present crisis as unworthy of the name of American citizens, and as enemies of the liberties of mankind.
Resolved, That, come what may, we will never give up that noble sentiment of the patriot Jackson: "The American Union -- it must and shall be preserved."
Resolved, That we approve of the policy of the national administra- tion in the present crisis, believing that the President has acted toward the southern rebels in a just, magnanimous and conciliatory manner, and has afforded by his conduct no pretext for their recent warlike preparation and action; and we will stand by our President while he continues to act in the strict line of his constitutional duty.
Such pledges made by such a body of men, calm, earnest and determined, were equivalent to the enroll- ment of every able-bodied man, taking upon himself such serious obligation, and was doubtless so considered by every one actively concerned in this public expression of allegiance to the Government of the United States.
Speeches breathing the utmost devotion to the Union, and the most earnest determination to support the Gov- ernment in its struggle to maintain that Union inviolate, followed the adoption of the resolutions from Messrs. Donnan, Marshall, Lake, Jones, Pratt, Randall, Bryant, Sampson and Abbott. Only one dissonant utterance from a citizen grated upon the harmony of this patriotic gathering, which, in its manly, outspoken loyalty, con- ferred lasting honor upon Buchanan county. One of the speakers called upon took a narrow, partisan view of the situation, and spoke of the call of the President for troops as an appeal from Republicans for assistance from an opposing political party; and, though he counseled such assistance, it was upon the ground that only in so doing could they hope for political ascendency in the time to come. It is, perhaps, needless to say that these sentiments had few sympathizers, and the charitable opinion expressed by the editor of the Guardian, "that the speaker had done himself great injustice, his patriot- ism being infinitely deeper and broader than his party feeling," suggests the added charity of withholding his name from this record of the war, and those who sup- ported it.
A Mr. Henry, of St. Louis, who was called out at the
suggestion of a friend, received hearty applause when he said that he was with the people of Iowa for the Union. But when he proceeded to say that he and the Union men of the border States would stand as a wall between the contending parties, saying to the Government you shall not cross our territory to attack the South, and to the South you shall not cross our line to attack the North, his prestige was gone. The hollowness of such Union sentiments had only a few days before been ex- emplified in the killing of Federal soldiers in Baltimore, on their way to defend the Federal capital, and the true patriots of Buchanan would have no more of it. Some sharp catechising showed the speaker that he could have little hope of pleasing himself again en rapport with his audience, and his address did not progress beyond the exordium.
Mr. Sampson, pastor of the Methodist church, declared his readiness to march in the ranks if necessary, thus showing that he would not urge others to a duty from which he considered himself excused. At a late hour the meeting adjourned, after adopting a motion made by Mr. Donnan, for the appointment of committees to or- ganize companies and raise the funds that should be re- quired for their outfit. The meeting had fully developed the fact that but one sentiment existed in the community --- that of unflinching loyalty to the Government; and it had likewise demonstrated that, should occasion require, a company of volunteers for active service could be raised in a few hours, and another be left at home as a guard, or ready as a contingent. A meeting for those desirous of forming a company whose services should be offered at once to the governor, was appointed for Wed- nesday evening, and the citizens' meeting was adjourned subject to the call of the chairman.
INCIDENTS SHOWING THE STATE OF THE PUBLIC MIND.
At the first telegraphic dispatch, announcing the opening of the cannonade upon Sumter, the fine flag be- longing to the citizens of the place was raised upon the flag-staff near the court house. As the folds of the Na- tional emblem were lifted by the breeze, and the glorious stars and stripes shone out, the wildest cheers went up from the assembled crowd-given as heartily by Demo- crats as Republicans, and again and again renewed. Flags were also raised and kept flying from the offices of both Guardian and Civilian, nor did one differ to the other in the warmth of their utterances for the Govern- ment and the Union. On Saturday, April 14th, while a case was on trial in the district court, and while the jury was attentively listening to the examination of witnesses, some one brought into the court room a Dubuque paper containing the first account of the fight at Charleston. The news flashed around the court room instantaneously, and created great excitement. Lawyers, witnesses and juryman caught the infection, and it was found impos- sible to proceed with the case, until all had heard and discussed the news. The jury would give no attention until the "war news" had been read to them, which was at length done by order of the court, a suspension of proceedings having been ordered for that purpose. .
14
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HISTORY OF BUCHANAN COUNTY, IOWA.
The case of South Carolina and Secession, thus un- ceremoniously brought before the jury, was of a char- acter to require no cross-examination of witnesses, no special pleading of lawyers. The crime stood confessed, and the judgment was quick, and will never be reversed.
THE TWENTY DAYS OF GRACE EXPIRED.
Under date of May 7th, appeared another column of terse sentences from the vigorous pen of Mr. Rich. Its succinct summing up and grouping of the elements which then constituted the "situation," both for the Government and the people, make it a paper which the citizens of the county may well be proud to transmit to her latest posterity :
On Sunday night last, May 5th, the twenty days which Mr. Lincoln, in his proclamation, gave the rebels to disperse expired, and from now onward nothing will intervene to prevent the Government from push- ing its movements actively against the traitors. F. W. Seward, As- sistant Secretary of State, telegraphed to New York, in refutation of the report that an armistice had been asked by the Government, that that sort of thing ended on the fourth of March; and we may there- fore conclude, both from that and Mr. Lincoln's reply to the Maryland deputations, that the administration is fully resolved to give action to the determined sentiment of the whole north, that this infamous Re- bellion must not be compromised with, but must be crushed out- crushed out so effectively that the men and the system that for long years have kept the country in foment, shall never thereafter be able to create a disturbance. The country demands no half-way measures. It demands of the Government no longer conservative or defensive efforts, but calls for a forward, aggressive movement. It demands not only that Washington may be made secure, but that every fort, arsenal and Government building in the slave States, stolen by the secessionists shall be retaken. Demands that no thought of re- construction, no proposition of division shall be entertained, but that the Union and the constitution, as they have existed, shall be pre- served intact. Since they have been forced to fight, they demand that the question in issue shall be settled forever-that slavery shall no longer have the power to convulse the country as it has done hereto- fore.
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