USA > Iowa > Dubuque County > History of Dubuque County, Iowa; being a general survey of Dubuque County history, including a history of the city of Dubuque and special account of districts throughout the county, from the earliest settlement to the present time > Part 32
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).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103
"Our citizens do not know that in our county a secret society has begun to ramify-that in our city it has its adherents and that William L. Bradley is one of its instruments. They do not know that an S. B. society has been started here under Abolition auspices in Chicago and is rapidly spreading over the country. They think that when we warn the people of the danger we are fools or aların- ists and fearful of our own shadow. We tell our readers that there is danger in the very air and that this administration and its minions, unable to conquer and devastate the South, are de- termined to conquer and subjugate the honest Union loving, patriotic masses of the North. Abolitionism is bent on mischief. Do our readers want further proof? They shall have it."-(Her- ald, February 24, 1863. )
A spy of the Herald reported that one night he saw Bissell, Conger, Allison, Blocklinger, David, Shiras, Adams and others steal out one by one from a secret meeting in old Turner Hall. "What did it mean?" was asked. The branch of the Loyal League was thus organized in this city and supplied with arms by the authorities. This fact angered the disloyalists. The Herald ad- vised caution and said: "We must be cautious in bringing them within the operation of the laws, that we do no wrong; we must meet them at the ballot box." This movement checked for a time much of the disloyalty here. The Herald said the objects of this society were to establish a military despotism. It was at this time that the Herald and its friends began to be milder in their attacks on the administration and less rabid in their strictures on the war.
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
Abolitionism was taken into the school elections and caused much bitterness.
"We are glad that the proprietor and editor of the Times does not misunderstand our position. That office is safe just so long as is the Herald office undisturbed. We are assured by Mr. Stew- art that we are in no danger from inob violence. That is sufficient. There will be no conflict between ourselves or our friends and the friends of that establishment so long as our rights are respected." -(Herald, February 25, 1863. ) "There is danger in this society and it should be met. The South is not subjugated and cannot be, but the North is to be brought under the yoke. We believe if the people could be aroused from their lethargy they would fling off the brood which hover around and defile the sources of power." -- (Same. )
On March 11, 1863, a large delegation of Republicans from farther west in the state assembled here at the office of W. B. Allison. The Herald took fright and declared "those midnight gatherings of a lawless confraternity have no worthy object for a stimulus. They are held to plot against the liberties of their polit- ical opponents and unless we awaken in time to an appreciation of our danger we shall find ourselves subjected to the merciless tyranny of an organized mob. The S. B.'s of Fayette county claim as the object of their existence the destruction of 'an organ- ized conspiracy in Dubuque to revolutionize the government.' These men have no knowledge of such an organization, for there is none. They are making this the pretext for their organization simply that they may be allowed to proceed without interference. The society in this city meets almost nightly. Whether it is yet in possession of arms we do not know: we are informed, however, that it is. But preparations will not injure anybody and may prove invaluable. We therefore advise a public meeting of the Democracy called under the auspices of the Democratic club to con- sider the steps proper to be taken for the formation of an open day organization to defend ourselves against midnight conspirators and would-be assassins."-( Herald, March 14, 1863. )
Early in 1861 Lieutenant Sessions, of Cedar Falls, in a speech at the public park in Dubuque, called the Herald a secession sheet and declared that the office ought to be mobbed. For this the Herald denounced him through the Iowa State Journal as a cow- ard for advising such an attack on a defenseless newspaper office. On March 8, 1863, two years after the above event, the editor of the Herald (local editor probably Armstrong or Hutchins ) stopped at a hotel in Cedar Falls and while there was approached by Lieu- tenant Sessions, who demanded an explanation of the article in the Journal. Not receiving a satisfactory explanation, he proceeded with his fists to take revenge then and there. He struck the editor several times in the face, bringing the blood, and a crowd rushed
294
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
in, shouting "Give it to him; he is a Secessionist." The editor was pretty thoroughly cowed and was severely beaten to the evident delight of the shouting crowd that had hastily gathered. About the same time a squad of soldiers at Waterloo took an agent there of the Dubuque Herald and ducked him repeatedly in the river to show their distaste for that newspaper and for the alleged dis- loyalty of the agent.
