History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume I, Part 62

Author: Downer, Harry E
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 1042

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ASTONISHED KEOKUKIAN.

The following appeared in the Keokuk Journal in May, 1861 : "A crowd gath- ered along Main street yesterday evening to witness some extraordinary perform- ances of Capt. Bob Littler's State Guards, Company B, of the Second Regiment.

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

Up and down Main and down other streets, around squares and back again for three miles, without halt or slack, this company ran in double quick time last evening, and this, too, after a squad drill of four hours during the day, besides a long company parade. Toward the last of the double quick one of the men picked up the drummer, put him on his shoulder, and so marched along, appar- ently without incumbrance. After all this drilling the company halted on Main street and built a pyramid, three men high and consisting of twenty men in all. Then six men formed a lock step, three abreast, with two men laid across their shoulders. One man stood on top of them and so they marched for a square or so, and after this, executed a double quick drill, the whole performance being entirely voluntary. The members of this company in age average twenty-five years; in height, five feet and seven and a half inches; in weight, one hundred and sixty pounds, and composed mostly of raftsmen and firemen. In muscular exercise they challange the worst. They may almost be called a company of gymnasts and athletes. Some of their performances are actually astonishing. Captain Littler was himself chief engineer of the fire department and local editor of the Daily Gazette of Davenport for six years, and perhaps a part of his present power of muscle came from so much of that needless running after items which must be tried to be appreciated. If their pluck be equal to their muscle (and no one who sees them can doubt it) this company will make mighty men of war and we wish them and their gallant captain every success in the world."

When Captain Wentz's company was organized in 1861 at the first call for a regiment by Governor Kirkwood, there were no uniforms for the newly made soldiers. The ladies of Davenport came to the rescue and made for the members of Captain Wentz's company the uniforms they wore when they left the city for the front. They probably were not so well fitting and so natty looking as those now in vogue in the United States army, and for that reason the members of a Dubuque military organization poked fun at Captain Wentz's boys and their home-made blouses. Subsequently the good ladies of Dubuque made for their soldier boys new uniforms and Franc B. Wilkie wrote for his home paper the following intensely humorous description of the Dubuque Grays' military togs.

THE LADIES MADE THEM.

"The uniforms are all on. They are admirable fits, all of them, except say eighty or 100 of them. I now speak of the Grays. The majority of the boys are able to get their pantaloons from the floor by buttoning the waist-bands around their necks. Others accomplish this desirable result by bringing the waist-bands tight up under the arms and rolling them up six or eight inches at the bottom. To be sure, this is a little inconvenient in some respects. A fellow has to take off his belt, then his coat, and then ascend one story before he can reach his pockets, and after reaching them they are so deep that one has to take the pants off en- tirely before he can reach the bottom. Each pocket will hold a shirt, blanket and even the wearer himself, if at any time he finds such a retreat necessary. And the coats fit beautifully-almost, in fact, as well as the pants. To be sure, half of them are two feet too large around the waist and almost as much too small around the chest, but then these two drawbacks admirably offset each other.

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

In the case of fifteen or twenty of them, the tip of the collar is but a trifle above the small of the wearer's back, and in the case of about as many more the same article is a few inches above the head of its owner. The same collar, also, in some cases terminates beneath each ear of the wearer and in many others it sweeps way around in magnificent curves, forming a vast basin whose rim is yards distant from the neck of the possessor, and the sleeves, too, have here and there a fault. Some are so tight under the arms that they lift one up as if he were swinging upon a couple of ropes that passed under his armpits. Others strike boldly out and do not terminate their voluminous course till at a distance of several inches beyond the tips of his fingers, while others conclude their jour- ney after marching an inch or two below the elbows. With these few exceptions the coats and pantaloons fit magnificently, and are admired as being the finest in the regiment."

ORATION AT THE DEDICATION.

At the time of the dedication of the Soldiers' monument which is located on Main street between Trinity cathedral and the high school July 4, 1881, Daven- port in company with all the United States was in the shadow of sorrow caused by the assassination of President Garfield. In the column which marched to the scene of dedication were military and civic orders. The Scott County Vet- erans' association had ninety-seven men in line, representing fifty-seven regi- ments and ten states. There were military companies from Davenport, Rock Island and Muscatine, also detachments from the Knights of Pythias and Turn- gemeinde.

