History of Johnson County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, and its townships, cities and villages from 1836 to 1882, Part 55

Author: Johnson Co., Ia. History. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Iowa City, Iowa.
Number of Pages: 980

USA > Iowa > Johnson County > History of Johnson County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, and its townships, cities and villages from 1836 to 1882 > Part 55

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).

At Dr. Bowen's house a conference was held with W. Penn Clarke and L. A. Duncan, at which matters were arranged as given in Dr. Lloyd's narrative heretofore quoted. Clarke and Duncan went to Col. Trowbridge's house (the same where he now resides) and told him of their plans, and of the part laid out for him. Their plan was for him to accompany Brown and . Kagi on the road to Springdale and Pedee. Trowbridge suspected that this road might be watched, and he knew that the only possible chance for Brown and the negroes to get away was to outgeneral the slavehunters and avoid bloodshed, for if a pass at arms once occurred, the whole movement would become so notorious that the chance for their getting through to Canada would not be more than one in ten thousand. Trowbridge therefore positively declined to have any- thing to do with the matter unless he was trusted to use his own judgment about route and time. This was reported back to Brown, and he must decide. He knew very little about our Iowa City Trowbridge, but was well acquainted with a brother of his in Kansas, who was true as steel, and he readily consented that Col. Trowbridge should take entire charge of the movement. Accordingly, at three o'clock Trowbridge gave the agreed signal at Dr. Bowen's night door on the east side of the house, and was admitted. Brown and Kagi slept in the west front room, and were soon up, and a consultation was held in the parlor. Dr. Bowen's barn then stood on the other side of Ralston creek from the house, and in it was Brown's mule team that had been driven in by the Quaker, and also his saddle horse. Trowbridge was satisfied that there were spies

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around, but they were most likely watching for "that Quaker and mule team " that brought Brown into the city. Kagi went over to the barn on a foot-plank bridge to get the saddle horse, but before reaching the barn he discovered men watching him; he was sure he saw three, but thought there were at least five of them, and he then came back to the house for consultation. It was now arranged that he should go right into the barn and get the saddle horse, while Trowbridge and Brown stood in the dark shade of the trees near the house, with guns ready to fire in case Kagi was attacked. This was a little after three o'clock in the morning. They were completely hidden from view, while the gray sky light made every- thing dimly visible to them on the open ground where the barn stood. Kagi now went directly into the barn, brought out the horse and led it across the creek, meanwhile keeping a revolver in one hand ready to fire instantly if assailed, or any attempt was made to arrest him. He saw three or four men again watching him, but they kept at a respectful dis- tance. The "mule team" was still in the barn, and they were happy; they'd nab the old Quaker and John Brown in the morning.

While the man-stealer spies were thus fondly dreaming of bagging their game in the morning, Trowbridge and Brown on horseback, and Kagi on foot, were making good time toward Pedee. Trowbridge suspected that there might be spies also along on the main road, so he bore off southward and then turning northwest, crossed the main road that passed through timber land for several miles east of the city, and came out on open prairie north of the road, where they could see any moving object like men or horses at a considerable distance; and by daylight they were safely beyond any probable picket-line of spies. Trowbridge led them to a Quaker's house not far from Pedee, and there left them to their own resources, while he made his way back to Iowa City. There was then a post-office called Carthage six miles east of the city in Scott township, and a man named Gruilich was the postmaster. At this place there was a party of democrats shooting at a target, drinking liquor, and waiting for old John Brown to come along. Trowbridge came riding up leisurely, and inquired if any of these gentlemen had any tame hay to sell. He wanted to buy some tame hay, and didn't know but what there might be some out in that neighborhood, so he had come out to see. Well, they hadn't any tame hay, but they had plenty of liquor, and he must drink with them. So the colonel took a "nip" with them, told them confiden- tially what he had heard about John Brown being in the city over night, and reckoned the "mule team" would have to go back on that road. There did not appear to be the least suspicion that he knew any more about Brown's whereabouts than they did, so he jogged on homeward, " hunt- ing for tame hay." In the timber on the road side, three miles east of the city he found another gang waiting to capture old John Brown, when he should come along with the Quaker and his mule team. Just at the east

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edge of the city, on what is now the Gower place, on the West Branch road, he found still another gang watching eagerly for "that mule team," and old John Brown. But all of these Iowa City "nigger hunters " were out of luck. The tempting rewards of money offered for return of escaped slaves never dropped into their regretful hands.