About this time there arose all over Iowa and the Northwest a general demand from all persons actively and earnestly engaged in putting down the rebellion that the course in opposition to the prosecution of the war should cease in Dubuque, city and county. The Herald, though still outspoken and apparently defiant, began to modify its tones of severity and instead of howling as before vented its wrath and hate in ominous growls.
On March 18, 1863, the Herald passed from the control of Stil- son Hutchins to that of Patrick Robb, Esq. Mr. Hutchins and Mr. Mahony took charge of the Philadelphia Journal.
At this time (early in 1863) there were several deserters in this county and they were shielded by their relatives and neigh- bors. When the officers approached, warnings were sounded. Lieu- tenant Downey called for recruits for the Seventh regiment. where- upon the Herald of March 4 said: "The business of obtaining recruits is, however, 'played out' here just at present ; so we think Lieutenant Downey will not be troubled with a very large muster roll for some time to come." This open and manifest opposition to enlistinents was not lost upon the Times and the Union leaders. The Herald, with Mahony, Hutchins and Armstrong, was the strongest secession sheet in the state, if not in the West. All three possessed unusual ability. Hutchins made a fortune of several million dollars by 191I.
Mr. Mahony published a book in April, 1863, entitled "Prisoners of State," in which he related his experiences while confined in the old capitol prison at Washington. The Copperheads here cut out the heads of Liberty on the copper cents, made pins of them and openly wore them-copper head. At an open meeting of the Union League at Julien Theater on March 21, H. H. Heath, D. E. Lyon, John O'Meara and G. Grosvenor delivered speeches. It was at this time that many Democrats began to disapprove of the severe course of the Herald and its supporters and sided with those who favored a continuance of the war. The Herald received a setback which was probably the cause of the reorganization of its editorial staff. Lieutenant-Colonel O'Brien sent seventy recruits to the Seventh cavalry late in March.
"It has been very hard to impress upon a certain class of the community a true conception of the designs of the party in power. Plainly and unequivocally, readers of the Herald, its members are determined either upon your subjugation or a revolution. What
295
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
else do you think that their midnight meetings betoken? For what other purpose are they being provided with arms? Now from the lips of the governor we have the admission that such is a fact. This was done, he said, 'because secret organizations of disloyal men had banded together to inaugurate rebellion and civil war in the state. If the citizens now refuse to heed our warning, abso- lutely refuse to place themselves in a position of safety, they must not reproach us when they pay the penalty of their apathy. We say to them, organize everywhere, organize in every school dis; trict, no matter how few or many. We have done our duty. We have placed before the people a knowledge of the dangers which beset and threaten them."-(Herald, April 12, 1863. )
J. B. Dorr, Jesse Clement, Edward Langworthy, E. R. Shank- land, H. Knowlton, Thomas Gilliam, D. Leonard, F. Hinds and Colonel O'Brien and others went to Waterloo April 15, 1863, to attend the formation of a Grand Union League of the state of Iowa.
In April, 1863, the editors of the Herald, at the request of several subscribers, ordered from New York eight Colt's revolvers which were to be sent by the American Express. Upon their arrival here they were detained by J. B. Henion, collector of the port of Dubuque, who apprised Mr. Hutchins, of the Herald, of what he had done. The box was marked "current funds," and Mr. Hutch- ins was refused possession by order of the collector. Mr. Hutchins wrote a formal note demanding to know the reasons for the de- tention, and was answered that such was the order from the gov- ernment, and the act containing such authority was cited and lan- guage quoted-"until further orders no powder of any description and no arms, large or small, will be permitted to pass into the state of Iowa * * except such as are moving under military authority." The Herald accordingly said: "The arms were kept from our possession by virtue of no law, but in express contra- vention of law and, without employing force, we were and are powerless. * *
* The game is too transparent to win-too bold to deceive any sensible man. Its purpose is to put the Demo- cratic party at the mercy of armed Union Leagues. We saw at Fairfield on Monday forty armed Union Leaguers drilling on the public square. What does it portend? We are no alarmist. Noth- ing do we so much fear and desire to avoid as war at home. We cannot stand still and be bound hand and foot. We will not! Our only defense is to provide against outrage, and that we will provide against it these men may be sure. Upon them will be the responsibility of the assault; but when it comes, when we are reduced to the alternative of the conflict or subjection, we shall not hesitate in the choice. We can get arms in spite of then. We advise all to provide for their security without delay, and in
296
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
the fear of God, but not of man, we warn these conspirators te cease their wicked efforts."-(Herald, April 26, 1863.)
