History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 31

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1316

USA > Iowa > Butler County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 31
USA > Iowa > Bremer County > History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa > Part 31

Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).

Ile arrived in Iowa a short time after he had received his appointment, and imme- diately took possession of his office

He was a Whig, and of that Kentucky school of politics, in his day, which took rather a conservative view of public affairs. Ile was an old man, and had seen some service in his day Ile was among the Kentucky volunteers on the frontier during the war of 1812, and distinguished him- self in several skirmishes with the Indians, and was looked upon as one of Kentucky's bravest men. Everything in Iowa was in the hands of the Democrats; they had, since the formation of the Territory, filled every office; they had controlled and di-

HISTORY OF IOWA.

221

rected its whole legislation; they had carved and cut every act to suit them- selves. So that when the new Governor arrived he found Iowa in the hands of a joint stock company, with the shares above par, and none to dispose of at any price.

These same stockholders had been for several years accustomed to look upon his predecessor, although one of their own faith, with considerable distrust; and need we wonder that when a new man made his appearance among them, of opposite faith, that, for a time at least, he should receive the cold shoulder?

Ile had been appointed for four years, and in all probability would remain his time out; but four years was an age, at that time, to those who in fact controlled the destinies of a future republic.

A plan was therefore set on foot by those who owned the largest shares in the com- pany, to bring about a revolution, to change the form of government, to establish a State; and, in obedience to this plan, the legislature, on the 16th day of February, 1842, provided that at the August election following, a vote should be taken for or against a convention to form a constitution for the State of Iowa. At this time the general government had paid all the ex- penses of the Territory, in hard money. At every session of every court, in every county throughout the whole Territory, the Judge, the District Attorney, and last, though not least, the United States Mar- shal, or one of his deputies, always ap- peared together. As soon as the court was over, and justice had been meted out with unsparing hand, the Marshal called up the Grand and Petit Juries, and the witnesses upon all criminal trials, cashed all their

accounts in half dollars, and they went their own way over the broad prairies, whistling or singing that good old tune,

"Uncle Sam is rich enough to give us all a farm."

Taxes they did not feel, for there was no occasion to gather them, and I know of no happier State on earth than where man can live and enjoy all the sweets of unre- strained liberty, be assured of protection from aggression and wrong, his fields and gardens yielding a bounteous return for the slightest touch of the hoe and the spade, upon his own soil, with a cabin reared by his own hands, and "children who cluster like grapes at the door," with a table covered by the choicest viands, the latch-string never pulled in, and at the same time a government scattering broad- cast around him annually thousands of dol- lars in hard money, and asking nothing in return but good behavior. Such was the state of things in the Territory, at this time; and when the August election came, the people voted against a convention, and wisely concluded to remain a few years longer in a state of dependency. in order to enjoy, as long as possible, the benefits showered upon them by the general gov- einment.

During all this time the new Governor had not been idle. He had, previous to this, collected all the information he could in relation to the country. He had held a treaty with the Sac and Fox Indians, and had succeeded in making a purchase of all their lauds lying west of the Blackhawk Purchase and extending west to the Mis- souri, and north to the "Neutral Ground." By this treaty Iowa acquired jurisdiction to the Missouri on the west, and by an act

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of Congress a criminal jurisdiction to the British possessions on the north.

Long before this treaty could be ratified at Washington, tens of thousands rushed pell-mell upon the "New Purchase," deter- mined to make themselves "claims," and stand by them to the last. Troops were sent to drive them off until the stipulations of the treaty could be carried out, and in order to give time to the Indians to re- move.

But before the troops had time to re- move a few squatters in one portion, "claims" were made in their rear, adjoin- ing one another, at the rate of fifty miles a day. So great was the rush for "claims" that it was no uncommon thing for the in- habitants of an Indian village to wake up in the morning, and to their utter conster- nation and surprise, find a log cabin or "claim shanty" which had been erected in their town during the night, while upon the door, perhaps, with chalk or coal, the unmistakable pictures of the bowie-knife and revolver, indicating, as the Indians well knew, the desperate character of him who sleeps within, upon that pallet of leaves and grass.

No troops could restrain them, and the officers gave up in despair, thus in a short time the Territory had received a large addition to her population.

The friends of a State government thought they could now, after so large an increase of population as this new pur- chase had brought about, venture again upon their darling scheme.

