History of Des Moines County, Iowa, Volume I, Part 12

Author: Antrobus, Augustine M
Publication date: 1915
Publisher: Chicago : The S. J. Clarke publishing company
Number of Pages: 662


USA > Iowa > Des Moines County > History of Des Moines County, Iowa, Volume I > Part 12


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).


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60,000


20,000


1,600


Norton


15,000


A. S. Fear, about


15,000


25,000


10,000


....


Reeves & Wightman.


15,100


3,000


1,000


C. O'Brien


20,000


83,000


2,000


.....


Burroughs


25,000


3,000


3,000


T. Walkup, about.


20,000


50,000


15,000


1,000


Other operators, probably


40,000


. . . .


40,000


2,000


Total


297,000.


304,000


100,000


6,100


Seven-eighths of this grain was shipped to Chicago.


AMOUNT OF FLOUR MANUFACTURED


- There are two mills in Burlington manufacturing flour :


Barrels


Since August, 1855, to August 1, 1856, Putnam & Co. manufactured. . .


9,900


Sunderland & Bro


12,000


Total


21,900


AMOUNT OF LUMBER SOLD


Feet


E. D. Rand & Co.


2,000,000


J. W. & W. D. Gilbert


1,500,000


Campbell & McClure


1,500,000


Evan Evans


1,000,000


M. S. Foote, Chicago Lumber


1,200,000


Total


7,200,000


SALES, WHOLESALE AND RETAIL


Dry goods (two wholesale)


$300,000


Dry goods, retail ( four houses)


285,000


Groceries, wholesale


477,000


Hardware ( four wholesale and retail)


209,000


Drugs, paints (two wholesale and retail)


150,000


. .


....


113


HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY


IRON FOUNDRIES AND MACHINISTS


Steam engines


built


Boilers


Sawmills erected


Value of manufactures


C. Hendrie


52


56


75


$140,000


C. Sowden & Co.


13


IO


15,000


Renz & Co.


20


. .


35


20,000


-


Total


85


.


56


I20


$175,000


Four years prior to 1856 there were two seven by nine foundries in this city doing $10,000 worth of work in a year. In 1856 there was $150,000 of this kind of work done. In 1856 there were two plow manufacturing industries in the city sending out work to the amount of $75,000 annually. There were two marble yards ; our patent churn factory. There were manufactured in Burlington at this time threshing machines, smut machines and portable sawmills. There were two extensive carriage factories, one starch factory. Was being erected a linseed oil mill. Rand & Starr had erected Marion Hall. The Burlington Gas Works was commenced at a cost of $65,000, under the superintendence of Mr. Henry Spelhan. Eleven churches had been erected, two Methodist, one Pres- byterian, one Baptist, one Congregational, one Protestant Episcopal, one German Methodist, one Lutheran, one Cumberland Presbyterian, and two Roman Catholic.


During the year 1855, Green, Thomas & Co. had erected a new bank building. Parsons & Copp had erected a banking building occupied by White & Cook. Dr. J. F. Henry had erected two buildings. Four buildings erected by Kriech- baum & Co., and one by Criswell & Hillhouse. James W. Grimes had completed the erection of a splendid hotel. J. S. Schramm had contracted for the erection of a building 60x118 feet on the corner of Main and Washington streets. J. F. Tallant and Luke Palmer had secured drawings and plans for fine residences on South Hill; besides all of the above, the building of the Burlington & Missouri River Railroad was being pushed on its way to the mouth of the Platte River.


The first Burlington City Directory published by J. L. Corse & Son, in 1859, gives under the head


BUSINESS


Containing the names of many business men in the city in 1859.


Agricultural Implements


Auction and Commission


Keith, Robinson & Co. Spencer, R. & Co.


Harris, O. H. Utter, W. V.


Architects


Bakers and Confectionery


Bassett, A. G. Dunham, C. A. Leonard, S. P. Stover, J.


Hoerr, Geo. & P. Rankin & Taylor Schank, J. Woellhaf, II. Walz, Charles


Vol. I-8


114


HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY


Barbers


Books and Stationery


Anderson, T.


Augutta & Co.


Brown, Louis


Graesser, M. Miller, George Walker, A. Gunnell, S.


Blacksmiths


Andrew, John L.


Burg, John


Christman, J.


Eads, David


Fewens & Patton


Fink. John & Co.