According to Mahony the four acts of despotism were: I, Tax bill : 2, conscription bill : 3, finance bill; 4, indemnity bill.
Late in April, 1863, the provost marshal at St. Genevieve, Mis- sonri, issued an order suppressing the Dubuque Herald at that point. The order of General Hascall broke the hearts of the Herald editors. They called it the "last act of the tragedy." All disloyal newspapers were to be suppressed. The order said: "All newspapers and public speakers that counsel or encourage resist- ance to the conscription act, or any other law of Congress passed as a war measure, or that endeavor to bring the war policy of the government into disrepute, will be considered as having violated the order above alluded to and treated accordingly." The Herald said: "If this order of Hascall's means anything it means that we are now at his mercy. Because we take the risk of the action does it render it less dangerous? We do talk to see if we cannot arouse the people to action, in order that they may not be shot down like dogs or driven like cattle."
The "death of civil liberty" was the arrest of Vallandingham and his sentence to be sent South, said the Herald savagely and bitterly. "We might as well speak plainly respecting this affair and let the consequences which follow plain speaking follow this. That the administration have the power to punish recusants we are well aware and we refrain from saying a great many things we are impelled to say because we do not wish to invite its attention or the exercise of its arbitrary power. But there are times, how- ever, when to fail to speak is criminal, and this is one of them. A crime has been committed against the most vital right of the poor and the rich, the humble and exalted-the right to think, to speak. to live. When this thing is consummated then plainly before the American people does Abraham Lincoln stand-the murderer of the nation. The plea of military or governmental necessity is a flimsy screen which will command no respect. No necessity can justify the monstrous outrage."-(Herald, May 15, 1863.)
"The Herald sustains the government, the Times does not. The administration subverts the government, and the Times approves of the subversion. The Herald makes a wide distinction between the administration and the government-as wide as the difference between Abraham Lincoln and the Constitution of the United States. The Herald supports the Constitution against the despot- ism and tyranny of Abraham Lincoln. The Times supports Abra- ham Lincoln against the Constitution. The Herald opposes all treason to the Constitution and all traitors, Abraham Lincoln in- cluded, as well as Jefferson Davis. The Times advocates and sus- tains the treason of Abraham Lincoln and condemns only that of Jefferson Davis."-(Herald, June 2, 1863. )
297
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
In May, 1863, John Hodnett, who was connected with the Her- ald, while at a private house in Cedar Falls, was waited upon by Lieutenant Sessions and a crowd of his friends and told to leave town in ten minutes or suffer the consequences, and that if he returned he would be tarred and feathered. He was fol- lowed across the river by a howling mob and remained there all night and in the morning went to Independence. S. P. Adams became provost marshal in May. Marshal Conger collected the government revenue here. In May, 1863, Bishop Smyth dis- approved of all secret societies and his remarks went the round of the press. The enrollment for the draft was commenced June 1, 1863.
The Ladies' Aid Society gave a strawberry festival at the Lori- mier House, June 11, 1863. for the benefit of sick and wounded soldiers. There were urgent appeals at this time from the fields and hospitals. The net proceeds were $412.20; the Herald said, "The soldiers will probably never see a dollar of it."
"The conscription act, as will be seen by telegraphic dispatches, has caused an insurrection in the city of New York. This was no more than was expected and anticipated. The popular belief is that besides being unconstitutional, the conscription act is unjust in its discriminations. It is also regarded with disfavor by the large portion of the citizens, who do not believe that the war is waged for but against this Union. How can anyone who in his heart believes that the war is only widening the breach between the North and South give his services to fight in this war? If there were no question about the objects of the war there would be no more need of conscription to raise an army now than there was when it was supposed that the war was for the Union." -- ( Herald, July 14, 1863.)
