USA > Iowa > Linn County > History of Linn County Iowa : from its earliest settlement to the present time, Volume I > Part 57
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71
On the morning that news was received of the assassination of Lincoln Cedar Rapids became a town of turmoil and strife. Never in the history of the town had excitement run so high. The question of another war was disenssed in saloons and on street corners, and during the entire day this strife was kept up. Towards evening a story got started that Bill Harper, a well-known anti-war democrat and a person who had frequently when intoxicated said some pretty mean things of the republicans in general, said "that he was glad that Lincoln got killed; that he should have been shot four years ago." The story spread like a western wild fire, and in less than an hour it was all over town. A crowd got together and it was not long till a self-appointed committee was organized for the sole purpose of hanging Bill Harper to a rafter or a sour apple tree at sight and without trial. A good sized rope was proenred and the yelling crowd, headed by the late I. N. Whittam and others, made for the store room kept by Brown & ITarper. on what is now North First street. That IIarper was a well-known and outspoken so-called "copperhead" was universally known and no question arose in the minds of the mob as to the truth or falsity of the charge. A few in the party uttered remarks that there might be a mistake and that there ought to be some investigation to bear out the facts before the rope was applied, but the majority ruled and these faint-hearted fellows were laughed to scorn. N. B. Brown, who had heard of the trouble and who was a partner of Harper, got into the store building, mounted a barrel and talked to the erowd, claiming that Harper eould not have said the words with which he was charged, for he had not been in town for several days. Squire Knowles, a republican and a believer in fair play, tried to persuade the mob to disperse, but his plea found little favor with a mob who insisted on a hanging. Then Bill Darr, a neighbor of Harper, also a republican, had to come to the front and tell what he knew abont Harper. He said that Harper had been at home near Bertram and had been siek in bed for several days, and that he had been to his house and called on him the day before and he was certain that IIarper knew nothing of what had taken place at the national capital. Darr was not treated any better than the others and was called "traitor" and all sorts of names because he wanted to save his neigh- hor's life if possible.
Many of the crowd had been drinking heavily and insisted that something be done, and if they could not do any better they ought to fire the building and burn up the whole thing, while Brown insisted that most of the property was his
A. BOWMAN
E. M. CROW
J. M. MAY
393
CEDAR RAPIDS
and that he would voueh for his partner's honor and reputation as far as that charge went. Whittam by this time had gotten over the blood curdling period of his leadership and was willing to turn the job over to other hands, but no one seemed willing to come to his rescue, and there was no opportunity to put a mo- tion for an adjournment till the violence and the temper of the mob would some- what abate. Brown wanted to hold the mob as long as possible, having in the meantime sent messengers to notify Harper of what might happen. He realized that the infuriated mob at that stage of the game might hang an innocent man.
Just at this point of the delieate proceedings, the crowd yelling like warlike Indians, and threatening to liang any "copperhead" and to burn the building provided Harper was not brought into the room, a fourteen year old boy, long, lank and lean, who had also crowded into the building wanting to see what was going on, and to get more air, elimbed on top of a hogshead which stood in one corner of the room. As he was gazing out over the erowd others tried to get on to the same hogshead, pushing and pulling, when suddenly the end gave way and the boy fell into a mass of lard and dye stuff up to his neck. The stench acted like morphine upon the infuriated mob. Someone called for the rope to pull the boy out and then a general laugh broke out and when the boy ran down through the crowd, dripping with lard and lye, making for the river, the panic became general and they all followed his movements and forgot all about Bill Harper or the words he was supposed to have uttered.
The boy who thus saved the day and perhaps a life or two is no other than O. C. Carpenter, for many years one of the best known constables in Rapids town- ship. Carpenter still insists that he saved the day, although the ordeal he had to pass through was somewhat harsh. The lye burned his legs and spoiled a suit of clothes, and he got a good thrashing at home, in the bargain. The Greek boy of old fell on his sword, but the modern Linn county boy fell into a soap barrel and by that side-stepping east honors on himself and on members of his family for all time to come.
Bill Harper never uttered the words of which he was aceused, and never knew that Lincoln had been assassinated until the evening of the day when the infur- iated mob was hunting him with a rope, wishing to put an end to his earthly existence. This shows how dangerous it is to stir up the mob spirit at any time. It always leads to disgraceful aets, from which a community suffers for a long time afterwards.