Grupe, Phillip


Hirst, A.


Merryman, Geo.


Pendleton, John


Reppert, C.


Wiggins, Charles


Boarding


Eells, Odin


Hovey, Z. C.


Isaacs, J P.


Lorenz, Mrs. A.


Nealey House


Reed, L. P.


Snyder, Mrs. E.


Wilkin, C.


Brass Foundry


Allen, Samuel


Boiler Makers


Lendrum & Fawcett Howard, Wm. Rider, Jacob Wilson, J. M.


Book Binders


Acres, Stephen T. Hirt. C.


Brown, J. P. Corse, J. L. & Son Hawley, H. H.


Boots and Shoes


Adams, R. S.


Bernet, F.


Bramford, B.


Caffrey & Harper


Danner, W. T.


Dewein, J.


Fick & Hamm


Klein, C.


Krumholz, A.


Mesmer, M.


Neseman, H.


Schwarz, C.


Scott, H. H.


Sweetser, C. H.


Uttry, Frederick


Wahl, G.


Walcher, J.


Weher, T. B., & Co.


Wollmer, A.


Brewers


Bauer & Schaffner


Bosch, George


Bosch & Leopold


Fischer, P.


Gugel. F.


Willem, Inez


Brick Makers


Callendine, W. Kite, John


Strickler, D. B.


Butchers


Collins, Samuel A. Gephard, John


Martin & Fishbeck McElheimer, G. W. Patterson, R. W.


115


HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY


Rouser, R. Trau, Philip Wilhelm & Ramge


Candle and Lard Oil


Hecker & Mathes Ford, H. T.


Carpenters and Builders


Adam, D. M.


Bomgardner, Geo.


Brautigan, C.


Colter, T. P.


Cox, D. Y.


Crider, J. C.


Doran, P.


Egenolf, J.


Evans, Wm. J.


Fleming, Thos.


Fordney, A.


Fordney, Wm.


Grove, James Howard, R. Ingall, Mathias


Joy, Edward


Lloyd, T. E.


Loper, Uriah


Philips & Little


Mckinney, S. J.


McPherin & Coads


Nairn & Gillies Ogden, Enoch Owens & Haws Russell, William Reed, J. H. Young, Wm. A.


Cigars and Tobacco


Gnahn & Gabriel


Heimbeck, G. H. Matern & Herminghaus Robinson, S., & Co. Schmidt & Krieg Watts, C. L.


Clothiers and Tailors


Brown, M.


Brugge, M.


Cook, J. S.


Dewein, C.


Ebenhack, J.


Eisfeld, E. M.


Elkus, Isaac


Ezekiel, B.


Greenbaum & Kaskel


Hamm, John


Herschler, Solomon


Kaiser & Co.


Lalk, W. Lehmann, L., & Co.


Neely, John M.


Wehrle, Joseph


Willner, A. & B.


Wright, C. H.


Crockery


Backus, C. B. McKitterick & Miller


Daguerrean Artists


Baird, J. G. Campbell, L. D. Vanselow, H.


.


Dentists


Abercrombie, J. C. Bailey, Horton Bronson & McCollom


Dry Goods


Dwyer & Bonfield


Greenbaum & Schroeder


Jones, Joseph


Kendall, R. C., & Co.


Kimball, J. S., & Co.


Mauro, W. H.


Parsons, T. L., & C. B. Perkins, P.


Postlewait, W. H. Rosenthal & Buchman


116


HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY


Schramm, J. S., & Co. Scott, H. H. Surth, John


Druggists


Bierworth, F., & Co.


.


Darling, A.


Garthe, Aug. Th.


Gay, E. E. Hendricks, A.


Squires & Bloss


Fish Dealer


Garard, L. H.


Forwarding and Commission


Fear & Hagar


Ogden & Copp


Foundries and Machine Shops


Hendrie, C.


Renz & Co. Sowden, C., & Co.


Furniture Dealers


Bartruff & Fennimore


Burge, S. B.


Hardy, H. C.


McElhany, James


Prugh, I. & J.


Tubbesing & Neihaus Weber, Henry


Grocers, Wholesale and Retail


Abbey & Mclaughlin


Adams, R. B.


Bohns, M.


Morton, James, & Co.


Bosch, L.


Perkins, P.


