USA > Iowa > Jefferson County > History of Jefferson County, Iowa, a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 39
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less than a reckless inauguration of a land pirate war, and should be treated with summary vengeance upon the guilty, by the government."
The campaign was short. There was a vigorous use of strong words. Demo- crats were styled "Stump Tails." The term was familiar, having been applied in business transactions to bank notes issued upon Southern securities. The allu- sion was to sympathy for the South and hostility to the war. The election, held on October 8th, resulted in the county in favor of the entire republican ticket. This outcome was in part an expression of loyalty to the soldiers in the field who were deprived of their vote.
On account of the serious condition of affairs in Missouri, Governor Kirk- wood, on October 3d, appointed the "County Judge of Jefferson County"- then W. K. Alexander-to organize into companies and regiments all its able- bodied men liable to perform military duty. These were to be solely for defense of the state. He was instructed in doing this not to interfere with organiza- tions for United States service, but to afford them all proper facilities. As the state was without arms, he was to require all private arms to be reported. "Double-barreled shotguns and hunting rifles," wrote the governor, "although not the best, are good arms in the hands of brave men." Such arms, in families where there were no men liable to military duty, he was to have. appraised and receipted for in the name of the state, to be paid for if lost or injured, or not returned. Every man was to furnish his own clothing, horse and equipments, and hold himself in readiness to march at a moment's notice. As soon as a regiment was organized, it was to be assembled for one day's drill. The men were then to be dismissed after arrangements were perfected for quickly call- ing them together in case of emergency.
For the purpose organizing companies as directed, official notice was given the "enrolled militia" of the several townships to meet at the usual place of holding elections as follows: On Saturday, October 26th, in Blackhawk ; on Monday, October 28th, in Fairfield; on Wednesday, October 30th, in Walnut ; on Thursday, October 31st, in Lockridge; on Friday, November Ist, in Bu- chanan; on Saturday, November 2d, in Cedar; on Wednesday, November 6th, in Liberty; on Thursday, November 7th, in Round Prairie; on Friday, Novem- ber 8th, in Polk; on Saturday, November 9th, in Locust Grove; on Monday, November 11th, in Des Moines; and on Tuesday, November 12th, in Penn.
Fairfield Township was found to have a sufficient number of available men to form three companies, and was thereupon divided into three districts, North- ern, Middle and Southern. The election of officers in these was fixed for Sat- urday, November 9th, and was held in the Northern District at Rider's school- house, in the Middle District at the courthouse, and in the Southern District at the Southwest schoolhouse of Fairfield.
What was done at these various meetings and elections is now known only for the one in the Southern District of Fairfield Township. There about sixty men responded. They elected W. B. Culbertson, captain; Daniel Fore, first lieutenant; J. A. McAllister, second lieutenant; A. R. Fulton, first sergeant ; James Jamison, second sergeant; J. B. Duncan, third sergeant; Charles Gift, fourth sergeant; David Grear, first corporal; Frank Eckles, second corporal; Patrick Finnegan, third corporal; and Peter Roth, fourth corporal.
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This preparation awakened fear of hidden and uncertain dangers. There were those, too, who charged it was planned to obtain possession of the private arms of citizens. Whatever motive really inspired it, it proved to be but an episode in the current of events as the need to call this militia into active service did not arise.
While this action was taking place at the instance of the state, a company was raised for the cavalry regiment Col. Asbury B. Porter was recruiting at Mount Pleasant. In Fairfield also, to secure and maintain an effective local force, the "Blues" sought new members to make up "a permanent volunteer company of infantry." The officers of this body were Daniel Rider, captain; W. K. Alexander, first lieutenant; and W. W. Junkin, second lieutenant.
The Army Sanitary Commission issued an appeal on October Ist to the "Loyal Women of America" to help take care of sick and wounded soldiers and sailors by providing in a systematic way the articles most needed for their com- fort and relief. The zealous women of Fairfield, on Wednesday, the 16th, at Wells' Hall, organized an "Aid Society." Mrs. Thomas D. Evans was made president ; Mrs. C. W. Slagle, secretary and treasurer. A fee of 25 cents paid by each member on admission, and dues of 10 cents weekly, supplied their meager funds. Donations of materials, as cloth and yarn, and of table delicacies were asked for. A committee solicited contributions in the country. Members gave their time and labor. On the 30th, they made their first shipment, two boxes of hospital stores, to Rev. Andrew Axline, chaplain of the Second Iowa Infantry, then stationed at Camp Benton, St. Louis. The contents of these boxes were nine quilts, five pillows, seven pillow cases, ten blankets, eleven sheets, twelve pairs of stockings, two bottles of wine and three jars of jelly. A third box was prepared and sent to Mrs. Annie Wittemeyer at Keokuk. It contained eleven quilts, eleven pillows, thirteen pairs of stockings, seven towels, eight blankets, eight sheets, two shirts and packages of old linen.
