USA > Iowa > Floyd County > History of Floyd County, Iowa : together with sketches of its cities, villages and townships, educational, religious, civil, military, and political history; portraits of prominent persons, and biographies of representative citizens > Part 41
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As another specimen of Floyd County enthusiasm, as poetically manifested, we reprint the following lively parody, composed by "E. M. B." and dated Ulster, May 25, 1863:
SONG OF THE FLOOD CREEK BOYS.
We have come from the prairies, We have come from the prairies, We have come from the prairies, Of the loyal Hawkeye State. Chorus-We're a band of freemen, We're a band of freemen, We're a band of freemen, And we'll sound it through the land !
We will help to save our nation,
And all the land awaken;
Stand friendly and unshaken, In our loyal Hawkeye State.
We'll remember friends and neighbors,
Who have left their peaceful labors,
Gone to fight with Southern traitors, From the loyal Hawkeye State.
We will still secession cronies, Vallandigham's or Mahony's, With our band of Union ponies, From the loyal Hawkeye State.
We have more if Abraham needs them,
And we never will secede from This glorious band of freemen, In the loyal Hawkeye State. Listen, all ye Northern traitors, And secession operators !
You'll be marked " nullificators," In the loyal Hawkeye State. We'll stand by the Constitution,
· Traitors 'll meet this retribution, In the days of restitution, In the loyal Hawkeye State. Now, three cheers, altogether ! Loyal hearts none can sever ; We'll stand by the Union ever, In the loyal Hawkeye State.
436
HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
May 30, 1863, there was a great Union demonstration in Charles City. Nearly a thousand men, women and children, met at the court-house, where were music and speeches. Hon. A. B. F. Hil- dreth, the President, called the meeting to order, stated the business that was to come before it, and that, efforts to obtain speakers from abroad having failed, the audience must rely on home talent. Led by L. L. Huntley, the audience sung " America." Prayer was of- fered by Rev. John Martindale. A vice-president for each town- ship in the county was elected. Wm. B. Fairfield, of Charles City, Rev. Charles Rowe, of Dubuque, Rev. J. G. Witted, of Chick- asaw, W. E. Paxton, of Floyd, Hon. Wm. H. Johnson, of Marble Rock, Rev. E. G. O. Groat, of Charles City and Rev. J. Martindale, of Delaware County, made stirring, patriotic speeches. Enthusi- astic songs were interspersed, such as " The Red, White and Blue," " Raise up the Banner " (tune of " John Brown "), etc. The last song of the occasion was printed on slips and distributed through- out the congregation, who sang it with the greatest eclat. It was the following:
OUR COUNTRY'S CALL. Air,-" Scots wha hae wi' Wallace bled."
Men of Floyd, awake ! awake ! Don't you hear the eagle shriek, And for aye of freedom speak ? Hear your country's call. Swear, each loyal mother's son, Swear, " Our country shall be one !" Seize your sword, or bring your gun, Bayonet and ball.
.
For the land that bore you, arm ! Shield the State you love from harm ; Catch, and round you spread th' alarm ; Hear, and hold your breath. Hark ! the hostile horde is nigh ! See, the storm comes roaring by ; Hear and heed our battle cry, " Victory or death !"
Sturdy landsmen, hearty tars, Can you see your stripes and stars, Flouted by the three broad bars, And cold-blooded feel ? Where the rebel banner floats, Tyrants, vanquished by your votes, Spring, like bloodhounds, at your throats ; Let them bite your steel.
/
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
With no traitor at their head, By no braggart coward led, By no hero caught abed, While he dreams of flight; By no "young Napoleons," Kept at bay by wooden guns, Shall our brothers and our sons Be held back from fight !
Like a whirlwind in its course, Shall again a rebel force,
Rebel foot or rebel horse, Pass our sleepy posts ? Roam, like Satan, to and fro,
And our laggard let them go ? No! in thunder answer, "No! By the Lord of Hosts!"