HERE'S AN INTERESTING BIT OF ANCIENT HISTORY
In running through the files of the early years of the Cedar Rapids Daily Republican, the following interesting historical contribution, from the pen of the late Sampson C. Bever, was found :
"Editor Cedar Rapids Republican :
"I notice in the last 'Daily Republican,' in referring to the City National Bank of this city, in connection with the death of the Hon. Oakes Ames, the following :
" 'The death of Mr. Amnes recalls to mind the successful aid given S. C. Bever, Esq., in getting the charter of the City National Bank. The First National had already been established and as Cedar Rapids had a population of only 2,000 people at the time the comptroller of currency declined to establish another bank here, but by the assistance of Mr. Ames the charter was finally obtained.'
"The facts in the ease are these: The City National Bank received its eer- tificate of authority and had commenced successful business some time before the application for charter or certificate of the First National Bank was granted.
394
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
"It is truc an application for a City National Bank, with a capital of $50,000, was first made, and it was provided by the law of congress, creating National banks, that no charter for less than $100,000 should be granted, unless it should receive the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury. Mr. Ames being in Washington at the time this application was made, and being a warm friend of mine, he kindly offered to give me his influence, and wrote a strong letter to Mr. Chase, then Secretary of the Treasury, urging him to sanction my application for $50,000, but before presenting this letter I was urged by Mr. MeCullough, then comptroller of the eurreney, that as there was no other national bank organ- ized in Cedar Rapids, and the population was about 4,000, I should by all means make my application for $100,000, to which I finally agreed. And as green- baeks and government bonds were at my command, I had no further need for 'successful aid' from anyone, being well known to Mr. Mccullough, the comp- troller of the curreney. But I none the less highly appreciated the kindness tendered me by my friend Mr. Ames.
"I make this explanation, not so much on my own account, as that of others, who so well understand all the circumstances.
"S. C. BEVER."
The Republican of that date, May 12, 1873, also printed the following remarks :
"The statement that was made in the columns of the Republican on Saturday, concerning Oakes Ames and the City National Bank, is one of those unfortunate kind of errors that often ereep into a daily newspaper. The statement, as it appeared in print, was precisely as it was handed us by one of our prominent citizens, and we took it for granted, of course, that it was correct. Since Mr. Bever's communication has been handed us, we have made a personal examination into the matter, and have discovered an important faet which, it is due the City National Bank, should be published. We find in the report of the comptroller of the currency, that the City National Bank stands upon record as number 483, and the First National Bank as 500, which goes to show that the former was organized some time before the latter. Of course neither bank has any interest in this matter further than to be placed before the public correctly, and we have it to regret that the statement appeared in our columns on Saturday in the form in which it did."
CHAPTER XXXVII
Beginnings of Churches and the Fraternities in Cedar Rapids
The following accurate account of the beginnings of the churches and the fraternities in the city of Cedar Rapids, written by the late James L. Enos in the early '60s, will have a double interest. It not only gives the story of the beginnings of the various institutions, but also comments upon their condition and prospects at the time the article was written.
Methodist Episcopal - This society was organized in 1844, by Rev. Isaac Searles with nine members. As early as 1841 meetings were held by a Rev. Hodges, but no society was organized. In 1845 the Rev. Alexander Bushnell organized the first Methodist Sabbath school. Hodges, Searles and Bushnell were the first three Methodist ministers who preached in Cedar Rapids. Rev. Elias Skinner [still living at Waterloo] was the first pastor who permanently or wholly occupied his time with the church. During his appointment here the church was in a prosperous condition. Since that time, from a variety of causes, the interest of the church has fallen off and its former popularity seems to have departed. The present number of members is 90; number attending the Sab- batlı schools on both sides of the river, about 130. Rev. Mr. Miller is the present pastor. The church edifice was erected in 1854.
First Presbyterian - This society was organized July 9, 1847, with seven members, of whom Mrs. Mary Ely is the only surviving member. Bennet Rogers preached here and at Marion on alternate Sabbaths for a time. Rev. Williston Jones was the first regular pastor. He continued his labors with this society until July, 1856, when he removed to Iowa Falls. Rev. L. F. Dudley was the second pastor and J. W. Atherton followed in 1859. James Knox is the present pastor. I have not been able to learn the present number of members attending the Sabbath school. The church edifice was erected in 1850 and was the first of the kind in the city.