The Federal successes in July greatly encouraged Union senti- ment here and cast a damper on the outspoken opposition of the Copperheads. The victories were duly celebrated by a large crowd at Washington Square. The river was soon to be opened to New Orleans, it was said. Two men arrested in Clayton county under the conscription act and brought here to be confined were released on a writ of habeas corpus by Judge Hempstead. The men then sued the sheriff for kidnapping them, but nothing came of this stiit.
"This at the outset of the contest under the conscription act have the rights of the people been vindicated in Dubuque from the attempt of provost marshals, a deputy United States marshal, the sheriff of Dubuque county and leading members of the S. B. Society to trample under foot the power given by the people to maintain the laws inviolate. * * * Was it not a brave act of Marshal Conger, assisted by a crowd of S. B.'s, to march these shackled victims of arbitrary power through the streets of Du-
298
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
buque on a Sunday afternoon. * * We congratulate this community that the majesty of the law is still respected in the city of Dubuque and that there are some judicial officers left who have the courage to enforce the laws even against United States officers."-(Herald, July 21, 1863. )
The Times denounced the action of the county court in the conscription cases and Governor Kirkwood directed the adjutant- general to call out volunteer companies to aid the provost marshals and serve as a posse comitatus, or bands of loyal citizens to do the same. Generally over the state the act of Judge Hempstead was declared to be an outrage and a direct affront to the draft and state authorities.
"The governor of Iowa has directed the adjutant-general of the state to issue an order which, if carried into practical effect, will result in producing civil war. * * We have no words which will adequately express our condemnation of this order from Gov- ernor Kirkwood. * The governor invites his partisan friends to take up arms ostensibly to aid in the enforcement of the laws-for the purpose of overawing Democrats and preventing them from exercising their political rights. There can be no doubt whatever that a secret understanding existed between the gov- ernor and the organizations known as Union Leagues to furnish those organizations with public arms and to pay them for services they might render as partisans in support of the administration. We call the attention of the people to the infamous designs of the order, and we undertake to tell those partisans who are expected to comply with it that civil war will be the result should this order of Governor Kirkwood be carried into practical effect."-(Herald, July 23, 1863. )
"The Parade of Armed Union Leaguers .- The offensive exhi- bition of about fifty Union Leaguers, Thursday, armed with gov- ernment muskets, has created no small amount of talk and indigna- tion. The reports are rife-reports, too, spread by themselves, that in joining this organization they are released from the opera- tions of the draft by pledging themselves to the service at home against the Democracy. If the madmen at the head of affairs do not consider the feeling of opposition to the draft already of sufficient magnitude, they are taking the very steps to augment it. People do not look upon the impudent display of a force ostensibly for their own subjection with much charity or complacency. That it is not equal to the design matters nothing. While we may not fear the fifty or sixty members of the Union League, who paraded the streets on Thursday with their govern- ment muskets, bayonetted and shotted, it does not follow that they are (not) viewed with contempt. The intention is plain. It is asserted that all the members of this company are by their so associating exempted from the draft; and it is also asserted that
299
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
still another company is being raised for the same purpose. If this be so the provost marshal is aware of it and the people should demand that his knowledge be made public."-(Herald, August 8, 1863. ) They paraded on the special Thanksgiving day proclaimed by the President.
In July several associations were formed to provide against the draft : one was for each member to put up $50, which was to serve as a fund to hire a substitute for any member of the association who might be drafted. Pope Pius IX in a letter to Archbishop Hughes, of New York, urged the latter to use his influence, per- sonal and episcopal, to put an end to the war in America. Mr. Mahony withdrew permanently from the Herald in August, 1863, and Stilson Hutchins assumed editorial management. The Union Leaguers at Cascade were mostly Irish Orangemen and English- men. About August 25, 1863, the enrollment was completed, it was announced; the rolls were open to inspection. Those of the first class in Dubuque county numbered 3, 117.