With the Lord of Hosts we fight, For His freedom, law and right. Strike for these, and His all-might, Shall with victory crown Loyal brows, alive or dead,
Crush each crawling copperhead,
And, in bloody battle, tread This rebellion down.
Talk of "peace " in hours like this! Tis Iscariot's traitor-kiss ;
'Tis the old Serpent's latest hiss. Foil his foul intrigue; Plant your heel his head upon,
Let him squirm, his race is run. Now, to keep your country one, Join our Union League.
Judge Johnson, at the conclusion of his address, offered the fol- lowing resolutions, which were unanimously adopted :
"1. That we, the loyal citizens of Floyd County, Iowa, will not buy of or sell to, neighbor with or countenance in any way or manner, any person or persons who will not take and subscribe the oath of allegiance to the Government of the United States.
"2. That we consider it a species of disloyalty to treat or rec- ognize such persons in any other manner than as aliens, through or by courtesy, should be treated.
"3. That a man who takes the oath of allegiance through com- pulsion is no better than a rebel in arms against the United States."
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Mr. Fairfield read the pledge of the " Loyal National League," which was signed by 350 voters of Floyd County. The league then adopted a series of by-laws, and elected the following officers : William B. Fairfield, President ; Vice-Presidents-John C. Townsend, Cedar; Hervey Wilbur, Floyd; Newman Dutcher, Niles; Benj. Reed, Rock Grove; J. S. Childs, Rockford ; Wesley Brownell, Riverton; L. L. Huntley, St. Charles; Wm. L. McEwen, Ulster; Wm. H. Johnson, Union; Sanford Harwood, Treasurer; J. C. Whitney, Recording Secretary ; J. V. W. Montague, Corre- sponding Secretary.
With deafening cheers for the Union, the meeting adjourned.
Two days afterward the president of this league, according to a vote of the association, appointed for the the executive committee : A. B. F. Hildreth, Charles City ; B. B. Van Steenburg, Floyd; Benj. Darland, Union; J. S. Childs, Rockford and E. C. Hall, Riverton.
During the summer of 1863 an awkward, serio-comic position was accidentally assumed by a British subject at Marble Rock. Among the Adventists who subscribed the oath of allegiance was an Englishman, who soon afterward recollected that he had under- taken to be faithful to the Queen's proclamation of neutrality, and reported his case to Lord Lyons, the British Minister. The latter replied that his taking that oath of allegiance to the United States was invalid, and he must have his name erased. The president of the Union League, before whom the oath was taken, said that he did not live under the government of the British Minister and would not be dictated to by him. He therefore refused to erase the Englishman's name from the oath. The latter threatened vengeance upon the magistrate and " president of the mob," as he termed him, saying that he had instructions from Lord Lyons how to proceed, and that the magistrate would regret it if his obstinacy should bring on serious difficulties with the " 'ome Government!" This latter remark created considerable laughter at Marble Rock, thus ironically described: " All Marble Rock is now in trepidation lest war be declared against her by ' hold Hengland.' The British iron-clad ‘ Warrior' is momentarily expected to make her appear- ance in the Shell Rock River, opposite Marble Rock, when the town will be bombarded!" In the meantime the Englishman went to fulfil his appointment at Floyd, and convert others to his doctrines of "non-resistance " and English " neutrality."
439
HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
In January, 1864, an attempt was made in the Board of Super- visors to refuse any aid to the families of those who volunteered under the last call of the President, by a vote of from four to five. By a similar vote a resolution was lost, which was offered to dis- burse $5,500 among volunteers under the next presidential call for 300,000 men. But on the 3d of March following the board voted a $100 bounty.