The statue surmounting the column was unveiled by Mrs. Foster, widow of the lamented Major Foster of the Eleventh Iowa, and her two daughters. The oration was by Gen. J. B. Leake, United States district attorney, of Chicago, formerly a citizen of Davenport.

In this oration, a most eloquent one, Scott county's part in the war for the Union was most fittingly and feelingly dwelt upon. Said General Leake: "Un- der the call for 75,000 men Iowa's share of three months' men was one regiment. In this county three companies contended for the honor of entering that regiment. Our German fellow citizens obtained that distinction and Capt. August Wentz marched the first company out of our county to the theater of war. He after- ward as lieutenant colonel of the Seventh regiment of infantry laid down his life at the battle of Belmont. The other two companies under the command of Robert M. Littler and J. DeWitt Brewster went into the Second regiment of in- fantry. followed soon by Capt. Egbert's company in the Second regiment of cav- alry, and then by many others.

"The number of men liable to military duty in the county was ascertained by reports of the assessors of the various townships making a canvass as directed by a law passed at the extra session of the general assembly held May 1861, to be 4,117. Of that entire number there voluntarily enlisted during the war about two-thirds of the entire number liable to duty in the county. Almost every fam- ily made sacrifices at the altar of country. During the whole war there was not a battle of importance in which men from Scott county did not have a part.

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

They participated in the long march, the wearing siege; they pined away in suffering in every southern prison; they left their dead in every soldiers' ceme- tery. And now after so many years, we, their fellow citizens, and many of us their companions-in-arms, have the precious privilege of bearing testimony to their virtues and leaving in enduring form for future generations a record of their patriotic sacrifice."

VETERANS' ASSOCIATION ANTEDATING G. A. R.

The association of veterans mentioned above was organized in 1865 ante- dating the Grand Army of the Republic by a year and was created for much the same purposes, and was administered in the same spirit. Unlike the Grand Army there was neither ritual nor secret work. At a meeting of Scott county soldiers held June 29, 1865, at the court house, Dr. J. M. Witherwax and Lieut. H. M. McNeil, secretary, a committee appointed at a previous meeting reported : "Hav- ing in view the good of the soldier, and believing there are no ties beyond the ties of blood so strong as those that are formed amid the hardships and dangers of a soldier's life, and for the purpose of strengthening those ties and keeping our memories refreshed we would recommend that the soldiers of Scott county enter into an organization with that view, the first principles of which should be to extend the right hand of fellowship to all soldiers who have battled for their country, universal rights and the freedom of all mankind.

"That our wounded and disabled brothers shall be the objects of our special care and consideration, and show them their sacrifices have not been made in vain, nor that we are ungrateful for their valuable services.

"And while we remember the living we should not forget the dead, and in no way can we better cherish their memories than by endeavoring to heal the heart wounds of their families and friends left behind, some of whom are desti- tute and needing the aid and sympathy of all patriots as well as soldiers.

"Such being our views, we believe that this society can be made the instrument of much good by endeavoring to restrain the wayward, holding up the hands of the weak, and satisfied only when we know the wounded and disabled are cared for and the widow and orphan of the fallen have received at our hands what is justly their due.

"We would also recommend that the matter of politics be kept entirely aloof from this organization and that all members shall have full privilege to exercise the elective franchise in accordance with their best convictions."

The report was signed by the committee, Messrs. Henry Egbert, C. Barney, J. G. G. Cavendish, N. N. Tyner, and George E. McCosh.

Adjournment was taken to July Ist when a constitution was adopted and the name of the organization decided upon-"The Old Soldiers' Association of Scott County, Iowa." The officers elected were: General Add. H. Sanders, president; Dr. J. M. Witherwax, vice president; Lieut. N. N. Tyner, secretary ; Lieut. J. G. G. Cavendish, treasurer; E. R. Ames, sergeant at arms. The executive committee comprised Lieut. Col. Henry Egbert, Lieut. H. S. McNeil, and Lieut. H. W. Bennett.

MAIN BUILDING-IOWA SOLDIERS' ORPHANS' HOME

CLARISSA C. COOK'S HOME FOR THE FRIENDLESS

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

THE IOWA SOLDIERS' ORPHANS' HOME.