Ross & Whipple


Schiffer, G., & Co.


Cunningham, J.


David, J. S.


Eads & Co.


Eitman, W.


Enderle, W.


Eylward, Martin


Fleming, M.


Funk, Fred


Gear, J. II., & Co.


Geschwend, E.


Granger, E. G.


Hawes, W. A.


Hunt, H. E.


Jones, Joseph


Kiessling, Geo.


Kimball, J. S., & Co.


Lillis, Martin


Long, C. B.


McIntire, J. R.


Meyer & Heitmeyer


Nelson, J. R.


Otten, John


Pilger, J.


Poehler, August


Ridding, D. C.


Ritchie, C. W.


Robinson & Johnson


Rogers, I. N., & Co.


Schmidt, L.


Smith, W. B.


Starker, C., & Co.


Tedford, R. B.


Vanleuven & Powell


Wagner, Charles


Whitteker & Co.


Zeigelmuller, L. & J.


Gunsmiths


Ebner, F.


Heimbeck, G. H.


Hardware


Kraimer, Westren & Co.


Brennan, F. Chrissinger, J. W.


Hats and Caps


Ahlert & Kroppach Scott, II. H. Somers, P. W.


117


HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY


IHotels


Barret House Burlington House Lawrence House Market Ilotel


Mccutcheon House


Pacific House


Pennsylvania House Western Hotel


Wightman House


Livery


Clark, J. D. NIcCash, W. D. Stewart, Robert


Lumber


Campbell & McClure Evans, Laidlow, & Co. Gilbert, J. W. & W. D. Rand, E. D., & Co.


Scarff, James


Marble Dealers Donahue & McCosh


Matches Burhans, A. H., & Co.


Milliners and Dress Makers


Alexander, Mr. S. S. Baird, Mrs. J. M. Fischer, Mrs. C. Hinkle, Mrs. F. J.


Hixon, Mrs. D. W. Leet, Mrs. Isabella


Lilly, Mrs. Mary Martin, Mrs. G. A. McElhinney & Candy Young, Mrs. Jane


Millers


Keiser, Woodward & Sherrill Putman, Olmsted & McEwen Sunderland, J. P. & I. S.


Music Dealers


Hawley, H. H. Perry, A. W.


Painters


Brydolf, F. Caravall, W. H. l Fartman, C. O'Keefe, C. Raney, B. Webster & Wright


Wetmore & Bro. Wetzler, Stephen


Planing Mills


Derby, Foote & Co. Winter, D. L.


Pork Packers


Favorite, S., & Co. Schenck & Denise Sunderland, Davey & Co.


Produce Dealers


Bryan, C. Nichols, W. C. Norton, J.


Rectifiers


Becker, F. Kamke & Matthies


Saddles and Harness


Deal, E. W. Demerle, A. Lindstadt, F. Ware & McIntire


Sash, Doors and Blinds


Loper, U. Washburn, R. M.


Second Hand Furniture Jarvis, H. J.


118


HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY


Smut Mills


Keiser, Woodward & Sherrill


Keith, Robinson & Jordan


Brand, J. G. Eggelmann, C. Fogelgesang, J. Krull, C.


Soap Manufacturer


Ulrich, C.


Stoves and Tin Ware


Bennett, J.


Aslıby, T. G.


Boquet, C.


Foote & Ewing


Crowley, F. G.


Hudson, S. A.


Burg & Hertzler


Kupper, J.


Hinkle, H.


Mellinger, S., & Co.


Moore, David


Watches and Jewelry


White, J. W. & C. A.


Brooks, A.


Undertakers


Carpenter, A. W. & W.


Bartruff, H. S.


Flint, Louis


Prochaska, J.


Vinegar Manufacturers


Vaughn, H. R.


Bergmann, A.


Waldin, G. H.


The names given above are those of the business men of Burlington fifty-five years ago. We can call the name of but one of them who is now living, our honored citizen George Whipple. Before we leave this subject, we will say the aggregate of wares manufactured in Burlington in the year 1856 amounted to $1,031,000, not including lumber, shingles, flour, pork, lard, etc., but using the word "ware" in its ordinary sense. From the Port of Burlington for the year 1856 there were arrivals and departures, 973 steamboats. No city on the Missis- sippi River north of St. Louis had better opportunities than Burlington in 1856, and without doubt Burlington today would have a population of over one hundred thousand souls but for a process of centralization which commenced soon after this time. What brought it about has no place in this book. The direction of business has materially changed in many things since that time, of which we do not care to write.