On the 12th day of February, 1844, the Legislature again provided that at the April election following a poll should be opened, and each elector interrogated "for

or against a convention?" This time it was made a party measure, and to be "for a convention" was a true test. of a man's Democracy. The plan succeeded admirably, even beyond the expectations of the "share-holders," and upou counting there was a small majority in favor of a convention.

The delegates were elected at the Aug- ust election following, and the convention, consisting of seventy members, assembled at Iowa City on the first Monday in Octo- ber, 1844, and proceeded to form a consti- tution. After a few weeks deliberation, they produced what they called a constitu- tion, but, upon inspection, it was found to be rather a rickety affair; it was, however, in accordance with the doctrine of "Popu- lar Sovereignty," submitted to the people for their rejection or approval, at the April election, in 1845. At the tinie of its form- ation, the convention, in defining the boun- daries of the future State, had included on the north nearly the whole of what is now the State of Minnesota. Congress had, however, in anticipation of our coming, and in order to meet us half way, passed an act admitting us into the Union, but at the same time curtailing our boundaries, both on the north and west, cutting us off from the Missouri entirely. This act of Congress became known only a short time before the April election, and this fact, in connection with the unpopularity of the instrument itself, caused its defeat at the election which followed.

The legislature had wisely provided, at the session which provided for a conven- tion, that in the event the constitution should be defeated, there should be an election for members of the legislature in

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April, and that such legislature should assemble on the first Monday in May, 1845.

The election was held accordingly, and the Legislature assembled at Iowa City at the time designated.

Immediately after the organization, the Democrats called together a caucus, in which it was resolved to submit again the same constitution to another test; and, agreeable to this resolution, Shepard 'Leffler, of DeMoines, introduced into the Senate a bill for that purpose. This bill passed both Houses, and was submitted to Mr. Chambers for his approval. But he differed with the legislature in regard to their power to pass an act of that kind, and he returned it with his veto. The legislature, however, was too strong for him, and they passed the bill over his veto, and again submitted the constitution at the August election following. But the people by this time had got tired of the old thing. Copies of it had been handed from one to another until they were worn out; they believed the Governor was right in his veto; and the old man had the grand satisfaction in seeing his last public act in the territory triumphantly sustained by the people It was again rejected by a large majority, and came very near defeat- ing General Dodge for Congress, who undertook to pack it and run against R P. Lowe, the present Chief Justice of the State.

Mr. Polk was inaugurated President of the United States on the 4th of March, 1845, and a short time after the close of the session of May, 1845, he removed Mr. Chambers, and appointed James Clarke, of Burlington, to succeed him. This closed the public career of John

Chambers, second Governor of Iowa. A short time after his removal by Mr. Polk, he returned to his home in Kentucky, where he soon after died.

Ile was a large, heavy man, round shouldered, and had rather a stooping gait. IIis manners were reserved, and at first sight you would not care about ap- proaching him, but a little familiar ac- quaintance with him would make him a favorite.

A half hour's conversation with him, and he was as pleasing as a child; and take him all in all, he was about the most perfect specimen of Kentucky gentleman that was ever my lot to fall in with.

The longer he remained in Iowa, the more the people loved him.

I bid him farewell for the last time on the steps of the Capitol at Iowa City, when he wept like a child.

When he left Iowa for his own bright and sunny land, he left no enemies behind him. A noble hearted man, he fixed liis name forever on the pages of our history, and he left us to mingle his dust in that land which gave him birth. So far as my acquaintance with him is concerned, I can truly say with Burns:

"An honest man now lies at rest,

One who on earth was truly blest; If there's another world, he lies in bliss, And if there's none, he's made the best of this."

JAMES CLARKE.

Sometime in the autumn of the year 1837, when the trees were in the yellow leaf, a printer boy of slender form and gentle appearance might have been seen

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HISTORY OF IOWA. ,

crossing the "Laurel Hills" of his own State. Behind him rolled the waters of the "Blue Juniata," on the banks of which he had spent, in merry glee, his youthful days. He had heard and read of strange countries that lay far off towards the set- ting sun, through which broad rivers run, and spreading landscapes unfolded to hninan eyes the most rare and magnificent beauty.