Any mention of the Iowa Soldiers' Orphans' Home, brief or extended, must begin with reference to Mrs. Annie Wittenmeyer, the Keokuk woman whom Governor Kirkwood commissioned state sanitary agent and who during the long years of the Civil war was constantly engaged in works of mercy in the hospi- tals at the front. In a personal letter under date of 1888 she speaks of the move- ment for the care of soldiers' orphans : "I matured the plan during the Mississippi river campaign which culminated in the surrender of Vicksburg in July, 1863. It was in the hospital where I was surrounded by men facing death, whose one anxiety was for their children, that the thought came to me, and many a dying soldier was comforted by the assurance that I would undertake the enterprise."

The actual founding of the homes for the care of the children of the brave men of Iowa who had laid down their lives for their country came about through the state sanitary organization which worked through local aid societies in collect- ing and distributing supplies for the soldiers, supplies which exceeded a half million dollars in value.

At a meeting of the Soldiers' Aid society held at Iowa City, September 23, 1863, attended by Mrs. Wittenmeyer, the care of children orphaned by the war was discussed, and a call published for a meeting of the people of Iowa at Mus- catine, October 5, 1863. Among the signatures appended to this call were those of Mesdames D. T. Newcomb and O. W. Leslie of Davenport. At this Muscatine convention there was a good and representative attendance from all portions of the state. Resolutions were passed that an asylum for children made fatherless by the war be established, and an organization effected to carry out the resolution. The following officers were elected for the society thus founded : Governor W. M. Stone, president; Miss Mary Kibben, Mt. Pleasant, recording secretary ; Miss Mary Shelton, later Mrs. C. L. Poor, Burlington, corresponding secretary ; Mrs. N. H. Brainard, Iowa City, treasurer; the board of trustees in- cluded : Mrs. 'Annie Wittenmeyer, of Keokuk; Mrs. C. Ben Darwin, Davenport, Mrs. D. T. Newcomb, Davenport; Mrs. L. B. Stevens, and Messrs. O. Faville, E. H. Williams, T. S. Parvin, M. Shields, Caleb Baldwin, C. C. Cole, Isaac Pemberton and C. Henderson.

The first meeting of the trustees was held in Des Moines, February 14, 1864, at which time and place arrangements were made for raising the necessary funds for the enterprise, although the impetuous Mrs. Wittenmeyer had anticipated this action by several months having issued an appeal for the orphans to the people of the state on Thanksgiving day of 1863. At the March meeting of the trustees Mr. Howell of Keokuk was authorized to lease a building, procure furnishings and solicit funds. In June Davenport contributed $600 to the expense fund. The same month at another trustees' meeting a committee was appointed to open a home. The movement gained in popularity throughout the state.

The special committee of the trustees reported July 13, 1864, that a large brick building had been secured at Lawrence, Van Buren county, and that it was in condition to receive the children who were in need of shelter and in three weeks from that time twenty-one children were there domiciled. The first ma- tron was Mrs. E. M. Elliott of Washington.

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The movement for the care of soldiers' orphans gathered enthusiasm as the months went by. Ingersoll, the war historian, says: "There has never been any one work in the state that has convened so many people in large and enthusiastic assemblies, filled so many churches and halls, thrilled so many hearts, awakened so much emotion, suffused with tears so many eyes, commanded such great lib- erality, or enlisted so many great minds as the Soldiers' Orphans' home." The soldiers in the field deeply touched by these efforts for the children of their brothers in arms contributed more than $45,000.

In addition to the home near Farmington another was opened at Cedar Falls where the soldiers' orphans living in the northern portion of the state were cared for to the number of more than 100 the first year. Early in 1865 there was suggestion made that the orphans' home at Lawrence could with advantage be moved to Davenport. In May there was a public meeting at the Presbyterian church in which the interests of the orphans were considered with liberal sub- scriptions. In October of 1865 another meeting was held in LeClaire's hall and subscriptions to the fund amounting to $5,200 were made.

THE ORPHANS REACH DAVENPORT.