There is now in the rooms of the State Historical Society a two-pound brass howtzer (a little cannon on wheels) which John Brown used in Kansas when fighting for the free-state cause there. This he was taking east for his Harper's Ferry project, it is supposed, but it was too cumber- some to ship when the other arms were sent on as " carpenter's tools," and it was left with Dr. Bowen, who subsequently presented it to the His- torical Society.

JOHN BROWN'S LAST DAY IN CHICAGO.

Brown's last escape from Iowa City, and finally from Pedee and West Liberty are so intimately connected with men and events in Johnson county that it becomes also of local interest here to know how he got another car and passage out of Chicago and through Michigan into Canada; for President Buchanan's U. S. marshals were everywhere on the watch to catch " runaway niggers " and send them back into the chains of slavery.

On August 31, 1882, there was a public reception given in Chicago to John Brown's widow, and the proceedings of that meeting throw some very interesting light on how W. Penn Clarke's good offices for Brown at Iowa City were supplemented by Allan Pinkerton at Chicago-Pinker- ton, the very man whose "detective agency " is known, hated and feared by outlaws in every corner of the civilized world. The Times report of this late meeting in Chicago, says:

At 8:15 Mrs. Brown, accompanied by a large number of ladies, walked out of the ante-room, and the party seated themselves upon the stage amid great cheering. Mrs. Brown's supporters were: Mrs. H. A. Parker, Mrs. John Jones, Mrs. Lizzie E. Warren, Mrs. Chafner, Mrs. Seeley, Mrs. H. Smith, Mrs. Morse, Miss Packer, Mrs. S. Blake, Mrs. H. S. Hammond, Mrs. Mary Dye, Mrs. Keeler, Mrs. Watkins, Mrs. Mattie Hires, Mrs. Eliza J. Loomis, Mrs. Dr. Clark.

Judge James B. Bradwell was called upon to take the chair, and spoke as follows:

"In 1859 John Brown, by authority of God Almighty, made the first attack on slavery. He was taken at Harper's Ferry, and executed for the deed. In less than three years from that time there was not a slave in this broad land; the shackles had fallen from every slave in the republic. We are here to-night to do honor to the wife of the hero at whose touch those shackles fell." He then introduced Mrs. Brown, amid] deafening cheers. She simply bowed, and returned to her seat.

This meeting seems to have been large and enthusiastic, for the Chicago Times devotes over two columns in fine type to a report of its sayings and doings. But our special Johnson county interest in it is chiefly the following account by Mr. Pinkerton, which links right on with the depar-

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HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY.

ture of Brown and his negroes from West Liberty, as arranged by W. Penn Clarke, and hereinbefore narrated in Dr. Lloyd's sketoh.

MR. PINKERTON'S STATEMENT.

I was awakened about half-past four o'clock in the morning by some one knocking at my door. I was then residing on Adams street, between Fifth avenue and Franklin street, Chicago. I hurriedly got up to see who it could be out at so early an hour in the morning. I partly dressed myself and went to the door. On opening it, to my astonishment, who stood before me in the doorway but the veritable John Brown himself. I can recollect him very well, even now; very well built, rather tall, and straight as an arrow, his hair rather white. On seeing him I said: "My God, is this you?" and on looking beyond him I could see a crowd of white and colored men, women, and children standing on the street and sidewalk. The men were armed with rifles, and were as fine a body of men as it has been my good luck to see anywhere. Having expressed myself in a sur- prised tone, I awaited his reply, knowing that the United States govern- ment had set a reward on the head of John Brown. At last he said:

"Yes, it is me."

I replied: "But what is to be done with the men, women, and children with you? They must be attended to, and that quickly."