Since writing the above Mr. Whipple has passed away.


Wagons and Carriages


Bischoff, G.


Brown, B.


Cornwell, W.


CHAPTER XII


HAWKEYE PIONEER ASSOCIATION


In 1858, but twenty-two years after Burlington became incorporated by an act of the Legislature of Wisconsin Territory, the people began to think they were old settlers, so great had been the changes which had taken place since the first settlement. It was then they organized the above named association. This association held what they called an "Old Settlers Celebration," June 2, 1858. We want to know something about how those "Old Settlers" felt, what their thoughts were. In order to do this, we set out the things done and said on that occasion.


OLD SETTLERS CELEBRATION


Burlington, Wednesday, June 2d, 1858.


ORDER OF EXERCISES.


I. The Old Settlers of Des Moines County will meet at Marion Hall at I o'clock precisely.


2. After the ceremonies they will form a procession, as follows :


I. The Band.


2. The Officers of the Hawkeye Pioneer Association.


3. The Native Young Ladies.


4. The Ladies who resided here in 1840, with their husbands, gentlemen on the right.


5. The gentlemen of 1840, their Ladies on the right.


6. Gentlemen and Ladies of 1840.


3. The Procession will then move down Fourth street to Jefferson, down Jeffer- son to Third, up Third and halt in front of Barret House. The invited guests, of 1840, will then be invited into the Procession by the President of the Association, and take their place immediately in front of the Native Young Ladies.


4. From the Barret House the Procession will move up Third street to Old Zion Church, and on arriving and being seated the following exercises will be had.


119


120


HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY


AT THE CHURCH.


I. Music by the Band.


PRAYER.


2. The President will be introduced and welcome our old friends and Settlers.


3. Music.


4. Address to the "Old Settlers" by Hon. Charles Mason.


5. Music.


6. Poem by Johnson Pierson, Esq.


7. Music.


8. Address by the President, David Rorer, Esq.


9. Music.


10. The audience will join in singing Auld Lang Syne.


II. Music.


BENEDICTION.


After the exercises are over at the Church, the Procession will again form in the same order in which it arrived and march to the Barret House, where a Com- mittee will be in waiting to seat the guests at the "festival board." That Committee will consist of the following named gentlemen, Lyman Cook, J. H. Gear, James McKell, Wm. Sunderland, S. A. Hudson, Wm. Thompson, John Buel, and J. Smith McKenny.


AT THE TABLE.


I. Music.


2. Dinner.


3. Music.


4. Regular Toasts, responses and Music.


5. Volunteer Toasts, speeches and Music.


Tickets for the Festival will be delivered by the Committee.


At 8 o'clock in the evening, a GRAND BALL will come off at Grimes' Hall on Main Street, to which all will be admitted who have tickets, which may be had at the office of the Barret House, and from the Managers.


M. D. BROWNING, Ch'n. Gen. Com.


J. C. HALL, Cha'n. Com. of Arrangements.


June 2nd, 1858.


OFFICERS. President, HON. DAVID RORER.


Vice Presidents,


HENRY W. STARR, Esq., ELBRIDGE G. LEFFLER, Esq.,


JAMES MCKELL, Esq .. A. W. CARPENTER, Esq.,


COL. JOHN S. DAVID, EVAN EVANS, Esq.


121


HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY


At a subsequent meeting of the Board of Officers, held on the 12th of January, A. D., 1858, the following appointments were made, to wit :


Secretary, WILLIAM GARRETT, Esq. Corresponding Secretary, JONINSON PIERSON, Esq. Treasurer, THOMAS HEDGE, Esq.


The Board of Officers, as empowered by the Constitution, subsequently decided upon celebrating the First Annual Festival upon the first Wednesday in June, and appointed the


HON. J. C. HALL, Marshal of the Day.


THE FIRST ANNUAL FESTIVAL.


Wednesday, June 2d, A. D. 1858.


At two o'clock P. M. of this day, the members of the Association assembled at Marion Hall, and, having exchanged friendly greetings, were called to order by the President, Hon. David Rorer, and proceeded thence to the 'Barret House,' in order, as follows:


Marshal of the Day, Hon. J. C. Hall. Band. President. Vice Presidents. Secretary. Corresponding Secretary. Treasurer. Members at Large.