The steamer Keithsburg arrived from Keokuk, November 16, 1865, having on board 150 orphans of Iowa soldiers. Previous to their arrival the compara- tively new barracks of Camp Kinsman on the present site of the home had been made ready for their reception. The barracks contained beds, bedding and much other equipment that could be utilized and the home was furnished by the liberal contribution of patriotic citizens of Davenport, the amount running into the thousands of dollars. Upon the arrival of the boat breakfast was served in the Christian chapel, now Hibernian hall, on Brady street near Fifth street by the sympathetic ladies of the city. Afterward the party went to Camp Kinsman and the Davenport branch of the institution was established. Mrs. Wittenmeyer consented to remain at the home as matron and this insured the perfect success of the enterprise. M. B. Cochran of Iowa City was made superintendent.

The first superintendent of the home while it was at Farmington was named Parvin. This was a temporary arrangement and he was soon succeeded by Rufus Hubbard who was superintendent until the removal of the home to Davenport in 1865.

In 1867 Superintendent Cochran and Matron Wittenmeyer resigned and were succeeded by Mr. and Mrs. S. W. Pierce of Fairfield as superintendent and ma- tron. Mr. Pierce resigned in 1886 and was succeeded by Gen. E. C. Litchfield who served less than eleven months. Mr. Pierce was recalled and managed the home for eleven months. Principal John R. Bowman was called from School No. I to the superintendency and served two years. He was followed by Dr. W. E. Whitney who resigned in 1893 and was followed by J. H. Lukens of Muscatine who served two years relinquishing the position to M. T. Gass who held it until his death in May, 1904. H. W. Kellogg was acting superintendent until June 8th of that year when Frank J. Sessions took charge of the largest family in Iowa.

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

UNDER STATE CONTROL.

The eleventh general assembly in 1866 acted favorably upon the petitions presented looking to a change in management of the Soldiers' Orphans' home. First established by what was virtually a private corporation and later splendidly maintained as a benevolent institution the time seemed ripe for the home to be numbered among the recognized state institutions supported by taxation. This was done, and an act passed by which it came under the support and control of the state. The legislature named a board of trustees consisting of one member from the state at large, and one from each congressional district. An appropria- tion of $25,000 was voted and provision made for a tax levy. The main institu- tion was located at Davenport with branches at Cedar Falls and Glenwood. At this time the number of children in these three homes numbered 864. In 1875 the homes were consolidated into one institution at Davenport.

From the time when the care of soldiers' orphans was assumed by the state the Davenport institution grew and prospered. Better buildings replaced the whitewashed barracks, and all features of the army camp were obliterated. Handsome structures of pressed brick came into existence, administration build- ing, cottages, hospital, laundry, machine shop, tailor shop, schools. The state gave loving care and guardianship to the children of those who proved themselves "the bravest of the brave" and trusted their little ones to the keeping of those who survived the struggle.

The home has been visited by disastrous fires-one in July, 1886, and again the next year when lightning consumed the main building with a loss of $50,000. The present administration building was finished and dedicated June 5, 1891. The handsome chapel which serves as an assembly hall when it is desired to call all the children together was finished and dedicated in April, 1901. In this chapel is located the handsome $3,000 pipe organ, gift of Governor Larrabee, a member of the State Board of Control at the time this body was established to manage and conduct all state institutions of a benevolent and corrective character.

CARES FOR CHILDREN OF BROKEN HOMES.

As the orphans of the soldiers of the war of the rebellion grew to manhood and womanhood with the flight of time this institution was utilized for the care of the poor children of the state, the little people who have poor homes or none at all, the children who would otherwise have no place of refuge other than the county poor farms, children in danger from evil surroundings and influence. Here they are gathered from broken homes-the number in 1910 exceeding 500, fed, warmed and clothed, given instruction in a school unsurpassed anywhere for curriculum or instruction, given healthful work on a farm of many acres, trained in habits of industry, thrift and all that makes for good citizenship, and when old enough are placed in good homes where they will have the level American chance to which all children of Iowa are entitled.

Life at the home is regular and well ordered. The children are well treated, happy and fond of those who have them in charge. There is a library of well selected juvenile literature and there is a systematic effort to provide for them

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as much amusement as possible. Back in war days Muscatine inaugurated the custom of providing Christmas cheer in the shape of presents, a tree, a Santa Claus, etc. This good example was followed by other communities. The small people of the home are never far out of the minds of the people of Davenport and many treats have been arranged for them by the citizens.

The name of the institution has not been changed since post-bellum days and it is still the Iowa Soldiers' Orphans' home, although the title is hardly appro- priate these days, and it is to be hoped it will never be. The state collects from the county whence a child comes for its support, and no better investment do the ninety-nine counties of Iowa make than this investment in humanity.