I was at a loss what to do then, but all that could be done was to dis- tribute the men, women, and children among the neighbors in my vicinity, which I did, and John Brown was taken to the residence of John Jones, who lived on Dearborn street, in this city. Some of them I took into my own house. The whole thing was done in a very short time. I hurried and got breakfast, then went to John Jones' house, where I met John Brown.

After some quiet talk he said he was on his way, with his party, to Canada, as he knew the United States government would arrest him if they found him, but he would endeavor not to allow them to do so. After talking with Mr. Jones, and thinking the matter over, it was decided to await the results of the meeting which was to be held in Chicago on this day for the election of circuit judge. Money must be got; accordingly, I drew up a subscription list, and waited until the meeting would begin. In the meantime I went down to see my friend, Col. C. G. Hammond, then general superintendent of the Michigan Central railroad. He was a friend to me and also to the colored people. On meeting me he said: "How are you?"

I replied: "Well; very well; but I would like to have the door shut and locked."

Mr. Hammond complied with my request; then quietly, but in surprised tones, said:

"Well, Pinkerton, what is the matter now?"

I said: "Colonel, I have got fifty to one hundred colored people here, in the city of Chicago, with John Brown; and John Brown is here himself in the city, and is going with the party to Canada. I have to see him through to Canada, and what is to be done must be done quickly."

"Well," said the colonel, after a moment's hesitation, "I must give you . a car to carry them to Canada. This I am willing to do; you will there- fore have the men, women, and children at the depot at 4:45 this after- noon. Bring them down on the south side of the depot, and I will have a comfortable car for their accommodation. You can get them all in it;

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and I will have a barrel of fresh water put in the car, but you must supply the provisions."

I said: "Yes, I will try to do that," but asked him how I was going to do it, as I had no funds. He laughed, looked at me, and said: “Well, I will take your note for the provisions, payable one day after date, by the Eternal; but you must be careful and let no one else know that they are here until they are all gone from Chicago."

Thanking the colonel very much, I left him with a great load off my mind.

The next thing to be attended to was the meeting. I had two gentle- men selected to collect subscriptions. I remained outside, as I was too well known as being an anti-slavery man, and I thought my absence from that meeting would be the best thing. The two gentlemen took the sub- scription list into the meeting, but they were refused any assistance, so they left the meeting very much disheartened and reported to me. I thought a little and concluded there was but one thing to be done-that I must have the money. I was willing to pay something myself, but I was not able to stand the whole, so I said to my friends:

"I 'am going into that meeting," and taking the subscription list in my hands I went in.

There was a good deal of caucusing at this time, but when I entered the room there was a sort of quietness and lull fell upon the meeting. I stepped up to a sort of temporary platform and said:

"Gentlemen, I have one thing to do, and that I will do in a very few minutes. John Brown is in this city at the present time with a number of men, women, and children. I will require aid, and substantial aid I must have. I am ready and willing to leave the meeting if I get the money; if not, I have this to say, that I will bring John Brown to this meeting, and if any United States marshal dare lay a hand upon him he must take the consequences. I am determined to do this, or will have the money."

The meeting was thunderstruck and looked at me. About this time- I recollect it very well-John Wilson, who afterward became judge of one of the courts, stepped up and handed me $50; another one gave me $50, and yet another-as nice a man and as good-hearted a man as ever lived- handed me $50, and I think he gave me another $50. His name was George Manierre. I don't recollect exactly in what amounts or from whom I received the money, but I will say in a very short time I had from $500 to $600 in my hands. Thanking the meeting for their kindness, I left feeling very much elated. Subscriptions came from various sources. Among others from L. C. P. Frier, one of the oldest "old line abolition- ists." At 4 o'clock in the afternoon I collected the men, women, and children, and, accompanied by John Brown, took them to the depot, put them in a car, and the crowd started for Detroit with a "hurrah," and reached Canada in safety. Everyone must know that John Brown meant business, and the slaves gained their "freedom" on British soil.

