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 34
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"We regret exceedingly that the Times in its Monday's issue should indulge in an extremely partisan view of the movement now on foot to fill the quota of this county without a draft. It opposes the whole proceeding and expresses the hope that loyal men will give the whole movement 'a wide berth.' and calls upon provost marshals 'to let the draft go on.' Inasmuch as the movement re- ferred to is the effort to fill our quota by volunteers, the above would seem very much like discouraging enlistments. It is hardly necessary to refer to the fact that a wide difference of opinion exists between Democrats and Republicans as to the propriety and justice, and even legality, of a draft. The former, if in power, would avert a draft altogether, while the latter have considered one necessary and enacted a law for that purpose. But no matter what our opinions are as to the merits or demerits of that law, it must be obeyed. Dubuque county is called upon for 300 men to fill her quota. If they are not furnished voluntarily they will be taken by draft. If the draft occurs many families will be left destitute. in which case the county would be called on for support. Which step, then. should the county take-offer the bounty or pre- pare to care for the families?"-(Herald, September 27, 1864. )
Every ward in Dubuque and many precincts throughout the county, independent of any act that the county board might take, raised large sums to secure recruits or substitutes. When it was realized that the draft would now surely take place in all portions
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HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
of the county unless the quota was raised at once, the citizens began work in earnest. The county board met about October I and fully considered the subject. As it was apparent that a great majority of the citizens favored a county bounty, they finally passed resolu- tions appropriating $125,000 for that purpose. County coupon warrants bearing 6 per cent interest, payable in ten years or sooner, were to be issued; and not exceeding $400 was to be paid for any recruit. The fund was to be applied to substitutes previously se- cured under the pending call. A committee of five was appointed to carry the order into effect. They were Arthur McCann, Dennis O'Brien, Theophilus Crawford. F. M. Knoll and John Rugamer. The following was one of the preambles of the resolutions of the county board appropriating the $125,000:
"Whereas. If such draft be permitted to take place, there is reason to believe that the peace of the county would be disturbed, its prosperity impaired. its business in the various walks of life suspended, and the better portion of its able-bodied population driven into exile to avoid compulsory conscription ; therefore," etc.
Many exciting incidents occurred in all parts of the county, growing out of the efforts to escape the draft. Bounty jumpers kindled the wrath of the people; prices of substitutes ran up to $600 or more. In Concord township one of the recruits, after receiving the bounty, escaped from the guards, but was pursued by thirteen citizens armed with pistols, who conveyed him to Du- buque and delivered him to the marshal; he escaped again, where- upon the aforesaid thirteen citizens cast lots to see which of them should go in his place. There was much excitement, not unmixed with ludicrous incidents, for several months. There was great rejoicing as township after township and ward after ward raised its quota.
"Recruits are urged to enlist for three years, and we are told that all in excess of the present quota will be credited on the next draft. Another draft will surely come if Abraham Lincoln is re-elected, and still others, each succeeding one more cruel and remorseless than the last, until the last man shall be taken. Who will vote for an administration so bloody in its policy and pur- poses ?"-(Herald, October, 7, 1864. )
"A negro from one of the interior towns presented himself at tlie provost marshal's office as a volunteer to fill the quota of his town, and was also authorized and furnished with the means to bny enough men to fill the quota. He flourished among the white brokers and was a formidable rival, bidding up in a spirited man- ner. He got one white man for $700 and would pay the price for several more, but he happened to open negotiations with a Copper- head, who gave him a blow over the peeper and the darky left for home soon after with a black eye and has not been seen since. He is several degrees above those ranting, howling Abolitionists
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HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
who blow war all the time but never enlist themselves. He is going to the front along 'wid the white folks.'"-(Herald, Octo- ber 15, 1864. )
Nearly all the townships took the county bounty warrants at par. Jefferson and Taylor townships were drafted October 6. By October 8 the First and Third wards of Dubuque were the only ones behind. On October 9 Cascade, Concord and Iowa townships were drafted. The Third ward cleared itself by October Io; it raised thirty-five men in two weeks. Dodge township was an- nounced free from the draft October II, Liberty cleared itself October 12. The First ward was clear the 12th, paying $550 for its last man. Mahony and Bates did more to free the county from the draft than any other men. They led the movement which induced the county board to offer the bounty. Substitute brokers did a "land office business"; one boasted that he had cleared $2,000 in two months. A broker furnished six men in a lump, who were secured by Taylor township. The draft occurred in White Water township. Iowa township cleared itself October 22.