Responding to a similar appeal from the Army Sanitary Commission of the State of Iowa, the loyal women of Brookville and vicinity held a meeting on Monday evening, November 18th, in that village. Henry Gregg was chairman; Jesse Larkin, secretary. A constitution was submitted and on motion of Joseph Ennis adopted. These were its several articles.
"I. This society shall be called 'Franklin Soldiers' Relief Association,' auxil- iary to the 'Army Sanitary Commission of the State of Iowa,' whose object shall be to solicit contributions for the relief of our soldiers under the direction and control of said commission.
"2. The officers of this society shall be a president, vice president, recording secretary, treasurer and corresponding secretary; the duties of each to be such . as are usually performed by such officers, and such as may be required by said commission and by this society.
"3. There shall be a committee of two ladies for each school district in Locust Grove Township, and Elm Grove, Fairview and Plum Grove School Dis- tricts, to solicit contributions of the kind requested by said commission and col- lect in the same, the money to be paid into the hands of the treasurer, and the other articles to be placed in the hands of the committee of depositary.
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"4. There shall be appointed a committee of depositary of five persons, whose duty it shall be to take care of such articles as may be placed in their hands, and forward the same as may be directed by the proper officers of said commission.
"5. The recording secretary shall procure a suitable book in which shall be recorded the name of each contributor with the articles contributed.
"6. There shall be a regular meeting of this society every four weeks during the existence of the present war; special meetings may be held on the call of the president.
"7. All persons contributing towards the object of this society shall be mem- bers of the same.
"8. This constitution may be amended at any meeting by two-thirds of the members present voting for such amendment.
"9. By-laws may be adopted at any meeting by a majority of the members present."
The officers were the Methodist minister, J. B. Drayer, president; Mrs. Har- riet Jane Gregg, vice president; Miss Emma Passmore, recording secretary ; Mrs. Hannah Stever, treasurer; and Mordecai Larkin, corresponding secretary. The depositary committee were Mrs. J. B. Drayer, Mrs. Fonce, Mrs. L. B. Moor- man, Mrs. F. Wright and Mrs. M. D. Baldridge. The members of the solicit- ing committees for the several school districts were, for No. 1, Mrs. J. Smith and Mrs. E. Dearduff; for No. 2, Mrs. D. Parrott and Mrs. John Fancher ; for No. 3, Miss Martha Carpenter and Mrs. Jane Collins; for No. 4, Miss Cynthia Ball and Miss Priscilla Gregg; for No. 5, Miss Lucretia Nimics and Miss Amanda Warwick; for No. 6 Miss Martha McBurney and Mrs. Tegarden ; for No. 7, Mrs. J. M. Grafton and Mrs. M. J. Junkin; for No. 8, Mrs. John Ilginfritz and Miss Anna Ball; and for No. 9, Mrs. Parker Grafton and Mrs. W. Sunderland.
The plan and methods of this association were typical. There were similar societies at Salina and Libertyville.
The winter was uneventful. Prairie chickens and wild turkeys were numer- ous. Business was so stagnant that some merchants deemed it wise to operate strictly on a cash basis. There was little movement of farm products on account of low prices. Successive snowfalls, beginning with a heavy one on December 22d, kept the ground well covered till late in March. The fall wheat in which many broad acres had been sown was perfectly protected under this covering. A favorable season following ripened it in a bounteous harvest.