The wife of the Mr. Jones above referred to, at whose house Brown staid, was also present in the meeting, and gave her recollections of that historic day; and from her we quote a few points:

"Mr. Brown had just told me that he had a large number of slaves hid away. I knew of the rigor of the then existing fugitive slave law, and hence was ill at ease. Suppose he should be discovered? I thought, and, woman like, imagined all m inner of improbable things. Mr. Jones and

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Mr. Brown were then having a whispered, earnest conversation, and this only made matters worse. Just about this time the last feather was added to my weight of solicitude. The door-bell rang. Mr. Jones and Mr. Brown retired to a private room, and I answered the call.

"There stood Allan Pinkerton, the noted detective. If Mr. Pinkerton had said anything about the weather, or intimated that he hoped I was well, I should be inclined to forgive him for the fright he gave me, but he did nothing of the sort.

"Is John Brown here?" he asked.

"For an instant I was dumb. The story about George Washington did not impress me near so forcibly as the axiom about self-preservation. After a moment's reflection, I forced my heart down into its proper place and answered. "Yes, sir."

"I invited him in with a weight of fear on my mind that words can never measure. I called Mr. Brown. He came out, the two men met, and instantly my fears were cast to the winds. Their greeting was that of friend to friend; yea, more than that, brother to brother. I was satis- fied. The three then had an earnest talk. I don't know that I ought to divulge the secrets of that meeting of twenty-five years ago. Only one thing I will repeat. I remember that Mr. Pinkerton said: "There's a democratic meeting in town to-day. I'll go right down there and make them give me enough money to send those slaves to Canada."

"Now I want it to be distinctly understood that I don't know that there was a democratic convention in town that day; I don't know whether Mr. Pinkerton made it give him the money or not; but I do know that the slaves went to Canada."

CHAPTER VIII .- PART 1.

WAR RECORD FROM THE FIELD.

Johnson's County's "Boys in Blue "-The War of the Great Rebellion.

COMPLETE LIST OF ALL MEN WHO EVER SERVED IN THE UNION ARMY AND WERE CREDITED TO JOHNSON COUNTY.

In preparing the following patriotic "roll of honor " for Johnson county, all the volumes of Adjutant General's Reports of Iowa, comprising six thousand four hundred and thirty-one pages in all, have been carefully and exhaustively examined, collated, searched through, in order to make the record complete and reliable.

In the state history part of this volume will be found a state war record prepared by Col. A. P. Wood of Dubuque, which shows under the title head of each regiment or command, all the marches, battles, skirmishes, grand reviews, and other events of historic note, in which each body of Iowa soldiers bore a part. So that the friends and descendants of any one

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of our Johnson county soldiers can always see by referrring to this record of his regiment just what battles, etc., he was engaged in.

[NOTE .- It must be constantly borne in mind by the reader of these fol- lowing pages that in these lists both of officers and private soldiers, no names are given except of men who were from Johnson county. Other field officers will be found in the state war record above referred to.]

FIRST INFANTRY.

Field and Staff .- Mustered in May 14, 1861. William H. White, sur- geon; William W. Hughes, quartermaster sergeant, mustered in as pri- vate, promoted May 24, 1861, re-enlisted in 22d infantry, June 27, 1862. Company B .- Mustered in May 9, 1861. Bradley Mahana, captain; Harvey Graham, first lieutenant, wounded at Wilson's Creek, subse- quently captain, major, lieutenant colonel, and colonel, 22d infantry, taken prisoner at Vicksburg, May 22, 1863; Andrew J. Rians, second lieutenant; Lewis W. Talbott, first sergant, mustered in May 9, 1861; Charles N. Lee, sergeant, afterwards captain company A, 22d infantry, re-enlisted June 17, 1862; Zachariah Shearer, 3d sergeant, wounded at Wilson's Creek, wounded five times in the Mexican war, re-enlisted in 22d infantry as private Aug. 4, 1862, and promoted to 4th sergeant Oct. S, 1862; John Henry Gearkee, 4th sergeant, re-enlisted in 22d infantry July 26, 1862, subsequently captain company B; James Robertson, 2d cor- poral, wounded at Wilson's Creek, re-enlisted in 22d infantry, captain company I; John W. Kinsey, 3d corporal, wounded at Wilson's Creek; Phillip Thomas, 4th corporal.