Prior to November 19, 1864, there had been paid out in county bounty warrants $115,800. This sum had been divided among the several wards and townships of the city and county and to persons who had hired substitutes, in part as follows :
First ward
$10,000
Second ward
5,600
Third ward
14,000
Fourth ward 4,000
Fifth ward
4,000
Julien
2,400
New Wine
6,400
Prairie Creek
5.200
Vernon
7.600
Table Mound
4,400
Peru
5,200
Liberty
7,600
Dodge
1,000
Washington
1,400
Iowa
4,000
Center
4,400
White Water
5,600
Mosalem
4,400
Cascade
. 2,000
Taylor
2,400
Jefferson
1,200
Concord
2,800
Special
600
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HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
There was still due townships and individuals the sum of $13,- 250, making $129.050 in all, or $4,050 over the amount appro- priated by the board in October.
There was a supplemental draft in one or more of the townships in November. Sherman's march to the sea and the Federal suc- cesses late in 1864 were fully appreciated here. "No draft" was announced early in January, 1865, to the great relief of the whole county. Even as late as February, 1865, the Herald clung to its idea of peace on the basis of the old Union. Dr. E. A. Guilbert succeeded Dr. Phillips as examining surgeon. The old Herald died at this time, though the new one found fault with every step of the administration. On January 6 the city council "Resolved, That hereafter payment made to soldiers' families from the relief fund in Dubuque county shall be paid in money instead of orders on designated stores in the city of Dubuque, if demanded by them." The question of additional bounty was considered in January, in view of the new quota and fresh calls for recruits. The Herald had an exasperating way of noticing with great display all im- portant events solely of interest to the South and of studiously ignoring occurrences of interest to the North. During 1864 forty- seven deserters were put in jail in Dubuque. Substitute brokers again were prominent in January, 1865. As high as $700 was paid by several individuals. The county board adopted the follow- ing resolution on January 4 :
Whereas, The county of Dubuque has given a large bounty to those persons who have joined the army of the United States during the fall of 1864 and thereby liberally provided for the families of said persons ; therefore be it
"Resolved That the families of such soldiers who have received the county bounty, or in whose favor the warrants of the county have been issued, are not entitled to nor shall they receive the sup- port of the county, the same as other soldiers' families, and that the resolution passed by this board at its last regular session au- thorizing the members of this board to recommend the aforesaid soldiers' families to the superintendent for support be and is hereby rescinded.
"Babylon Has Fallen .- Richmond, the capital of the Confed- eracy, has fallen. The news was first received by a dispatch from Lincoln, and afterward confirmed by Stanton, when all doubts were removed, as the event had long been expected. Signs of rejoicing and hilarity began to manifest themselves throughout the city, when flags were displayed and crowds of men thronged the newspaper offices to learn the truth of the report. The Germania band paraded Main street during the afternoon playing inspiring airs and was followed by a crowd. The Key City battery fired a salute from Washington Square without meeting with any acci-
314
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
dent. The whole city was glad to know that the end draweth nigh, for all are more or less tired of the war, and the sooner it is ended the better it will be for all parties. With the Federal vic- tories and the city election the town was in a blaze of excitement last evening."-(Herald, April 4, 1865.)
"We have to record in this issue two great victories, one of Dubuque and the other of Richmond and both of large importance. Richmond has at last fallen; after withstanding a siege of three full years it has at last succumbed and Federal troops are now stationed on its streets and Federal tents cover the Shocpoe Hills. This was the last stronghold of the rebels-the last standpoint of the Confederacy-and with its capture goes out not perhaps their last hope but certainly their greatest. It is a blow from which we do not believe they can ever recover, and indeed, if they are ever able to again rally a large army, they will disappoint us. Still it is presuming too much to believe that the war is virtually at an end, for it is not so: there will be a good deal of fighting yet and many severe struggles before they yield."-(Herald, April 4, 1865.)
The news of Lee's surrender was received a little before 10 o'clock p. m. Sunday, April 9, 1865, and immediately an impromptu celebration was held. An enthusiastic crowd, headed by the Ger- mania band, paraded the streets and called the people from their beds ; bulletins conveyed the glad tidings. Bishop Smyth, who was called out, rejoiced at the prospect of speedy peace. Mayor Thomp- son gave permission to ring all the bells in the city. Other leading citizens were called out, made glad speeches, and far into the next day the rejoicing continued ; bonfires and patriotic songs closed the celebration. But the next day the excitement and rejoicing continued with little diminution ; nearly all business was suspended, the people preferring to meet, congratulate and make merry. An immense procession paraded the streets at 2 p. m., with banners, mottoes and war reminders, amid the fire of artillery from the bluff ; speeches of joy and gladness were delivered in halls and churches to cheering, happy-faced crowds. The Herald asked President Lincoln to give the South all the rights it had before the war.