United Presbyterian (Seceders) - This church is located on the west side of the river; it was organized in 1851 with eight members. Rev. J. B. Forsythe was the first pastor, Rev. H. Sturgeon the second, and Rev. J. L. Fulton the third and present pastor. The church now numbers fifty members and is in a flour- ishing condition. Sixty pupils attend the Sabbath school. The church edifice is a plain brick, erected in 1859.
Second Presbyterian (Old School) - This society was organized May 27, 1855, with twenty members. Rev. R. H. Morrow, a most exemplary and worthy man, was the pastor. By his admirable qualities he won the regard of all with whom he came in contact. D. H. Mitchell was the second pastor. Following the expiration of his labors the pulpit was temporarily occupied by I. N. Reed, a thoroughly Old School divine. J. B. McBridge came next, and S. W. Miller is present pastor. The church now numbers some sixty members, and the Sabbath school has 80 to 120 enrolled. The church edifice is a neat but unpretending structure on the east side of Adams street, between Market and Sugar streets. It has a bell weighing 800 pounds and is furnished with a cottage organ. The pastor's salary is $1,000 a year, and the church is free from debt.
Catholic - This church commenced holding meetings in Cedar Rapids in 1853. Rev. Fr. Hannah officiated here at monthly intervals until 1857, in which year the church was formally organized. Mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Em-
396
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
mons this same year in the home of Alexander Hager. When first services were held, 1853, there were but three adherents to the faith in town. The church edifice, 24x50 feet, located at the south corner of Jackson and Market streets, was ereeted in 1857-8. Rev. Emmons served three years and was succeeded by Rev. Fr. Gillespie, and he by Rev. Uhlenbrock. The fifth and present priest of this parish is Rev. Fr. Cannon. The congregation now has about 300 members, most of whom live in the surrounding country. Last year (1863) a mission was con- dneted by Rev. Father Weniger.
Episcopal - The organization of this church took place in 1851, with but ten members. James Keeler was the first reetor, then followed Revs. C. C. Townsend, Samuel Goodale, Samnel Starr, William Fulton and C. S. Percival, the present pastor. The corner stone of this church was laid by Bishop Kemper in 1851, and was eonseerated in 1856. It now has about 80 members and the Sabbath school over 100 attendants. The church building is situated on the south side of Linn street, between Madison and Monroe streets. The exterior is not yet completed aeeording to original designs.
Baptist - The present church was organized by Rev. W. Eberhart, the first settled pastor, June 3, 1860, with a membership of twenty-eight. He continued in charge until November, 1861, resigning to take chaplaincy in the Twelfth Iowa Infantry Volunteers. Rev. N. F. Ravlin followed and remained with the church until April of this year (1864). The society is at present without a pas- tor. The congregation now numbers nearly 140 and the Sabbath school has abont 100 attendants. The society has no church edifice but has purchased a lot on Eagle street and will build soon.
In addition to these there are scattering members of other religious denomi- nations, among which are Universalists, Christians, Lutherans, New Jerusalem adherents. Spiritualists, and perhaps some others are represented. None of the church edifices are of the first class. In faet each society is too feeble to erect a church ereditable to the eity. We might hope for a more perfect Christian union and with that would come the ability to sustain a sufficient number of ehurehes, without the necessity of appealing for foreign aid to enable them to drag along an existence of doubtful value.
ESTABLISHMENT OF LODGES
Masonie - The Masonie lodge was instituted in November, 1850, by a warrant of dispensation from Grand Master MeCord, and its charter was issued June 4. 1851, being the twenty-fifth lodge of that fraternity organized in Iowa. George Greene was the first Worshipful Master ; John Vardy, Senior Warden ; Isaae Cook. Junior Warden; Thomas Downing, Treasurer; N. B. Brown, Secretary; Stephen L. Pollock, Senior Deaeon ; J. II. Kelsey, Junior Deacon, and Samuel Hook, Tyler. Seymour D. Carpenter was the first person made a Mason in this lodge. The following have been Masters to this date: James Keeler, Thomas Downing, John Vardy, IJiram Deem. S. L. Polloek, Jacob H. Camburn, and James L. Enos. James C. Adams is the present Master. The lodge numbers about 75 members and has the reputation of being one of the best working bodies of Masonry in the state. It was first organized as Cedar Rapids lodge, but has changed its name, being now known as Crescent lodge No. 25.