Having reached the Barret House, the procession was opened, and the orator and chaplain of the day, and a large number of invited guests, residents in 1840, who were there assembled, were received into the ranks immediately following the officers of the association, and the line of march was continued to the Metho- dist Episcopal Church, in which (a continuous rain having prevented their join- ing in the procession, as expected ), a large number of ladies were already as- sembled.


The procession having entered the church, the president resumed the chair, and order being restored, the Hon. J. C. Hall. marshal of the day, rose and said :


"Ladies and Gentlemen : This is the first festival of the Hawk-Eye Pioncer Association of Des Moines County. I take pleasure in introducing to you the first president of the association, Judge Rorer."


Whereupon the president delivered the following welcome :


"Old Settlers of Iowa: We welcome you here this day in the name of our old settlers, and in the name of all the people of Burlington.


122


HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY


"We come together to celebrate our advent into this beautiful land, and to renew our early friendships.


"If there be aught of vanity or weakness in it, we know it will be overlooked when we see here present so many of those who came after us, all sympathizing in our feelings. They, too, in turn will be old settlers.


"New Comers of Burlington : We thank you for your presence here this day. We greet you from our hearts, as new comers were greeted in days of old.


"You as well as we have learned what it is to sever the ties of childhood, and seek out new homes and new friends in other places.


"To our Young Friends who are Native Born: We also extend a hearty welcome.


"You link the present to the future, as we link the present to the past. It is still your happy lot to enjoy the scenes that cluster around the places of your nativity. Should that lot hereafter be changed, then more than ever will you appreciate your present privilege."


PRAYER.


By the chaplain of the day, Rev. William Salter :


"Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we come to thee this day with the voice of thanksgiving and praise. Thou hast ordered the bounds of our habita- tion in great mercy. The lines have fallen to us in pleasant places, and we have a goodly heritage. We laud and magnify thy Name.


"We thank thee for thy favor to those adventurous men who planted upon this soil the institutions of Christian civilization. We give praise to thee for the courage, and fortitude, and patience, with which thou didst inspire and strengthen their hearts in the midst of privation and hardship. We thank thee that so many of them continue to this day, and are here present to talk of thy goodness, and speak of thy wonderful works. We commend them to thy providence and grace. If it please thee, give them length of days, and let their hearts be' continually made glad in witnessing the good fruits of their sacrifices and toils.


"O thou Supreme Ruler of men, thou Governor among the nations, command thy blessings upon our beloved state. May peace and prosperity be in all our borders. Dispose those that are called to rule over us, to rule in thy fear, and as become the representatives of eternal justice. May they be a terror not to good works, but to the evil. May the blessings of knowledge, and of our holy religion, be universally diffused. May schools and churches be multiplied, and all the people be gathered under their influence. Prosper all the efforts of good men in every part of the commonwealth to advance whatever is lovely and of good report, and let our civil and religious liberties be preserved to the latest age. And by thy blessings may this state gain an advanced position among the people of the earth in all that enriches and adorns human life, and makes man worthy to bear the image of his Maker and Redeemer.


"O Lord, our God, remember our whole country and all the nations of the earth in mercy. Build up in all lands the Kingdom of thy Son. Let his throne be exalted, and all kings fall down before him, and all nations serve him.


"Attend with thy blessing the grateful services of this occasion, and let them


123


HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY


be the means of confirming our hearts in patriotism, in public spirit, and in all noble virtues.


"And to thy great name be honor, and power, and glory, forever. Amen."


The Hon. Charles Mason, being introduced by the president, next delivered the following


ADDRESS :


"Mr. President, Ladies and Gentlemen :


"On the first day of June, 1833, the white man first set foot on the ground whereon we now stand-claiming it as his own. The former occupants, who, for centuries, had been slowly retiring before the steady progress of their more powerful neighbors, and again yielded to their destiny, and reluctantly left behind them this great river, with the prairies and forests by which it was skirted, to follow still further the setting sun-fit symbol of the approaching extinguishment of their devoted race-and the civilized American thus obtained a foothold upon this shore, to lay the foundation of new cities, and plant the germ of another empire. We are now holding the first annual meeting of a society organized to commemorate that event, so interesting, not only to ourselves, but to our country and to the whole world of mankind.