"Our faith, however, in Mr. Lincoln doing this we must acknowl- edge is small. If he rises from politics to statesmanship he will disappoint the precedents he has set. If he can disentangle himself from the radical destructives who have governed and owned him since he has been in power, he will do much more than we antici- pate from him. It is almost as morally certain that he will bring in the odious and everlasting nigger question as that the sun will rise tomorrow; he will prove himself, we fear, instead of a wise and judicious statesman, nothing but a groveling Abolitionist, sac- rificing the interests of a great and mighty nation and of millions
315
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
of white men to an abstract question about a few niggers. If he should not do it, then indeed would Lincoln cease to be Lincoln."- (Herald, April 12, 1865. )
On Sunday, April 16, the terrible news of Lincoln's assassination was received and occasioned general regret and sorrow. Here, as elsewhere in the North, many had come to believe him a tyrant, and several rejoiced at his death. The Herald denounced the act as an awful crime and issued bulletins, as did the Times. Many voluntarily draped their buildings in mourning.
A grocer named Morrill, located at Main and Eighth streets, on the morning of April 15, 1865, offered to head a band of men to tear down the Herald office.
PROCLAMATION.
In consequence of the sad news received by telegraph of the cowardly assassination of our President and secretary of state, I hereby request all places of business and saloons in the city to be closed during the day and evening. It is further requested that all drape their buildings in mourning.
JOHN THOMPSON, Mayor.
"It was but a short time before the city was almost entirely draped in mourning, presenting a strange contrast from the gay and festive aspect of the first part of the week. The streets had the appearance of Sunday. Store rooms were closed and shutters up. The banks closed business after 12 o'clock. Men gathered on the street to talk of the atrocious deed. Tears rolled down the cheeks of gray-haired men. The excitement was intense. From joy the nation was turned to sorrow. No such a dismal looking ciay was ever seen in this city before and we hope will never be again."-(Herald, April 16, 1865. )
"Precisely at 12 o'clock all the bells in the city commenced a doleful tolling, continuing for an hour. All the churches, public buildings and fire companies rung out a slow, mournful dirge that fell on the ear like the spirit of the departed. On the levee the observance was kept; flags trimmed with crape floated half-mast and all the packets' bells tolled a funeral dirge. Sunday was not more quiet than Main street during two hours yesterday. The citizens assembled at the Congregational church according to public announcement and occupied an hour or more with services appro- priate to the solemn occasion. The divines delivered fitting eulo- gies on the death of the lamented President. Hon. W. B. Allison made a few remarks appropriate to the occasion."-(Herald, April 20, 1865. )
"If there should ever be any violence or mobs in Dubuque- which we fervently hope will never be the case-we shall know
316
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
where to trace them and to whom to lay the blame. These min- isters propose to visit upon us the same vengeance Wilkes Booth wreaked upon Mr. Lincoln, and think thereby, as he did, they are doing God and humanity a service. Last Friday Parson Holmes proposed the appointment of a committee to come down and mod- erate our tone, but wise man that he is readily gave way to sapient suggestion that the matter should be deferred till the soldiers come home, when they would compel what he desired. Parson Whiting hopes that the day will come when Dubuque will not be a disgrace to Iowa and the North."-( Herald, April 21, 1865. ) The Herald called these ministers "bloodhounds of Zion."
"We will give these men who are so eager to stir up strife in this community a bit of wholesome advice. It will be a sorry day for them and their friends when they attempt any violence. They are in the minority here and it is the intention to keep them there. The Democracy will not allow themselves to be provoked into any violence of any kind by taunts of 'shameless disloyalty' or by threats of 'patriotic indignation'-they intend to preserve order, obey the laws and criticise the acts of public men as they please."- (Herald, April 21, 1865.)
"Fanatical priests have been the curse of this country for the last fifteen years. Casting aside the work of their Master, they have entered fully into the service of the devil and have preached the country into a revolution and now they want to preach it into anarchy."-(Herald, April 22, 1865.)