Interest in the war was revived by news of the capture on February 16, 1862, of Fort Donelson. The personal side of the story brought a thrill of joy and sat- isfaction. Let this be told by an extract from a letter of Lieut. M. A. McCoid to his parents. "Orders were received," he wrote, "for the Iowa 2d to lead the triumphal entrance of the troops into the fort, for as the general said, they had taken it. Forward we marched and as we passed, regiment after regiment rent the air with cheer upon cheer for the 'brave Iowa Second,' Ah; I tell you I had not slept a wink for three days and nights had nothing to eat but now and then a hard cracker and a piece of side meat raw, and never in my life felt so perfectly worn out, but this paid for it all. We led the troops in the fort and planted the flag of the Iowa Second, the dear old stars and stripes, on the battlements amid such cheers as you might expect to rise from 30,000 troops who had taken the strongest fort in the West-taken 20,000 prisoners-and
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opened the way for the advance of the army into the enemy's country." It was, certainly, a glorious hour for men who, less than a week earlier, with flag furled and fife and drum silent, were compelled to march in unwarranted disgrace out of St. Louis.
Wild reports of the losses sustained by the Union forces filled the entire com- munity with dread while it awaited for days definite and authentic information. There was an anxious desire to alleviate the suffering incident to the conflict. Mrs. M. E. Woods offered to go as a nurse. A kind providence reserved her to perform a service of a wider scope and to show a devotion to her country as strong as that of her famous blood relative, Ethan Allen, who demanded the surrender of Ticonderoga "in the name of the Great Jehovah and the Continen- tal Congress." In order to learn what assistance could be rendered, Dr. C. S. Clarke visited Cairo and the front. It was some time before it was known what could be done most effectively.
ยท Chinese sugar cane, now commonly called sorghum, seemed so desirable and promising a plant that its cultivation became general in a few seasons after its introduction. An investigation disclosed that in 1861 probably 65,000 gal- lons of molasses and about 3,000 pounds of sugar were produced in the county from this crop. Large quantities of the sirup were exported. It brought 25 and 30 cents per gallon at the depot. Daniel Rider was a leading manufacturer. A specimen of the sugar, exhibited by John Locke, was judged, though an experi- ment, to be "superior to much of the New Orleans sugar offered for sale." "A thorough knowledge of the best method for the culture and manufacture of the plantation cane into sugar and sirup" was properly considered of industrial im- portance. On March 15th, "cane growers" organized the "Jefferson County Sugar Society." Its purpose was "to draw to a common center individual skill, experience and observation, and to spread them" among its members. Its offi- cers were Daniel Rider, president; Richard Gaines, vice president; John Snook, recording secretary ; Dr. J. M. Shaffer, corresponding secretary ; and Dr. George A. Ward, treasurer.
Toward the last of March, petitions were circulated asking Congress to repeal the Fugitive Slave Law. "We believe," these stated, "that the fugitive slave law was a part of the compromise of 1850; that the rebellious states, and with few exceptions the slaveholders of the United States, have violated said compromise; that said law is inhuman, and in some of its most important features unconstitu- tional, and that there is no obligation resting on you to continue it on the statute book." Numerous signatures were obtained to them. The incident is signifi- cant as an indication of a growing hostility to slavery.
Some citizens of Buchanan Township, among them Eli Hoopes and David Switzer, feeling the name a reproach at this time on account of the course pur- sued by the president in whose honor it was bestowed, agitated changing it to "Center." The effort failed.
On April 6th and 7th occurred the bloody battle of Pittsburg Landing. The list of casualties was long and contained many names familiar to the people of Jefferson County, names of relatives, friends and acquaintances. It discovered how wide the field for sympathetic activities. On May 5th, at the suggestion of Rev. A. J. Kynett, there met with him at the office of Slagle and Acheson, W. K. Alexander, C. W. Slagle, Rev. E. L. Briggs, W. W. Junkin, J. L. Hart-
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man and Dr. C. S. Clarke, to consider the propriety of forming a society to pro- vide aid for the unfortunate. The result of the conference was a public meeting on the 10th at the courthouse, at which time and place the "Jefferson County Soldiers' Relief Association" was organized. Its objects were "the relief of the wounded, sick and disabled volunteers, residents of or enlisted from Jefferson County, with surgical or other necessary aid and supplies, together with the return and interment, free of expense to friends when necessary and if prac- ticable, of the bodies of volunteers from this county slain or dying in the service of the government." Its members were those persons present "and all others who may contribute to its funds." An executive committee was authorized to appoint a surgical committee to secure surgeons and nurses as needed and to provide them with requisite hospital and medical stores, a burial committee to attend to the return of the bodies of soldiers to their friends, or to a suitable place of. interment within the limits of Jefferson County, and a finance committee, con- sisting of one person from each sub-school district, to solicit donations of money and other needful articles. It could also name additional committees when expedient. The funds raised were to "be applied to the care of the sick and wounded or of the dead," as contributors designated. At once, $68 were sub- scribed, of which $46 were paid in.