A draft being ordered March 10, 1864, to take place throughout the United States on the 8th of May, and the Governor of Iowa having promised Mr. Lincoln that this State should furnish her quota without drafting, a special effort was made in every com- munity to hire volunteers with bounty money. This occasioned a special meeting of the Board of Supervisors of this county, April 4, called in compliance with a petition from six of its members, according to the regulations of said Board, to consider the matter of bounties. R. N. Mathews offered the following resolution: "That all county bounties to volunteers who may enlist from and after this date shall cease." It was not adopted, the vote upon it being a tie, five to five, thus: Yeas-Chapman, Darland, Gleason, Mathews and Reed; nays-Billings, Brownell, Flint, Howard and Collins, the Chairman.
The draft, however, was postponed until the following autumn, the people volunteering to fill, or nearly fill, the quota under the pending calls.
October arrived, and so did the draft. E. A. Teeling, of Charles City, was appointed Provost Marshal for this district, to conduct the conscription. On the 20th, twenty-six names were turned out for Floyd County, by the wheel of chance, at Decorah, the first thirteen of which, counting out those of persons who might be found exempt, were of those who had either to go to war or hire a substitute.
In May preceding, Mr. Teeling and Charles Kelly recruited a number of 100-day men, who left Charles City, under the chargeof . Charles Kelly, Orderly Sergeant, for Davenport, where they were attached to the Forty-fourth Iowa Infantry, and whence they left for the battle-fields of the South. After skirmishing around Memphis awhile, without any serious casualty, when the rebel General Forest was in that vicinity, their time expired and they returned home.
During the summer and fall of 1864, the cause of sanitary care for the soldiers received increasing support. Public entertain-
440
HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
ments, fairs, etc., were had everywhere, to raise funds for the bet- ter care of soldiers in camp and hospital, and nobly did the people respond. Many direct contributions were made.
April 4, at the Baptist church in Charles City, a public meeting was held to take measures co-operating with the sanitary commis- sion. Rev. W. A. Adams called the meeting to order and stated the object of their assembling. On motion of L. L. Huntley, William B. Fairfield was called to the chair. J. Cheston Whitney was ap- pointed Secretary. Rev. D. M. Reed, of Dubuque, made an ad- dress in behalf of the Northern Iowa Sanitary Fair, to be held in his city, May 24. He spoke of the separations caused by the war, of depleted regiments returning home, of places vacant and voices silent as the effects of this war, paid a glowing tribute to the valor of Iowa troops and to the heroism of those who had fallen in death, read statistics showing the benefits conferred on the sick soldiers through the agencies of the United States Sanitary Com- mission, answered objections to the system, and closed by urgently requesting the co-operation of the citizens in the coming fair.
An executive committee was appointed, comprising J. V. W. Montague, L. L. Huntley, R. W. Humphrey, Geo. C. Dean, Mrs. A. B. F. Hildreth, Mrs. N. H. Palmer, of St. Charles; J. S. Childs, Rockford; Benjamin Darland, Union; Chester Butterfield, Floyd; Benjamin Reed, Rock Grove; Wesley Brownell, Riverton; Newman Dutcher, Niles; . William B. Howard, Cedar; and John Chapman, Ulster. The co-operation of the "ladies' aid societies " was earnestly solicited. This committee subsequently appointed Rev. E. G. O. Groat, Hon. J. G. Patterson and H. O. Pratt, a com- mittee to visit every town in the county and create an interest in this philanthropic work. Mr. Dean was elected Treasurer.
On the 11th, the citizens of St. Charles Township met at the Bap- tist church, in Charles City, and organized by electing L. L. Hunt- ley, President; Mrs. N. H. Palmer, Vice-President; Mrs. William A. Adams, Secretary, and Mrs. J. G. Patterson, Treasurer. A canvassing committee of six ladies and six gentlemen was also ap- pointed. Sub-committees for school districts were afterward appointed, and thus the good work was systematically prosecuted.
The Dubuque fair, however, was postponed to June 21, when it was participated in by a good representation from Floyd County, and attended with signal success.