On April 19, 1865, Bishop Smyth's fine barn containing two fine Morgan horses worth $1,000, a carriage worth $500, two sets of harness, a cow, a Newfoundland dog, a sleigh and a large quantity of hay was burned by an incendiary. This was one of the meanest, most contemptible acts ever perpetrated in this city ; it was denounced by everybody as a dastardly crime. The mayor offered a reward of $1,000 for the arrest of the guilty ones.
"Rev. R. Nagle, McGregor.
"On last Wednesday ( 19th) about I o'clock in the morning, my stable, coach-house, carriage, splendid horses, grain, etc., etc., were all burned down by the foul hand of some southern secesh because I had on last Sunday strongly condemned the bloody and cruel assassination of our late lamented and humane President. I for- give them and may God forgive them. Loss about $4,000.
CLEMENT, Bishop of Dubuque.
"We believe this opinion of the bishop is as hasty as it is ill- founded. We cannot think that there is any such rascal in Dit- buque. Still, if he is so confident in his knowledge, is it not his duty as a good citizen to inform the officers of the law of the guilty wretch."-(Herald, April 29, 1865.)
317
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
"If there had been no Copperhead paper in Dubuque to call the President 'bloody tyrant,' 'widow-maker,' 'wretch,' 'imbecile,' 'ın- human fool,' and to even seek to cast disgrace upon his mother in asserting that he was a 'bastard,' Bishop Smyth would not have lost his property. To be consistent the Herald ought to lavish praise upon the incendiary. This act was but the practice of south- ern rebels carried northward, and the Herald, you know, has ever since the war commenced spared no praise in speaking of the acts of 'the noble Confederates.' * * * We believe it was a ruf- fian, born in the Catholic church, one of the ignorant beings who are a disgrace to religion and society, who applied the torch to the bishop's barn. We cannot expect anything else when the ipse dirit of a Democratic defaulter is of more importance than the kind admonitions of a venerable and kind-hearted prelate: when the verbiage of small lawyers and the drunken bluster of pros- perous dunces are heeded in preference to the advice of those who have no object but the spiritual and temporal welfare of their charges. Let it be remembered for all time in Dubuque the humble residence of the Catholic bishop was threatened by the torch of an incendiary ; that his barn was fired because he denounced a foul, infamous and unparalleled murder." -- (Times, April 23, 1865.)
In April, 1865, all recruiting was stopped by order of the au- thorities. In May the Lincoln Monument Association was organ- ized, the object being to raise means to erect in this city a monu- ment to Abraham Lincoln. In June the Iowa regiments began to be mustered out and be sent home. Often they came in small squads, but when they came en masse they were received with great ceremony and showered with honors. The Ninth and Fif- teenth regiments were given such a reception at the City Hall in July. The Thirty-fourth and Thirty-eighth regiments arrived in September. The Fourth of July was duly celebrated in 1865. The Herald could not say enough mean things against the men who on that occasion exhibited an effigy of Jeff Davis hanging to a sour apple tree. The Copperheads refused to have read at their celebration the emancipation proclamation, so there were several celebrations.
In September, 1865, the first steps to form in Dubuque a per- manent organization of the old soldiers were taken; several meet- ings were held. On May 30, 1868, the organized old soldiers began to observe Decoration day ; General Vandever was the chief speaker this year. Gen. M. M. Trumbull was the chief orator in 1869. D. B. Henderson was the chief orator in 1870. Gen. William Hyde Clark died here in October, 1872. In 1861 he went out with the Governor's Greys, was at Wilson's Creek, Pea Ridge and other battles. The G. A. R. camp at Dubuque was named in his honor ; lie offered the Greys to the governor in January, 1861. The an-
318
HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
nual reunion of the Twenty-first regiment was held here in Sep- tember, 1872. The Dubuque Rifles were reorganized in 1875, with Captain Duane at their head. Col. George McHenry died here in 1877 : he assisted in raising the company for the Mexican war ; he previously had been colonel of militia at Jacksonville, Illinois. He was a "war Democrat." In 1877 the Fourth regiment of National Guards was organized in this county. Capt. M. M. Hay- den died in 1876; in 1854 he became captain of the City Guards ; his rebellion record was brilliant. The Dubuque Light Artillery company was organized in 1878. In 1878 three companies of Dubuque were members of the Fourth regiment : Dubuque Rifles, Dubuque Guards and Dubuque Cadets. C. S. Bentley was colonel of the regiment. In August, 1881, the members of Company I, First regiment, organized in order to preserve the memories of the battle of Wilson's Creek. The immense national military en- campment was held here in August, 1882; nearly thirty military organizations participated ; they came from all parts of the Union. Several hundred tents constituted their home at "Camp Dubuque" on the Fair Grounds. This was by all odds the finest military display ever seen here; 25,000 people saw the sham fight. Drills, parades, steeplechase, gun contests, etc., entertained all persons. The United States signal corps gave a fine exhibition. The Por- ter Guards, of New Orleans, won first prize of $1,000 for general excellence. The total receipts were $12,820 and the total expenses $13,665.13. Another, even larger, was held in June at Dubuque in 1884; this was the largest ever held in the Northwest. Over thirty companies were here the first day and in all about forty were present later. Ten bands furnished music. As before, all sorts of contests enlivened the event. The Mobile Rifles took first prize and Tredway Rifles, of St. Louis, second prize.