These things inspired his youthful mind with a spirit of wild adventure-"fields looked green far away" to his imagination, and he left the scenes of his early youth, severed the strong and loving ties that bound him to the land of his nativity, bid farewell to all that was dear to him on earth, and with his youthful gaze fixed upon that star which never sets, he launched forth into the wilds of Wisconsin, a stranger in a strange land, an adventurer seeking his own fortune, depending upon his own exertions, with no recommend save an honest countenance and genteel deportment. This young man was James Clark, who in after years became the able, talented and popular Governor of Iowa. Ile remained in Wisconsin, working at his trade as a printer, until after the or- ganization of the Territory of Iowa, when he removed to Burlington, where the first legislature of Iowa assembled. After the death of Mr. Conway, he was appointed, by Mr. Van Buren, Secretary of the Terri- tory, which office he filled with great credit to himself and satisfaction to the people. During the time he held this office he contributed, by his kind, gentle and amiable manner, to soften the feelings ,of hatred and distrust which at one time ex- isted between leading men of the Territory.

Whoever had business at his office found him a kind, gentle, quiet, amiable man, always ready and willing to do whatever was desired of him, regretting, at the same time, that he could do no more. No man ever labored harder in an office than he did, and it always seemed to me that his whole pride and ambition was to serve some one, and by so doing make himself nseful to his fellow man.

During the time he was Secretary he underwent great labor, but notwithstand- ing the large amount of business he trans- acted, he still found time to write for the press, and contributed many valuable articles touching the future greatness of Iowa.

After he retired from the office of Secre- tary, he returned again to the Printing office, and became the leading Editor of the Burlington Gazette. To the columns of this paper he devoted his whole ener- gies, and by so doing, made it the leading democrat paper of the territory; a position which he has held to this day.

After the inauguration of Mr. Polk as President of the United States, in 1845, he removed Mr. Chambers, and appointed Mr. Clarke to succeed him as Governor of Iowa. Previous to his appointment, he had been elected by the people of his county, a delegate to the first convention which assembled to form a constitution for the State of Iowa In this convention he dis- tinguished himself, both for his talent and personal demeanor, and contributed to the pages of that constitution, these great ele- mentary principles which lie at the founda- tion of human rights.

And, although that constitution was defeated, he still had the satisfaction of

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seeing their spirit and meaning transferred to another, and still continued as the fun- damental law of our State

The first legislature, after he received his appointment of Governor, assembled at Iowa City on the first Monday of Decem- ber, 1845. IIis message to the legislature after its organization is a model of style and clearness.

He set forth the importance of an early extinguishment of the Indian title to all the lands within the limits of Iowa, and urges the legislature to memorialize Con- gress to purchase a tract of land on the upper Mississippi for a future home for the Winnebagoes, and thus induce them to part with their title to a large tract of country known as the "neutral ground," a recommendation which the general government soon after acted upon and carried out.

As soon as the "Blackhawk Purchase" had been surveyed, and it was discovered that it contained within its bounds large tracts which were supposed to contain valuable mineral, these tracts were reserved from market, and the government set itself up as a great landlord to lease out these lands at a stipulated rent. Mr Clarke soon saw the evil and injustice of such a system upon the inhabitants of Iowa, and he set himself at work to break it up; and it was through his influence and exertions that the land was afterwards . thrown into market.

There was not a barrier in the future greatness of Iowa that did not call forth his attention, and he had the grand satis- faction of seeing everything that he re- commended for the benefit and prosperity of Iowa afterwards carried out, and carried

out, too, precisely, as he had suggested and wished. IIe seemed to be aware that he would soon be called upon to pass over the government, over which he presided with so much skill and ability, into the hands of the real sovereigns of the soil, and he was determined that nothing should be left undone by him to retard her future greatness.

On the 16th day of January, 1846, the legislature passed, once more, an act for the purpose of electing delegates to frame a constitution for the State of Iowa.

This time the friends of a State govern- ment took it for granted that the people of the territory wanted a constitution, so the legislature provided that at the April election following the passage of this act, the people of the territory should elect delegates to a convention. Accordingly, at the April election delegates were elected, and the convention, agreeable to said act, consisting of thirty-two members, instead of seventy as in the previous convention, met at Iowa City on the first Monday of May, 1846, and after a session of eighteen days produced a constitution, which con- stitution was submitted immediately fol- lowing, and was adopted by them as their constitution for the State of Iowa,

Thus you see that Iowa, from a colony, a dependency, a territory, jumped, in the short space of seven months, from the time the act above mentioned first passed, to that of a sovereign independent State.

After the result was known, the Gover- nor issued his proclamation for a general election in November following, at which election Ansel Briggs, of Jackson county was elected Governor of the State.

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HISTORY OF IOWA.