At the session of the Board of Supervisors, Jan. 4, 1865, A. L. Collins offered the following preambles and resolutions:
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
" WHEREAS, The President of the United States has called for an additional 300,000 men to serve in the military and naval service of the United States; and whereas, a draft has been, or is about to be ordered in Floyd County, for its just proportion of said 300,- 000 men; and whereas, believing, as we do, that the compensa- tion allowed by the Government of the United States to soldiers and seamen is wholly inadequate for their services, risk of life and loss of property, deprivations of their homes and the society of their friends and families; and whereas, believing, as we do, that the war is being prosecuted, among other things, for the protection of property, and that property should and of right ought to pay the expenses therefor; therefore be it
"Resolved, That the Clerk of this Board be and he is hereby authorized and directed to draw orders on the county treasurer, on a fund to be known as the Bounty Fund of Floyd County, in amounts not to exceed in the aggregate, the sum of $300 to each man, bearing interest at the rate of ten per cent. per annum, pay- able on the first of February, A. D. 1866, and shall deliver the said warrant or warrants to each and every person who shall file with him a certificate of acceptance and muster into the military or naval service of the United States for the term of one or more years, either as a volunteer, or as a drafted man, in his own proper per- son, or by good and sufficient substitute, and that he or they have been accredited to Floyd County at large, not however to exceed the number of the quota of Floyd County, as the same is or may determined by the War Department or by the Provost Marshal of this district to fill the quota on the present call of the President for troops; and be it further
"Resolved, That there be now levied on the valuation of all real and personal property in Floyd County, as the same shall be de- termined by the assessment and equalization for the year 1865, the sum of two per cent. on each and every dollar's valuation of the taxable property of Floyd County as shown by the said assess- ments and equalizations for the payment of the foregoing appropri- ation; and that the said funds so raised shall be set apart from all other funds of said county, to be known as the Bounty Fund, and shall be used for no other purpose until the said appropriations are ully paid."
The foregoing were adopted, by yeas-Baker, Brownell, Chap- man, Flint and Wady; nays-Billings, Gleason, Reed and Town- send.
442
HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
An effort was made at this session of the Board so to divide the $300 that $100 would be paid for one year's service in the army, 8200 for two years and $300 for three years; but as the vote was five to five, the proposition failed to be adopted. The Board did, however, vote an appropriation of $2.00 a month to each woman, and $1.50 to each child under twelve years of age, where the hus- band and father was absent in the army. A list of the parties enti- tled to this bounty was published in the Intelligencer of June 16. They are as follows, by townships:
Cedar .- Mrs. Susan S. Miner and three children; Mrs. Susan E. Castle and one child; Mrs. H. M. Hoisington and one child.
Floyd .- Mrs. Oliver Montgomery and two children; Mrs. Harriet J. Perrin; Mrs. Martha Levitt and one child; Mrs. Ann Walker and two children; Mrs. Harriet Rider; Mrs. Martha Manson and two children.
Niles .- Mrs. Jane Rowley and five children; Mrs. Nancy V. Doug_ las and two children.
Riverton .- Mrs. C. Potter and four children; Mrs. Mary L. Butler and two children; Mrs. Ellen Wilcox and five children; Mrs. Mary Ann Clark.
Rockford .- Mrs. Eliza A. Brentner and two children; Mrs. Rachel Franklin; Mrs. Mary A. Hall and one child; Mrs. Sarah J. Havens and two children; Mrs. Elizabeth A. Knapp and two children; Mrs. F. A. Knapp; Mrs. Hannah Walker and four children; Mrs. Rachel Wilcox.
Rock Grove .- Mrs. C. Alice Mead and two children; Mrs. Dru- silla Wagner and three children; Mrs. Martha J. Cottrell and three children; Mrs. Sarah J. Noble and three children; Mrs. Joseph Murphy and three children; Mrs. Elizabeth Pierce; Mrs. Chloe Pierce.