The Governor's Greys had four distinct organizations: (1) In 1858, under Governor Hempstead, from whom it took its name; (2) in 1859: (3) in 1864; (4) in 1885. Its temporary officers in 1885 were \V. H. Thrift, acting captain; C. D. Hayden, first lieu- tenant ; C. D. Ham, second lieutenant ; they drilled in the City Hall. On July 1, 1885, they numbered forty-one. At the organi- zation the old members yet alive were George L. Torbert, J. F. Bates, C. N. Clark, J. B. Howard, W. W. Wormood. J. K. Graves, G. B. Grosvenor, S. M. Pollock, Horace Poole, Alonzo Cragin, A. Y. McDonald, V. J. Williams, B. M. Harger, F. H. Carberry, and others. In 1886 Governor Larrabee attended the Greys' ball. The Greys represented the state at the Centennial in Philadelphia in 1887. Their new officers in 1887 were C. D. Hayden, captain ; C. D. Ham, first lieutenant : F. D. Shiras, second lieutenant. In 1890 the officers were W. H. Thrift, captain; B. F. Blockinger, first lieutenant : A. M. Jaeggi, second lieutenant. The Greys' armory was dedicated in 1892. The Greys in October, 1892, rep-
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HISTORY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY
resented the state at the opening of the Columbian Exposition at Chicago. Captain Thrift and Private Becker became involved in serious trouble in 1892 : the latter was dropped from the rolls, but this was declared to be a whitewash of the captain.
A joint committee of the legislature visited Dubuque in 1886 to inspect proposed sites for the Soldiers' Orphans' Home. There was sharp competition among the cities of Iowa for this institu- tion. Dubuque tried hard to get it, but was defeated by Marshall- town by only one vote; this city would no doubt have won had not the rival cities raked up the disloyal record of this community during the rebellion. The Grand Armny encampment of lowa was held here in 1887: it was a notable event. The G. A. R. held an- other encampment here in 1891 ; 15,000 visitors were present ; 3,000 veterans were in line; Governor Boies addressed the old soldiers; 50,000 people saw the parade ; the Woman's Relief Corps was well represented ; the largest crowd ever here saw the performances. Col. J. F. Bates died in 1892 ; his military record was splendid. In 1892 Gen. George W. Jones was granted a special pension of $20; he was a drummer boy in the War of 1812; served on the staff of General Dodge in the Black Hawk war.
The First Regiment of Iowa National Guards in 1898 comprised the following companies : Company A, of Dubuque ; B, of Water- loo: C. of Cedar Rapids ; D, of Charles City ; E. of Independence ; F, of Tipton ; G. of Vinton; H, of Marshalltown; I, of Waukon; K, of Toledo; L, of Lyons, and M, of Maquoketa. The Dubuque Company A was the Governor's Greys. In April, 1898, W. G. Dows, of Cedar Rapids, was elected colonel of this regiment.
It was presumed that in case of war with Spain the Governor's Greys, as Company A, of the National Guard, would, of course, become the volunteers called for from Dubuque. It was due to this reason that the Greys themselves did little when war commenced. But this course did not suit others here. On April 18 Capt. W. H. Thrift issued a call for volunteers independent of the National Guards. On April 18 a large war meeting, presided over by Mayor Berg, was held. Colonel Lyon delivered one of his fiery speeches. Other speakers were Senator Malley. Rev. L. M. Waterman and Captains Dow and Thrift. Volunteers were enrolled, but how many is unknown, as no record was kept. The call by Captain Thrift extended over northwest Iowa and was for a full regiment. But this call was wholly unauthorized and was disclaimed by Adjutant General Byers.
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