The officers were George Acheson, president; W. K. Alexander and J. H. Allender, vice presidents ; Dr. J. M. Shaffer, secretary ; and D. P. Stubbs, treas- urer. Associated with these to make up the executive committee were Richard Gaines, Solomon F. Stever, R. S. Hughes, Dr. Peter Walker, Nathaniel Loomis and Dr. Henry Ream. The surgical committee were James M. Slagle, W. W. Junkin and R. H. Leggett. The burial committee were C. W. Slagle, Rev. E. L. Briggs, A. Scott Jordan, Gilbert P. Loomis, Joseph Fell, Louis Roeder, John Gantz, George W. Robinson and W. H. Copeland. The finance committee were, for Walnut Township, W. H. Edwards, Charles Wood, John Spielman, John Hodgens and Silas Deeds; for Penn Township, Abraham Charles, Solomon Nordyke, James Haman, Moses Dudley, Wm. McKee and John Carse; for Black- hawk Township, John P. Staats, Wm. Z. Hobson, David Myers, Wm. Sunder- land, Isaac H. Brown, David Beck and James H. Baker; for Polk Township, J. J. Sperry, Peter McRunnels, Wm. Shelton, Henry Moore, Jacob Ramsey and Richard Gray; for Locust Grove Township, Brinton Hughes, John Carpenter, D. M. Parrott, Joshua Wright, Henry Hull and Henry Gregg; for Fairfield Township, A. Hemphill, Jacob Walmer, W. M. Reed, W. W. Junkin, H. B. Mitchell, Perry M. Troxel, Daniel Rider and David Shearer; for Buchanan Township, James H. Beatty, Philander Chandler, G. W. Devecman, Phineas Faucett, John Hoaglin and Isaac Galliher; for Round Prairie Township, John Cochran, John Strong, J. Metz and Rev. John Heaton; for Cedar Township, James Pattison, Wolf, John McCormick and Wm. Love; for Liberty Township, Peter Slimer, Joseph Rodebaugh, Jacob Famulener, Wm. Moore and Wm. Beall; and for Des Moines Township, G. W. Calferty, Solomon Rushton, John Stans- bury, James Cowan, Sr., A. B. Garver and A. O. Edwards.
At a Teachers' Institute, held from May 20th to the 24th inclusive, a num- ber of those in attendance, declaring the wages of the teachers of Jefferson County had "become so reduced as to be an insufficient compensation," pledged them- Vol. I -23
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selves not to teach "for a less sum than $20 per month during winter sessions and $15 per month during summer sessions."
In April there went into effect a law requiring the registration of all dogs on or before May 15th "with the clerks of townships." Registered dogs were required to wear leathern or metallic collars, not less than one inch wide, "with the number and year made plain upon the same, either by engraving or punching with holes, or sewing with thread of a color different from the collar." Unreg- istered dogs, "going at large," were to be destroyed. The fee for registry was divided between the clerk and the school fund. There was an indignant outcry. Dr. J. M. Shaffer, who as senator had favored and voted for the enactment, was an object of wrath. Dead dogs thrown in his yard expressed the contempt of some of his constituents. So general was the opposition throughout the state . that the Legislature, called together in special session in September, promptly repealed the act and authorized the repayment of that part of the fee which went into the school fund. Governor Kirkwood was equally prompt with his approval.
One Dr. D. F. Phillips, reputed to be the surgeon of an Ohio regiment, a late arrival in Fairfield, staying with Moses C. Shamp, had for a servant Ralph Robinson, a colored boy. The repetition of conflicting stories in regard to their association led to the suspicion that it was the relation of master and slave. Upon the application of Melchi Scott, a writ of habeas corpus was issued on June 10th by County Judge A. R. Fulton. It was found on trial that Rob- inson was a slave in Missouri; that he came by gift in the possession of Phillips, who by virtue of that was holding him in custody; and that he had been brought into the State of Iowa voluntarily where the status of slavery is forbidden by the constitution and laws. He was adjudged entitled to his freedom and dis- charged absolutely from the control of Shamp and Phillips. There was a notice of appeal from the decision, but dissent was carried no further.