St. Charles .- Three children of Orlando Bagley; Mrs. Catharine O. Hair and three children; Mrs. Hannah E. Smith and one child; Mrs. Abiah T. Capton and three children; one child of Levi Schermerhorn; Mrs. Mary Winkler and four children; Mrs. Eliza Sutliff and three children; Mrs. C. Higgins and two children; Mrs. L. J. Hays and three children; Henrietta E. Carman; two children of Barney Corby; three children of C. P. Collins; Mrs. John Parish; Mrs. N. W. Colton; Mrs. G. W. Stoner.
Ulster .- Mrs. Lucinda Hanchett and one child; Mrs. E. Hender- son; Mrs. Mary A. Stevens and four children.
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Union .- Mrs. M. E. Smith and one child; Mrs. M. A. Crumb and four children; Mrs. Elizabeth Ackley and two children; Mrs. Sarah Cline; Mrs. Laura Robinson and one child; Mrs. Emily Ackley and three children; Mrs. Elizabeth Baker and two children; Mrs. J. E. Frost and three children; Mrs. A. M. Sours and three children; Mrs. C. Aspen and two children; Mrs. M. A. Clay and two children.
On the 10th of April, 1865, the glorious news of the surrender of Lee, the end of this "cruel war, " was received by the citizens of this county, with great demonstrations of rejoicing. In Charles City, as soon as the rumor was confirmed, the air was rent with shouts; anvils, guns, pistols and everything that would make a noise were brought into requisition; and as the night set ir, the court-house, Union Hall, and various stores and offices were magnificently illuminated; friend grasped the hand of friend, and exultation and joy were depicted on every countenance. But O, what a reverse a few days afterward, when the awful news came that Lincoln was assassinated, and other members of his Cabinet assaulted ! Knowing that every one, in his pent-up wrath and sorrow, must have judged the people generally by his own feelings, we stay our pen.
THE NATION'S BEREAVEMENT.
On the reception of the news of the assassination on Sunday afternoon, an impromptu meeting was held at the court-house that evening. Speeches were made by Messrs. Patterson and Pratt, and several clergymen. All the churches were closed, and people of all classes attended the mourning assembly. Feeling was in- tensely deep. A week or so after this, preparations were made for funeral services.
Gov. Stone issued a proclamation requesting the observance of Thursday, April 17, 1865, as a day of humiliation and prayer, in testimony of their sorrow for the assassination of President Lin- coln. In response thereto, arrangements were made by the citi- zens of Charles City and vicinity, for the observance of the day with appropriate ceremonies. It was requested that all secular business be suspended, and the dwelling-houses, offices, stores and places of business, be draped in appropriate mourning. That the citizens of the county assemble on the public square, in Charles City, at ten o'clock A. M. and form in procession and march to the
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
court-house. That there be religious services appropriate to the occasion by the several clergymen of the county, including a ser- mon by Rev. D. N. Bordwell. An oration to be delivered by H. O. Pratt, Esq., on the death of President Lincoln. The exercises to be interspersed with vocal and instrumental music. All the dif- ferent benevolent societies of the county were invited to occupy places in the procession, clad in their regalia. The Grant Union Guards, Capt. Teeling, did escort duty. Officers of the Day-A. B. Hildreth, President; Vice-Presidents: W. B. Fairfield, St. Charles; C. Butterfield, Floyd; A. Gleason, Scott; W. P. Gaylord, Rock Grove; W. L. McEwen, Ulster; W. Brownell, Riverton; W. B. Howard, Cedar; N. Dutcher, Niles; Marshal, D. M. Ferguson; Leader of martial music, John Kellogg; Leader of vocal music, Lorenzo L. Huntley .
At an early hour Thursday morning, the 27th of April, the citi- zens of the neighboring towns began to arrive, and the procession was formed at ten o'clock and marched to the court-house. Min- ute guns were fired by Capt. A. Stolle, while the procession was moving. At the court-house it was found that not nearly all the peo- ple could gain admission, many gathered about the outside of the building.