This proclamation was the last public act of James Clarke, for as soon as the new Governor was qualified, he turned over to him all the archives of his office, and returned once more to the printing office, Again he scattered through Iowa his beautiful editorials through the columns of the Burlington Gazette, until the name and fame of Iowa became known throughout the length and breadth of the land.

He appeared at the capitol at the first session of the State legislature under the new constitution, to, which body he deli- vered an affecting and interesting farewell letter, then stood back quitely during the whole of the session, and gazed with indig- nation upon his countenance at the dread- ful strife, storms and bitterness which was manifested during the entire session.

Never since the organization of the ter- ritory, had any man seen, or even dreamed of anything like it; every man seemed to look upon each other as being in his way to places of honor and profit, and it became a cut and thrust game. Both parties were without leaders, or if they had them, the leaders themselves stood in great need of being led.

Neither done anything-neither party could do anything. When one party made a move it was instantly checkmated by the other. Speech after speech was made, each one declaring himself a patriot and a true lover of his country, ready at all times to bleed and die for-her. No one could do anything for the reason that none of the rest would let him. They ate, drank, grew fat, and returned to their seats, only to play the same game over again as on the previous day. They in- stituted a court for the trial of any offender

who should attempt to bribe any one of their number; and whenever such a tribu- nal is constituted, there is always sure to be some one to try.

Now and then during the session some poor devil was snatched up, arraigned and tried for indiscretely showing his money to some one of its members. But such trials only served to lionize the victims, and it, looked to an outsider as if these scamps themselves had purposely committed these offenses in order to bring themselves into notice, and thereby claim themselves to be the victims of a cruel persecution

In vain did they meet in joint conven- tion for the purpose of electing Judges of the Supreme Court and Senators. Every vote, some anxious aspirant in the "lobby" would brighten up, thinking perbaps this time the lucky card would turn up; but, alas! for human hopes, he lacked just ONE vote of an election.

Your humble servant was an idle and curious looker-on at most of the interest- ing scenes which took place at this seseion, and if it was not for the notes that he took at the time, he could hardly tell at this day whether these scenes were real, or whether they were the productions of an idle and troubled dream.

They finally adjourned without electing either Judges or Senators, and the State toddled along very well, half State, half Territory.

This was the last time, I believe, that Mr. Clarke ever appeared at the legisla. ture. Ile died soon after, at Barlington, with that horrible scourge, the cholera.

This closed the cartbly career of a just and noble man, cut off in the prime of life and in the midst of a useful career.

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Ile was married to a sister of General Dodge, and this fact being known at the time of his appointment as Governor, drew upon the Dodge family the title of the "Royal Family." But whatever might have been said in this respect, the appoint- ment was due to Mr. Clarke, nor could it have been bestowed upon a better man, or one more competent to fill it.

He was the third and last Territorial Governor of Iowa, and, like the other two who preceded him, as soon as he had passed the office into the hands of his successor, he gently and calmly laid down and died. He was a tall, slender man, of a mild and amiable disposition, and had quite a femi- nine look. IIe left a family behind to mourn his sad loss. Ilis history is without a stain or reproach, and throughout his whole life no man ever imputed ought against his character as a man and a citi- zen.

I have thus given you a few random sketches of the three Territorial Governors of Iowa, together with a few of the prin- cipal events in the history of Iowa, con- nected with their administration.

Most of the incidents contained in these sketches I have given from memory alone, having been myself an eye witness of, and personally cognizant of many of the facts.

By these sketches you not only see the character and noble traits of the three good and wire men, but you see that under their care and protection, a young and thrifty State sprung into existence in the short space of eight years from the time when the whole Territory was the home of the savage.

OTHER TERRITORIAL OFFICERS. Secretaries.

Wm. B. Conway, 1838, died 1839.

James Clark, 1839-41 O. II. W. Stuil, 1841-3. Samuel J. Burr, 1843-5. Jesse Williams, 1845.

Auditors.

Jesse Williams, 1840-43.

William L. Gilbert, 1843-45. Robert M. Secrest, 1845.

Treasurers.

Thornton Baylie, 1839-40. Morgan Reno, 1840.

Judges.

Charles Mason, Chief Justice, 1838. Joseph Williams, 1838. Thomas S. Wilson, 1838.

Presidents of Council.

Jesse B. Brown, 1838-9.

Stephen Hempstead, 1839-40.

M. Bainridge, 1840-1. J. W. Parker, 1841-2. John D. Eibert, 1842-3.

Thomas Cox, 1843-4.