The institution is officered by a selected corps of efficient and devoted em- ployes, and is under the charge of Frank J. Sessions, superintendent for the State Board of Control.

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REBEL PRISON ON ROCK ISLAND, IN 1864

CHAPTER XXII.

PATRIOTIC DAVENPORT.

MILITARY HEADQUARTERS-CAMPS WHERE SOLDIERS WERE TRAINED-MINNESOTA SIOUX-MANY CONFEDERATE PRISONERS AT ROCK ISLAND PRISON-THE ROUTINE OF PRISON LIFE-THE SOLDIERS' MONUMENT-ORATION OF GENERAL J. B. LEAKE -IOWA SOLDIERS' ORPHANS' HOME-FIRST EXERCISES AT OAKDALE-COMPANY B GOES TO FIGHT SPAIN-THE ROLL OF HONOR-COMPANY ROSTER IN DAYS OF SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR.

At the outbreak of hostilities between the north and south the telegraph lines terminated at Davenport. To be in close touch with affairs at Washington and to secure ready communication concerning military affairs Governor Kirkwood established his headquarters at Davenport, and before the close of the war there were located here various military organizations of the state and of the Union army. Among the state officers stationed here at one period of the war were N. B. Baker, adjutant general, and M. M. Trumbull, assistant adjutant general, with offices in the Griggs block, between Second and Third streets; also of the United States army Brigadier General B. S. Roberts, commanding the district of Iowa, whose headquarters were in the Metropolitan block, southeast corner of Second and Brady. On his staff were Captains J. M. Bell and T. P. Hunt, Lieutenant S. Prentiss, B. H. Roberts and Richard Skinner, Lieutenant Colonel William M. Grier, mustering and dispatching officer, had his headquarters in the Griggs block. The provost marshal for the second district of Iowa, Gen- eral Philo E. Hall, had his headquarters in the Metropolitan block, and in the same building was stationed Major Thomas Duncan, Third United States cav- alry, acting assistant provost marshal for Iowa. Captain Charles Bennett was superintendent of barracks on the island and Major C. P. Kingsbury was super- intendent of the arsenal buildings on the island.

DAVENPORT MILITARY ORGANIZATIONS.

There were some attempts at the organization of companies of the citizen soldiery prior to 1857, but nothing of permanent character. In that year, Febru- ary 3d, a number of German-born citizens who had seen service in the fatherland, organized the Davenport Rifle Corps. On July 4th of that year they made their

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HISTORY OF SCOTT COUNTY

first appearance in parade under command of Captain A. Iten. They had their armory at Second and Ripley streets. Captain H. Haupt was later in command.

The Davenport City artillery was organized July 9, 1857, and served a double purpose in the community. It had civil officers, John Johns, Jr., president ; F. B. Wilkie, vice president ; C. C. Harris, secretary ; and D. W. Van Evera, treasurer ; also a full complement of military officers headed by C. N. Schuyler. R. M. Lit- tler was orderly sergeant. The rank and file numbered forty and they possessed two six-pounders. Their armory was at Second and Brady streets. The artiller- ists were notable both upon the drill ground and also in the ball room. They gave public assemblies through the winter that still linger in the memories of many citizens of Davenport.

The veterans of the Schleswig-Holstein uprising formed the nucleus and furnished the officers for the Davenport City Guards, organized in March, 1858. July 4, 1858, they made their first appearance in uniform. Their captain was F. Unrow. Later they were commanded by Captain D. H. Stuhr. Their armory was on Second near Ripley.

The Davenport Sarsfield Guards was another company organized at a date slightly previous to that on which the City Guards were organized, but they did not make their first appearance in parade in uniform until March 17, 1859. From that date and the name chosen to designate this body of militia it is not difficult to tell the nationality of a large part of its membership. Edward Jennings was the first captain. He resigned later and R. M. Littler was given the command. A hall on Brady street near Fourth was utilized as an armory.

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History of Davenport and Scott County Iowa, Volume I, Part 62

Author: Downer, Harry E Publication date: 1910 Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Number of Pages: 1042

Author: Downer, Harry E
Publication date: 1910
Publisher: Chicago : S. J. Clarke
Number of Pages: 1042