President Hildreth called the meeting to order and spoke briefly of the cause and object of the meeting and the solemnity of the occasion, reading the proclamation of the Governor, and stating that the citizens had made arrangements for religious and appro- priate exercises for the occasion.
The exercises were opened with a voluntary from the choir,-a quartet by Mr. Huntley, Mr. Pratt, Prof. Shedd and Miss Patten, -who sang with excellent effect the following tribute to Lincoln, entitled :
REST, MARTYR, REST.
'Tis finished ! On Columbia's head, Doth gasping treason pour Its seventh vial of fiendish wrath- Her father is no more. The foulest deeds of treason's life, Which filled the land with woe,
How vain, beside its dying stroke, Which lays our chieftain low !
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
Chorus .- Rest, martyr, rest, From the scenes of death and pain ; Tho' murd'rous hands have stilled thy heart, Thy noble deeds remain. Rest, martyr, rest, From thy weary toil and pain ; The nation mourns the loss of thee, Thy noble deeds remain.
Four years as chieftain did he toil, To free our own fair land, And traitors all around him stood, To grasp it from his hand. And in our nation's gladdest hour The assassin's hand was near; It struck our noble Lincoln down, Columbia's hearts hold dear.
The nation's heart o'erflowed with joy, To see the conflict cease, And grim war's bursting clouds revealed The angel form of Peace. The Union safe, the slave set free, By his kind heart and hand, Oh, why must he, like Moses, die In view of Canaan's land ?
We should not question Providence, Who wisely rules o'er all, And in his tender love doth mark The tiny sparrow's fall. But tremble, traitors, lest the wrath Your murd'rous act hath sown, Leave Justice free from Mercy's prayers, To deal with you alone !
Though tongues inspired should tell our woe, And tears in oceans roll, Vain would they prove to paint the grief That wrings the nation's soul. We bow in silence to the storm, By which the love divine, Doth cleanse and cause Columbia's stars With tenfold light to shine.
Rest, martyr, rest, From thy weary toil and pain; Tho' murd'rous hands have stilled thy heart, Thy noble deeds remain. Rest, martyr, rest, From thy weary toil and pain ; The nation mourns the loss of thee, Thy noble deeds remain.
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HISTORY OF FLOYD COUNTY.
After singing the above, the exercises proceeded as follows: Hymn-
God moves in a mysterious way, His wonders to perform ; He plants his footsteps on the sea, And rides upon the storm.
Reading Scriptures and Prayer-Rev. Mr. Groat. Ilymn- Our God, our help in ages past, Our hope for years to come ; Our shelter from the stormy blast, And our eternal home.
Sermon-by Rev. Mr. Bordwell, from Ecclesiastes VII: 14.
" In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity, consider: God also hath set the one over against the other."
The following are extracts from Mr. Bordwell's sermon:
"There are, perhaps, few examples in all history in which a nation has been so suddenly brought down from the mountain heights of joy and hope and exultation, to the deep valley of humiliation and sorrow, as ours has recently been. But two short weeks ago, every loyal State in the Union was ringing from center to circumference with shouts of joy and triumph. Everywhere the bells pealed forth their glad sounds and the thunder of cannon sent the joyful tidings reverberating over hills and plains. Bonfires and illuminations turned night into day. Everywhere the stars and stripes, now more dear and sacred than ever before to the hearts of our people, were flung to the breeze, and as they floated in mid air, they seemed to speak to us the words of the angelic chorus that fell upon the ears of the Judean shepherds eighteen hundred years ago: 'Peace on earth, good will to men.' The churches were thronged with devout worshipers; words of gratitude and praise went up to God, and consecrated walls and lofty arches rang with loud hallelujahs and hymns of victory. How suddenly was the na- tion's joy turned into mourning, when the glad tumult of our re- joicing was hushed into a dread stillness by the messages which went forth from the capitol, flashing over the telegraphic wires from every part of the land! 'President Lincoln is no more, shot through the head by the hand of an assassin!'
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