S. Clinton Hasting, 1845.

Stephen Hempstead, 1845-6.

Speakers of the House.

William II. Wallace, 1838-9.

Edward Johnson. 1839-10. Thomas Cox, 1840-1.

Warner Lewis, 1841-2. James M. Morgan, 1842-3.

James P. Carleton, 1813-4. James M. Morgan, 1845.

George W. McLeary, 1845-6.

STATE OFFICERS. Governors. Ansel Briggs, 1846-50. Stephen Hempstead, 1850-54. James W. Grimes, 1854-58. Ralph P. Lowe, 1858-60.

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HISTORY OF IOWA.

Samuel J. Kirkwood, 1860-64. William M. Stone, 1864-68. Samuel Morrill, 1868-72. Cyrus C. Carpenter, 1872-76. Samuel J. Kirkwood, 1876-77. J. G. Newbold, 1877-78. John H. Gcar, 1878-82. Buren R. Sherman, 1882.

Lieutenant- Governors.

Oran Faville, 1858-60.

Nicholas J. Rusch, 1860-62. John R. Needham, 1862-64.

Enoch W. Eastman, 1864-66. Benjamin F. Gue, 1866-68.

John Scott, 1868-70. M. M. Walden, 1870-72.

H. C. Bulis, 1872-74.

Joseph Dysart, 1874-76. Joshua G. Newbold, 1876-78. Frank T. Campbell, 1878-82. Orlando H. Manning, 1882.

This office was created by the new constitu- tion, September 3, 1859.

Secretaries of Stato.

Elisha Cutter, Jr., 1846-48.

Joseph H. Bonney, 1848-50.

George W. McCleary, 1850-56.

Elijah Sells, 1856-63. James Wright, 1863-67. Ed. Wright, 1867-73. Josiah T. Young, 1873-79. J. A. T. Hull, 1869.

Auditors of State.

Joseph T. Fales, 1846-50.

William Pattee, 1850-54.

Andrew J. Stephens, 1855-59.

Jonathan W. Cattell, 1859-65. John A. Elliott, 1865-71. John Russell, 1871-75.

Ruen R. Sherman, 1875-81. William V. Lucas, 1881.

Treasurers of Stata.

Morgan Reno. 1846-50. Israel Kister, 1850-52 .. Martin L. Morris, 1852-59.

John W. Joncs, 1859-63.

William H. Ilolmes, 1863-67. Samuel E. Rankin. 1867-73. William Christy, 1873-77. George W. Bemis, 1877-81. Edwin HI. Conger, 1881.

Attorney- Generals.

David C. Cloud, 1853-56.

Samuel A. Rice, 1856-60.

Charles C. Nourse, 1860-64.

Isaac L. Allen, 1865-66.

Frederick E. Bissell, 1866-67. Henry O'Connor, 1867-72.

Marcena E. Cutts, 1872-76.

John F. McJunkin, 1877-81. Smith McPherson, 1881.

Adjutant- Generals.

Daniel S. I ee, 1851-55.

George W. McLeary, 1855-57.

Elijalı Sells, 1857.

Jesse Bowen, 1857-61

Nathaniel Baker, 1861-77.

John H. Luby, 1877-78. W. L. Alexander, 1878.

Registers of the State Land Ofice.

Anison Hart, 1855-57.

Theodore . Parvin, 1837-59.

Amos B. Miller, 1859-62.

Edwin Mitchell, 1862-63.

Josiah A. Harvey, 1863-67.

Cyrus C. Carpenter, 1867-71. Aaron Brown, 1871-75. David Secor, 1875-79. J. K. Powers, 1879.

Superintendents of Publie Instruction.

James Harlan, 1847-48.

Thos. II. Benton, Jr., 1848-54.

James D. Eads, 1854-57. Joseph C. Stone, 1857.

Maturin L. Fisher, 1857-58.

Oran Faville, 1864-67. D. Franklin Wells. 1867-68. A. S. Kissell, 1868-72. Alonzo Abernethy, 1872-76.

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HISTORY OF IOWA.

Carl W. Van Coelen, 1876-82. John W. Akers, 1882.

This office was created in 1847 and abolished in 1858, and the duties then developed upon the secretary of the Board of Education; it was re- created March 23, 1864.

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History of Butler and Bremer counties, Iowa, Part 31

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company Number of Pages: 1316

Author: Union publishing company, Springfield, Ill
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Springfield, Ill., Union publishing company
Number of Pages: 1316