Odd Fellows - A lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows was insti- tuted December 28, 1850, about a month after the Masonie lodge was organized. It was known as Hope lodge No. 30. It continued its existence until some time during 1860, when it became defunet. The original eharter members were George Greene. John F. Ely, Absalom Sines, Joseph Greene and John H. Kelsey. Those who have been honored with election to office of Noble Grand in this lodge are: George Greene, Absalom Sines, John F. Ely. W. W. Smith, Joseph Greene, F. A.
CHURCHES AND FRATERNITIES IN CEDAR RAPIDS 397
Wilmans, L. H. Keyes, Homer Bishop, D. M. McIntosh, Hiram Deem, Charles Weare, Samuel Milligan, George Livensbarger and C. Fordyce. At one time the lodge was in a flourishing condition, but through some unfortunate circum- stances it declined, and finally surrendered its charter.
Various minor orders (Good Templars, Sons of Temperance, etc.) have had a temporary existence in the city from time to time, but none of these now have a local being.
LATER SKETCH OF THE CEDAR RAPIDS CHURCHES
The following extracts are from an address on Church Day delivered by Rev. C. W. Maggart, D. D., during the semi-centennial celebration in Cedar Rapids, June, 1906 :
Without doubt the first church organization was the St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal. The Rev. John Hodges preached here as early as 1840, but it was not until 1841 that the "class" was organized with twelve people, one of whom, Mrs. John Listebarger, is yet living and with us today.
This church was organized in the log cabin of Mr. and Mrs. J. Listebarger on the west side of the river near the west end of the B avenue bridge. Service was later continued in the first building in town, in which lived Thomas Sharp. At the time of the incorporation of Cedar Rapids this church had 148 members and their own little brick church, built in 1854, and located where the union station now stands. This church has had thirty-six pastors. Its present church was built in 1873 and is valued at $30,000.00. The number of members is 669.
The second church organized was the First Presbyterian, on July 12, 1847, with nine members, with the Rev. Williston Jones as the first regular pastor.
The first church building to be erected in the town was the "Little Muddy" church, which was on the postoffice site, 26x40 feet, and cost $1,200.00. It was dedicated January 12, 1851.
Fifty years ago this church had sixty-seven members. Prior to the organiza- tion of this church a union Sunday school was held in the first frame building in the town, in the cabinet shop of John Vardy. This church has had five pastors, was built in 1869, and has property valued at $70,000. It has 477 members.
· The Grace Episcopal church was the third church organized in the town. The organization took place in the school house in the summer of 1850. The first rector was the Rev. James Keeler. These services were later held in Tisdale's carriage factory. The upper floor was sometimes used for grain storage, and as it would drop through the cracks it would attract the attention of the porkers, which would frequently disturb the meetings with responses not found in the litany. At other times the upper story was inhabited and frequently the service would be carried on to the music of the nurse and cradle above. A great interest was taken in this church when Mr. S. C. Bever and family arrived from the east with a 750-pound bell. But a still greater interest was manifested when Judge Greene presented the church with a melodeon. In 1856 this church had thirty- six members. Today it has 505 members, has property valued at $100,000.00, and has been served by thirteen rectors.
The fourth church organized was the United Presbyterian, on April 19, 1851, with eleven members; and the first pastor was the Rev. Hugh Sturgeon. This is the oldest church now in existence on the west side of the river. Fifty years ago they had about fifty members. Today they have 225 members, property valued at $20,000.00 and have been served by six pastors.
The fifth church was the Second Presbyterian, now Westminster, which was known as the old school Presbyterian church and was organized May 27, 1855, with twenty members. Its first minister was the Rev. R. H. Morrow. Their first building was located on the east side of Adams street, between Market and
398
HISTORY OF LINN COUNTY
Sugar, and the principal thing mentioned by former church historians was that they had a bell weighing 800 pounds and their musie was led by a cottage organ. Fifty years ago they reported fifty members. They report today 500 members, with a property valued at $60,000.00, and have been served by twelve pastors. Their present church was built in 1905.