Privates .- Mustered in May 14, 1861. Mark D. Allen, Francis B. Banks, Henry W. Ballard, William Bick, John Bick, James A. Boarts, Alexander H. Brown, wounded at Wilson's Creek, re-enlisted in 22d infantry, 2d lieutenant, company B; John Besett, John W. Boots, Josiah Corlett, Mitchell Campion, wounded at Wilson's Creek; David Cleveland, Loyd H. Dillon, wounded at Wilson's Creek; William M. DeCamp, wounded at Wilson's Creek; George W. Dennis, wounded at Wilson's Creek; Cyrus Douglass, wounded at Wilson's Creek; James E. Edging- ton, wounded at Wilson's Creek; William Ferguson, wounded at Wilson's Creek; Oliver B. Goldsmith, James A. Gettings, Richard M. Hampton, wounded at Wilson's Creek; Chas. H. Hilton, wounded at Wilson's Creek; Nelson Holding, Thomas J. Harbert, William D. Harbert, Thomas Hoyt, William H. Hills, Thimothy Hirene, Leander M. Jackson, Jacob G. Lurwick, Richard Linn, Joseph F. Lattie, T. Wilson Lindsey, Con- stant S. Lake, Thomas Morrison, James Murry, wounded at Wilson's Creek; John T. McGuier, William E. Martin, William R. Munsey, killed in battle at Wilson's Creek; Lemuel Madden, wounded at Wilson's Creek; Horace B. Pumphrey, wounded at Wilson's Creek; Alvin W. Pinney, Francis A. Parrott, Thomas Payne, John N. Reynolds, Geo. H. Shockey, Geo. W. Smith, Andrew H. Statler, David M. Simmonds, Joseph F.

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Schell, Aaron M. Smith, Henry W. Sailer, Timothy H. Sale, missing after battle of Wilson's Creek; John W. Sweetman, James Trusdell, Wil- liam Tyler, wounded at Wilson's Creek; John Teeter, James H. Trim- bell, wounded at Wilson's Creek; Eugene F. Trask, Charles E. Thomp- son, wounded at Wilson's Creek; James Watson, wounded at Wilson's Creek; Wilson W. Wolf, John H. Wheeler, George H. Walter, wounded at Wilson's Creek; Alonzo Walker, missing after battle of Wilson's Creek; Andrew N. Springer, went into quarters April 27, 1861, dis- charged for disability; Lorenzo D. Prather, went into quarters April 27, 1861, over number, killed at Pittsburg landing while in service.

Company C .- Edward C. Burns, private; mustered in May 14, 1861.

SECOND INFANTRY.

Company C .- James C. Mansell, private; mustered in May 28, 1861, wounded at Corinth, and died of wounds October 5, 1862.

FOURTH INFANTRY.

Company E .- Esquire Williams, private; mustered in August 8, 1861, discharged.

SIXTH INFANTRY.

Field and Staff .- Alexander J. Miller, mustered in as first lieutenant July 18, 1861, promoted to captain May 22, 1862, major October 23, 1862, and to lieutenant-colonel March 14, 1863; severely wounded at Dallas, Georgia, May 28, 1864, resigned October 28, 1864: John Williams, major, promoted from captain company G, May 21, 1862.

Company A .- Charles T. Golding, mustered in as 5th corporal, com- pany G, July 18, 1861; promoted to 2d lieutenant November 1, 1861, 1st lieutenant April 12, 1862.

Company C .- Edward Finefield, private; mustered in July 17, 1861; transferred to company G, January 9, 1862.

Company D .- Mustered in July 17, 1861; Michael Combs 4th sergeant; Privates: Nicholas Kitterman, discharged October 12, 1861; Joseph McCord, transferred to the 5th Kansas November 1, 1861; William R. Stewart, discharged August 22, 1861, consumption.