The Fourth of July was celebrated by a "basket dinner in the park." Some who still talked of compromise with the South refused to take part in the exer- cises. The usual noisy demonstrations were omitted. The Declaration was read by Rev. J. H. Rhea. There was no set oration. Numerous toasts reflected the common view of the national situation. These sentiments called forth responses,
"The Founders of Our Independence-The Patriots of the Revolution-let them ever live in memory." Ward Lamson responded.
"Our Government-Emanating from the people and of the people, it can- not be successfully assailed or overthrown by the base machinations of traitors at home, or scheming enemies abroad." C. W. Slagle responded.
"The Flag of Our Union-The same that was unfurled by our patriot sires, and now trampled upon by traitors, it shall again be uplifted and float in triumph over every foot of American soil, when secession flags and treason's emblems are no more seen, and remembered only to be cursed." D. P. Stubbs responded. .
"The Declaration of Independence-Its noble enunciation 'that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,' are words that breathe and burn-words that made tyrants tremble, and are destined in the providence of God to lift the burdens of wrong and oppression from off
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all shoulders, and elevate the down trodden and oppressed of every land and clime." George Acheson responded.
"Our Volunteer Soldiers-As our fathers of '76 drew the sword to secure and bequeath to us the glorious inheritance of liberty, so with noble and becom- ing emulation their sons now rush to the defense of that priceless inheritance." R. C. Brown responded.
"The Union-It must and shall be preserved." Richard Gaines responded.
"The great uprising of the patriots of 1861 in defense of constitutional lib- erty, against the assaults of domestic traitors-the world has never witnessed such a spectacle-let foreign despots take notice and keep the peace." Rev. J. H. Rhea responded.
"The Rebellion of 1861-'Conceived in sin and brought forth in iniquity :' May the leaders and abettors thereof speedily meet the doom of heaven, as wit- nessed in the righteous overthrow and utter destruction of Korah and his asso- ciates." A. M. Scott responded.
"The Loyal Women of Our Day-No age has witnessed such devotion as has been shown by the patriotic women of our land on behalf of the soldiers in the field-forever may they be held in grateful remembrance, and their names enrolled with the women of the Revolution." Dr. J. M. Shaffer responded with an original poem.
"'Iowa-Her affections, like the rivers on her borders, flow to an inseparable Union.' Though a young sister of the Republic, her noble volunteers have won the admiration of the country, renown for the state, and secured for themselves undying fame." Rev. R. M. Wilkinson responded.
. These were not idle expressions of the lips. Within the next two months, responding to an urgent call for more troops for the preservation of the Union, companies were recruited at Fairfield, Abingdon, Glasgow and Brookville, while many men enlisted at other points.
The Board of County Supervisors, at a called session on August 24th, appropriated $4,000 to be distributed among the families of volunteers. James A. Galliher, a member who was not present, was so opposed to this use of the public money that, at the next regular meeting of that body, he requested his name be called and his vote recorded in the negative on the resolution.
The Constitution and Union at this period proceeded to extreme lengths. It denounced Lincoln as "the usurper," also styling him "King Abraham." Editorially it announced, "We would have it distinctly understood, however, that we are as much opposed to the war and the policy of the administration as ever, and that we will not forego any opportunity to strike a blow at it." To the soldiers at the front, these utterances were as sparks to tinder. Their letters home flamed with unrestrained and unsparing anger. The limits of for- bearance were reached. United States Marshal H. M. Hoxie, on August 17th, arrested its editor, D. Sheward, "on the charge of issuing treasonable publica- tions in his paper calculated to discourage enlistments and give aid and comfort to the enemies of the government." He was taken to Washington and confined. for a few weeks in "Old Capitol Prison." Upon taking an oath of allegiance, he was discharged. Arriving at Fairfield on November 18th, he was welcomed by his sympathizers as "a victim of abolition hatred." On the 25th, a more pretentious reception was held for him at Wells' Hall, with Gen. A. C. Dodge,
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"the trans-Alpine Gaul," and Henry Clay Dean, "the Griddle Greaser," so named by their political opponents, as the principal speakers.
The possibilities of the approaching state election in October were recog- nized by both republicans and democrats. The former, "as a last measure for the preservation of the Republic," were willing "to blot out the institution of slavery from the soil of every state;" the latter held that the several states possessed the sovereign right to determine the position and duties of the inferior and dependent negro race and that "the pledges of the Constitution require us as loyal citizens not to interfere therewith." President Lincoln's preliminary Proclamation of Emancipation, issued on September 22d, intensified the demo- cratic charge that republicans were abolitionists and the war an abolition war.
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