"To you, sir, and to most of those who now hear me, I can hardly offer any statement of facts which will be either novel or interesting. The event we cele- brate is so recent in its date, that it seems to belong to the present rather than the past. The mists of forgetfulness have not yet obscured any of the attending circumstances. So far from giving scope to the embellishments of fable, or the exaggerations of fancy, they have not yet subsided into sober, settled history. A quarter of a century seems but a short time in the recollection of an individual- still less in the history of a community. Many of those whom I now address witnessed the retiring steps of the reluctant savage, as he still lingered around the pleasant hunting grounds he was abandoning forever. Within seven years from that event every member of this society had taken up his abode within the limits of the newly acquired territory, where the aboriginal footprints had not then become erased. Men on whom the winter of age has not yet settled, who still feel the full glow of active, useful manhood, participated as adults in the event we are now commemorating. The Romulus of our city is still among us, with a fair promise of as many more years as have elapsed since he modestly gave to the city, he and his associates were founding, not his own name, but that which then so freshly dwelt in his emigrant heart, associated with tearful recol- lections of the past, and of the scenes and friends of his early home.


"Under these circumstances, I shall not attempt any general recapitulation of events as a matter of information. Still, it will not be deemed improper to bring to your recollection some of the circumstances connected with the early settle- ment of this city and county, and to add such reflections as the present occasion may seem to render appropriate.


"When, in February, 1837, I first set foot within this city, then in the fourth year of its infancy, it was a village of some three hundred inhabitants. They occupied houses mostly of a single story, and even of a single room, constructed of logs, or slightly built frames. Not more than two of the whole number were


124


HISTORY OF DES MOINES COUNTY


composed of more substantial materials, and even these have long since vanished before the advance of superior improvement. A small opening had been made extending a few squares up and down the river, and a still less distance perpen- dicularly from the shore ; but the hills around, now crowned with comfortable and tasteful residences, were then covered with the unbroken primeval forest. Not a church or a schoolhouse had as yet made its appearance among us, and although the streets had received their geographical position, yet the plastic sub- stratum of clay, which had perhaps lain dormant for hundreds of generations, had not evinced its capacity for tormenting its disturbers, and for imposing the ruling fashion which prevailed for so many years of the frequent change of sides between the leg of the boot and that of the pantaloon. Such was the unpretend- ing condition of the town which was at that time the seat of government of a territory which included what now constitutes three states and the materials of a fourth.


"The condition of the rural districts was in harmonious correspondence with that of the metropolis. Skirting the timber land in most parts of the county might be seen a continuous series of incipient farms, each adorned with a settler's cabin. Occasionally, some one more adventurous than the rest had launched boldly out from the shore, where the others had nestled, into the open ocean of prairie, and had fixed his home where the storms of summer and the wintry winds might approach him on all sides, and in defiance, also, of the distance whence the materials for fire and shelter and fences were to be procured.


"Public highways were then in an entirely embryotic condition. Between cer- tain points tracks had become defined and established, but the traveler generally regulated his course across the prairies by the same rule that would have guided him over the lake or the desert. The cultivated fruits were wholly an expectancy. Like most of the other comforts and conveniences of life, they were visible only to the eye of faith-they existed only in the regions of hope.


"The whole population of what now constitutes the entire State of Iowa, taken in the summer and early autumn of 1836, was a little upwards of ten thousand. In February following it was probably two or three thousand greater. The usual time requisite to send by mail to New York or Washington and obtain a reply was ninety days, though the traveler, under favorable circumstances, miglit hope to make that journey in about one-third of that time. I have seen a letter which had been one year and twelve days on its pilgrimage from the City of New York to our Burlington postoffice.


"The inhabitants within the present limits of our state were almost exclusively of the class so widely known under the denomination of squatters. Destitute of titles to their lands, they expected and received little protection from statutory enactments. But being without the law in this respect, they became a law unto themselves, and I think I can safely state, that I have never known justice to be meted out with more strict impartiality, or to be tempered with more genuine equity.


"Such is a hasty glimpse which personal observation enables me to present ; and though the recollections of many who now hear me may reach back a few years farther, still, to those who have been eye witnesses of all these events, this reminiscence will serve to call up the past in all its vividness.


"Contrast for a moment this picture of the past with that afforded by a glance


125




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