Company G .- Mustered in July 18, 1861. John Williams, captain, wounded at Shiloh, promoted to major; Alexender J. Miller, 1st lieutenant, promoted to captain May 22, 1862, major October 23, 1862; James J. Jor- dan, 1st sergeant, promoted 1st lieutenant, May 22, 1862, wounded at Kenesaw Mountain, mustered out October 26, 1864; Andrew T. Samp- son, mustered in June 19, 1865, from adjutant; Edward G. Fracker, mus- tered in as musician, promoted to 1st sergeant July 1, 1862, second lieu- tenant September 4, 1862, 1st lieutenant March 3, 1863, resigned November 29, 1864; Joseph M. Douglas, 2d lieutenant, resigned Septem- ber 3, 1862; Samuel J. Plymesser, mustered in as 1st corporal, afterwards 1st sergeant and 1st lieutenant, wounded slightly at Missionary Ridge;

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Morton M. Choate, 3d sergeant, discharged June 30, 1862; Lorenzo D. Prather, 4th sergeant, killed in battle at Shiloh; Charles W. Parshall, 5th sergeant, dishonorably discharged January 4, 1862; Chas. Nickerman, 2d corporal, captured at Shiloh, discharged January 5, 1863, for disability ; Calvin H. Bane, 3d corporal, discharged December 31, 1861, disability; William Davis, mustered in as 6th corporal, promoted 3d corporal, killed at Shiloh; Charles Overfelt, 7th corporal, discharged January 17, 1862; Jonas P. Clark, 8th corporal, discharged February 9, 1863; Bradford Harmon, musician. Privates: William Ayres, captured October 28, 1863, Horace N. Banks, discharged June 4, 1862; James Calhoun, wounded at Shiloh; Thomas Crosier, discharged December 14, 1861; Thomas A. Clark, wounded at Shiloh; Benjamin Clark; John A. Clark, wounded at Kenesaw Mountain, discharged September 20, 1864; James J. Davis, died at St. Louis; Enoch Davis, wounded August 2, 1864, near Atlanta, Georgia; Michael Ditto, died near Atlanta, Georgia, July 28, 1864, of wounds; John Ditto, promoted to corporal, captured at Shiloh, wounded at Missionary Ridge, Tennessee; Charles Dalton, discharged February · 10, 1862, for mental disability; George W. Ford, wounded at Kenesaw Mountain, killed in action October 31, 1864; Eugene R. Fosberry; All- man Frazier; William Gould, discharged for disablility April 24, 1862; John A. Green; Thos. H. B. Hollar, died November 16, 1861, of fever; Austin A. Hull, died at Atlanta, Georgia, July 22, 1864; John Hileman, discharged April 24, 1862, disability; Tim- othy Holmes, Aaron Kibier, William Lininger, promoted corporal, died at Shiloh April 3, 1863, of fever; William Lambert, David Moreland, killed at Shiloh; George Madden, Alexander McClean deserted July 25, 1861; John Printz, Benjamin Ramsey, died near Bolivar, Tennes- see, December 4, 1861, of fever; Ebenezer Roberts, discharged February 10, 1863, disability; William Robertson, George Reedy, wounded at Shiloh, died of wounds at Mound City, Illinots; Oswald Schanoz, Andrew T. Sampson, Frank Shaeffer, David R. Shockey, John K. Smith, dis- charged June 4, 1862, for disability; John M. Tilton, Levi Talbot, wounded at Jackson, Mississippi, July 16, 1863, discharged December 6, 1863; Cas- par S.Troutman, Jacob Will, wounded at Shiloh; James H. White, dis- charged for disability, December 14, 1861; William Yingling, captured at Shiloh, April 6, 1862, discharged at Washington, D. C., Feb. 26, 1863.

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History of Johnson County, Iowa, containing a history of the county, and its townships, cities and villages from 1836 to 1882, Part 55

Author: Johnson Co., Ia. History. [from old catalog] Publication date: 1883 Publisher: Iowa City, Iowa. Number of Pages: 980

Author: Johnson Co., Ia. History. [from old catalog]
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Iowa City, Iowa.
Number of Pages: 980