. It seems that the First U. B. church was organized in 1855 in the Dairy Dale district, which was probably then in the country. Rev. Me Williams was the pastor. They had thirty-five members at the time the city was incorporated. This church, however, later, went down for some years and was afterwards re- organized. They have today 260 members, church property valued at $25,000.00 and have been served by fifteen pastors. Their present church was erected in 1879.
The Baptist and Congregational denominations had organizations on the west side prior to 1856 but both were too weak to live.
During the first decade of the city's history two more churches were started, viz., the Roman Catholic and First Baptist. Fathers Hanna and Emmons of Iowa City held services for some time before organization and they only had three adherents. This shows plek and faith and devotion to their own church. The church was organized in 1857 and Father Gillespie was the first regular pastor. This church has had five pastors. Their present chureli was built in 1870 and is valued at $40,000.00. They report 1,500 members.
The First Baptist church was organized in Franklin hall, above Kilborn's gallery, on June 3, 1860, with twenty-seven members. Rev. A. G. Eberhart was the first pastor. They purchased a lot on Eagle street, where their first church was built. Their present church was built in 1894 and is valued at $50,000.00. They have had fifteen pastors and have now 365 members.
The next decade four or five organizations came into existence. The first Lutheran services were held in the winter of 1855-56 and an organization was formally effected in the First Presbyterian church, on March 3, 1856, with about twenty-two members, under Rev. H. F. Ealy, minister, who walked from Iowa City to preach to the scattered Lutherans. Services were irregularly held by Revs. HI. F. Ealy, Solomon Ritz, of Tipton, and J. G. Schaffer, of Lisbon, until 1868, when the organization was re-formed in the home of J. A. Hart, 211 Fifth avenue, with thirty members under the Rev. Cephas Baird as regular pastor.
The first church was built on the lot now occupied by the Cedar Rapids Sav- ings bank, Third avenue and Third street, but this congregation refused to per- manently locate there on such an expensive lot, which was then worth $300.00. This church has now 368 members and has been served by eight pastors. The present church was erected in 1881 and is valued at $20,000.00 A new church costing $35,000.00 is now in course of ereetion on the corner of Third avenue and Tenth street. It will be occupied early in 1911.
The Universalist society was organized in 1869 and the first pastor was the Rev. W. C. Brooks. For nearly seven years their services were held in a hall. Their present church was built in 1875 and has been served by eight pastors. They have approximately 100 members and property valued at $16,000.00.
The Bethel African Methodist Episcopal church was organized in 1870, and the first pastor was the Rev. J. W. Lewis. They have had sixteen pastors and have now seventy-nine members. Their church was built in 1874 and is valued at $5,000.00.
In 1874 St. Wenceslaus church was organized and its first pastor was the Rev. Francis Chmelar. They began with a church family of sixty. They have now 1,200 members, a church property erceted in 1904 valued at $50,000.00, and have been served by five pastors.
On July 1, 1874, the Second United Presbyterian church was organized with the Rev. W. J. MeCallister as minister. It continued in existence for about twenty-four years and its property is being used today by Sunshine Mission.
CHURCHES AND FRATERNITIES IN CEDAR RAPIDS 399
The First Christian church was organized August 1, 1875, with thirty-four charter members. Its first pastor was the Rev. N. A. McConnell. Since the organization there have been eight pastors. The present church was built in 1882 and its value is placed at $15,000.00, although the original cost was $22,- 000.00. They have a membership of 350.
The Second United Brethren church was organized in January, 1876, under the Rev. Father Bookwalter, and did good work for a number of years, but has ceased to exist.
The German Evangelical church was organized April 30, 1877, and its first pastor was the Rev. C. C. Pfund. They have had twelve pastors and have now sixty members. Their church was built in 1888 and they have property valued at $12,000.00.
The Free Methodist church was organized in 1877 and they have had eighteen pastors. The first pastor was Rev. W. C. Thompson. Their church was built in 1878, is valned at $4,000.00, and they have forty-seven members.
The First Congregational church was organized on May 13, 1879, and its first pastor was the Rev. A. T. Reed. They have had seven pastors and have now 350 members. Their present church was built in 1889 and their property valua- tion is placed at $35,000.00.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.