Frank McLain, a farmer residing on the North Cascade road, seven miles from Dubuque, was arrested as a deserter, brought to town, put aboard the James Means and sent down to Davenport. He had deserted, it was said, from the Thirty-seventh Wisconsin regiment two years before.
About 8 o'clock Angust 12, 1863, two officers, D. E. Lyon and Marshal Hungerford, tried to arrest Wendel and Adam Jacobi, brothers, at their home in Peru township on the charge of deser- tion and other offenses. They were resisted, whereupon in the struggle the former was shot and mortally wounded and the latter was seriously wounded. A third brother assisted, but was not harmed. The coroner returned a verdict that he came to his death by being shot with a pistol in the hands of an unknown person wilfully. The Herald said: "No cause was given for such ex- traordinary proceedings and the act can only be characterized as it is by the jury, a most wilful murder. This horrible affair added to the harsh manner in which young Mclain was treated lately has stirred up a feeling in the community which is fast becoming determined. Certainly, if something is not done to bring the offenders to justice there is cause for alarm and independent action. It will never do to let this affair settle into a result of military necessity."
"The Jacobi Investigation .- We learn that the grand jury failed to find a bill against Lyon and Hungerford for the Jacobi affair. Dubuque will not see such a jury for many a year hereafter. As the evidence is to be published, we make no further comment." --- (Herald, August 20, 1863. )
Governor Kirkwood at the big Union meeting, August 26, 1863, in his speech said: "I have been represented as saying that I was arming the Union Leagues throughout the state and some are
300
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
base enough to declare, and there are fools who believe, that it is for the purpose of influencing the election. It is for another pur- pose-to keep down mobs, to sustain the laws and assist the provost marshals in the execution of the draft. I warn you people of Dubuque to see to it that the Keokuk county mob is not re- peated here, for if I come up here on the same errand that took me to Keokuk county, I will bring no blank cartridges, but I will put down the mob and put my heel upon it and keep it there even if it causes the blood of everyone to flow concerned in it."
In answer to this statement the Herald of August 27, 1863, said : "We are glad that he was exhibited from the platform, because a few men, unaware of the reckless character of the person who is entrusted with the enforcement of the laws of the state, have come to know him as he is. * * * The governor of Iowa is one of that class of persons who can safely be trusted to do just what he says he will not do. Nor do we think that his bravery exceeds his honesty or his cleanliness. * When did he see that the laws were executed? How did he answer when Mr. Mahony called on him as an officer to give him the protection of the state laws? * * No man who is a man fears you, though you were thrice governor. This people have learned that they have nothing honest to expect from yon, but your bluster does not in- timidate them."
Governor Kirkwood again addressed a large audience at the public square on September 16. So great was the feeling among the Copperheads here against him he was guarded by two companies of Union Leaguers-one of this city and one from Epworth. The Herald said: "We condole with Governor Kirkwood-mob advo- cate that he is and Copperhead that we are. * *
* He need not have been alarmed, however; no injury was contemplated to his person. It might have been an act of wisdom to cover the stand with one hundred muskets in the hands of sworn Loyal Leaguers as he did last night, but he would have fared as well had he not been fortified. He is a played-out card. He has bullied and badgered Democrats until they despise him as they would a rep- tile. The official robes which cover him and which would hide an ordinary amount of meanness fail to protect him. Viewed as a man he challenges no sentiment of respect ; viewed as governor of the state, he arouses nothing but contempt. Why should we choose soft words or seek for golden metaphors when we speak of a governor who bids his partisan supporters assault their political opponents and promises immunity for their crimes ? * * *
He to be treated with respect! Rather place in the hands of every honest man a whip of scorpions to lash the scoundrel naked through the world."-(Herald, September 17, 1863. )
"He (Governor Kirkwood) delivered himself of his usual bravado about the draft, told what he was going to do if any re-
.
301
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
sistance were offered, and generally deported himself as would be expected of a filthy, low-lived creature accidentally elevated to power. There isn't a humble laborer in Dubuque who by hard toil bridges over his week's indebtedness by his week's income that has not more honor, more decency, more respect for his word, more sense of obligation to his oath, and who is not better fitted for governor of Iowa than
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.